Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of The Acidic Domain Of The Toc159 Protein Import Receptor Family In Toc Complex Assembly In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Yi Chen

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Most chloroplast proteins are encoded in the nucleus and translated in the cytosol with an N-terminal cleavable transit peptide, which can be recognized by the translocon at the outer envelope membrane of chloroplasts (Toc complex). The core Toc complex is composed of two GTPases, Toc159 and Toc34, and the Toc75 channel. atToc159, atToc132 and atToc120 are homologues of the Toc159 family in Arabidopsis, and have been shown to assemble into structurally and functionally distinct Toc complexes. Targeting of atToc159 to the chloroplast outer membrane is mediated by its GTPase (G-) domain. However, the role of the acidic (A-) domain in …

Neural Mechanisms Of Interference And Storage In Vibrotactile Working Memory, Tyler D. Bancroft

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Vibrotactile working memory has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Substantial research into the neural correlates has been conducted, especially using single-cell paradigms in non-human primates (Romo & Salinas, 2003). The vibrotactile working memory system uses a relatively simple neural code for the representation of stimuli, making it possible to determine when stimulus information is present in the various cortical areas thought to be involved. In humans, vibrotactile working memory displays properties (such as overwriting mechanisms of interference) that make it an ideal system for testing general theories of working memory. In the present study, we demonstrate that vibrotactile working …

Linking Cd Accumulation And Effect In Resistant And Sensitive Freshwater Invertebrates, Tony Straus

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

There has been recent discussion within the field of environmental toxicology as to the viability of using the bioaccumulation of a chemical toxicant to predict toxic effects. Current literature has shown this concept to carry some merit, although there is a major flaw in that with many cases, namely those involving sensitive species, body burdens cannot be reliably linked to effects (Adams et al. (2010)). Bearing this issue in mind the goal of this thesis was to assess the viability of using bioaccumulation as a measure of effect in a different way.

The proposed idea utilized Cd accumulation in a …

The Evolution Of Sexual Reproduction In Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae), Michael Wright

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae), the dodders, is a genus of ca. 200 species of obligate stem parasites distributed across a great diversity of habitats worldwide. The existence of a handful of species that are dangerous crop weeds has led researchers to historically focus on their growth and control. Consequently, there is a dearth of information about their biodiversity, ecology, and in particular their reproductive biology. This thesis surveys aspects of sex allocation, floral evolution, floral rewards for pollinators, and mechanisms of reproductive assurance across the genus. I demonstrate that Cuscuta has evolved a broad spectrum of breeding systems, from obligate selfing to …

To Tell Or Not To Tell: Predictors Of Disclosure And Privacy Settings Usage In An Online Social Networking Site (Facebook), Amanda Nosko

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Use of social networking sites has grown exponentially over the last decade. Facebook, a popular social networking site, currently boasts membership of over 500 million users (www.facebook.com). In the present research, four studies were conducted to examine factors that impact on self-disclosure and privacy settings use. The primary goal for Studies 1 A, B and C involved developing methods for organizing and understanding the information that individuals disclose through social networking sites. Specifically, in Study 1 A, a scoring tool was developed in order to comprehensively assess the content of the personal profiles. In Study 1 B, grouping categories (default/standard …

The Social Ethic Of Religiously Unaffiliated Spirituality, Siobhan Chandler

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Since the sixties, sweeping social change has led to a massive restructuring of North American religious life. This includes the emergence of privatized forms of religiosity that operate without an institutional context. This trend is captured by the growing prevalence of individuals who describe themselves as ‘spiritual but not religious’. Despite its popularity, critics worry that privatized religiosity is undermining more socially responsive forms of traditional religious engagement. They think that private religion does not lead to the types of face-to-face interactions needed to build social trust and foster a vibrant public sphere. In short, they think it lacks social …

Interprofessional Empathy In An Acute Healthcare Setting, Keith Adamson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Interprofessional collaboration is emerging as a key factor in reshaping healthcare practices in Canada over the last eight years. Collaboration in healthcare necessarily implies health providers sharing responsibility and partnering with each other in order to provide comprehensive patient care. A review of the empirical literature on teamwork in healthcare settings suggests that relationships between service providers remain conflictual and variable in their commitment to interprofessional collaboration (Zwarnstein & Bryant 2000). Recently, social psychologists have given considerable attention to the possibility that empathy could be used to improve intergroup attitudes and relations (Batson & Ahmad, 2009). Although empathy may be …

A Comparison Of Ancient Mediterranean Metal Structural Fittings, Evan Galen Sharp

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The construction of shelter is one of the basic activities that allows humans to survive. It is, moreover, one of the principal means by which we identify the occupation of a place by peoples who came before us. In the world of the ancient Mediterranean, methods and techniques flowed among populations as readily as any other commodity, and their manifestations bear witness to cultural contact as much as any transported religious, commercial, or military object. Moreover, since the construction of shelter is an activity common to all, functional techniques were a universally sharable knowledge. A collection and comparison of the …

Reading Development In Adolescent First And Second Language English Learners: A Comparison Using Age Match Design, Vahidehsadat Shahidi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Fourteen Iranian-Canadian bilingual students were tested for language ability as well as cognitive and phonological processing skills in two languages: Farsi and English. They were compared to 30 Iranian monolingual chronological age matched students and 30 Canadian chronological age matched peers. Since there were not any standardized tests in Farsi, one of the aims of this study was to begin creating the language ability measures in Farsi, and to test their reliabilities. In general, from six developed and translated Farsi tasks, three of them were found to be reliable. It was found that bilingual students perform better on memory tasks, …

Exploring Perfectionism, Rumination And Social Anxiety: Theoretical And Causal Implications, Jaclyn R. Brown

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Clark and Wells’ (1995) cognitive model of Social Anxiety (SA) posits that those with (SA) have a strong fear of negative evaluation and engage in excessive rumination following social interactions or performances. Fear of negative evaluation is also a key component of perfectionism; perfectionism has also been correlated with rumination. The purpose of the research was to examine the relationships among SA, rumination and perfectionism across two studies. For Study 1, participants were recruited (N=232) to complete online questionnaires. Psychometrics, including factor structure, were examined. It was expected that SA and rumination, rumination and perfectionism, and SA and …

An Approach To Engagement With Youth In Gangs Participatory Action Projects, Lisa Armstrong

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the process of engaging youth who have been involved with gangs in the context of a local street gang prevention project. A case study of the local project was conducted with interviews with twelve (N= 12) participants, most of whom were project staff Interviews were conducted by the author and two youth co-researchers. Findings illustrate the meaning of youth engagement to the participants, ideal roles for staff members and youth, and the relevance of a youth advisory committee as an outlet for future engagement in this program. Based on these …

Cd-Induced Responses In Plasma Ionic Regulation And Oxidative Stress In Rainbow Trout (O. Mykiss) Or Lake Whitefish (C. Clupeaformis) During Chronic Waterborne Exposure, Amanda Mancini

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

During chronic exposure to Cd or other metals, freshwater fish generally undergo physiological changes that results in acclimation, following a phase of damage and subsequent repair. The mechanisms associated with deleterious cellular effects induced by Cd throughout long-term exposures are less understood than those of acute toxicity, and may relate to an over-production of reactive oxygen species. The objectives of the present study were to examine the changes in, and relationship between, tissue-specific oxidative damage and antioxidant response, as well as plasma ionic regulation and tissue accumulation, in two freshwater salmonids throughout chronic Cd exposure. Rainbow trout (O. mykiss …

You Can’T Go To Zion With A Carnal Mind: Slackness And Culture In The Music Of Yellowman, Brent Hagerman

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Jamaican deejay Yellowman is best known for “slackness” lyrics centred on masculine heterosexual potency, sexist objectification of women and graphic sexual narratives. Yet a deeper look at Yellowman’s life and recorded output suggests that when his slackness is read in the context of Afro-Jamaican culture, reggae history and his Rastafarian faith, a more complex interpretation of his slackness is needed. This study will draw on Carolyn Cooper’s (2001) theory that slackness is a “metaphorical revolt against law and order, an undermining of consensual standards of decency” (p. 141). Whereas the term “culture” is used in reggae to depict music that …

An Exploration Of Factors Impacting Youth Volunteers Who Provide Indirect Services, Andrea M. Mcarthur

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Youth volunteerism is highly researched by volunteer organizations, but little is known about the factors impacting youth who provide indirect volunteering and the strengths and challenges which they face. Volunteering is indirect when the results of a volunteer’s work travels through more than one channel, (usually stakeholders spreading a message or raising funds), before reaching the intended client. Awareness raising and fundraising activities are two common examples of indirect volunteering that are attractive to many youth.

Ten youth volunteers from five different organizations in the Greater Toronto Area were interviewed in order to investigate three important questions about indirect volunteering. …

Conformation And Ion Transport Of Neuronal Uncoupling Proteins: Ucp2, Ucp4, And Ucp5, Tuan Hoang

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Located in the inner mitochondrial membrane of brown adipose tissue, uncoupling protein -1 (UCP1) dissipates the proton electrochemical gradient, causing reduction in the rate of ATP synthesis, and generates heat by non-shivering thermogenesis. Three other UCP homologs (UCP2, UCP4 and UCP5), expressed in neurons, are suggested to have potential roles in the function and protection of the central nervous system (CNS). Up to date, structural information for UCPs still remains limited. Extensive biochemical studies on UCP2 have provided adequate evidence for its participation in proton and anion transport. So far, no functional studies in proteoliposome systems have been performed on …

Assessing The Stability Of Elite Political Culture: An Empirical Analysis Of The Attitudes Of Elected Officials In Canada, Lydia Summerlee

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Do attitudes of Members of the 32nd and 40th parliament differ on issues of political ethics? Or have attitudes remained unchanged? Based on interviews of 44 members of the 40th parliament and 107 members of the 32nd parliament, this thesis explores attitude shifts across time. The study reveals that in the areas of conflict of interest and patronage attitudes have hardened. Members of Parliament (MPs) from the 40th parliament are more sensitive to these dimensions of political corruption as opposed to MPs from the 32nd parliament. For ethically charged scenarios dealing with gifts & gains and lying, MPs from the …

Multi-Tasking: The Effects Of Interacting With Technology On Learning In A Real-Time Classroom Lecture, Lucia Zivcakova

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

An experiment was conducted with the primary purpose of determining whether multitasking while listening to lectures impacts on learning performance. Four digitally-based multi-tasking activities (texting using a cell-phone, emailing, MSN messaging and Facebook) were compared to 3 control groups (a paper-and-pencil note-taking, a word-processing note-taking and a natural technology/note condition) over three sessions. The natural use control group was included to assess what level of multi-tasking, if any, occurs naturally in an authentic classroom lecture. The 7 (condition) X 3 (session) mixed design, revealed that participants m the Facebook and MSN conditions performed more poorly than participants in the paper-and-pencil …

Effective Islamic Spiritual Care: Foundations And Practices Of Imams And Other Muslim Spiritual Caregivers, Nazila Isgandarova

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In Canada, Muslim communities turn to Muslim spiritual caregivers, especially to imams, for help with various problems. Research has shown that many Muslim spiritual caregivers are familiar with the Arabic language and Islamic values but have limited practice in Islamic counseling and psychotherapy. This study is intended to examine the effectiveness of Muslim spiritual caregivers in the context of Canadian Muslims’ health care. Cross-sectional ethnographic research with fifteen Muslim spiritual caregivers and interviews with them were conducted.

Our results show that even though the majority of Muslim spiritual caregivers have no formal training in Western psychotherapy intervention, they nonetheless play …

Effects Of 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-Nitrophenol (Tfm) On Energy Stores And Gill Function In Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon Marinus) And Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss), Matthew Henry

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The primary method of controlling invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) populations in the Great Lakes is the application of the pesticide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) to larval lamprey nursery streams. Recent evidence suggests that the mode of toxic action of TFM involves the inhibition of oxidative ATP production in the mitochondria. As a result, there is increased reliance on the anaerobic pathways of ATP production which involves the hydrolysis of phosphocreatine (PCr) and anaerobic glycolysis. TFM may also damage the gills, which may disrupt gill-mediated ion regulation and cause internal ion imbalances. While knowledge of TFM toxicity in larval lampreys …

Examining Experiences Of English Literacy Development (Eld) Program From Multiple Stakeholders’ Perspectives, Hany Ibraham

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The present study, conducted in collaboration with a public school board in southern Ontario, Canada, focused on stakeholders’ perspectives of an English Literacy Development (ELD) program offered in secondary schools within this particular board. The purpose of this research was to identify resources that would help address school absenteeism, credit accumulation and graduation needs of ELD learners, as well as to learn which factors in ELD better assist students who are refugees with school integration and in reaching their academic potentials. The research objectives were (1) to identify factors that influence integration of refugee students in school and (n) to …

Improving Understanding Of Endocrine-Active Compounds In Pulp And Paper Mill Condensates Using A Mummichog (Fundulus Heteroclitus) Bioassay, Robert John Gary Rutherford

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Since the late 1990s an investigation of cause (IOC) study at Irving Pulp and Paper Ltd (IPP), a bleached kraft mill in Saint John, NB, Canada, has successfully identified an in-mill waste stream (5th effect evaporator condensates) as containing endocrine disrupting substances (EDSs). These EDSs affect levels of reproductive steroids in a native estuarine fish, the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). To confirm the minimal concentration at which whole condensates impact reproductive endpoints, adult mummichog were exposed to 2% and 4% (v/v) whole condensates for 14 days. Plasma testosterone was significantly depressed in males in the 4% (v/v) treatment, confirming …

The Role Of Taste And Calories In Access-Induced Excessive Sweets Consumption By The Rat, Adam Celejewski

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

For individuals diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) or Bulimia Nervosa (BN) eating is often manifested in intermittent bouts of gorging, a behaviour that is similar to excessive consumption of rewarding drugs in addiction (American Psychiatric Association, 2000; Corwin & Grigson, 2009; Epstein & Shaham, 2010). Our laboratory has found that sucrose solution intake by rats escalates markedly when provided on Discontinuous Access (DisA; 24h once every 3 or 4 days) schedules but is maintained at lower, stable levels with Continuous Access (ConA; ad lib) schedules (Hewitt & Eikelboom, 2008). Once DisA/ConA consumption differences are established, they persist even …

The Internalization Of Mathematics Stereotypes In Elementary School Children, Amanda Schell

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study investigated mathematics-related gender stereotypes, internalization of these stereotypes in 2nd and 5th grade children, and whether there is a relationship between internalization and the underperformance of girls in mathematics. There is evidence that gender stereotype internalization occurs throughout elementary school with an increasing impact on girls’ mathematical competence and performance (e.g., Muzzatti & Agnoli, 2007). However, there has been no definite determination with respect to the point at which this process begins. Parents and teachers have displayed gender stereotypical beliefs concerning children as young as three years of age (Lee & Schell, under review). This factor can influence …

Summer Library Reading Programs And Literacy: An Assessment Of Children’S Reading Progress After Having Participated In A Summer Library Reading Program, Ashley Kristina Van Andel

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study examined the effects of a summer library reading program on children’s reading progress. Sixty-nine children in second to fifth grade, ages 7–11, completed reading ability measures at two points: before and after participating in the summer library reading program, for the duration of July and August. For this quasi-experimental design, the treatment group consisted of 16 children who participated in the program, while the control group included 53 classmates who did not participate. Results showed that those who participated in the summer library reading program scored higher than the control group only in reading comprehension and not other …