Digital Commons Network^™

Modelling And Analysis Of Smart Grids For Critical Data Communication, Abdulfattah Noorwali

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Practical models for the subnetworks of smart grid are presented and analyzed. Critical packet-delay bounds for these subnetworks are determined, with the overall objective of identifying parameters that would help in the design of smart grid with least end-to-end delay.

A single-server non-preemptive queueing model with prioritized critical packets is presented for Home Area Network (HAN). Closed-form expressions for critical packet delay are derived and illustrated as a function of: i) critical packet arrival rate, ii) service rate, iii) utilization factor, and iv) rate of arrival of non-critical packets. Next, wireless HANs using FDMA and TDMA are presented. Upper and …

The Left Hand Doesn't Know What The Right Hand Is Doing—Or Does It?, Jody C. Culham

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

In this issue of Cell Reports, Ossmy and Mukamel (2016) show that virtual reality enhances learning of new motor sequences through practice with one hand and synchronous feedback of the other hand moving. The approach holds promise for motor rehabilitation.

The Effect Of The Gekotm Device On Post Kidney And Pancreatic Transplantation Leg Edema, Bijad Alharbi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction: Kidney and pancreas transplant recipients risk thromboembolism and lower limb edema due to immobility and fluid shift after surgery. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices + hromboembolic deterrent (TED stockings) are used to mitigate these risks. However, they risk peroneal nerve injury, discomfort, excessive heat and sweating under the cuffs. The Geko TM device, is an internally powered calf neuromuscular stimulator, shown to have beneficial effects in improving blood flow and skin capillary perfusion. Its role in transplantation has not previously been assessed. Our objective was to prospectively evaluate the effects of IPC+TED stocking and the Geko TM devices on …

The Work Of Elementary Principals In Supporting New Teachers In Ontario, Publicly-Funded, English Speaking Schools, Jennifer M. Gonyou-Brown

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Teachers benefit from instructional, emotional, institutional and physical supports in their early years of practice (Lipton & Wellman, 2003). Yet, with a teacher surplus in Ontario, many early career teachers (ECTs) spend years in transient, short-term work prior to qualifying for the New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP). As school leaders, Ontario elementary principals develop and facilitate supports for the ECTs in their school. However, principals have identified their workloads to be demanding and intensifying (Pollock, 2014b). ECT support development is one of many responsibilities that principals undertake in their work.

This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with twelve elementary principals …

Probiotic Yoghourt For Health, Nutrition And Women's Empowerment In Kenya: A Community-Based Approach, Ellena Andoniou

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The dissertation aims to examine the impacts of probiotic yoghourt on health, nutrition and women’s empowerment within the context of HIV/AIDS in Kenya. Mixed methods that combine quantiative and qualitative approaches are used to understand the effects of probiotic yoghourt on the health, nutrition and quality of life for men and women. Results of the quantiative analysis (n=227) demonstrated that the probiotic yoghourt confers a variety of health benefits – physiological (fewer urogenital conditions and digestive problems; reduced dependence on medical treatment), and psychological (perceived improvements with bodily appearance, felt an increased meaningfulness with life). Results of the qualitative analysis …

The Efficacy Of Bionate As An Articulating Surface For Joint Hemiarthroplasty, Sarah Dedecker

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Hemiarthroplasty procedures replace the diseased side of the joint with an implant to maximize bone preservation while maintaining more native anatomy than a total joint replacement. Even though hemiarthroplasty procedures have been clinically successful, they cause progressive cartilage damage over time due to the use of relatively stiff metallic implant materials. This work investigates the role of low moduli implant material on implant-cartilage contact mechanics and early in vitro cartilage wear. A finite element simulation was developed to assess the effect of low moduli implants in the range of 0.015-0.288 GPa on contact mechanics. Higher contact area and lower peak …

Insights Into The Role Of Connexin26 And Connexin30 In Skin Health, Syndromic Disease, And Cutaneous Wound Healing, Eric R. Press

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Connexin26 (Cx26) and Cx30 facilitate gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in the epidermis and are linked to several syndromic skin diseases. We investigated 5 disease- linked Cx26 mutants and demonstrated that the severity and extent of disease can be predicted from the gain- or loss-of function properties of each mutant, as well as the ability to induce cell death. We also used transgenic mice expressing S17F Cx26 (linked to keratitis-ichthyosis- deafness syndrome) or A88V Cx30 (linked to Clouston Syndrome) to investigate the pathophysiology these skin diseases. We demonstrated that S17F Cx26, but not A88V Cx30, promotes palmoplantar keratoderma by disrupting …

Safe Haptics-Enabled Patient-Robot Interaction For Robotic And Telerobotic Rehabilitation Of Neuromuscular Disorders: Control Design And Analysis, Seyed Farokh Atashzar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Motivation: Current statistics show that the population of seniors and the incidence rate of age-related neuromuscular disorders are rapidly increasing worldwide. Improving medical care is likely to increase the survival rate but will result in even more patients in need of Assistive, Rehabilitation and Assessment (ARA) services for extended periods which will place a significant burden on the world's healthcare systems. In many cases, the only alternative is limited and often delayed outpatient therapy. The situation will be worse for patients in remote areas. One potential solution is to develop technologies that provide efficient and safe means of in-hospital and …

Behavioural Inflexibility And White Matter Inflammation In An Aged Happ Rat With Subcortical Stroke, Aaron M. Regis

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The interactions between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and ischemic stroke pathology are of key interest in the development of post-stroke cognitive decline. While clinical and experimental studies have suggested an interaction, the mechanisms whereby these conditions interact to worsen cognition haven’t been fully revealed. This study aimed to combine rodent models of AD and stroke in an aged rat and assess the behavioural and histological outcomes. An injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor into the basal ganglia of a rat with human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) overexpression (F344Tg) was followed up 3 months later to assess behavioural flexibility, memory and …

Collaborative Work Environments: Development And Sustainability, Christy L. Thompson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This dissertation examines how elementary principals develop collaborative work environments. Specifically, it explores how principals understand collaborative work, examines the strategies principals employ to encourage such an environment, the supports principals use when developing collaborative work environments and the challenges principals experience when trying to create one in his or her school. The study was conducted using a qualitative research design and an interpretivist approach was used to frame the research. Eleven elementary principals were interviewed for this study. The interviews were semi-structured and ranged in length from 45-60 minutes.

Findings included an important emphasis on positive relationship building amongst …

Creating Functional Materials With Phosphorus, Tyler John Cuthbert

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Understanding the relationship between small molecules or polymers and how they affect the properties of materials they compose is the basis of materials science. Using unique and versatile components can impart useful and interesting properties to materials. Here, we aimed to extend this understanding to phosphorus, and the known properties it possesses. This included the production of photopolymerizable coatings containing phosphonium molecules and polymers for antifouling and antibacterial applications. The synthesis and characterization of these phosphonium components was completed and materials were produced utilizing UV curing technology. Addition of these components produced coatings that could resist bacteria attachment and efficiently …

Comparison Of The Prophylactic Effect Between Acupuncture And Acupressure On Menstrual Migraine: Results Of A Pilot Study, Xianmin Yu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Menstrual migraine (MM) is one kind of migraine associated with females’ menses. It is often associated with increased menstrual distress and disability, leading to decreased daily activity and quality of life. Purpose: To make comparisons between acupuncture and acupressure for preventing MM. Design: A randomized and controlled pilot study with three groups: verum acupuncture (VA) group, acupressure (AP) group, and control acupuncture (CA) group. The study lasted for seven cycle-months, with a 1-cycle-month baseline observation (T1), a 3-cycle-month intervention (three times per cycle-month) (T2-T4), and a 3-cycle-month follow-up (T5-T7). Outcome measures: number of migraine days, average and peak pain, …

How Elementary School Principals Manage Accountability Expectations, Carolyn M. Ball

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This thesis explores how elementary school principals in the Canadian province of Ontario manage multiple accountability expectations in their work. My conceptual framework is based on seven different accountability systems that can influence principals' work: bureaucratic, moral, political, professional, market, legal, and performance-based. This interpretive, qualitative study consisted of 12 semi-structured interviews, approximately sixty minutes in length, with principals from two urban Ontario school boards.

The amount of demands placed on elementary principals by various forms of accountability--including mandated government policies, school board initiatives, and what principals believe to be important based on the needs of their respective schools--is intensifying …

The Contribution Of Community-Based Health Planning And Services (Chps) To Community Sustainability And Health In The Upper West Region Of Ghana, Hannah M. Woods

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Ghana introduced Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) to improve poor health in rural areas. Research in the Upper West Region (UWR) has found poor health is related to degrading social fabric. Recent research suggests the existence of health services in rural, developed contexts increases community sustainability and can be understood through the capitals framework. This study applies the framework to understand the contribution of CHPS to community sustainability and health in the UWR. The region lacks reliable ambulance services; in response, communities have adopted Community-initiated Emergency Transport Services (CETS). The study uses the existence of CETS as a measure …

Comprehensive Molecular Characterization Of Human Nodal, Scott D. Findlay

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Nodal and related ligands are highly conserved members of the TGF-beta superfamily with well-established and essential roles in the early embryonic development of vertebrates, and in cell fate decisions in human embryonic stem (hES) cells. Aberrant NODAL signaling also generally promotes pro-tumourigenic phenotypes and the progression of a wide array of human cancers. Despite being pursued as a potential therapeutic target, many aspects of NODAL’s molecular biology remain poorly understood. This thesis provides a comprehensive characterization of gene expression from the human NODAL locus at multiple levels. First, an intronic NODAL SNP known as rs2231947 was found to be functional …

Riboregulation Of Bacterial Transposons, Michael J. Ellis

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Bacterial transposons typically exist in a mutually beneficial relationship with the host cell. Limited transposition can benefit the host while also ensuring the survival of the element. An important component of this relationship is that transposition must be tightly regulated. In this thesis I explore ways that the host and transposon each control transposition in E. coli and provide evidence that a transposon can also control host gene expression in S. enterica Typhimurium. Post-transcriptional regulation with small non-coding RNAs (sRNA) has emerged as a key way that bacteria respond to stress and regulate many cellular processes. The RNA-binding protein Hfq …

X-Ray Absorption And Emission Studies Of Anodic Titania Nanostructures, Jun Li

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

One-dimensional (1D) TiO₂ nanomaterials with ordered structure have been extensively applied in various fields, such as photocatalysts, solar cells, supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries, due to the unique structural and functional properties compared to the disordered nanoparticulate forms. Nevertheless, intrinsic disadvantages of TiO₂, such as its large band gap (~3 eV), fast recombination rate of photoexcited electron–hole pairs and insufficient ionic conductivity, severely limit the development of 1D TiO₂ nanomaterials for practical applications. To address the above issues, the scope of this thesis focus on the fundamental understandings of the electronic structure of highly ordered TiO_{2 …}

Like Angels Among Them: John Calvin And The Protestant Pastorate, Jeff Temple

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

One of the most significant challenges faced by sixteenth century Protestants was the need to define the character and function of the ministerial office. Having rejected the medieval model of a cleric who mediated contacted with the Divine via the sacramental system, Protestant were confronted with the task of redefining the clerical task in light of their core values of sola fide and sola Scriptura. The first generation Reformers, however (men like Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli and Martin Bucer), had proven unable to meet this challenge in a sustained and substantial way. Thus, the task fell to the next …

Book Review: Spotlight On China: Chinese Education In The Globalized World, Jingzhou Liu

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Revisiting Multiculturalism In Canada, Geraldine Balzer

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

No abstract provided.

Engaging With Tradition? How History Shapes Engagement With Local Communities In Universities In England And Ontario, Canada, Emma Sabzalieva

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

The impetus for universities to engage – to reach out, share, and exchange knowledge – with the communities around them is not a new phenomenon, but one that has gathered salience and speed in recent years (Watson, 2007; Hall, 2009; Davis, 2016). University engagement takes place in a range of dimensions within the global-national-regional-local spectrum (Benneworth et al, 2009; Goddard, 2009). This comparative study of six public universities in England and Ontario, Canada focuses on engagement with local communities. By analysing both institutional histories and universities’ contemporary strategic plans, the study shows that understanding universities’ foundations offers important insights into …

Teacher Strategies To Improve Education Outcomes For Indigenous Students, Theresa Papp

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

Abstract

The article presents the teaching strategies that supported education success for Indigenous students of New Zealand from a case study research approach. Interviews were conducted with teacher participants that revealed four dominant strategies that were perceived to improve Māori education outcomes and were confirmed by national testing results. These strategies were: Building and repairing relationships through a relationship-based pedagogy; student focused school and classrooms; teachers that provided feedforward and feedback to students; administrative leadership, and the regular incorporation of Māori culture in the school and the classroom. Over a six-year timeframe, implementation of these strategies more than doubled Māori …

Parental Support For Newcomer Children’S Education In A Smaller Centre, Xuemei Li, Antoinette Doyle, Maureen Lymburner, Needal Yasin Ghadi

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

This study explored the issues around parental support for newcomer children’s transition to school in a smaller urban centre in Atlantic Canada where newcomer support is relatively limited. Data were drawn from semi-structured interviews with 11 newcomer parents, five children, and one settlement worker. The findings revealed newcomer parents’ difficulties in understanding the school system, limited engagement with the school community, isolation from other parents, and barriers to understanding and connecting with other parents. Among these newcomers, refugee parents are particularly challenged. We conclude that newcomer children’s parental involvement need to be viewed multi-dimensionally, and that the creation of a …

Somali Refugee Students In Canadian Schools: Pre-Migration Experiences And Challenges In Refugee Camps, Mohamad Ayoub, George Zhou

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the pre-migration challenges experienced by Somali refugee students in refugee camp before resettling in Canada. The findings were drawn from a qualitative research that was designed to investigate the pre-migration and post-migration experiences of Somali refugee students attending English public schools in a southwestern city in Ontario, Canada. The method of data collection in the study was semi-structured one-on-one interviews. A total of six Somali refugee students were interviewed. The exploration into the participants’ experiences revealed that they faced many pre-migration challenges in refugee camps. Members of the school community, …

Analyse D’Un Projet Pilote D’Intégration D’Une Approche Par Les Situations Dans L’Éducation De Base De La République Démocratique Du Congo, Stéphane Cyr, Annie Savard, Emna Braham

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

En 2015, la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) a entrepris une démarche transitoire de réforme scolaire en adoptant une Approche par les Situations (APS) dans ses programmes pour le primaire. Pour initier cette démarche, le pays a mis en place un projet pilote visant l’amélioration de l’enseignement et des apprentissages des mathématiques et des langues. Dans ce dispositif, des situations ont été crées et des enseignants ont été formés à l’utilisation de ces situations en classe. Le présent article présente les résultats issus des différents outils de collecte de données visant à rendre compte de cette démarche expérimentale en mathématiques …

Collaborating In (Mis)Translation: Opportunities Lost And Found During A Multi Year Exchange Program Between Canada And China, Terry Sefton, Glenn Rideout, Jonathan Bayley

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

Three Canadian education faculty, who collaborated with Chinese Canadian colleagues in leading trips to China during a multi-year exchange program discuss their perceptions and experiences. Storytelling and photo elicitation are used to build a visual and textual narrative. Narratives are used to map areas of familiarity, uncertainty, obstacles, and discovery. Photographic images provide a framework for examining social practices and interpreting personal experience through visible traces of teaching within physical and cultural spaces. A discussion on the role of translation is particularly important, to understand both opportunities grasped and opportunities missed. One of the primary goals of exchange programs between …

Multi-Stakeholder Partnership In Teacher Education And Development, Linyuan Guo-Brennan, Carolyn Francis, Elizabeth Townsend, Michael Guo-Brennan

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

While there is a growing interest in offering international teaching practicums to pre-service teachers as an approach to developing teachers' global perspectives on education, however, understanding of the impact of such practice on the host communities is insufficient or absent. This study collected data from multiple sources and, using the Theory of Change framework, examined the impact of pre-service teachers' international practicum on the school and community development in Kenya. Through exploring the context of host communities, the perceptions of Kenyan educators, and the changes that have occurred in Kenyan schools and communities, this study revealed positive development changes in …

Editorial: Volume 45, Issue 3, Marianne Larsen, Grazia Scoppio

Comparative and International Education / Éducation Comparée et Internationale

No abstract provided.

Free The Nipple: A White Feminist Movement, Emily Stauffer

Essay Contest 2017

No abstract provided.

On Reckoning, Kim Solga

Department of English Publications

How can settler-colonial subjects bear witness to survivors of Canada’s residential school system? Kim Solga attends ARTICLE 11’s Reckoning at the Theatre Centre and asks questions about the strategies it uses to bring audiences into the conversation about truth and reconciliation.