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The Influence Of Water Chemistry And Gill Physiology On The Uptake Of The Lampricide Tfm By Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser Fulvescens), Scott Leslie James Hepditch

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Application of 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) to control invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) within the Laurentian Great Lakes seldom causes non-target mortality. However, under certain conditions, TFM can harm species such as the lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). Lake sturgeon less than 100mm in length are particularly vulnerable to TFM-induced mortality, and are more sensitive to TFM toxicity with increasing water alkalinity as compared to sea lamprey. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of pH and alkalinity on the uptake of TFM by juvenile sturgeon using radio-labeled TFM (¹⁴C-TFM). An additional objective was …

Distribution And Stability Of The Lampricide 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-Nitrophenol (Tfm) In Non-Target Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) And White Sucker (Catostomus Commersonii), Darren Foubister

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) is applied to tributaries of the Great Lakes to control invasive sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus). Although TFM is selectively toxic to larval sea lampreys, non-target mortality can occur during lampricide treatments. It is important to know whether or not TFM played a role in the death of these fishes, and the most direct means to do this is using forensic science principles. The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine the acute toxicity of TFM to the non-target fishes, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), and how the lampricide is …

Differences In Perceptions Of Aperture Crossing During A Virtual Reality Choice Reaction Task Between Non-Athletes And Varsity Athletes, Jaime Mitchell

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Background: Vision will guide the actions and behaviors that allow us to circumvent environmental obstacles. When passing through a gap, individuals will consistently elicit a shoulder rotation (SR) if the gap is 1.4 times their shoulder width (SW) or narrower, with this behaviour being produced under various environmental conditions. Although a few studies have investigated perceptual predictions regarding gap passage, the effect of physical activity and the differences between trained and untrained athlete’s behaviours has not been examined. This study investigated the perceptual judgements of non-athletes and varsity athletes regarding the action they would utilize to pass through a dynamically …

Initial Functional Characterization Of Bfo 2291 And Bfo 2294 From Tannerella Forsythia; Degraders Of Chondroitin Sulfate A, Rony Eshaque, Rony Eshaque

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Periodontitis is characterized by the inflammation of the periodontal tissues in response to bacterial action. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2010 study shows that periodontitis ranks 6^thin the global prevalence of oral health conditions and affects 11% of the world population. It is initiated by the formation of biofilms containing different types of bacteria. These biofilms exist as dental plaque and contain three types of bacteria called Tannerella forsythia, Porphyromonasgingivalis, and Treponema denticola. These three types of bacteria are strongly associated with periodontitis and they are termed as the Red complex. The main focus of the …

Bioinformatic Interrogation Of Phosphonate Tailoring Pathways, Monica Papinski

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Phosphonates represent an underexploited class of natural products despite their tremendous potential for use in medicine and agriculture. Even less characterized are phosphonate-containing macromolecules such as cell wall lipids and glycans, distinguished by a P-C bond known to provide stability towards hydrolysis. Despite some progress made in revealing cell wall phosphonate tailoring (Pnt) pathways, several barriers impede the discovery and characterization of novel phosphonate biosynthetic pathways. Specifically, a large diversity of gene composition and arrangement is evident surrounding key genes established to participate in phosphonate tailoring pathways, which are identified alongside the presence of the ppm gene encoding the P-C …

The Effect Of Oxidation, Thionation, And Dimerization On The Self-Assembly And Photophysical Properties Of Novel Discotic Materials, Katie M. Psutka

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis aims to increase understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and liquid crystalline temperature range by exploring the effects of oxidation, thionation, and dimerization on the self-assembly and properties of novel discotic materials. First, two alkoxy-substituted dibenzanthracenequinones were prepared by oxidation of the corresponding dibenzanthracenes. The quinone induced a liquid crystalline phase in the hexaalkoxy dibenzanthracene derivative, but not in the tetralkoxy derivative. However, both of the resulting materials were un-reactive to any further synthetic modifications that could be used to improve their properties. In comparison, two heteroaromatic dithienoanthracenedicarboximides were successfully prepared, although the addition of the thiophene …

Investigating The Roles Of Mechanoreceptive Channels In Tactile Apparent Motion Perception: A Vibrotactile Study, Phill Kim, Philip Servos Dr.

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Tactile apparent motion (TAM) is a perceptual phenomenon in which consecutive presentation of multiple tactile stimuli creates an illusion of motion. Employing a novel tactile display device, the Latero, allowed us to investigate this. The current study focused on the Rapidly Adapting (RA) channel and Slowly Adapting I (SAI) channel on the index finger. The experiment implemented vibrotactile masking stimuli to target the mechanoreceptive channels with the goal of gaining better insight into the involvement of mechanoreceptive channels in the perception of TAM. Masking stimuli were used because previous studies have used them to differentiate between different channels; a …

Examining The Effects Of Interleukin-6 On Appetite Regulatory Peptides In Lean And Obese Sedentary Males, Greg L. Mckie

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Acute moderate-intensity exercise transiently suppresses appetite via fluctuations in the appetite-regulatory peptides acylated ghrelin (AG), peptide tyrosine-tyrosine_3-36 (PYY_3-36), and active glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Importantly, these effects do not lead to compensatory changes in energy intake in normal weight or obese individuals, highlighting the potential for exercise to induce acute energy deficits. One potential mechanism for these effects is increased post-exercise plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, as IL-6 has demonstrated appetite-inhibitory effects in animal and cell culture models. Given obesity is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation and associated with upregulated IL-6, this study sought to …

Sprint Interval Training: Assessing Effectiveness And Adherence In A Real-World Setting, Gregory Howe

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Introduction: Perceived lack of time is an oft-cited reason for not engaging in physical activity. One proposed solution is high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or a more intense version known as sprint interval training (SIT), which involves repeated “all-out” efforts interspersed with short recovery periods. Although convincing evidence demonstrates the efficacy of SIT on cardiorespiratory fitness and other health factors, whether individuals will independently perform and benefit from this type of exercise outside the supervised lab setting is unknown. Purpose: To compare the effectiveness and adherence of performing running SIT and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) protocols in a real-world setting. Methods: …

Gill Structure & Function In Parasitic And Non-Parasitic Lampreys: The Effects Of Metamorphosis And Freshwater-Seawater Transfer, Julia Sunga

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Lamprey (Petromyzontiformes) are a phylogenetically ancient group of jawless fishes that begin their lives as filter-feeding larvae (ammocoetes) before undergoing a complex metamorphosis into juvenile lamprey that involves major changes to their internal and external body plan. Some parasitic species, such as the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), migrate to sea following metamorphosis, where they use their oral discs and rasping tongue to attach to and ingest vast quantities of blood from fishes. Thus, sea lamprey have to counter the simultaneous challenges of hyposmoregulation in sea water and the generation of large quantities of ammonia due to the …

Moral Identity Development Across Middle Childhood And Adolescence, Sonia Sengsavang

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In moral psychology, moral identity has been viewed as a central explanatory construct in moral development linking morality and action. However, less is known about its development across the lifespan. The present dissertation aimed to address the limitations of previous research by using the personological approach to better understand how the multifaceted construct of moral identity develops from the understudied period of middle childhood to adolescence. The dissertation is separated into three chapters that can be considered as three research topics framed within one study tapping into the different layers of moral identity (see Krettenauer & Hertz, 2015). All chapters …

Dynamic Balance Control And Segmental Orientation While Listening During Walking: Effects Of Age And Hearing Loss, Sin Tung Lau

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Dynamic control of balance changes with age and changes with declines in sensory and cognitive abilities. For instance, emerging, yet robust associations between hearing loss and poor mobility have been described and yet the mechanism underlying these associations remains unknown. It could be that age-related declines in hearing ability result in different kinematic strategies when having to walk and listen at the same time (e.g. head and body orienting responses toward sounds) and/or that declines in hearing result in increased cognitive load during listening, at the detriment to mobility-related performance. Therefore, this thesis sought to better characterize these associations by …

Defence In Depth: An Anatomy Of Containment From Quarantine To Resilience, Jessica West

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This dissertation investigates the logic of resilience as a prevailing mode of national security. Struck more by its familiarity than its novelty, I turn my attention to public health as a way of better understanding what resilience does and how it works. Using interpretive methods to read resilience theoretically as a function of complex systems and concretely as a set of homeland security policy practices in the United States, I situate the emergence and implementation of resilience as a redeployment of long-standing motifs and modes of “containment,” recast as an immune system. Specifically, I claim: 1) containment is a spatial …

Near-Surface Permafrost Ground Ice Characteristics And Ecological And Physical Drivers Of Transient Layer Ice Content In Discontinuous Permafrost, Jason Paul

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Accelerated climate warming in northern regions is causing permafrost degradation, leading to the reduction of the areal extent of permafrost. Permafrost is the foundation for many northern ecosystems and communities, so its thaw can have important ecological and societal consequences. Thaw of ice-rich permafrost can cause subsidence of the ground surface proportional to excess ice content. Terrain settlement can cause ponding or damage to infrastructure. Following a surface disturbance that removes much of the vegetation cover, a shift in the ground thermal regime can cause an increase in active layer thickness and rapid thaw of the top portion of permafrost. …

Exploring Lactate’S Role In Appetite Regulation Following High-Intensity Exercise, Luke W. Vanderheyden

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Background: Intense-exercise has demonstrated an appetite suppressing effect post-exercise, however the involved mechanisms are not well understood. Lactate appears to be one viable mechanism as it has been found to bind to receptors on acylated ghrelin to inhibit release in cell culture. As sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) can alter lactate accumulation post-exercise without manipulating exercise-intensity, it presents an intriguing means to investigate lactate’s potential role. Purpose: To examine the role of lactate on appetite using NaHCO₃ to alter blood lactate concentrations during high-intensity exercise. Methods: Eight recreationally active males completed two identical exercise sessions of low-volume high-intensity interval …

Ecological Ethics And Social Work Therapy Practice, Karma Guindon

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study sheds light on the meaning of ecological ethics from the perspectives of ecologically-informed therapy professionals. A qualitative methodology was used to explore the perspectives of therapists from Canada, England, and the United States. Thirteen professionals were interviewed and feedback on these interviews was obtained utilizing focus groups. The findings include themes of relational assumptions, ecological values and principles, practice ecologies, and challenges and solutions to embracing ecological ethics. The findings suggest ways social work therapists can integrate ecological ethics into their everyday practice and point to changes that can be made in the profession more broadly, including changes …

Arriving Somewhere, Not Here: Exploring And Mapping The Relationship Between Border Enforcement And Migration By Boat In The Central Mediterranean Sea, 2006 To 2015, Kira Williams

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The European Union (EU) implemented a maritime interdiction network using search and rescue which interdicted at least 462,813 “illegal migrants” in the Central Mediterranean Sea between 2006 and 2015. This involved 15 discrete, militarised and semi-secret maritime interdiction operations (MIOs) at a minimum cost of 126.9 million 2014 Euros. In this dissertation, I will explore and map these operations and their geographies between 2006 and 2015.

First, and based on the given existence of the European Patrols Network, I examine how this network came into being in the first place. This serves to show that the EU purposely created regular …

Cementless Tibial Base Micromotion During Activities Of Daily Living, Hayden Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Initial stability of cementless total knee replacement (TKR) components is directly related to long-term fixation and success, as excess motion hinders bony ingrowth. To assess implant stability, there is a need for more physiologically accurate loading conditions, incorporating forces and displacements in all 6 degrees-of-freedom found in the knee joint, as well as understanding the impact of femoral flexion on conformity of tibiofemoral articulation. Understanding how different activities of daily living generate tibial micromotion yields insight into surgical technique considerations, and rehabilitation strategies post-operatively. ASTM F3141-15, which specifies knee flexion, Internal-External moment, Medial-Lateral, Anterior-Posterior and Superior-Inferior forces during gait and …

Malleable Rationality, Stephanie Plamondon

Faculty Scholarship

In 1998, Christine Jolls, Cass Sunstein, and Richard Thaler published A Behavioral Approach to Law and Economics, one of the most important pieces of scholarship in decades. Their article famously proposes a departure from the neoclassical law and economics approach to legal analysis. Breaking from neoclassical law and economics’ rational actor construct, the authors apply empirical insights about human behavior to introduce the concept of a boundedly rational actor limited by cognitive constraints. Over the past two decades, the behavioral law and economics approach, with its focus on the boundedly rational actor, has contributed needed realism to legal analyses. Unfortunately, …

Human And Nonhuman Animals: Equals In Uniqueness, Uta Maria Juergens

Animal Sentience

Chapman & Huffman attack the idea that humans are unique and therefore superior to nonhuman beings. They call on humankind to use their “intellect to change [their] actions.” I am in full accord with their line of thought, which differentiates uniqueness from superiority and enjoins humans to take responsible action. I suggest, however, that humans are unique with regard to cognitive fluidity. The same conclusions can be reached via another argument based on human uniqueness.

Can They Suffer?, Todd K. Shackelford

Animal Sentience

We should treat sentient nonhuman animals as worthy of moral consideration, not because we share an evolutionary history with them, but because they can suffer. As Chapman & Huffman (2018) argue, humans are not uniquely disconnected from other species. We should minimize the suffering we inflict on sentient beings — whether human or nonhuman — not because they, too, are tool-makers or have sophisticated communication systems, but because they, too, can suffer, and suffering is bad.

Why Do We Want To Think Humans Are Different?, Colin A. Chapman, Michael A. Huffman

Animal Sentience

One harmful consequence of creating categories where one group is unique and superior to others is that it justifies committing negative, often atrocious, acts on the members of the inferior group. Correcting divisive human categorizations (racial superiority, gender superiority) has bettered society. Scholars have often claimed that humans are unique and superior to nonhuman animals. These claims need to be reevaluated. Many have already been refuted. Animals have been shown to outperform humans in many tasks, including cognitive ones. Here we raise the question: Has the false sense of superiority been used to justify human cruelty to animals?

Good News: Humans Are Neither Distinct Nor Superior, Anne Benvenuti

Animal Sentience

Chapman & Huffman suggest that to correct our thinking about the supposed superiority of humans over other animals, we must train our reasoned investigation upon ourselves. Their thesis may usefully be viewed from within the general findings of the cognitive revolution in science, particularly findings that speak to the limits of rationality in everyday thought of humans. That we have failed — throughout a long history of scientific and philosophical thought — to ask fundamental questions about animal cognition and emotion is rooted in the fact that much of our thinking, feeling, and behaving is beyond our own immediate grasp. …

Using Anthropocentrism To The Benefit Of Other Species, Vanessa Wilson

Animal Sentience

Chapman & Huffman (2018) argue that we should not consider humans as unique or superior to other animals when we have the chance to explore the diversity of the traits of other species. This is a valid and progressive point in our approach to research, but I suggest that an anthropocentric approach can have animal welfare benefits when it helps us perceive other species – especially distantly related ones such as crustaceans – in a human light.

Individuals In The Wild, Bob Fischer

Animal Sentience

If many wild animals have net negative lives, then we have to consider how likely it is that the good for animals, considered as individuals, aligns with the good for species, or the climate, or the preservation of wild spaces.

Human-Like Behavior And Cognition: Not A Good Starting Point, Magnus Helgheim Blystad

Animal Sentience

Chapman & Huffman make use of observations and studies that show how humans may not be as unique in our behaviour and cognition as previously thought. I wholeheartedly agree that our uniqueness might be small and that if it exists, it should not give our species any right to act cruelly towards other animals. However, this kind of logic can be problematic. I present a few of the issues in this commentary.

We Don’T Want To Know What We Know, Judith Benz-Schwarzburg

Animal Sentience

Why are humans so ignorant with regard to the fundamental gap between ethical claims and the status quo of the human-animal relationship? To answer this, we should include more psychological and sociological perspectives in our discussions.

What Sets Us Apart Could Be Our Salvation, Anne Fawcett, Paul Mcgreevy

Animal Sentience

We agree with Chapman & Huffman that human capacities are often assumed to be unique — or attempts are made to demonstrate uniqueness scientifically — in order to justify the exploitation of animals and ecosystems. To extend the argument that human exceptionalism is against our interests, we recommend adopting the One Welfare framework, according to which animal welfare, environmental sustainability and human wellbeing are inseparably linked. Let us distinguish ourselves from other animals by resisting our short- and mid-term Darwinian inclinations, consuming less, reproducing less, and striving for a much longer-term biological fitness for us all.

Lack Of Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity In Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis), Jessica Shannon Miller

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Mycobacteriosis is a fatal disease in fishes caused by acid-fast bacteria in the genus Mycobacterium. This disease impacts aquaculture, aquariums, and wild fishes. Unfortunately, there are currently no non-lethal diagnostic tests for mycobacterial infection in fishes. Type IV delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses in vivo and in vitro are currently used for the non-lethal detection of mycobacterial infections in humans and in animals; however, there is little information available on DTH responses in fishes. In this work, we examine in vivo DTH response in Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), an important U.S. Eastern seaboard fish species, experimentally …

Exploratory Reconstructability Analysis Of Accident Tbi Data, Martin Zwick, Nancy Ann Carney, Rosemary Nettleton

Complex Systems Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper describes the use of reconstructability analysis to perform a secondary study of traumatic brain injury data from automobile accidents. Neutral searches were done and their results displayed with a hypergraph. Directed searches, using both variable-based and state-based models, were applied to predict performance on two cognitive tests and one neurological test. Very simple state-based models gave large uncertainty reductions for all three DVs and sizeable improvements in percent correct for the two cognitive test DVs which were equally sampled. Conditional probability distributions for these models are easily visualized with simple decision trees. Confounding variables and counter-intuitive findings are …