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Constructing life narratives: how novels and policy discourses represent and respond to life stories about people with mental disabilities
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2011-11-16) McCauley, Karen
This dissertation explores how an interdisciplinary analysis may contribute insight into how literary and policy discourses construct the life experiences of people who have mental disabilities that impair their ability to communicate their own life stories. Chapter One explains why a more comprehensive understanding of the cultural construction of mental disability may be achieved by exploring interdisciplinary relationships between social work, disability studies and literary theory. Subsequent chapters examine theoretical assumptions and frameworks associated with these contributing disciplines in greater detail, across systematic and interpretive analytic approaches. In addition, key concepts and questions relevant to constructing a vocabulary that facilitates collaboration between the contributing disciplines are considered. This literature review informs a methodology for undertaking an interpretive discourse analysis of pertinent policy and novels that depict disability within the context of Ontario's 'Institutional Cycle'. Specifically, the research attempts to answer the following questions: What is the relationship between the representation of mental disability in literary narratives and public policy discourses about mental disability; and, how may an interdisciplinary analysis of literary and policy discourses inform policy planning and the provision of services for people with mental disabilities in Ontario? Chapters 6-8 analyze the literary and policy data across Establishment, Reform and Dismantlement phases of the Institutional Cycle to arrive at a set of findings and recommendations that explain relationships between policy and novels across the phases of the Cycle. Finally, key themes for consideration in policy planning for people with mental disabilities are identified as priorities for action in an emerging 'post-institutional' era, in Ontario.
Legacy planning for major multi-sport events vs faith, hope and charity!
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2011-11-21) MacAdam, L. Lane
Not unlike many nations that have bid for and hosted major multi-sport events, franchise holders and their backers in countries around the world routinely cite a number of benefits that will accrue to their country in order to garner the public and private support required to successfully bid for and stage international level major multi-sport events. These benefits include: sport development; social, cultural, economic and community benefits, among others, derived from hosting international level sport events. Canada has an enviable record of hosting major multi-sport events. We have staged them often and we have hosted them well. Since 1967, Canada has hosted almost every major multi-sport event available to it. Billions of dollars in public expenditures have been made in support of these events from all levels of government. But do the promises that are made to convince governments, community leaders and the general public deliver the benefits that they advertise? This research paper will examine the legacy aspects of major multi-sport games from the vantage point of community development, economic impact and in particular sport benefits. It also offers a conceptual framework to evaluate the sport benefit legacies and introduces the Major Event Return Legacy Index (MERLIN©). The prospect of hosting a major multi-sport event attracts a multitude of eager bidders in pursuit of tangible and intangible legacies for a nation. However, the rising complexity and spiraling expenditures necessary to secure, plan and stage these events require more robust assessment tools to properly measure the cost/benefit of supporting these mega projects. This research paper will contribute to the body of knowledge available to assist franchise holders and policy makers in determining the true legacy benefits that can be derived from hosting a major multi-sport event instead of relying on faith, hope and charity!
Ketoacids as antioxidants in human astrocytes exposed to oxidative and aluminum stress.
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2012-05-11) Thomas, Sean
Aluminum (Al), the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust, has been implicated in a number of neurological diseases. Its increased bioavailability has been associated with increased toxicity in humans. Increased lipid accumulation occurs as a result of disruption in carnitine homeostasis due to the shunting of α-ketoglutarate (αKG) towards reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of ketoacids such as oxaloacetate (OAA) and αKG in combating oxidative stress in astrocytes. The present study has shown the ability of ketoacids such as αKG and OAA to sequester ROS in the astrocytes and restore normal lipid levels as observed through fluorescence microscopy. The non-enzymatic decarboxylation of αKG and OAA into succinate and malonate respectively as observed in the HPLC studies point to the role of these ketoacids in ROS detoxification. Furthermore, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity which is diminished under oxidative stress as gauged by the activity of NAD-ICDH, was found to be restored to normal levels in the stressed cells upon recovery with OAA. Expression of apolipoprotein E, an essential biomolecule in lipid and β-amyloid metabolism, was found to be down-regulated under aluminum stress, an observation that was reversed by OAA recovery. Hence it appears that the ketoacids play a critical role in quelling ROS in human astrocytes.
Colonizing Northern Landscapes: Population Genetics and Phylogeography of Wood Frogs (Lithobates Sylvaticus) in the James Bay
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2012-08-31) D'Aoust-Messier, Andrée-Michelle
The genetic structuring of populations can be influenced by present processes and past events. One of the largest historical events to affect the distribution and genetic characteristics of present-day North American biota is the Pleistocene glaciation. Thus, the study of post-glacial colonization patterns of species in northern landscapes can relay important ecological information, as species had to expand their range extensively following the retreat of the glaciers and are often at the terminal end of their expansion. These species consequently exhibit the genetic fingerprints of sequential founder events, in turn decreasing the genetic variation available for adaptation. Using amphibians to investigate post-glacial range expansion is advantageous, as they have limited dispersal abilities revealing fine-scale patterns and they are thought to be one of the first vertebrates to colonize post-glacial habitat. Therefore, to model the phylogeography of a primary colonizer and the population structure of anurans in northern landscapes, population genetics analyses of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) were performed in the James Bay area. Wood frogs were sampled from 17 localities around James Bay and genetic analyses were conducted with seven microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA sequences of the ND2/tRNATRP genes. Results show that the post-glacial recolonization of the James Bay area by wood frogs originated from the putative refugium in western Wisconsin, an area known as the Driftless Area. Two routes were taken by founders to colonize the James Bay area: one north-west of Lake Superior, colonizing western Ontario, and one through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, colonizing southern and eastern Ontario and western Québec. Interestingly, the meeting of the two lineages south-west of James Bay led to the establishment of a zone of higher genetic variation than expected under the founder effect hypothesis. Additionally, population structure analyses revealed the segregation of three genetic populations east, north-west, and south-west of the bay, the latter showing the highest genetic variation and likely representing a zone of secondary contact. This study shows that past events such as post-glacial range expansions can explain present patterns of genetic variation and population structure, and that studies in northern landscapes may be very useful in understanding genetic patterns throughout the range of a species.
XRD structural assessment of peridotitic garnet with anomalous REE distribution
(2012-12-01) Ross, Kirk Campbell
This thesis explored, as its major aim, the crystallographic and compositional characteristics of a particular type of peridotitic garnet associated with kimberlite. This garnet has a highly sinusoidal rare-earth element (REE) pattern as its distinguishing feature. Before the main research question could be addressed, a technique had to be developed that enabled the rapid and straight-forward acquisition of a full profile digital X-ray diffractogram from a single sub-milligram crystal fragment. After extensive experimentation and testing, successful development and realization of a method that is capable of producing such data was achieved. The next step of this research project was to empirically investigate and assess the crystal lattice strain model (CLSM) of Blundy and Wood (1994). Careful analyses of the REE present in a suite of clinopyroxenes were compared to the crystal structure data given from the XRD technique outlined above. Clinopyroxene is particularly useful for such an assessment because the radius of the M2 site in this mineral is between the largest and smallest REE, making the distribution of REE particularly sensitive to variation of the M2 site, which in turn is a direct consequence of the overall pyroxene structure. Subsequent to illustrating that XRD data could be collected on such small material and the XRD data and structural data given from the CLSM correlate strongly, peridotitic garnets with sinusoidal REE patters were investigated. The conclusions drawn in the first two contributions – namely that it was possible to collect accurate and precise XRD data from sub-milligram specimens and that the crystal structure and REE distribution were directly related – were imperative for the deduction of conclusions in the final, major research question. The XRD analysis of many garnets with and without sinusoidal REE patterns showed the presence of a small amount of an additional phase in some of these garnets. While this phase (2 out of 3 peaks indexed as possibly orthorhombic perovskite) is not present in sufficient quantities to give rise to such a strong sinusoidal segment in the garnet REE pattern, it prompted the critical step forward in formulating a working hypothesis for the otherwise inexplicable REE patterns. Specifically, I posit that many of the sinusoidal garnets may originally have precipitated as a very high pressure phase (in the mantle transition zone or deeper) that subsequently underwent a subsolidus isochemical transformation to garnet. Possible original precursor mineralogy is a combination of two perovskites or a perovskite + iv garnet assemblage. Theoretical calculation using experimental partition coefficients demonstrated that a mixture of Ca-perovskite (CaPv) and Mg-perovskite (MgPv) REE patterns in the approximate proportions of 10% CaPv and 90% MgPv produce a REE diagram that is strikingly similar to those observed in sinusoidal single phase garnet. It has been shown experimentally that with increasing depth in the mantle, garnet plus a progressively increasing CaPv component is the stable mineral assemblage. Initial precipitation of two perovskites or CaPv + garnet as cumulates from a deep magma ocean would preserve the REE distribution of these minerals. Subsequent exhumation of such an assemblage would result in the retrogressive subsolidus phase transformation to a mineral stable at conditions of T and P of the shallow mantle environment, i.e. garnet, while retaining the REE pattern of the initial precipitate mineral assemblage. While this working hypothesis will require many more tests, its proposal may have significant implications for the mantle structure.
Compétences linguistiques et cognitives des enfants bilingues en situation linguistique minoritaire
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-30) Mayer-Crittenden, Chantal E.
Au Canada, l’évaluation langagière des enfants franco-ontariens s’avère une tâche complexe pour les orthophonistes en raison d’une carence d’outils et de normes régionales. Le problème s’accentue lors de l’évaluation langagière des enfants bilingues (anglais-français) qui fréquentent des écoles de langue française. L’étude que nous proposons ici a d’abord réitéré auprès de 26 enfants francoontariens une recherche québécoise (Thordardottir et coll., 2010) dans laquelle on a évalué la performance d’enfants franco-québécois avec une batterie de tests qui sert à mesurer les compétences linguistique et cognitive. Ces enfants ont été répartis en trois groupes d’âge : 4;6, 5;0 et 5;6 ans. Notre étude a ensuite évalué la performance d’enfants bilingues (47 français-anglais et 31 anglais-français) du même âge sur cette même batterie de tests à laquelle elle a ajouté un ensemble de tests de langue anglaise. Les enfants ont été appariés selon l’âge, le statut socio-économique et la cognition non verbale ; ils différaient selon la quantité d’intrants (input) dans chaque langue et selon le statut linguistique des langues (minoritaire/majoritaire). Les trois groupes linguistiques ont été créés selon le niveau d’exposition aux langues ; nous avons ainsi distingué les monolingues, les franco-dominants et les anglo-dominants. En outre, des enfants identifiés par les orthophonistes scolaires comme ayant un trouble primaire du langage (n = 20) ont été évalués à l’aide des mêmes tests afin de confirmer ou d’infirmer la présence de trouble primaire du langage. En outre, a été examiné l’effet de l’intrant langagier dans l’acquisition d’une langue minoritaire, puisque cet apprentissage a lieu au contact d’une langue majoritaire qui, au demeurant, exerce son influence aussi sur les enfants monolingues (francophones) et bilingues (français-anglais et anglais-français). Les résultats montrent que, au plan linguistique, les Franco-Ontariens monolingues réussissent moins bien que les Franco-Québécois. Les franco-dominants réussissent encore moins bien que les monolingues et les anglo-dominants réussissent moins bien que les monolingues et les franco-dominants à l’âge de 4;6 ans et de 5;0, mais cela n’est pas toujours le cas pour les enfants anglo-dominants de 5;6 ans. En fait, pour certaines épreuves de langue française, les anglo-dominants obtiennent des scores supérieurs à ceux des monolingues et des franco-dominants. Les résultats montrent aussi que plus l’anglo-dominant reçoit d’intrants en français à l’école, meilleure est sa performance linguistique en français. Chez les franco-dominants, c’est l’inverse qui se produit puisque plus l’enfant vieillit, plus il reçoit d’intrants en anglais. Les résultats ont aussi montré que, parmi les 20 cas de trouble primaire du langage, 16 ont été confirmés. Somme toute, ces résultats témoignent de la différence importante entre les Franco- Québécois et les Franco-Ontariens, de sorte que l’emploi des normes québécoises pour les Franco-Ontariens est remis en question. De plus, l’effet de l’intrant est accentué chez les groupes bilingues, ce qui met en évidence le rôle incontestable de l’intrant langagier et aussi celui du statut des langues lors de l’acquisition d’une langue seconde.
The role of water clarity in structuring niche dimensions and overlap between smallmouth bass and walleye
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-30) Stasko, Ashley D.
Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) have experienced substantial range expansions in northern Ontario over the past century, with adverse consequences for native salmonid predators. It is unclear how climate-induced water clarity shifts will affect interactions between native dark-adapted walleye (Sander virteus) and invading smallmouth bass in northern Ontario. This study used stable isotopes of nitrogen (15N/14N) and carbon (13C/12C) in fish muscle tissue to investigate how resource partitioning between walleye and smallmouth bass is related to water clarity in 34 small (100-200 ha) Boreal Shield lakes (ranging from 1 to 8.5 m Secchi depth, and from 3.2 to 13.1 mg/L DOC). Quantitative metrics of trophic niche dimensions (based on the size, position, and dispersion of multivariate ellipses drawn around sampled individuals in δ15N vs. δ13C biplot space) were calculated for each individual population and used to determine trophic interactions and niche overlap between sympatric walleye and smallmouth bass. Linear and multiple regressions were then used to explore potential relationships between trophic interactions and water clarity. Available habitat and fish assemblage data was also explored for potential influences on isotopic niche dimensions and trophic interactions of walleye and smallmouth bass. Total occupied niche space decreased significantly with increasing water clarity for smallmouth bass as populations occupied a narrower range of trophic levels and made greater use of pelagic resources. In contrast, walleye trophic niche dimensions did not respond significantly to water clarity. Isotopic niche overlap ranged from 0 to 65%, but no metric of trophic overlap was significantly related to water clarity. Other abiotic and biotic variables, however, did have a significant influence on the similarity between some aspects of walleye and smallmouth iv bass isotopic niche dimensions (but not interaction). Both species fed on more isotopically similar carbon sources as lakes became shallower, which may be a result of a lack of distinct littoral and limnetic habitats. Walleye and smallmouth bass niche size also became more similar with increasing DOC but this may be a result of lower prey diversity. Both species also occupied more similar average food web positions as yellow perch relative abundance increased, indicating that the exploitation of yellow perch by both species increased with perch abundance. Together with other studies that have found little evidence for an impact of smallmouth bass on walleye fitness and abundance, this research suggests that, unlike salmonid and cyprinid species, walleye may be resilient against smallmouth bass invasions regardless of water clarity conditions in oligotrophic boreal lakes.
Économie informelle et analyse relationnelle
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-30) Kabatakaka, Bululu
Cette thèse de doctorat a pour objet la connaissance du processus de formation d’une culture de l’économie informelle et sa reproduction chez l’élite dans les pays en développement. Son questionnement de base est : comment étudier l’économie informelle dans les pays en développement dans une perspective relationnelle ? Elle a mis à profit la complémentarité des connaissances de l’économie et de la sociologie dans la compréhension des dimensions rationnelles et non rationnelles des comportements et attitudes de l’élite dans les pays en développement face à cette économie. Nous avons considéré les fonctionnaires comme indicateurs de l’élite. Cette thèse apporte deux contributions majeures 1) l’élargissement du modèle Laflamme et de l’analyse compréhensive de Weber grâce à l’opérationnalisation du concept de socialisation et 2) l’identification de quelques éléments porteurs de l’économie informelle sur lesquels il faut asseoir la dynamique de la réduction de la pauvreté. Cette contribution doit être inscrite dans les limites géographiques de l’étude. L’application de la méthodologie dans d’autres villes du pays et dans d’autres capitales des pays en développement permettrait d’en vérifier la généralisation.
Foot-transmitted vibration: exposure characteristics and the biodynamic response of the foot
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-30) Goggins, Katie A.
Research shows miners can be exposed to foot-transmitted vibration (FTV) when operating various pieces of underground mining equipment, and case reports suggest workers are experiencing symptoms similar to those of hand-arm vibration syndrome in their feet. A field study was conducted to measure and document FTV exposure associated with operating underground mining equipment, and probable health risks were determined based on both ISO 2631-1 (1997) for WBV and ISO 5349-1 (2004) for HAV. Seventeen participating operator’s also reported musculoskeletal discomfort. Seventeen male participants ranging between 24-61 years of age, with an average height and mass of 175.0cm and 88.2kg volunteered for the study. Seventeen pieces of equipment were tested; 1 locomotive, 1 crusher, 9 bolter drills (4 scissor platforms, 2 Maclean, 2 Boart/basket, and 1 RDH), and 6 jumbo drills. Including all seventeen pieces of underground mining equipment, the vibration acceleration ranged from 0.13-1.35m/s2 with dominant frequencies between 1.25-250Hz according to ISO 2631-1. According to ISO 5349-1 vibration acceleration ranged from 0.14-3.61m/s2 with dominant frequencies between 6.3-250Hz. Furthermore, the magnitude of FTV measured on the jumbo drills with grated platforms (#5 and #6) was less than FTV measured from the jumbo drills with, solid metal surfaces. Additionally, twelve of the seventeen equipment operators indicated a complaint of discomfort in their lower body (specifically at the level of the knee or lower). The health risk analysis based on ISO 2631-1 indicated that one operator (bolter drill #9) was exposed to vibration above the criterion value, while the health risk analysis based on ISO 5349-1 indicated iv that two operators (jumbo drill #1 and bolter drill #1) were exposed to vibration above the criterion value. Operators reported very severe or severe discomfort; however, the same operators were not the operators of the equipment with FTV exposure levels above the ISO standards, leaving evidence to suggest that the standards are not properly assessing injury risk to vibration exposure via the feet. Future research is needed to develop a standard specific for FTV and to determine the link between early musculoskeletal injury reporting and the onset of vibration white foot. To do so, a better understanding of the biodynamic response of the foot to FTV is needed. A laboratory study was conducted to 1) measure and document transmissibility of FTV from (a) floor-to-ankle (lateral malleolus), and (b) floor-to-metatarsal, during exposure to six levels of vibration (25Hz, 30Hz, 35Hz, 40Hz, 45Hz, and 50Hz) while standing, and 2) to determine whether independent variables (vibration exposure frequency, mass, arch type) influence transmissibility (dependent variable) through the foot. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted. There was a significant interaction between transmissibility location and exposure frequency (λ = 0.246, F (5,25) = 15.365, p = 0.0001). There were significant differences in mean transmissibility between the ankle and metatarsal at 40Hz [t(29) = 4.116, p = 0.00029], 45Hz [t(29) = 6.599, p = 0.00000031], and 50Hz [t(29) = 8.828, p = 0.000000001]. The greatest transmissibility at the metatarsal occurred at 50Hz and at the ankle (lateral malleolus) transmissibility was highest from 25-30Hz, indicating the formation of a local resonance at each location. v Future research should focus on identifying resonance frequencies at different locations on the feet. This information is needed to develop an exposure guideline to help protect workers from exposure to FTV, and to develop personal protective equipment capable of attenuating harmful FTV exposure frequencies.
Comparative morphogenesis of cynipid leaf galls induced by Diplolepis polita and Diplolepis nebulosa (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) and modification by inquilines of the genus Periclistus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-30) Fenwick, Brandy
Cynipid galls are atypical plant growths induced by wasps in the family Cynipidae that provide larvae with shelter and nutrition. Larvae gain control of attacked plant organs and send them on a new developmental trajectory, with three developmental phases known as initiation, growth, and maturation. Each of the approximately 1400 species of cynipid gall wasps manipulates plant tissues in a slightly different manner such that galls of each species are structurally distinct. Although the means by which cynipids initiate galls has fascinated naturalists for hundreds of years, the basic events in gall induction are still poorly understood. In an attempt to understand the galling strategies and developmental processes responsible for species-specific galls, I chose to compare the intimate details of life history strategies of two taxonomically related species attacking the same plant organs. The strategies included host specificity, phenology, and oviposition strategies, along with gall development to highlight basic events in gall biology and reveal possible stages in past speciation events. It is argued that differences in phenology and gall development played a role in driving speciation and thus, the patterns observed today are a result of extensive ecological interactions in the past that have influenced the evolution of these complex insect-plant relationships. Two species of cynipid wasps of the genus Diplolepis that occur on the wild roses of central Ontario proved to be ideal candidates for the study. One species, Diplolepis polita, induces single-chambered, prickly galls found in clusters on the adaxial surface of leaflets of Rosa acicularis whereas, the other species, D. nebulosa, induces single-chambered, smooth-surfaced galls found in clusters on the abaxial surface of the leaflets of Rosa blanda. Galls at all stages of development, from freshly oviposited eggs to maturation, were found in large numbers for both species. Leaf tissues from the bud stage to maturity of both species of rose were fixed in FAA, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained for histological study. Likewise, leaf tissues with freshly oviposited eggs of both species and galls from immaturity to maturity were fixed, sectioned, and stained. Comparing the several thousand slides made for the study revealed that galls of D. polita and D. nebulosa differ in their developmental events as well as the anatomy of their mature galls. Like the galls of all species of cynipids, those of D. polita and D. nebulosa are composed of distinct layers of gall cells known as nutritive, parenchymatous nutritive, sclerenchyma, cortex, and epidermis. Galls of D. polita consist of nutritive cells, parenchymatous nutritive cells, and an epidermis throughout the initiation and growth phases. Larvae remain small in relation to chamber volume until the maturation phase, when a hard layer of sclerenchyma differentiates. In contrast, galls of D. nebulosa have a delayed initiation phase, where galls remain nearly undetectable on leaflets for several weeks after oviposition before they enter the growth phase. Freshly-hatched larvae are protected by two layers of bowl-shaped patches of sclerenchyma that differentiates soon after initiation, along with nutritive cells and parenchymatous nutritive cells that surround the larval chambers, but galls of this species develop without an external layer of epidermis. Galls become spherical as they mature and a second layer of sclerenchyma differentiates within the walls of the galls, as does a layer of spongy cortex that appears between the second layer of sclerenchyma and the gall exterior. Larvae of D. nebulosa occupy nearly the entire volume of their larval chambers throughout gall development. The size of each type of cell found within developing galls of both species, from gall initiation to gall maturity were measured and compared. Cells in the galls of both species continue to increase in size throughout development; however, the cells comprising the galls induced by D. polita are significantly larger than those induced by D. nebulosa. Comparing the biologies and galls of these two species, demonstrates how niche partitioning has occurred. It also shows that striking differences in structures occur within the galls of closely taxonomically related species as a result of differences in adult phenology, oviposition strategies, egg placement, and environmental conditions such as moisture levels. Although it has been proposed by other authors that diversity in cynipid galls results from differentiation of tissues found in the outer parts of galls, such as cortex and epidermis, the present study indicates the reasons are more complex. Furthermore, it is apparent that many aspects of gall development and anatomy have been overlooked by previous researchers and a variety of ecological factors contribute to differences in gall structure. To further complicate the already complex series of events that occur over the course of gall development, galls of D. polita and D. nebulosa are inhabited and structurally modified by inquilines of the genus Periclistus. These insects are also cynipid wasps, and have evolved a close relationship with Diplolepis galls whereby they kill the inducer larvae, feed on gall cells, and change the developmental trajectory of attacked galls. Galls of D. polita and D. nebulosa are attacked by two undescribed, but gall-specific species of Periclistus. Here, the inquiline associated with the galls of D. polita is referred to as Periclistus 1 and the inquiline associated with galls of D. nebulosa is referred to as Periclistus 2. The purpose of this study was to histologically examine all phases of modification by the two species of Periclistus to establish the events that are developmentally unique to inquilines. Periclistus 1 and 2 are phenologically distinct as Periclistus 1 oviposits into immature galls of D. polita in late May soon after galls are induced, and Periclistus 2 oviposits into immature galls of D. nebulosa in July. Modified galls of D. polita differ from modified galls of D. nebulosa as they are significantly enlarged compared to normal galls. Periclistus 1 chambers are arranged around the periphery of the inner gall whereas modified galls of D. nebulosa are of a similar size to normal galls. Chambers of Periclistus 2 are evenly distributed throughout the inner gall. Periclistus 1 and 2-modified galls undergo four phases of development identified as the egg phase, gall enlargement, chamber formation, and maturation phases. Both Periclistus 1 and 2 oviposit into immature galls, killing the inducer larvae with their ovipositors, and then the presence of Periclistus eggs along the inner chamber surface cause changes in gall structure. Diplolepis-induced nutritive cells degrade and Diplolepis-induced parenchymatous nutritive cells enlarge. Galls become significantly enlarged compared to those inhabited by inducer larvae and then feeding by first-instar Periclistus larvae stimulates the differentiation and proliferation of Periclistus-induced parenchymatous nutritive cells and nutritive cells. Immature larvae of both species of Periclistus initially feed around the inner surface of the Diplolepis-induced chamber, and then restrict their feeding to one spot. This results in cell proliferation such that each larva becomes restricted to the centre of a bowl-shaped growth of cells. Continued proliferation causes Periclistus nutritive and parenchymatous nutritive cells to rise up and completely encase the larvae. As this is occurring in modified galls of D. polita, a layer of sclerenchyma, referred to here as the inquiline-induced primary sclerenchyma, differentiates and circumscribes the periphery of the entire gall. This does not occur in galls of D. nebulosa until maturity. In modified galls of both species, nutritive cells and parenchymatous nutritive cells appear in dense clusters throughout the inside surface of Periclistus chambers. Once modified galls enter the maturation phase, inquiline-induced primary sclerenchyma differentiates, circumscribing the periphery of galls of D. nebulosa. In addition, Periclistus 1 and 2-inhabited galls both develop a second layer of inquiline-induced sclerenchyma, known as secondary sclerenchyma, around each inquiline chamber. Secondary sclerenchyma cells in the walls of Periclistus chambers are smaller than primary sclerenchyma cells circumscribing the entire gall. Gall cells induced by Periclistus 1 are larger than those induced by Periclistus 2; however, gall cells induced by both species of Periclistus are larger than those of their host Diplolepis galls. Based on differences in phenology, gall development, and final gall structure, modified galls of D. polita and D. nebulosa are anatomically distinct with each species of Periclistus responsible for gall tissues that are species-specific. In addition, the developmental pattern of Periclistus-modified galls is distinct from that of Diplolepis galls, illustrating the level of control inquilines have over the tissues of their host galls. This thesis demonstrates the complex nature of the interrelationships between cynipid wasps of the genera Diplolepis and Periclistus and their host roses. Diplolepis are true gall inducers that have an intimate relationship with the genus Rosa and there are many attributes of the genus Rosa that have contributed to the success of Diplolepis and allowed for their extensive radiation and divergence in their galls. Similarly, Periclistus inquilines have an intimate relationship with Diplolepis and the rose hosts. Periclistus have evolved the ability to manipulate rose tissues that have previously been under the influence of Diplolepis. Based on two species of inquilines examined in this thesis, Periclistus have also evolved an array of phenologies and modification strategies and like the developmental patterns of the Diplolepis, the developmental trajectories of Periclistus are also species-specific. This project has shown that the histological approach to studying cynipid galls, as well as those occupied by Periclistus inquilines, is highly rewarding and contributes to our overall understanding of these fascinating insects.
Caractéristiques et logiques des musiques populaires
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) Lemieux, Suzanne
L’objet de notre thèse de doctorat concerne les caractéristiques et les logiques des musiques populaires. D’une façon générale, nous nous demandons : quelles sont les logiques qui déterminent le thème de l’oeuvre dans la musique populaire ? Quelles caractéristiques découlent de ces logiques ? Les ouvrages recensés ont été classés dans trois ensembles selon que les musiques populaires sont définies comme standard, comme standard et originales ou comme hétérogènes. La thèse veut vérifier laquelle de ces tendances (standard, standard/originale, hétérogène) explique le mieux l’oeuvre de musique populaire. Pour y parvenir, la recherche d’une explication des oeuvres de musique populaire a dû passer par une opérationnalisation et une vérification empirique des oeuvres de musique populaire. Les hypothèses spécifiques liées aux thèses standard, standard/originale et hétérogène, ainsi qu’une hypothèse générale permettant une articulation entre ces trois thèses ont été soumises aux résultats de notre analyse qui a porté sur 110 chansons à succès canadiennes-françaises et françaises qui appartiennent à la période qui va de 1995 à 2005. Les résultats montrent que l’hypothèse des hétérogénistes est grandement confirmée. Cependant, nos analyses ont repéré des données marginales qui vont dans le sens des attentes des standardistes et des dualistes. Pour dépeindre l’ensemble des musiques populaires, nous proposons une nouvelle hypothèse hétérogène, inclusive de ces quelques représentations standard que nous avançons sous le concept de « tendance hétérogène ».
Examining the Geriatric Content of Canada’s Newest Undergraduate Medical Program: Are Graduates of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine Acquiring the Basic Competencies to Care for an Increasingly Aging Population?
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) Leclair Smider, Karen
Inadequate numbers of physicians skilled at providing specialized care of the elderly, has initiated inquiry as to how medical schools will ensure tomorrow’s physicians are capable of providing the most appropriate care for Canada’s growing population of aging seniors. The Canadian Geriatrics Society has responded to such concerns with the establishment of recommended geriatric learning objectives. This thesis examined the geriatric content of the undergraduate curriculum of Canada’s newest medical school, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and compared these findings to the Canadian Geriatrics Society’s recommended ‘Core Competencies in the Care of Older Persons for Canadian Medical Students’. While there was a respectful compliance with the recommendations, findings reveal that five of the twenty recommended competencies were absent in the curriculum objectives. Further, present competencies were found to be unequally distributed across the curriculum in relation to both the year and the teaching setting. The results suggest areas for improvement as recommended competencies are intended as a minimum standard for performance in caring for the elderly.
An integrative approach to distinguishing taxonomically challenging microhymenoptera: Eurytomidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) associated with cynipid galls on rose.
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) Zhang, Yuanmeng Miles
iii Abstract Cynipid wasps of the genus Diplolepis Geoffrey induce galls exclusively on roses. These galls are susceptible to attack by various hymenopteran parasitoids, the most common of which are members of the family Eurytomidae, with 10 described species having been recorded in association with rose galls in Canada. Because of their small size, sexual dimorphism, morphological plasticity and poorly known biology, species identification of eurytomids is often uncertain. This thesis focused on identifying the eurytomids associated with the galls of the 14 native species of Diplolepis in Canada, testing species limits using a combination of morphological, mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase I (COI), ecological and geographical data. Six morphospecies were identified using morphological characters, while molecular data identified eight haplogroups. COI sequences identified one species of Tenuipetiolus Bugbee and seven species of Eurytoma Illiger, all associated with galls induced by Diplolepis in Canada. Inconsistencies were observed when compared to morphospecies, including four haplogroups within the genus Eurytoma that were overlooked by morphological studies. The morphospecies Eurytoma acuta Bugbee is a junior synonym of Eurytoma discordans Bugbee; however, the high intraspecific genetic divergences suggest the existence of a species complex. Two geographically sympatric but genetically distinct haplogroups were found within the morphospecies Eurytoma spongiosa Bugbee, “E. spongiosa 2” being a new species that was previously overlooked. An identification key along with (re)descriptions of all identified species was provided. This integrative taxonomy approach confirmed the oligophagous nature of most eurytomids, and provides new insight into the life history strategies of these parasitoids.
La programmation des contenus des aides à la communication avec sortie vocale chez les jeunes enfants qui ont des besoins complexes en communication
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) Robillard, Manon
La présente thèse a pour objectif la découverte de pistes pour faciliter la sélection de l’aide à la communication avec sortie vocale (ACSV) et la programmation de son vocabulaire pour les jeunes enfants âgés de 4 à 6 ans qui ont des besoins complexes en communication (BCC). Cette étude a premièrement examiné le vocabulaire de base qui doit être programmé dans les ACSV des jeunes enfants francophones et bilingues qui vivent en situation minoritaire. Cinquante-sept enfants qui fréquentent une école de langue française ont participé aux enregistrements libres en salle de classe. L’analyse du corpus a révélé que 216 mots représentent 80,15% du vocabulaire utilisé par les enfants francophones de la maternelle et du jardin. L’analyse du corpus des enfants bilingues et des enfants qui ont un trouble du langage a donné des résultats comparables. Une seule liste de 200 mots a été produite en combinant le vocabulaire à fréquence et similitude élevée de trois groupes : les francophones, les bilingues et un ensemble d’enfants présentant des troubles du langage. Ces mots devraient être programmés dans les ACSV des jeunes enfants francophones et bilingues qui fréquentent une école de lange française dans un milieu minoritaire, quelle que soit leur habileté linguistique. Ces nombres sont semblables à ceux des études qui ont été effectuées en anglais aux États-Unis et en Australie, sauf que les mots ne sont pas les mêmes. D’ailleurs, seulement 61,50 % des mots de base de notre étude se trouvent sur la liste anglaise la plus récente. Une traduction n’aurait donc pas suffi et, dans cette perspective, notre étude s’avère importante. En outre, seulement 44,50 % des mots de base de notre étude se trouvent sur la liste de sélection de vocabulaire présentement utilisée chez la population francophone au Nord de l’Ontario. L’impact des facteurs cognitifs et linguistiques sur la navigation dans les ACSV a ensuite été analysé. Soixante-cinq enfants âgés de 48 à 77 mois ont participé aux évaluations cognitives, linguistiques et à une épreuve de navigation à l’aide du iPad2™. Bien que des corrélations significatives aient été trouvées entre la navigation et plusieurs facteurs cognitifs et linguistiques, il appert, en fin de compte, que le sous-ensemble pragmatique de facteurs permettant le mieux de prédire la capacité de navigation chez les jeunes enfants inclut l’attention, la catégorisation et le raisonnement. Lors de l’évaluation en suppléance à la communication (SC), les compétences d’attention, de catégorisation et de raisonnement devraient être prises en considération afin de mieux assurer la bonne sélection de l’ACSV. Les résultats de cette étude permettent d’établir les mots nécessaires lors de la programmation des ACSV pour les jeunes enfants francophones et bilingues en milieu minoritaire, et ils suggèrent que trois sous-tests du Leiter-R pourraient être utilisés pour déterminer l’habileté de naviguer dans une ACSV qui a une pagination dynamique.
Evolution and ecology of an amphibian emerging infectious disease: a context-dependant approach of ranavirus virulence in Lithobates (Rana) pipiens
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) Echaubard, Pierre
Host-pathogen investigations have conceptually evolved during the last two decades, from a basic and descriptive approach to a current hypothesis-driven and a more theoretical discipline shaped by evolutionary biology. Our deeper understanding of the elements influencing the mutual selective pressures that the host and the pathogens exert on each other, together with recent conceptual advances, currently position this field of research at the frontier between ecology and evolution. Recent theoretical considerations define hostpathogens systems as an evo-eco mosaic comprised of evolutionary and ecological attributes in turn underlying the context-dependent nature of the system dynamic. Therefore, investigations of host-pathogen interactions should integrate the diversity of the systems drivers by using an integrative approach in order to elucidate both coevolutionary trajectory and epidemiological dynamic of the system. In this thesis, such a framework is used to investigate Amphibian/ranavirus interactions. Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens known to have caused amphibian die-offs on five continents with the greatest number of reported mortality events documented in North America and Europe. Despite an increasing understanding of ranaviral disease properties, ranavirus disease dynamics in the environment remain poorly understood. For instance, the influence of potential abiotic and biotic mechanisms including temperature, local landscape features, larval developmental stages, host density and genetic variability as well as genotypic interactions between the host and the pathogen has on the prevalence and virulence of the virus remains to be elucidated. In order to improve our knowledge regarding these specific determinants of ranaviral disease, I designed a combination of manipulative laboratory experiments and a field mensurative survey using the ranid amphibian Lithobates (Rana) pipiens as the host model for this system. I observed that populations of amphibian hosts inhabiting urbanized landscapes suffered from significant decline in genetic diversity in turn promoting the accrued infection by the ranavirus (manuscript 1). Complementary analysis using two amphibian host species, L.pipiens and L.sylvaticus, and three ranavirus strains revealed significant variation among hosts for their susceptibility to ranavirus, and significant variation among ranavirus strains for infectivity. I also showed that specific amphibian/ranavirus interactions might have a tighter coevolutionary history than other combinations, resulting in sharper mutual coadaptations and the potential for frequency-dependent selection to operate in this system. However, the coevolutionary trajectories in this host-pathogen system are dependent on the temperature conditions in which the interaction takes place. Amphibian/ranavirus interactions outcomes iv are therefore temperature, host, and pathogen genotype-dependent suggesting that the range of infection outcomes in this system is potentially large (manuscript 2). Further, I observed that increasing animal holding density is detrimental for host fitness as mortality rate is higher, day of death earlier, development longer, and growth rate significantly lower when tadpoles are experimentally exposed to ranavirus in high holding density situations. These results paralleled a linear increase of detrimental effects when ranavirus doses increased in low density conditions, with control tadpoles having a significantly higher overall relative fitness. However, this pattern was not observed in high density conditions, where the effects of increasing ranavirus dose were limited, revealing non-trivial density-dependence of virulence expression (manuscript 3). Finally, ranavirus infection rate varied with the host developmental stage as the host immune system clears the infection over the course of individual host development. However the intensity of the clearing depends on both the timing and number of ranavirus exposures (manuscript 4). Overall the results described in my thesis suggest that ranavirus virulence depends on a diversity of ecological, epidemiological, and evolutionary determinants. The underlying complexity of ranavirus
Adaptation during a longitudinal integrated clerkship: the lived experiences of third-year medical students at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) Dubé, Tim V.
There are three interrelated concepts of what medical students learn, which include the formal, informal, and hidden curriculum. Several researchers who have investigated notions of the hidden curriculum have demonstrated how the experiences of medical training entrenched in the hidden curriculum can have a profound impact on medical student adaptation. The most influential transitional stage in undergraduate medical education is the third-year clinical clerkship, when medical students transition from classroom learners into clinicians. The Northern Ontario School of Medicine’s (NOSM) clinical clerkship year consists of a mandatory eightmonths of living and working in rural and northern communities throughout Northern Ontario, and learning in the context of rural family practice. Informed by a social constructivist research paradigm, I explored how 12 third-year students described the challenges they had to manage and, in response, the strategies they employed to adapt to their clerkship. I elicited their experiences and perspectives to contribute to a rich understanding of how students at the NOSM describe developing processes of adaptation during the Comprehensive Community Clerkship. Data were collected between August 2011 and April 2012, including: a) pre-clerkship interviews and a demographic questionnaire, b) mobile methods in the form of ‘guided walks’ in the communities, and c) post-clerkship interviews. The quality of the data collection and analysis were enhanced through processes of methodological and interpretive rigour, representativeness and authenticity, rich description and contextual relevance, audit trail, and reflexivity. Through an inductive thematic analysis of the data, the findings provide a rich description of events experienced such as medical training in one’s hometown or a familiar community, iv transitions including adaptation to the clinical setting and to the medical profession, and the influence of the clerkship on career path, personal well-being, and empathy for patients. The findings serve to advance our understanding of how medical students describe developing processes of adaptation throughout a longitudinal integrated clerkship. Implications are considered for medical students, the NOSM, the clerkship communities, and medical schools nationally and internationally. I propose recommendations regarding the suitability of authentic methods in medical education research, and discuss the implications for rural and northern health research.
The black sun of boredom: Henri Lefebvre and the critique of everyday life
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) Gamsby, Patrick
This dissertation examines how boredom can be understood in the context of Henri Lefebvre’s (1901-1991) critique of everyday life. Through an integration of the boredom literature, both the fully developed studies as well as fragmentary passages, I argue that Lefebvre’s critique of everyday life adds an important dimension to understanding boredom in modernity. One of the leading strands in boredom studies today argues that boredom is an historically specific experience unique to the rhythms of life imparted with the onset of modernity. Viewed in this light, boredom is a relatively recent phenomenon that can be linked to what Lefebvre calls the ‘double process’ of industrialization and urbanization. Although the mass profusion of boredom has left a seemingly indelible mark on society, it has received relatively little attention in both everyday life and academia. First coined in the middle of the 19th century, boredom is a relatively new word for what today is an all too pervasive experience. Writing throughout most of the 20th century, Lefebvre makes numerous references to boredom, yet, despite claiming that a study of boredom would be a significant contribution to his critique of everyday life, he never developed an in-depth and sustained analysis of this experience. Lefebvre did, however, identify an internal dialectic of mass culture as being an integral component for understanding boredom. It is argued that Lefebvre’s theory of a dialectical process inherent to mass culture is a key for understanding boredom as an historically specific phenomenon. In organizing this dissertation, a constellation of themes are presented in order to articulate this dialectic. After exploring boredom’s relationship to modernity, I then discuss what Lefebvre considers as the verso of modernity, everyday life. Following this, I consider the contradictions of space that give rise to boredom in urban centres and suburban peripheries by critically analyzing both the production of those spaces as well as how they are consumed in everyday life. Finally, I consider the escape from boredom offered in select sounds and images of the culture industry and its opposite, the embrace of boredom in certain 20th century avant-garde art movements. Through a reading of Lefebvre’s critique of everyday life and complementary texts, this interdisciplinary dissertation is a contribution to understanding the mass phenomenon of boredom in modernity.
Environmental attitudes of homeschoolers in Canada
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) McMillan, Emily Elizabeth
Environmental attitudes are shaped by a variety of factors including our educational history, cultural background, childhood and life experiences, and past and current interactions with nature. This research set out to examine attitudes toward the environment in an understudied but growing segment of the Canadian population, homeschoolers. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether environmental attitudes in Canadian homeschoolers differ from those of people involved with public school and to acquire a greater understanding of the factors that affect the development of these attitudes. The mixed method, follow-up explanatory research design utilized the New Ecological Paradigm Scale and the Connectedness to Nature Scale in an internet survey. The survey was sent to homeschooling and parent groups across Canada. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with a subsample of respondents. The results of the survey showed that demographic variables were not significantly related to environmental attitude scores with the exception of locale and religion. Urban respondents had slightly stronger environmental attitudes than rural respondents. The confluence of homeschooling and religiosity emerged as the key factor influencing environmental attitudes. There was no significant difference between environmental attitudes of homeschoolers and public schoolers until importance of religion was taken into account. As measured by the scales, religious homeschoolers exhibited the weakest environmental attitudes, public schoolers were in the middle, and not-as-religious homeschoolers had the strongest environmental attitudes. The qualitative data supported these results, with religious homeschoolers expressing weaker iv environmental attitudes, particularly in terms of climate change and the need for a more sustainable lifestyle. Religious homeschooling respondents favoured a more structured back to basics style of schooling which also correlated with lower environmental attitude scores. Unstructured homeschooling respondents tended to choose a child-centred philosophy of education which was correlated with stronger environmental attitudes. During the interviews, respondents were asked to reflect on what in their lives had influenced their attitudes toward the environment. Consistent with other literature, unstructured outdoor time as a child remained the most significant factor, cited by a majority of respondents. Other important factors included religion, parents, school, teachers, TV/media, economic necessity, and negative experiences with environmental pollution. The results of this study highlight the importance of considering variables associated with religion when exploring the development or level of environmental attitudes or when conducting a study of homeschooling. Religious beliefs are complex and highly personal in some cases, as is their corresponding influence on environmental concern. Potential exists for environmental concern and action from a group of spiritual people with strong community bonds and often political involvement. The key may be finding common ground and learning to communicate, while resisting expectations of complete agreement. This dissertation showed that stepping outside of the educational system does not necessarily have a direct impact on environmental attitudes, as they are mediated by a complex array of variables. Homeschooling may not directly generate a different level of environmental attitudes than public school; however, religious v homeschoolers definitely have a different set of attitudes toward the environment that deserve further in-depth study.
From saboteurs to allies: the role of children and youth in teacher candidates’ development of classroom management
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) Danyluk, Patricia Jill
How do children and youth in the classroom impact on the development of student teachers’ classroom management skills during the teaching practicum? This study approached the problem through the sociology of childhood/youth, using a human development framework, and asked children and youth what role they believe they play in the formation of classroom management skills for teaching candidates. Utilizing a phenomenological method, this study sought to discover the perspectives of children and youth, and student teachers themselves, as classroom management developed. Until now, the role that children and youth play in the development of classroom management for student teachers has largely been ignored. Through a series of observations, focus groups, student teacher questionnaires, and narratives, a portrait emerged of children and youth as active agents in the development of student teachers’ classroom management skills. The key findings indicate that children and youth utilize their agentic status to communicate their needs to student teachers verbally, physically, and through behaviour. A new model of student teaching emerged, suggesting a teaching quadrad where children and youth in the classroom are recognized as playing a role equal to or more significant than that of associate teachers or faculty in the development of classroom management for student teachers.
Analysis of RBM5 and RBM10 expression throughout H9C2 skeletal and cardiac muscle cell differentiation.
(Laurentian University of Sudbury, 2013-07-31) Loiselle, Julie Jennifer
RNA Binding Motif (RBM) domain proteins RBM5 and RBM10 have been shown to influence apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and splicing in transformed cells. In this study, RBM5 and RBM10 were examined in non-transformed cells in order to gain a wider range of knowledge regarding their function. Expression of Rbm5 and Rbm10, as well as select splice variants, was examined at the mRNA and protein level throughout H9c2 skeletal and cardiac myoblast differentiation. Results suggest that Rbm5 and Rbm10 may (a) be involved in regulating cell cycle arrest and apoptosis during skeletal myoblast differentiation and (b) undergo post-transcriptional or translational regulation throughout myoblast differentiation. All in all, the expression profiles obtained in the course of this study will help to suggest a role for Rbm5 and Rbm10 in differentiation, as well as possible differentiation-specific target genes with which they may interact.

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