Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Amino acids make up proteins, which are the building blocks of life. A balance of amino acids is needed to maintain a healthy state. Tyrosine (Tyr) is synthesized from the metabolism of phenylalanine, which is an essential amino acid, meaning it can only be obtained from the diet. It is related to many metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Tyr can undergo post-translational… more Full Text: USING FLUORESCENT CARBON DOTS FOR BIOSENSING APPLICATIONS OF AMINO ACIDS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) recruitment has declined substantially in several regions of the Laurentian Great Lakes since the establishment of non-native dreissenid mussels in the early 1990's. In Lake Huron, the reasons for the observed recruitment declines are currently unknown and there is limited knowledge about larval life stage. In our study, we determined whether… more Full Text: Larval lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) recruitment dynamics in Lake Huron A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Jenkins, Deborah A., Thesis advisor (ths): Schaefer, James A, Thesis advisor (ths): Lecomte, Nicolas, Degree committee member (dgc): Conolly, James, Degree committee member (dgc): Ray, Justina, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Central to wildlife conservation and management is the need for refined, spatially explicit knowledge on the diversity and distribution of species and the factors that drive those patterns. This is especially vital as anthropogenic disturbance threatens rapid large-scale change, even in the most remote areas of the planet. My dissertation examines theinfluence of land- and sea-scape… more Full Text: ISLANDS, UNGULATES, AND ICE: THE RESPONSE OF CARIBOU TO A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT A Dissertation Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Organismal nutrition lies at the interface between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem, dictating the transfer of energy and nutrients across trophic levels. Our ability to detect nutritional limitation in consumers is reliant on a priori knowledge of dietary history due to our inability to differentiate nutrient stress based on body-wide responses. Molecular physiological… more Full Text: NUTRIGENOMICS OF DAPHNIA: EXAMINING EFFECTS OF NUTRIENTS ON THE DAPHNIA PULEX TRANSCRIPTOME AND IDENTIFYING NUTRITIONAL PHENOTYPES A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Katanda, Yeukai, Thesis advisor (ths): Hutchinson, Tom, Thesis advisor (ths): Thompson, Karen, Degree committee member (dgc): Sharifi, Mehdi, Degree committee member (dgc): Van Eerd, Laura, Degree committee member (dgc): Hooker, David, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Ontario grain corn is highly valuable, accounting for 60% of Canada's total corn output. Grain producers are increasingly interested in including cover crops (CCs) in their cropping systems, but they have concerns regarding successful CC establishment and potential adverse competitive effects on corn yield and nutrient status. One option to improve the success of CC establishment is… more Full Text: INTERSEEDED COVER CROPS IN ONTARIO GRAIN CORN SYSTEMS: POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CORN NITROGEN UPTAKE, SOIL HEALTH, AND RESIDUE DECOMPOSITION A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>190 species of birds are known to breed in Ontario's far north making the region an important nursery for boreal birds. Digital point count data were collected using two different autonomous recording units (ARUs): one model with two standard microphones to detect birds and anurans, and one model with one standard microphone and one ultrasonic microphone for detecting bats. ARUs… more Full Text: DETERMINANTS OF BREEDING BIRD DIVERSITY IN ONTARIO’S FAR NORTH A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT UNIVERSITY …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Roosts offer bats protection from predators, shelter from external environmental conditions, and a space where sociality, mating, and the rearing of young can occur. However, knowledge gaps still remain for many forest roosting species, such as the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) surrounding what roosts are selected, and what variables are influential at differing scales of selection… more Full Text: Forest Roost Use by Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) in Ontario A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT UNIVERSITY …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Kennedy , Victoria, Thesis advisor (ths): Saville, Barry, Degree committee member (dgc): Emery, Neil, Degree committee member (dgc): Donaldson, Michael, Degree committee member (dgc): Farrow, Scott, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Heavy metal pollution threatens human and ecosystem health. E. gracilis was investigated for its potential use in bioremediation due to its tolerance for heavy metals and ability to sequester them from the environment. E. gracilis can remove metals by producing metal binding compounds enriched in sulfur and nitrogen. In this thesis, E. gracilis cultures that were pretreated with elevated… more Full Text: The influence of sulfur and nitrogen on cadmium tolerance in Euglena gracilis: an RNA-sequencing investigation A thesis submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, nucleic acid and antibody-based testing methods were heavily relied upon, but can be costly, time-consuming and exhibit high false -negative and -positive rates. Thus, alternative strategies are needed. Viral antigens such as the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein are critical in the function of the virus and useful as diagnostic biomarkers for viral… more Full Text: SARS-CoV-2 PROTEIN-BASED DETECTION USING LOCALIZED SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Rapidly changing landscapes introduce challenges for wildlife management, particularly for large mammal populations with long generation times and extensive spatial requirements. Understanding how these populations interact with heterogeneous landscapes aids in predicting responses to further environmental change. In this thesis, I profile American black bears using microsatellite loci… more Full Text: Gene flow directionality and functional genetic variation among Ontario, Canada Ursus americanus populations. A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Vanderwolf, Karen J, Thesis advisor (ths): Davy, Christina, Thesis advisor (ths): Kyle, Christopher, Degree committee member (dgc): Donaldson, Michael, Degree committee member (dgc): McAlpine, Donald, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a skin disease of bats caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) that damages flight membranes during hibernation and can lead to death. The disease causes mortality of multiple bat species in eastern North America and is spreading into western North America. Future impacts of WNS on naïve bat populations are unknown. Variation in host… more Full Text: THE MYCOBIOME AND SKIN CHEMISTRY OF BAT WINGS IN RELATION TO WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME A dissertation submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the faculty of Arts and …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), commonly known as Batten disease, are a family of inherited neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders. CLN7 disease is a subtype of NCL that is caused by mutations in the MFSD8 gene. MFSD8 encodes a lysosomal transmembrane protein that is predicted to play a role in transporting small substrates across membranes. However, little is known… more Full Text: Mfsd8 regulates growth and multicellular development in Dictyostelium discoideum A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): McFarlane, Samantha Amy, Thesis advisor (ths): Wilson, Paul J, Thesis advisor (ths): Manseau, Micheline, Degree committee member (dgc): Bowman, Jeff, Degree committee member (dgc): Steenweg, Robin, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Variation in habitat quality and disturbance levels can strongly influence a species' distribution, leading to spatial variation in population density and influencing population dynamics. It is therefore critical to understand how density can lead to variability in demographic responses for effective conservation and recovery of species. My dissertation illustrates how density and… more Full Text: LANDSCAPE FITNESS: INTEGRATING DENSITY, FAMILIAL NETWORKS AND POPULATION DYNAMICS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF BOREAL WOODLAND CARIBOU A dissertation submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Maximum permitted SO2 emissions from an aluminum smelter in Kitimat, B.C., increased after modernization in 2015. An increase in acidic deposition can potentially acidify forest soils. Monitoring was conducted at two long-term soil monitoring plots at near (7 km) and far (41 km) sites downwind from the smelter. Change in soil properties was assessed between 2015 and 2018: for the near… more Full Text: THE SENSITIVITY OF FOREST SOILS TO ACIDIC DEPOSITION DOWNWIND OF AN ALUMINUM SMELTER, KITIMAT, B.C. A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Mining and resource development are growing industries in the Arctic, resulting in increased conflict with wildlife. Best practices for mitigation require an understanding of the potential ecological effects. One such effect concerns the flooding of terrestrial bird habitat from dewatering of lakes during mining pit development. I first assessed the efficacy of bird deterrents to… more Full Text: ASSESSING AND MITIGATING THE IMPACTS OF MINING-INDUCED FLOODING ON ARCTIC-NESTING BIRDS A Thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Similar to other shorebird trends around the world, the Piping Plover population (Charadrius melodus circumcinctus) is projected to decline if concerted conservation efforts are relaxed. To date, there is insufficient understanding of the connection between habitat type, prey abundance, and chick behaviour of the Piping Plover breeding population in Ontario. The aim of my thesis was to… more Full Text: PREY ABUNDANCE AND HABITAT DURING THE BREEDING SEASON FOR PIPING PLOVERS IN THE ONTARIO GREAT LAKES REGION A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the …
Year: 2022, 2022
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Line transect sampling and photographic-identification (photo-ID) are common survey techniques for estimating the abundance and distribution of cetaceans. Combining these approaches in the field ('combined LTPI' surveys) and using data from both components has the potential for generating comprehensive ecological knowledge that can be far more valuable than when these… more Full Text: COMBINING LINE TRANSECT SAMPLING AND PHOTOGRAPHICIDENTIFICATION SURVEYS TO INVESTIGATE THE ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF CETACEANS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Owen Sound Bay, which is located within the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), is contaminated as a result of historical industrial and shipping activity. Gross contamination of the sediments in the inner part of the Bay (i.e., Owen Sound Harbour) includes high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other organic compounds, as well as metals… more Full Text: A collaborative ecotoxicological risk assessment of in-place pollutants in Owen Sound Bay, Lake Huron within the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory A thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In order to effectively manage recreational fisheries, it is important to understand how the resource is being used. In this thesis, long-term creel census data, collected on Lake Opeongo in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada was used to assess fine-scale angler dynamics within a recreational Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) fishery. The spatial distribution of angler reported… more Full Text: Understanding Angler Dynamics in a Recreational Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Fishery in Algonquin Provincial Park Using Long-Term Access Creel Data A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for …
Year: 2021, 2021
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Phytohormones, Cytokinin (CK) and Abscisic acid (ABA), are best known for controlling plant growth and stress responses; but they also mediate various developmental perspectives in alga. Yet, their mode of action in algal adaptive strategies to heavy metal responses, their involvement in orchestration of phytohormone crosstalk remain largely unknown and a molecular framework of… more Full Text: Phytohormone-enhanced heavy metal responses in Euglena gracilis: Ni, Pb and Cd uptake and associated hormone and metabolome profiles A thesis submitted to the committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of …
