Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Microfibres, which are threadlike particles < 5 mm, are the most common type of microplastic reported in the environment. However, few studies have focused on their abundance in background natural environments. This study assessed the abundance of microfibres in rainfall samples (from four precipitation monitoring stations) and across three headwater lake catchments that were in… more Full Text: Anthropogenic microfibres in background natural environments in Ireland A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Arts and Science Trent …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In this thesis, aerosolization was studied as a possible means of water remediation for several environmentally relevant pharmaceutical pollutants, known for their persistence in wastewater effluent and potable water sources. Seven different pharmaceutical compounds and a well-known plasticizer were all shown to decrease considerably in concentration in aerosol that was produced and… more Full Text: STUDY OF AEROSOLS FOR USE IN WATER REMEDIATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL POLLUTANTS 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 …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Bees (clade Anthophila), are poorly studied in northern Canada, as these regions can be difficult to access and have a short growing season. This study examined bees from two such regions: Ontario's Far North, and Akimiski Island, Nunavut. I present this study as the largest biogeographical study of bees performed in these remote areas to enhance knowledge of northern native bees. I… more Full Text: The Diversity, Biogeography, and Functional Traits of Native Bees from Ontario’s Far North and Akimiski Island, Nunavut A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Due to their effective antibacterial and antifungal properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have quickly become the most commonly used nanomaterial, with applications in industry, medicine and consumer products. This increased use of AgNPs over the past decade will inevitably result in an elevated release of nanoparticles into the environment, highlighting the importance of assessing… more Full Text: THE EFFECTS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES ON LOWER TROPHIC LEVELS IN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS A Thesis 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 Science …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Sajer, Bayan, Thesis advisor (ths): Yee, Janet, Degree committee member (dgc): Rafferty, Steven, Degree committee member (dgc): Bates, Holly, Degree committee member (dgc): Brunetti, Craig, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>The parasitic protist Giardia intestinalis has five heme proteins: a flavohemoglobin and several isotypes of cytochrome b5. While the flavohemoglobin has a role in counteracting nitric oxide, the functions of the cytochromes (gCYTb5s) are unknown. In this study, the protein level and cellular localization of three gCYTB5 isotypes (gCYTb5-I, II and III) and flavohemoglobin were examined… more Full Text: THE EFFECT OF NITROSATIVE STRESS ON HEME PROTEIN EXPRESSION AND LOCALIZATION IN GIARDIA INTESTINALIS A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Blanchard, Dane Alexander, Thesis advisor (ths): Aherne, Julian, Degree committee member (dgc): Watmough, Shaun, Degree committee member (dgc): Sager, Eric P.S., Degree committee member (dgc): McKenna Neuman, Cheryl L, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Recent developments at an aluminum (Al) smelter in Kitimat, BC resulted in a permitted increase of 27 to 42 tonnes of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions per day. Gaseous SO2 is a pollutant known to contribute to acidic deposition through processes of wet and dry deposition and can additionally react in-atmosphere to form particulate sulphate (pSO42-). Between June 2017 to October 2018, an… more Full Text: Observation-based assessment of atmospheric sulphur surrounding a major aluminum smelter in British Columbia, Canada A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The Kawartha Lakes region of south-central Ontario is dominated by water bodies and rivers, where humans are known to have lived since at least 10,500 years ago, only shortly after the retreat of glaciers from the region. Since this time, water levels within the region have changed dramatically as a result of various geophysical, climatological, and human-induced-phenomenon, leaving… more Full Text: Lost Landscapes of the Kawarthas: Investigating Inundated Archaeological Sites Using Integrated Methods A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Faculty of …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Support Vector Machines (SVMs) are a deterministic, supervised machine learning algorithm that have been successfully applied to many areas of research. They are heavily grounded in mathematical theory and are effective at processing high-dimensional data. This thesis models a variety of galaxy classification tasks using SVMs and data from the Galaxy Zoo 2 project. SVM parameters were… more Full Text: Support Vector Machines for Automated Galaxy Classification 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: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Populations have long been delineated by physical barriers that appear to limit reproduction, yet increasingly genetic analysis reveal these delineations to be inaccurate. The eastern and mid-continent populations of sandhill cranes are expanding ranges which is leading to convergence and warrants investigation of the genetic structure between the two populations. Obtaining blood or… more Full Text: Do birds of a feather flock together: An investigation of sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) populations using non-invasive feathers as a source of DNA A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Elemental selenium has been extensively quantitatively measured in sediments; however, its physical composition is largely unknown, despite it being the dominant selenium species in some reducing environments. Here, for the first time, it is shown that small, cyclic selenium compounds can account for a quantitatively-relevant fraction of the total elemental selenium present. </p>… more Full Text: Characterization of Synthetic and Natural Se8 and Related SenSm Compounds by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry A thesis submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Environmental DNA (eDNA) is rapidly becoming an established method for the detection of species in aquatic systems and has been suggested as a promising tool to estimate species abundance. However, the strength of the relationship between eDNA concentrations and taxon abundance (density/biomass) can vary widely between species. I investigated the relationship between eDNA concentration… more Full Text: Making eDNA count: Using environmental DNA (eDNA) to quantify relative larval amphibian abundance 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 …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>In current knowledge-based economy, knowledge might be viewed as the most valuable organizational resource in sustaining any organization. Organizational knowledge originates from cognitive learning by individuals situated within organizations. In organizational learning, situated learning of knowledge by individuals is shared to create sustainable organizational competency. Yet, there… more Full Text: THE EMERGING DYNAMIC SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY OF A LEARNING COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: ABBEY GARDENS, ONTARIO, CANADA A Thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Prior research has examined social anxiety, emotional competence (EC) and life adjustment (i.e., loneliness and life satisfaction) using cross-sectional designs, although there is limited information on their association over time. The present study examined the impact of social anxiety on life adjustment and assessed if EC could mediate this relationship from young to middle adulthood.… more Full Text: SOCIAL ANXIETY AND EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE: A 15 YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY 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 UNIVERSITY …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Ustilago maydis (D.C.) Corda is a biotrophic pathogen that secretes effectors to establish and maintain a relationship with its host, Zea mays. In this pathosystem, the molecular function of effectors is well-studied, but the regulation of effector gene expression remains largely unknown. This study characterized Zfp1, a putative U. maydis Zn(II)2Cys6 transcription factor, as a modulator… more Full Text: CHARACTERIZATION OF A Zn(II)2Cys6 TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR IN Ustilago maydis AND ITS ROLE IN PATHOGENESIS A dissertation submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Glucocorticoids (e.g., corticosterone (CORT)) are hypothesized to mediate decisions regarding reproductive investment during breeding, but the directionality of the relationship is not clear. The CORT-fitness hypothesis posits that high levels of CORT arise from challenging environmental conditions in which an individual will conserve resources for future reproduction or self-maintenance… more Full Text: THE ROLE OF CORTICOSTERONE IN REPRODUCTIVE EFFORT AND BREEDING SUCCESS IN TREE SWALLOWS 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: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Interspecific hybridization rates can vary depending on genomic compatibilities between progenitors, while subsequent hybrid spread can vary depending on hybrid performance and habitat availability for hybrid establishment and persistence. As a result, hybridization rates and hybrid frequencies can vary across regions of parental sympatry. In areas around the Laurentian Great Lakes,… more Full Text: INVESTIGATING THE REGIONAL VARIATION IN FREQUENCIES OF THE INVASIVE HYBRID CATTAIL, TYPHA × GLAUCA 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: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The university newspaper is a vital aspect of the university public, as it provides a platform for students to voice their opinions on topics pertaining to the culture of their university and gives students critical information about what is happening on campus. This thesis uses the University of Regina's The Carillon as a case study to evaluate how university newspapers interact… more Full Text: THE STUDENTS’ BELL TOWER: THE LEGACY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF REGINA’S THE CARILLON IN THE DIGITAL AGE A Thesis Submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Faculty of Arts …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The conversion of historical analog images to time series data was performed by using deconvolution for pre-processing, followed by the use of custom built digitization algorithms. These algorithms have been developed to be user friendly with the objective of aiding in the creation of a data set from decades of mechanical observations collected from the Agincourt and Toronto geomagnetic… more Full Text: Historic Magnetogram Digitization 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 Peterborough, Ontario, Canada (c) …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Blocking fossil fuel infrastructure projects like pipelines is increasingly being seen as a legitimate way for civil society groups to reduce global carbon emissions. This research project is an exploratory case study of the Trans Mountain pipeline in British Columbia and its opposition. My research question asks, 'What has each tactic/strategy of opposition in the campaign to stop… more Full Text: Analyzing the Effectiveness of Social Movements Opposing Fossil Fuel Infrastructure: A Case Study of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of …
Year: 2019, 2019
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Community-based research (CBR) is a method of discovery that can provide pragmatic methods of advocating for and enabling community change. CBR literature and practice has focused on securing educational and job skills training outcomes for students rather than the communities, and community outcomes CBR and partnership frameworks were truly meant to serve. This research evaluates the… more Full Text: “CHANGING OUR COMMUNITY”: EVALUATING CONTRIBUTIONS OF COMMUNITY-BASED RESEARCH IN HALIBURTON COUNTY, ON A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Faculty of …