Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Benthic macroinvertebrtes (BMI) are functionally important in aquatic ecosystems; as such, knowledge of their community structure and function is critical for understanding these systems. BMI were sampled from ten lakes in each of two regions of south-central Ontario to investigate which chemical and physical variables could be shaping their community structure and function. Ten… more Full Text: A regional comparison of the structure and function of benthic macroinvertebrate communities within Precambrian Shield and St. Lawrence lowland lakes in south-central Ontario A thesis submitted to the committee on Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) released into aquatic environments could threaten natural bacterial communities and ecosystem services they provide. We examined natural lake bacterioplankton communities' responses to different exposures (pulse vs chronic) and types (citrate and PVP) of AgNPs at realistic environmental conditions using a mesocosm study at the Experimental Lakes Area. An… more Full Text: Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Lake Bacterioplankton 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: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>This study presents a detailed assessment of the chemical speciation of aluminum and zinc in three streams of a small, acid-sensitive forested catchment on the southern edge of the Precambrian Shield.</p><p>Speciation analysis was achieved using an in-situ analytical technique known as Diffusive Gradient in Thin film (DGT) which measures labile metals, and a predictive… more Full Text: Speciation of Aluminum and Zinc in Three Streams of a Forested Catchment of the Boreal Zone: Temporal Variations assessed through In situ Monitoring and Geochemical Modeling. A Thesis submitted to the Committee of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Kallikragas, Dimitrios Theofanis, Thesis advisor (ths): Svishchev, Igor M, Degree committee member (dgc): Atkinson, Bill, Degree committee member (dgc): Tremiane, Peter, Degree committee member (dgc): Chkrebtii, Anatoli, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Supercritical water (SCW) is the intended heat transfer fluid and potential neutron moderator in the proposed GEN-IV Supercritical Water Cooled Reactor (SCWR). The oxidative environment poses challenges in choosing appropriate design materials, and the</p><p>behaviour of SCW within crevices of the passivation layer is needed for developing a corrosion control strategy to… more Full Text: Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Aqueous and Confined Systems Relevant to the Supercritical Water Cooled Nuclear Reactor A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Glycine max (soybean) is an economically important plant species that registers a relatively low yield/seed weight compared to other food and oil seed crops due to higher rates of flower and pod abortion. Alleviation of this abortion rate can be achieved by altering the sink strength of the reproductive organs of soybeans. Cytokinin (CK) plays a fundamental role in promoting growth of… more Full Text: The Cytokinin Oxidase/Dehydrogenase (CKX) Gene Family in Soybeans (Glycine max): Phylogenetic Analysis, Protein Properties and Investigation of Natural Variations among Varieties A thesis submitted to the committee on Graduate Studies in partial …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Kelly, Nick, Thesis advisor (ths): Burness, Gary, Thesis advisor (ths): Wilson, Chris C, Degree committee member (dgc): Ridgway, Mark S., Degree committee member (dgc): McDermid, Jenni L., Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>In the face of climate change, the persistence of cold-adapted species and populations will depend on their capacity for evolutionary adaptation of physiological traits. As a cold-adapted Ice Age relict species, lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are ideal for studying potential effects of climate change on coldwater fishes. I studied the thermal acclimation capacity and aerobic… more Full Text: ICE AGE FISH IN A WARMING WORLD: THERMAL ACCLIMATION CAPACITY OF LAKE TROUT (SALVELINUS NAMAYCUSH) 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: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and eastern Taiwan Strait (ETS) populations of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) contain ~600 and 100 catalogued individuals, respectively. Population demography is important for conservation actions but few animals have been sexed by conventional methods. Longitudinal analysis of tooth-rake scars on dorsal fins showed scars disappear within 7… more Full Text: SCARRING, SEX ASSIGNMENT, AND SEX-SPECIFIC SOCIALITY OF INDO-PACIFIC HUMPBACK DOLPHINS (SOUSA CHINENSIS) IN THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY AND EASTERN TAIWAN STRAIT A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>ABSTRACT</p><p>The Propensity Toward Extremist Mind-Set as Predicted </p><p>by Personality, Motivation, and Self-Construal</p><p>Nick Fauset</p><p>Multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the effects of Personality (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness), Motivation (External, Amotivation,… more Full Text: THE PROPENSITY TOWARD EXTREMIST MIND-SET AS PREDICTED BY PERSONALITY, MOTIVATION, AND SELF-CONSTRUAL 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: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Dobosz, Rafal, Thesis advisor (ths): McConnell, Sabine, Thesis advisor (ths): Hurley, Richard, Degree committee member (dgc): McConnell, Sabine, Degree committee member (dgc): Hurley, Richard, Degree committee member (dgc): Hajibabaei, Mehrdad, Degree committee member (dgc): Cater, Bruce, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>As the generation of genetic data accelerates, Big Data has an increasing impact on the way bioinformatics software is used. The experiments become larger and more complex than originally envisioned by software designers. One way to deal with this problem is to use parallel computing.</p><p>Using the program Structure as a case study, we investigate ways in which to… more Full Text: An Investigation of the Impact of Big Data on Bioinformatics Software A Thesis Submitted to the Committeee 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: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The distribution of animals is rarely random and is affected by various environmental factors. We examined space-use patterns, habitat selection and stress responses of whip-poor-wills to mining exploration activity.To the best of my knowledge, fine scale patterns such as the habitat composition within known home ranges or territories of eastern whip-poor-wills have not been investigated… more Full Text: HOME RANGE USE, HABITAT SELECTION, AND STRESS PHYSIOLOGY OF EASTERN WHIP-‐POOR-‐WILLS (ANTROSTOMUS VOCIFERUS) AT THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THEIR RANGE A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Ringrose, John Lyons, Thesis advisor (ths): Beresford, David, Thesis advisor (ths): Abraham, Ken, Degree committee member (dgc): Beresford, David, Degree committee member (dgc): Abraham, Ken, Degree committee member (dgc): Nol, Erica, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>I studied the abundance, distribution and diversity of horse fly and deer fly species (Diptera: Tabanidae) and mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in the boreal forest region of northern Ontario in 2011 and 2012. I collected 19 mosquito species, including one species new for Ontario, Aedes pullatus (Coquillett). I documented 11 northern and one southern range extension. I also… more Full Text: TABANIDAE AND CULICIDAE IN THE NORTHERN BOREAL REGION OF 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: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Experiments have observed a two-dimensional electron gas at the interface of two insulating oxides: strontium titanate (SrTiO<sub>3</sub>) and lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO<sub>3</sub>). These interfaces exhibit metallic, superconducting, and magnetic behaviours, which are strongly affected by impurities. Motivated by experiments, we introduce a simple model in which… more Full Text: TWO-DIMENSIONAL CONDUCTIVITY AT LaAlO3/SrTiO3 INTERFACES 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 Art and Science Trent University …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The fate of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in surface waters determines the ecological risk of this emerging contaminant. In this research, the fate of AgNPs in lake mesocosms was studied using both a continuous (i.e. drip) and one-time (i.e. plug) dosing regime. AgNPs were persistent in the tested lake environment as there was accumulation in the water column over time in drip mesocosms… more Full Text: Fate of Silver Nanoparticles in Lake Mesocosms 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 Sciences TRENT UNIVERSITY Peterborough, …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Recent declines in growth and condition of Great Lakes' lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) have been linked to ecosystem-wide changes stemming from the invasion of dreissenid mussels. To test the influence of invasive mussels on this commercially important coregonid species, we collected archived scale samples from ten Great Lake locations and analyzed long-term changes in… more Full Text: Widespread changes in growth, diet and depth distribution of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in the Great Lakes are linked to invasive dreissenid mussels A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Barrett, Sophie Elizabeth, Thesis advisor (ths): Watmough, Shaun, Degree committee member (dgc): Sager, Eric, Degree committee member (dgc): Emery, Neil, Degree committee member (dgc): Hutchinson, Tom, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>Peatlands are prevalent in the Sudbury, Ontario region. Compared with the well documented devastation to the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in this region, relatively little work has been conducted on the peatlands. The objective of this research was to assess factors controlling peat and plant chemistry, and vegetation composition in 18 peatlands in Sudbury after over 30 years of… more Full Text: Factors Controlling Peat Chemistry and Vegetation Composition in Sudbury Peatlands after 30 Years of Emission Reductions A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Name(s): Creator (cre): Balch, Jordan, Thesis advisor (ths): Gueguen, Celine, Degree committee member (dgc): Hickey, Brendan, Degree committee member (dgc): Thompson, Matthew, Degree committee member (dgc): Aherne, Julian, Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University Abstract: <p>The efficacy of the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) passive samplers to provide accurate measurements of free metal ions and those complexed with dissolved organic matter (DOM) was investigated. DOM controls the diffusive properties of DOM-complexed metal species in natural systems. Knowing the diffusion coeiffiecent (D) for DOM of different molecular weights (MW) and the major… more Full Text: THE EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES AND DISSOLVED ORGANIC MATTER CHARACTERISTICS ON THE DIFFUSION COEFFICIENTS OF DISSOLVED ORGANIC MATTER USING DIFFUSIVE GRADIENTS IN THIN FILMS A Thesis submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Catchment soil acidification has been suggested as a possible mechanism for reducing phosphorus (P) loading to surface waters in North America and northern Europe, but much of the research that has been conducted regarding P immobilization in pH manipulated soils has been performed at high P concentrations (> 130 μM). This study investigated how soil acidity was related to P… more Full Text: Phosphorus forms and response to changes in pH in acidsensitive soils on the Precambrian Shield 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 …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>The damage to Sudbury's landscape from over a century of smelter and logging activity has been severe and impacts well documented. However, despite their abundance in the region, wetlands have received little attention. Recent studies have identified that nutrient limitation is as much a problem as metal toxicity and highlighted not only the importance of wetlands but also the need… more Full Text: SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATION IN PEATLAND GEOCHEMISTRY IN SUDBURY, ONTARIO, CANADA 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 …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Abstract</p><p>Early Responses of Understory Vegetation After One Year of Above Canopy Nitrogen Additions in a Jack Pine Stand in Northern Alberta</p><p>Nicole Melong</p><p>Nitrogen (N) emissions are expected to increase in western Canada due to oil and gas extraction operations. An increase in N exposure could potentially impact the surrounding boreal… more Full Text: EARLY RESPONSES OF UNDERSTORY VEGETATION AFTER ONE YEAR OF ABOVE CANOPY NITROGEN ADDITIONS IN A JACK PINE STAND IN NORTHERN ALBERTA A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master …
Year: 2014, 2014
Member of: Trent University Graduate Thesis Collection
Abstract: <p>Comprehending the dynamics of infectious diseases is very important in formulating public health policies to tackling their prevalence. Mathematical epidemiology (ME) has played a very vital role in achieving the above. Nevertheless, classical mathematical epidemiological models do not explicitly model the behavioural responses of individuals in the presence of prevalence of these… more Full Text: Stability Properties of Disease Models under Economic Expectations 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 UNIVERSITY …
