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Mechanisms of episodic simulation of helping behaviour in younger and older adults
Get PDFThe ability to recall the past (i.e., episodic memory) and simulate hypothetical events (i.e., episodic simulation) are intrinsically linked, and individuals with diminished episodic memory abilities show similar deficits when imagining potential future events. For instance, age-related declines in episodic memory are mirrored in older adults’ simulations of future events, such that older adults produce fewer episodic details, and more semantic information, than younger adults when both remembering the past and imagining the future. Despite such deficits, recent research suggests that older adults can successfully imagine future scenarios in which they help people in need; however, these findings are limited, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
The present thesis examines whether episodic simulation of future helping behaviours differs between younger and older adults under several conditions. Chapter 2 demonstrates that episodic simulation of helping behaviour increases younger and older adults’ willingness to help even in the highly novel scenarios posed by the pandemic. Participants relied more on non-episodic details when imagining COVID-related scenarios for which they had limited similar experiences. Relatedly, in Chapter 3, both episodic simulation and similarity to one’s personal experiences increase willingness to help and phenomenological experiences, but the mechanisms differ between younger and older adults. Scene vividness and perspective-taking mediated the relationship between situation similarity and willingness to help in younger adults, but only perspective-taking had an indirect effect in older adults. Finally, Chapter 4 suggests that time-spent-imagining does not affect older adults’ ability to simulate future helping behaviours. However, time-spent-imagining did affect the number of internal details produced, but the proportion of internal details (correcting for total details produced) was not affected by time. As such, the often-used metric of a count of episodic details alone may not be the best measure to assess episodic simulation abilities in younger and older adults.
Taken together, the present studies suggest that episodic simulation of helping similarly increases younger and older adults’ willingness to help, but the underlying mechanisms likely differ across the lifespan. Additionally, both subjective and objective measures of simulated events must be examined to accurately assess simulation abilities across the lifespan
Norman Ball Ferranti-Packard Research Collection, 1877-1993, n.d.
Get PDFIn 1958 Ferranti-Packard was created when the Packard Electric Company of St. Catharines and Ferranti Electrics of Toronto merged. Both companies were well-established and respected manufacturing companies. The Packard Electric Company was incorporated in 1894 and initially operated in the former Neelon Grist Mill on the original Welland Canal. The company was founded by brothers James and William Packard. At first the company produced electric light bulbs but soon expanded to electric motors and transformers. During the first World War Packard ceased to produce light bulbs and motors, and transformers became the major product made by the company. In 1901 the company diversified their product line with an automobile manufacturing plant, where the cars known as “Olds” were produced. The motor car department was located adjacent to the old grist mill. In 1909 the automotive department was sold to the Reo Motor Car Company, but Packard continued to build cars for Reo until 1913. Another product made by Packard Electric were watthour meters which began production in 1902 and continued until 1977.
A new plant was constructed in 1951 on the Queen Elizabeth Way to improve the company’s manufacturing facilities. The transition to the new facility was gradually made between 1951 and 1963, at which time all operations were conducted at the new location. The company further expanded with locations added in Trois Rivières, Quebec and Dunkirk, N.Y.
The growth of the Ferranti Electrical Company followed a similar trajectory to Packard’s. Ferranti also produced electrical meters and transformers and was based in Toronto. After the two companies merged in 1958, forming Ferranti-Packard Electric Ltd., headquarters were established in Toronto. Mr. T. Edmondson was appointed President and Dr. J.M. Thomson chairman of the Board of Directors. The Power Transformer Division and Electronics Ordnance Division were also in Toronto, while the Distribution Equipment Division was in St. Catharines with another branch in Trois-Rivières. In 1990 the company was acquired by Rolls-Royce Industries Canada Inc. It was later purchased by Siemens. The St. Catharines plant permanently closed in October 2005.The collection consists of material compiled by Norman Ball while researching a book on the Ferranti-Packard Company with John Vardalas. In 1993 the book was published, titled Ferranti-Packard: Pioneers in Canadian Electrical Manufacturing (HD 9697 C334 F47 1993) . Most of the material are copies and consist of minutes, photographs, correspondence, business proposals, and newspaper and magazine articles. Meeting minutes include board of directors’ minutes, shareholders’ minutes, and Packard Sports Club minutes. A photocopied and typewritten copy of W.D. Packard’s diary is also included. The business proposals include specifications of Packard transformers intended for purchase by the Ontario Power Company of Niagara Falls
Determining Relationships Between Kinematic Sequencing and Baseball Pitch Velocity Using pitchAITM
Get PDFProfessional baseball pitchers have consistently been increasing pitch velocity since 2008 (the first year of automated pitch tracking and classification at all 30 MLB stadiums) and increasing the number of pitches thrown over 95mph (Sullivan, 2019). Fastball velocity is a primary risk factor for elbow injuries as there is a general linear relationship with increased elbow torques (Aguinaldo & Chambers, 2009; Chalmers et al., 2016; Slowik et al., 2019). The kinematic sequence has been referred to as the order and magnitude of joint angular velocities during the pitch delivery and has been associated with pitch velocity and elbow torque (Nicholson et al., 2022a, 2022b; Scarborough, Leonard, et al., 2021). The purpose of the research was to identify kinematic sequence metrics associated with pitch velocity and use them to predict pitch velocity using pitchAITM (Dobos et al., 2022). A total of 80 pitchers (187.2 ± 8.2 cm, age 20.1 ± 3.3 years) ranging in skill level from high school to professional baseball participated in this study. Video for pitchAITM, player height and weight were collected at 2 baseball training facilities. Extracted pitchAITM data included the peak magnitudes and relative timings of pelvis rotation velocity, trunk rotation velocity, elbow extension velocity, and shoulder internal rotation velocity. Average pitch velocity in the data set was 85.3 ± 5.7 mph or 38.1 ± 2.5 m/s. Pitch velocity was predicted using both a multilinear regression, as well as a custom neural network model. The multilinear regression generated a significant prediction for pitch velocity with an R2 = 0.368 and p < 0.01. Pitcher weight (β = 0.535, p < 0.001), peak pelvis rotational velocity timing (β = -0.157, p = 0.001), peak elbow extension timing (β = 0.122, p = 0.006), and peak shoulder internal rotation timing (β = -0.113, p = 0.018), were significant contributors to the multilinear model. The neural network model significantly predicted velocity with an R2 = 0.372, p < 0.01. Actual and predicted velocity were not significantly different (p = 0.353). In conclusion, pitchAITM kinematic sequencing can predict pitch velocity using both a multilinear regression and custom neural network
Sensory sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty and sex differences predicting anxiety in emerging adults
Get PDFAs multiple vulnerability factors have been defined for anxiety disorders, it is important to investigate the interactions among these factors to understand why and how some individuals develop anxiety. Sensory Sensitivity (SS) and Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) are independent vulnerability factors of anxiety, but their unique relationship in predicting anxiety has rarely been studied in non-clinical populations. The objective of this investigation was to examine the combined effects of SS and IU on self-reported anxiety in a sample of university students. In addition, with the frequently reported sex bias in anxiety literature, we expected that the combined effects of vulnerability factors would be different for females and males. A convenience sample of 313 university students, ages 17–26 years was recruited. The participants completed the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12), the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile (AASP), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results of moderated mediation analyses demonstrated a strong partial mediation between SS and anxiety through IU, providing evidence that IU, a cognitive bias against the unknown, was one mechanism that explained how SS was related to anxiety. Further, the effect of IU on anxiety was approximately twice as strong in females. Our results highlight the importance of studying the unique relationships among multiple vulnerability factors to better understand anxiety susceptibility in emerging adults.Supported by the Council for Research in the Social Sciences (CRISS) of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Brock
University and Brock University's Library Open Access Publishing Fund
Influence of cover crops on invertebrate diversity in Niagara organic vineyards
Get PDFCover crops can play different functions in vineyards, such as preventing soil erosion, improving
soil health, reducing the need for pesticides, and increasing nitrogen fixation in soils. Despite the
potential of cover cropping, little research has been done on the influence of diverse vegetation
on invertebrate functional groups. This study aimed to examine the influence of different cover
crop species in the diversity of pests, neutral, and beneficial invertebrate species. The first
objective of this study was to assess diversity in the invertebrate community and their functional
groups in six different cover crop treatments (Trifolium incarnatum, Vicia villosa, Pennisetum
glaucum, mixture of T. incarnatum, V. villosa, P. glaucum, Lolium perenne, and spontaneous
vegetation) across two different organic vineyards in the Niagara region. The second objective
was to test the use of sentinel plants to identify direct interactions between cover crops and
invertebrates. These sentinel plants were grown in greenhouse conditions before being
introduced into the field. To access the invertebrate communities involved, the deployment of
sticky traps, vine sweeps and cover sweeps in June, August and September 2022 was used to
obtain a comprehensive idea of invertebrate communities. The results showed that cover crop
species, whether grown in monoculture or mixture, did not significantly influence invertebrate
diversity and relative proportion of functional groups. Instead, factors such as vineyard
management, environmental conditions, and landscape complexity may play a key role in
shaping invertebrate community diversity. Additionally, temporal variation played an integral
role in influencing the abundance of pest and beneficial morphospecies in both vineyards.
Invertebrate interactions on sentinel plants were nonconclusive, leaving potential interactions
between cover crops and invertebrates uncertain in terms of sentinel plant deployment. Also,
cover crops grown in the interrow of the grapevines were not the sole vegetation species present
in the area, making it challenging to attribute performance solely to a singular species in the
study. The results of this study indicate how complex and intricate invertebrate community
diversity can be in operating applications. Further investigation on cover crop performance in the
field is warranted to better understand how they may influence invertebrate community structure
dynamics
Examining the effects of BDNF and exercise training on adipose tissue browning
Get PDFExercise increases browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) however, the mechanisms remain unclear. A factor that is released with exercise, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), has recently been identified as a possible mediator of WAT browning. Direct treatment of cultured adipocytes with BDNF increases mitochondrial quantity and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) content. The purpose of this study was to examine if BDNF has similar effects on adipose tissue browning as endurance training and whether BDNF and endurance training can produce a synergistic effect. Male C57BL6 mice (10-weeks of age) were randomly assigned into one of four groups (n=12/group): 1) sedentary (SED); 2) endurance training (ET) (treadmill running 1 hour/day); 3) BDNF (0.5 mg/kg·bw); or 4) endurance training and BDNF (ET+BDNF) for 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Body mass and food intake were recorded weekly. Following the 8- week intervention, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure were examined via a Promethion metabolic caging system. Mice were anaesthetized, WAT (subcutaneous and inguinal) and brown adipose tissue (BAT; interscapular) depots were collected for histological and protein analysis. BDNF treatment increased serum BDNF, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure to a similar extent as the ET group. ET and BDNF resulted in decreased adipocyte area. Exercise resulted in higher multilocularity, mitochondrial content, UCP1, and higher innervation of iWAT. While BDNF treatment alone resulted in higher PGC1a. Within eWAT, ET showed decreased adipocyte size and higher dynamin related protein 1 (DRP1) protein content suggesting an increased potential in mitochondrial fission. BDNF treatment shows higher innervation of BAT as well as higher mitochondrial protein content among the exercise trained groups with the addition of BDNF. Overall, BDNF and exercise training are able to increase whole-body energy expenditures through markers of adipose tissue browning in a depot-specific manner with some evidence of additive effects
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Young Adults with ACEs
Get PDFThe impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on mental health is well-established. Additionally, the measures taken by the government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as school and workplace closures, physical distancing, isolation, and quarantining, also seem to have a negative influence on mental health. However, the specific combined effects of ACEs and COVID-19-related stressors on mental health outcomes like depression, anxiety, hostility, and perceived stress were not clearly understood.
Given that young adults may be more significantly affected by the government's responses to the pandemic than other adult age groups, they could be particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of COVID-19. Therefore, the two aims of this thesis were to determine if young adults with high COVID-19 stress had higher levels of mental health problems and whether those with higher exposure to ACEs were more susceptible to the negative consequences of COVID-19-related stressors on their mental health.
To carry out this research, survey data were collected from the Niagara Longitudinal Heart Study (NLHS), which is a longitudinal study that had pre-COVID-19 data, as well as data from three phases of the COVID-19 pandemic collected using a series of follow-up NLHS-COVID-19 sub-study surveys. The study included 138 (171 included in longitudinal, mixed-model regression analysis) as the final sample of participants, with 41.5% males and 58.5% females. Among them, 21% had been exposed to four or more ACEs, while 17.4% had no exposure to ACEs.
The findings revealed that the higher exposure to COVID-19-related stressors resulted in increased levels of hostility and anxiety among Canadian young adults. Notably, young adults with higher ACEs were particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of these stressors on their mental health across different phases of the pandemic. This highlights the need for targeted intervention programs and mental health resources to support this vulnerable subgroup during times of crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic
Pseudotemporal invitations: 6- to 9-year-old maltreated children’s tendency to misinterpret invitations referencing “time” as solely requesting conventional temporal information
Get PDFForensic interviewers ask children broad input-free recall questions about individual episodes in order to elicit complete narratives, often asking about “the first time,” “the last time,” and “one time.” An overlooked problem is that the word “time” is potentially ambiguous, referring both to a particular episode and to conventional temporal information. We examined 191 6-9-year-old maltreated children’s responses to questions about recent events varying the wording of the invitations, either asking children to “tell me about” or “tell me what happened” one time/the first time/the last time the child experienced recent recurrent events. Additionally, half of the children were asked a series of “when” questions about recurrent events before the invitations. Children were several times more likely to provide exclusively conventional temporal information to “tell me about” invitations compared to “tell me what happened” invitations, and asking “when” questions before the invitations increased children’s tendency to give exclusively conventional temporal information. Children who answered a higher proportion of “when” questions with conventional temporal information were also more likely to do so in response to the invitations. The results suggest that children may often fail to provide narrative information because they misinterpret invitations using the word “time.
Letter by D.A. McNair to Mr. Benjn. A. Kerly, December 4, [1838]
Get PDFOn December 4, 1838, the city of Windsor was taken over by a band of patriots who supported William Lyon Mackenzie’s quest for responsible government in Canada. About 140 Americans and Canadians crossed from Detroit early in the morning and landed in Windsor. They proceeded to capture and burn a militia barracks and occupied Windsor. They were soon met by a militia force commanded by Colonel John Prince. Four of the patriots were taken prisoner and were executed by order of Col. Prince. This action was met with great controversy in both the United States and Canada. The other prisoners stood trial in London, Upper Canada. Six more were executed, 16 deported, and 18 sent to a penal colony in Tasmania.A letter written by D.A. McNair describing the Battle of Windsor, dated Detroit opposite the Head Quarters of the Patriot Army, December 4, 12:00 p.m. The letter is addressed to Mr. Benjn. A Kerly, New York and is postmarked Detroit Dec. 7.
A typewritten transcript of the letter is included. McNair writes that “it would not be wholly uninteresting to you to hear a detail of the movements, doings and so on of the patriots…our woods for 20 or 30 miles around us have been filled with men…. Last Saturday the report was extensively circulated that the patriots went that night to cross the river. About two o’clock the patriots were formed at foot of Woodward Avenue ready to do battle, but upon inspection it was found that they lacked a most necessary item Sir. A Leader. A postponement until the next was moved and carried. The next night (Sunday) came. As we were proceeding to the evening services we were greeted by the shrill note of the bugle calling the Brady Guards to arms…the pats … concluded that it was best to give up the expedition, deliver up their arms and disperse…the race of patriots was considered extinct. But far removed from this was the actual facts of the case. The fire within their hearts did glow with renewed vigor. This very night they placed securely upon the Canadian shore a large supply of arms and ammunition! The next day (Monday)…Patriots were seen strolling with the bundles upon a steak over their shoulder in all directions. By night excitement was gone, other themes than patriotism filled our minds. Thus we went to sleep. And picture to yourself our surprise as we rose the next morning (Tuesday) to witness Windsor in flames!!!
McNair continues “They left the wharf to the stream saw mill about 200 in number in the “L.B. Champlain” (owned by that stiff old Royalist Julius Eldred). The action commenced at ½ past 5 o’clock this morning. After a fire of about 30 minutes a party of her majesty’s troops consisting of militia & regulars who had ensconced themselves in a large yellow building…This building was fired and was burnt to the ground together with five others which were in the hands of the government. No private property was molested except one or two houses which from their proximity to the others could not be avoided. A steam boat lying at the wharf the “Thames” was burnt…The loss of the royalist in the mornings engagement--17 killed, 40 prisoners with arms, the wounded not known…. The killed and wounded are on our side. It is said that after the pats had entirely dispersed the royalists and taken possession of Sandwich they started for the London district…. They were proceeding as far as opposite Hog Island. They were overtaken by a large lot of regulars in wagons and a lot of horsemen. The pats stood there fire but a few moments retreating to the woods…This engagement took place about noon…the royalists…returned and retook the towns of W & S. Col. John Prince is in command of the militia. This said that he was so much exasperated that he ordered six men out of his ranks to shoot down the 3 pat prisoners which was accomplished…Tuesday morning has come, nothing of importance occurred during the night. So much for patriotism…
Broadside by Alexander Smyth, 1812
Get PDFAlexander Smyth (1765-1830) was an American soldier and Congressman. He was raised in Botetourt County, Virginia during the American Revolution. Smyth practiced law in Abingdon, VA, and later served in the Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate. In 1808 he was commissioned colonel of the Southwest Virginia rifle regiment, and in 1812 was appointed inspector-general with the rank of brigadier-general in the United States Army.
Smyth was given command of a brigade of regulars stationed in Niagara with the intent to invade Canada. After Stephen Van Rensselaer’s failed attack at Queenston in October 1812, Smyth took over command of his forces. Shortly after he issued a confident proclamation declaring that he would quickly conquer Canada. On November 25 he ordered troops at Black Rock, near Buffalo, to prepare to cross the river to Canada. However, he soon realized that only a fraction of the men available would be able to cross on the boats from the navy yard and decided to abandon the attack. A subsequent attempt also proved unsuccessful and Smyth realized that the untrained and ill-equipped army had little chance of success. He was harshly criticized for his failure after his confident proclamation. The U.S. government took him out of the army and he subsequently served in the House of Delegates representing Virginia as well as Congress.A broadside issued by Alexander Smyth from the Camp near Buffalo, November 10, 1812. The broadside is addressed “To the Men of the state of New York” and was issued during the War of 1812. Smyth hopes to raise support for an invasion of Canada led by him, and criticizes the efforts made in the war to date, noting that “the nation has been unfortunate in the selection of some of those who have directed it. One Army has been disgracefully surrendered and lost. Another has been sacrificed by a precipitate attempt to pass it over at the strongest point of the enemy’s lines, with most incompetent means. The cause of these miscarriages is apparent. The commanders were popular men, ‘destitute alike of theory and experience’ in the art of war”.
He continues that “in a few days, the troops under my command will plant the American standard in Canada…They will conquer, or they will die…Advance then to our aid…but remember, that every man who accompanies us, places himself under my command…