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Cobalt-doped zinc oxide thin films as model Fischer-Tropsch nano-catalysts grown by pulsed electron beam ablation
Get PDFThe production of materials in thin film form with unique properties is of growing
scientific and technological interest. Zinc oxide is a low cost, and environmentally benign wide
band gap semiconductor, which makes it an excellent supporting material for nanoparticles with
a plethora of potential applications. Upon doping with Co and other transition metals, ZnO
exhibits room temperature ferromagnetic properties with enhanced performance and new
functionalities when used in thin film devices. Zinc oxide-supported cobalt nano-composites are
promising materials with desirable catalytic properties making it an interesting material for use
as an efficient nano-catalyst in many important reactive processes such as Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis (FTS), photocatalysis, hydrogen production and steam reforming.
Pulsed electron beam ablation (PEBA) has recently emerged as a potential technique for the
fabrication of superior quality thin films. The production of well controlled nano-sized
particulates is a characteristic feature of PEBA, which has a strong bearing on the surface
morphology of the deposited films. In the current work, the potential of PEBA in the deposition
of Co-doped ZnO thin films has been assessed and the critical process conditions that affect the
growth of the thin films on different substrates have been thoroughly investigated. The main
objective of the current work is to deposit Co-doped ZnO thin films via PEBA, and assess the
potential of the deposited films as model nano-structured catalysts for the synthesis of green
liquid fuels from syngas. PEBA has several advantages including modest requirements for
vacuum, control of film thickness, easy set-up, low capital cost, reduced operation and
maintenance costs, small footprint, enhanced efficiency, and relative safety (no toxic gases as in
pulsed laser ablation or potential noxious by-products as in solvo-thermal routes) over other film preparation techniques. In this project, Co:ZnO thin films have been synthesized from a single target on various
substrates. Numerous process parameters have been assessed such as substrate material,
deposition temperature, electron beam voltage, beam pulse frequency. Targets of varying cobalt
loads viz., 5 w%, 10 w%, and 20 w% have been investigated as well. The effects of pre and post
annealing on the physico-chemical properties of the thin films have also been studied. The
deposited films have been characterized using complementary analytical techniques such as xray
diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy
(SEM), energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), visible reflectance spectroscopy (VRS), and atomic force
microscopy (AFM). Such comprehensive analyses have helped in assessing the quality of the
films and in guiding the experimental strategy in the quest to find the optimal process conditions.
Finally, the films have been evaluated for their potential as model nano-catalysts for FischerTropsch
synthesis in a 3-phase continuously-stirred tank slurry reactor (3-φ-CSTSR) using a
Robinson-Mahoney stationary basket (RMSB). The results have been described in terms of
activity and selectivity of the thin film nano-catalysts
The McConnell medial taping technique; effects on patellar alignment and pain for patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Get PDFThe effect of the McConnell medial taping technique on patellar alignment and perceived
knee pain in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) between the ages of 20-
50 years old was examined in this study. Clinical patellar alignment was assessed with
the McConnell and Herrington manual patellar measuring technique while pain measures
were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). These measures were collected at
three-times during a 4-week treatment protocol: prior to treatment, mid-way treatment
and 24 hours after treatment. This study included two therapy groups: one received a
standard 4-week therapeutic exercise program for PFPS and the other underwent the
same standard 4-week exercise program with the inclusion of McConnell’s taping
technique. No statistically significant differences were found before and after treatment
for pain or patellar alignment in either group. Nonetheless, upon plotting the results a trending decrease in pain for all patients irrespective of group was noted, which raises the
question of possible underlying effects influencing pain such as the patellofemoral
contact area. Although it appears that the McConnell taping technique had no added
benefit when combined with the standard exercise program, this study reaffirms that
exercise therapy continues to have a positive effect on PFPS. In conclusion, we speculate
that changes in patellofemoral joint (PFJ) contact area may be the primary reason that
pain decreases for PFPS patients
The effects of low-level electromagnetic fields and ultraweak photon emission on biological systems.
No full textThe functionality of biological organisms is a product of minute-invisible forces and structures, which together form a cohesive ensemble that initiate the processes of life. The electromagnetic and photonic nature of biological life and its basic unit the cell may be considered a viable option for communication, survival and senescence. The basis of this investigation considers the dynamic nature of low-level electromagnetic fields and ultraweak photon emission as a mechanism for intracellular and intercellular interactions, which
work under the premise of only demanding small quanta of energy. Metastatic cancerous cells have been observed to emit specific frequencies of photon emission compared to healthy cells and increase this emission in unfavorable conditions. The application of a specific sequence of patterns (MuKarb) at a specific intensity, observed in the dissolution of planarian worms, when applied to cancerous cells produce complete death of the exposed metastatic cells but not healthy cells. When such patterns of light at specific wavelengths are pulsed into the aforementioned cells, the emitted light from the cells in the pulsed pattern is observed relative to the duration of the light exposure. These effects become critical to the specificity of the appropriate pattern and intensity of the field, which has been linked to the importance of appropriate equipment configuration. The smallest iv changes in the current/voltage flow within the circuitry of the digital to analogue converter and electromagnetic field devices can make drastic changes with respect to the elimination of cancerous cells being observed or not. This phenomenon reflects the Aharanov-Bohm phase shifts in voltage within the electromagnetic field equipment and its importance in producing effects as a result of low-level electromagnetic fields. The application of specificity within low-level electromagnetic generating equipment has also been shown through the process of non-locality (entanglement) where appropriate and tuned apparatus are required to produce specific non-local effects. Successful non-local effects were observed through observing decreases in growth of melanoma cells through nontangible means, comparable to the manipulate local melanoma cells. These results converge on the premise and importance of properly tuned equipment for successful low-level electromagnetic field and photon exposures. Furthermore the interaction between the use of low-level electromagnetic fields and photons at specific pattern has shown the importance of interfering with the propagation of metastatic cells
Role of ammonium ions on the modulation of apoptosis in glutamine-starved cells
No full textHighly proliferating cells reprogram their metabolism in order to fulfill their requirements
in biosynthetic precursors. One consequence of this metabolic adaptation is glutamine
(Gln) addiction, a phenomenon whereby cells become dependent on Gln for their
survival. How cells sense Gln levels and link this information to the survival machinery
remains to be fully understood. Our laboratory previously showed that when Sp2/0-
Ag14 (Sp2/0) hybridoma cells were deprived of Gln, apoptosis is triggered within
minutes. In this study, I used the Sp2/0 cell line to characterize the role which
ammonium ions, a product of glutaminolysis, play in the modulation of cell survival. In a
first series of experiments, I demonstrated that, when supplemented with ammonium
salts, Gln-deprived Sp2/0 cell cultures showed a significant increase in viability. This
effect of ammonium salts was independent of the cells’ ability to synthesize Gln, and
was not affected by co-treatment with -ketoglutarate. In agreement with their effect on
cell viability, ammonium salts caused a significant reduction in the number of Glnstarved
Sp2/0 cells with apoptotic nuclear condensation and fragmentation.
Unexpectedly, supplementing Gln-starved Sp2/0 cells with ammonium salts did not alter
cytosolic cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation, DNA fragmentation or nuclear
lamin A/C cleavage, indicating that the mechanisms triggering the apoptotic machinery
remained intact. In a second set of experiments, I used the Gln antagonists 6-Diazo-5-
oxo-L-Norleucine (DON) and azaserine (AZA) to interfere with Gln metabolism in lieu of Gln deprivation. Both antagonists were toxic to Sp2/0 cells, an effect which was
attenuated by supplementation with ammonium salts. This indicated that Gln metabolism was required for cell viability, and that the effect of ammonium salts did not require metabolic pathways utilizing Gln. Unexpectedly, the supplementation of DON or AZA to Gln-starved cultured led to a small but significant increase in cell viability. Moreover, the supplementation with ammonium salts of Gln-deprived Sp2/0 cultures
treated with DON or AZA caused a marked increase in cell viability. More importantly,
the combination of ammonium salts and Gln antagonists resulted in a significant
reduction in caspase-3 activation in Gln-starved Sp2/0 cells, indicating that they
interfered with the apoptotic process. Altogether, our data demonstrate that ammonium
ions trigger a pro-survival cellular response in Gln-deprived Sp2/0 cells
Molecular analysis of Betula papyrifera populations from a mining reclaimed region: genetic and transcriptome characterization of metal resistant and susceptible genotypes
No full textThe objectives of the present study were to; 1) determine if there’s an association between plant
population diversity and genetic variation in white birch (Betula papyrifera) populations with soil
metal contamination in the Greater Sudbury region (GSR), 2) assess if metal contamination and
soil liming has an effect on global DNA methylation, 3) develop and characterize the
transcriptome of B. papyrifera under nickel stress and, 4) assess gene expression dynamics in
white birch in response to nickel stress. No association between plant population diversity and
genetic variation with metal contamination was found. Liming increases plant population
diversity but has no effect on genetic variation in the studied white birch populations. There was
a decrease in root cytosine methylation in metal-contaminated sites compared to references.
Treatment with the dose corresponding to total level of Ni or Cu (1,600 mg/kg Ni, 1,312 mg/kg
Cu or combined) in sites of the GSR generated different responses within segregating populations
analyzed. The main Ni resistance mechanism of white birch was associated with the prevention
of translocation of Ni from root to shoot. We also observed lower ZAT11 and glutathione
reductase expression in resistant genotypes compared to susceptible. The transcriptome of B.
papyrifera was developed for the first time using Next Generation Sequencing. RNA from Ni
resistant, moderately-susceptible, susceptible and water controls treatment was sequenced. A total
of 209,802 trinity genes were identified and were assembled to 278,264 total trinity transcripts. In
total, 215,700 transcripts were annotated and compared to the published B. nana genome.
Overall, a genomic match for 61% transcripts with the reference genome was found. Expression
profiles were generated and 62,587 genes were found to be significantly differentially expressed
among the nickel resistant, susceptible, and untreated libraries. The main nickel resistance
mechanism in B. papyrifera is a downregulation of genes associated with translation and cell growth, and upregulation in genes involved in the plasma membrane. Seven candidate genes
associated to nickel resistance were identified. They include Glutathione S-transferase,
Thioredoxin, Putative transmembrane protein, Nramp transporter, TonB-like family protein and
TonB-like dependent receptor. This TonB receptor was found to be exclusive to the Betula genus
Kijiikwewin aji: sweetgrass stories
No full textKijiikwewin-aji means ‘to become a woman now’ in Algonquin and describes the heart of the research. Sweetgrass stories shares the title of this thesis as it is part of the research methodology used with traditional Indigenous women. Through grounding myself with Indigenous Grassroots Theory, the creation of an Algonquin Indigenist paradigm and my relationship with knowledge, I formed an Indigenous research methodology called sweetgrass story weaving which focuses on traditional Indigenous women as they share their moontime stories. Within this thesis, I also share information relating to the historical roots and present state of rites of passage with traditional Indigenous women and discuss the research journey using the concept of ethical space. Using an international, national and grassroots level focus on strength, resilience and power, you will read traditional Indigenous women’s voices as they look back through lived experiences; hope and determination when looking forward to the future, and the shared theme of wanting their cultural traditions and ceremonies to live on through future generations of Indigenous girls and women, including young men. What is the current state of the Berry Fast, understanding the assimilative nature of colonization and the effects it has had on Indigenous women? How can we continue to honour these rites of passage while living in a world both with traditional Indigenous worldviews and colonial constructs? I propose the introduction of a sweetgrass knowledge transfer model for the Berry Fast using the transferrable characteristics harvested from my research methodology. This knowledge transfer model has the capacity to increase accessibility and decrease the difficulty in completing the Berry Fast in order for traditional Indigenous women to complete it in the present day. Furthermore, the introduction of the sweetgrass knowledge transfer model for the Berry Fast can assist with framing the perspective of Indigenous women as powerful beings who elicit respect and an equal place in contemporary society. Over time, the collective strength and wisdom of traditional Indigenous women will increase which is a step in the decolonized direction of preventative health care which promotes mino bimaadiziwin
What lies beneath--discovering the hidden story of plant roots: root growth strategies of wetland plants in northern Ontario along a gradient of growing season length.
Get PDFRoot growth strategy can be classified as multi-season (winter-surviving) or single-season (fallsenescing).
This study investigated the relationship of wetland plant species with multi-season
roots (sMSR) and species with single-season roots (sSSR) to soil temperature across a climatic
growing season gradient. Study sites were in Lake Superior Provincial Park and Manitoulin
Island. In fall 2013, root ingrowth cores were installed in soil. Root length and shoot dry mass
were measured at harvests from spring 2014 to spring 2015. Results showed that soil and air
temperature differed by geographic zone; Lake Superior Provincial Park demonstrated lower
temperatures than Manitoulin Island. Soil temperature affected root length (positively) and shoot
dry mass (negatively). Root growth strategy had a nearly significant relationship with ratio of
spring to maximum shoot dry mass—greater for sMSR than sSSR; and a significant relationship
with relative late season shoot dry mass change—decreasing for sMSR and increasing for sSSR
Alcoholics anonymous: from spiritual void to spiritual awakening
No full textExamining the program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) reveals that it grew out of a
Christian fundamentalist group known as the Oxford Group. This history connects AA
to the writings of St Paul and St Augustine. Their writings look into the lives of every
human being, into the struggle of the divided will, into obsession, and made them
particularly well suited to the study of addiction. There was no castigation, simply an
acceptance and understanding as to the scope and needs of those who struggle with the
chains of boundless appetite. The program of AA presents the twelve steps as the
process one is required to undergo in order to return to health. The gift of a spiritual
awakening is the promise in having worked these steps. This distinguishes AA from
other recovery programs. This thesis traces spiritual awakening through the program of
AA utilizing literature from the early Christian church to demonstrate how those works
were integral in the original program of AA
Examining the importance of advance care planning and therapy supervision models within a cancer centre
No full textThis advanced practicum document reviews my experience with the Supportive Care Program (SCP) at the Northeast Cancer Centre (NECC) in Sudbury, Ontario. This practicum provided both project work and clinical opportunities. The project work consisted of two advance care planning projects: an environmental scan of cancer centres across Ontario and a chart audit that was specific to the NECC. These projects demonstrate the need for standardizing the process of advance care planning (ACP), as both projects demonstrated inconsistencies of current advance care planning standards within healthcare settings. An overview of current literature demonstrates the importance of incorporating ACP into every day healthcare conversations, as it can help promote patient care. In addition to the ACP projects, I also worked in collaboration with the social workers of the Supportive Care Program to create a new therapy supervision model. This model incorporated practices of reflectivity and debriefing, promoting supportive supervision. Through a combination of the literature as well as discussions with the social workers, together we were able to determine how supportive supervision would not only benefit the social workers but would also aid in patient service. This document also explores my shadowing and clinical experiences. Reviewing my work within a multidisciplinary team, I demonstrate how this work model added to my clinical experience, while aiding in patient care. This document also discusses the professional and personal growth that I gained through working with persons with cancer and their family’s, through reviewing my reflection of my experience.Master of Social Wor
The role of perfectionism and shame in understanding excessive exercise tendencies.
No full textPrevious research has identified perfectionistic traits and negative affect as developmental and maintenance factors for exercise dependence. However, the interplay between these has not yet been determined. The current study aimed to gain a better understanding of how perfectionism, shame, and emotion regulation difficulties may help inform excessive exercise tendencies. Eighty-six female post-secondary students were asked to complete self-report questionnaires and were randomly assigned to view shame-based advertisements either related specifically to physical activity or more general content. The findings propose that
shame as a function of perfectionism level, may explain symptoms of excessive exercise. Specifically, socially-prescribed perfectionism appeared to be a unique predictor of exercise cravings and emotion regulation difficulties. Furthermore, results suggest that impulse control difficulties may lead to a reduction in duration of exercise participation. Together, shame and perfectionism seem to be implicated in the development of excessive exercise tendencies. Future research should further consider the interrelatedness of perfectionism, shame and emotion regulation that may help explain not only excessive exercise tendencies, but also exercise
avoidance