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Daily Associations Between Parental Reports of Stress and Sibling Interactions in Middle Childhood
Get PDFThe family consists of multiple interrelated systems, including the parent-child and sibling subsystems. Few studies adopting a family systems perspective have investigated links between the parent and the sibling subsystems, and in particular, the spillover between parental stress and sibling interactions. This study used a daily diary methodology to investigate whether daily reports of parental stress related and unrelated to sibling interactions were associated with positive and negative sibling interactions, both on the same day and from one day to the next. Phone calls for nine consecutive days were completed by a parent and two siblings between 7 and 11 years of age. This thesis was based on data drawn from parental reports. Within-person analyses indicated a significant daily association between negative sibling interactions and parental stress related to sibling interactions, as well as a significant negative association between positive sibling interactions and parental stress unrelated to sibling interactions. Conversely, none of the cross-lagged associations from one day to the next was significant. Findings are consistent with spillover between parental stress and sibling interactions on the same day (but not from one day to the next), although alternative explanations for observed associations are also considered. Exploratory between-person patterns also indicated that stress related to sibling interactions was linked to negative behaviour between siblings. The results of this study contribute to knowledge on family research with a specific focus on how sibling interactions are associated with parental stress and findings have the potential to inform future studies in this field
Evaluating the Properties of Cementitious Panels Incorporating Micro-Encapsulated Phase Change Materials with Smart Curing Implementation
No full textThe high demand for fast, reliable, and economical construction components pursued researchers to examine various potentials to improve energy efficiency for construction materials. Among various potentials, the application of micro-encapsulated phase change materials (MPCMs) demonstrated a high ability to modulate the inside temperature of the buildings. These materials have the capacity to absorb and release heat within a defined temperature range. Few studies enlighten the high potential of the inclusion of these materials with cementitious mixtures. Nevertheless, the chemical stability and thermal responsiveness of MPCMs under various curing conditions to be used in cementitious mixtures remain uncertain. Very limited research has explored the application of MPCMs in the inclusion of cementitious materials in the heat-curing process. Hence, this study evaluates the performance of MPCMs in inclusion with cementitious materials through various curing regimes with the aim of optimizing the process for using most of the energy capability of these materials for energy-saving purposes. In this research, an innovative curing method by utilizing MPCMs in cementitious mixtures as sawtooth curing was introduced. There was a possibility of producing a low energy-intensive cementitious mixture incorporating MPCMs in the heat curing while maintaining mechanical strength. It is anticipated that the findings of the thesis will help the in-situ engineers choose the proper mixture for producing construction panels with the inclusion of MPCMs to ensure outstanding mechanical performance with less energy usage
Characterization of Two MAPK Phosphatases, MKP2 and DsPTP1, and Their Potential MAPK Substrates
Get PDFIn plants and other eukaryotes, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are essential signalling pathways that regulate a wide array of cellular functions related to development and environmental stress management responses. MAPK cascades each consist of a chain of kinases ranging from MAPKKKKs to MAPKs, which upregulate downstream kinases by phosphorylation to elicit cellular responses. Ultimately, the cellular output of MAPK signalling is primarily controlled by MAPK phosphatases (MKPs), which downregulate MAPKs by dephosphorylation. The five MKPs identified in Arabidopsis thaliana (MKP1, MKP2, DsPTP1, IBR5 and PHS1) have primarily been found to be involved in plant stress responses, making our knowledge of the involvement of these phosphatases in developmental pathways limited. Our research group previously found that MKP2 and DsPTP1 exhibit a striking albino phenotype characterized by small cream-coloured seedlings when both are absent in double mutants. In this thesis, I further characterize the roles of MKP2 and DsPTP1 in plant growth and development and identify potential MAPK substrates of the two phosphatases. In-silico transcript and protein accumulation studies were performed and reveal the expression of MKP2 and DsPTP1 in vegetative tissues, indicating their possible role in the early stages of plant development. To identify potential MAPK substrates, yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation studies were performed. Based on my analyses, I propose four MAPKs that are potential targets of MKP2/DsPTP1 in a pathway that regulates plant development. In summary, this work characterizes potential roles of MKP2 and DsPTP1 in plant development and identifies potential MAPK substrates for further study
Extended consequences of plant-herbivore phenological mismatch
Get PDFPhenological mismatches between plants and insects occur in response to climate change owingto differences in environmental sensitivity. Herbivory negatively affects plant development by altering the allocation of resources from growth to defense. Changes in the timing of herbivory can exacerbate these effects as young plants have limited resources to allocate towards regrowth. Early-onset and high-intensity herbivory can affect plant traits; however, the extended consequences on pollinator activity are largely unknown. Here, I conducted an experiment to investigate the effects of plant-herbivore phenological mismatches on swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and pollinator activity. I manipulated the onset date and percentage of herbivory on milkweed and measured the response of non-floral traits, floral traits, and pollinator activity. I found that the effect of onset of herbivory on non-floral and floral traits was dependent on the intensity. Specifically, early-onset high-intensity herbivory, or late-onset low-intensity herbivory, resulted in more leaves and open flowers. Although the onset and intensity of herbivory did not affect pollinator activity, there was a positive relationship between the frequency and diversity of visiting pollinators with the number of open flowers. Taken together, these results suggest that milkweed may exhibit enhanced growth when subjected to varying intensities of herbivory depending on the onset of damage. Changes in the phenology of insect herbivores may benefit plant and pollinator fitness by increasing the growth of floral traits and pollinator activity. Understanding herbivore-plant-pollinator interactions in the face of climate change provides insight into how ecosystem dynamics, such as pollination, may shift in the future
Plans de transparence : sur la piste d'une méthodologie éco-esthétique-somatique
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Plans de transparence : sur la piste
d’une méthodologie éco-esthétique-somatique
Sara Hanley
Cette thèse suit le chemin de l’asclépiade et de notre territoire commun qu’est le quartier Chabanel à Tiohtià:ke / Mooniyang / Montréal. Cette recherche-création vise à mettre en lumière ce que nous enseignent les plantes sur des manières pérennes de pratiquer notre art et plus largement d’habiter la terre hors du paradigme du capitalisme.
Le travail interroge les savoirs tacites émergeant de l’entrelacement de trois corps (asclépiade, territoire et humain) et des clés que cet entrelacement représente pour la création et la pédagogie dans une fluidité relationnelle non duelle. Les points d’ancrages théoriques se trouvent dans l’écosophie, les pratiques incarnées ou dites embodied et les postures féministes qui mettent soins et réciprocité de l’avant. La méthodologie du pistage est utilisée pour s’extraire des registres duels propres à la pensée occidentale de même que l’exploration de la pédagogie du territoire et des valeurs qui y sont associées. Au final, la thèse propose un répertoire d’actions éco-esthétiques-somatiques comme piste d’exploration afin de réactiver des relations en tonalité plus équilibrées avec les environnements terrestres. La thèse ouvre vers des valeurs de résistance, de lenteur, sur la fluidité des intérieurs et extérieurs des corps et des lieux de pratique et finalement sur la transformation du regard lorsqu’on laisse le végétal et le territoire nous guider
Fabrication Characteristics and Performance Enhancement of Nb18W16O93 and MoNb12O33 Nanowires for Lithium-Ion Batteries Application
Get PDFTo date, graphite is widely employed as an anode material for Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) because it has demonstrated superior cycling stability and high specific capacity in comparison with other potential anode materials. However, the use of graphite as an anode material in LiBs has been limited by its safety concern as well as low energy density. Thus, it is imperative to develop a new anode material to address these shortcomings. To this end, niobium-based oxide nanowires had been proposed as one of the alternative materials as a potential anode for LiBs. These materials have demonstrated high theoretical capacity, significant structural stability, high power density, and environmental friendliness. Furthermore, the enhanced performance of nanowires compared to their bulk counterparts as a material for LIBs anodes has motivated researchers to focus more attention on nanowires. Nevertheless, the kinetics of electrochemical reactions in these compounds is hindered by their intrinsically poor electronic conductivity and electron transfer properties. These tend to be significant flaws restricting their practical use in LIBs. More so, it is desirable to enhance its electrochemical performance to meet the needs of current energy applications. Consequently, investigations are carried out on two niobium based compounds namely niobium tungsten oxide (Nb18W16O93) and niobium-molybdenum oxide (MoNb12O33) nanowires.
The nanowires of both materials were fabricated using the electrospinning technique. Firstly, the effect of working parameters on the electrospinning of Nb18W16O93 and MoNb12O33 nanofibers were studied and optimized using central composite design (CCD) based on the response surface methodology (RSM). Experiments were designed to assess the effects of five variables including the applied voltage (V), spinning distance (D), polymer concentration (P), flow rate (F), and addition of NaCl (N) on the resulting diameter of the nanofibers. Prediction models obtained using these variables and verified through analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that all variables, except flow rate, significantly influenced the nanofibers diameter. These models were used in subsequent experiments to set experimental variables for fabricating Nb18W16O93 and MoNb12O33 nanofibers with reduced diameter.
To enhance the electrochemical activities of Nb18W16O93, pristine and nickel-doped (Ni = 1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.%) Nb18W16O93 nanowires were fabricated using the electrospinning technique, followed by annealing. The effect of nickel doping content on the morphology, structure, and electrochemical performance of Nb18W16O93 nanowires was investigated. The findings from the electrochemical experiments reveal that the 3 wt.% nickel-doped nanowires display an impressive capacity retention of 93.1% over 500 cycles at a high current rate of 5 C. Moreover, Ni doping considerably boosted the electronic conductivity in Nb18W16O93 comparison to the pristine nanowires. The CV test results also demonstrate that Ni doping reduces polarization and enhances the lithium-ion diffusion coefficient.
Furthermore, the possibility of enhancing the electronic conductivity, lithium-ion mobility, and electrochemical kinetics of MoNb12O33 was also explored by fabricating NMO and NMO@H-Ar nanowires (@H-Ar denotes heat treatment under Hydrogen and Argon mixture). The hydrogenation treatment resulted in outstanding electrochemical kinetics, including high reversible specific capacity, high initial coulombic efficiency, excellent long-term cycling stability, and good rate performance. This study concludes that Ni doping and hydrogenation treatment considerably improved the electrochemical activities of Nb18W16O93 and MoNb12O33 nanofibers, which is beneficial for developing new anode materials for LIBs
Trauma-Informed Art Therapy for Elementary School-Aged Children: Exploring Mind-Body Connection
Get PDFThis paper explores the potential application of a public elementary school-based trauma-informed art therapy program as a strategic and equitable method for the delivery of a mental health resource to help promote student wellness. A second objective is to investigate how mind-body connection and sociocultural factors may impact children’s wellness and therefore be considered in the design and implementation of such an art therapy program. An intervention research methodology is used to develop theoretical understanding of factors impacting student wellness. This method is also used to inform the development of a proposed intervention design clarifying what an art therapy program of this nature might look like, how it might foster mind-body connection, and how cultural competency may be foregrounded in the process. Findings supported rationale for the design and implementation of a school-based trauma-informed art therapy program that incorporates goals of fostering mind-body connection and enhancing resilience to help promote student wellness. A 12-week group art therapy intervention for students aged 5 to 12 is suggested and is structured according to a phased approach. Results present a descriptive overview of sessions including proposed phases and art therapy interventions. Principles associated with trauma-informed, holistic, and anti-oppression therapeutic approaches inform the design of a wellness-oriented group art therapy intervention that centers safety, empowerment, agency, the development of connections with self and others, and awareness of individual and collective strengths
Cornelia Hahn Oberlander on Pedagogical Playgrounds
Get PDFCornelia Hahn Oberlander on Pedagogical Playgrounds is a curated selection of writings by a landscape architect dedicated to children’s right to play in urban environments. This volume assembles key texts from the 1960s and 1970s where Hahn Oberlander urges city planners and developers to recognize playgrounds as important sites for childhood development and to include them in new construction. She emphasizes the social benefits that free play and independent discovery create, and she provides practical proposals for the formulation of new playgrounds.
In pieces including a short history of children’s play, reflections on her own work, and a report urging levels of government to protect children’s right to play, Hahn Oberlander responds to austerity by encouraging the use of inexpensive and recycled materials such as sand, water, logs, boards, and tires for use in playgrounds and suggests vacant lots as play sites. She argues that developers and planners must always consult with their users and that children’s input and needs must be considered in playground design.
An introduction by Jane Mah Hutton, landscape architect and associate professor at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture, explores the intersections of active play, ecological thinking, urban development, and the enthusiastic and often-playful advocacy of Oberlander’s writing and practice.
This title is co-published with the Canadian Centre for Architecture and is part of the Building Arguments series
Exploring Novel Antecedents and Consequences of Choice Deferral
Get PDFThis dissertation explores novel antecedents and consequences of choice deferral. Choice deferral is a common consumer phenomenon wherein consumers put off making choices due to choice conflict during a decision task. In the first chapter, I summarize extant research in choice deferral and describe research in the related domains of procrastination and choice delay. Based on existing research, I propose a novel consequence of choice deferral. In chapter 2, I examine the impact of choice deferral on deferral on subsequent unrelated choice tasks. Across four studies, I find evidence for a novel “deferral momentum” effect, such that initial choice deferral begets subsequent choice deferral. I examine decision confidence as a potential mechanism of this effect and find evidence to support my predictions. Finally, in the chapter 3, I investigate how the degree of choice conflict on initial choice impacts subsequent choice deferral. Across four studies, I find that choice conflict can counterintuitively decrease incidence of choice deferral. I argue this occurs because a conflict mindset can facilitate evaluation of contrasting information and attributes, thus facilitating tradeoffs and reducing deferral. My dissertation aims to expand our understanding of how choice deferral and its determinants can impact subsequent choices. My findings have important implications, both for consumer behavior scholars and marketing practitioners
SAT-based analysis of DNNs deployed in safety critical systems
No full textThe analysis of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) used in safety-critical systems using SAT techniques is covered in this thesis, which emphasizes how crucial it is to verify the networks’ safety and reliability. Ensuring the proper behavior of these networks becomes essential for the safety of humans and the integrity of the systems involved as DNNs are increasingly integrated into safety-critical systems including autonomous vehicles, medical diagnosis, and aerospace systems.
The main objective of this research is to formally verify a deep neural network, namely the Vertical Collision Avoidance System (VCAS), deployed in safety-critical applications. The verification procedure is intended to ensure that the network complies with security requirements and performs dependably under different conditions. Through the process of verification, the DNN’s predictable behavior is ensured, and the possibility of malfunctions that can result in risk or system failures is reduced. In order to get important insights into the behavior and vulnerabilities of DNNs used in safety-critical systems, this work investigates the application of SAT-based analytic methodologies.
The methodology employed in this research involves a comprehensive understanding of the DNN’s structure, training process, and inference mechanisms. By comprehending the underlying principles and potential risks associated with DNNs, the verification process can be tailored to address specific safety concerns and requirements. Furthermore, fault injection techniques, including Single Event Upsets (SEUs) and Multiple Bit Upsets (MBUs), are used to assess the network’s resilience and their ability to recover from faults, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of DNN robustness in safety-critical contexts. This research offers invaluable insights for experts by addressing the verification difficulties of DNNs in safety-critical systems. The findings contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop standardized verification methodologies and safety guidelines for DNN deployment, ensuring the reliability, trustworthiness, and safety of these networks in critical applications