• Canada
• Research softwareclose
• Other research productsclose
• US close
• AU close
• English close

In the complex health care environment within which we live today, safe health care demands constant active and collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, patients and families alike. Learn more about the Hidden Curriculum and what it takes to ensure the reliable delivery of safe healthcare. | Dans l'environnement complexe des soins de santé dans lequel nous évoluons, des efforts actifs et collaboratifs constants sont requis de la part des professionnels de la santé, des patients et des familles pour assurer la sécurité des soins de santé. Obtenez davantage d'information sur le programme caché et sur les éléments requis pour assurer une prestation fiable de soins de santé sécuritaires.

Chapter one of this thesis describes the iridium-catalyzed ortho-selective C–H borylation reaction of tertiary benzamides. An iridium(I) complex paired with an electron-deficient phosphine ligand allows for efficient C–H activation and borylation using B2pin2. N,N-diethylbenzamides are challenging substrates for the reaction, however a variety of N,N-diisopropylbenzamides are well tolerated, affording the borylated products in generally high yields and good to excellent regioselectivities. This methodology acts as a complementary method to both Directed ortho Metalation (DoM) and a previously developed meta-selective borylation. We have demonstrated the utility of these boron-containing products by further cross-coupling reactions and DoM chemistry. Chapter two of this thesis describes our efforts towards a transition metal-catalyzed 3-component reaction, combining C–H activation and allylic substitution chemistry. Preliminary results were fraught with issues of compatibility of the required conditions for these two powerful reactions, and therefore a metal-catalyzed 3-component reaction using an aryl halide, diene, and nucleophile was explored as an alternative. Results indicate that this reaction is feasible using cyclic amine nucleophiles, generating aminated proucts containing a new stereogenic center. Attempts to use additional nucleophiles, as well as initial efforts to make the reaction proceed in an enantioselective fashion, will be described.

The exam from COMM381 (Commerce) in December 2015

La musique pourrait servir d’outil pour optimiser nos capacités mnésiques. Cet effet bénéfique est prédit par la théorie Activation-Humeur suggérant que la musique d’ambiance puisse accroitre les performances d’apprentissage en améliorant l’humeur et augmentant l’activation. Par contre, un modèle adapté de la théorie Distraction-Conflit indique que la musique d’ambiance interfèrerait avec les processus mnésiques. L’objectif de cette étude était d’examiner l’effet de la musique d’ambiance sur la mémoire épisodique. Pour cela, nous avons considéré à la fois les émotions perçues comme étant évoquées par les musiques et les émotions ressenties par les participants, induites par les musiques. Puis, nous avons contrôlé pour les différences individuelles de capacités en mémoire épisodique. Quatre-vingt-treize adultes ont été répartis à travers quatre groupes, dans lesquelles une tâche de mémoire épisodique de listes de mots était réalisée en présence de musique relaxante, musique stimulante, bruit rose, ou en silence. En opposition aux modèles théoriques, les résultats ne montrent aucune différence sur la performance mnésique entre les conditions sonores. Pourtant, les émotions évoquées par les musiques étaient perçues tel que prévu, la musique stimulante étant jugée plaisante et stimulante, alors que la musique relaxante a été jugée plaisante et relaxante. Par ailleurs, l’influence des stimulations auditives sur l’activation et l’humeur ressenties par les participants était significativement différente entre les conditions sonores. De plus, les capacités de mémoire épisodique ont été tenues constantes, et donc ne peuvent expliquer l’effet nul. En conclusion, la musique d’ambiance n’a été trouvée ni bénéfique ni nuisible à la mémoire épisodique. Music could represent an easy-to-use tool for optimizing our memory abilities. This beneficial effect is predicted by the Arousal-Mood Theory leading us to believe that background music can enhance learning performances by improving mood and increasing arousal. However, an adapted model from the Distraction-Conflict Theory indicates that background music can interfere with memory capacities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of background music on episodic memory, essential to our everyday activities by enabling us to remember experienced events. Through this investigation, we considered both the perceived emotions evoked by music and the participants' felt emotions induced by music. Moreover, we controlled for individual differences in episodic memory abilities. Ninety-three healthy adults were randomly assigned to one of four groups, in which a word lists episodic memory task was executed in the presence of stimulating music, relaxing music, pink noise, or in silence. Opposing both theoretical models, results show no significant differences between auditory conditions on memory performances. Nevertheless, emotions evoked by music were perceived as intended, stimulating music being judged pleasant and stimulating, while relaxing music was judged pleasant and relaxing. Moreover, the auditory stimulations’ influence on participants’ felt arousal and mood was significantly different between auditory conditions. In addition, episodic memory abilities were held constant, and thus could not have masked an effect of auditory stimulation on memory performance. In conclusion, background music was not found to be beneficial nor detrimental for episodic memory. Essai présenté à la Faculté des arts et des sciences en vue de l’obtention du grade de Doctorat en psychologie, option neuropsychologie clinique

The exam from MINE324 (Mining Engineering) in April 2013

"Objectives: We undertook studies of the association between common genomic variations in APOC3, APOA5, APOE and PON1 genes and variation in biochemical phenotypes in a sample of Greenlanders. Study Design: Genetic association study of quantitative lipoprotein traits. Methods: In a sample of 1,310 adult Greenlanders, fasting plasma lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein (apo) concentrations were assessed for association with known functional genomic variants of APOC3, APOA5, APOE and PON1. For significantly associated polymorphisms, between-genotype differences were examined in closer detail." (as cited in abstract)

There is a pressing need to develop a coherent and appropriate conceptualization of ‘resilience’ in the context of agricultural production as well as a tool for its practical assessment. Here I do both. I use a systematic and integrative approach to review and assess recent conceptualizations of ‘resilience’ and analytical frameworks. Following this review, I develop six conditions enabling resilience in agroecosystems, which inform the development of a conceptual framework and the selection of variables and indicators. Applying the conceptual framework to the Canadian agroecosystem in a general manner serves to identify opportunities for farmers and policy-makers to assess, discuss, and manage agroecosystem resilience. The high-level assessment demonstrates that important changes underway in the Canadian agroecosystem support resilience through re-organization, adaptation, and learning. However, the current focus on maximizing productivity and efficiency often leads to reduced diversity; increased connectivity; protection against disturbances; reliance on anthropogenic inputs; and missed opportunities for shared learning and experimentation. This focus on productivity may not support the long-term resilience of agroecosystem. Therefore, ensuring that agroecosystems can adjust to big and small disturbances in the future requires that we shift our thinking to recognize and support the complex adaptive nature of agroecosystems and adopt adaptive management approaches.

The current telephone network protocol is best suited for audio transmissions, and is not particularly video- or data-friendly. However, data traffic growth is four times that of voice traffic. This trend indicates the need for a network protocol that incorporates multi-media traffic. One solution is a distributed intelligence network running over an ATM network. The intelligence is distributed in such a way as to allow the switches to provide bandwidth and some intelligence, while allowing end terminals to provide for additional functionality. This is similar to the Internet model which also employs distributed intelligence across its network. The Specification and Description Language (SDL) is used to develop and simulate the protocol. Possible applications for this protocol include use as a firewall for connection to the telephone network and as an advanced server providing supplementary services such as call forwarding based on the callerID.

The exam from ELEC324 (Electrical Engineering) in April 2011