Associative diaschisis and skilled rehabilitation-induced behavioral recovery following focal ischemic infact

132 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.The time course of peri-infarct diaschisis following a focal ischemic infarct and the effects of delayed rehabilitation on behavioral and functional recovery were examined. Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) was used to derive topographical maps of forelimb representations within the rat motor cortex and ischemia was induced via bipolar coagulation of surface vasculature. At one hour there was a dramatic expansion of reprentations in control but not ischemic animals. A significant loss of forelimb representations within peri-infarct dysfunction indicates the need for immediate administration of therapeutic interventions following an ischemic event. These results indicate that the timing of rehabilitation does not effect functional and behavioral recovery but does support the need for rehabilitative interventions of facilitate these types of recovery

Nudity as a disinhibiting cue in a date rape analogue

viii, 146 leaves ; 29 cmThe purpose of this research was to better understand the situational factors involved in date rape. Following the Inhibition Model of Sexual Aggression, I asked Can we observe disinhibition of sexual arousal to nonconsensual cues in heterosexual sexually nonaggressive men by introducing a strong excitatory cue, that is, female nudity? In the first study, young heterosexual men were presented with aural narratives depicting consenting and nonconsenting sexual interactions and nonsexual interactions while their genital sexual arousal was measured. Participants were also presented with pictures depicting clothed and nude women. A second study used videos depicting clothed and nude women exercising. Results suggest that nudity is an excitatory cue that elicits genital arousal; it might also have a small disinhibitory effect for nonconsenting cues, but only for moving images. A discussion of the research findings, implications for future research, and limitations to the research is presented

Urban impacts on a prairie groundwater system : estimation of anthropogenic contributions of water and potential effects on water table development

xiii, 190 leaves : ill., maps ; 28 cm.In subhumid to arid climates throughout the world, recharge to groundwater in urban areas is often found to be higher than pre-urbanization rates, despite an increased percentage of impermeable surfaces. Groundwater recharge in the city of Lethbridge is substantially higher than recharge rates prior to urbanization, resulting in the formation of perched water table conditions. High perched water table conditions, typically at depths between one and 2.5 metres, have created problems for the City and University of Lethbridge, including the increased occurrence of slope failures along nearby coulees. This study estimates of the volume of excess water available for groundwater recharge through the practices of urban turfgrass irrigation, and water storage. Between May and September, 1990-1996 irrigation was applied far above evapotranspiration demands, resulting in large volumes of water available for groundwater recharge in the Varsity Village subdivision of the City of Lethbridge. The relationship between the amount of water applied and the development of perched water table systems was strong enough that equations between inputs and water table depth could be derived, and used to predict water table elevation

Examining the Current Abuse of the Doctrine of Eminent Domain

The current application of the doctrine of eminent domain is representative of a steady degradation of individual property rights. Although the 5th Amendment, which protects the eminent domain clause, states that property can only be appropriated for a "public use," the Supreme Court has consistently ruled that eminent domain can be applied if the disputed land will be used for some "public purpose". The linguistic distinction between public "purpose" and public "use" is crucial in the interpretation of the doctrine of eminent domain because the term "purpose" is much vaguer than "use" and consequently leads to a greater abuse of the doctrine. Through examining the original intent of legislative authors and reflecting on three landmark Supreme Court eminent domain cases, this paper will seek to demonstrate how and why an abuse of power is taking place today. This paper will also examine the differences and implications of the terms "use" and "purpose" and will argue for an amendment to the Constitution that would clarify the 5th Amendment's eminent domain clause so that the abuse of this doctrine will stop immediately

How principals' beliefs about classroom assessment influence their leadership practices : an exploration

x, 133 leaves ; 29 cm.This study is an exploration of current school leadership and classroom assessment practices in Alberta, Canada. Specifically explored are school principals’ beliefs about classroom assessment practices and how the beliefs influence leadership practices. Qualitative research was conducted through interviews with ten principals from ten different Alberta school jurisdictions. Findings include detailed descriptions and analysis of principals’ beliefs about classroom assessment practices, the origin of their beliefs, ways that assessment data are used, the roles of tradition and isolation in the change process, teacher supervision and evaluation practices, and professional development. Assessment for learning, assessment of learning, and, to a lesser degree, assessment as learning are in the educational spotlight. Professional relationships within schools are being altered through shared and distributed leadership practices and capacity-building. Professional learning communities, AISI (Alberta Initiative for School Improvement) projects, Alberta’s Commission on Learning, and the Alberta Assessment Consortium are contributing in powerful ways to the change process and to teaching and learning practices in Alberta schools. At the same time, gaps between theory and practice, resistance to change, and inconsistent learning conditions for students, teachers, and school leaders are potentially reducing sustainability. The study calls for supportive, coherent professional learning—for teachers and school leaders—that fosters deeper understandings of classroom assessment as well as for student learning to be aligned with current research-based understandings of student motivation and assessment. Findings are linked to educational research on both assessment and leadership. The study concludes by identifying potential future research and outlining professional and political suggestions for increased organizational coherence and sustainable change

Ecology and conservation of prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) in relation to movement in a fragmented urban environment

xii, 83 leaves : col. ill., col. maps ; 29 cmEighteen prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) were tracked using radio-telemetry and 82 snakes were PIT-tagged over a 2-year period in Lethbridge, AB to determine population size, movement patterns, and habitat utilization, and to predict fragmentation effects on the species within an urban locale. Population size was estimated using closed population models at 374 snakes (295 adults) and open population models at 204 snakes (161 adults), greater than an estimate of <50 adults in 2003 (Ernst, 2003) and 2006 (Ernst & Quinlan, 2006). Mean home range sizes, based on 95% minimum convex polygon analysis, differed significantly between years (31.51 ha in 2005, 3.72 ha in 2006). Calculated movement parameters, such as mean distance moved per day, total distance moved over the course of the active season, and frequency of movement varied between years and individuals. Greater-than-expected (under hypotheses of even habitat choice) utilization was observed in habitat types located within coulee and flood plain areas, with apparent preference towards unbroken parcels of grassland or cottonwoods, whereas less-than-predicted utilization of agricultural habitat type was observed. Fragmentation effects on prairie rattlesnake movement and occurrence were examined through modeling and were found to coincide with observed species’ locations, suggesting that prairie rattlesnakes are undergoing modification of movement patterns to avoid highly concentrated human density or use. Influence of weather on the use of vegetative ground cover was observed, as it was accessed more by prairie rattlesnakes at higher temperatures. Recommendations towards future management of the prairie rattlesnake population in Lethbridge are given, including protection of the Bridge View Drive site and inclusion of varied habitat types and terrain when planning habitat and wildlife corridors. Management decisions that ensure remaining habitat parcels and connective areas near rattlesnake foraging or movement corridors are also advocated. Identification of future research focuses include studies on juvenile survivorship, genetic structure, and vehicle-related mortality

Tetrakis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)diphosphine and related compounds : an electrochemical and EPR spectroscopic study of radical cations

xix, 172 leaves : ill (some col.) ; 29 cmIn this thesis the synthesis and full characterization of a new bulky diphosphine, tetrakis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)diphosphine, are described. This compound displays facile oxidation and a thorough investigation of its redox properties has been studied by combining solution electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk electrode (RDE) voltammetry, with spectroscopic methods such as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Simultaneous Electrochemical Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (SEEPR) spectroscopy over a wide temperature range. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to aid in structural characterization of the radical cation that is produced and to provide computed hyperfine splitting (HFS) constants for comparison with experimental results. For comparison to this species with bulky aromatic substituents, similar studies were conducted that have identified the previously unreported radical cation of tetrakis-tert-butyldiphosphine with a bulky aliphatic substituent that provides even higher steric pressure than the 2,6-diisopropylphenyl group. DFT calculations are reported, as is full characterization with fluid and frozen-solution EPR spectroscopy. Further CV and EPR (SEEPR) studies are reported that led to the identification of radical cations of tris(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)arsine and bis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)phosphine. DFT calculations are reported, as is full characterization with fluid and frozen-solution EPR spectroscopy

Phytoremediation of pharmaceuticals with salix exigua

xv, 216 leaves ; 29 cm.Municipal treated wastewater entering rivers contain biologically active pharmaceuticals capable of inducing effects in aquatic life. Phytoremediation of three of these pharmaceuticals and an herbicide was investigated using Sandbar willow (Salix exigua) and Arabidopsis thaliana. Both plants were effective at removing compounds from solution, with removal of 86% of the synthetic estrogen, 17α-ethynylestradiol, 65% of the anti-hypertensive, diltiazem, 60% of the anti-convulsant, diazepam (Valium®), and 51% of the herbicide atrazine, in 24 hours. Distribution of compounds within roots and shoots, in soluble and bound forms, differed among compounds. Uptake and distribution of pharmaceuticals within the study plants confirmed pharmaceutical behaviour can be predicted based on a physiochemical property, their octanol-water partitioning coefficients. An effective method for detection of 17α-ethynylestradiol within surface water using solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed. Previously unreported breakdown of 17α-ethynylestradiol into another common estrogen, estrone, during preparative steps and gas chromatography was resolved

Career transitions : creating rainbows

v, 77 leaves ; 29 cm. --The past four years have marked a period of tremendous growth in my life. The events that have initiated my career transition are presented through the use of metaphor. 111 During the course of the metaphors I moved from being a single person to not single, being a child of a nuclear family to being a child of divorce and a fatherless daughter, and from being a regular classroom teacher to being a teacher in a non-traditional assignment. The purpose of this project is to present the events, to describe their impact, and to compare my story to current career transition theory. Specifically, the project addresses the question: what have I learned about myself and the nature of transitions as a result of the events of the past three years. The last stage of the career transition process is marked by a beginning. I am a work-in-progress. The metaphor included in the last chapter represents my new direction

What counselling psychologists need to know about resiliency in children and adolescents

x, 75 leaves ; 28 cm. --This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the research literature on resiliency in adolescents. This overview includes a definition of resiliency and will explore the history of resiliency, as it relates to the health and well-being of children and adolescents. There will be a discussion with regard to emergence of the developmental assets framework, outlining the role that developmental assets play in the healthy development of young people across varied life circumstances in the face of multiple challenges. This paper will also highlight those elements of the research that support the notion that young people who have grown up in extremely disadvantaged conditions can escape without serious damage through the generation of positive environmental contexts within parents, families, schools, and communities. Lastly, this paper will examine the relationship of resiliency to prevention, well-being, risk factors, and protective factors