Session 1-3-C: The Human Touch and the Technological Age: Advancing Responsible Gambling, by Virtually Any Means

What is the Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario doing? Our suite of Online Tools and MYGU App at ProblemGambling.ca Examining other behavioural addictions Regular programming on social media channels Ongoing research, education, policy and clinical wor

Initial Consonant Mutation in Modern Irish: A Synchronic and Diachronic Analysis

This thesis presents an overview of the process of initial consonant mutation in Modern Irish. Initial consonant mutation is most simply described as a phonetic change in the initial consonant of a word triggered by a closed set of morphosyntactic environments. These triggers and environments are varied and difficult to generalize. Many attempts at classification have utilized current theories of phonology, morphology, and syntax to describe and explain the synchronic process, with the original motivation being a purely phonological environment that existed in earlier stages of the language. By examining the original mutation environments in comparison to the corresponding forms in Modern Irish, a possible motivation for synchronic mutation behavior is found. It is suggested that mutation in Modern Irish often serves to maintain various semantic contrasts where the phonological environment has disappeared. In examples where a clear contrast is not maintained, mutation may still provide important semantic clues in the constructions in which it appears. Current theories of cognitive linguistics are employed to attempt to motivate the consistency and predictability of the process in terms of template matching

The modelling of species with potential use as carriers of radionuclides for bone cancer therapy

The ability of the Generalised AMBER Force Field (GAFF) to model the structure of bisphosphonate ligands, C(R1)(R2)(PO3 2-)2, important compounds in the treatment of bone cancer, by molecular mechanics methods is evaluated. The structures of fifty bisphosphonates and nine bisphosphonate esters were predicted and compared with their crystal structures. Partial charges were assigned from a RHF/6-31G* single point calculation at the geometry of the crystal structure. Additional parameters required for GAFF were determined using the methods of the force field’s developers. The structures were found to be well replicated with virtually all bond lengths reproduced to within 0.015 Å (1.2s). Bond angles were reproduced to within 1.9o (0.8s). The observed gauche or anti conformation of the molecules was reproduced, although in several instances gauche conformations observed in the solid state energy-minimised into anti conformations, and vice versa. The interaction of MDP (R1 = R2 = H), HEDP (R1 = OH, R2 = CH3), APD (R1 = OH, R2 = (CH2)2NH3 +), alendronate (R1 = OH, R2 = (CH2)3NH3 +) and neridronate (R1 = OH, R2 = (CH2)5NH3 +) with the (001), (010) and (100) faces of hydroxyapatite was examined by energy-minimising twenty random orientations of each ligand 20 Å from the mineral and then at about 8 Å from the surface whereupon the ligand relaxes onto the surface. The difference in energy between the two systems is the interaction energy. In all cases interaction with hydroxyapatite caused a decrease in energy. On the (001) face, both phosphonate groups interact near a surface Ca2+ ion. The magnitude of the exothermic interaction energy varies with molecular volume (MDP < HEDP < APD < alendronate) except for neridronate, which interacts less effectively than alendronate because the long amino side chain folds in on itself and does not align with the surface of the mineral. The bisphosphonates adopt two conformations on the (010) face. In the first of these, found for MDP and 40% of the alendronate structures, both phosphonates interact with the surface and the side chain points away from the surface. In the second conformation, one phosphonate and the Ca side chain interact with the surface. The interaction energy increases with the molecular volume of the ligand, again with the exception of neridronate. Two conformations also occur on the (100) face. In the first conformation, only one of the phosphonate groups points towards the surface and the Ca side chain interacts with the surface; in the second conformation the Ca side chain interacts strongly with the surface and both phosphonate groups point away from the surface towards the solution. The first conformation is energetically more favourable. Its magnitude is virtually insensitive to the nature of the side chain and is similar to the magnitude of the interaction energy on the other two faces. The magnitude of the second conformation increases with the size of the Ca side chain

Supplying the Exotic Pet Trade: Conservation and Livelihood Implications

The wildlife trade represents a significant threat to biodiversity, but may also provide opportunities for societal and economic benefits. To supply the trade, wildlife is often sourced from biodiverse developing countries where poverty rates are high. Ensuring a legal and sustainable trade is therefore critical not only for conservation and implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), but can contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals to reduce poverty in developing regions. This thesis investigates trade in live animals, with emphasis on socio-economic implications of wildlife trade chains, and how these interact with conservation and sustainable use in supply countries. An interdisciplinary approach utilises global analysis of wildlife trade data; social research methods to examine the trade in Madagascar; and a specialised questioning technique to explore sustainability of the trade at the end-user level. The findings demonstrate an increasing component of the reptile pet trade comprises animals from ranching operations, or captive-bred in consumer countries. Although this may take pressure off wild populations, it may have implications for biodiversity and benefit sharing in supply countries. In Madagascar, a small proportion of the export value of reptiles and amphibians reaches local collectors. Whilst being potentially profitable and providing additional cash income to some households, wildlife trapping is also unreliable, part-time and financially risky. Consequently, it appears to bring limited opportunities for poverty alleviation or incentives for conservation at the local scale. Value chain analysis reveals the informal and complex nature of the supply chain, making design and implementation of interventions to enhance the trade challenging. Findings suggest that initiatives may be most effective working at the local level to improve organisation and cooperative management of the trade. At the consumer end, mortality of pet reptiles varies between taxa but appears to be relatively low. This directly informs debate concerning exotic pet keeping in consumer countries, for which there are limited data concerning sustainability of wildlife supply chains. Together, these studies enhance knowledge regarding implications of the wildlife trade for livelihoods and conservation, and inform dialogue concerning wildlife trade policy and practice more generally

Social Media's Impact on Creative Thought

Social media is a powerful force in our modern-day world with several published studies that suggest negative consequences due to its extended use. This experiment scrutinizes whether social media affects creativity by investigating how short-term exposure to social media impacts an individual's capacity for creative thought, as measured by the Guilford Alternate Uses Test and the Remote Associations Test. Results suggest no statistically significant difference on the Guilford Alternate Uses Test while the Remote Associations Test performance appears to be impacted. Limitations of the experimental design, such as questionnaires used and further areas of study topics are suggested