<p>This thesis explored the potential of clay work and its symbolic representations as a means to facilitate the integration and individuation of the self in psychotherapy, using a Jungian theoretical framework. A case study methodology was used, to explore a long standing pattern of environmental failure and trauma in a 16 year old female. The Edward's clay work method was utilized to guide the use of the clay work and the discussion and exploration thereof. Central to the study was the importance of a search for meaning given to each clay piece, which was achieved through a dialectical interaction and mutual exploration between therapist and client.</p>

The nervous system is a dynamic structure. Both during development and in the adult, synapses display activity-dependent plasticity which can modify their structure and function. In the neonate, activity influences the stability of functional connections between the muscle and nerve. In adults, the process of neurotransmitter release and the structure of the postsynaptic muscle can also be altered by external stimuli such as exercise. It is important to understand this plasticity of the neuromuscular system, the ways in which it can be modified, and its relationship to the maintenance or degeneration of synapses. After injury, peripheral nerve undergoes Wallerian Degeneration, during which the connections between axons and muscle fibres are lost, followed by the fragmentation of the nerve itself. The primary goal of this thesis was to determine whether activity modulates this process; that is, whether enhancing or reducing neuromuscular activity creates a susceptibility to degeneration or alternatively provides any protection against it. Developing greater understanding of this process is essential in relation to neurodegenerative disorders in which the benefits of activity, in the form of exercise, are controversial. Using Wlds mice, in which synaptic degeneration occurs approximately ten times more slowly than normal after nerve injury, I investigated the influence of both decreased (tetrodotoxin induced paralysis) and increased (voluntary wheel running) activity in vivo on this process. Paralysis prior to axotomy resulted in a significant increase in the rate of synapse degeneration. Using a novel method of repeatedly visualising degenerating synapses and axons in vivo I also established that this effect was specific to the synapse, as it did not affect the degeneration of axons. In contrast, voluntary wheel running had no effect on the rate of either axonal or neuromuscular synapse degeneration, but induced a slight modification of neuromuscular transmission. To provide a more stringent test I developed a novel assay based on overnight, ex vivo incubation of nerve-muscle preparations at 32°C. I first demonstrated that this procedure separates the different degeneration time courses for neuromuscular synapse degeneration in wild-type and Wlds preparations. I then extended the study to investigate further ways of modulating synaptic degeneration. First, I tested the effects of electrical stimulation. Intermittent high frequency (100Hz) stimulation reduced the level of protection. Finally, I tested the effects of NAMPT enzymatic inhibitor FK866 on synaptic degeneration. Interestingly, the synaptic protection observed in Wlds muscles was enhanced in the presence of FK866. The results of my findings are relevant to understanding the plasticity of synapses and its relationship to degeneration. Together, these studies highlight the potential of genetic and epigenetic factors, including activity, to regulate neuromuscular synapse degeneration. My study also provides proof of concept for a novel organotypic culture system in which to identify pharmacological modulators of synaptic degeneration that could form part of a second-line screen for neuroprotective compounds or phenotypes. My findings may be viewed in the wide context of neurodegenerative disease, since synaptic use or disuse is widely thought to influence susceptibility, onset and progression in such disorders.

Physical inactivity, a phenomenon on the rise in numerous countries, has gained global attention because of its negative effects on humans' physical wellness. It represents a stumbling block in the way of living a healthy lifestyle. Recent statistics of World Health Organization (WHO) ranked physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factors for adults' mortality all over the world [1]. Also, physical inactivity is considered as one of the most prominent contributing factors in several severe diseases such as breast and colon cancer, diabetes and many heart- related diseases [1]. Therefore, improving daily physical activity levels is an urgent societal goal in order to tackle the physical inactivity problem. Achieving such challenging goal requires addressing the factors that affect adults’ physical activity. In fact, there are many factors that lead to physical inactivity such as the busy lifestyle, lack of awareness regarding required physical activity levels and other environmental factors. Physical activity advisory systems can be seen as a promising solution for the inactivity problem. In order to enhance their effectiveness, these systems must take into account most of the factors previously mentioned. In this thesis, we aim to provide a method to promote the increase of daily physical activity levels by leveraging biofeedback and context awareness features. In order to achieve this purpose, we design and develop an algorithm that provides a user with personalized physical activity advice. This advice increases the user's awareness through the use of calories expenditure. To add a context awareness component to our algorithm, we propose an extension of the Ubiquitous Biofeedback (UB) Model [2]. We believe that combining the biofeedback feature with context awareness component would make the system sensitive to the user’s status and thus increase the chances of her or him following it. This advice represents the daily-recommended amount of physical activity for maintaining healthy lifestyle according to [3, 4]and other international organizations' recommendations. In order to prove the concept of the proposed algorithm and extended UB Model, we design and develop a system called "CAB". It is a context aware biofeedback system that tracks user's physical movement and estimates the amount of calories burnt to provide the user with a personalized physical activity advice that considers user's current status, preferences and surrounding environmental context. The system utilizes a biofeedback sensor and a smart phone in order to provide the personalized advice that is delivered to the user in a form of multiple-mode feedback/notification (text, audio and haptic). In this thesis, we provide detailed information about the design requirements, the design model, the proposed system and its related hardware components and software modules. The qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the developed system CAB shows a positive impact on the experiment sample group by motivating the participants to reach or exceed the recommended number of calories to be burned daily for most of the evaluation days.

Regular physical activity is significant for overall health and can reduce the risk of chronic disease and health related conditions. Individuals with central nervous system CNS lesions experience impairments that limit their participation in physical activity and reduce quality of life; therefore it is even more important to understand the relationship between the barriers and affordances to engaging in physical activity for this cohort. The current study has uniquely identified a population (n= 11) based on the common experience of spasticity in the lower limb resulting from an CNS lesion across multiple diagnostic categories and used the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model (ICF) (WHO, 2001) to characterize the impairments in body structure and functions, activities and contextual factors to better understand their influence on physical activity levels in this cohort. The findings showed that each individual experienced physical impairments for multiple body functions and structures comprising reduced ankle range of motion (M= 9.98 PlantarFlexion), spasticity as measured by the Ankle Plantar Flexor Tone Scale (middle ankle range resistance M= 1.56, stretch reflex M= 1.64) as well as some reports of pain on a Visual Analog Scale (Usual, M =1.10, and Worst pain, M= 1.64). On average the cohort presented with mild to moderate impairments in their mobility as measured by Timed Up and Go (M= 28.28 seconds), walking velocity (M= 74.94cm/sec Gaitrite mat) and falls (M= .91). Findings from both the Physical Survey for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (PASIPD) and semi-structured interviews suggest that participation in physical activity was low across life roles including areas of work and employment, recreation and leisure, domestic life and selfcare. The physical component summary (PCS) scores of the Short-Form 36 Version 2 Quality of life Survey were lower than average norms (M=38.12, SD=7.53), while the mental components summary (MCS) scores were on par with average ranges (M=50.61, SD=10.02); however the overall MCS score was slightly higher than the trend reflected in the mental health sub-scores which ranged from between slightly below average to average. Clearly aligning with the ICF model, the volume and intensity of physical activity was hampered by physical impairments, fear of falling, cost of activities, poor weather, a lack of transportation, and cut backs to services as reported in the semi-structured interviews. However, the quantitative relationships between the domains of the ICF were less obvious. Through qualitative interviews the participants’ positive outlook toward participating in life roles was strongly expressed. Despite barriers, individuals were finding ways to be somewhat active and were motivated to do more and overcome their functional limitations. / Graduate

Work may be a potential source of physical activity for adults with ID, and therefore may be beneficial to their health. Using a cross-sectional descriptive research design this study examined the contribution of work to the overall physical activity levels of adults with intellectual disabilities. GT3X Actigraph accelerometers were used to measure the physical activity intensity levels of six employed adults with intellectual disabilities over eight consecutive days. Intensity levels were categorized into sedentary, light, or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The overall physical activity levels were determined to establish whether participants met the Canadian physical activity guidelines for adults. In addition physical activity levels during work were compared to physical activity during non-work. Five out of the six participants met the Canadian physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of MVPA per week. There were no significant differences between the amount of sedentary, light or MVPA during participant’s work and non-work. There were, however, medium and large effect sizes for physical activity levels during work versus non-work, showing that work had a substantial impact on physical activity behaviours. / Graduate / 0566

An examination of data from 21 older members of the University community aged 59 and older, including those who do and those who do not use the campus gyms, and six athletic programming staff from the two facilities to attempt to understand how older adults choose to negotiate their physical activity as they age. The study demonstrates that those respondents most comfortable in the gym spaces in the university setting are those who have occupied those spaces over many years, or those who have been habituated to gym culture through their activities outside the university setting. Using the ’mask of ageing theory’ in combination with Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, capital and field, this study is an attempt to understand the individual and cultural practices that older adults engage in to manage their physical activities at the University, their other activities outside, as well as the performative aspects of their engagement.

An examination of data from 21 older members of the University community aged 59 and older, including those who do and those who do not use the campus gyms, and six athletic programming staff from the two facilities to attempt to understand how older adults choose to negotiate their physical activity as they age. The study demonstrates that those respondents most comfortable in the gym spaces in the university setting are those who have occupied those spaces over many years, or those who have been habituated to gym culture through their activities outside the university setting. Using the ’mask of ageing theory’ in combination with Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, capital and field, this study is an attempt to understand the individual and cultural practices that older adults engage in to manage their physical activities at the University, their other activities outside, as well as the performative aspects of their engagement.

The Muslim-American community faced a crucial moment after the events of September 11th to define themselves both at home in the United States and abroad. The years which followed brought about an increasingly mobilized, better organized group of Muslim-Americans who made a decision to become more active members of American society through participating in the political system, something very difficult if not impossible in their native countries. Those who answered the call did so in different ways. One way as shown in this study was through taking a bold step and running for the United States Congress and for the first time in U.S. history, the first Muslim was elected to the House of Representatives. For the first time, the oath of office was taken on the Qur'an. The Muslim-American community, especially the immigrant population, is highly educated and successful and as generations pass, they will become a more visible part of the American landscape.

Background: The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is increasing worldwide. One main determinant of overweight and obesity is inactivity. Little is known about the factors that influence physical activity and sedentary behaviour among young children. Seasonal variation was examined as a correlate of physical activity in both a literature review and in a sample of pre-school children in Edmonton, Alberta. Neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES) was examined as a correlate of screen time use in the same sample of children. Methods: For study 1, databases were searched for studies on seasonal variation in physical activity levels. Studies 2 and 3 involved a sample of 4- and 5-year-old children, who were attending a health center in and around Edmonton, Alberta for preschool immunization between November, 2005 and August, 2007. Parents provided proxy reports of their children’s screen time viewing and physical activity. Height and weight were measured by a trained health assistant and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Children’s postal codes were retrieved from health records to calculate neighbourhood SES through census data. The month the proxy report was completed was used to determine seasonality. Several regression models were constructed to examine relationships between variables in studies 2 and 3. Results: The review of literature revealed that 83% (29/35) of the studies found seasonal variation in physical activity among children and/or adolescents. For study 2, total physical activity as well as active play, weekday and weekend minutes were highest in the summer and lowest in the winter. Finally, neighbourhood SES was a predictor of screen time and TV/video use for girls but not for boys in study 3. Conclusion: Some consideration should be given to increasing physical activity opportunities in the winter for children, especially in areas of the world that experience extreme winter conditions. As well some consideration should be given to providing alternative activity opportunities for young girls who live in lower SES neighbourhoods.

<p>This thesis explored the potential of clay work and its symbolic representations as a means to facilitate the integration and individuation of the self in psychotherapy, using a Jungian theoretical framework. A case study methodology was used, to explore a long standing pattern of environmental failure and trauma in a 16 year old female. The Edward's clay work method was utilized to guide the use of the clay work and the discussion and exploration thereof. Central to the study was the importance of a search for meaning given to each clay piece, which was achieved through a dialectical interaction and mutual exploration between therapist and client.</p>