The uncertainty surrounding the impact of future changes in climate and water resources has created renewed interest on how lakes have responded to drought in the past. There is a need to determine potential future available water by understanding past changes in water levels; the underlying ecological characteristics of using diatoms as a proxy for lake-level reconstructions is the basis of this thesis. By integrating knowledge from past water-level fluctuation studies and theories, along with developing a better understanding of diatom ecology in lake systems, more effective techniques are being developed to improve water-depth reconstructions. Diatom assemblages were examined from eight lakes in northwestern Ontario collected in surface sediments along a depth gradient at ~1-m water-depth intervals. Three major zones, based on the composition of diatom assemblages in each lake were consistently identified in all lakes: i) a near-shore assemblage of Achnanthes (sensu lato) species and other benthic taxa (Nitzschia, Cymbella); ii) a mid-depth small Fragilaria (sensu lato)/ small Aulacoseira zone with various Navicula taxa, and iii) a deep-water planktonic zone. The depths at which transitions between these zones are located varied among lakes, and the depth of the transition between the planktonic and benthic zones was consistent with water chemistry variables (e.g. DOC, TP) that are related to light attenuation. Deeper pelagic to benthic transitions occurred in lakes with the lowest DOC and TP (i.e. generally more light attenuation in lakes with higher concentrations of TP or DOC). Other findings included a decrease in species evenness and numbers with depth, along with an increase in scaled chrysophyte relative to diatoms. / Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2010-07-23 12:36:01.347

No description available.

This thesis examines the educational inequalities facing Black high school students, particularly working-class youths in Ottawa's educational system. In consultation with several community organizations, educators, parents and students, several concerns were identified as barriers that impacted the educational achievement of Black youths in Ottawa's schools. They identified issues such as the continued negative stereotyping of Black students, particularly Black males as being aggressive, violent, low achievers, and lacking respect for authority, which often results in their suspensions and/or expulsion. Most importantly, they argue that in addition to the high rate of suspensions and expulsions, there also appears to be a funneling of Black working-class males into the criminal juvenile justice system, by schools, which results in the criminalization of Black youths by Ottawa schools. / This study was framed within a Black antiracist feminist framework that employed an oppositional and critical pedagogy aimed at interrogating the educational experiences of Black youths. The study examined the impact of race and class on educational outcome, and the ways in which the current educational arrangement benefits some students while disadvantaging others. Critical to the study is the denial of racism within Ottawa schools by educators and administrators. The problem is further complicated by the fact that neither the Ottawa Carleton District School Board nor the Carleton Roman Catholic Separate School Board compiles statistical database on students' race, ethnicity and/or social class, which is a necessary tool in determining the existence of educational inequality. Due to the lack of educational statistics educators have avoided accountability, thus preserving the status quo.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes from the soil surface, and concentrations within the soil profile, were measured between June 1998 and Sept. 1999 at four adjacent forest plantations and an old field in Nepean, Ontario. The objectives of this study were to quantify seasonal CO2 and CH4 fluxes from the soil surface and within the soil profile to determine the effect of soil moisture and temperature, and forest age and species on the exchange, and establish a chronosequence of organic carbon accumulation in the forest plantations and the old field soils. / Dynamic and static chamber techniques were used to measure surface fluxes of CO2 and CH4, respectively, and soil gas concentrations were sampled with probes. In the old field and forest plantations, surface soil CO2 flux ranged from 2.9 to 27 g CO2 m-2 d-1 and 2.0 to 39 g CO2 m -2 d-1 respectively. Significant differences due to age and species of plantation were observed. Seasonal variations in CO2 efflux from the soil surface and within the soil profile were related to variation in soil temperature and moisture. Uptake of CH4 was observed at all sites and there was no significant differences in flux due to vegetation type or age. Maximum rate of CH4 consumption was 6.3 mg CH4 m-2 d-1. Methane uptake was positively related to soil moisture conditions. / The carbon content of the soil increased in all sites following the establishment of vegetation on sandy parent material. Carbon content was greatest in the upper soil profile. Rates of carbon accumulation ranged from 109 to 426 g m-2 y-1. Soil carbon increased with increasing age of plantation during the first 30 years following the establishment of vegetation on parent material, but declined as the forest plantation matured.

This qualitative study presents findings from interviews with ten front line social workers employed at a small, eastern Ontario Children's Aid Society. The interviews explored the implementation of the Ontario Risk Assessment Model at this agency from the perspective of these social workers. The findings of this research identify perceived impediments as well as supports to organizational change within this context. Analysis of the data revealed that both the manner in which ORAM was implemented and the content of the model itself resulted in confusion, frustration and anxiety on the part of the workers. The research also sought to determine the potential fit between effective child protection organizational change endeavours and strategies inherent in the action research model. Implications for change management policy, practice and future research within child protection systems are also discussed.

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Background: Bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is a severe but extremely rare complication of prolonged treatment with bisphosphonates. Improper treatment or misdiagnosis can have serious repercussions. Objective: is to measure the awareness of Ontario dentists about BRONJ and to identify any gaps in their knowledge of the condition and its treatment. Material and Methods: A survey was sent to a random sample of dentists in Ontario, Canada. Information about their awareness of bisphosphonates, and their awareness of an established BRONJ guideline was collected. Results: 60% of responding Ontario dentists had good knowledge of BRONJ, only 23% followed the guideline when surgical treatment was indicated. However, about 50% of responding Ontario dentists are not comfortable treating BRONJ patients. Conclusion: The finding reveals that Ontario dentists have moderate knowledge about BRONJ, which suggest greater educational efforts should be made to promote their knowledge.

A methodology is developed for the interpretation of complex Early Iroquoian villages based upon the analysis of site formation processes. This interpretive method is applied to a study of the Calvert site, a twelfth to thirteenth century Iroquoian village located in southwestern Ontario. Four phases in the occupational history of the village are reconstructed and changes in its economic and socio-political organization are examined through a comparative analysis of data from each construction phase. The systematic rebuilding and long-term use of the village indicate significant planning on the part of the Calvert people and suggest that at least some Early Iroquoian communities had developed higher levels of socio-political organization than have been attributed to them in the past. / The Calvert site is placed in its regional context and a model is proposed to explain the economic and socio-political changes observed between the Early and Middle Iroquoian periods in southwestern Ontario.

No description available.

The High Risk Assessment Review Team (HART) in Belleville, Ontario is a community coordinated initiative that reviews domestic violence cases before the criminal court. Record analysis was conducted on 60 case files that had gone through criminal court in that jurisdiction. The purpose was to determine if a sample of cases reviewed by HART (n=30) would yield a higher rate of conviction and increased contact with community agencies when compared to a sample of cases (n=30) prior to this team being implemented. A logistical regression yielded no statistically significant results but did demonstrate a higher rate and likelihood of conviction in the HART sample as well as a greater involvement and likelihood of involvement with community agencies.