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Eating disorders affect an estimated 1 million Canadians per year and have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses (Statistics Canada, 2016; Arcelus, Mitchell, & Wales, 2011). Research suggests that those who fall under the transgender umbrella are at a higher risk for developing mental health concerns, and more specifically disordered eating practices (Dhejne, Vlerken, Heylens, & Arcelus, 2016). Despite this the existing literature on this population is lacking, with little research going outside of the gender binary. Majority of the existing literature is limited in looking at individual case studies seeking to prove that transgender folks can struggle with disordered eating, rather than bring attention to the experiences of transgender individuals within eating disorder treatment and recovery. The purpose of this study was to expand on the current literature by bringing in the voices of lived experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals, over the age of 18, who identify their gender as falling under the transgender umbrella who have participated in a form of eating disorder recovery for a minimum of one year. Through a thematic analysis, commonalities were uncovered between the participants stories leading to the identification of five themes: the connection between gender identity and eating disorder development, the impact of LGBTQ+ beauty standards, discrimination within the healthcare system, the use of the internet, and the role of community in recovery. The findings suggest there is a strong connection between transgender identity and the development of eating disorder behaviours that create an experience vastly different than the cisgendered reality in which the treatment programs are based. To address these differences the participants provided guidance towards recommendation for practitioners and treatment including: mandated training on both transgender identities and eating disorders, the development of supportive and inclusive environments, the creation of a transgender specific eating disorder treatment program. Further, topics for future research to deepen the understanding of the experiences shared within the study included: impact of online eating disorder support for trans and non-binary individuals, the variance in experience between binary transgender and non-binary identities within treatment, and the impacts of race and ethnicity on the experiences of transgender individuals. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of alternative treatment to Ritalin. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Durban Westville, 2005.

Ce travail se place dans le cadre de l’utilisation des grands instruments (sources de neutrons et synchrotrons) pour l’étude de la structure et de la dynamique de matériaux désordonnés (liquides et verres). En particulier, trois études sont présentées. La première, est une étude structurale de verres Ln2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 où Ln représente les cations Sc, Y et La. Nous avons combiné des résultats obtenus par diffraction des rayons X et des neutrons et par absorption des rayons X. L’étude est focalisée sur la détermination des distances interatomiques et des coordinences pour les trois paires Si-O, Al-O et Ln-O. La seconde est une étude structurale de l’oxyde de fer FeO à l’état fondu. Des expériences de photoémission de rayons X au seuil d’absorption du fer ont été associées à des mesures de diffraction de rayons X et de neutrons. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de définir un modèle structural cohérent pour le FeO liquide. La troisième est une étude de la dynamique dans le composé CaAl2O4 fondu. La diffusion inélastique des rayons X a permis de déterminer les vitesses du son apparente et isotherme ainsi que la viscosité longitudinale. Ces mesures ont été complétées par des expériences de diffusion quasiélastique de neutrons à partir desquelles il a été possible de déterminer des coefficients de diffusion atomique. Ce travail montre l’intérêt de combiner différentes techniques expérimentales pour l’étude des verres et des milieux fondus. Il montre également la nécessité d’associer aussi des techniques de modélisation comme la dynamique moléculaire. / In this work, large scale facilities (neutron and synchrotron sources) were used for studying the structure and dynamic of disordered materials (liquids and glasses). In particular, three studies are presented. The first is a structural study of Ln2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 glasses where Ln represents the cations Sc, Y and La. We combined the results obtained from x-ray and neutron diffraction and x-ray absorption experiments. This work is focused on the determination of the interatomic distances and coordination numbers for the three pairs Si-O, Al-O and Ln-O. The second is a study of the iron oxide FeO in the liquid state. Photoemission experiments at the iron absorption edge were associated with x-ray and neutron diffraction measurements. The results obtained made it possible to define a consistent structural model for liquid FeO. The third is a study of the dynamics in CaAl2O4 melts. From inelastic x-ray scattering experiments, it was possible to determine the apparent and isothermal sound velocities as well as the longitudinal viscosity. These measurements were complemented by quasielastic neutron scattering experiments from which atomic diffusion coefficients were determined. This work shows the interest of combining various experimental techniques for studying glasses and melts and points out the need to associate also modelling techniques such as molecular dynamics simulations.

This study analyzed the expressive writing of college students. Twenty-two ADHD students and 22 controls were asked to write a story based on a picture story and a personal challenge. The texts were compared based on several qualitative and quantitative parameters. The results show that students in both groups presented similar text quality. Out of six qualitative parameters only one was statistically different between the two groups: ADHD students performed worse in adequacy, but only in the picture task. Students writings were also investigated using corpus based analysis. This analysis showed that ADHD students used less unusually frequent words in the picture story but more in the challenge task. Taken together the findings indicate no significant difference in expressive writing between ADHD and non ADHD college students. An explanation to this result is that college students with ADHD may have passed the filter of prior education.

Researchers have argued for many years that one of the conditions for omnidirectional reflection in a one-dimensional photonic crystal is a strong refractive index contrast between the two constituent dielectric materials. Using numerical simulations and the theory of Anderson localization of light, in this work we demonstrate that an omnidirectional band gap can indeed be created utilizing low refractive index contrast materials when they are arranged in a disordered manner. Moreover, the size of the omnidirectional band gap becomes a controllable parameter, which now depends on the number of layers and not only on the refractive index contrast of the system, as it is widely accepted. This achievement constitutes a major breakthrough in the field since it allows for the development of cheaper and more efficient technologies. Of particular interest is the case of high index contrast one-dimensional photonic crystal fibers, where the propagation losses are mainly due to increased optical scattering from sidewall roughness at the interfaces of high index contrast materials. By using low index contrast materials these losses can be reduced dramatically, while maintaining the confinement capability of the waveguide. This is just one of many applications that could be proven useful for this discovery.

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For proteins the link between their structure and their function is a central tenet of biology. A common approach to understanding protein function is to ‘solve’ its structure and subsequently probe interactions between the protein and its binding partners. The first part of this approach is non-trivial for proteins where localised regions or even their entire structure fail to fold into a three-dimensional structure and yet they possess function. These so called intrinsically or inherently disordered proteins (IDP’s) or intrinsically disordered regions (IDR’s) constitute up to 40% of all expressed proteins. IDPs which have crucial roles in molecular recognition, assembly, protein modification and entropic chain activities, are often dynamic with respect to both conformation and interaction, so in the course of a protein’s ‘lifespan’ it will sample many configurations and bind to several targets. For these proteins, there is a need to develop new methods for structure characterization which exploit their biophysical properties. The solvent free environment of a mass spectrometer is ideally suited to the study of intrinsic interactions and how they contribute to structure. Ion mobility mass spectrometry is uniquely able to observe the range of structures an IDP can occupy, and also the effect of selected binding partners on altering this conformational space. This thesis details the technique of ion mobility mass spectrometry and illustrates its use in assessing the relative disorder of p53 protein. The tumour suppressor p53 is at the hub of a plethora of signalling pathways that maintain the integrity of the human genome and regulate the cell cycle. Deregulation of this protein has a great effect on carcinogenesis as mutated p53 can induce an amplified epigenetic instability of tumour cells, facilitating and accelerating the evolution of the tumour. Herein mass spectrometry provides a compelling, detailed insight into the conformational flexibility of the p53 DNA-binding domain. The plasticity of the p53 DNA-binding domain is reflected in the existence of more than one conformation, independent of any conformational changes prompted by binding. The in vacuo conformational phenotypes exhibited by common cancer-associated mutations are determined and the second-site suppressor mutation from loop L1, H115N, is probed whether it could trigger conformational changes in p53 hotspot cancer mutations. The structural basis of the binding promiscuity of p53 protein is investigated; of particular interest is the molecular interaction of the p53 N-terminus with the oncoprotein murine double minute 2, as well as with the antiapoptotic factor B-cell lymphoma-extralarge.

Introduction: Bariatric surgery (BS) is currently the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. However, many individuals fail to lose or maintain adequate weight loss. It is a challenge to understand why some individuals can make the required changes following BS and some cannot. Evidence suggests that emotional eating (EE) may be associated with poorer outcome. However, there is as yet no conclusive research or review of the research in this area. Method: A systematic review was conducted with the aim to examine how EE relates to BS outcome. This review was complimented by a qualitative research project examining the experiences of individuals following weight loss surgery, with a particular focus on what changes and emotional coping. Results: Systematic review results suggest that EE is associated to poorer weight loss following BS. Six superordinate themes emerged from the qualitative research project; Surgery Outcome, Changing Views of the Self, Coping with Emotions, Being Judged Negatively, Being Obese is a Barrier to Living and It’s a Different Addiction. Discussion The overall results suggest that EE is an ongoing issue following bariatric surgery. BS seems to initiate various changes in behaviour, and cognition, together with increased sense of control. However, such changes seem to be attributed to BS, which is suggestive of an underestimation of self efficacy. Perceptions of obesity being the result of an addiction and emphasis on the difficulties associated with losing weight further highlight the issue of reduced self efficacy. This study also highlights that for many, having surgery does not cure all difficulties associated with eating. There are possibly underlying difficulties associated with obesity, such as neurocircuitry pathways that increase desire for food, whilst reducing control and attachment difficulties that reduce emotion regulation capacity. However, much work is required to understand such explanations and develop appropriate psychological interventions. Conclusion: The overall results from this thesis provide support for the view that EE and associated emotion regulation difficulties are related to poorer BS outcome. What seems clear from this research is that, although BS provides many positive changes, the battle against obesity continues for most and services are currently limited in their resources to intervene.

The aim of this thesis was to describe how mentally disordered offenders would be affected by reintroducing the accountability requirement within Swedish legislation, based on social workers’ preconceptions. Mental illness creates a number of issues within criminal justice systems. Almost all countries worldwide have an insanity defense in order to obtain de-criminalization of mentally disordered offenders. However, mentally disordered offenders are criminalized within Sweden’s current legislation. Therefore, the government is proposing a legislative reform. The reform suggests that the accountability requirement will be reintroduced within Swedish legislation. Within this inquiry semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with six forensic social investigators. In light of Becker’s labeling theory and Goffman’s theory of stigma the results reveal social, psychological and behavioral consequences of the new legislation. The participants believe that, de-criminalization provides social and psychological advantages for mentally ill persons. Nevertheless, excusing people from responsibility might produce irresponsible behavior. Since responsibility is an essential part in rehabilitation as well as preventing criminal recidivism.