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This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of playing through distress and painduring athletic training and competition by investigating athletes’ psychological flexibilityand psychosocial responses to pain. This quantitative study consisted of two parts: (1) anonline survey (explicit measures) consisting of the Personalized Psychological FlexibilityIndex (PPFI) and the behavioural subscale of the Avoidance-endurance Questionnaire(AEQ). (2) an Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP-Athlete) that was specificallydeveloped for this project, to assess patterns of psychologically flexible responses todiscomfort and pain responses in a homogeneous sample of athletes’. Twenty-nine malefootball players that were pain-free with no injuries completed the survey, and 15 of themalso completed the challenging IRAP-Athlete. The results showed that athletes reportedhigher frequencies of endurance responses to pain as compared to avoidance responses, andhigher levels of acceptance towards discomfort when pursuing a goal relevant to theirtraining. The IRAP-Athlete seems to be a promising tool that can be used to further exploreathletes’ responses to distress.

L-type Ca2+ channels, found in vascular smooth muscle cells, function to control Ca2+ influx, which directly regulates the degree of tension in the vasculature. An influx of Ca2+ causes these cells to contract while inhibition of this channel causes muscle relaxation, a major goal in treating hypertension. Acute hypoxia inhibits, and chronic hypoxia enhances, Ca2+ channel currents. The mechanisms underlying these hypoxic responses were examined in HEK 293 cells by altering cellular levels of proposed mediators of 0 2 sensing which have previously been shown to be involved in the redox model of 02 sensing in various cell types. In these studies I investigated the roles of mitochondrial complexes and NADPH oxidase function, and changes in cellular ROS levels, on the acute and chronically hypoxic regulation of recombinant L-type Ca2+ channels. An increase in H202, a form of ROS, by exogenous application was found to enhance Ca2+ currents. However neither catalase nor H202 affected the acute hypoxic response. In contrast superoxide dismutase (SOD) abolished hypoxic inhibition of recombinant L-type Ca2+ channels, suggestive of a role of 02- production in 02 sensing. Altered production of this ROS during hypoxia may occur within the mitochondria since acute 02 sensing was abolished in mitochondria-depleted p0 cells. Alterations in NADPH oxidase activity via application of NADPH oxidase inhibitors such as DPl and P AO did not mediate the acute hypoxic response. Hypoxic regulation of mitochondrial complex I may also mediate the response to chronic hypoxia since current enhancement by this stimulus was abolished by rotenone. These findings support the involvement of altered mitochondrial function in the 0 2 sensing pathway which mediates the hypoxic responses of recombinant L-type Ca2+ channel a1c subunits. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

In this thesis, we examine the administrative responses by Ontario hospitals to fiscal restraint between 1977 and 1984. Using the conceptual 'model' of organizational change developed in James Thompson's Organizations in Action [1967], we predict that the most significant adaptations occurred in hospitals' administrative components, while "core" activities such as medical procedures remained relatively inflexible. More importantly, the observed changes in administrative tasks and activities can be accounted for by the role played by administrators in maintaining internal order and dealing with external contingencies. Accordingly, the greatest adaptations will be in how the administrative component assesses the performance cf "core" activities and communicates this to an external funding agency (i.e. Ministry of Health). We find that the empirical data collected is consistent with our predictions. As a result, we conclude that hospital adaptation during this time period was explicitly related to renewing the political conditions necessary for organizational growth. Moreover, we suggest that the organizational logic of fiscal restraint does not affect how hospitals perform medical activities, but rather, further entrenches this technology through the adoption of standardized funding formulae. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Eleven nickel compounds representing a range of solubilities and biological activities were tested for toxicity, mutagenicity, and cytosolic and nuclear nickel uptake in AS52 cells. values ranging LC50 from 2-130 ug Ni/ml for particulates and 120-150 ug Ni/ml for the water soluble salts (NiCl2, NiS04, Ni(CH3C00)2) were determined. The Ni(OH)2, NiC03 , and nickel sulphides (Ni3S2 , Ni 7S6 , amorphous NiS) exhibited similar toxicities (LC50's of 2.0, 5.8, 4.1, 8.2, 4.1 ~g Ni/ml respectively), while the nickel oxides were less toxic and showed large variations between the black, Li 2Ni 8010 , and green NiO forms (LC50's of 18.1, 75, 130 ug Ni/ml). Concentrations reducing survival to the range 20-80% were tested for mutagenicity and degree of nickel uptake. Although nickel compounds have been reported to be only weak or equivocal mutagens, the results indicate a low but significant increase in mutation rate at the gpt locus induced by all the nickel compounds tested. The majority of compounds displayed nuclear to cytoplasmic nickel ratios of ≈ 1:4 to 1:2, though this was ≈ 1:20 for nickel salts. NiC03 appeared to be intermediate in behaviour with a ratio of ≈ 1:12. Comparison of the eleven compounds at the same toxicity level (LC50) showed a 75-fold difference in exposure levels but about a 10-fold difference in cytoplasmic and nuclear nickel levels. There appears to be a very good correspondence between previously reported dissolution half times (T50's) of the compounds tested and the cytosolic nickel levels at a given toxicity level. For the water-soluble salts, previous reports have shown that cellular distribution varies from that of particulates due to differences in the manner of uptake. The present work confirms this and suggests that the compounds can be divided into three classes: watersoluble salts producing very low nuclear levels and high cytosolic levels, inert nickel oxides (green NiO and lithium nickel oxide) with relatively low nuclear and cytosolic nickel levels, and the remaining compounds (the major class) with relatively high cytosolic levels and nuclear nickel levels. Overall , the data supports the N i eke 1-Ion Hypothesis which suggests that the Ni 2+ ion is the active agent in nickel toxicity and mutagenicity, and that, as a first approximation, its intracellular concentration is responsible for the observed effects, irrespective of the nickel compound. / Thesis / Master of Science (MS)

yes / Does exercise promote weight loss? One of the key problems with studies assessing the effi cacy of exercise as a method of weight management and obesity is that mean data are presented and the individual variability in response is overlooked. Recent data have highlighted the need to demonstrate and characterise the individual variability in response to exercise. Do people who exerc ise compensate for the increase in energy expenditure via compensatory increases in hunger and food intake? The authors address the physiological, psychological and behavioural factors potentially involved in the relationship between exercise and appetite, and identify the research questions that remain unanswered. A negative consequence of the phenomena of individual variability and compensatory responses has been the focus on those who lose little weight in response to exercise; this has been used unreasonably as evidence to suggest that exercise is a futile method of controlling weight and managing obesity. Most of the evidence suggests that exercise is useful for improving body composition and health. For example, when exercise-induced mean weight loss is <1.0 kg, signifi cant improvements in aerobic capacity (+6.3 ml/kg/min), systolic (¿6.00 mm Hg) and diastolic (¿3.9 mm Hg) blood pressure, waist circumference (¿3.7 cm) and positive mood still occur. However, people will vary in their responses to exercise; understanding and characterising this variability will help tailor weight loss strategies to suit individuals.

Brucella abortus is a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen, which causes abortion in cattle and undulant fever in human. B. abortus strain RB51 (Strain RB51) is the official vaccine for bovine brucellosis in the USA. B. abortus strain RB51 can be used as a vector for the over-expression of its own (homologous) as well as heterologous protective antigens. The immune system can detect these heterologous antigens and produce a response. Expressing a protein in different bacterial compartments has been shown to affect its accessibility to the immune system and the way the antigen is processed by antigen presenting cells. In order to determine if the immune response is affected by the localization of the antigen, green fluorescent protein (GFP) was expressed at three different locations in B. abortus strain RB51, outer-membrane (OM), periplasmic space (PS) and in the cytoplasmic region (CR) of B. abortus strain RB51. This localization was obtained by transforming strain RB51 with plasmids pBBg18sGFP and pBBgSsGFP, in which the 18 kDa Brucella lipoprotein and the Brucella Cu/Zn SOD protein signal sequences were added to the GFP sequence to cause OM and PS expression respectively. No signal sequences were added to the plasmid pBBgGFP for CR only expression. Expression and localization of GFP in the different compartments in recombinant B. abortus strain RB51 were confirmed by electron microscopy and antibody absorption experiments. Groups of 5 female BALB/c mice each were injected and boosted with three recombinant strains and appropriate controls. Mice were bled and their anti-GFP antibody production was assessed. None of the immunized mice produced specific antibodies against GFP, probably due to the low expression of the heterologous antigen observed in this study by strain RB51 observed in this study. It will be necessary to produce new recombinants which are able to express higher amounts of GFP to answer if localization of heterologous antigen within the recombinant RB51 affects the level of a specific immune response. / Master of Science

Ten cows were used in 4 x 4 Latin squares with an extra period for estimation of carry-over effects to study plasma amino acid responses to jugular infusion of amino acids at early, mid, and late lactation. Methionine (M), methionine + lysine (ML), and methionine + lysine + phenylalanine (MLP) in a balance with glutamic acid (C) were infused at 25% of the amino acid content of pretreatment milk via the jugular vein. Rations were formulated at 16, 15, and 14% crude protein and 15, 18, and 21% crude fiber for 30, 120, and 240 day lactational groups. Carry-over effects were present only in arterial blood at 240 days. Differences in milk production were not significant, although production increased on M, ML, and MLP at 30 days. Plasma amino acid responses of nonruminants were utilized to aid in evaluation. Arterial and venous plasma amino acid concentrations were lowest on ML at 30 days, while amino acid uptake was significantly increased by M. At 120 days plasma responses were inconclusive and non-significant. The amino acid uptake trend followed that observed at 30 days. At 240 days plasma amino acid concentrations were lowest with ML, while uptake was increased on MLP. Essential amino acids were ranked in potential orders of limitation by amino acid extraction and utilization for milk protein by the mammary gland. Order of limitation differed between calculation methods but was similar for all three stage.s of lactation. Orders of limitation were as follows: Amino acid extraction - methionine~ lysine, arginine, leucine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine, valine, and histidine. Amino acid utilization - phenylalanine, threonine or histidine, valine, leucine, methionine, lysine, isoleucine, and arginine. Since there was no substantial change in order of limitation with infusion, either protein intakes were above requirements or amino acids not infused are candidates for limitation. However, among amino acids infused, the parameters observed suggested lysine or methionine at 30 days, methionine at 120 days, and no apparent choice at 240 days. / Master of Science

<p dir="ltr">In many Japanese language textbooks and classes, instruction often advocates for responding to compliments with modesty, typically through a negative response. However, previous research by Tatsumi (2013), Shimizu (2007), Terao (1996), and Hirata (1999) suggests that Japanese individuals do not exclusively rely on negative responses when receiving compliments. Moreover, prior studies have predominantly examined the gender of the recipient of the compliment, overlooking the significance of the gender of the person giving compliments. With respect to the topic of compliment responses, previous research has found the following two points. First, Holmes (1988), Herbert (1990), and Matsuura (2004) found that compliment exchanges frequently occur among the younger generation. Second, Itoi (1999), Shimizu (2017) Takamiya (2022) and, Ang (2023) found that the compliments among younger generations are likely to be accepted.</p><p dir="ltr">This study aims to investigate potential differences in compliment responses between Japanese and American women who fall into Generation Z, while also considering the influence of both the gender of the person giving the compliments and the topic of the compliments. A survey was conducted involving 30 Japanese women residing in Japan and 32 American females living in the U.S. Participants submitted their responses online, using either Japanese or English, their native languages. These responses were elicited as reactions to scenarios wherein they received compliments, accompanied by written explanations for their responses.</p><p dir="ltr">The compliments were given by classmates with a relationship of acquaintance who were not yet close, with variations in the gender of the complimenter (male vs. female) and the type of compliment (appearance vs. skill), totaling four distinct scenarios. Their responses were recorded both orally and through written response to share intention. On top of these records, analysis required taking into account the tone of voice and nonverbal cues such as pauses, and hesitations when analyzing and discussing the impact of the complimenter’s gender and the topic of the compliment on the response. Study results show that almost all the compliments were accepted with appreciation by both American and Japanese participants with no difference observed in macro strategies and minimal differences observed in micro strategies. However, this lack of difference is discussed as evident of global influences on pragmatics of different cultures. The findings of this study have implications for communication strategies related to compliments and for pragmatic instruction in teaching Japanese as a second/foreign language.</p>

No / L- and M-cone driven on- and off- ERG responses and their interactions were examined using full field stimuli with sawtooth temporal profiles. The effects of temporal frequency and contrast were studied. ERG recordings were obtained from 21 trichromatic, 1 protanopic, and 1 deuteranopic subjects. ERGs to L-cone increments and decrements resembled those to M-cone decrements and increments, respectively (i.e., of the opposite polarity). Temporal frequency and contrast had little effect on the implicit times. All response components varied linearly with contrast. When stimulated simultaneously, the responsivities of most components were larger for counterphase than for inphase modulation. The retinal processing leading to an ERG response is reversed for L- and M-cone driven responses.