Brock University Digital Repository
Brock University's Digital Repository is an online archive showcasing and preserving the Brock community's scholarly output as well as items from the Library's Archives & Special Collections. Researchers can disseminate their work by depositing it in this Open Access repository, which provides free, immediate access to users while also allowing Brock scholars to track downloads and views of their scholarship. The Digital Repository is also the home of the Brock University E-Thesis Portal.
For more information, see the repository's policies and procedures.
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Recent Submissions
Investigating the Impact of the Current ADHD Diagnostic Process on Women in Canada
(Brock University) Henderson, Rachel; Dr Jan Frijters; Center for Applied Disability Studies
This thesis investigates the impact of Canada’s ADHD diagnostic process on women, focusing on systemic, gendered, and sociocultural factors that lead to delayed or missed diagnoses. Through a review of literature and interviews with women diagnosed in adulthood, the study examines seven themes: self-blame, systemic ableism, misogyny, reaching a breaking point, community importance, grief, and self-acceptance (Mowlem et al., 2019; Quinn & Madhoo, 2014). Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), feminist, and critical disability theories, the research explores intersectional barriers affecting women’s access to ADHD diagnosis and support in Canada (Smith et al., 2009). Findings indicate that current diagnostic criteria, designed around male presentations, often overlook women’s unique ADHD symptomology, resulting in underdiagnosis and misattribution to other conditions (American Psychiatric Association, 2022; Agnew-Blais et al., 2016). This often leads to emotional distress and inadequacy, compounded by societal expectations (French et al., 2019). The study advocates for gender-sensitive diagnostic criteria and support resources. Practical recommendations include healthcare education reforms, inclusive diagnostic tools, and peer support networks. This Canadian-focused research aims to enhance diagnostic practices and improve experiences for women with ADHD (Espinet et al., 2022).
The Utilization of Carbene Catalysis and Different Synthetic Strategies for Sydnone Construction
(Brock University) Ryan Dol; Department of Chemistry
Here, the synthesis of benzoin was conducted using carbene precatalyst bis(amino)cyclopropenylidene (BAC-H) with multiple different bases that are used in literature. It was determined that the combination of bases sodium hydride and KHMDS provided moderate yields of benzoin. Further optimization studies were then commenced to increase the yield followed by the investigation of the scope. Further, different catalytic strategies for the cyclization of sydnones were also investigated including the utilization of the Vilsmeier –Haak reagent and triphenylphosphine oxide to provide fast reactions and excellent yields. Both of these catalytic methods were optimized, and broad substrate scopes were demonstrated in high yields. These findings are supported by DFT studies and the calculations of the procedure’s green metrics.
Optimization Strategies for Enhancing Resource Efficiency in Transformers & Large Language Models
(Brock University) Wallace, Tom; Ombuki-Berman, Beatrice; Ezzati-Jivan, Naser; Department of Computer Science
Advancements in Natural Language Processing are heavily reliant on Transformer architectures, whose improvements come at substantial resource costs due to ever-growing model sizes. This study explores optimization techniques, including quantization, knowledge distillation, and pruning, focusing on energy and computational efficiency while retaining performance. Among standalone methods, 4-Bit quantization significantly reduces energy use with minimal accuracy loss. Hybrid approaches, like NVIDIA’s Minitron approach combining KD and structured pruning, further demonstrate promising trade-offs between size reduction and accuracy retention. A novel optimization framework is introduced, offering a flexible framework for comparing various methods. Through the investigation of these compression methods, we provide valuable insights for developing more sustainable and efficient LLMs, shining a light on the often-ignored concern of energy efficiency.
The role of semaphorin 3A signaling underlying learning and memory formation in the postnatal mouse brain
(Brock University) Gagnon, Zoe Elisabeth; Glasgow, Stephen; Department of Biological Sciences
Memory formation is largely mediated by changes to synapses, which are sites of communication found between neurons. Currently, the dominant experimental model that describes the cellular changes that occur during learning and memory is known as long-term potentiation (LTP). While some of the intracellular signaling cascades underlying learning and memory have been well-described, key molecular pathways remain less well understood. Semaphorins are a family of secreted and membrane-bound guidance cue proteins originally identified in the developing nervous system through their chemorepulsive action at growth cones. Growth cones are actin-rich structures found at the tips of neurites that eventually form synaptic connections, and semaphorins were shown to trigger collapse and retraction of these growth cones, altering the ability to form synaptic connections. Specifically, Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) is a secreted guidance cue protein implicated both in axonal, through the action at growth cones, and dendritic, through dendritic elongation and spine maturation, refinement. This occurs when Sema3A activates a holoreceptor complex composed of neuropilin-1 (NRP1) / PlexinA4 (PLXNA4), leading to changes in cytoskeletal architecture by way of altering collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2). Sema3A signaling has been studied extensively in the developing nervous system, though much less is known about its role in the adult brain. Specifically with respect to spatial learning, brain areas including the hippocampus and regions of the cortex have been implicated. Here, NRP1 and CRMP2 signaling are described across postnatal development in the mouse hippocampus and cortex, with protein expression decreasing after birth, increasing at day P28, and persisting into older adulthood. We also show that canonical Sema3A signaling is activated in the mouse hippocampus following spatial learning on a novel object place recognition (NOPR) task, suggesting that Sema3A signaling is critical for the consolidation of spatial information. Together, these findings suggest that Sema3A signaling continues to play a key role in the mature nervous system.
The Press, Volume 24, Issue 22, March 7, 1988
(1988-03-07) Pavelka, Rita (Editor); Kelly, Brian; Nesbitt, Mark (Arts); Gerber, Matt (Sports); Pellow, John (Photos); Woodward, Paula (Ad Manager); Wilson, Taylor (Circulation Manager); Arnold, Moira (Production Manager); Shaw, John K. (Illustrator); Haun, Richard (Typesetter); Carr, Sonja (Typesetter); Patey, Nina (Writer)
The Press, Volume 24, Issue 22 includes: Ontario university students march on Queen’s Park to protest underfunding. BUSU organizes buses for students to participate; Arcade machines in front of BUSU office have been smashed and robbed; Study results on what Brock students want to see at the university most. Photocopy centre and quiet study area highest on list; BUSU student centre referendum advertising costs $1700; “Why Being A Feminist Might Be A Good Idea In The ‘80s And ‘90s”; Full list of Press collective members