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
The Process of Photography, The US Combat Veteran, and Somaesthetics: A Multi-case Study
(Brock University) Trzecak, Terry; Jaipal Jamani, Kamini; Department of Sociology
War fundamentally transforms the essence of existence. Whether directly or indirectly, war irreversibly alters the historical, present, and prospective futures of all humans affecting every facet of human life. Individuals who have not served, the adage, ‘war is hell,’ provides minimal understanding of the realities encountered by combatants. ‘War is hell’ transforms into ‘life is hell,’ illustrating the challenges that combat veterans encounter after military service. American combat veterans who served in the Wars on Terror in Afghanistan and/or Iraq (2001-2021), regardless of the duration since their military service encounter significant challenges in reintegrating into civilian life, affecting their physical, mental, and economic well-being. The maxim, 'living in the present,' is frequently seen as an effective remedy for rumination in numerous veterans' programs. Still, how do you do it? Many endure solitude, limiting their ability to obtain varied therapeutic interventions, particularly those centered on mindfulness, embodiment, and self-regulation.
This multi-case study of six US combat veterans sought to examine the usefulness of engaging in mindfulness through a series of photographic activities involving the deliberate act of photographing. This inquiry asked: What are the lived experiences and sensory responses of American combat veterans who utilize the process of photography as a mindfulness-based somatic strategy to facilitate their journey towards well-being? Using an inductive cross-case analysis process, three themes emerged. First, the shift towards well-being in civilian life encompassed three factors, including (a) participants were challenged in reconciling their military and civilian identities; (b) military training/experiences affected self-identity and health both positively and negatively; and (c) an ill-informed public perception negatively impacted the transitioning veteran. Secondly, participants reported achieving present moment awareness through mindfulness by engaging in the process of photography which involved perceiving physical sensations while deliberately exploring new perspectives via the camera. Moreover, the process of photography enabled participants to be more attentive to novel elements of their surroundings by freeing the mind from rumination. Finally, the process of photography was viewed by these participants as a practical tool for enhancing self-reflection via mindfulness and creative engagement, thereby serving as an appropriate support for promoting well-being.
Exploring the Structural, Magnetic, Optical, and Catalytic Properties of High-Spin Materials
(Brock University) Bakhshi, Hamed; Pilkington, Melanie; Department of Chemistry
This thesis explores the design, synthesis, and characterization of lanthanide-based
coordination frameworks (MOFs) and heterometallic 3d/4f complexes, with a focus on tunable
magnetic behavior, photophysical properties, and catalytic performance. Four complementary
research directions were pursued, each addressing key challenges in molecular magnetism,
luminescence and sustainable catalysis. The first project examines a family of isomorphous Dy(III),
Gd(III), and Tb(III)-MOFs constructed from 2',5'-bis(methoxymethyl)-[1,1':4',1''-terphenyl]-4,4''
dicarboxylic acid (H2L2.1). Systematic post-synthetic solvent exchange led to tunable structural
perturbations that profoundly affected the magnetic relaxation dynamics and photophysical
behavior of the Dy-MOF. Alternating current (ac) magnetic studies of the Dy-MOF series revealed
distinct relaxation pathways linked to subtle crystallographic changes. A second ligand, 2',5'
bis(ethoxymethyl)-[1,1':4',1''-terphenyl]-4,4''-dicarboxylic acid (H2L2.2), demonstrated how minimal
chemical modifications to the linker can afford new MOFs with conserved coordination geometries
and consistent magnetic and luminescent properties across the lanthanide series. These results
underscore the sensitivity of magnetic relaxation and energy transfer processes to both the
framework structure and local symmetry. In the second project, three novel, isostructural Dy-, Gd-
and Tb-MOFs were synthesized from 4,4′-(1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-diyl)dibenzoic acid (H₂TZDC). ac
magnetic studies revealed the MOFs exhibit complex temperature-dependent slow magnetic
relaxation, attributed to combined quantum tunneling (QTM), Orbach, and Raman mechanisms.
Notably, the Gd-based system displays rare frequency-dependent relaxation, rationalized by a small
axial anisotropy in the crystal field. Photoluminescence studies on this series of MOFs reveal
inefficient ligand-to-metal energy transfer, attributed to mismatched electronic energies. In the third
study a series of tetranuclear {Cu₄Ln₄} clusters assembled from the rac-mpzmH ligand are reported.
Magnetostructural studies reveal that weak Cu–Ln antiferromagnetic coupling, strong Cu–Cu
ferromagnetic interactions, and variations in the coordination geometries collectively govern the
magnetic behaviour. Field-induced slow relaxation was observed in the {Cu4Dy4} cluster, while the Tb
and Er analogues exhibited active QTM, effectively suppressing relaxation over the energy barrier
even in the presence of an external magnetic field. The photoluminescence was largely quenched by
the Cu(II) centers, although trace Ln-centered emission was observed in the {Cu4Tb4} cluster. These
results highlight the interplay between nuclearity, bridging geometry, and electronic structure in
determining the magnetic and optical properties. Project 4 focuses on heterometallic 3d/4f
complexes of the form [TM₂Ln(TX-TACN)]⁺ (TM(II) = Cu and Zn; Ln(III) = Gd, Dy, Tb, Eu and Ho); and TX
TACNH3 = N,N′,N″-tris(3,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) as catalysts for the
cycloaddition of CO₂ with epoxides. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that all the complexes
comprise of a linear TM–Ln–TM motif with a subtle variation in the coordination geometry dependent
upon the 3d ion. Catalytic studies showed that the Zn(II)-based complexes significantly outperform
their Cu(II) counterparts, achieving high turnover numbers and frequencies for propylene oxide
conversion. Selectivity studies using cyclohexene oxide demonstrate stereochemical control and
unique reactivity pathways. The catalytic performance varies with the 4f metal and counterion,
demonstrating the modularity and adaptability of these systems for green chemistry applications.
Teaching Teachers to Teach Thinking
Lane Clark
The purpose of this study was to enhance educators' understanding and ability to teach critical and creative thinking skills effectively. Through a conceptual analysis of relevant theories and pedagogical practices, this study synthesized effective methods for teaching and assessing these skills and developed a research-based self-assessment tool to help educators evaluate and improve their approaches. While this tool offers valuable support, it remains unvalidated and should be applied with caution until further testing is conducted. This study contributes to the literature by clarifying ambiguous terms and deepening the understanding of these complex concepts, providing a synthesis of academic literature from diverse studies and making this information more accessible for teacher reference and application. Ultimately, the self-assessment tool serves as a preliminary framework for teachers to refine their pedagogy, ensuring students are better equipped with essential skills for success both in and beyond school.
Understanding the effects of isoDGR in neurodegeneration
(Brock University) Ridhi Patel; Newman Siu Kwan Sze; Applied Health Sciences Program
With the global population aging, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia is increasing, emphasizing the urgent need to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms. Degenerative protein modifications (DPMs), including isoAsp-Gly-Arg (isoDGR) motif which is formed via spontaneous deamidation of NGR sequence, are increasingly recognized as contributors to age-related tissue dysfunction. Traditionally considered untreatable molecular damage, isoDGR has been shown to mimic integrin-binding motifs and trigger inflammatory responses, yet its role in neurodegeneration remains poorly understood.
In this study, we investigated the effects of isoDGR-motif on key brain cell types, including brain endothelial cells (bEnd3) and neurons (N2A) using in vitro models. IsoDGR exposure induced cellular senescence, characterized by increased β-galactosidase activity, elevated p16 and p53 expression, nuclear translocation of p27, and reduced Lamin B1 levels. We also observed enhanced oxidative stress, particularly mitochondrial ROS, and impaired cell proliferation. Importantly, isoDGR disrupted endothelial monolayer permeability by altering tight junction (ZO-1) and adherens junction (VE-Cadherin) protein expression, increasing permeability and impairing cell migration. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression was also increased in bEnd.3 cells. Together, these findings indicate that isoDGR promotes neuroinflammatory and neurovascular dysfunction, the hallmarks of neurodegenerative disease.
This thesis establishes isoDGR as a potential pathophysiological relevant driver of cellular dysfunction in the aging brain. Targeting DPMs such as isoDGR may represent a novel therapeutic approach to mitigate neurodegeneration and extend health-span.
The Relations Among Attentional Difficulties, Perfectionism, and Procrastination in Young Children
(Brock University) Maguire, Madeline; Mahy, Caitlin; Department of Psychology
Adults with attentional difficulties and adults who display certain aspects of perfectionism both show higher levels of procrastination (Niermann & Scheres, 2014; Sirois et al., 2017). Determining whether these relations are present early in the lifespan is crucial, as this would indicate that children with these tendencies are possibly at risk of experiencing the adverse outcomes of chronic procrastination (e.g., Beutel et al., 2016; Sirois et al., 2003). Therefore, the present study investigated the relations among attentional difficulties, perfectionism, and procrastination in preschool children. We also examined age as a potential moderator of these associations to determine whether they show stability across the preschool period. Finally, we explored whether self-control or emotion regulation mediate these relations, as theories suggest that deficits in these abilities drive adult procrastination (Sirois & Pychyl, 2013; Steel, 2007). Parents of 3- to 6-year-olds (N = 274; Mage = 33.6, SD = 5.8; 168 mothers) completed online questionnaires measuring their child’s procrastination tendencies (Fuke et al., 2023), attentional difficulties (Conners, 2009; McGoey et al., 2007), self-control (Gioia et al., 2003), and emotion regulation (Conners, 2009). Parents also completed a new questionnaire developed for the current study in which they reported on their child’s perfectionism. We found that while attentional difficulties and procrastination were positively correlated with each other, perfectionism and procrastination were negatively correlated with each other. Neither of these associations was moderated by children’s age, suggesting that both relations are relatively stable throughout the preschool years. In addition, the association between attentional difficulties and procrastination was partially mediated by self-control, but neither self-control nor emotion regulation mediated the association between perfectionism and procrastination. Since the current study was cross-sectional, future research should seek to examine these mediational pathways longitudinally. However, our findings provide evidence that children with attentional difficulties may benefit from intervention to reduce their procrastination, whereas children with perfectionistic tendencies may not demonstrate increased procrastination until later in development.