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Microsatellites and microhaplotypes are genetic markers that, through DNA amplicon sequencing, generate genotypes to distinguish between individuals from wildlife populations. Here, these markers were sequenced in caribou (Rangifer tarandus) specimens using Oxford Nanopore's MinION DNA sequencer for the first time. Microsatellite loci previously sequenced with an Illumina MiSeq were compared to MinION Mk1B sequencing data for the same samples/loci, revealing highly consistent microsatellite characterization across platforms. Additionally, a novel panel of caribou microhaplotype loci was developed and sequenced on the MinION Mk1B and Illumina MiSeq. Microhaplotype characterization of the same samples revealed that ambiguous read distributions for the top 3 reads per locus is a key challenge, particularly for the MinION, that hinders concordant haplotype calls across platforms. Potential reasons for this ambiguity include duplicated gene regions and PCR errors. Removing suspected duplicated gene regions and reducing the number of PCR cycles during target DNA amplification may mitigate this problem.

Author Keywords: Conservation Genomics, DNA Profiling, Microhaplotypes, Microsatellites, Nanopore Sequencing, Wildlife Monitoring

Agricultural and urban land uses have been linked to the recent resurgence of eutrophication and salinization issues in the lower Great Lakes. This thesis examined the relationship between watershed land use and stream nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), total phosphorus (TP), and chloride (Cl) concentrations across southern Ontario. Using a self-organizing map analysis, the watersheds were classified into eight distinct spatial clusters, representing four agricultural, two urban, and two natural clusters. Agricultural clusters under intensive row crop agriculture exhibited NO3-N and TP concentrations up to twelve and five times higher, respectively, than the most natural-dominated cluster. Urban clusters had Cl concentrations up to nine times greater than the natural-dominated clusters. Three agricultural land use practices, namely continuous corn-soybean rotation, synthetic fertilizer application, and tile drainage, were positively correlated with stream NO3-N concentrations, whereas Cl concentrations increased with urban area and human population density. This thesis also characterized sampling trends of the provincial stream water quality monitoring program and found that sampling frequency has declined since the mid-1990s, while current sites are monitored almost exclusively during the ice-free period. Sampling year-round is critical to capture seasonal variations in NO3-N and Cl, while sampling across a full range of flow conditions is important for describing TP. Exclusion of sampling sites in close proximity of downstream municipal wastewater treatment plants and greenhouses can help isolate and better understand water quality impacts of non-point sources. Although intensive agricultural watersheds in southwestern Ontario draining into Lake Erie remain a priority for research and management, regions experiencing row crop expansion such as along the northern shore of Lake Ontario as well as rapidly urbanizing areas require further attention as these land use shifts will likely increase stream NO3-N and Cl concentrations, placing further pressure on water resources in the lower Great Lakes.

Author Keywords: Chloride, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Self-organizing map, Southern Ontario, Water quality

Diversified agroecosystems supporting greater genetic, structural, and functional diversity improve soil health and ecosystem function. However, there is limited understanding of how multiple forms of diversification, such as mixing cover crop species and adding arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), alter belowground carbon supply to soil. In a controlled environment experiment using rhizoboxes, I investigated the belowgound response of cover crops – red clover (Trifolium pratense) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) – grown in monoculture or mixture, with and without AMF inoculation. Root morphological and mycorrhizal traits that characterize the hypothesized root economics spectrum (RES) were integrated with novel sampling of dissoved organic carbon fluxes and easily extractable glomlin in rhizosphere soil. Results revealed species-specific shifts on the RES suggesting that diversification through species mixing and AMF additions can alter belowground carbon allocation pathways, with potential implacations for plant performance and soil carbon stabilization in agroecosystems.

Author Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, carbon sequestration, cover crops

Trait variation in wild populations is shaped by the interaction of genetics and the environment. Given these interactions, this thesis explored trait variation in white-tailed deer from two angles: one focused on broad-scale environmental factors, the other on fine-scale genetic mechanisms. The first chapter investigated how climate and habitat variation influence antler size, morphology, and the distribution of record-scoring deer across Ontario, Canada. Our results showed that warmer temperatures and higher percentages of rangeland and forest landcover were linked to larger antlers, while harsher winters with more precipitation had negative effects. The second chapter described the development of novel SNP assays designed to target genetic markers associated with leucism and malocclusions in an isolated island population of white-tailed deer. Together, these results highlight the importance of considering both environmental and genetic factors to understand trait variation in white-tailed deer.

Author Keywords: antlers, Odocoileus virginianus, phenotypic variation, Runs of homozygosity, white-tailed deer

There is a `universal' picture of a charged domain wall (CDW) in theoretical work, often depicted as residing in an infinite thickness film, charge neutral, and with no bias voltage applied. However, in experiment CDWs are shown with none of these assumptions. CDWs are produced in thin or ultra-thin films, the CDW is not charge neutral, and a bias voltage is being applied. We look to go beyond these assumptions. It was shown that a positively charged domain wall (DW) moves against an external electric field which is not expected. The free electron density was also shown to determine the DW displacement amount. When the film thickness is lowered (ultra-thin film) we get a negatively charged DW which still moves against an external electric field, which agrees with experiment of a CDW in a ultra-thin film. This suggests the charge on the DW does not determine displacement direction.

Author Keywords: charged domain wall, displacement

This thesis presents the design, synthesis, and evaluation of activated carbon polyacrylamide (AC-PAM) composites for oil sands tailings remediation, integrating flocculation and adsorption functionalities. Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) was employed to graft high molecular weight PAM brushes onto petroleum coke and commercial activated carbon, with SARA-ATRP yielding the most uniform architecture (Mn ≈ 5.2 kg/mol, Đ ≈ 1.25). Flocculation tests using mature fine tailings (MFT) revealed superior sedimentation and dewatering with SARA-ATRP composites, outperforming conventional PAM at lower dosages. Adsorption studies using benzoic acid and model naphthenic acids showed selective uptake governed by polymer brush morphology and molecular structure, with Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms best capturing the behavior of ARGET-ATRP composites. Post-flocculation assays confirmed reduced metal and polymer contamination, validating dual-function efficacy. These findings underscore petcoke's viability as a sustainable substrate and highlight controlled polymerization as a critical driver for tuning composite performance in industrial water treatment.

Author Keywords: Activated Carbon, Adsorption, Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Isotherm, Polyacrylamide

Due to climate change and managed care, birds may face interacting effects of novel diets and environmental temperatures. I examined how captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) responded to a 6-month acclimation to either thermoneutral or cool temperatures when provided with saturated or unsaturated fatty acid enriched diets. Body mass was lower on the unsaturated fatty acid diet, but only in cool conditions. Individuals in cool temperatures and saturated fatty acid enriched diets had heavier organs, but pectoralis mass and metabolic rate did not display an effect of diet. While birds on each treatments illustrated similar initial increases in plasma fatty acid unsaturation, composition and concentration of constituent fatty acid varied based on their diet and temperature. Individuals on the unsaturated fatty acid enriched diet and cool treatments had lower survivorship. Collectively, my research will allow researchers to better predict how birds will be impacted by shifting or novel environments.

Author Keywords: chronic acclimation, fatty acids, metabolic rate, Taeniopygia guttata, temperature, unsaturation

Beginning in the 1970s, games went from being trivial and innocuous elements of childhood culture to major touchstones of North American popular culture. Games came to symbolize the dangers of a rapidly shifting technological and cultural landscape. This led to a series of moral panics that were centered upon these new, often complex, and increasingly realistic games that were apparently a source of moral corruption for children and teenagers. This view of games as a moral hazard for young people was often taken up by the news and mass media, opening the path for many moral entrepreneurs to leverage 'common sense' Media Effects thinking and gamer stereotypes for their own personal gain. This thesis tracks the historical development of these interrelated phenomena from Death Race in 1976, the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, the Mortal Kombat hearings and finally to Doom and the Columbine Massacre in 1999.

Author Keywords: Media Effects, moral entrepreneurs, moral panic, realism, role-playing games, video games

Mnoomin (Wild Rice) is an important ecological and spiritual Being, and a highly nutritious food source with deep spiritual and cultural kinship to Anishinaabeg. Gathering and processing Mnoomin engages the whole body, mind, and spirit, providing access to culturally nutritious food/s that also sustain a healthy environment. However, settler colonialism has disrupted these practices, damaging environments and undermining treaty rights. Responding to expressed interests by Michi Saagiig harvesters for more research, community education, and support for Mnoomin bed restoration, this thesis discusses the role of Mnoomin in strengthening kinship, community, wellness, and ecological relationships. It also responds to earlier calls to contextualize colonialism in the field of Aging. Grounded in Anishinaabe Four Hills of Life Theory and Gerontological Life Course Theory, this research brings Indigenous and Western social science approaches into collaboration. Based on 12 years of learning with local harvesters, this work advocates grassroots efforts to protect rice beds under the guidance of Michi Saagiig Knowledge Holders.

Author Keywords: Aging, Community-Based, Intergenerational Relationships, Manoomin, Well-Being, Wild Rice

This thesis concerns the history of the Muhammad Ali Museum and Education Center (MAC) from 1992 to 2005. The MAC originated from the vision of Paul Bather, a local politician in Louisville, who proposed building it in 1992, incorporated it, and formed its Board of Directors in 1994. The planning of the MAC involved collaboration among Ali and his wife, Lonnie Ali, community leaders, local politicians, and architectural and design firms. This thesis will identify how Louisville's government helped create the MAC and how that connected to its larger efforts at boosting tourism in downtown Louisville from the late 1980s to the 2000s. It will also consider Lonnie Ali's involvement in creating the MAC, how the museum and cultural centre depicted the boxer, and how those parts of its history connect to the boxer's media portrayal since the late 1980s.

Author Keywords: Downtown Louisville, Lonnie Ali, Louisville, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali Center, Muhammad Ali Museum and Education Center