UVicSpace | Institutional Repository
UVicSpace is the University of Victoria’s open access scholarship and learning repository. It preserves and provides access to the digital scholarly works of UVic faculty, students, staff, and partners. Items in UVicSpace are organized into collections, each belonging to a community.
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Recent Submissions
Investigation of an uncharacterized RNA binding domain in the neurodevelopment-associated protein methyl CpG binding protein 2
(2026) Good, Katrina V.; Ausió, Juan
Mutations in the gene encoding methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) cause the progressive neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome (RTT), for which there is currently no cure. MeCP2 is characterized as having 5 domains, although pathogenic missense mutation ‘hotspots’ cluster in the protein’s Methyl DNA binding Domain (MBD), and the NCoR Interaction Domain (NID), indicating these regions as critical for MeCP2 function. Adding to this, The MBD and NID expressed together as a peptide in RTT mice alleviates their phenotypes. Altogether, the central view of MeCP2 function is to bind methylated DNA and recruit the NCoR complex to repress gene expression. This however ignores the dozens of known MeCP2-interaction partners that involve MeCP2 in nearly all nuclear processes, indicating that there is likely some unknown facet of MeCP2 biology that can reconcile these paradoxical data. A putative RNA Binding Domain (RBD) was identified that overlaps with the NID, yet the role that RNA interaction plays in MeCP2 function remains underexplored. The aim of the work presented in this thesis was to investigate RNA binding at this non-canonical RBD and identify how RNA interaction at this domain regulates MeCP2 function. Biochemical, biophysical, imaging, and immunoprecipitation approaches show that MeCP2-chromatin interaction is likely not regulated by RNA, but the MeCP2-protein interactome is modulated by RNA and the RBD, and interactions with the NCoR complex protein TBLR1 is negatively regulated by direct RNA interaction at the RBD. Cell-based and in vitro molecular assays were used to validate RNA interaction at the NID/RBD of MeCP2 to a dsRNA probe in vitro and to the lncRNA NEAT1_2¬ in cells. Intriguingly, all the evidence gathered indicates that the NID/RBD is not the only MeCP2 RBD, as its deletion does not totally abrogate RNA binding. The work is therefore left with many important knowledge gaps to fill in future directions, including where the other MeCP2 RBD(s) is/are and their relevance to MeCP2 function and RTT. The data presented herein however, validates regulatory RNA binding at a domain known to be pathogenically sensitive and therefore may be a key part of the pathophysiology of Rett syndrome.
Predicting rowing ergometer performance in novice female rowers
(1999) Davidson, Christopher R.; Gaul, Catherine Ann
The purpose of this study was to establish a means of predicting time to complete 2000m on the Concept II Rowing Ergometer from simple and easily conducted dry-land field tests for novice female rowers. Predicting 2000m ergometer time can help attract new athletes to the sport, provide information for pacing 2000m ergometer tests and finally provide coaches with simple, standardized dry-land talent selection procedures. The 2000m ergometer test has been used extensively in the literature and in practice to quantify the physical demands of the sport. However, ergometer testing may not always be practical when testing large numbers of inexperienced, novice rowers.
Twenty-eight female volunteers (12 high school aged, 16 university aged) performed 2000m ergometer tests at the beginning (Pl) and end (P2) of their first season of rowing, which lasted six weeks. They also performed a 20m shuttle run to assess absolute V02max (V02maxA), a vertical jump test, and a maximal upright row test at the beginning and end of the season. Anthropometric measures of height, weight, sitting height and armspan were also taken. The P 1 V02maxA for the whole sample of subjects was highly correlated with Pl and P2 2000m rowing ergometer time (r = .80, r =85). None of the other exercise tests or anthropometric data significantly strengthened the relationship. The relationships for the high school aged subjects were also strong (r = .85, r = .90) for the same variables. However, the relationships for the university aged subjects were not strong for the same variables (r = .52, r = .60) and did not meet the r2 standard required to create predictive equations for 2000m ergometer time. As a result, predictive equations for 2000m ergometer performance could only be developed for the whole sample and high school aged subjects. This study found that the 20m shuttle run can be used to predict future 2000m ergometer performance in novice high school female rowers.
This predictive information can be used to quantify the physical component of rowing talent. Success in rowing is also influenced by skill and psychological factors not examined in this study. Ultimately, predicting 2000m ergometer performance from 20m shuttle run can be useful to both athletes and coaches of high school aged athletes as a dry-land measure of rowing physical potential. Further investigation is required to examine the use of simple, easily conducted dry-land tests for the prediction of rowing ergometer performance in university aged novice rowers.
The effects of mesocycle structure on performance and resting norepinephrine in resistance trained males
(2002) Cole, Matt; Docherty, David
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a high volume resistance training overreaching protocol on resting norepinephrine and strength and power performance in resistance trained men. Ten subjects, aged 19-32 years old, were assigned to either a control nonperiodized group (n = 5) or an overreaching group (n = 5). Both groups trained according to a resistance training protocol for a period of 3 weeks, which was followed by a 1 week unloading microcycle. The non-periodized control group trained at a constant training volume (640 reps/wk) for the 3-week period, whereas the training volume for the overreaching group was increased from week to week (640-1536 reps/wk) which culminated with an overreaching protocol in week 3. Strength and power measures included a lRM bench press, lRM leg press, vertical jump, and medicine ball throw. These performance measures were recorded prior to the commencement of the mesocycle, and 48, 72, and 96 hours following the last training session. Nocturnal urinary samples were collected before the commencement of the mesocycle, at the end of each training week, and 96 hours and 1 week following the last training session. Significant (P<0.05) gains in lRM leg press were observed among both groups over the training period. Over the unloading period, again, significant gains were recorded across the trials, however these gains could not be differentiated between the two groups. Significant lRM bench press gains were recorded over the training period and unloading period, yet gains could not be differentiated between the non-periodized or overreaching groups. The medicine ball throw performance significantly decreased over the training period. This decrease was not distinguished between the two groups. Strength gains observed over the unloading period suggest the presence of residual fatigue and therefore support the use of periodic unloading periods when utilizing high volume resistance training regimens. No significant changes in resting norepinephrine levels were observed over the training period as well as over the unloading microcycle. This was true for both between groups and within groups across trials.
The integration index: using GIS to interpret the residential structure of Vancouver, British Columbia
(2001) Buck, Ian David; McCann, L. D.
The study of residential differentiation in Canadian cities since the Second World War has relied on the use of the Segregation Index and the Dissimilarity Index to measure the degree of residential differentiation in a city. The calculation of these indices relies on the aggregation of data by a pre-defined areal unit, most typically city wards or census traces. Much scholarly work has questioned the ability of these indices to adequately interpret spatial patterns, particularly because of the impact of the size of areal units on results. This thesis considers residential differentiation based on point data, that is, the precise residential location of people. These data are drawn from the manuscript records of the 1901 Census of Canada. Vancouver, British Columbia, is the case study. The analysis found chat in certain situations the Segregation and Dissimilarity indices were indeed difficult to interpret; and chat contrary to findings reported in the residential differentiation literature, there was much social integration in Vancouver when occupational class, ethnic group, and family type variables were examined. To better understand this mixing or intermingling in residential neighbourhoods, a new index - called the Integration Index - was devised. This index measures the average minimum distance between individuals in two groups of people, employing ArcView GIS software. When used in combination with the Segregation and Dissimilarity indices, the Integration Index furthers our comprehensive analysis of the spatial arrangement of people.
Adherence to a mental skill training program through self monitoring and contractual agreement
(1993) Bock, Susan; Howe, Bruce L.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self monitoring plus contractual agreement. upon the adherence to a relaxation training program. Data were collected from 32 students (13 male: 19 female) who were assigned to either a control or a treatment condition. which combined a self monitoring and contractual agreement intervention. Before implementing the training program. all subjects completed baseline measures of the Relaxation lnventory. and the biofeedback test of forearm flexor tension. All subjects attended a three week supervised relaxation training program. and were then retested on the baseline measures. This was followed by a six week unsupervised phase. during which the intervention was implemented among the treatment group. At the end of the program. final measures of the Relaxation lnventory and forearm flexor tension levels were recorded to attain confirmation of the self-reported adherence rates. Analysis of the data was conducted using a series of repeated measures MANOVAs for the subjects involved in all treatment and testing conditions. In addition. a series of one-way ANOVAs with repeated measures. and paired t-tests were conducted using the data for all subjects. Significant between group differences were found for the variables of adherence frequency and duration. F(1.30) = 6.04. p<.05. and F(1.30) = 6.14. p<.05 respectively. and significant time effects within the groups for the variables of adherence fre4uency and duration. F(1.30) = 4.88. p<.05, and F(1.30) = 4.04. p<.05 respectively. No significant between group differences were found for the Relaxation Inventory subscale scores. across all stages of testing. However. significant within group differences were found between various testing stages. The treatment group differed significantly on the Relaxation Inventory subscale of physical tension between tests 1 and 2 (t(15) = 1.71, p<.05), and test 1 and 3 (t(15) = 1.85. p<.05). and for the subscale physical assessment between tests 1 and 2 (t(15) = 1.92, p<.05). and tests 1 and 3 (t(15) = 2.02. p<.05). The control group differed significantly on the subscale of physical assessment between tests 1 and 2 (t(15) = 2.11. p<.05). and for the subscale of cognitive tension. between tests I and 2 (t(15) = 2.49. p<.05). o significance between group differences were found for the muscular tension stores at any of the testing stages. However. significant within group differences were demonstrated for the treatment group between tests 1 and 2: tests 2 and 3. and tests 1 and 3 (t(15) = -2.98. p<.01: t(15) = -2.25.
p<.02. and t(15) = -3.17. p<.01 respectively), and for the control group between rests 1 and 2. and tests 1 and 3 (t(15) = -3.70. p<.01: t(15) = -3033. p<.01 respectively). Finally, a significant between group difference was found for the variable of dropout rate, t(10) = 3.13. p<.01, with the control group demonstrating a significantly higher dropout total. It was concluded that self monitoring and contractual agreement were effective in enhancing adherence to the stipulated training program. but were ineffective 111 achieving desired performance outcome improvements as a result of the program.