title: Emplacement of sharp-walled sulphide veins during reactivation of impact-related structures at the Broken Hammer Mine, Sudbury, Ontario

subject:
Sudbury footwall deposit
Broken Hammer
impact cratering
crater modification
crater floor fractures
reactivated syn-impact fractures
Cu-Ni-PGE deposits

abstract:
Broken Hammer is a hybrid, Cu-Ni-Platinum Group Element (PGE) footwall deposit in the North
Range of the ca. 1.85 Ga Sudbury impact structure. The sulphide vein system and associated low
sulphide PGE mineralization were mined as an open pit operation over a 15-month period,
providing a unique opportunity to study a complete 90-meter vertical section across a footwall
deposit. The deposit is hosted within Archean basement rocks and impact-induced Sudbury
breccia, 1.5 km north of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) – basement contact. The low sulphide
mineralization consists of disseminated to blebby chalcopyrite (<5%), minor pyrite, chalcocite,
galena, sphalerite and platinum group minerals, associated with Ni-bearing chlorite overprinting
alteration patches of epidote, actinolite and quartz. The veins comprise massive chalcopyrite and
minor magnetite, chalcocite, millerite, and rare sperrylite, surrounded by thin epidote, actinolite
and quartz selvedges. They are grouped into five, steeply-dipping, NE-, SW-, SE-, S- and EWstriking sets, which intersect in a common line controlling the plunge (60°) and trend (220°) of ore
shoots. The veins were emplaced along syn-impact fractures that were reactivated multiple times
during stabilization of the impact crater floor. Early reactivation of the fractures created pathways
for the migration of hydrothermal fluids from which quartz and chlorite precipitated sealing the
fractures. Renewed slip and reactivation shattered the quartz-chlorite veins into fragments that
were incorporated in massive sulphide veins that crystallized from strongly fractionated sulphide
melts or high temperature (400°C-500°C) hydrothermal fluids which migrated outward into the
basement rocks from a cooling and crystallizing impact melt sheet represented by the SIC.
Hydrothermal fluids syn-genetic with the epidote-actinolite-quartz alteration distributed the PGE
into the footwall rocks, or late hydrothermal fluids associated with the Ni-bearing chlorite leached
Ni and PGM’s from the sulphide veins and re-distributed them within the footwall rocks, forming the low-sulphide high-PGE mineralization. During post-impact tectonic events, reactivation and
slip at temperatures below the brittle-ductile transition for chalcopyrite (<200°C-250°C) produced
striations along the vein margins. The Broken Hammer deposit exemplifies how Cu-Ni-PGE
footwall deposits formed by the reactivation of syn-impact fractures that provided conduits for the
migration of melts and hydrothermal fluids.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Geology


title: The effects of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in high school physical education classes, school sports and community sports on future sports and physical activity participation: a retrospective study

subject:
Homophobia
Transphobia
Physical Education
Gender
Sexuality
Rural
Northern Ontario
School Sports
Sports

abstract:
LGBTQ2-S-phobia is still present within physical education (PE) classes, school sports
and community sports. According to Denison and Kitchen (2015), one in five participants
reported that PE classes are the most homophobic sporting environment. This mixed method
retrospective survey seeks to examine the effects of LGBTQ2-S-phobia in high school PE
classes, school and community sports on future sports and physical activity participation along
with identifying whether gender and geographical locations are factors in the experiences in
which individuals witnessed or had LGBTQ2-S-phobic events in these environments. Results
show that PE classes in high schools represent a higher proportion of LGBTQ2-S-phobia than
school sports and community sports. Furthermore, those who identify as male and that attended
high school in Northern Ontario were faced with higher levels of LGBT2-S-phobia. Some
experiences in these specific geographical areas discouraged some individuals to pursue physical
activity and sports participation.

abstract: Maitrise en Kinésie Humaine (MKH)


title: Programme de soutien et d'engagement pour les parents nouvellement arrivés dont les enfants fréquentent les écoles de langue française en Ontario

subject: immigration intégration interculturel identité

abstract:
Le présent mémoire porte sur l’élaboration d’un programme de soutien et
d’engagement pour les parents immigrants nouvellement arrivés dont les enfants
fréquentent ou fréquenteront des écoles de langue française de l’Ontario. Le
programme est composé de sept séances. Par l’entremise d’activités interactives,
variées et diversifiées, le programme pourrait aider ces parents à mieux comprendre
le fonctionnement de la société nord-américaine, ainsi que son système d’éducation
qui est différent de celui de leur pays d’origine. Par ce programme, les parents seront
ainsi mieux informés des ressources existantes dans le milieu scolaire et pourront
établir un réseau d’échange avec les autres parents participant au programme. Ce
programme leur apportera un soutien et leur permettra de s’engager davantage dans la
vie scolaire de leurs enfants ou de leurs adolescentes et adolescents.
Grâce à ma trajectoire de vie personnelle et professionnelle en tant qu’immigrante,
ainsi qu’à l’aide d’une recension exhaustive des écrits, j’ai pu cerner les multiples
enjeux et les défis auxquels se heurtent les parents nouvellement arrivés et qui
peuvent retarder leur intégration dans le pays d’accueil, soit le Canada. Par ailleurs, le
cadre théorique du programme utilise deux approches, une approche féministe
intersectionnelle et une approche interculturelle. La combinaison de ces approches
permet de mieux comprendre comment un ensemble de conditions sociales
influencent et façonnent l’expérience des parents nouvellement arrivés, et engendrent
des défis qui compliquent leur intégration et leur engagement dans le milieu scolaire
de leurs enfants. Finalement, en nous inspirant du modèle de Ricardo Zúñiga (1994),
nous avons pu analyser les enjeux de chaque séance et créer les activités nécessaires
basées sur la réflexion et la conscientisation pour répondre aux besoins des parents
nouvellement arrivés.

abstract: Maîtrise en service social


title: Deposition and characterization of mesoporous silica coatings on magnesium alloys

publisher:
Laurentian University of Sudbury
Laurentian University of Sudbury

subject:
Biomaterials
biodegradable
mesoporous silica coating
magnesium alloys

abstract:
In recent years, magnesium and magnesium alloys have received much attention as a new biomaterial in orthopaedic applications due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and their mechanical properties that are similar to natural bone tissue. The most common problem associated with magnesium as a biomaterial is low corrosion resistance in physiological solutions. This decreases the mechanical integrity of the implants in the early stages of healing and has a negative impact on the overall biocompatibility. The main goal of this study was to create a multi-layered coating consisting of a silica sol-gel under-layer to protect the substrate from corrosion in body fluids and a mesoporous silica top-layer to enhance the bioactivity of the coated implant material.
The results indicate that the deposited multi-layered coating enhances both the bioactivity and the corrosion resistance of the material.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Sciences


title: Applying teeline shorthand using leap motion controller

subject:
Human-computer interaction
teeline shorthand
leap motion controller
dynamic time warping
hand gesture recognition

abstract:
A hand gesture recognition program was developed to recognize users’ Teeline
shorthand gestures as English letters, words and sentences using Leap Motion
Controller. The program is intended to provide a novel way for the users to interact
with electronics by waving gestures in the air to input texts instead of using keyboards.
In the recognition mode, the dynamic time warping algorithm is used to compare the
similarities between different templates and gesture inputs and summarize the
recognition results; in the edit process, users are able to build their own gestures to
customize the commands. A series of experiment results show that the program can
achieve a considerable recognition accuracy, and it has consistent performance in face
of different user groups.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Computational Sciences


title: The effects of perfectionism on decisional delay under conditions of perceived risk

subject:
perfectionism
decision-making
decisional delay
stress reactivity
selection difficulty

abstract: The present study sought to explore and expand the knowledge regarding the fairly novel body of literature looking at perfectionism and the decision-making process called decisional delay. More specifically, this study begins to examine the potential influence of perfectionism on indicators of decisional delay, selection difficulty, and stress reactivity involved in decision-making processes. This study examined the predictive relationships between perfectionism, decisional delay, selection difficulty and stress reactivity in a sample of undergraduate students (N = 90) following random assignment to one of two (low, high) risk conditions on a reward selection decision-making task. Overall, analyses showed that dimensions of perfectionism carried mixed predictive abilities for selection difficulty and stress reactivity on a decision-making task. Patterns of results indicated that those higher in dimensions that encompass critical self-evaluations, concerns with error, and threat of failure, were predictive of increases in difficulties deciding and heightened stress. Moreover, results showed that the perfectionism dimension characterized by personal standards, which arguably contains adaptive capacities, was not predictive of selection difficulty and stress reactivity. Finally, findings demonstrated that perfectionism was not predictive of the reaction time decisional delay indicator. The results are discussed in terms of practical implications, as well as future directions.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Applied Psychology


title: Attitudes of registered nurses, allied health professionals, and clerical staff towards multi-disciplinary teamwork

subject:
ulti-disciplinary teamwork
Teamwork
Attitudes
Situation monitoring

abstract:
Although teamwork is essential for quality care, outcomes based on successful teamwork are
seldom achieved in healthcare. Negative attitudes prevent effective teamwork; therefore, it is
important to explore attitudes of all members towards multi-disciplinary teamwork.
This research investigated attitudes held by health professionals and staff of the Group Health
Centre regarding multi-disciplinary teamwork and investigated if a relationship exists between
work experience and attitudes towards teamwork.
A descriptive correlational design was used. Data was gathered using the TeamSTEPPS
Teamwork Attitude Questionnaire (T-TAQ). The T-TAQ assesses attitudes towards validated
constructs of teamwork.
Team members of the Group Health Centre have positive attitudes towards teamwork. The
registered nurses do not have different attitudes compared to their colleagues from other health
sciences or staff. However, clerical staff presents differences with respect to the constructs of
situation monitoring and communication. There is no relationship between work experience and
attitudes. These results have important implications for teams in primary care, specifically, the
Group Health Centre.

abstract: Master of Science (MSC) in Nursing


title: Examination of gene deletion as a mechanism of RBM5 downregulation in tobacco smoke-associated lung cancer

subject:
RBM5
non-small cell lung cancer
gene copy number
gene deletion
expression
tobacco smoke exposure
smokers
never-smokers

abstract:
RBM5 is a tumour suppressor gene with substantially decreased expression in most lung cancers,
especially in smokers, that may result from gene deletion. The objective of this study was to
determine if significantly decreased levels of RBM5 expression in the lung cancers of smokers
was related to RBM5 deletion. Using DNA from patient lung tissue, RBM5 gene copy number
was quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Although deletions were detected in
the lung specimens, RBM5 gene copy number was not significantly decreased in lung tumours.
RBM5 deletions were detected in the non-tumour DNA of smokers, but not in the never-smokers,
indicating that RBM5 gene deletion might be related to smoking. In conclusion, it appeared as
though RBM5 was downregulated by more than one mechanism, which included gene deletion.
Further analyses must be carried out to examine other mechanisms by which RBM5 is
downregulated.


title: Gold mineralization in the Missanabie-Renabie district of the Wawa subprovince (Missanabie, Ontario, Canada)

subject:
hydrothermal gold
economic geology
structural geology
geochemistry

abstract:
The geological processes responsible for the formation of hydrothermal gold deposits are often equivocal. For example, gold-bearing, shear zone-hosted laminated quartz veins in the Missanabie-Renabie gold district (Archean Wawa subprovince, Ontario, Canada) have been interpreted as both intrusion-related and metamorphic-hydrothermal in origin.
The veins were mined at the past-producing Renabie mine, which yielded ~1.1 Moz of gold during production from 1941-1991. Whereas the intrusion-related interpretation links the veins to magmatic-hydrothermal fluids released during the crystallization and solidification of their hosting tonalitic pluton, the metamorphic interpretation suggests the veins were deposited from hydrothermal fluids produced during greenschist-facies metamorphism. This study integrates detailed structural field mapping with a number of geochemical techniques to unravel the evolution of the historically controversial ore zones. Results suggest that: (1) the laminated veins and their alteration envelopes pre-date regional deformation, and spatially localized later shear zones, which subsequently focused hydrothermal activity resulting in the formation multistage, composite ore zones; (2) the laminated veins formed during an early, intrusion-related gold event, and the later, co-spatial hydrothermal events are orogenic in nature, and thus more likely to be the products of metamorphic fluids; and (3) discriminating intrusion-related from orogenic events requires constraints provided by geological field mapping. Whereas pressure-temperature information from fluid inclusions and U-Pb geochronology facilitate discrimination, the geochemical signatures of the different hydrothermal events are largely overlapping and do not aid in classification.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Geology


title: Discours nationalitaires ou cacaphonie discursive? De nouveaux référents identitaires des francophones de Sudbury, 1968-1975.

subject:
Identité franco-ontarienne
Canada français
Sudbury
le Voyageur
Réaction
journaux
Université Laurentienne
nord de l’Ontario
Nouvel-Ontario
Église catholique
référents
bilinguisme
autonomie institutionnelle

abstract: Cette thèse cherche à revoir comment les francophones minoritaires de Sudbury se sont adaptés aux remaniements identitaires découlant de la rupture du Canada français. L’historiographie a laissé entendre que l’identité collective franco-ontarienne s’était concrétisée à la fin des années 1960 et au début des années 1970 avec peu de contestation de la part des acteurs qui la modelaient. Par l’entremise d’une analyse journalistique, notre étude révèle qu’il existait en fait une variété de référents identitaires, dont certains étaient plus contestés que d’autres. Bien que les Canadiens-Français de la région aient acquis une certaine autonomie institutionnelle bien plus tôt, celle-ci demeurait largement attachée au projet national canadien-français. Pendant la période à l’étude, les institutions de langue française deviendront davantage un reflet de la région et de ses francophones que celui des projets « nationaux » d’Ottawa. Les francophones de Sudbury réfléchissent également à leur langue : la place de la langue familière, à laquelle s’associaient les jeunes francophones, ne faisait pas l’unanimité alors que le bilinguisme individuel était accepté par tous et que le bilinguisme institutionnel était carrément rejeté. Finalement, ils délaissaient la religion catholique comme référent et comme institution, même s’ils la gardaient largement comme foi. Globalement, le travail permet de comprendre qu'on n’assistait ni à une transformation totale de la référence canadienne-française, ni à une adoption totale de référents franco-ontariens, mais plutôt à une multiplication des référents; un genre d’entre-deux où les référents n’étaient pas nécessairement partagés par l’ensemble des Franco-Ontariens de Sudbury.


title: Utilization of coal fly ash and grape waste to remove toxic metal ions in mining waste waters

subject:
coal fly-ash
adsorption
tailing pond water
metal ions

abstract:
In recent years, the studies of a variety of inexpensive adsorbents as alternative to the
expensive activated carbon have received a lot of attention. The purpose of my research was
primarily focused on the modification of Thunder Bay coal fly ash, the characterization of the
pristine and modified fly ash and the application of modified fly ash for removal of metal ions
from mine wastewater. Adsorption by grape wine material (GWM) was also investigated though
not completed.  Modification at low and elevated temperatures with 2.0 M NaOH yielded improvement in
surface area, pore volume and cation exchange capacity. However, low-temperature modification
was pursued leading to very efficient adsorbents named TBRM and TBFZ compared to the original
fly ash named TB. The modified and unmodified fly ash was characterized using different
techniques including ICP-OES, X-ray diffraction, specific surface analysis (Brunauer-Emmet-
Teller), particle size distribution analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Surface area analysis
revealed an increase of specific surface area from 1.24 (TB) to 64.34 (TBRM) and 68.98 (TBFZ)
m2/g, respectively. Likewise, porosity was also induced in the modified fly ash. Cation exchange
capacities were determined as 1.94, 23.48 and 29.23 meq/g for TB, TBRM and TBFZ,
respectively. SEM-EDS and XPS were employed to confirm the adsorption of metal cations on
the surface of the adsorbents.  The performance of TBRM and TBFZ for the removal of Cu2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Cr3+, Co2+ and
Cd2+ from a synthetic cocktail solution (SCS) and tailing pond water (TPW) was compared to that
of TB. Results indicated TBRM and TBFZ were more efficient in both SCS and TPW. A batch
method was used to study the influential parameters of the adsorption process including contact
time, pH effect, and kinetics and adsorption isotherms. Column studies were done to compliment
the batch mode approach. Regeneration of TBFZ revealed a possible 3-cycle application.  The equilibrium data were generally modeled by the Langmuir and Freundlich models.
Also, the pseudo-second order model was found to explain the adsorption kinetics most effectively.
Thermodynamic studies of Ni2+ and Cu2+ with TBFZ in SCS revealed that the adsorption process
was spontaneous although endothermic with a decrease in entropy.  The most efficient adsorbent TBFZ was converted into innovative concrete foam composite
material TBFZ:FA:BA 0.22:0.33:0.45, for adsorption studies. Preliminary studies revealed a
removal of more than 95 % of Cu2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Cr3+, Co2+ and Cd2 in both SCS and TPW after 6
h of contact. However, the regeneration of TBFZ:FA:BA 0.22:0.33:0.45 was inefficient and
further investigation ought to be carried out.
Overall, the results indicate a significant potential of the modified Thunder Bay fly ash as
an inexpensive and effective adsorbent for the removal of toxic metals from mine wastewater.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Materials Science


title: L’impact des normativités organisationnelles et professionnelles sur la santé psychique des travailleurs sociaux: enjeux pour la pratique du travail social

subject:
travailleuses sociales
travailleurs sociaux
souffrance psychique au travail
souffrance morale au travail,
autonomie professionnelle
jugement professionnel

abstract:
Dans le but de mesurer l’impact des normativités organisationnelles et professionnelles sur la santé psychique des travailleurs sociaux, avons été amené à vérifier la validité de plusieurs sources théoriques et empiriques servant à décrire les causes structuro-organisationnelles de la souffrance psychique, les répercussions qui découlent des conditions de travail difficiles, voire les moyens auxquels les travailleurs sociaux ont recours pour y faire face. Travailler comme nous l’avons fait sur la relation entre l’organisation du travail et la santé psychique de professionnels du secteur de la santé et des services sociaux nous a permis d’identifier et de mettre à l’épreuve des constructions discursives communément admises en matière de souffrance au travail. En effet, depuis la reconfiguration de l’action publique amorcée par la nouvelle gestion publique à la fin des années 1980, la recension des écrits en Europe et en Amérique du Nord sur le sujet établit des liens entre la managérialisation des services de santé et des services sociaux et l’émergence de déterminants structuro-organisationnels capables d’interpeller à des degrés variables les travailleurs sociaux sur ce qu’ils font, sur ce qui a de l’importance pour eux, sur les responsabilités et les obligations qui sont les leurs dans leur travail, voire sur les activités professionnelles qu’ils veulent offrir dans leur travail. En fournissant un type d’analyse qui propose un point d’ancrage axé sur les normativités en collision et qui sont susceptibles de produire de la souffrance psychique chez les professionnels, nous avons pu remettre en question cet imposant présupposé théorique voulant qu’à cause de conditions de travail dites difficiles, l’exercice de la profession est marquée par la souffrance chez tous les professionnels, pour les mêmes motifs, et en même temps. Grâce à la participation de 1188 travailleurs sociaux en provenance du Québec ou de l’Ontario, les résultats de cette recherche permettront d’alimenter
iv
les débats en matière de souffrance au travail et, surtout, de faire ressortir l’importance de la prise en compte des enjeux normatifs qui préoccupent les professionnels dans l’exercice de leur fonction au sein des organismes du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux. Dont celui qui réclame de ces derniers une attention particulière : la façon qu’ils ont ou auront de s’approprier les objectifs visés dans leurs interventions et les conditions du rapport qu’ils veulent instaurer avec celles et ceux qui font appel à eux pour atteindre un mieux-être, avec les organisations et la société.

abstract: Doctoral Theses


title: An analysis of perceptual fluency and sexuality schemas: the effect on ratings of relatedness and processing speed

subject:
Perceptual fluency
schema
sexuality
Implicit Association Test

abstract:
This study looked at how response times and ratings of relatedness were impacted by congruency
and fluency of stimuli. It was predicted that when information was presented in the fluent or
congruent conditions, response times would be faster than for information that was presented in
the incongruent or disfluent conditions. It was also hypothesized that the slowdown effect
associated with incongruent category label pairings would be eliminated through the
manipulation of fluency. The prediction was also made that ratings of relatedness would be
lower for category labels that were presented disfluently or incongruently than labels presented
fluently or congruently.
The congruency by fluency interaction displayed support for the first and second
hypothesis. There was a significant difference in response times between the Congruent/Fluent
and Incongruent/Disfluent conditions in Group 1. Another interesting finding was that the
response times for the Congruent/Disfluent and Incongruent/Fluent conditions in Group 2 had no
significant difference, indicating that the typical slowdown caused by the incongruent condition
had been eliminated. The third hypothesis, related to attribute ratings, was supported by the main
effect of congruency and the interaction between congruency and sexuality. These results
demonstrated that when presented congruently paired labels were rated as more related than
incongruently paired labels. Therefore, these results suggest that fluency can impact response
times through the use of the sexuality IAT. Future studies should analyze whether sexuality
schemas vary for different ages and whether the current results hold true for different age groups


title: Temperature modeling and control of the sulfuric acid plant in an industrial smelter

subject:
steady-state model
process variables
controlled variables
feed gas flow rate
SO2 concentration
Clean AER project
temperature control
acid plant

abstract:
Roasting, smelting and converting are pyrometallurgical techniques used to eliminate gangue
rock from sulfide ores and produce a saleable metal product. Due to the large amount of sulfur
present in sulfide ores, the off-gas produced from pyrometallurgical processing is laden with
sulfur dioxide (SO2). Production of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), from off-gas laden with SO2 is one
of the methods used at smelters to reduce the amount of SO2 being released into the
atmosphere. The acid plant consists mainly of a catalytic converter, absorption towers and a
network of heat exchangers. SO2 is converted to sulfur trioxide (SO3) which is absorbed to
produce a sulfuric acid product. Efficient oxidation of SO2 occurs within a tight temperature
range so heat exchangers equipped with bypass valves are used to regulate the temperature
throughout the acid plant.  In this dissertation, a steady-state model is developed from fundamental steady-state mass and
energy balances. The steady-state model provides a relation between the process variables and
the temperature of the outlet streams of the heat exchangers. Unknown variables are estimated
using industrial operating data. The steady-state model is used to investigate the effect of
process variables on the controlled variables. The disturbance variables that have the largest
effect on the process are the feed gas flow rate and the SO2 concentration. The results provide
useful information since with recent process modifications that are part of the Clean AER
project, variations in the feed gas flow rate and SO2 concentration will increase. The effects of
the manipulated variables were also investigated which provides a foundation of understanding for process control. The results of the investigation of the effect of process variables on the
controlled variables were quantified by calculating the steady-state gains.
The dynamics of the process were investigated through analyzing the industrial operating data.
The output variables do not vary simultaneously with changes in the input variables. The
correlation coefficients were determined for the variables. The correlation coefficient between
variables provides an estimate of how much influence the input variables have on the output
variables. Delayed correlation analysis was performed to explore the process dynamics.
Dynamic models were identified using industrial operating data with and without prior
information supplied using the System Identification toolbox in Matlab. Providing the steadystate gains and an estimate of the process time constants to the System Identification toolbox
greatly improved the identified model. The dynamic model was validated by comparing the
model-estimated output and the output from industrial operating data.  Temperature control within the acid plant is a multiple-input-multiple-output control problem.
Bristol’s Relative Gain Array and Singular Value Analysis are used to determine the most
effective pairing of variables. A feedforward-feedback control scheme for temperature
regulation is explored. Simulations for major disturbances, such as flow rate and SO2
concentration of the feed gas, are carried out using two alternative controller pairings. The
results of the simulations are reviewed and the advantages of each controller pairing are
discussed.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) in Natural Resources Engineering


title: An EPR and DFT investigation of the products formed in the reaction of group 11 metal atoms with three-membered heterocyclic compounds

subject:
EPR
DFT
Metal atoms
Heterocyclic Compounds

abstract:
Transition metals have been shown to be efficient catalysts in a variety of organic reactions. In particular, Group 11 metals have emerged as essential components in the carboxylation or metal-catalyzed ring expansion of three-membered heterocyclic compounds. Previous reports have speculated the presence of short-lived metal-substrate complexes and metallacyclic intermediates along the reaction path, yet to date there is no
direct evidence for their existence.
Using cryogenic matrix isolation EPR spectroscopy, we were able to characterize several highly reactive intermediates formed in the reactions of Group 11 metal atoms,
Cu, Ag, and Au, with small, strained, heterocyclic compounds, namely, oxiranes,
thiiranes, and aziridines. Experimental data indicates that the major products formed are mononuclear metal complexes, M-XCH2CH2 (X = O, S or NH). In addition, reaction
mixtures containing Cu atoms and oxiranes or thiirane yield novel metallacycles, i.e.,
cupraoxetane and cuprathietane, respectively. DFT calculations were also used to support the structural assignments of the M-XCH2CH2 complexes.


title: Parametrized simulation of charge drift and collection in the nEXO TPC

subject:
nEXO
TPC
simulation
charge drift
charge diffusion
charge tiles
error function

abstract:
For the purpose of creating a computationally fast and light-weight simulation of charge
drift, diffusion, and collection in the nEXO TPC, a numerical Python package was developed
which implements two different models. The models implemented are: diffusion via fragmentation of a charge cloud into point charges, and diffusion via integration of the idealized
Gaussian distribution across the anode’s charge-collection pads. Both methods are described
in detail, and the latter is compared to a more detailed simulation

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Physics


title: Clinical applications of the quantitative electroencephalograph

subject:
Brain injuries.
Quantitative electroencephalograph
QEEG
Neuropsychological tests

abstract: Clinical psychology is a discipline that assesses and treats individuals experiencing a variety of psychological disorders; including brain injuries. Employing neuroimaging tools can reveal biological correlates that have not been previously studied in detail. The quantitative electroencephalograph (QEEG) is a dynamic neuroimaging tool that allows for the measurement of brain activity. QEEG source localization analysis has provided additional construct validity for neuropsychological tests by revealing increased activation in the associated brain regions. In addition, differences in resting brain activity have been found depending on the severity of neuropsychological impairment. Finally, enhancement of memory in normal individuals is shown by applying a weak physiologically-patterned electromagnetic field over the left hemisphere. Therefore, by integrating the QEEG with elements of clinical psychology it is possible to provide construct validity to neuropsychological tests, show differences in brain activation depending on the severity of neuropsychological impairment, and study emerging therapeutic techniques that could enhance memory.

abstract: Masters of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Characterization of seismic sources using sequential spatial clustering and fractal dimension

subject:
mining
seismicity
fractal dimension
sequential spatial clustering

abstract:
Despite years of research, unexpected seismic events in mines continue to cause damage and loss
to people, equipment, infrastructure, and reserves. This research uses novel approaches to
characterize the locations, times, and intensity of seismic events for four known seismic sources.
The seismic source case studies are the development of a ramp, the abutments around a zone of
stopes, a failing stope pillar, and a shear zone adjacent to an orebody. Each seismic source is
characterized by sequential spatial clustering, and the fractal dimension of the seismic source
parameters of location, time and intensity. The novel application of sequential spatial clustering
preserves the sequence of events within a cluster. The method can be used at any point in time
which means as a rock mass changes the seismic response is expressed and identified very early on.
Once identified, it allows the opportunity for investigation and decision making to take place as the
rock mass changes in an unexpected manner. The application of fractal dimension to seismic
source parameters revealed that the fractal nature of a parameter is not infinite but exists within a
range. The fractal range reflects the character of a seismic source. If some events occur outside
the fractal range they also provide important information about the history of the seismic source
that occur less often than the fractal range but are still possible. This research has expanded the
knowledge of when, where, and how intense seismic events can be expected for four seismic
sources using a new sequential spatial clustering method and fractal dimension characterization.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Natural Resources Engineering


title: Infrastructural architecture: social design for the public realm in underground transit systems

subject:
public transit
urban infrastructure
ocial architecture
the public realm
subways
rapid mass transit
station design
functionalism
social justice
urban sociology
underground architecture
Toronto
event space
busking
social accessibility
Jane Jacobs
Richard Sennett
New York City Subway

abstract:
There’s a certain allure and poeticism to
mass transit, from buses, to streetcars, and trains.
It’s curious that a strictly infrastructural marvel
of engineering houses such an honest and diverse
application of shared architecture, mutual in it’s
urban scope. In many ways, the architecture of
these utilitarian transit spaces (subways most
notably), are comparable in their role to that of
the public square, court, or forum. There is an
untold architectural relationship within these
urban environments between subways as a space
of movement, and as a place of activity.
This thesis aims to re-examine subways
under this lens. To posit that subways offer more
to the urban fabric than a functional vessel for
movement, and are indeed vital at providing
opportunity for social life to flourish in an urban
context. Questions of democratizing space, spatial
legitimacy, functionalism, and the dichotomy
between space and place, arise when examining
these constructs of subterranean infrastructure.
These relationships will be explored by
studying and reimagining a particular site along
the City of Toronto’s subway system, specifically;
Spadina Station. It is the intersection of both the
University-Yonge Line, the Bloor Line, as well as
the terminal to the Spadina Avenue streetcar. The
key methods of research for this study include
studying, drawing, and photographing the space
to better understand it’s prescriptive needs, and
to inform a modified architectural response and
proposal.
Ultimately, this project aims to be didactic in its thinking with regards to infrastructural
architecture through proposal work. The core of
transit is the people who use it, and it must be understood that these people interact socially with
their surroundings, far beyond just the isolated
motions of coming and going. We must ask how
utilitarian infrastructure can shift it’s functional
role in cities to reclaim the public realm as a space
of communal activity, and shared program.

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: Exploring how indigenous healing practices and a western treatment model “seeking safety” can co-exist in assisting indigenous peoples to heal from trauma and addiction

subject:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
substance use disorder
IGT
blended implementation
Two-Eyed Seeing
Seeking Safety
Indigenous healing practices
decolonizing methodologies
Indigenous worldviews
sharing circles
Elders

abstract: Background: Indigenous communities in Canada face significant challenges with trauma and substance use disorders (SUD). Most Elders, traditional healers and Indigenous scholars agree that connecting to culture, land, community, and spiritual practices is a pathway to healing trauma and SUD in Indigenous peoples. The purpose of this study was to explore whether the blending of Indigenous healing practices (IHP) and a mainstream treatment model, Seeking Safety (SS), resulted in a reduction of intergenerational trauma (IGT) symptoms and SUD. The SS model has been studied in other populations but there was no evidence of its effectiveness with Indigenous peoples. Some studies have shown the positive impact of Indigenous healing practices on SUD. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used to evaluate the impact of a 13-week Indigenous healing practices and Seeking Safety (IHPSS) implementation project. This was a pilot study with one group of 12 Indigenous women and one group of 12 Indigenous men (n = 24) in Northern Ontario. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted at the end of treatment. The transcripts underwent qualitative thematic analysis to depict themes and understand the ways in which the program promoted healing. Data was collected pre- and post-implementation using the following assessment tools: the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 (TSC-40), the Addiction Severity Index-Lite (ASI-Lite), the Historical Loss Scale (HLS), and the Historical Loss Associated Symptom Scale (HLASS). The effectiveness of the new program was assessed using paired t-tests, with the TSC-40 as the main outcome. Results: A total of 17 participants completed the study. Four core themes emerged from the qualitative data that showed a positive impact on the symptoms and behaviors related to IGT and addiction in the participants. The benefits from both Indigenous healing practices and SS were clearly depicted through the voices and viewpoints of all 17 participants. Participants demonstrated improvement in the trauma symptoms, as measured by the TSC-40, with a mean decrease of 23.9 (SD=6.4, p=0.001) points, represented a 55% improvement from baseline. Furthermore, all six TSC-40 subscales demonstrated a significant decrease: anxiety (p = 0.001); depression (p=0.000); sexual abuse trauma index (p=0.0011); sleep disturbance (p=0.003); dissociation (p=0.027); and sexual problems (p=0.037). Substance use did not increase as measured by the ASI-Lite alcohol composite score (mean difference = -0.011) and drug composite score (mean difference = 0.032). Conclusion: Evidence from this mixed-methods pilot study indicates that blending IHP with the SS model was beneficial in reducing trauma symptoms. The combination of IHP and mainstream healing methods has the potential to enhance the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Interdisciplinary Rural and Northern Health


title: Edge detection in unorganized 3D point cloud

subject:
scanning
point cloud
edge detection

abstract:
The application of 3D laser scanning in the mining industry is increasing progressively over the
years. This presents an opportunity to visualize and analyze the underground world and potentially
save countless man- hours and exposure to safety incidents.
This thesis envisions to detect the “Edges of the Rocks” in the 3D point cloud collected via scanner,
although edge detection in point cloud is considered as a difficult but meaningful problem.
As a solution to noisy and unorganized 3D point cloud, a new method, EdgeScan method, has been
proposed and implemented to detect fast and accurate edges from the 3D point cloud for real time
systems. EdgeScan method is aimed to make use of 2D edge processing techniques to represent
the edge characteristics in 3D point cloud with better accuracy. A comparisons of EdgeScan
method with other common edge detection methods for 3D point cloud is administered, eventually,
results suggest that the stated EdgeScan method furnishes a better speed and accuracy especially
for large dataset in real time systems.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Computational Sciences


title: Quantitative differences in participants exposed to patterned, weak-intensity electromagnetic fields: investigating the shiva

subject:
Shiva technology
Quantitative electroencephalography
Default mode network

abstract:
Direct and indirect stimulation of the brain have produced a range of perceptual, motor,
and cognitive experiences, including experiences historically ascribed to religious or
spiritual domains. Weak intensity, extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields
patterned after physiological processes have been the subject of much research and
controversy. The current study examined the Shiva technology, a unique method of field
production that utilizes the same fields used in previous research. Quantitative changes in
brain activity were measured using quantitative electroencephalograph and subjective
reports of experiences were examined. The investigation included two different
configurations of the Shiva technology. Results indicated that individuals exposed to
specific patterned fields exhibited different patterns of neural activity and greater reports
of unusual experiences compared to a sham condition. The importance of particular
enhancement of power in regions of the brain due to the sequence of different patterns of
magnetic fields was a key discovery. Personality characteristics, particularly those
involved with the Default Mode Network, and their relation to baseline
electroencephalographic data were also examined.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Employing heat pumps to recover low grade industrial thermal resources for space heating and cooling

subject:
Heat pump
Heat recovery
Mineral processing
Pyrometallurgy
Smelting
Space heating
Waste heat

abstract: The use of heat pumps to upgrade and recover low grade industrial thermal resources is an opportunity for industry to deliver low cost space heating at a reduced carbon footprint. Heat pumps also offer the potential to provide space heating and space cooling from a single unit. To facilitate rapid determination of the potential for low grade heat recovery using ground source heat pumps, a rapid scoping method was developed capable of establishing critical temperatures to help elucidate which resources are most likely to be recovered economically. To demonstrate the applicability of the rapid scoping method, an analysis of various process cooling waters present at a smelter site was undertaken. The implications for cost and carbon dioxide emissions, were both analyzed for this facility, although the concepts developed can be employed to any site that generates large quantities of thermally low-grade heat.

abstract: Masters of Applied Sciences (MASc) in Natural Resources Engineering


title: An investigation into bioleaching of uranium and rare earth elements from quartz-pebble conglomerate ores from Elliot Lake, Ontario

subject:
Acid mine drainage
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
biogeochemical mineral dissolution
bioleaching,

abstract:
Biogeochemical mineral dissolution, the microbial-assisted dissolution of minerals, is an effective method
for economically promoting the release of metals of interest from ores and mine waste materials. As the
low-grade ores of the Elliot Lake region may be suitable for development of a sustainable heap-leach
method for the extraction of U and REEs from the low-grade host mineralization, this thesis is focused on
the geochemical and biological process simulation monitoring of the biogeochemical release of elements
to the leaching solutions. The response of the retired heap material to a variety of passive closure
strategies is also addressed.
A series of biogeochemical mineral dissolution experiments have provided a detailed understanding of the
biogeochemical mineral dissolution process, with the investigation of passive approaches to prepare for
decommissioning to determine suitability to the ore materials from the study site. The chemical analyses
of effluents collected throughout the experimentation, coupled with mineralogical and geochemical
analyses of the feed and residual mineral material has enabled an understanding of the chemical controls
of the overall biogeochemical mineral dissolution process for Fe, U, and Th, together with the preferential
leaching release patterns for REEs, to be obtained. A mechanism describing U retention in secondary
coatings has been proposed, with a passive approach to closure using inhibition and encapsulation
methods being demonstrated, along with a determination of the potential for ongoing radionuclide release
from a simulated heap upon decommissioning.
The laboratory research in this study has shown that biogeochemical mineral dissolution, followed by
waste material encapsulation, can be successfully applied to heap-leach pads potentially, enabling the
economic recovery of U, Th, and selected REEs to solution for subsequent metallurgical collection. The
studies strongly support the concept of sustainable development for heap-leach operations in the Elliot
Lake region.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Material Sciences


title: Resource-extraction employment proportions and socioeconomic indicators in canadian municipalities

subject:
mining employment
census subdivision boundaries (CSD)
socioeconomic indicators
mining communities in Canada
resource extraction

abstract: The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to describe the distribution of mining employment in Canada by proportion within census subdivision boundaries (CSD), and 2) to describe mining employment in relation to various socioeconomic indicators at the CSD level. This was accomplished by stratifying mining employment proportions into individual categories (none, low, medium, high, and extreme) and calculating the median values of each of these indicators according to mining employment proportion. In effect, communities were profiled according to their level of reliance on resource-extraction dependency. In order to adequately contextualize these findings, a large body of socioeconomic and resource community-based research literature was drawn from. These examples provided a foundational basis for the interpretation and conclusions reached in this study

abstract: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Geography


title: Ketoacids as antioxidants in human astrocytes exposed to oxidative and aluminum stress.

abstract: Aluminum (Al), the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust, has been implicated in a number of neurological diseases. Its increased bioavailability has been associated with increased toxicity in humans. Increased lipid accumulation occurs as a result of disruption in carnitine homeostasis due to the shunting of α-ketoglutarate (αKG) towards reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of ketoacids such as oxaloacetate (OAA) and αKG in combating oxidative stress in astrocytes. The present study has shown the ability of ketoacids such as αKG and OAA to sequester ROS in the astrocytes and restore normal lipid levels as observed through fluorescence microscopy. The non-enzymatic decarboxylation of αKG and OAA into succinate and malonate respectively as observed in the HPLC studies point to the role of these ketoacids in ROS detoxification. Furthermore, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity which is diminished under oxidative stress as gauged by the activity of NAD-ICDH, was found to be restored to normal levels in the stressed cells upon recovery with OAA. Expression of apolipoprotein E, an essential biomolecule in lipid and β-amyloid metabolism, was found to be down-regulated under aluminum stress, an observation that was reversed by OAA recovery. Hence it appears that the ketoacids play a critical role in quelling ROS in human astrocytes.

abstract: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Biochemistry


title: High tenor NI-PGE sulfide mineralization of the south manasan ultramafic intrusion, Thompson Nickel Belt, Manitoba

subject:
nickel
magmatic ore deposit
Thompson Nickel Belt
ultramafic rocks
disseminated sulfide,
komatiite

abstract:
The South Manasan ultramafic intrusion (ca. 1880 Ma) located in the Early Proterozoic
Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB) contains Ni and platinum group element (PGE) mineralization
hosted by disseminated sulfide. Whole-rock Ni values range from 0.3 to 1.7 wt. % and total
precious metals (TPMs) range from 0 to 1.3 ppm Pt + Pd + Au and equate to tenor values (i.e.,
metal in 100% sulfide) of 11-39 wt. % Ni and 8-27 ppm TPMs. The South Manasan intrusion is
a steeply dipping sill-like body with a boudinaged outline having a strike length of
approximately 1200 m, average width of 125 m and a minimum depth extent of 1000 m. The
intrusion is composed of approximately 25% fresh dunite, 50% serpentine altered dunite and
25% tectonized and carbonate altered dunite. The most intense alteration is found near the
intrusion’s margin where it is in contact with metasedimentary rocks of the Pipe Formation, part
of the surrounding Ospwagan Group. In fresh dunite the sulfide assemblage characterized by an
intercumulate texture is dominated by pentlandite with accessory pyrite; the latter having a
symplectic-like texture. The pentlandite-pyrite assemblage in the serpentinized dunite, although
still characterized overall by an intercumlate-texture, has well developed platy intergrowths with
chlorite and serpentine. In the most intensely modified unit (the carbonate altered dunite) the
sulfide assemblage consists primarily of pyrrhotite and pentlandite.
Whole-rock geochemical data (n=360), modal mineralogy and mineral chemistry
obtained on representative drill core throughout the South Manasan intrusion have been used to
establish a type section in order to evaluate the relative roles of primary magmatic versus
secondary (i.e., serpentinization, carbonate alteration and deformation) processes. These data
indicate that the primary silicate-sulfide assemblage was systematically modified during : serpentinization, carbonate alteration and deformation of the South Manasan intrusion such that a
sequence of primary versus secondary events can be established. Intrusion of the original
komatiitic magma and formation of the South Manasan intrusion took place at a shallow level
into consolidated Ospwagan Group sediments with subsequent contamination of this melt with
crustal S. This triggered sulfide saturation and generation of an immiscible sulfide melt.
Calculated Ni and TPM tenor values constrain the R factor to between 500 and 2500. The early
crystallization of olivine inhibited the sulfide melt from settling to the bottom of the magma
column and as a consequence, the sulfides now have a primary interstitial magmatic texture. The
current sulfide association dominated by pentlandite>>pyrite>chalcopyrite has a mineral
paragenesis that is consistent with subsolidus re-equilibration of a primary pentlanditepyrrhotite-
chalcopyrite assemblage. The subsequent processes of serpentinization, deformation
and carbonate alteration resulted in modifying the primary sulfide assemblages and their textures
(i.e., to platy habits), but did not greatly alter the bulk composition, in particular metal contents,
except for addition of volatiles (H2O, CO2).
It is concluded therefore that the enrichment of the sulfide assemblage at South Manasan
in Ni and PGEs is a consequence of a primary magmatic process involving high R factor and that
the effects of later overprinting processes (alteration, deformation) are not responsible for the
presently observed high-tenor sulfide association.

abstract: Master's Thesis


title: Volcanic, structural, and hydrothermal controls on coincident Archean Low and High Sulfidation VMS Systems within the Onaman Assemblage, Onaman-Tashota Greenstone Belt, Northern Ontario, Canada

subject:
Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits
High Sulfidation VMS
Volcanology
Onaman Assemblage
Hydrothermal Ore Deposits
Advanced Argillic Alteration
Volcanic Stratigraphy

abstract:
High sulfidation volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits show characteristics of VMS and
high sulfidation epithermal deposits and are suggested to have formed through magmatic fluid
contribution to an evolved seawater hydrothermal system. Two superimposed systems within the
Neoarchean Onaman assemblage in Northwestern Ontario present an opportunity to assess the
association between high sulfidation and traditional “low sulfidation” VMS systems. The
stratigraphy of the Onaman assemblage consists of pillowed mafic volcanic flows, volcaniclastic
rocks, and felsic flows and domes. The assemblage hosts a metamorphosed alteration system
defined by kyanite and chloritoid-bearing mineral associations that overprint more traditional VMS
associations of calcite, chlorite, and sericite. The sequence is consistent with subaqueous volcanism
followed by uplift and erosion, which subsequently subsides to marine conditions. We postulate
that the reactivation of synvolcanic structures, during uplift and subsidence, allowed for a direct
magmatic volatile input into an evolved seawater dominated, VMS hydrothermal system.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Geology


title: Cinema Derrida: the law of inspection in the age of global spectral film and video

subject: Derrida inspection law film video ghosts spectrality

abstract:
My contribution in the interdisciplinary field of film studies involves expanding the
concept of spectrality from its linguistic, deconstructive context to articulate new
cinematic subjectivities and visual forms of mourning. Spectrality emerges as a key
theme in Derrida’s cinematic collaborations, like Ghost Dance (1983), D’ailleurs Derrida
(1999), Derrida (2002), and has gained traction in the postmodernist cinema of Jean-Luc
Godard and contemporary documentary. Unlike many of his generation, Derrida made it a
critical point to experiment with film from the early 1980s onward by exploring and
exposing the archival, haunting nature of film. This dissertation studies the cinematic
collaborations of Jacques Derrida through the lens of both primary and secondary Derrida
literature with a view to critically examine the evolution of this idea that became so
central in his philosophical project and important for his legacy.
With postmodernism there is a break from the past and all we are left with
ostensibly is history without the foundations that would make it a teleological process.
Deconstruction’s critique of the transcendental signifier helped pave the way for much of
this shift in thinking. Hauntology comes into high relief with post-modernism and poststructuralist
philosophical movements to articulate the haunting of the sign. Poststructuralism
is the last great philosophical attempt to explain this sense of flickering
between presence and absence, and how spectrality stages an encounter with the other and
with the law of another time. I draw out the main tenets of spectrality from Derrida’s
seminal texts Of Grammatology and Specters of Marx and other writings, like
Echographies of Television, in order to fill a gap in studies of Derrida and film. For this
project, I draw on communication, media, and film theorists, including Jaimie Baron,
Barthes, Edgar Morin, Mulvey, Michael Naas, and John Durham Peters.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy in Human Studies


title: The effectiveness of a care transitions and rapid response nurse intervention at reducing readmissions and emergency department use for high risk patients: a mixed methods study

subject:
Care transitions
Rapid Response
Frailty
Integration

abstract:
The transition from hospital to home is a vulnerable period for the elderly patient with complex conditions, who are often frail, at risk for adverse events and unable to navigate a system of poorly coordinated care in the post-discharge period. Achieving seamless transitions between care settings is viewed as crucial to high-quality care for frail older persons. Care transitions interventions are seen as effective care coordinating mechanisms for reducing avoidable adverse events associated with the transition of the patient from the hospital to the home.
This mixed methods study evaluates the effectiveness of a care transitions and rapid response nurse intervention at lengthening the time to first readmission and reducing total readmissions, emergency department use and total hospital bed days during the 30-day, 60-day and 90-day post-discharge periods for patients at high risk of readmission. The intervening impact of social isolation and patient frailty is evaluated.
A randomized control trial was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Analysis was completed using the intention-to-treat principle. The primary end-point - the time to first readmission - was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The Fisher’s exact test compared differences in the post-discharge period, on the number of readmissions and emergency department visits and the Mann-Whitney-U test for hospital bed-days used. The intervening impacts of frailty and social isolation were evaluated using the independent t-test, Pearson correlation and two-way analysis of variance. Patient satisfaction with transition was evaluated using the Care Transitions Measure. Factors associated with inpatient and emergency department use were analyzed using a linear mixed model approach.
No statistically significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups on the time to first readmission or in the post-discharge emergency department or inpatient bed use. Social isolation and frailty were not shown to significantly influence these outcomes but frailty was shown to be significantly associated with death. Men living alone were found to be more socially isolated. Linear mixed model analysis demonstrated that gender and previous emergency department and inpatient bed use to be significant predictors of future emergency department, readmission and inpatient bed use. No differences in patient satisfaction with the transitions were found between the intervention and control groups.
A qualitative analysis was undertaken using focus groups and individual interviews, involving providers, to identify the factors that facilitated or were barriers to the implementation of this care transitions intervention. Using thematic content analysis, it was found that the effectiveness of transitional coordination efforts was thwarted by ineffective communication which affected the quality of the underlying relationships between the two teams. Other barriers to achieving the desired outcomes included: issues of role clarity, role awareness and acceptance of the positions within the respective organizations, the adequacy and reinforcement of coordinating mechanisms, and the effectiveness of the information exchange protocols. The combination of these factors limited the ability of the professionals to work effectively together to achieve the patient outcomes desired. Several improvement opportunities were identified. The activities of the individual professionals delivering care were patient focused.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Interdisciplinary PhD in Rural and Northern Health


title: Linking fitness and the microbiota: exploring variation in microbial composition in the North American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus).

subject:
wild mammal
ecological immunity
next generation sequencing
microbiota

abstract: The importance of microbial communities, or microbiota, to host physiology and fitness is readily becoming apparent in laboratory animals and humans. Yet, little is known about the association between microbiota composition and fitness in wild animals, including the relation to host health and temporal or spatial variation. In this thesis, the promiscuous North American red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, was used to investigate if oral, gut, and genital microbiota differed with correlates of host fitness, sex, or capture period. These objectives were met using various sequencing techniques, including 454-Roche and Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Microbiota composition varied in all three body regions investigated, suggesting the impact of body region is influential on microbial composition in red squirrels. Evidence of differences in composition between sexes was only significant in the oral microbiota, which also displayed significant variation in beta diversity analysis between recaptures. As such, future research should be cautious in interpreting results from a single temporal sampling period when quantifying characteristic microbiota composition in wild mammals, and should account for potential sex bias within study designs. Body condition, a rudimentary measure of host fitness, was not correlated with composition in the microbiota of any body region. However, there were significant correlations between immune status and the oral microbiota composition, suggesting that some measures of fitness may be related to microbiota composition in a wild mammal. Together these results provide, for the first time, a comprehensive view of inter- and intra- individual factors contributing to microbiota variation across body regions and provide evidence for a correlation between microbial composition and fitness in a wild mammal.

abstract: Masters of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: Parents’ experiences and nurses’ perceptions of decision making about childhood immunization

subject:
childhood immunization
infectious childhood diseases
parental immunization decisions
nurses practice
parental choice
nurses perception

abstract:
The uptake of immunization against infectious childhood diseases such as mumps,
measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis has resulted in positive global health
outcomes. The estimated vaccine coverage for these diseases, however, falls below targets
recently set by the World Health Organization. The reviewed literature demonstrated that parents
have an active role in making decisions about their children's immunization status informed by
contextual, individual, and vaccine-specific influences. Few studies addressed nurses'
involvement in parental immunization decisions. No qualitative studies could be found that
explored Canadian parents' and nurses' perspectives into this complex, contextually-bound
phenomenon. The aim of this qualitative study is to understand parents' and nurses' experiences
of decision making about childhood immunization, specifically measles-mumps-rubella and/or
diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis.  Thorne's interpretative description approach was used to facilitate parents' and nurses'
sharing of their experiences and perspectives about childhood immunization to capture the
relevancy for nursing practice. Results demonstrate that protection was the unifying goal across
all parents and nurses. Motivated by protection of their child, parents searched for information
about immunization, deliberated the information and sources to determine the relative benefits
and risks of immunization, and assumed responsibility for their decision to accept, delay or
decline immunization, and accepted responsibility for the consequences of their decision. Nurses
described their role as protectors of child safety and population health. Findings of this study
suggested that a tension that exists between nurses’ professional obligation to protect the public
against vaccine preventable diseases, promote immunization update, yet, respect individual
parental choice. Parents desired encounters with health care providers that were open to
acknowledging and addressing their concerns in order to protect the health of their child. Future nursing approaches recommended by this study included nurse-led education sessions within a
community environment, nurse-led forums that outreach to the public regarding fears and
concerns about childhood immunizations, connecting with parents in the community could
facilitate better access and improved engagement with health team members, forming
partnerships with existing groups, and adding health literacy to the education curriculum could
positively impact individual and community health.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Nursing


title: Design of a neutron calibration source for the SNO+ experiment

subject:
SNO+
SNOLAB
Creighton mine
scintillator
detector
calibration
neutrons
Americium Beryllium (AmBe)

abstract:
SNO+ is a multipurpose detector situated at the SNOLAB facility located at Creighton mine
2 km deep. The SNO+ experiment will have three phases: water, pure scintillator and Te-loaded
scintillator. With the detector filled with scintillator, solar neutrinos, geo and reactor anti-neutrinos,
and supernova neutrinos can be studied. To analyze the data collected by the detector, it is
important to have detailed knowledge of the detector response. This is why calibration is a crucial
part of the experiment. The detector response to neutrons will allow us to study the anti-neutrino
flux coming from reactors in Canada. Anti-neutrinos can be detected via the inverse beta decay
reaction which can be tagged using the neutrons it produces.
This thesis will discuss the radioactive calibration source Americium Beryllium (AmBe) which
produces neutrons and gammas. The existing AmBe source - inherited from the SNO experiment
- that will be used in water phase has to be modified for the scintillator and loaded scintillator
phases. Simulations were carried out to determine the optimal additional shielding required for
the scintillator phase. The optimal shielding was determined to be 2 mm of lead surrounded by
1 mm of stainless steel for the encapsulation. The new design for the AmBe source was finalised.
The estimated neutron capture event detection efficiency is 74.22%. The analysis of the source
deployment at various positions within the detector and the shadowing effects are discussed as
well.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc)  in Physics


title: Promoting resilience and well-being for indigenous adolescents in Canada: connecting to the good life through an outdoor adventure leadership experience

subject:
Resilience
Adventure Therapy
Community-Based Participatory Research
Outdoor Education

abstract:
Background: Promoting mental health for Indigenous youth in Canada is a well-documented
priority. Indigenous approaches to health promotion share similarities with the holistic process
in outdoor adventure and experiential education contexts. The purpose of this study was to
develop, implement, and evaluate an Outdoor Adventure Leadership Experience (OALE) for
Indigenous adolescents from one First Nations community in Northeastern Ontario, Canada.
Methods: Principles of community-based participatory research were used to guide this mixed
method study that included three phases. Phase 1 involved the development of a culturally
relevant OALE intervention. The intervention was available to adolescents, aged 12-18 years,
living in Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. Phase 2 consisted of a quantitative evaluation
of the effectiveness of the OALE, based on participant self-report. It focused primarily on
assessing resilience using the 14-Item Resilience Scale (RS-14). Using an ethnographic
approach, Phase 3 comprised a qualitative evaluation of the ways in which the OALE promoted
resilience and well-being.
Results: Phase 1 occurred over a period of 10 months (September 2008 to June 2009), and it
resulted in the development of an intentionally designed 10-day OALE program. The program
was implemented in the summer of 2009 and 2010 with 73 adolescent participants, aged 12-18
years. Results from Phase 2 revealed that there was a 3.40 point increase in mean resilience for
the adolescent participants at one month post-OALE compared to one day pre-OALE (n=46,
p=.011), but the improvement was not sustained one year later. Phase 3 results revealed that the
OALE facilitated the development of resilience and well-being by helping the adolescents
connect to Anishinaabe Bimaadziwin, an Ojibway concept that can be translated as the Good
iv
Life. Connecting involved an external experiential process of connecting with various aspects of
creation and an internal reflective process of connecting within to different aspects of self.
Conclusion: The OALE appears to be a program that helped the adolescents: (1) become more
resilient in the short-term, and (2) become more aware of Anishinaabe Bimaadziwin (the Good
Life) by providing opportunities for connecting with creation and self through a variety of
experiences and reflections that were unique for each youth.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Rural and Northern Health


title: Moleclar-dynamics simulations using spatial decomposition and task-based parallelism

subject:
Molecular Dynamics (MD)
simulations

abstract:
Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are an integral method in the computational studies of
materials. This thesis discusses an algorithm for large-scale MD simulations using modern multiand
many-core systems on distributed computing networks. In order to utilize the full processing
power of these systems, algorithms must be updated to account for newer hardware, such as the
many-core Intel Xeon Phi co-processor.
The hybrid method is a data-parallel method of parallelization which combines spatial decomposition
using the Message Passing Interface (MPI) to distribute the system onto multiple nodes,
along with the cell-task method used for task based parallelism on each node. This allows for the
improved performance of task based parallelism on single compute nodes in addition to the benefit
of distributed computing allowed by MPI.
Results from benchmark simulations on Intel Xeon multi-core processors, and Intel Xeon Phi
coprocessors are presented. Results show that the hybrid method provides better performance
than either spatial decomposition or cell-task methods alone on single nodes, and that the hybrid
method outperforms the spatial decomposition method on multiple nodes, on a variety of system
configurations.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Computational Sciences


title: Problèmes de consommation d’alcool et les biais attentionnels : étude de population en traitement

subject:
mouvements oculaires
biais attentionnels
consommation problématique d’alcool
Khavari Alcohol Test (KAT)
consommateurs binges

abstract:
La présente thèse comprend trois chapitres. Dans le premier chapitre, une revue de théories populaires portant sur les problèmes de consommation d’alcool est présentée dans le but d’en faire un compte rendu pour ensuite se pencher sur une explication spécifique : les biais attentionnels. Les biais attentionnels se produisent lorsque les processus d’attention sélective favorisent systématiquement un stimulus spécifique tout en excluant d’autres stimuli pertinents. De nombreuses études ont montré un lien entre la consommation problématique d’alcool et les biais attentionnels (voir Wiers & Stacy, 2006). Or, ce lien a été établi sur la base de tâches artificielles qui ne permettent pas de généraliser ces observations aux activités quotidiennes. Le deuxième chapitre comprend un article empirique soumis pour publication dans la Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement. Cet article a comme objectif de vérifier la présence de biais attentionnels chez les participants parmi les plus sollicités ces dernières années, c’est-à-dire les consommateurs étudiants binges1 et légers ainsi que les consommateurs en cours de traitement, en se servant d’une tâche naturelle. Pour ce faire, les mouvements oculaires des participants sont enregistrés lorsqu’ils observent des scènes complexes (ex. des scènes de bar comprenant plusieurs individus et objets). Le nombre de saccades, l’orientation initiale, la proportion de temps passé sur les stimuli liés à l’alcool et le temps total d’observation sont mesurés. De plus, les participants ont complété le Khavari Alcohol Test (KAT) pour mesurer leurs comportements de consommation d’alcool dans le but de les regrouper sur la base de la fréquence et du volume de consommations rapportées. Les résultats les plus pertinents révèlent que les participants classés comme consommateurs binges regardent les zones d’intérêt plus
rapidement que les deux autres groupes peu importe le contenu de l’image (liée à l’alcool ou neutre). Aussi, les consommateurs en traitement passent significativement plus de temps que les consommateurs légers dans les zones d’intérêt, peu importe le contenu (liée à l’alcool ou non). Il est à noter que l’échantillon est petit et que les participants varient en âge; des variables devant être prises en considération dans l’interprétation des résultats. Finalement, le troisième chapitre se veut une discussion et une conclusion faisant le lien entre des théories populaires expliquant la consommation problématique d’alcool, les résultats de l’étude empirique de l’article soumis et des liens pratiques pouvant en découler.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: kitche migawap âcimowin = Tipi tectonics: building as medicine

subject:
tipi
tectonics
Cree
culture
elder
healing
indigenous
architecture
Gottfried Semper

abstract:
The exploration of the Cree Tipi’s construction and structure is investigated to reveal precolonial tectonics that will be implemented into a building design by interweaving traditional
knowledge and technical applications. The research is to propose alternate building practices
as a strategy to implement Cree cultural significance into building construction to promote
Indigenous health. The documentation is guided by Cree oral histories (stories) from my
Indigenous heritage, originating from Montreal Lake Cree Nation in the Boreal Forest region
of Saskatchewan. Indigenous tectonics are explored by deconstructing the Tipi through
Gottfried Semper’s Four Elements of Architecture. The method of unearthing or discovery is
explored through a series of drawings. Tipi tectonics establish a framework to better understand
the differences between non-Indigenous and Indigenous construction and methodologies of
health. Indigenous knowledge will develop strategies to implement Indigenous design and
ways of healing into a final building design.

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: Ultraweak photon emission in cells: coupling to molecular pathways, applied magnetic fields, and potential non-locality

subject:
Photon emission
Applied magnetic fields
Molecular pathways
Potential non-locality

abstract:
The possibilities and implications of photons within the
infrared, visible, and ultraviolet behaving as sources of
intracellular and intercellular communication and information were
investigated experimentally for melanoma cells during the 24 hrs
following removal from incubation. Specific wavelengths during
different intervals were associated with specific classes of
biomolecules that were predicted based on the physical properties
associated with their amino acid sequences. Application of a
specific intensity and physiologically patterned magnetic field
predicted from a model that applied the concept of magnetic moment
to the whole cell resulted in photon emissions. They were detected
at distances sufficient to allow intercellular communication. The
occurrence of macroscopic entanglement or non-locality was shown
between two loci of where simple chemically-based photons emissions
were generated. Within all three experiments there was marked
quantitative congruence between the energies associated with the
power density of the photon emissions and the physicochemical
variables involved with their reduction. These results indicate
that photon emissions coupled with classic biomolecular pathways
and processes may behave as intra- and inter-cellular sources of
information that could control the complex dynamics of cells. The
effect may not depend upon locality but exhibit non-local
characteristics.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biomolecular Sciences


title: Caractéristiques et logiques des musiques populaires

subject:
musiques populaires
chansons canadiennes-françaises

abstract:
L’objet de notre thèse de doctorat concerne les caractéristiques et les logiques des musiques populaires. D’une façon générale, nous nous demandons : quelles sont les logiques qui déterminent le thème de l’oeuvre dans la musique populaire ? Quelles caractéristiques découlent de ces logiques ? Les ouvrages recensés ont été classés dans trois ensembles selon que les musiques populaires sont définies comme standard, comme standard et originales ou comme hétérogènes. La thèse veut vérifier laquelle de ces tendances (standard, standard/originale, hétérogène) explique le mieux l’oeuvre de musique populaire. Pour y parvenir, la recherche d’une explication des oeuvres de musique populaire a dû passer par une opérationnalisation et une vérification empirique des oeuvres de musique populaire. Les hypothèses spécifiques liées aux thèses standard, standard/originale et hétérogène, ainsi qu’une hypothèse générale permettant une articulation entre ces trois thèses ont été soumises aux résultats de notre analyse qui a porté sur 110 chansons à succès canadiennes-françaises et françaises qui appartiennent à la période qui va de 1995 à 2005.
Les résultats montrent que l’hypothèse des hétérogénistes est grandement confirmée. Cependant, nos analyses ont repéré des données marginales qui vont dans le sens des attentes des standardistes et des dualistes. Pour dépeindre l’ensemble des musiques populaires, nous proposons une nouvelle hypothèse hétérogène, inclusive de ces quelques représentations standard que nous avançons sous le concept de « tendance hétérogène ».

abstract: Doctorat en philosophie (Ph.D.) en sciences humaines


title: Examining the distribution of ketamine and metabolites in decomposed skeletal tissues: development of a high throughput approach and application to an environmental and decomposition study

subject:
Forensic Toxicology
Bone
Ketamine
GC-MS

abstract: The use of skeletal tissues in forensic toxicology research has increased dramatically in the last 5 years. These studies have yielded valuable information pertinent to using skeletal tissues as a biological matrix in drug analysis. The majority of these studies have been completed on a small scale so a larger scale is needed for further research. Here, a high throughput microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and microplate solid phase extraction (MPSPE) protocol is developed and implemented to examine how body position and microclimate affect ketamine and metabolite distribution in decomposed skeletal tissue. Analytes were successful recovered in 30 min following MAE compared to 180 min for passive solvent extraction (PSE). Body proved to be significantly different in the observed drug levels at both microclimates. The sunlit microclimate had significantly higher drug levels, with less maggot activity, compared to the shaded microclimate.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Sciences


title: An investigation for moderators of parental stress in lesbian mothers

subject:
Lesbian mothers
Parenting
Stress

abstract:
Everyday demands and hassles can elicit some form of stress upon the child rearing experience (Crnic & Lowe, 2002). Previous research using meta-analysis (Bos, van Balen & van den Boom, 2005) found that lesbian and heterosexual families are similar in nature with one important distinction, the stigmatization attached to their sexual orientation. Lesbian mothers are subjected to sexual stigma that other sexual minority individuals face, but in addition they experience stigma attached to the idealization of the nuclear family. As a consequence of this dual prejudice, moderators should be examined specifically for lesbian mothers to identify shared and possible unique factors for parenting stress.
Based on the data collected for the present study, the current research supported the extensive literature documenting moderates of parenting stress in heterosexual mothers (social support, relationship satisfaction and life stressors). Moreover this study highlighted some of the unique and possible moderators of parental stress in the lesbian family dynamic (minority stress, and stigma perception). While doing this, the current research revealed some interesting inter-correlations that were not the primary area of investigation.
In addition, the comparison of the respondents when designated into high and low scorers, gave the impression that the current study was heading in the right direction but needed additional participants to ensure that the hypotheses were correctly tested. Future research should aim to recruit a higher number of participants from various areas that may not have LGBT specific support. Moreover while utilizing an online questionnaire; steps should be taken to ensure that respondents do not become uninterested or fatigued while testing (e.g. shorten the survey).

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Examining the Geriatric Content of Canada’s Newest Undergraduate Medical Program: Are Graduates of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine Acquiring the Basic Competencies to Care for an Increasingly Aging Population?

subject:
medical schools
aging seniors
Canadian Geriatrics Society
Northern Ontario School of Medicine

abstract:
Inadequate numbers of physicians skilled at providing specialized care of
the elderly, has initiated inquiry as to how medical schools will ensure tomorrow’s
physicians are capable of providing the most appropriate care for Canada’s
growing population of aging seniors. The Canadian Geriatrics Society has
responded to such concerns with the establishment of recommended geriatric
learning objectives. This thesis examined the geriatric content of the
undergraduate curriculum of Canada’s newest medical school, the Northern
Ontario School of Medicine, and compared these findings to the Canadian
Geriatrics Society’s recommended ‘Core Competencies in the Care of Older
Persons for Canadian Medical Students’. While there was a respectful
compliance with the recommendations, findings reveal that five of the twenty
recommended competencies were absent in the curriculum objectives.
Further, present competencies were found to be unequally distributed across the
curriculum in relation to both the year and the teaching setting. The results
suggest areas for improvement as recommended competencies are intended as
a minimum standard for performance in caring for the elderly.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Human Development


title: A road to conservation: understanding the dynamics of road-effects and road-effect mitigation

subject:
roads
highways
road-effects
road-effect mitigation

abstract:
Globally, roads are one of the most ubiquitous forms of human infrastructure, and have
been identified as a serious conservation concern. Though roads impact wildlife in a variety of
ways, their effects are often negative. Perhaps the most concerning threats are habitat
fragmentation and mortality via wildlife-vehicle collisions. Attempts to manage the negative
effects of roads have had mixed results, and major gaps in our understanding of how roads affect
wildlife populations and the effectiveness of strategies to mitigate road-effects remain. Many
factors contribute to these gaps, particularly the logistical constraints associated with road-effect
monitoring and weak study designs that inhibit strong inferences crucial for effective
management. To this end, I approached road-effect mitigation in a holistic way. First, I
documented and analyzed the local-scale population and spatial ecologies of large mammals
around a newly twinned highway. I found that highway twinning, a common strategy to
accommodate increased traffic volume, had little effect on large mammals. Second, I focused on
the optimization and evaluation of road-effect mitigation (i.e., exclusion fencing and roadcrossing structures). I developed a procedure for identifying ideal locations for mitigation
features by comparing road monitoring data to landscape resistance models for both large
mammals and herpetofauna. Using this approach, I designed a mitigation plan for reptiles and
amphibians, which I evaluated using a robust 6-year Before-After-Control-Impact design that
included road surveys, trapping, and two methods of monitoring tunnel usage: trail cameras and
PIT tag scanners. I found that exclusion fencing was effective for turtles and amphibians but had
no impact on the number of snakes detected on the road. Crossing tunnels were well used by
reptiles and amphibians and I demonstrated that for turtles, tunnels effectively facilitated
connectivity at the population-level. Finally, I investigated the value of outreach as a long-term
conservation strategy in the context of road ecology. I demonstrated that outreach programs
significantly increase the perceptions of youth concerning their own likelihood to participate in
conservation. Further, using a mixed-methods approach, I identified the aspects of outreach that
were most effective at eliciting this change, creating broadly applicable guidelines to optimize
future outreach endeavors. By addressing knowledge gaps pertaining to each phase of road-effect
mitigation, I have provided a structural framework from which the field of road ecology can
continue to flourish. My findings have serious implications for wildlife management and
conservation because they increase our understanding of road-effects and importantly, how to
increase the success of road-effect mitigation.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy in Boreal Ecology


title: Regenerating Sudbury's socio-urban landscape through adaptive reuse

subject:
adaptive reuse
brewery
catalyst
collective memory
community
mixed income housing
Northern Brewery
re-greening
sociocultural sustainability
Sudbury
urban revitalization

abstract:
A common issue faced by de-industrializing cities worldwide
is the abundance of obsolete industrial buildings. These are
often part of derelict zones that aggravate the urban challenges
of unsafe neighbourhoods, socioeconomic segregation,
and environmental degradation. By reviving these defunct
buildings through carefully attuned strategies of adaptive
reuse, there is an opportunity to address the needs of diverse
users within the local community by sustainably regenerating
the built environment in physical, ecological, cultural, and
socioeconomic terms. Through the adaptive reuse of the
derelict Northern Brewery complex in downtown Sudbury
(Ontario, Canada) into a brewpub and mixed income housing
development, this thesis project offers a critical response to the
city’s high rates of homelessness and lack of affordable housing
as well as its insufficient amount of public green space, while
reconnecting citizens to the site’s history and serving as a
catalyst for further redevelopment projects.

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: Examining the effects of the holistic arts-based program on teachers’ stress, mindfulness and teaching practices

subject:
mindfulness
arts based
group work
teacher presence
teachers
education
stress
mindfulness-based interventions
holistic arts-based program

abstract:
The concept of teacher stress has received extensive study in the field of education.
School boards, unions, and governments acknowledge the high prevalence of stress amongst
teachers. Efforts to mitigate the negative effects associated with teacher stress on teacher wellbeing and student learning conditions have led to the development of a number of interventions
including Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs). MBIs offer participants training in
developing non-judgmental present moment awareness, which has been shown to decrease
stress, anxiety, and depression.
My research study examined the effects of a specific MBI, the Holistic Arts-Based
Program (HAP) on teachers’ reported stress levels, mindfulness skills, and their teaching
practices. HAP is an arts-based 12-week MBI designed to make mindfulness concepts and skills
more accessible through the use of arts-based methods. Previous studies found that participating
in HAP has positive benefits that include improved attention, coping skills, self-awareness, and
self-esteem.   Data was collected pre- and post-HAP. Teachers were interviewed and completed the
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Teacher Stress Inventory (TSI). Findings
are promising regarding the feasibility, suitability, and benefits of HAP for teachers. The
qualitative thematic analysis led to the development of the following themes: (1) more accurate
and comprehensive understanding of mindfulness, (2) participants’ experiences learning
mindfulness through experiential arts-based group work, (3) personal and professional benefits
of learning mindfulness, and (4) educational consequences of teachers learning mindfulness
through arts-based methods. The TSI and FFMQ also suggested that teacher participation in HAP contributed to decreased teacher stress and increased teachers’ mindfulness, their presence,
and capacity to offer mindfulness activities to students.
This study demonstrates how HAP could support teachers in increasing their own selfawareness and mindfulness practice, thereby mitigating some of the negative effects of stress.
Participants in this study also demonstrated a keen interest in bringing mindfulness into their
schools and classrooms. Future consideration may be given to offer arts-based mindfulness
training to teachers in different formats such as full-day workshops or professional development
sessions.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Interdisciplinary Health


title: Challenges in method development for analysis of selected phenothizaine drugs in biological samples: oxidation of drugs and metabolites during sample preparation

subject:
Forensic toxicology
Promethazine
Chlorpromazine
Oxidation
UHPLC-PDA
UHPLC-QTOF-MS

abstract:
The main goal of this research project was the detection and semi-quantitation of the parent
drugs promethazine (PMZ), and chlorpromazine(CPZ) along with selected metabolites
promethazine sulfoxide (PMZSO), desmethylpromethazine (DPMZ), chlorpromazine sulfoxide
(CPZSO), and desmethylchlorpromazine (DCPZ) in the skeletal remains of rats. We sought to
evaluate the relative distribution of structural analogues (promethazine (PMZ) and
chlorpromazine (CPZ)), and the relationship of multiple metabolites to the parent drug. The first
phase of the project was to consist of method development and validation and the second phase
would be examining a large number of rat bone samples exposed to different drug exposure
patterns. For the analytical method, drug extraction is completed using microwave assisted
extraction (MAE), followed by sample clean-up by microplate solid-phase extraction (MPSPE)
and instrumental analysis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to
photodiode array detection (UHPLC-PDA). During method development and validation,
extraneous compounds appeared in the chromatograms. The production of unknown compounds
hindered the ability to meet the validation criteria. Thus, the new objective of the research was
characterization of the unknown compounds by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography
coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-qTOF-MS), comparing the
extent of degradation for different extraction conditions, and validation of a new method that
does not promote degradation.


title: Correlation between phenotypes or genotypes of Clostridium difficile and clinical outcome from Clostridium difficile infections at Health Sciences North

subject:
Antibiotic resistance
antibiotic susceptibility
Clostridium difficile
genotype phenotype
ribotype
spores
TcdA
TcdB
toxin

abstract:
Clostridium difficile, a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore producing bacillus is the leading cause of
nosocomial diarrhea in health-care facilities. Its effect on patients can be detrimental to their
recovery, sometimes leading to death; the catalyst to Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is
treatment by antibiotics. Focusing research on some of C. difficile’s genotypes and phenotypes,
we hoped to be able to predict the severity and outcome of the infections based on the strain. C.
difficile strains isolated from patients were characterized for the presence of the toxin genes and
classified by ribotype. They were also tested for antibiotic susceptibility (E-test), toxin
production levels, and microbial spore load in stools. The patients symptoms were evaluated to
determine if there were any correlations between the genotypes/phenotypes and the infection
outcomes. No significant correlation was found between the severity of disease and
phenotypic/genotypic attributes of the C. difficile strain involved. Thus, other defining factors
appear to affect patient prognosis such as the severity of the patients’ disease and the presence of
co-morbidities. A key finding however was that 30% of the population was at risk of developing
CDI due to carriage of toxigenic C. difficile.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: Neuroarchitecture : quantifying perception to inform a design for improved mental well-being

subject:
neuroarchitecture
well-being
perception
sensing technology
EEG

abstract:
As complex, biological organisms, neuroarchitecture
aims to address notions that natural and built environments
can effect changes in our organismic systems at cellular,
neurological, emotional, perceptual, and cognitive levels.
Knowing this however, there is still little quantifiable data
regarding the metrics of interior environments and how they
impact human cognition. The question thus arises:
Can we attempt to quantify human perception pertaining to
architectural experience through the use of sensing technologies,
in order to substantiate the effects of natural elements, and thus
inform a design for improved mental well-being?
This thesis aims to explore these ideas first through existing
knowledge and theory regarding human perception and
sensory stimulation. Furthermore, through self-analysis per
the use of modern sensing technologies, both cognitive
and environmental data will be gathered in order to gain an
understanding of the relationships between spatial qualities
and the physiological responses they evoke. Through this
method of theory and data collection, a more informed design
framework will be proposed to design a student residence that
places a greater focus on improved mental well-being.

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: Modeling and fault detection of an industrial copper electrowinning process

subject:
Copper electrowinning plants
selenium/tellurium removal
Vale’s Electrowinning Plant

abstract:
Copper electrowinning plants are where high purity copper (Cu) product is obtained through electrochemical reduction of copper from the leaching solution. The presence selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) in copper sulphide minerals may result in contamination of the leach solution and, eventually of the copper cathode. Unfortunately, hydrometallurgical processes are often difficult to monitor and control due to day-to-day fluctuations in the process as well as limitations in capturing the data at high frequencies. The purpose of this work is to model key variables in the copper electrowinning tank and to apply statistical fault detection to the
selenium/tellurium removal and copper electrowinning process operations.
First principle modeling was applied to the copper electrowinning tank and partial
differential equation models were derived to describe the process dynamics. Industrial data were used to estimate the model parameters and validate the resulting models. Comparison with industrial model shows that the models fit reasonably well with industrial operation.
Simulations of the models were run to explore the dynamics under varying operating
conditions. The derived models provide a useful tool for future process modification and
control development. Using the collected industrial operating data, dynamic principal component analysis (DPCA) based fault detection was applied to Se/Te removal and copper electrowinning processes at Vale’s Electrowinning Plant in Copper Cliff, ON. The fault detection results from the DPCA based approach were consistent with the industrial product quality test. After faults were detected, fault diagnosis was then applied to determine the causes of faults. The fault detection and diagnosis system helps define causes of upset conditions that lead to coppercathode contamination.

abstract: Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) in Natural Resources Engineering