title: Compétences linguistiques et cognitives des enfants bilingues en situation linguistique minoritaire

subject:
compétences linguistique
compétence cognitive
enfants franco-ontariens
enfants franco-québécois

abstract:
Au Canada, l’évaluation langagière des enfants franco-ontariens s’avère une tâche
complexe pour les orthophonistes en raison d’une carence d’outils et de normes
régionales. Le problème s’accentue lors de l’évaluation langagière des enfants bilingues
(anglais-français) qui fréquentent des écoles de langue française.
L’étude que nous proposons ici a d’abord réitéré auprès de 26 enfants francoontariens
une recherche québécoise (Thordardottir et coll., 2010) dans laquelle on a
évalué la performance d’enfants franco-québécois avec une batterie de tests qui sert à
mesurer les compétences linguistique et cognitive. Ces enfants ont été répartis en trois
groupes d’âge : 4;6, 5;0 et 5;6 ans. Notre étude a ensuite évalué la performance d’enfants
bilingues (47 français-anglais et 31 anglais-français) du même âge sur cette même
batterie de tests à laquelle elle a ajouté un ensemble de tests de langue anglaise. Les
enfants ont été appariés selon l’âge, le statut socio-économique et la cognition non
verbale ; ils différaient selon la quantité d’intrants (input) dans chaque langue et selon le
statut linguistique des langues (minoritaire/majoritaire). Les trois groupes linguistiques
ont été créés selon le niveau d’exposition aux langues ; nous avons ainsi distingué les
monolingues, les franco-dominants et les anglo-dominants. En outre, des enfants
identifiés par les orthophonistes scolaires comme ayant un trouble primaire du langage
(n = 20) ont été évalués à l’aide des mêmes tests afin de confirmer ou d’infirmer la
présence de trouble primaire du langage. En outre, a été examiné l’effet de l’intrant
langagier dans l’acquisition d’une langue minoritaire, puisque cet apprentissage a lieu au
contact d’une langue majoritaire qui, au demeurant, exerce son influence aussi sur les
enfants monolingues (francophones) et bilingues (français-anglais et anglais-français). Les résultats montrent que, au plan linguistique, les Franco-Ontariens
monolingues réussissent moins bien que les Franco-Québécois. Les franco-dominants
réussissent encore moins bien que les monolingues et les anglo-dominants réussissent
moins bien que les monolingues et les franco-dominants à l’âge de 4;6 ans et de 5;0, mais
cela n’est pas toujours le cas pour les enfants anglo-dominants de 5;6 ans. En fait, pour
certaines épreuves de langue française, les anglo-dominants obtiennent des scores
supérieurs à ceux des monolingues et des franco-dominants. Les résultats montrent aussi
que plus l’anglo-dominant reçoit d’intrants en français à l’école, meilleure est sa
performance linguistique en français. Chez les franco-dominants, c’est l’inverse qui se
produit puisque plus l’enfant vieillit, plus il reçoit d’intrants en anglais. Les résultats ont
aussi montré que, parmi les 20 cas de trouble primaire du langage, 16 ont été confirmés.
Somme toute, ces résultats témoignent de la différence importante entre les Franco-
Québécois et les Franco-Ontariens, de sorte que l’emploi des normes québécoises pour
les Franco-Ontariens est remis en question. De plus, l’effet de l’intrant est accentué chez
les groupes bilingues, ce qui met en évidence le rôle incontestable de l’intrant langagier et
aussi celui du statut des langues lors de l’acquisition d’une langue seconde.

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


title: The live gallery

subject:
social justice
social architecture
suburban typology
music architecture
cultural diversity
youth centre design
Brampton, Ontario
artistic gallery
youth rehabilitation

abstract:
Today, Brampton suffers from a negative image.
Especially Brampton’s majority of working-class
immigrants who are experiencing socio-economic and territorial exclusion. The exploitation
by the media has also had an effect on the negative identity construction.
With a population close to 600,000 people,
Brampton has many people to serve. Of the
600,000 there are 234 different ethnic groups
speaking 115 different languages.
Brampton’s First Cultural Master Plan is supposed to set the strategic direction for arts and
culture in the city. My critique is that it misses the point. The under-presented Brampton
youth (who are mostly black and brown) to me
is Brampton’s heart and soul - the youthfulness,
cultural diversity and entrepreneurial energy
ought to be the most important resource for
the city. This said, Brampton’s focus on business
and economic development is but one of many
examples of urban design that neglects the ethnicity and diversity of immigrant Canada.
Brampton’s identity is growing, maturing, diversifying and transforming. As the city grows
and matures, so are the residents. We live in a
world where everything and everyone is being
constantly classified into categories: religion,
gender, ethnicity and race. The malicious use
of racial categories has resulted in violence and
racism. And most of the violence has been directed at First Nations Peoples, Black Canadians
and immigrants from non-European countries.
I argue that Brampton will continue to face racial tension unless something is done to the
negative representation and misrepresentation
of cultural diversity. I think the energy ought to
focus on young people as they themselves are
defining their identities and wanting to make
Brampton their own. My thesis, thus, begins
with the question: How can architecture bring
communities together to co-exist while acting
as a setting for self-identity formation, especially for youth in the city

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: Relaxation therapy and mindfulness meditation one- day workshop for nephrology social workers : exploring the impact of this training on professional practice

subject:
nephrology social worker practitioners
relaxation therapy
mindfulness meditation
physical suffering
emotional suffering
clinical intervention

abstract:
Relaxation therapy techniques and mindfulness meditation are clinical intervention tools that have demonstrated benefits associated with reduction of physical and emotional suffering. These practices are well supported in the literature and are considered to be evidence-based interventions. Many mind-body therapeutic training workshops are offered in a one-day format; however, there is a gap in the literature examining the direct impact of learning relaxation therapy
and mindfulness meditation specific to nephrology social work practitioners, and how, if at all, learning these techniques might assist a practitioner in his/her work. A study was undertaken to examine the influence of a one-day educational workshop on relaxation therapy and mindfulness meditation on nephrology social worker's professional practice. Eight members of the Canadian Association of Nephrology Social Workers with limited previous exposure to mind-body therapeutic approaches took part in the project and were interviewed. Telephone and Skype participant interviews occurred following the workshop on three separate occasions over a period of four months. The key findings from this study suggest that ( 1) the workshop had an impact on professional practice, (2) the workshop had an impact on self care, and (3) amid obstacles to implementation, nephrology social workers wanted to expand their current scope of practice to include relaxation therapy and mindfulness meditation with their clients.

abstract: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)


title: The role of architecture and craft for the Ontario weekend dwelling

subject:
architecture
craft
Ontario
weekend dwellings
camp
cottage
cabin

abstract:
The spatial divide between work, home, and leisure provoked the development of secondary properties dedicated to recreation in natural environments, known as weekend dwellings. Canadians have formed a unique
relationship with the weekend dwelling. As a country, Canada is united in the cultural importance of weekend dwellings however, the terminology and context of weekend dwellings is argued across Canada.
Out of the large collection of terms, the most popular choices for Canadian weekend dwellings are cabin,
cottage, and camp. Ontarians are locked in a linguistic debate between the northern Ontario camp and the
southern Ontario cottage. Southern Ontario’s cottage country began in Georgian Bay during the 1800s with
American hunting and fishing lodges.1
 Camp, as a permanent weekend dwelling has its linguistic roots in the
collection of rustic buildings that comprise logging camps.2
 While the terms camp and cottage are not synonyms, they both hold the connotation of a self-built single-family structure that is integrated with nature.
Contemporary weekend dwellings are permanent structures. Both the camp and cottage have the ability to
inspire a sensation of being “away”. The Ontario weekend dwelling’s sense of away is fourfold: the journey, the physical structure, the active dwelling, and the return. Historically the sense of away was achieved
through a lengthy train ride and the transition to a steamer. In modern Ontario where morning commutes
can be as long as the journey to the weekend dwelling it is important to distinguish travel from journey.
Weekend dwellings can be comprised of multiple architectural interventions. These physical structures play
a primary role in our understanding of being away. If the architecture closely resembles experiences in the
primary dwelling there is no distinction between place, and there is only geographical separated from the everyday.3
 Actively engaging in the environment, weekend dwellings offer the opportunity to practice agency
over one’s actions. Active dwelling is the collection of practices exhibited at weekend dwellings that differ
from those at primary dwellings. The collective memory of place is a culture that both creates and is created
by the place. Returning to the weekend dwelling builds that collective memory and cements the sensation of
being away.
However, the single-family weekend dwelling model has become economically inaccessible to the vast
majority of Canadians. Using the framework of the sensation of being away this thesis looks to develop a
structure that can preserve the importance of craft from the self-built single-family weekend dwelling into a
shared lodge typology. The design of a learning lodge prioritizes craft and respectful building solutions with
the ability to impart knowledge of how to live gently on the land, through a set of building details.

abstract: Master of Architechture (M.Arch.)


title: Étude exploratoire des formes de dépendances marginales, de leurs impacts et des besoins parmi les personnes concernées : enjeux de l'intervention sociale

subject: dépendances

subject: dépendances marginales

subject: dépendances comportementales

subject: toxicomanie

subject: addiction

subject: codépendance

subject: les enfants adultes de familles : alcooliques

subject: les enfants adultes de familles : toxicomane

subject: les enfants adultes de familles : dysfunctionnelles (ADT)

subject: les dépendances affectives et sexuelles

abstract:
Ce mémoire de maîtrise en service social vise à explorer l’expérience vécue des
dépendances marginales, des impacts et des besoins des personnes concernées. Le
concept de dépendance marginale est ici élaboré pour tenir compte des différentes
formes de dépendances comportementales, non basées sur la consommation de
substances, qui demeurent sujettes à la controverse dans la littérature et parmi les
praticiens de divers domaines. Par leur non reconnaissance officielle, les dépendances
comportementales sont rarement prises en compte par les cliniciens et dans les
traitements et se situent donc à la marge des services de traitement financés.
À partir de la perspective du travail social, et par l’intermédiaire de la méthode
qualitative et des approches biopsychosociale, narrative, phénoménologique et de l’outil
de Potter-Efron (2004), douze entrevues semi-dirigées ont été réalisées auprès d’adultes
en mesure de partager leurs expériences personnelles et professionnelles au sujet de
l’expérience vécue de la toxicomanie, de l’addiction et des dépendances marginales chez
soi-même et /ou dans son environnement social. Les résultats des entrevues ont été
soumis à une analyse de contenu.
 Les principaux résultats de la recherche révèlent que vivre soi-même avec une
ou plusieurs dépendances marginales, ou vivre auprès de personnes aux prises avec une
addiction ou une dépendance aux substances, engendre le stress, le trauma, les abus de
types variés et la désintégration relationnelle et familiale. La famille d’origine, la famille
de progéniture et les relations intimes sont particulièrement affectées par les addictions
et les dépendances marginales de toutes sortes. Ce sont des malaises familiaux et il y a
un grand besoin d’intervenir auprès des membres de la famille, en plus du client.
Pour réduire les écarts dans les services, il faut d’abord résoudre les formalités
d’accès aux services et les problèmes systémiques, afin qu’il soit facile d’accéder à des
services abordables et offertes à toutes les personnes qui en ont besoin. Pour intervenir,
les travailleurs sociaux doivent se doter d’une approche éclectique, pluraliste (du Plessis,
2014) et adopter une vision plus englobante et inclusive qui tient compte des aspects
personnels et sociaux de la personne, et s’assurer d’engager l’individu et son réseau dans
le traitement de ces problèmes, en leur donnant l’espace de s’exprimer, car ils sont les
experts de leur souffrance.

abstract: Maîtrise en Service Social


title: The use of mitochondrial DNA for the identification of fish in the early stages of development from the eastern shores of Lake Huron, Ontario, Canada

subject:
DNA barcoding
TaqMan real-time PCR
morphological identification
lake whitefish
deepwater sculpin
round whitefish
larval fish

abstract:
Ichthyoplankton specimens are notoriously difficult to identify using morphology. DNA
barcoding and real-time PCR utilize DNA to identify specimens, rather than morphology.
However, no study has yet compared morphological identifications with DNA-based
identification for Canadian freshwater fishes. Here, we both compare DNA barcoding with
morphological identification of ichthyoplankton and design a multiplex TaqMan real-time PCR
assay for the rapid and cost-effective identification of 3 important species in Lake Huron, lake
whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsonii) and round
whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum). Unlike morphological identification, DNA barcoding was
able to resolve specimens from the Catostomus genus and Cyprinidae family to the species.
Contrarily, DNA barcoding was unable to differentiate some members of the Coregonus genus,
whereas morphology identified these specimens to the species. Real-time PCR was able to
accurately identify the target species 100% of the time and was the most cost-effective method.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: The role of intestinal hydrogen sulfide on GLP-1 secretion and downstream metabolism

subject:
Diabetes
gut microbiome
glucagon-like peptide-1
metabolism
hormones

abstract:
Metabolic hormones released from the gastrointestinal tract are core regulators for digestion,
satiety, gut motility, and glucose homeostasis. Advancements in the management of type 2
diabetes and obesity have recently included the use of incretin hormone-based therapies, such as
glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs. GLP-1 can enhance glucose-dependent insulin
secretion and stimulate satiety after a meal. The release of this incretin is stimulated by the entry
of nutrients in the lumen or circulation. In addition, microbial metabolites have recently emerged
as a new group of potent stimulators of GLP-1 secretion. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), produced from
sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) of the distal ileum and colon, are localized in the same niche as
GLP-1 secreting L-cells. The physiological role of endogenous H2S is well established in many
biological systems, however it is not well understood how or if H2S can affect the
enteroendocrine system. Therefore, we hypothesized that microbial H2S from the distal GI tract
can potentially alter GLP-1 secretion and downstream metabolism, and further investigated the
potential mechanisms involved in the process. In murine colonic L-cells (GLUTag), we
demonstrated that H2S donors (NaHS and GYY4137) significantly enhanced GLP-1 secretion
and that the process was regulated through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. In male C57BL/6
mice, a 4-week chondroitin sulfate prebiotic diet successfully elevated SRB and colonic H2S
levels, enhanced the GLP-1 response, and reduced food intake. Together, this study
demonstrated a direct role for H2S in the stimulation of GLP-1 and a potential role for sulfur prebiotics to increase the H2S producing SRB as a means to enhance GLP-1 and improve
metabolism

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: Le développement de publics pour les arts en milieu minoritaire

subject:
marketing culturel
développement de publics
démocratisation culturelle
dissonance culturelle
minorité culturelle

abstract:
Malgré les importantes sommes investies dans la mise en place d’équipements culturels et la
promotion de la culture, l’accès aux arts reste largement inégal. La grande majorité des
publics consommateurs des arts correspondent toujours aux mêmes catégories
démographiques : forte scolarisation, revenu élevé, résidence urbaine, absence de handicaps,
etc. Toutefois, des gens font exception à cette règle, leurs habitudes de consommation
artistique transcendant cette typologie, faisant d’eux des publics atypiques.
En s’inspirant de la thèse de Lahire (2004) sur la dissonance culturelle, nous avons voulu
explorer la question de la participation culturelle au-delà des critères sociodémographiques,
pour répondre à la question : l’exposition au marketing culturel et la participation aux
initiatives de développement de publics sont-elles des facteurs déterminants du choix de
consommation de produits et d’expériences artistiques ? Des entretiens semi-dirigés ont été
réalisés auprès de 24 représentants de ces publics atypiques parmi la population francosudburoise – communauté culturelle et linguistique en situation minoritaire – eux-mêmes
identifiés à partir des 160 répondants d’un questionnaire de présélection.
L’analyse textométrique de ces entretiens a révélé que le développement de publics rejoint
les consommateurs atypiques des arts par le biais des communications directes et des
nombreux liens sociaux qui relient ces individus aux organismes culturels. Ils décrivent
l’utilité du développement de publics sous l’angle d’une logique idéologique, en appui à la
cause franco-ontarienne dans laquelle ils sont engagés. Quant aux non-consommateurs
atypiques, leurs liens avec les arts se tissent principalement par le biais du milieu scolaire. Leur appréciation du développement de publics relève de la logique démocratique, étant
surtout préoccupés par les questions d’accès aux arts et de transmission culturelle.
Ainsi, la dissonance dans les profils s’explique par le fait que les individus étudiés résident
dans une proximité relationnelle et idéologique plus ou moins importante avec le milieu des
arts franco-ontariens, et que l’effet de cette proximité surpasse celui des classes sociales.
Cette forte ou faible proximité caractérise largement leur rapport à l’art, faisant en sorte
qu’ils ont ultimement une exposition et une appréciation distinctes des initiatives de
développement de publics.

abstract: Doctorat en philosophie (PhD) en sciences humaines


title: Alcoholics anonymous: from spiritual void to spiritual awakening

subject:
Alcoholics Anonymous
St Paul
St Augustine
Oxford Group
twelve steps
spiritual awakening
spiritual principles
conversion
concupiscence
divided will
flesh versus spirit
Viktor Frankl
Carl Jung
William James

abstract:
Examining the program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) reveals that it grew out of a
Christian fundamentalist group known as the Oxford Group. This history connects AA
to the writings of St Paul and St Augustine. Their writings look into the lives of every
human being, into the struggle of the divided will, into obsession, and made them
particularly well suited to the study of addiction. There was no castigation, simply an
acceptance and understanding as to the scope and needs of those who struggle with the
chains of boundless appetite. The program of AA presents the twelve steps as the
process one is required to undergo in order to return to health. The gift of a spiritual
awakening is the promise in having worked these steps. This distinguishes AA from
other recovery programs. This thesis traces spiritual awakening through the program of
AA utilizing literature from the early Christian church to demonstrate how those works
were integral in the original program of AA.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Humanities


title: Portraits of Otherness: Arabs and Muslims in Homeland and Little Mosque on the Prairie

subject:
The “other”
media
Arabs
Muslims
Islam
misrepresentation,
stereotypes
gender
terrorism

abstract:
The U.S. media has often projected Muslims and Arabs in the West negatively, especially
after the 9/11 attacks. The negativity identifies Arabs as the “other.” Through numerous symbols
of difference, the U.S media helps to create a clear “us versus them” binary imposing
homogeneous images of Muslims as “terrorists,” “patriarchal abusers of women,” and “tyrants.”
Drawing from literature in religious and gender studies in the framework of Marxistpsychoanalysis, this thesis analyzes the American political thriller Homeland (2011) in contrast
to the Canadian sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie (2007). Written by a Muslim woman, Little
Mosque creates humors out of the conflicting and complicated diversities and realities of being
Muslim, while Homeland demonizes Arabs and Muslims. By employing Žižek’s concepts in The
Sublime Object of Ideology, I explore how fantasies shapes human society. Žižek’s analyses help
to clarify the idea that people’s fantasies are the basis of popular cultures. These fantasies in turn
shape the society’s biases and these biases shape individuals’ conceptions. However, while
Homeland reinforces the racist ideology and fantasy, Little Mosque challenges it. Little Mosque
converts the standard monochromatic stereotypes into a diverse mosaic, thereby moving
Muslims from the realm of static otherness to one of dynamic conflicts.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Humanities


title: Promoting a decolonized model of type II diabetes care for Aboriginal peoples living along the North Dhore of Lake Huron

subject:
Aboriginals
Lake Huron
Type II diabetes

abstract: This thesis aims to identify and contextualize issues faced by Aboriginal peoples in the seven North Shore Tribal Council (NSTC) communities who live with type II diabetes. A constructivist grounded theory methodology, guided by a decolonizing approach to conducting research with Aboriginal peoples, was utilised in this study. Twenty two individuals living with type II diabetes participated in this qualitative study. The main research question explored the impact of colonization on the lived experience and perceptions about developing type II diabetes for Aboriginal peoples. Through the use of semi structured interviews the three main categories that emerged were changing ways of eating, developing diabetes, and choosing your medicine. I have developed a substantive theory that suggests that Aboriginal peoples, living with type II diabetes, often live with the perception that there is ‘no going back’ to the way things once were prior to European contact. As a result they have had to adapt the way they live with diabetes which can, at times, be at odds with Aboriginal world views. An adaptation that considers a complementary approach including both Traditional and Western ways may provide a framework for a decolonized model of type II diabetes care for Aboriginal peoples.

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


title: The effects of simulated wastewater nutrient amendments on Sphagnum productivity and decomposition within a subarctic ribbed fen1

subject:
ribbed fen
subarctic peatland
Hudson Bay Lowlands
Sphagnum moss
carbon storage
treatment wetlands

abstract:
Peatlands dominate the flat landscape of the Hudson Bay Lowland (HBL). Sphagnum mosses are
the key peat-generating plants allowing for important ecosystem services such as carbon storage,
climate regulation, and water polishing. The HBL is a location for current and proposed
industrial mining development projects, and its peatlands may become increasingly used to
polish treated wastewater from mining camps. This study focuses on biological changes in the
Sphagnum moss community associated with the addition of simulated treated domestic
wastewater to a subarctic ribbed fen (a wetland type commonly found throughout the HBL). We
determined how the nutrient additions affected the productivity, decomposition, and nutrient
ratios, within the ponds and raised peatland ridge components of the ribbed fen. Field experiment
results show between a four to twelvefold increase in productivity rates of the low-lying
Sphagnum rubellum species, and a twofold increase in productivity for the higher hummock or ridge dominating species Sphagnum fuscum in locations closest to the point source of nutrient
effluent. Regions of the experimental ribbed fen greater than 50 m away from the point source
showed little difference in productivity rates, nutrient content, or decomposition rate than the
reference fen levels. No significant changes to the rate of decomposition of Sphagnum were
observed with relation to distance away from point source nutrients as the experimental fen
decomposition rates were comparable to the reference fen rates. A laboratory peat incubation
experiment was conducted to determine how increasing exposure to the wastewater nutrients
would affect Sphagnum decay potentials. Lab results indicate that greater concentrations of
nutrient additions to incubation environments did not significantly increase the amount of CO2 or
CH4 emissions. However, origin of the peat and the species of Sphagnum moss comprising the
peat was found to be important factors contributing to Sphagnum decomposability and greenhouse gas emissions. Peat formed within a nutrient enriched location produced significantly
greater CO2 and CH4 emissions than peat originating from non-fertilized locations, and hollow
dominant Sphagnum species show greater decomposability than hummock forming species. makers and industries will consult these results for mining development projects within the HBL
and elsewhere in subarctic and boreal biomes.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc.) in Biology


title: Rehabilitation of cognitive dysfunction in survivors of breast cancer: a pilot study involving survivor-partner dyads

subject:
Breast cancer
cognition
rehabilitation
cancer-related cognitive impairment

abstract:
Purpose: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has been associated with
fatigue, emotional distress, reduced quality of life, and caregiver strain. A potential
treatment option for those with CRCI is cognitive rehabilitation, a behavioural
approach to improve cognitive skills and quality of life. There have been some
studies that involve caregivers in aspects of rehabilitation. There are no studies in the
literature however, that include direct retraining of survivors on lost functions and
concurrent participation by their caregivers across all sessions. To fill this gap, a
comprehensive 10-week cognitive rehabilitation program (CRP) was created, with
aims to generalize improvement to everyday life in survivors of breast cancer.
Methods: A manualized CRP was developed and piloted with breast cancer survivors
(BCSs) and their training partners. The program focused on psychoeducation and
direct training on communication strategies, breathing/relaxation techniques, simple
and complex attention, and higher-order thinking. Outcome measures included
feasibility (retention and attendance rates), acceptability (homework compliance,
session and program satisfaction), and measures of cognitive functioning and quality
of life. BCSs and their individual partner underwent assessments at baseline,
immediately after completing the program, and approximately 10 weeks later in order
to investigate maintenance effects.
Results: Six BCSs (ages 44-59; ≥1 year post-chemotherapy) and their training
partners enrolled and completed this study with a (100% retention rate). Rates of
attendance were high for both BCSs and their training partners (94% and 92.5%
respectively) with all participants indicating high levels of satisfaction with the
iv
program. Repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) did not reveal a
significant main effect for time on measures of sustained attention, processing speed,
executive function, fluency (semantic and phonemic), verbal and visuospatial
learning, recall and recognition. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant
main effect for time on measures of attentional capacity, focused attention, motor
dexterity with the non-dominant hand, confrontation naming, and overall quality of
life. Additionally, analyses using adjusted reliable change indices (RCI) were
conducted on individual cases. RCIs yielded no change on most measures across
time.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Cultivating mindfulness for university students

subject:
mindfulness
well-being
university students
art-based methods
mental health
group work

abstract:
Mental health wellness in post-secondary institutions is a growing concern as students are
prone to experiencing mental health related challenges such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
Educational institutions lack comprehensive support services in order to effectively meet
students’ mental health care needs. Post-secondary institutions have the obligation to ensure that
mental health supports are in place in order to help students effectively manage their stress,
enhance their psychological well-being, and develop coping skills so that they can achieve
academic success. My study explored the suitability and the effectiveness of the Holistic Arts- Based Program (HAP) with university students. HAP is a 12-week arts-based mindfulness-based
intervention (MBI). Arts-based mindfulness methods can help to promote health and
psychological well-being. Furthermore, they are fun, engaging, and can help facilitate a deeper
understanding of emotions, thoughts, and feelings. Fifteen students participated in two different
HAP groups. Pre- and post-HAP individual interviews were conducted, and students completed
the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, and the Ryff Psychological Well-Being scale. Paired
t-tests indicated a statistically significant increase in participants’ level of mindfulness and
psychological well-being after taking part in the program. Results of the qualitative thematic
analysis revealed four main themes: (1) the benefits of HAP in a group format, (2) the cultivation
of mindfulness, (3) the benefits of making art, and (4) the impact of HAP on participants'
relationships with others. I conclude that HAP can contribute to the improvement of students’
mental health by providing them with effective coping strategies in order to more effectively
manage the stressors associated with university life. Post-secondary institutions are encouraged
to consider implementing HAP as a strengths-based mental health promotion initiative.

abstract: Masters in Social Work


title: Projective architecture: an approach to building an immersive Art Centre for Sudbury, Ontario

subject:
projective architecture
community engagement
installation art
immersive art
film art
video art
projection art
haptic diagramming
community art gallery
art centre

abstract:
This research explores the design for an art centre in Sudbury, Ontario in which the architecture
is not only activated or animated by its community but also inspires its community to be more active
within the city’s culture. Drawing upon the concept of Projective Architecture as coined by Sarah
Whiting and Robert Somol, the proposed art centre would respond to and with its surrounding
context to focus on its effects on the social condition of the surrounding community.1
 The proposed
institution would facilitate the community’s engagement by a layering of substrates, filters, light, film
and video projections, by an interactive exterior screen-like facade system, to reveal the movements
of the art centre and its art film-making residency program artists. This second-skin surrounding
the abandoned General Hospital building in Sudbury would facilitate views to the landscape beyond
connecting the visitors with the surrounding Northern city through an unusual and interesting lens.
Film and video art, haptic diagramming, conceptual object making and immersive installation art all
served in the research-creation process to determine the aesthetics and ideologies of the proposed
art centre. Focused on an active reciprocal engagement between the community and emerging arts
artists, the centre seeks to breed new genres of Northern Ontario art.

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: Smile judgment in substance use disorders and its relationship to interpersonal and emotional functioning: an eye-tracking investigation

subject:
substance use
smile judgment
eye-tracking
emotional-interpersonal

abstract:
The current study explored the judgments individuals with Substance Use Disorders
(SUDs) make regarding the authenticity of enjoyment smile expressions and masking
smile expressions containing traces of negative emotions. Accuracy at identifying the
masked negative emotions were also examined. Eye-movements were recorded to
observe relationships between attentional processes and smile judgment. Additionally, the
relationship between smile judgment, emotion dysregulation, and interpersonal problems
were also investigated. Twenty individuals with SUDs being treated from a local
treatment center and twenty individuals matched on gender/age participated in the smile
judgment task, which involved a smile expression characteristic of enjoyment and six
smile expressions containing traces of either fear, disgust, anger in eyes, anger in mouth,
sadness in eyes, and sadness in mouth. Results indicated that individuals with SUDs were
no different in their categorization of the smiles. The lack of difference may be due to
their previously observed biases at interpreting expressions as negative, as the results
indicated that individuals with SUDs were significantly more likely to report the presence
of negative emotions in the expressions. They were also more often incorrect in their
identification of the masked emotions. No link was observed between smile judgment and
attentional processes. Emotional and interpersonal functioning were related more to the
ability to distinguish smile authenticity than the ability to identify masked emotions.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Exploring for copper–gold deposits with electromagnetic surveys at Opemiska, Canada

subject:
electromagnetics
conductivity
anisotropy
chargeability
magnetic viscosity
superparamagnetic effects
magnetization
rock physics
time-domain
interpretation
petrophysics
mining exploration
chalcopyrite

abstract: Finding and delineating new economic Cu-Au ore zones corresponding to poorly conductive disseminated mineralization and narrow massive chalcopyrite veins in the Chapais-Chibougamau mining district of Québec is a challenging exploration problem. The site of the former Opemiska underground mine was the location for conducting an experimental ground time-domain electromagnetics (EM) survey for mapping the conductivity, the anisotropy of the conductivity and the chargeability estimated from shape reversals. Measurements at fourteen different sites confirmed the variability of the EM response, and the difficulty of relying on a definite EM signature to locate the economic sulfides. The Cu-Au zones showed a variety of EM responses with a maximum conductance of 100 Siemens and 2 ms time constant. The trends, sizes, shapes and conductances of the relatively strong conductors were identified with success and modeled using thin plates in full space. The vein direction in the weakly conductive zones were quantified from the x-component data. In only one instance was a TDEM response associated with mineralization interpreted to be chargeable. Petrophysical measurements and microscopic observations suggest complex interrelations between the amount of ore, the fabric of the rock, texture, porosity, mineralogical associations and impurities. This explains a wide range of bulk conductivity values from ~0.01 S/m to 4000 S/m measured on rock samples, and suggests that chalcopyrite might be a semiconductor at some locations at Opemiska.  The magnetic viscosity effects observed at time scales between 0.01 and 10 ms at Opemiska are associated with magnetic grains of variable size in rocks. Recent observations made during a ground time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) survey at Opemiska are consistent with four aspects of the spatial and amplitude characteristics of a magnetic viscosity response: (1) the ∂Bz/∂𝑡𝑡 decay rate is roughly proportional to 1/𝑡𝑡1+ α, where -0.4 < α < 0.4; (2) the anomalies are mainly visible on the z-component when the EM receiver sensor is located inside or just outside the transmitter loop; (3) there is no obvious x- or y-component response; (4) the sites where magnetic viscosity effect are seen in the TDEM data are coincident with an airborne magnetic anomaly. Previous studies have demonstrated that the magnetic viscosity could be caused by (i) fine-grained particles of maghemite or magnetite in the overburden, regolith or soil that were formed through lateritic weathering processes; (ii) volcanic glass shards from tuff containing ~1% by weight magnetite, which occurs as grains ~0.002 to 0.01 μm in size precipitated in a spatially uniform way, or (iii) from Gallionella bacterium that precipitates ferrihydrite that oxidizes to nanocrystalline maghemite aggregates. The sites investigated at Opemiska are outcropping and well exposed with relatively little or no overburden, and are unfavorable to the formation of maghemite; hence, it is assumed that the source of magnetic viscosity seen at Opemiska cannot be the maghemite, or the other aforementioned causes. Hand samples were collected from Opemiska to identify the minerals present. Polished thin sections observed under an optical reflecting microscope identified the accessory minerals magnetite, ilmenite and pyrrhotite, all known for their relatively high magnetic susceptibility. The use of the scanning electron microscope confirmed fine grained magnetite grains as small as 0.667 μm. An electromagnetic induction spectrometer confirmed the viscous nature of the susceptibility of the Opemiska samples. This suggests that magnetic viscosity could originate not only from fine-grained magnetite and maghemite particles located in the weathered regolith, but also from other iron oxides and magnetic minerals embedded in the rock itself.

abstract: Master of Science (M.Sc.) Geology


title: Estimating the win probability in a hockey game

subject:
hockey
NHL
Stream mining
Naive Bayes
SVM
VFDT
Random Tree,
Win Probability

abstract:
When a hockey game is being played, its data comes continuously. Therefore, it is possible
to use the stream mining method to estimate the win probability (WP) of a team once the
game begins. Based on 8 seasons’ data of NHL from 2003-2014, we provide three methods
to estimate the win probability in a hockey game. Win probability calculation method based
on statistics is the first model, which is built based on the summary of the historical data.
Win probability calculation method based on data mining classification technique is the
second model. In this model, we implemented some data classification algorithms on our
data and compared the results, then chose the best algorithm to build the win probability
model. Naive Bayes, SVM, VFDT, and Random Tree data classification methods have been compared in this thesis on the hockey dataset. We used stream mining technique in
our last model, which is a real time prediction model, which can be interpreted as a trainingupdate-
training model. Every 20 events in a hockey game are split as a window. We use
the last window as the training data set to get decision tree rules used for classifying the
current window. Then a parameter can be calculated by the rules trained by these two
windows. This parameter can tell us which rule is better than another to train the next
window. In our models the variables time, leadsize, number of shots, number of misses,
number of penalties are combined to calculate the win probability. Our WP estimates can provide useful evaluations of plays, prediction of game result and in some cases, guidance
for coach decisions.

abstract: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Computational Sciences


title: Exploring participants’ experiences in an arts-based bereavement support group for traumatic and/or unexpected losses

subject:
grief
bereavement
support
intervention
traumatic losses
arts-based interventions
arts-based methods
creative process
bereavement support group
personal grief journeys

abstract:
Our understanding of grief has shifted in recent years, resulting in a call for international research
in the areas of grief and bereavement, and in identifying effective supports and interventions for
those who are mourning. Individuals who lose a loved one to traumatic and/or unexpected causes
(unnatural events such as overdoses, suicides, car accidents, violent crimes) often face some
specific challenges in their grieving journey, are at higher risk for experiencing complicated grief..
Some recent research has identified the usefulness of arts-based interventions in supporting those
who are bereaved. Bereaved individuals participating in arts-based methods may receive support
through art-making and engaging in the creative process itself, as well as through meaning-making
opportunities in metaphoric communication related to loss, and through memorialisation of one’s
relationship with the deceased. The study described herein utilizes a qualitative research process
and thematic analysis to explore the experiences of participants in Northern Ontario in an artsbased bereavement support group for traumatic and/or unexpected losses. Four main themes
emerged from the data (1) exploring new territory (2) travelling together (3) crossing the borders,
and (4) getting somewhere. Collectively, the participants herein described their experience in the
group as being helpful in their personal grief journeys, in their understanding of themselves, and/or
in making meanings in relation to their loss(s). Several participants in the study expressed signs of
growth, making statements specifically attributing this growth to their participation in the group.
The findings in this study provide a rich and in-depth exploration of five individuals’ experiences
in an arts-based supportive group for traumatic losses, adding to a limited body of literature on the
topic. Areas in need of further research are discussed as well as implications for social work.

abstract: Masters of Social Work


title: A comparative analysis of positive psychology and clinical psychology assessments

publisher:
Laurentian University of Sudbury
Laurentian University of Sudbury

subject:
positive psychology
clinical psychology
assessment

abstract:
This study examines whether the 24 strengths on the Values in Action Classification of
Strengths (VIA-CS) correlate with the 10 Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-
168) scales. The VIA-CS attempts to capture one’s positive values and virtues, while the MMPI-
168 attempts to measure maladaptive personality characteristics. This research also investigates
the differences and similarities between the VIA-CS scores obtained by the research group -
twenty-six (26) inmates at the Sudbury District Jail and the control group - seventy-two (72)
volunteer participants, who are students recruited from the Laurentian University student
population. Canonical Correlation was used to assess the relationship between the two sets of
variables. In addition a MANOVA of the MMPI-168 scales by population group was conducted
to measure if there were differences between the two groups. The findings reveal very little
meaningful information connecting the tests. One test cannot predict the other. The results
suggest that the VIA-CS assessment method can add value to the clinical assessment process. In
practical application, balancing potentially negative clinical findings with the positive strengths
of the VIA-CS may promote better outcomes in the therapeutic experience.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Beyond shelter: the power of women stepping into connection

title: Women survivors of intimate partner violence experiences in an arts-based mindfulness group program

subject: Holistic Arts-Based Program

subject: HAP

subject: mindfulness skills

subject: violence against women (VAW)

subject: women shelters

subject: trauma

subject: posttraumatic growth

subject: arts-based

subject: group work

abstract:
Meeting the needs of women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), that seek
emergency shelters across Canada is a persistent concern in shelters across the country as women
are experiencing high rates of stress-related challenges after feeling abuse such as post-traumatic
stress (PTSD), anxiety and depression. The annual national report of YWCA Canada
acknowledges that women’s shelters require innovative, cost-effective supports that use a
trauma-informed perspective to meet the diverse needs of their residents. They propose VAW
shelters collaborate with local and provincial agencies to develop effective solutions and
implement best practices that can empower women. My research study explored the suitability
and effectiveness of an innovative mindfulness-based intervention (MBIs) called the Holistic
Arts-Based Program (HAP) to teach mindfulness skills to women survivors of intimate partner
violence (IPV), living in an emergency shelter. Arts-based methods are enjoyable and engaging,
and enable individuals to express feelings/thoughts that might otherwise be difficult to elicit; this
information is rich and interesting, even powerful. Results of qualitative thematic analysis of preand post-group group interviews led to the development of three main themes: (1) benefits of
learning mindfulness skills and concepts, (2) benefits of arts-based experimental methods, and
(3) benefits of strength-based group work. Participation in HAP helped women survivors
mitigate the negative impacts of stress, and taught them mindfulness concepts and activities that
they were inspired to use in their own lives and introduce them to their children. My research
demonstrates how interventions such as the HAP could make a difference in women’s mental
health. As MBIs may not have universal appeal they should not be a mandatory program
requirement, but consideration may be given to offer mindfulness interventions to empower
women survivors of IPV in emergency shelters.

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW) Program


title: The role of formate in combatting oxidative stress.

subject:
Formate metabolism
Pseudomas fluorescens
Ketoacids
Glyoxylate
Formate dehydrogenase
Fumarate reductase- formate dependent
Isocitrate lyase

abstract:
As all aerobic organisms are exposed to oxidative stress, they are known to devise
intricate mechanisms to counter reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metabolic networks
contributing to the production of ketoacids are prominent in alleviating the oxidative
burden. When glyoxylate detoxifies ROS, formate is the principal by-product generated.
In this study the contribution of formate in enabling the survival of the microbe
Pseudomonas fluorescens challenged by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been elucidated.
When grown in the presence of H2O2 (stressed culture), the levels of formate were higher
in the spent fluid and the soluble cell-free extracts compared to the controls. Formate was
subsequently utilized as a reducing factor to produce NADPH and succinate. The former
is mediated by formate dehydrogenase (FDH-NADP), whose activity was enhanced in the
stressed cells. Fumarate reductase (FRD) that catalyzes the conversion of fumarate into
succinate was also markedly increased in the stressed cells. Metabolic adaptation is a pivotal tool in combatting oxidative stress. Formate, a by-product of glyoxylate- mediated
detoxification of ROS is recuperated as a potent reductive fuel. It is becoming quite evident
that this simple metabolite has other biological roles that have not been fully appreciated.

abstract: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biology


title: Computer simulation of molecular shape transitions in adsorbed polymers under confinement conditions

subject:
Polymer islands
Monte Carlo simulations
self-avoiding walks
radius of excluded volume
escape transition
chain avoidance
entanglement complexity
coarse-grained
hard-sphere potential
Marsaglia algorithm
Metropolis-Hasting algorithm

abstract:
The structural and dynamical properties of polymer-covered surfaces under confinement
and crowding effects are key to many applications. Earlier work showed the occurrence of
“escape transitions” in small uncompressed clusters (or “islands”) even for repulsive polymers.
These transitions involve a switch from evenly-compact configurations (“trapped chains”), to
uneven compactness (“escaped chains”). Here, we address a complementary question: if the
crowding is reduced by having fewer neighbours, can an external compression produce “escaped
configurations”? To this end, we focused on the confinement of grafted polymers. At low
compression, the inter-chain entanglement increases with excluded volume as chains swell and
interpenetrate, up to a critical chain length where the behaviour is reversed. We conclude that,
when few chains are present or if a larger ensemble of them is arranged symmetrically,
compression induces chain avoidance without inducing escape transitions. The switch in
mechanism depends mostly on crowding, and not on the applied pressure.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Sciences


title: The effect of andrographis paniculata on the growth of malignant cancer cells

subject:
Andrographis paniculata
malignant cancer cells
Apoptosis
Caspase 3,
Sub-G1

abstract: There are a variety of plants that have been recognized and used in traditional medicine for their health benefits. Among these plants is Andrographis paniculata, commonly known as the king of bitters because of its bitter taste. In the past, Andrographis paniculata has been used to treat various ailments, including respiratory infections, the common cold, snake bites, inflammation and diarrhea. We have tested the effect of Andrographis paniculata extracts on the growth of malignant cancer cells and its potential benefits towards cancer treatment. Cancer cells, including B16- BL6, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, 4T1, and ASPC-1 cells, were treated with 70% ethanol extracts or aqueous extracts of Andrographis paniculata with a range in concentration from 0.1 to 1%. Treatment with the ethanol extract of Andrographis paniculata inhibited cell growth when added at 0.25% to 1%. The aqueous extract was less potent and inhibited cell growth at only 1%. Treatment of B16- BL6 cells with 1% of the aqueous extract of Andrographis paniculata for 48 h induced apoptosis as detected using the acridine orange/ ethidium bromide cell staining assay. On the other hand, treatment with the ethanol extract had a much stronger effect and cell staining showed late stage apoptosis and loss of membrane integrity. We have shown that treatment of B16- BL6 cells with Andrographis paniculata extracts altered cell survival pathways and promoted apoptosis by using western blot analysis for ERK ½, phosphorylated-ERK and Caspase 3. Similarly, the treatment of B16-BL6 with the ethanol extract for 48 h increased the number of cells in the Sub-G1 phase, in comparison to treatment with the aqueous extract, by using flow cytometry of propidium iodide-stained cells. Overall, this study demonstrated that Andrographis paniculata had successfully suppressed the growth of malignant cancer cells.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: Effects of liming on soil respiration, fungi diversity and abundance in a metal-contaminated region in Northern Ontario

subject:
fungi species
Greater Sudbury Region.
limed areas
unlimed areas
Sabouraud Dextrose Agar
Malt Extract Agar

abstract: At present, little is known concerning the fungi communities inhabiting the Greater Sudbury Region. This study aimed at identifying the fungal species and abundance in limed and unlimed areas contaminated with metals. Samples were collected from the LFH soil layer from Wahnapitae Hydro-Dam, Daisy Lake, Kingsway, Kelly Lake, Hagar, Onaping Falls and Capreol. Limed and unlimed areas were compared for soil metals, pH, fungi diversity, abundance and seasonal soil respiration. Fungi from soil samples were cultured using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Malt Extract Agar. A total of 52 fungi species from 34 genera were identified. There was a significantly higher fungal diversity in the limed areas compared to the samples from unlimed sites based on SDA medium data. Fungi abundance followed the same trend. Significantly higher soil respiration rates were recorded for limed sites compared to unlimed sites. Summer soil respiration rates correlated (r = 0.50) with total fungal abundance.

abstract: Master's Thesis


title: Resilience and quality of life of francophone patients living with prostate cancer: an analysis of the situation in Northern Ontario, Canada

subject:
prostate cancer
quality of life
resilience
social constructivism

abstract:
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among Canadian men with current statistics estimating that one in eight men will develop this disease during his lifetime and for one in 28, it will be fatal (Canadian Cancer Society, 2014). Using social constructivism as its theoretical underpinning, the purpose of the present study was to develop a theoretical framework illustrating how Francophone men from Northeastern Ontario constructed their prostate cancer experiences. More specifically, this study sought to highlight the impact of this disease and the uncertainty it generates on Francophone patients’ resilience and overall quality of life by uncovering the strategies they utilized to construct and reconstruct their lives upon receipt of their initial diagnosis, to their selected treatment and subsequently, to their current post-treatment realities.
The central question that guided this inquiry was: What are the strategies that Northeastern Ontario Francophone men utilize when faced with a diagnosis and subsequent treatment(s) for prostate cancer? This study was guided by a qualitative social constructivist grounded theory design. To collect data, 22 face-to-face, in-depth interviews were conducted with men from eight different communities throughout Northeastern Ontario. All interviews were digitally audio-recorded using two separate digital audio recorders and were transcribed verbatim in the language of the interview. Data were analyzed using the key principles of grounded theory, mainly, constant comparison, data saturation, as well as initial, focused, and theoretical coding.
Results from this study highlighted the influence of language and culture on the illness experiences of Francophone prostate cancer patients from Northeastern Ontario. In addition, linguistic preferences and geographic locations were shown to be key considerations that weighed heavily within participants’ treatment decision-making processes. The role of the wife and the role of the primary family physician were also identified as important supports within the context of men’s overall assessment of their cancer experience and the impact of the disease on men’s post-treatment quality of life. Using a variety of formal and informal strategies,participants were able to mitigate some of the negative consequences of the disease and demonstrate resiliency in the face of a challenging and uncertain disease.

abstract: Doctoral Theses


title: The relationship between gross motor skills, psychosocial adjustment, and peer victimization in school-aged children

subject:
motor skills
motor competence
Test of Gross Motor Development
psychosocial adjustment
anxiety
depression
peer victimization,
bullying

abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between childrens’ motor
competence, psychosocial adjustment, peer victimization, physical activity participation
and obesity. Child participants (n = 51; children ages 7 to 10 years) completed self-report
measures on peer victimization, loneliness, depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms
and also completed the Test of Gross Motor Development-3. Parent participants
completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and another on their child’s participation in
physical activity. For boys, Pearson product-moment correlations revealed that lower
motor competence was significantly related to depressive symptoms, social phobia,
separation anxiety symptoms, loneliness and peer victimization. For girls, lower motor
competence was significantly related to separation anxiety symptoms and loneliness. No
correlations were found between motor competence, weight status and physical activity
participation. Considering the importance of motor competence on psychosocial
development, early motor-based skills training and identification of impairments is
crucial for long-term psychosocial wellbeing.

abstract: Masters of Human Kinetics (M.H.K.)


title: Le choc culturel dans les relations parents-écoles au sein des familles immigrantes franco-africaines

subject: différences culturelles

subject: relations entre les parents et l’école

subject: relation entre le parent franco-africain immigrant

subject: immigrants

subject: culture traditionnelle

subject: société de culture moderne

subject: parent franco-africain

abstract:
L’image de la société canadienne et ontarienne est plus diversifiée que jamais. Les immigrants viennent de partout au monde. Par ce fait, les écoles de langues françaises de l’Ontario augmentent le nombre d’élèves issus de l’immigration continuellement.
Ce mémoire jette une lumière sur les relations entre les parents immigrants franco-africains issus d’une culture plus traditionnelle et l’école ontarienne issue d’une société de culture plus moderne.
Par une approche qualitative comme démarche méthodologique, les résultats issus des entrevues semi-dirigées menées auprès des parents ont révélé une série de contraintes dues aux différences culturelles.
Ces contraintes, qui viennent teinter les relations entre les parents immigrants franco-africains et l’école ontarienne fréquentée par leurs enfants, sont regroupées en quatre catégories : les difficultés de compréhension du langage dans la communication, les difficultés de collaboration à la participation, les difficultés dans l’accompagnement scolaire des enfants à la maison et les difficultés dans l’implication des parents comme bénévoles dans les activités organisées par l’école.

abstract: Maîtrise en Service Social


title: Fate of limestone dissolution products in acidic metalcontaminated soil mesocosms

subject:
Calcitic limestone
dolomitic limestone
acidic metal-contaminated soils
Sudbury

abstract:
The impact of liming (10 t ha-1 of calcitic and dolomitic limestone, separately) on the soil
solution and soil matrix was investigated in an acidic metal-contaminated soil from Sudbury,
ON. A soil mesocosm experiment was performed; columns were leached with simulated
rainwater and the soil solution collected at various locations throughout the soil column. The
dissolution rate of calcitic limestone used for this experiment was found to be approximately
double that of the dolomitic limestone investigated. Calcium and Mg released during limestone
dissolution migrated through the soil profile to the Bf-BC interface. The addition of limestone
increased the pH and decreases the bioavailability of Ni, Cu, Co, Cd, As, Ba, Mn, and Zn the
LFH horizon. Amending acid, contaminated soils with calcitic or dolomitic limestone has
profound effects on soil solution chemistry.

abstract: Masters of Science (MSc) in Chemical Science


title: An investigation of sponsorship effects at charity-linked sporting events: does gender matter?

subject: Sponshorship

subject: Cause-linked sport

subject: Gender differences in consumer behaviour

abstract:
The purpose of my dissertation was two-fold. First, this research contributed to an understanding of the effects of the emerging area of cause-related sport sponsorship (CRSS) on consumer perceptions and responsiveness in terms of sponsor interest, favourability, and intended use. Second, this investigation examined the potential influence of gender at all stages of the sponsorship process through a comparison of grouped samples that included respondents of spectators of men‘s versus women‘s hockey, and cancer-cause versus social-cause affiliated events. A proposed framework of consumer processing of CRSS extended earlier findings by Speed and Thompson (2000) and Alay (2008) in highlighting multiple paths of possible influence for both women and men to process sponsorship factors and to respond at the various levels of effect, leading to an investigation of the relationships between five possible predictors of sponsorship response. These included gender, personal involvement (with sport and with cause), gender-support (for women and for men), sponsor-event fit, and perceived sincerity of the sponsor.
Field-level data was collected among spectators of five different charity-linked (women‘s and men‘s) hockey events across three different Ontario cities. A total of 314 women and 319 men participated in this study. Findings confirmed the direct and indirect influence of personal involvement, sponsor-event fit, and perceived sincerity of the sponsor on CRSS response. The potential impact of sponsorship at all levels of the hierarchy of effects was also recognized. This study conceptualizes the Diamond of CRSS Goodwill to highlight the expanded platform of consumer engagement offered through these evolved forms of sponsorship. This proposed concept illustrates the interacting effects of goodwill, involvement, and reciprocal return in sponsorships that unite consumers and sponsors with elements of both sport and cause. With regards to gender differences, women expressed significantly greater involvement with social causes than did men. Gender support was also established as a significant and mediating influence on all levels of female consumer response. The answer to whether gender matters in CRSS was discovered to be highly contextual and reflective of complex relationships that are not only based on differences but also on equally important similarities between genders.

abstract: Doctoral Theses


title: Analysis of the effects of short-term subaerial weathering in different environmental conditions on bone colour and microstructure.

subject:
Forensic science
Forensic anthropology
Forensic taphonomy
Forensic ecology
Dissection microscope
Scanning electron microscope
Vapour density
Photoshop©
Munsell Soil Colour Chart®

abstract: This preliminary study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of subaerial environmental factors on bone colour change over time, and to quantify this using photography and Photoshop© CMYK analysis, as well with the Munsell Soil Colour Chart®. Additionally, surface microstructural changes with macroscopic and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis were also conducted. Environmental data were tracked, and vapour density was documented and compared to relative humidity to determine the best-suited unit of measurement. The specimens consisted of 23 fleshed Sus scrofa humeri that were exposed to different microenvironments with varying sustrates and sunlight exposure. Although no discernable colour change trends were observed, other taphonomic changes were visible macroscopically in as little as 6 weeks to a few months of environmental exposure, and detailed distinctions could be made between specimens of different groups using SEM analysis.


title: Parasocial and parasocial vicarious contact effects on euro Canadians’ views of aboriginal peoples

subject:
Intergroup relations
prejudice
cross-group friendship
media

abstract:
Research on indirect contact suggests that actual contact with a group may not be
necessary to promote positive intergroup attitudes. The ingroup, or group with which one
identifies, may have more favourable attitudes toward the outgroup, other group, after
indirect contact. The current study examined a video intervention that consisted of a
control video (no actors), parasocial video (ingroup and outgroup actor always separate),
and parasocial vicarious video (ingroup and outgroup actor interacting). Dependent
variables were outgroup attitudes and reported efficacy of future interactions with
Aboriginal Peoples by Euro-Canadian participants. As predicted, compared to those who
viewed the parasocial video, Euro-Canadian participants who viewed the parasocial
vicarious video reported more warmth towards Aboriginal peoples. Additionally,
compared to those who viewed the control video, Euro-Canadian participants who
viewed the parasocial and parasocial vicarious videos desired less social distance from
Aboriginal Peoples. Number of outgroup friendships, as well as quality of outgroup
friendships, interact with video manipulation on outgroup attitudes. Results offer
preliminary evidence for parasocial vicarious contact to influence positive intergroup
attitudes. Further, the data suggest additional benefits of parasocial vicarious contact over
and above parasocial contact for some groups.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Exploring the harm reduction approach

subject: Health Sciences North

subject: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

abstract:
This Advanced Practicum Thesis paper examined the experience of my Advanced
Practicum at the Outpatient Addictions and Gambling Services (OAGS) program at Health
Sciences North. It focused on my learning goals which were to gain more knowledge and
experience with the harm reduction approach for problematic substance use; to develop an
understanding and skills for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); and to gain clinical skills for
social work practice through receiving clinical supervision. I described how each learning goal
was met through different strategies such as shadowing intake assessments and group
programming, co-facilitating group programming, individually conducting intake assessments
and case management, conducting research on each learning goal, taking relevant training,
journal writing, and receiving clinical supervision. It concluded with implications for social work
practice.

abstract: Master of Social Work (MSW)


title: Human detection and face recognition in indoor environment to improve human-robot interaction in assistive and collaborative robots

subject:
Human detection
Robots
Human Head detection
indoor environment

abstract:
Human detection in indoor environment is essential for Robots working together with humans in
collaborative manufacturing environment. Similarly, Human detection is essential for service
robots providing service with household chores or helping elderly population with different daily
activities.
Human detection can be achieved by Human Head detection, as head is the most discriminative
part of human. Head detection method can be divided into three types: i) Method based on color
mode; ii) Method based on template matching; and iii) Method based on contour detection.
Method based on color mode is simple but is error prone. Method based on head template detects
head in the image by searching for a template which is similar to head template. On the other
hand, Method based on contour detection uses some information to describe head or head and
shoulder information. The use of only one criteria may not be sufficient and accuracy of human
head detection can be increased by combining the shape and color information. In this thesis, a
method of human detection is proposed by combining the head shape and skin color (i.e.,
Combination of method based on Color mode and method based on Contour detection). Mainly,
curvature criteria is used to segment out curves having similar curvature to find human head.
Further, skin color is detected to localize face in image plane. A curve represents human head
curve if only it has sufficient skin colored pixel in its closed proximity. Thus, by using color and
human head curvature it was found that promising results could be obtained in human detection
in indoor environment.
iv
After detecting humans in the surrounding, the next step for the robot could be to identify and
recognize them. In this thesis, the use of Gabor filter response on nine points was investigated to
identify eight different individuals. This suggests that the Gabor filter on nine points could be
applied to identify people in small areas, for example home or small office with less individuals.

abstract: Masters of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) in Natural Resource Engineering


title: Anthropogenic impacts on life history traits on Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus)

subject:
eastern chipmunks
anthropogenic impacts
life history traits

abstract: Urban centers provide unique habitats for opportunistic animal species. However, conditions in urban habitats are inherently stressful and require specialized adaptations in resident animals. Eastern chipmunks are a generalist small rodent species common in a number of different habitat types. I examined differences in behavioural traits and stress levels (chapter one), as well as body condition and parasitism rates (chapter 2) between urban and natural populations of chipmunks. I tested the hypothesis that 1), chipmunks in urban habitats would show greater levels of boldness and exploratory behaviour, 2), urban chipmunks would show greater levels of stress reflected in greater cortisol concentrations in hair and feces, 3) urban chipmunks would have a relatively poor body condition due to poor quality food and competition in urban centers, and 4) urban chipmunks would show greater parasitism rates measured in greater oocyte prevalence, richness, and abundance from fecal samples. A total of 140 individual chipmunks (80 natural and 60 urban) were sampled from natural habitats in Algonquin Provincial Park and outside of Sudbury, and urban habitats in Huntsville and Sudbury Ontario. Differences in behavioural patterns suggest urban animals may be more habituated to human presence, while body condition was significantly superior in urban animals. However, cortisol measured from hair and feces, leukocyte concentrations measured from blood and parasitism impacts did not differ between individuals from the two habitat type. Overall, chipmunks in these urban habitats have a better body condition and are more habituated to human presence than their natural conspecifics.

abstract: Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biology


title: Structural geology, stratigraphy, and gold deposits of the New Britannia Mining District of the paleoproterozoic Snow Lake arc assemblage (Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada)

subject: Snow Lake arc assemblage

subject: Flin Flon Glennie Complex

subject: explosive submarine felsic volcanism

subject: rifting

subject: orogen-parallel stretching lineation

subject: amphibolite facies orogenic gold deposits

subject: thrusting

subject: LA-ICP-MS mapping of arsenopyrite

abstract:
Orogenic gold deposits in the Snow Lake area in the southeastern Trans Hudson Orogen,
Manitoba, include the New Britannia deposit which, with a past production of a 1.4M oz Au (43
699 kg), is the largest Proterozoic gold deposit in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The deposits are
hosted by the ca. 1.89 Ga Paleoproterozoic Snow Lake arc (SLA) assemblage of the Flin Flon
Glennie Complex (FFGC). The FFGC is bound by a sedimentary basin to the north, namely the
Kisseynew Domain. It represents an oceanic protocontinent within an ancestral ocean, the
Manikewan Ocean, which occupied the region between three Archean cratons (Hearne, Sask,
Superior).  The deposits occur within a sequence of explosive, submarine, bimodal volcanic rocks emplaced
during an early episode of rifting and subsidence of the SLA. Deformation of these rocks began
with their imbrication along brittle thrust faults during a D1 event. It continued during a ca. 1.84-
1.82 Ga D2 event with thrusting of the Kisseynew basin and FFGC above the colliding Sask
craton. The D2 event produced a penetrative regional foliation axial planar to map-scale isoclinal
folds (NorAcme Anticline), sheath-like gneiss domes along the Kisseynew-FFGC boundary, and
regional southwest-directed ductile thrust faults, such as the McLeod Road Thrust. Final collision
of the FFGC and Sask craton with the Superior craton during a ca. 1.83-1.80 Ga D3 event
reactivated the ductile thrust faults, folded the gneiss domes, and enabled the development of an
orogen-parallel regional stretching lineation during lateral flow parallel to the cold Superior craton.   The New Britannia deposit and nearby gold deposits were emplaced in the hinge of the Nor-Acme
Anticline early during the D2 event, were folded during tightening of the fold, stretched parallel to
the regional stretching lineation, and transposed along a late crosscutting shear zone, the Howe Sound fault, which formed as a transfer fault during thrusting. The deposits formed at amphibolite
facies conditions during a prograde metamorphic event that culminated during the collision of the
FFGC and Sask craton with the Superior craton during the D3 event. Thus, the deposits are atypical
compare to most other Proterozoic and Archean orogenic gold deposits which typically form at
greenschist facies conditions.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mineral Deposits and Precambrian Geology


title: Serendipitous spaces: discovery in the contemporary library

subject:
public library
discovery
exploration
serendipity
access to information
21st century libraries
architecture
contemporary building design
browsing

abstract:
Contemporary public libraries serve as a conduit between sources of
knowledge and the public. They are not only a repository of knowledge
but also a community hub that facilitates, creates and disseminates this
information. These libraries are democratic institutions that enable and
advocate for free access of information for everyone, where ‘information’
goes beyond physical collections to include digital formats, live events
(lectures and workshops) and learning through making.
In contemporary public libraries, the interaction between people
and information is vital to their success, as a library without people is
essentially a storage room. This thesis proposes the design of a new
public library for Sudbury that encourages discovery and elicits curiosity
as a method of improving connections between people and knowledge
stored in the library. Through the careful organization of the library’s
program, the decentralized approach to stored knowledge, and the
removal of spatial barriers, the library’s architecture promotes browsing,
wandering and ultimately discovering all the library has to offer

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: XRD structural assessment of peridotitic garnet with anomalous REE distribution

subject: Peridotitic Garnet

abstract:
This thesis explored, as its major aim, the crystallographic and compositional characteristics of a particular type of peridotitic garnet associated with kimberlite. This garnet has a highly sinusoidal rare-earth element (REE) pattern as its distinguishing feature. Before the main research question could be addressed, a technique had to be developed that enabled the rapid and straight-forward acquisition of a full profile digital X-ray diffractogram from a single sub-milligram crystal fragment. After extensive experimentation and testing, successful development and realization of a method that is capable of producing such data was achieved. The next step of this research project was to empirically investigate and assess the crystal lattice strain model (CLSM) of Blundy and Wood (1994). Careful analyses of the REE present in a suite of clinopyroxenes were compared to the crystal structure data given from the XRD technique outlined above. Clinopyroxene is particularly useful for such an assessment because the radius of the M2 site in this mineral is between the largest and smallest REE, making the distribution of REE particularly sensitive to variation of the M2 site, which in turn is a direct consequence of the overall pyroxene structure. Subsequent to illustrating that XRD data could be collected on such small material and the XRD data and structural data given from the CLSM correlate strongly, peridotitic garnets with sinusoidal REE patters were investigated. The conclusions drawn in the first two contributions – namely that it was possible to collect accurate and precise XRD data from sub-milligram specimens and that the crystal structure and REE distribution were directly related – were imperative for the deduction of conclusions in the final, major research question. The XRD analysis of many garnets with and without sinusoidal REE patterns showed the presence of a small amount of an additional phase in some of these garnets. While this phase (2 out of 3 peaks indexed as possibly orthorhombic perovskite) is not present in sufficient quantities to give rise to such a strong sinusoidal segment in the garnet REE pattern, it prompted the critical step forward in formulating a working hypothesis for the otherwise inexplicable REE patterns. Specifically, I posit that many of the sinusoidal garnets may originally have precipitated as a very high pressure phase (in the mantle transition zone or deeper) that subsequently underwent a subsolidus isochemical transformation to garnet. Possible original precursor mineralogy is a combination of two perovskites or a perovskite +
iv
garnet assemblage. Theoretical calculation using experimental partition coefficients demonstrated that a mixture of Ca-perovskite (CaPv) and Mg-perovskite (MgPv) REE patterns in the approximate proportions of 10% CaPv and 90% MgPv produce a REE diagram that is strikingly similar to those observed in sinusoidal single phase garnet. It has been shown experimentally that with increasing depth in the mantle, garnet plus a progressively increasing CaPv component is the stable mineral assemblage. Initial precipitation of two perovskites or CaPv + garnet as cumulates from a deep magma ocean would preserve the REE distribution of these minerals. Subsequent exhumation of such an assemblage would result in the retrogressive subsolidus phase transformation to a mineral stable at conditions of T and P of the shallow mantle environment, i.e. garnet, while retaining the REE pattern of the initial precipitate mineral assemblage. While this working hypothesis will require many more tests, its proposal may have significant implications for the mantle structure.


title: Fluency or congruence? The role of metacognitive monitoring on attribute ratings

subject:
schemas
fluency
directed forgetting
eye-tracking
familiarity
likeability

abstract:
Processing fluency is a metacognitive cue which can influence both cognitive processes and
various judgments, and which can be heightened through directed forgetting (Alter &
Oppenheimer, 2009; Lanska, Olds, & Westerman, 2014). Similarly, the incongruence of novel
information with an activated schema can cause a cognitive processing slowdown (Dickinson,
2011; Duffy & Keir, 2004). Information is easier to process (therefore, has higher fluency) when
it is consistent with previously encountered schemas. In this study, processing fluency was
manipulated by presenting participants with information which was consistent or inconsistent
with a prior schema. Eye-movements were then measured to evaluate participants’ reading
speeds in passages which were schema congruent or incongruent. Results demonstrated an
interaction between priming condition and schema congruence as well as an interaction between
schema congruence and character gender for first-pass dwell times. Results also showed total
dwell time differences between conditions of congruence and character genders, respectively.
Furthermore, likeability ratings demonstrated that when counter-stereotypical gender information
had been primed, schema incongruent female characters were rated as being less likeable than
their male counterparts. These results are discussed in terms of their social implications.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Mobilité socioprofessionnelle et attachement au milieu d'origine chez les immigrants africains francophones de Sudbury (Canada)

subject:
mobilité sociale
identité narrative
tension sociale
attachement
milieu d’origine
réalisation de soi
professionnels
immigrants

abstract:
D’une approche qualitative se servant des différentes narrations structurées et conscientes des
interviewés, cette étude porte sur la compréhension de l’attachement continuel au milieu
d’origine dans les expériences de la mobilité sociale des immigrants professionnels africains
francophones installés à Sudbury.
Les résultats révèlent que la mobilité sociale des immigrants professionnels africains
francophones demeure une trajectoire socioprofessionnelle d’identification à ce qui fait leur
point définitionnel et explicatif. Quels que soient les sacrifices et les efforts consentis, leur
accomplissement socioprofessionnel ne se vit pas de façon individualiste et méritocratique,
mais solidaire au milieu d’origine. Cette étude inscrit la possible de réaliser l’ascension
socioprofessionnelle sans devenir un centrifuge, un névrosé et un déséquilibré socioculturel.
Elle justifie également que les expériences de la mobilité socioprofessionnelle internationale
marquées par la discontinuité perpétuelle des liens forts et des profonds déracinements du
milieu d’origine sont uniques et singulières à un groupe humain donné.

abstract: Maîtrise en arts (M.A.) en Sociologie


title: How school generated funding reinforces a two-tier education system in Ontario

subject:
School Generated Funding
Toronto District School Board
Two-Tier Education System
EQAO
Education

abstract:
This thesis examines School Generated Funding (SGF) within the Toronto
District School (TDSB) to see if SGF is reinforcing a two-tier education system. Five
sources of data were analyzed: The SGF Record of the TDSB from 2008-2009, The
Preliminary School Budget from 2010-2011, EQAO test results from 2008 to 2009, The
Learning Opportunity Index (LOI) from 2009, and three socio-economic status factors
(income, education and occupation) using the Toronto Wards Profiles. Using the SGF
record, twenty green schools (schools that raised the most SGF, amounting to $4,043,837)
were compared, using the five sources of data against twenty red schools (schools that
raised the least amount of SGF, amounting to $109,885). Two recommendations have
been suggested: SGF be capped at a median amount throughout the TDSB
and
extra
funding be put into a funding account for the TDSB to disperse to schools that need it.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Promoting community health by expanding the City of Greater Sudbury’s Active Transportation Network to target youth.

subject:
community health
City of Greater Sudbury
youth

abstract: As the second most obese city in Canada, the City of Greater Sudbury needs to take measures to combat this health epidemic. This paper begins by exploring the links between active transportation and community health. The current state of active transportation in the City of Greater Sudbury is then assessed and the factors that influence the adoption of active transportation are discussed. The possibility of creating infrastructure with the aim of encouraging youth to actively commute is explored, as well as are the benefits of pursuing such an aim. Cycling-specific infrastructure in the neighbourhoods surrounding schools would be beneficial and a geographic information system is used to model the roads in Greater Sudbury that could be developed to encourage youth to cycle.


title: Promotion d’un poids santé parmi les hommes francophones du Grand Sudbury : une étude de cas de la participation au programme PairForm © et des effets à courtterme sur les connaissances et comportements de santé

subject:
santé
surpoids
hommes
programme PairForm ©
pairs

abstract:
En plus de souffrir davantage de surpoids, les hommes canadiens participent moins aux
interventions de gestion de poids que les femmes. La présente thèse poursuit un double
objectif : 1) déterminer les effets à court-terme de l’intervention éducationnelle
PairForm © sur l’acquisition des connaissances et changement de comportements en lien
avec l’activité physique, l’alimentation, la consommation d’alcool, le tabagisme et la
gestion du stress, et 2) examiner la perspective des participants à une intervention
d'éducation par les pairs. Une étude de cas avec une méthodologie mixte a permis une
évaluation approfondie du programme. Le taux de rétention de 100 % pour ce programme
pilote suggère qu’une intervention éducationnelle sensible aux hommes livrée par les
pairs favorise la participation des hommes en surpoids même si certaines absences
hebdomadaires étaient observées au cours de l’intervention. De plus, cette intervention a
permis aux participants de surmonter plusieurs obstacles envers une santé saine que pose la masculinité hégémonique. Mais, plus de recherches sont nécessaires afin d’encourager
les hommes à gérer leur poids.

abstract: Maîtrise en Kinésie humaine (M.K.H.)


title: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and inappropriate sexual behaviour

subject:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Sexual behaviour

abstract: Previous research on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has identified common physical and behavioural characteristics associated with children who were prenatally exposed to alcohol. The research suggests that many individuals with FASD have experienced involvement with the law, and engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour. However, there would appear to be a scarcity of research that identifies the life histories of individuals with FASD who have engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour. Identifying risk and protective factors towards positive outcomes for people with FASD has both individual and societal importance. In order to better understand individuals with FASD, this research paper explores the common characteristics of FASD which may lead to inappropriate sexual behaviour, such as deficits in social skills, self-regulation, and executive functioning. Another important characteristic that is explored in the research paper is how FASD can present as an invisible disability, and the risk associated with treatment of individuals who may not be identified as having organic brain damage, specifically in the criminal justice system. As the research on FASD is limited, this paper also explores the characteristics associated with the general population of people who have engaged in inappropriate sexual behaviour, and people with disabilities who have displayed challenging sexual behaviour. The comparison of populations of people engaging in inappropriate sexual behaviour highlights the importance of the responsivity of interventions. Despite the diagnostic label of “paraphilia” attributed to those who have been convicted of sexual crimes, each individual is a complex being. Responsivity indicates each individual must be holistically understood in order to design services that encourage individual change.

abstract: Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Human Development


title: Community-based prehabilitation program: a pilot study exploring the impact of exercise and education programs on functional mobility pre-surgery and on length of stay post-total joint arthroplasty

subject:
Osteoarthritis
Total Joint Arthroplasty
Prehabilitation
Community-Based
Obesity
Exercise
Education
Hospital Length of Stay
Cost Benefit
Mobility Measures
Pain
Surgery.

abstract:
The effect of implementing a community-based prehabilitation program prior to total
joint arthroplasty (TJA) on mobility and length of stay (LOS) in hospital post-TJA in
obese patients was investigated in this quantitative pilot study. Changes in mobility
measures from baseline, at 6 weeks and 12-weeks pre-surgery and post-surgery were
assessed using: Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), Visual Analogue Scale
(VAS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Self-Paced Walk Test (SPWT), and Stair Test (ST).
A prehabilitation group attended education sessions and underwent a 12-week land and
pool-based exercise program before TJA, whereas the control group received the usual
preoperative standard of care. The prehabilitation group experienced improved mobility
before and after surgery whereas the control group only saw improvements post-surgery.
The LOS for the prehabilitation group was marginally lower (0.3 days) than the control
group. In conclusion, there is evidence that a prehabilitation program prior to TJA may
reduce hospital LOS resulting in potential cost savings and improved patient mobility
measures both prior to and post-surgery.

abstract: Master of Human Kinetics (MHK)


title: Examining anaerobic microbial communities that direct the fate of terrestrial carbon in lake sediments.

subject:
Sediment
microbiome
bacteria
fungi
methanogens
freshwater
microbiology
leaf litter
decomposition
lake sediment
carbon
methane

abstract:
Freshwater lake sediments play key roles in the cycling of carbon. This includes hosting microbial communities responsible for mineralizing large amounts of carbon into greenhouse gases—namely CO2 and CH4. Yet despite the important roles of sediment communities, their ecology and community structure linkages to biogeochemical cycling are not well known, and little data exists exploring how sediment microbial communities respond to different organic matter inputs. Here I start by reviewing previous literature on lake sediment microbial communities and the physicochemical factors affecting their composition and diversity. Next I
report on data from two experiments, first an in-vitro lab study and then an in-situ field study, in which lake sediments were amended with different plant litters that could result from land use change and or succession in catchments. Microbial communities were examined with next generation amplicon sequencing. These data were linked to rates of CO2 and CH4 flux and dissolved organic matter (DOM) components present in pore water were examined as potential controls on community structure and function. I observed in-vitro that methanogen community composition and activity were affected by OM type, with macrophyte derived C enhancing microbial activity, whereas high concentrations of polyphenolic compounds from terrestrial tree
litters inhibited methanogen activity. The polyphenols had an environmental filtering effect, selecting for different bacteria, fungi and methanogen communities. The in-situ experiments involved installing mesocosms with artificial sediments with variable amounts of deciduous and coniferous tree leaf litter. In these mesocosms we observed a link between methanogen community composition and decomposition rates, as measured with bulk CO2 and CH4 production and DOM humification. Decomposition rates were influenced by lake
physicochemical factors, particularly the degree of photoexposure. With increased decomposition, specialist taxa of methanogens could thrive that conferred higher rates of methanogenesis. The work presented here demonstrates the adaptability of methanogen lake sediment communities as terminal decomposers under changing terrestrial OM subsidies.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: Journey to wellness: Identifying culturally relevant supportive services for First Nations peoples in Northeastern Ontario during their cancer journey

subject:
psychosocial
cancer
First Nations
Northeastern Ontario
coping

abstract:
This thesis is intended to identify culturally relevant supportive services for First Nations in
Northeastern Ontario, as perceived by service providers, in order to improve access to cancer
care services and the follow-through of treatment at the time of diagnosis and during treatment.
The author interviewed thirteen front line health care providers who provide direct services to
First Nations communities. The participants within the research study discussed the importance
of relationships First Nations peoples have with family members and their community as well as
to the land and water. The need for supportive services that incorporate family and community,
as well as land and water based healing practices are integral in ensuring the psychosocial needs
of First Nations cancer patients are being addressed in a culturally relevant and safe fashion and
that these services are significant for the patient, family, and community. The results of this
research will be useful in broadening the understanding of the needs of service providers in First
Nations communities who are working with First Nations patients during their cancer journey.

abstract: Master of Indigenous Relations


title: Northern Ontario camp informing architecture

subject:
Northern Ontario
camp
camping
architecture
vernacular
placemaking
regionalism
cohousing

abstract:
This thesis explores the idea of Camp in Northern Ontario and how it can inform architecture in the
region. The work examines Camp through four categories: History, Community, Placemaking, and
Sentiment. Six types of camps are analysed through drawing and text, which is based on personal
experience, and through text-based research. A set of site and building design guidelines are developed from this analysis. A speculative cohousing project at Whitewater Lake in Azilda, Ontario, is
chosen as an architectural typology and site to test an architecture informed by Camp. Using these
design guidelines, the cohousing project contributes to maintaining a sense of place through its history
and its making processes, providing a shared sense of community and creating a sentiment that is
rooted in the collective memory of Camp. The final result indicates what an architectural regionalism can mean for Northern Ontario and how it will improve the way people interact with their built
environment and communities.

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: Examining the importance of advance care planning and therapy supervision models within a cancer centre

subject:
Supportive Care Program (SCP)
Northeast Cancer Centre (NECC)
advance care planning (ACP)
new therapy supervision model

abstract: This advanced practicum document reviews my experience with the Supportive Care Program (SCP) at the Northeast Cancer Centre (NECC) in Sudbury, Ontario. This practicum provided both project work and clinical opportunities. The project work consisted of two advance care planning projects: an environmental scan of cancer centres across Ontario and a chart audit that was specific to the NECC. These projects demonstrate the need for standardizing the process of advance care planning (ACP), as both projects demonstrated inconsistencies of current advance care planning standards within healthcare settings. An overview of current literature demonstrates the importance of incorporating ACP into every day healthcare conversations, as it can help promote patient care. In addition to the ACP projects, I also worked in collaboration with the social workers of the Supportive Care Program to create a new therapy supervision model. This model incorporated practices of reflectivity and debriefing, promoting supportive supervision. Through a combination of the literature as well as discussions with the social workers, together we were able to determine how supportive supervision would not only benefit the social workers but would also aid in patient service. This document also explores my shadowing and clinical experiences. Reviewing my work within a multidisciplinary team, I demonstrate how this work model added to my clinical experience, while aiding in patient care. This document also discusses the professional and personal growth that I gained through working with persons with cancer and their family’s, through reviewing my reflection of my experience.

abstract: Master of Social Work


title: The effect of new drug exposure versus a drug free interval on prior drug resistance in ovarian cancer

subject:
Docetaxel
Carboplatin
Ovarian Cancer
A2780

abstract:
Continuous exposure of ovarian tumours to a chemotherapy drug can result in the acquisition of
drug resistance, which ultimately leads to chemotherapy failure and the death of a great majority
of ovarian cancer patients. While previous studies suggest that withdrawal of the chemotherapy
drug for a period of time (the drug-free interval) can result in restored clinical sensitivity to the
drug, it is unclear whether exposure to a new drug of contrasting mechanism of action may
accelerate restored sensitivity to the prior drug. In this study, we exposed a carboplatin-resistant
ovarian tumour cell line (A2780CBN) to increasing concentrations of docetaxel (A2780CBNDXL
cells) or we permitted the cells to grow in the absence of drug for an identical number of drug
passages (A2780CBNCC cells). Similarly, we exposed a docetaxel-resistant ovarian tumour cell
line (A2780DXL) to increasing concentrations of carboplatin (A2780DXLCBN cells) or we
permitted the cells to growth in the absence of drug for an identical period (A2780DXLCC cells).
By measuring the sensitivity of the above cell lines to either carboplatin or docetaxel, the aim of
my thesis studies was to compare the effects of a drug-free interval or the acquisition of new
drug resistance on prior drug resistance in vitro. The results showed that the prior carboplatin
resistance was not significantly altered by the acquisition of docetaxel resistance or by
withdrawal of carboplatin. However, prior docetaxel resistance was greatly reduced by selection
for carboplatin resistance or by prolonged docetaxel withdrawal. Microarray analysis suggests
that the loss of docetaxel resistance may be related to down-regulated expression of the ABCB1
and ABCB4 genes, which encode multidrug transporters. It may also relate to up-regulation of
CYP1B1 gene expression, which encodes cytochrome P450, a phase I enzyme involved in taxane
metabolism. The microarray analysis data also suggests that the newly established carboplatin
resistance in A2780DXLCBN cells may be related to the expression of genes that promote cell
survival by protecting cells from apoptotic death.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Sciences