title: Environmental control of seawater geochemistry in a Mesoarchean Peritidal System, Woman Lake, Superior Province

subject: U-Pb geochronology

subject: Sedimentology and depositional environments

subject: Stromatolites

abstract:
The 2.857±5 Ga (this study) carbonate platform at Woman Lake, Ontario, Canada, presents
a unique opportunity to fill a 130 million year knowledge gap on early carbonate sedimentology
and ocean chemistry between similar platform occurrences at Steep Rock Lake (2.80Ga) and Red
Lake (2.93Ga). Woman Lake carbonates are among the few very early and thick carbonate
platforms to develop in the Mesoarchean. Field, petrographic, and geochemical investigations
were performed on the limestone sequence to better understand the paleoenvironmental context of
this understudied, 90-meter-thick succession.
 At the base of the carbonate platform, lying atop felsic subaerial Archean tuff, are stratiform
stromatolites interbedded with thin beds of massive carbonate grainstone, followed by laterally
linked low domal stromatolites, which gradually become larger domes, then bioherms with walled
pseudocolumnar stromatolites. They are overlain by cross-stratified and parallel laminated
carbonate grainstones and more pseudocolumnar stromatolites. A variety of fenestral microbialites
overly this unit, including thrombolites, stromatactis-bearing low domal stromatolites, and narrow
isolated columnar stromatolites. This is followed by a cyclic succession of low domal stromatolites
alternating with microbial carbonate and carbonate grainstone. Three main stromatolitic
morphologies exist and represent a range of low to moderate current energies from upper intertidal
to subtidal environments. They are: 1) low relief stratiform to undulating stromatolites 2) laterally
linked low domal and pseudocolumnar stromatolites, and 3) isolated to locally isolated domes and
narrow columnar stromatolites. Evidence here supports mainly peritidal environments on a
carbonate platform with fluctuating sea-level and water energies in an overall deepening
succession.
 The diverse carbonate facies are comprised of geochemical features reminiscent of both
Archean and modern signatures in shale normalized REE patterns. Trace elements indicate that
the carbonates precipitated from a mixture of two different fluids: anoxic seawater that carried a
positive Eu anomaly, and oxygenated waters that imparted significant negative Ce anomalies. On
a microscopic scale, using LA-ICP-MS, there is less compositional contrast between carbonate
phases, which indicates that dissolution and precipitation on a small spatial scale homogenized
localized areas, but did not affect changes on a metric scale. Geochemical trends paired with
stratigraphic depth show decameter cycles of gradual declines in Mg, Fe, Mn, Ba and Sr
substitution into the calcite lattice followed by sharp increases throughout the platform’s deposition, possibly reflecting changing accommodation space effecting precipitation rate. Typical
Archean values for δ
13Cranging from -3.83‰ to 1.30‰, with an average of 0.53‰ (±0.59, n=31)
occur with Y/Ho ratios ranging from 27 to 117 and 87Sr/86Sr isotopic values from 0.700346 to
0.711313 (±0.00098 (1σ)). The observed trends suggest that the precipitating carbonates were able
to record and retain the effects of an evolving water column had in the local environment.
Importantly, the Woman Lake carbonate platform provides context for, and evidence of, free
oxygen approximately 500 million years before the Great Oxygenation Event, during a relatively
undocumented period in time.


title: Effects of visual perspective, ball position and distance on the accuracy of a putted ball in golf

subject:
Golf
Putting (Golf)

abstract:
The influence on putting accuracy due to the position
of the eyes relative to the ball, the position of the
ball relative to the stance and the distance of the
putt was determined. Putts were performed by thirty two
beginning golfers on a level indoor putting surface
from distances of 6 and 15 feet. Dependent measures
included putts made (hit data) and putts not made (miss
data which was measured in the X [long,short] and Y
[left,right] directions). Results indicated that
overall, the forward ball position was most accurate,
possibly due to its stabilizing effect on the stance.
On shorter putts, it is recommended that the eyes be
positioned over the ball. A reasonable view of the
target is achieved from this position and, in
combination with the forward ball position, yielded
accurate results. On longer putts the eyes should be
positioned along the ball-target line since the view of
the target appears to provide an important advantage in
terms of putting accuracy. There appears to be an as
yet undetermined optimal range for accuracy for the
eyes along the ball-target line position. Results of
this study may be applicable only to putts performed on
a level surface.


title: Mesophilic submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor for pulp and paper secondary sludge treatment

contributor:
Liao, Baoqiang
Elyasi, Siamak

subject:
Anaerobic digestion membrane bioreactor
Pulp and paper mill sludge
Alkali pretreatment
Biogas yield
Biogas production

abstract:
The production of pulp and paper is associated with the generation of large quantities of wastewater that has to be purified to avoid severe pollution of the environment. Wastewater purification in pulp and paper mills uses sedimentation, biological treatment, chemical precipitation, flotation and anaerobic treatment, and the specific combination of techniques is determined by the local conditions. Wastewater treatment generates large volumes of organic solid waste (primary and secondary sludge) that after dewatering can be incinerated and thus used for bio-energy production. Sludge is currently viewed as biofuel of poor quality due to its high water content, and some mills treat it solely as a disposal problem. In this study, a new technology Submerged Anaerobic Digestion Membrane Bioreactor (SAnMBR) was developed in order to treat pulp and paper mill sludge, which can not only improve the quality of effluent after pretreatment, but also can recycle the value of PPMSS (pulp and paper mill secondary sludge).
In this thesis, a laboratory-scale SAnMBR was operated for 330 days under 37 °C to explore the feasibility of PPMS treatment at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs), besides, alkali pretreatment was adopted to PPMS in order to explore its effects on performance of SAnMBR for the treatment, included biogas production, biogas yield, solids destruction ratio and effluent COD. COD removal efficiencies were all excellent (over 95%). The solids reduction ratio was in the range of 20%-50% and there was no significant difference in solids reduction ratio under different HRTs and alkali pretreatment. The biogas production rate decreased with an increase in HRT before and after alkali pretreatment had no significant impact on biogas production rate, and these two factors also influenced extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), soluble microbial products (SMP) and solids destruction ratio. Membrane performance was affected by PSDs of supernatant and SCOD, alkali pretreatment caused sludge deflocculation and a larger amount of fine colloidal flocs, which resulted in increasing of membrane fouling rate. However, the results shown that the biogas production in lower HRT was better comparing with it in higher HRTs, and quality of effluent was kept excellent during the experimental period, the pretreatment increased membrane fouling rate, and it had no significant effect on biogas production. SAnMBR was feasibility from this study, but membrane fouling should be an issue.


title: Modelling short-run ocean bulk carrier rates for the movement of grains

subject: Grain (transportation)

abstract:
This paper, utilizing a complete market data set from Drewry Shipping Consultants,
determines short-run cost functions for dry bulk carriers. Specification of the short-run to be
one month and standard log-log functional form give estimations supporting average
elasticities of the magnitude .45 for voyage length and -.56 for vessel size.


title: Pinning of magnetic vortices subject to multi-well potential in the Ginzburg-Landau theory of superconductivity

subject: Superconductivity Mathematics Spheromaks Vortex-motion

abstract: I will study the existence of multi-vortex solutions of the Ginzburg-Landau equations with an external potential on R2. These equations model the equilibrium states of superconductors: the external potential, W, represents doped impurities or defects of the superconductor. I will show that if the critical points of the potential are spaced widely enough and if the potential W is "strong enough", then there exists a multi-vortex (perturbed) solution with each vortex centered near each critical point of W.


title: Iterative solution of large scale linear systems

subject: Matrices


title: Impact of benzodiazepines and opioid analgesics on safe driving / by Sacha Dubois.

subject:
Crash injuries
Drugged driving
Motor vehicle drivers - Drug use

abstract:
Benzodiazepines are prescribed to relieve anxiety and aid sleep; opioid
analgesics are prescribed to relieve severe or chronic pain. Both medications act as central nervous system depressants and can impair ones ability to drive safely. Currently, most epidemiological research has focused on the association between these medications and traffic crashes. Yet, the role of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines on crash responsibility is still not properly understood. Therefore, we examined the impact of short, intermediate, and long half-life benzodiazepines and opioid analgesics on crash responsibility by drug half-life and driver age, using a case-control design with drivers aged 20 and over involved in fatal crashes in the U.S.A. from 1993-2006. Drivers (all with BAC=0) were classified as having no benzodiazepines detected versus short, intermediate, or long half-life benzodiazepines or no opioid analgesics detected versus present. Cases were drivers with at least one potentially unsafe driving action (UDA) in relation to the crash (e.g., speeding), a proxy measure for crash responsibility; controls had no UDAs recorded. Odds ratios (ORs) of any UDA by benzodiazepines half-life and opioid analgesic exposure were calculated, with adjustment for age, sex, other medication usage, and prior driving record. Compared with drivers not using benzodiazepines, drivers taking intermediate or long half-life benzodiazepines demonstrated increased odds of an UDA from ages 25 (Intermediate OR: 1.59; 95% 01=1.08, 2.33; Long OR: 1.68; 95% 01=1.34, 2.12) to 55 (Intermediate OR: 1.50; 95% 01=1.09, 2.06; Long OR: 1.33; 95% Cl=1.12, 1.57). Drivers taking short half-life benzodiazepines did not demonstrate increased odds of an UDA compared to drivers not using benzodiazepines. Compared with drivers not using opioid analgesics, odds of an UDA were increased from 25 (OR: 1.35; 95%: 1.05, 1.74) to 55 years of age (OR: 1.30; 95% Cl: 1.07; 1.58) for a male driver, and from 25 (OR: 1.66; 95% Cl: 1.32; 2.09) to 65 years of age (OR: 1.39; 95% Cl: 1.17;1.67) for a female driver. Given the potential impact of these medications on driver safety, further experimental research is needed to better understand their effects on crash responsibility.


title: The impact of a fungus-feeding nematode (Aphelenchoides sp.) on decomposition of trembling aspen wood by various wood-decay fungi

subject:
Wood decay
Trembling aspen
Wood-decay fungi
Nematodes

abstract: Grazing by fungus feeding invertebrates on fungal mycelium can potentially impact many important ecological processes such as the formation of mycorrhizas and the decomposition of wood and litter. A study was initiated to examine the impact of a fungus feeding nematode (Aphelenchoides sp.) on the decomposition of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) wood blocks under aseptic growing conditions by seven different decay fungi. These fungi were Bjerkandera adusta, Cerrena unicolor, Climacodon septentrionale, Ganoderma applanatum, Hohenbuehelia grisea, Sphaerobolus stellatus, and Trametes pubescens. Results based on dry weight measurements of wood blocks before and after inoculation and in the presence or absence of nematodes revealed that four of the seven fungi exhibited lower rates of decay in the presence of nematodes. These fungi were T. pubescens, G. applanatum, C. septentrionale and S. stellatus. The other three fungi had slight increases in decomposition of wood blocks in the presence of nematodes. It is suggested that B. adusta and C. unicolor may have responded to grazing by producing enhanced mycelial growth and thus enhanced enzymatic activity. Hohenbuehelia grisea is a known nematophagous fungi, capturing and consuming nematodes as a supplementary source of nitrogen, thus accounting for enhanced decomposition in the presence of nematodes.


title: A Microstructural study of Musselwhite Mine and Hammond Reef shear-zone-hosted gold deposits

subject:
Gold ores
Mineralogy

abstract:
Musselwhite Mine and Hammond Reef are shear-zone-hosted gold deposits located in
Northwestern Ontario, in the Western Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. A detailed
microscopic investigation of three gold-hosting lithologies from Musselwhite Mine and
Hammond Reef demonstrate close similarities in the microstructures which host gold and the
relative timing of gold mineralization. The gold deposit at Musselwhite Mine is hosted by
metamorphosed banded iron formation, while Hammond Reef is hosted by metamorphosed
tonalite. Despite the difference in rock types, Musselwhite Mine and Hammond Reef are similar
in that that they are located proximal to regional shear zones, have undergone regional
metamorphism and are dominated by ductile deformation. Although these two deposits are
hosted by completely different lithologies the microstructures which host gold are very similar,
indicating structural control on mineralization at a microscopic scale.
The most common gold-hosting microstructures in these gold deposits result from heterogeneous
deformation. Gold mineralization commonly occurs in fractures in competent minerals such as
garnet and pyrite in every lithology in this study. These gold-hosting fractures do not extend
throughout the matrix but are restricted to the competent minerals because the competent
minerals are resistant to the ductile deformation around them. Gold mineralization is also
associated with other deformation-induced microstructures, such as strain shadows. Gold
mineralization is hosted by metamorphic minerals at both Musselwhite Mine and Hammond
Reef. Gold inclusions occur at Musselwhite Mine in such metamorphic minerals as grunerite and
garnet and at Hammond Reef gold inclusions occur in metamorphic muscovite. Also gold
mineralization commonly occurs on plane defects, for example on grain boundaries.
Relative timing of gold mineralization is shown to have occurred during ongoing metamorphism
and deformation. Inclusions within metamorphic minerals indicate that gold mineralization must
have occurred before or during metamorphism, while gold mineralization associated with
deformational features indicate gold mineralization to have occurred during or after deformation.
This thesis demonstrates close similarities between the relative timing of gold mineralization as
well as the microstructures which host gold at Musselwhite Mine and Hammond Reef.


title: Application of the cross-hole radio imaging method in detecting geological anomalies, MacLennan township, Sudbury Ontario

publisher:
Laurentian University of Sudbury
Laurentian University of Sudbury

subject: radio-imaging-method cross-holes geophysical-tomograms boreholes

abstract:
The occurrence of conductive sulphide in an otherwise highly-resistive host rock is the ideal situation for exploring using high-frequency electromagnetic methods. The FARA radio imaging (RIM) system was deployed to explore the rock properties between two boreholes MAC104 and MAC100G, which are about 182 m apart, on the Nickel Rim South property (MacLennan Township) 22 km northeast of Sudbury. Tomographic data were collected and processed at 625 kHz and 1250 kHz. One data set has the transmitter in MAC100G and the receiver in MAC104; the other “reciprocal” data set has the transmitter in MAC104 and the receiver in MAC100G. The amplitude data were reduced, edited, and processed to generate tomograms employing the SIRT algorithm. Separate tomograms were created for the reciprocal data sets in the ImageWin software. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the influence that perturbations in the ImageWin processing parameters have on the resulting tomograms. The sensitivity study of the tomograms along with the information obtained from the value of fit analysis can be used to select appropriate processing parameters. Finally, the two reciprocal sets of conductivity values were averaged and imported into Geosoft to create a final tomogram for the panel.
The resistivity values of the studied zone obtained from the FARA modeling package agree fairly well with the conductivity data set generated by the ImageWin modeling package when compared using the Geosoft and GOCAD visualization software. Differences between the two tomograms are attributed to the different solver methods employed by FARA and ImageWin and the statistical analysis used for averaging the attenuation value over ray paths. Furthermore, it is
shown that the tomographic results are consistent with the location of conductive zones that were identified using down-hole geophysical logging.
The main focus of the project is to understand how the radio imaging (RIM) data is processed with the ImageWin software to construct an attenuation tomogram.
This research showed that both tomograms created by ImageWin and FARA illustrate the same pattern with two conductive zones at the same depth; however, the values of conductivity are slightly different. The FARA resistivity values obtained for the upper zone is a factor of two lower than the resistivity calculated by ImageWin. The resistivity values obtained for the lower zone using the FARA processing is a factor of eight lower than the resistivity calculated by ImageWin. Also, there is a slight discrepancy in the orientation of the upper and lower zones on the two tomographic images generated using the two processing packages. In the tomograms generated by FARA software both upper and lower zones are continuous linear zones from one hole to the other with dips from MAC104 towards MAC100G, whereas in the tomograms created by ImageWin the upper and lower zones are less linear and do not have obvious dips.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Perspectives on indigenous-based programs: the Mishk-Ode-Wendam classroom

subject:
sharing circles
cultural values
Indigenous-based programs
Mishk-Ode-Wendam classroom program

abstract:
The Mishk-Ode-Wendam classroom program was created to assist First Nations, Métis,
and/or Inuit students who live with an addiction or mental health condition to assist them
to obtain their high school diploma. The classroom focuses on supporting their learning
by incorporating their cultural values and its connectedness to the spiritual, emotional,
mental, and physical well-being realms of knowledge. This thesis focused on a program
evaluation of the Mishk-Ode-Wendam classroom program and presents findings gathered
from three Sharing Circles and three individual interviews with a total of seven
participants participating in the Sharing Circles and three participants were individually
interviewed. Key themes emerged from the findings that were classified under strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

abstract: Master of Indigenous Relations (MIR)


title: Knowledge of the effects of gestational alcohol consumption and FASD in an Ontarian sample

subject:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
women’s health
maternal health
alcohol
prenatal alcohol consumption
knowledge
media
misinformation

abstract:
The current document is a two-paper manuscript-based thesis investigating what women in
Ontario know about drinking during the gestational period. Though there have been many studies
investigating what women in various countries and locations know about drinking during
pregnancy, there is a lack of recent data focusing on Ontario, Canada. Both papers use a surveybased
approach to answer the research questions posed in each respective manuscript. The first
paper explored what women currently know about drinking during pregnancy and what
individual characteristics may influence endorsement of drinking behaviours. The majority of
participants did not endorse drinking behaviours, however, a small but substantial portion of the
population still endorses drinking. The second manuscript addressed where individuals receive
their information about drinking during the gestational period. Results indicated that women in
Ontario saw information in print and news media, but would most prefer to get their information
from health care professionals. Implications in terms of education and prevention are discussed.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology


title: Effects of cordycepin on regeneration in a planarian model

subject:
Cordycepin
Regeneration
Planarian Model

abstract: Used widely in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the cordyceps mushroom has been shown to offer a plethora of health benefits. Aiding ailments from chronic fatigue to cancer, the major bioactive molecule, cordycepin, may also assist in tissue repair. To test these unsupported claims, planarian were cut in half to serve as a regenerative/wound healing model with cordycepin being administered at nine varying concentrations. Specific aspects of growth, being total length and blastema length, were observed over the 6 days following amputation. After analysis of variance, a significant interaction between segment and concentration was recorded with concentrations of interest corresponding to 1mM, 100uM, 100nM, 10nM, and 100pM on the 6th day of regeneration, F(8,287)=3.305,p<.01, η²=.0891. Differences in blastema on day 6 of regeneration were also observed, F(8,243)=2.130, p<.001, η²=.087, showing an increase in size in higher concentrations, 1mM and 100uM, and decreases in size when considering the lower concentrations of the experiment, 100nM, 10nM, and 100pM. The differential results indicate the possibility of different mechanisms of regeneration being influenced by cordycepin, but further biochemical testing is required.CordycepinCordycepin

abstract: Honours Essay


title: The role of FGF growth factors in the development of chemotherapy drug resistance in ovarian cancer cells.

subject:
Ovarian cancer
Chemotherapy
Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs)
Gene expression
Expression of FGF proteins
Drug resistance
Three cell lines

abstract:
Ovarian cancer is the most gynecological cancer, it has a 5-year mortality rate greater
than 70%. When ovarian cancer patients undergo chemotherapy their gene expression
changes. This project is studying a particular group of genes called Fibroblast Growth
Factors (FGFs), which have been found to be very important in cancer. The hypothesis
predicted that significant changes in the expression of FGF proteins are associated with
the development of drug resistance in ovarian cancer. Previous work developed three
resistant cell lines from the A2780 ovarian cancer cell line (A2780CBN, A2780DXL,
A2780CBNDXL), In the previous studies, microarray analysis was performed to find
changes in gene expression in the three cell lines. We have been able to confirm some of
the changes that indicated a possible role for FGF gene expression changes in drug
resistance. However, we could only confirm a change in protein expression for one of the
FGF factors, FGF23, which was altered in A2780CBN and A2780CBNDXL resistant cell
lines.

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


title: Lakes in the far north of Ontario: regional comparisons and contrasts

subject:
limnological data
Far North of Ontario
water chemistry
crustacean zooplankton surveys
Ring of Fire
northern Ontario lakes

abstract: With the large scale of anticipated mining development in the Ring of Fire (ROF) area and the potential for other future industrial developments and rapid climate change in the north, there is a great need for basic limnological data for lakes in the Far North of Ontario. To address this need, water chemistry and crustacean zooplankton surveys of northern Ontario lakes were conducted to examine regional differences between lakes of the Precambrian Shield and Hudson Bay Lowlands, focusing on the ROF area, which straddles the boundary between these physiographic regions. Lakes of the ROF area displayed highly variable water chemistry, a product of the extensive peatland landscape with its mix of bog and fen watersheds. This peat cover appears to decouple, to varying degrees, the lakes from the influences of bedrock and surficial geology and is a source of complex organic matter and acids. Shield lakes in the western portion of our study area had base cation concentrations (Ca, Mg) markedly higher than those of previously studied Shield lakes south of 50°N, likely due to the abundance of lacustrine and glacial end-moraine deposits throughout western Ontario north of 50°N. The zooplankton species collected during this survey were generally similar to those reported for lakes further south on the Precambrian Shield. Zooplankton assemblages were strongly influenced by lake morphometry, with higher species richness in the deeper Shield lakes than in the shallower Lowlands lakes which would appear to offer less niche space for coexistence of species.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Effects of action video game training on spatial attention

subject:
Endogenous attention
Top-down control
Action video games
Spatial bias

abstract: Studies suggest that action video game play improves top-down attentional control. A current learning to learn theory proposes that probabilistic inference, the ability to identify statistical patterns and create task-relevant perceptual templates to efficiently orient endogenous attention, underlies video game players’ greater performance relative to non-gamers in a variety of tasks. The current study aimed to evaluate this theory using a target detection task known to induce a suboptimal number line top-down template, which results in spatial biases. Participants were trained for ten hours on either Tetris or Medal of Honor. Mean reaction time across all conditions was significantly improved in both groups. However, there was no evidence for enhanced top-down control due to video game training in this experiment.

abstract: Honours essay


title: Graphic narrative and design in mining and apocalypse

subject:
graphic narrative
mining
apocalypse
subterranean
natural energy systems
hydroelectric pump system
Stobie-Frood, Sudbury
adaptive reuse
abandoned mine

abstract:
“Is there valid application in processing architectural design in the method
of graphic narrative? This thesis explores utilizing the language of graphic
narrative to blur boundaries between apocalypse, mining, and architecture.
Set in the abandoned Stobie-Frood mine of Sudbury, Ontario, the narrative in
tandem analyzes the past, present, and apocalyptic driven future of the design.
By including the three-time sequences in time, the structure transcends all
and becomes a character itself in this narrative. The purpose of creating this
connection between the method, topics, and design is to create a boundless
universal language that can explore larger scale issues such as adaptive reuse,
natural energy systems, and subterranean architecture. The graphic narrative in
this thesis offers a portal into the architecture world, one that can be understood
by architects and non-architects alike.”

abstract: Master of Architecture (M.Arch)


title: The effect of pleasant and unpleasant music on judgments of learning and memory recall

subject:
music
learning
memory recall
effects

abstract: Previous research has suggested that if music is perceived as pleasant, it will evoke a positive mood and if music is perceived as unpleasant or aversive, it will evoke a negative mood. Mood has an effect on memory, as a positive mood enhances cognitive processes, and a negative mood impairs cognitive processes. Research has suggested that Judgments-of-Learning (JOLs) or the predictions of the likelihood of future recall, are generally accurate. According to the Cue-Utilization-Framework (Koriat, 1997), JOLs depend on intrinsic, mnemonic and extrinsic cues. Extrinsic cues include environmental factors such as background music. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of music as a potential extrinsic cue, as perceived as pleasant or unpleasant, on the accuracy of JOLs and memory recall. It is examined whether or not a congruency in music between the learning and testing periods had an effect on the accuracy of JOLs and memory recall. 62 Undergraduate students attending Laurentian University were randomly assigned to one of four conditions including: Pleasant music during learning, negative music during recall, unpleasant music during learning and negative during recall, pleasant music during both and negative music during both. Participants were asked to complete a six-scale mood rating five times throughout the experiment that included items such as cheerful, content, relaxed, irritated, frustrated, and upset. There were two word lists containing 20 words each, and participants were required to progress through a timed PowerPoint where a word would display for 5 seconds and a JOL was made immediately after (in 4 seconds). They were given 5 minutes to recall at the end of each word list. Results did not support the notion that music is an extrinsic cue affecting JOLs as there were no significant differences between conditions. Also, mood dependent memory did not exert an effect on JOLs and Recall, as incongruent conditions had significantly higher mean JOL-Recall than congruent condition (an opposite effect). Overall, JOLs appear to be an accurate predictor of performance.

abstract: Honours essay


title: Assessing the extent of local assimilation within the Platreef, Northern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, using sulfur isotopes and trace element geochemistry

subject: Platreef

subject: Northern Limb of Bushveld Igneous Complex

subject: sulfur isotopes

subject: geochemistry

abstract:
The proximity to metasedimentary footwall units in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld
Igneous Complex (BIC) has resulted in a complex local contamination of in this maficultramafic intrusive body, including the units containing platinum group element (PGE)
mineralization. To assess the extent of incorporation of non-magmatic material and its effects on
PGE mineralization, geochemical and isotopic data were collected from drill core UMT094 on
the Turfspruit project, where core logging has shown a clear macroscopic division between
mineralization and local footwall contamination. The S isotopic data combined with whole rock
geochemistry data (including CaO/Al2O3, V/Ti, Ni/Cr, S/Se, LOI) present substantial evidence to
assess the range of incorporation of local footwall material. A δ34SVCDT profile shows a steady
decrease from the footwall assimilation zone (δ34S = +8 ‰) to near constant δ34S values (δ34S <
+4 ‰) below mineralization. Through PGE mineralization, the δ34S data converge to the range
that has been documented for the Merensky Reef in the Eastern and Western Limbs of the BIC
(δ34S: ~ 0 to +3 ‰). Other geochemical parameters through mineralization, such as S/Se and
CaO/Al2O3, also match the ranges documented for the Merensky Reef. In addition, parameters
such as whole rock V/Ti are shown to be useful indicators of the type of contaminant (e.g. V/Ti >
2 for intervals assimilating shales and V/Ti < 1 for intervals assimilating carbonates; 1 < V/Ti <
2 for uncontaminated magmatic units). The results indicate that there is negligible local
contamination through mineralization and that the primary mechanism of PGE mineralization in
the Platreef was no different than the mechanism that generated the Merensky Reef in the
Eastern and Western limbs of the BIC.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Geology


title: The relationship between Facebook and body image

subject:
Facebook
Body image
Social media websites

abstract: The purpose of this study is to analyze the frequency of specific activities on Facebook that have a correlation with low body image. Social media websites (SMW) such as Facebook influence mental health which has been reinforced by research. Correlations have been found between Facebook use and various psychological factors such as self-esteem. Body image has become of great concern in general, especially for those who use social networking sites. Previous studies have found conflicting results when observing gender differences. Prior research has found that males and females are shown to have poor body image depending on how often either gender engages in certain activities on Facebook. Therefore, it is predicted that males and females will have low body image due to high activity usage on Facebook. Sixty undergraduate students from Laurentian University were used as the sample. Participants were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire which included gender and age, a Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire which gave an accurate score on body image, and a Self-Report Questionnaire which measured the frequency of Facebook usage. Results of this study may contribute to helping clinicians who work with college students that may be suffering from depression, anxiety, and/or low self-esteem related to poor body image.

abstract: Honours essay


title: Ground electromagnetic experiments to investigate the possibility of using an airborne electromagnetic system to detect nuclear magnetic resonance associated with unbound water in the subsurface

subject:
Geophysics
nuclear magnetic resonance
frequency sweep
freshwater exploration

abstract:
Ground-based geophysical experiments were undertaken to test the possibility of de-
tecting groundwater using nuclear magnetic resonance from an airborne electromagnetic
prospecting system. Two experimental surveys were conducted: One over an ice-covered
lake, containing a large volume of freshwater, and the other over an equal volume of
land, with little to no freshwater in the subsurface. If exposed to a radio-frequency pulse
at the Larmor frequency, protons in water molecules create a magnetic  eld oscillating
at the Larmor frequency. Both surveys used a 120-second long frequency sweep from
2300 to 2400 Hz. It was initially hypothesized that as the frequency passed over the
Larmor frequency, 2348 Hz, there would be phase shift between the transmitter and
receiver signals. Phase measurements, using the heterodyne method, between the lake
and land data proved to be inconclusive, although the lake data showed an oscillatory
decay in the o -time, not equal to the Larmor frequency.


title: Evaluating the impacts of an outdoor adventure leadership experience program in a rural aboriginal community

subject:
indigenous research
Talking circle
medicine wheel
indigenous research

abstract:
This research study stems from the findings and results of previous research conducted in collaboration with Laurentian University and Wikwemikong as it relates to youth and sport participation. An outdoor adventure leadership experience program was co-designed and implemented within the community of Wikwemikong for the youth between the ages of 12 – 18 years. The impacts of a 10-day outdoor adventure leadership experience program, five years after the initial intervention is the basis of this research study. The research findings suggest that the 10-day Outdoor Adventure Leadership Experience program has demonstrated mno-bimaadziwin (the good life) thereby having an impact on the overall health and well-being of the youth leaders and their families.
The community of Wikwemikong has demonstrated the commitment to make use of the findings as a result of the research; the findings and recommendations are tangible products used for the betterment of community programs and services.
Keywords
Talking circle, medicine wheel, mno-bimaadziwin (the good life), indigenous research, participatory action research

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


title: The stratigraphy and geochemistry of the rapitan iron formation, Northwest Territories and Yukon, Canada

subject:
Neoproterozoic iron formations
Rapitan iron formation
northwestern Canada
REE+Y
redox-sensitive elements Mo
redox-sensitive elements U,
basin architecture

abstract: The Neoproterozoic was a time of major change in Earth’s surficial history, including a major rise in atmospheric oxygen, the first appearance of complex metazoan life, and a series of worldwide glaciations. A particular interesting element of these so called “snowball Earth” glacial deposits is the presence of iron formation, a distinctive Precambrian rock type that is largely absent from the post-Paleoproterozoic record. Despite being relatively poorly studied with respect to their geochemistry and sedimentology, Neoproterozoic iron formations are used to support many models for the record of oxygen concentrations of the Earth. The classical example of Neoproterozoic iron formation is the Rapitan iron formation of northwestern Canada. This hematite-jasper iron formation is associated with glaciogenic turbidites and diamictites. Despite being the archetype, the Rapitan iron formation has not been studied in the context of recent ideas about the Neoproterozoic. In this thesis, the stratigraphy, geochemistry, and basin architecture of the Rapitan iron formation are reassessed. Using the REE+Y and the redox-sensitive elements Mo and U, it is shown that the Rapitan iron formation was deposited in a partially restricted basin from biogenically reduced iron under variable redox conditions. Elemental Re and Mo isotopes further show that although oxic and ferruginous conditions predominated during deposition of the iron formation, a transition towards a sulfidic water column locally terminated deposition. Finally, regional stratigraphy and geochemistry show that the iron formation was preferentially deposited in deep, newly formed basins that were protected from significant siliciclastic sedimentation. These basins were delimited by inferred crustal-scale faults trending roughly perpendicular to the axis of the rift basin, and allowed significant changes in thickness and sedimentological character over short distances along strike. These factors help build an overall geotectonic regime under which Neoproterozoic iron formations were deposited: young, deep rift basins that had undergone marine incursion, and were intermittently sealed by an ice shelf, allowing for the generation of an anoxic, iron-rich water column. The absence of the Eu anomaly and the heavy Mo isotopic signature indicate that the open ocean was fully oxygenated at the time of Rapitan iron formation deposition, as opposed to ferruginous as previously suggested.

abstract: Doctoral Theses


title: Characterization of metamorphic assemblages and assessment of Cu-Pb-Ag-Au-Zn mobility at the Lalor deposit, Snow Lake, Manitoba

subject:
Lalor deposit
Snow Lake
Manitoba
metamorphic assemblages
Cu-Pb-Ag-Au-Zn
mobility

abstract:
The Lalor VMS deposit is located within the Snow Lake arc assemblage at the easternmost end
of the Paleoproterozoic Flin Flon belt. A regional metamorphic event at 1.81 Ga, up to middle
amphibolite facies (550˚C, 5kbar), recrystallized the mineral assemblages in the massive sulfide
and hydrothermally altered rocks that are associated with the formation of VMS deposits in the
area. The Lalor deposit differs from most VMS deposits in the area in that it contains low-sulfide
Au rich zones that are proximal to but separate from the massive sulfide lenses.
Gold mineralization primarily occurs in three rock types at the Lalor deposit: massive
sulfides, and calc-silicates to carbonate silicates, and Fe-Mg altered rocks. Electrum is the
dominant form of gold, but gold also occurs in sulfosalt phases such as aurostibite (AuSb2) and
in tellurides such as petzite (Ag3AuTe2). It is often associated with hessite (Ag2Te), altaite
(PbTe), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), and galena (PbS). Gold mineralization occurs along fractures,
grain boundaries, cleavage planes, and as discrete inclusions in metamorphic minerals.
There are two dominant metal associations with gold: Cu-Au and Pb-Au. The Cu-Au
association is more common and occurs in a variety of rock types (including massive sulfides
and Fe-Mg altered rocks), whereas the Pb-Au association is restricted to calc-silicate to
carbonate silicate altered rocks.
In the massive sulfides, gold content and distribution are a function of primary VMS
zone refining processes; however, Au has been locally remobilized during metamorphism and
deformation. In the Fe-Mg altered rocks proximal to massive sulfide, the distribution and tenor
of Au reflects primary zone refining and local remobilization due to metamorphism and
deformation, whereas in Fe-Mg altered rocks distal to massive sulfide, gold distribution is
largely a product of pre-peak to peak metamorphic remobilization of primary VMS gold via
fluid-dominated transportation.
In the calc-silicate to carbonate silicate rocks, which contained or contain carbonate, Au
distribution reflects metamorphic remobilization. Metamorphic devolatilization of primary
carbonate bearing rocks is responsible for adding components such as H2O, CO2 and S2 into a
fluid phase that remobilized Au and some metals (e.g. Cu, Pb) in the deposit, and in altered rocks
located proximal and distal to the massive sulfide lenses. Gold was mobilized and transported as
a sulfur complex, with CO2 acting as a buffer for a low salinity fluid phase such that it could
maintain an elevated gold content for transport and deposition. The result of this mobilization is
responsible for the Pb-Au in calc-silicate to carbonate silicate altered rocks

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Geology


title: A comparative study of hand-held magnetic susceptibility instruments.

subject:
Magnetic susceptibility instruments,
measurements
temporal drift
instrument accuracy
data quality
quality control protocols
calibration standards
lower limits of accuracy
frequency dependence
sensor size and inductive coil
correlations
sensing area

abstract:
A study to compare six magnetic susceptibility (MS) instruments (the KT-10 supplied by Terraplus Inc., RT-1 produced by Fugro, SM30 produced by ZH Instruments, MS2K & MS2C produced by Bartington Instruments and MPP-EMS2+ probe produced by GDD Instruments (denoted as GDD)) was conducted to characterize the equipment on the basis of their accuracies, resolution, reproducibility, ease of use and response to drift. MS data were collected on BQ core from 3 holes, NQ core samples, 2 rock samples and 2 calibration samples at the Vale office in Thompson, Manitoba. The results show that the GDD and MS2K are most affected by temporal drift whereas the KT-10 and MS2C gave more repeatable results. The MS2C, MS2K and GDD generally gave higher susceptibility readings than the rest of the meters. It was also noted that measurements on the flat face of half-core samples were always higher compared to measurements on their respective whole core samples. There is a correlation between instruments, frequencies and sensitivities, but no relationship between frequencies of operation and temporal drift.
Keywords

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Metabolic engineering aimed at the production of keto acids from glycerol : an industrial by-product

subject:
keto acids
glycerol
microbial systems
Pseudomonas fluorescens
glycerol-transforming nanofactory
pyruvate
α-ketoglutarate
KG

abstract:
Worldwide, energy consumption is at an all-time high and projected to increasingly grow
in the upcoming years. Thus, it is critical to uncover alternative sources of energy that are
independent of fossil fuels and environmentally neutral. The transformation of biomass into
various energy-rich chemicals is an important strategy that is being pursued globally. Biodiesel
can be an interesting substitute to fossil fuels. However, this process generates excessive
amounts of glycerol, a byproduct that needs to be converted into valuable products if the
biodiesel industry is to be sustainable.  The principle objective of this thesis is to study how glycerol can be used as a raw
material by microbial systems to produce valuable products. The soil microbe, Pseudomonas
fluorescens widely utilized in the numerous biotechnological applications due to its nutritional
versatility is an obvious choice to tailor into a glycerol-transforming nanofactory. The abiotic
modulators namely hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and manganese (Mn) afforded uniquely facile
means of triggering metabolic reprogramming aimed at the enhanced formation of pyruvate and
α-ketoglutarate (KG). Under the influence of H2O2, P. fluorescens engineers an intricate
metabolic network to synthesize ATP and pyruvate. As oxidative phosphorylation is severely
impeded, the microbe invokes substrate level phosphorylation to generate energy. This is
accomplished via the increased activities of various enzymes including pyruvate carboxylase
(PC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) that were analyzed by blue-native
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) and high performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC). The high-energy phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) is then converted into ATP and pyruvate,
a process mediated by pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK), phosphoenolpyruvate synthase (PEPS) and pyruvate kinase (PK). Supplementation with a micro-nutrient such as Mn, a divalent
metal involved in a variety of enzymes results in the reprogramming of the metabolic networks
aimed at the accumulation of KG. The increased activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH)-
(NAD)P dependent and aminotransaminases aided the exocellular secretion of KG. The
overexpression of pyruvate carboxylase (PC) that is evident in the Mn-treated cells provides
oxaloacetate, an important precursor to the synthesis of citrate, a key ingredient in the synthesis
of KG. Isocitrate lyase (ICL), fumarate reductase (FUMR), succinate semialdehyde
dehydrogenase (SSADH), α-ketoglutarate decarboxylase (KDC) and γ-aminobutyric acid
transaminases (GABAT) work in concert to produce KG. 13C-NMR helped identify the
metabolites participating in the metabolic networks. Immunoblot experiments confirmed the
presence of overexpressed enzymes. These disparate metabolic pathways that promote the
overproduction of the keto-acids in P. fluorescens have the potential of converting glycerol to
value-added products commercially. As the process utilized is devoid of any genetic
manipulation, it can be readily implemented in an industrial setting. In conclusion, both H2O2
and Mn can orchestrate metabolic changes in P. fluorescens inducing the production of pyruvate
and KG from glycerol respectively. These chemical manipulations may also be applied to other
microbial systems.

abstract: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biomolecular Sciences


title: Dynamic modelling of catalytic SO2 converter in a sulfuric acid plant of an industrial smelter

subject:
dynamic modelling
catalytic SO2 converter
sulfuric acid plant
industrial smelter

abstract:
In industrial nickel and copper production, sulfur dioxide (SO2) is generated from the
combustion of sulfide ores. With increasingly tightened regulations on SO2 emissions, a sulfuric
acid plant has become a crucial part of industrial smelters. It converts environmentally harmful
SO2, which is generated in smelter furnaces, roasters, and Cu-reactors, into commercially
beneficial sulfuric acid. This method is recognized as one of the most effective ways to ensure
that smelters are able to satisfy the SO2 emission regulations.
A sulfuric acid plant is primarily comprised of a central catalytic SO2 converter, SO3 (sulfur
trioxide) absorption towers and a series of interconnected heat exchangers. The catalytic SO2
converter is the key component and the focus of this research. Both steady-state and dynamic
models of the converter are developed in this thesis.
A steady-state model of the converter is established in accordance with steady-state
mass and energy balances. The developed model provides an explicit relation between SO2
conversion ratio and gas temperature, which is denoted as the heat-up path of the converter.
By combining the heat-up path with the equilibrium curve of the SO2 oxidation reaction, an
equilibrium state for every converter stage can be obtained. Using the developed steady-state
model, simulations are performed to investigate the effect of inlet SO2 molar fraction and gas
temperature on the equilibrium conversion ratio.
In an industrial SO2 converter, the SO2 concentration and conversion ratio out of each
bed are important variables but are not measured in real time. To monitor these unmeasured
variables in industrial operations, a soft sensor is proposed by combining the derived steadystate
model with dynamic data analysis. The obtained soft sensor provides a real-time
estimation of outlet SO2 concentration and the conversion ratio from measured temperatures.
For synchronization between the inlet SO2 concentration and outlet temperature, a first-order
exponential data filter is applied to the feed SO2 data. With the filtered signal being used,
the proposed soft sensors give a satisfactory estimation of both outlet SO2 concentration and
conversion ratio in the converter stages.
Dynamic modelling is carried out using two different model forms: ordinary differential
equation (ODE) and partial differential equation (PDE) models. The ODE model is obtained by
applying dynamic mass and energy conservation to the SO2 converter. The resulting model can
be used in industrial applications and describes the converter performance even if information
of reaction kinetics is not available. A good fit with collected industrial data verifies the validity
of the developed ODE model. The effect of process input variables is studied using simulations
with the ODE model.
Dynamic modelling is performed by implementing mass and energy balances on both fluid
and solid-phase gas flows. The proposed two-phase dynamic model, which takes the PDE
form, is able to generate detailed profiles of the SO2 converter within time and space. With the
estimated parameters, this two-phase dynamic model generates a good fit between the simulated
and measured outlet temperatures. Based on the PDE model, simulations are run to investigate
the detailed mechanistic performance of the converter. The detailed PDE model provides useful
explanation of, and prediction for the converter behaviour.

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


title: Decolonisation as a social change framework and its impact on the development of Indigenous-based curricula for Helping Professionals in mainstream Tertiary Education Organisations

abstract: This research examined the social and political approaches that Indigenous peoples undertook to situate Indigenous-based education programmes in mainstream post-secondary/tertiary education organisations. Indigenous-based helping programmes assist to progress Indigenous aspirations for self-determination and are sites that center Indigenous worldviews. A decolonisation analysis framework that is embedded in the curriculum deepens students’ understanding about the impacts of imperialism, colonisation and post colonial issues. This thesis involved researching two Indigenous-based programmes that are based within mainstream tertiary institutes. The first is the Te Whiuwhiu o te Hau Maori Counselling degree programme which is based at the Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC) in Hamilton, Aotearoa, New Zealand. The other is the Native Human Services Social Work degree programme which is based at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.


title: QEEG profile changes following three total body modification (TBM) treatments

subject:
Total Body Modification (TBM)treatments
brainwave activity
mood measures
QEEG activity
alternative medicine,

abstract: The main research question of this study was to determine if the application of TBM would affect baseline states of QEEG activity. It was hypothesized that after completing three treatments of TBM there would be an increase of left hemispheric activity as well as an increase in mood states. This is hypothesized because depression has been shown to cause a decrease of frontal activity, specifically left hemispheric. Therefore, an increase of mood should lead to an increase of left hemispheric activity

abstract: Honours Essay


title: Baking power: French-Canadian and Franco-Ontarian cultural identity as defined by evolving traditional foodways in Astorville, Ontario

subject:
interdisciplinary
autoethnography
Franco-Ontarian minority
gender
foodways
traditions

abstract:
Questions about cultural identity and allegiance are complicated. What makes a person French,
French-Canadian or Franco-Ontarian? What is the difference between these various labels? How do
demographics, gender, and age impact the ways in which cultural allegiance is created, maintained, or
discarded? What defines a person’s membership in a cultural group? Is it one’s ability to speak the
language? To make and/or eat cultural foods? If one of these fails to be present, can the person still be a
part of the group? In our multicultural country, and especially in rural communities in Northern Ontario
where Francophones find themselves to be part of a minority, such questions do not have simple
answers. Studying cultural retention in such communities necessitates paying attention to more than just
who is speaking French and/or to who is an activist for French rights. It also requires understanding how
individual attitudes and behaviours are like and/or unlike those of others and of the larger group.
Foodways are one of the specific cultural practices that can tell us about the group. Indeed, traditional
foods have been shown to be very political expressions of personal values and opinions. What power
does French-Canadian food have over those who make it? What does it tell us about those who claim
allegiance to this cultural group?
This interdisciplinary case study of Astorville, Ontario, relates to the fields of food studies,
cultural studies, history, gender studies, material culture studies, performance studies, and
autoethnography. By studying foodways, which are closely connected to heritage, language, religious
practices, and rituals, this project seeks to understand how minority groups resist and/or acquiesce to
societal pressures to conform to the culture of the majority. Knowing that modernisation and
urbanisation have changed the lifestyle of once agricultural communities, that women now participate in
the workforce, and that an individual’s personal history is an important factor in determining how one
subscribes to cultural norms, this is an important time to understand the cultural evolution taking place
in communities, like Astorville, Ontario, where the French population has gone from a majority to a
minority since it was established.

abstract: Doctor in Philosophy (PhD) in Human Studies


title: Geology of the Archean Côté Gold Au(-Cu) intrusion-related deposit, Swayze Greenstone Belt, Ontario

subject:
Côté Gold deposit
Chester intrusive complex
low-Al composite intrusion
Swayze greenstone belt

abstract:
The Côté Gold Au(-Cu) deposit is a low-grade, large-tonnage type deposit with an
indicated resource of 269 Mt averaging 0.88 g/t Au (7.61 M oz) and an inferred resource of 44
Mt averaging 0.74 g/t Au (1.04 M oz) at a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t Au. The deposit is located in
the Swayze greenstone belt (SGB), part of the larger and gold-rich Abitibi Subprovince and is
the first large gold deposit to be discovered in the SGB.
The deposit is hosted by multi-phase tonalite, diorite and quartz diorite intrusions of the
Chester intrusive complex (CIC), a multi-phased, laccolith-shaped synvolcanic intrusion.
Crosscutting relationships suggest coeval emplacement of the host rocks and high-precision UPb
ID-TIMS zircon geochronology results constrain the CIC to ca. 2741 to 2739 Ma. Although a
close temporal relationship exists between the tonalite and dioritic phases, they appear to be
petrogenetically unrelated. The CIC is demonstrated to be petrologically, texturally and
geochemically similar to low-Al tonalite-trondhjemite-diorite composite intrusions known to
underlie VMS-type mineralization. The CIC was emplaced into tholeiitic mafic metavolcanic
rocks of the Arbutus Formation that are interpreted to have formed in a back-arc environment.
The CIC is coeval and cogenetic with the felsic to intermediate rocks of the Yeo Formation.
Emplacement of the CIC into a shallow crustal level is inferred based on the incorporation of
screens and inclusions of the Yeo Formation, consistent with the presence of textures, such as
granophyres, miarolitic cavities and pegmatites, and Al-in hornblende geobarometry results of
≤1.3 ± 0.6 kbars. The intrusive complex is intruded by several younger and petrogenetically
unrelated dike phases, as well as overprinted by regional deformation events.
iv
The deposit has a large ore envelope (1200 m by 300 m) within which several styles of
mineralization (breccias, disseminations and veins) that are co-spatial and cogenetic to
hydrothermal alteration are recognized. The hydrothermal stages consist of: (1) a rare series of
gold-bearing amphibole-rich veins and breccias spatially restricted to the south and central parts
of the deposit; (2) an extensive, main-stage biotite alteration that is centred on Au- and Cubearing
hydrothermal biotite breccia bodies. Outwards from the breccia are veins (stockworks
and sheeted arrays) and disseminations; (3) an extensive, Au ± Cu-bearing fracture-controlled
and replacement-style muscovite alteration in the centre of the deposit; (4) an unmineralized
fracture-controlled and disseminated epidote alteration that is localized to the north of the
deposit; (5) a texturally destructive albite alteration occurs in the central part of the deposit; and
(6) chlorite alteration that overprints biotite alteration. Drill core observations suggest that all the
hydrothermal events, except chloritization, broadly overlap with magmatism and are crudely
zoned on the deposit scale; chloritization is considered to be metamorphic in origin.
To constrain the timing of hydrothermal events U-Pb ID-TIMS, SHRIMP and LA ICPMS
dating of four hydrothermal titanites from amphibole and albite alteration assemblages and
Re-Os dating of two molybdenite samples were analyzed. The hydrothermal titanite ages are
centred on a ca. 2740 Ma and the molybdenite ages are 2736.1 ± 11.4 Ma and 2746.8 ± 11.4 Ma.
These ages overlap with magmatism and strongly support a syn-intrusion timing for alteration
and gold mineralization. Importantly, this age represents a new metallogenic gold event in the
Abitibi Subprovince. In addition, two rutile ages at ca. 2667 Ma were obtained and indicate the
deposit was affected by subsequent thermal events, such as regional metamorphism.
Several of the alteration types (i.e., amphibole, biotite, muscovite and epidote) are
considered to be genetically related to the dioritic phases of the CIC based on relative timing,
v
distribution, mineralogy and mineral chemistry and whole-rock geochemistry. The progressive
crystallization of the dioritic magma chamber is considered to have resulted in the generation of
mineralized magmatic-hydrothermal fluids that are thought to be responsible for generating the
Côté Gold deposit. The sequence of alteration types, their zonation in the deposit and their
chemistry (i.e., gains and losses, REE patterns, metal associations and isotopes) is consistent
with the early hydrothermal stages (i.e., amphibole and biotite) having formed from high
temperature magmatic-derived dioritic fluids and the later alteration types (i.e., muscovite and
epidote) having formed from cooling magmatic fluids mixed with seawater.
The development of albite alteration is thought to be the result of volatile exsolution of
tonalite based on its syn-intrusion timing and the Na-rich nature of the fluids. Although albite
alteration may be gold-bearing, the erratic distribution of the mineralization and the leaching
capacity of fluids suggest earlier gold was remobilized during this event.
Considering the characteristics of the host rocks, the demonstrated overlap of magmatic
and hydrothermal events at ca. 2740 Ma, the nature and distribution of alteration, the style of the
associated mineralization and the geochemical characteristics of the hydrothermal fluids the Côté
Gold deposit is considered to be intrusion-related in origin and formed in a manner similar to
Phanerozoic porphyry-type deposits.

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


title: Indigenous culture as a strategy to defer Mushkegowuk youth from criminal behaviour in Moose Cree First Nation.

subject:
Moose Factory
Mushkegowuk
Indigenous
Remote
Culture
Intergenerational impacts
Substance abuse
Prevention
Resilience
Over-representation
Incarceration

abstract: The over-representation of Indigenous Peoples within correctional facilities is a growing concern in Canada. This research study aims to determine if the community members of Moose Cree First Nation find it feasible to initiate traditional culture as a course to deter Indigenous youth from criminal behaviour. The study consisted of interviews with eight First Nation individuals by way of purposive and snowball sampling to recruit participants. Three major themes were discovered in the semi-structured interviews: Mushkegowuk Culture as described by the community members residing in Moose Factory, Intergenerational Impacts on fragmented Culture as experienced in the recent past and/or today in Moose Factory, and, Protective Measures to ensure safety of youth residing in the community. Themes expressed were built upon by a grounded theory providing direct knowledge based on the experience of the residents in Moose Factory. Overall it was discovered that introducing more culturally relevant programming and education could cease undesirable behaviours and assist with healthy life choices for future generations.

abstract: Master of Indigenous Relations


title: (De)Constructing the American sport hero: a textual analysis of media representations of Vince Lombardi.

subject:
Hegemonic masculinity
Textual analysis
American sport hero
Cold War America
Myth
American football

abstract: Using the concept of Hegemonic Masculinity, this study seeks to investigate how Vince Lombardi came to embody the values essential to American society during the Cold War. By performing a textual analysis on historic sports media documents taken from the Green Bay Press-Gazette, I argue that sportswriters constructed Lombardi in a fashion that celebrated characteristics of hegemonic masculinity that directly spoke to core American values during the Cold War. In doing so, Lombardi became a national icon, an American sports hero, and a purveyor of social myth, who transformed football into a metaphor for the American way of life within the Cold War period, where “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”. Although the role of the American sport hero has been investigated before, this is the first time a coach has been critically examined.

abstract: Master of Human Kinetics (MHK)


title: Energy-producing ability of bacteria under oxidative stress

subject:
Reactive nitrogen species (RNS)
Pseudomonas fluorescens
fumarate
ATP

abstract: Nitrosative stress is caused by reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and is toxic to most organisms. RNS are generated by the immune system to combat infectious microbes and are known to impede O2-dependent energy production. The goal of this study was to elucidate alternative adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-forming pathways that enable the model bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens to survive a nitrosative challenge in a fumarate medium. Fumarate was metabolized by fumarase C (FUM C), a RNS-resistant enzyme and fumarate reductase (FRD). The enhanced activities of pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK), adenylated kinase (AK) and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) provided an effective route to ATP production by substrate-level phosphorylation (SLP), a process that does not require O2. The metabolic networks utilized to neutralize nitrosative stress reveal potential target against RNS-tolerant bacteria and a route to the conversion of fumarate into succinate, a value-added product.

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


title: Nesting in close quarters: causes and benefits of high density nesting in painted turtles

subject:
communal nesting
egg clustering
nest synchrony
hatchling communication
synchronized emergence
embryonic development
nest behaviour

abstract:
Nesting is a costly time for female turtles, both energetically and from threat of predation.
Females must ensure maximum survival of offspring for population stability and individual
fitness. I observed signs of communal nesting in female Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta).
My goals were to determine; are females choosing to nest at high nest-densities, what cues do
they use to select nest sites, are offspring benefitted. Using ArcGIS, I found that females
nested in clusters, the location of clusters varied among years, and that nest site selection was
not strongly determined by environmental characteristics. When female turtle models were
placed on the nesting embankment females nested most often with the highest density of
models. In ~25% of cases, nests were so clustered that eggs were deposited directly into
existing nests or directly beside existing nests. Survival of clustered nests (49%) was higher
than that of solitary nests (39%). In incubators, older clutches had faster incubation times,
suggesting embryonic communication as a mechanism promoting hatching synchrony. We
strongly suggest that female Painted Turtles choose to nest in close proximity to conspecifics,
and that this clustering results in a fitness benefit.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: L'intégration des immigrants tunisiens : entre habitus culturel national et trajectoire sociale.

subject:
immigrants tunisiens
intégration
cohésion sociale
diversité culturelle
groupes de confession musulmane
religion
pratiques culturelles musulmanes
sociétés d'accueil
individuation
récit de vie
habitus culturel

abstract: Cette recherche porte sur l’intégration des immigrants tunisiens à la société canadienne. Plus précisément, nous voulons comprendre les différentes façons d’intégration prises par ces immigrants nord-africains. Comprendre scientifiquement l’intégration est une tâche difficile. Outre les difficultés scientifiques que tout chercheur traitant cette question rencontre dans sa démarche, il y a des difficultés liées à l’usage politique de cette question. En effet, l’intégration est un sujet que tout le monde croit connaître. Nous n’avons qu’à penser au discours politique sur l’intégration des immigrants ; celui des médias sur la diversité culturelle ; celui du sens commun sur la menace des étrangers et de leur incapacité d’intégration. Derrière tous ces discours, il y a un point qui revient souvent dans les débats. Les groupes provenant des pays en voie de développement posent problème à la cohésion sociale. Ils sont perçus comme porteurs d’une culture et d’une religion incompatibles avec la culture du pays d’accueil. Ces dernières décennies, l’attention s’est focalisée sur les groupes de confession musulmane. Ces groupes sont accusés de menacer l’identité des sociétés d’accueil avec leur religion et leurs pratiques d’un autre âge. C’est, donc, contre cette idée que nous avons fait notre thèse. Nous voulons comprendre s’il est vrai que les perceptions et les pratiques culturelles des musulmans sont incompatibles avec celles du Canada. Nous posons donc la question comment se fait-il que les membres d’un même groupe d’immigrants provenant du même pays (donc partageant la même culture, la même religion) n’aient pas le même rapport à la culture nationale, ou si l’on veut, ne vont pas s’intégrer de la même façon? Comment comprendre ce rapport différent à la culture chez les immigrants? Notre hypothèse soutient l’idée que plusieurs pratiques culturelle évolueront avec le temps, mais ces changements peuvent aller dans le sens d’un éloignement ou d’un rapprochement par rapport à la culture d’origine. L’étude a été conçue de façon à comparer un groupe d’immigrants tunisiens vivant à Montréal. Cette recherche qui se veut qualitative. Le récit de vie nous paraissait l’outil le plus adéquat car il nous permet de comprendre leurs perceptions sur leurs pratiques en Tunisie et après leur installation au Canada. Notre étude se base sur 16 entrevues réalisées auprès de femmes et d’hommes Tunisiens. Dans l’ensemble, les résultats des analyses confirment notre hypothèse en appuyant l’idée de l’individuation de chaque immigrant et immigrante. Les membres d’un même groupe d’immigrants provenant d’un même pays ne s’intègrent pas de la même façon, car ils possèdent des visions différentes et des pratiques liées à leur habitus culturel et à leurs trajectoires sociales. On a constaté cependant que la religion (l’islam) demeure un cadre de référence important pour les immigrants Tunisiens.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Liposomal clarithromycin delivery for the treatment of pseudomonal lung infection in cystic fibrosis.

subject:
Cystic fibrosis
Liposomes
Macrolides
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Virulence factors

abstract: The pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered as one of the main causes of health deterioration in cystic fibrosis patients (CF). Efficient management of P. aeruginosa in CF remains difficult mainly with the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains leading ultimately to death. There is a pressing need for new approaches to control these Pseudomonal infections. Current studies on the antimicrobial efficacy of liposomal antibiotics have shown conflicting results. We sought to assess whether the incorporation of clarithromycin into liposomes could improve its antibacterial activity against clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from CF patients. Different formulations of liposomal clarithromycin were prepared, characterized and their antibacterial activities against resistant strains of P. aeruginosa were investigated. These formulations reduced the biofilm formation, the virulence factors production and the bacterial motilities compared to free drug. The therapeutic importance of liposome containing macrolides in the management of experimental pseudomonal lung infection in animals is warranted.

abstract: Master of Science in Biology


title: Youths aging out of foster care and their experiences learning mindfulness in an arts-based group program.

subject:
Arts-based
Care leavers
Fun
Holistic
Marginalized
Mindfulness
Mutual aid
Youth in care
Foster care
Resilience
Social support
Thematic analysis
Aging out of care
Group work

abstract:
As the field of research investigating mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) continues to expand, studies implementing MBIs with older marginalized youth are scarce. I developed and explored the implementation of an innovative MBI with a small group of youth transitioning out of foster care due to their age. In general, these youth remain underrepresented in qualitative research processes, furthering their public “invisibility” and hampering our understanding of their long-term health and education outcomes. Since we know that many youth in care suffer a variety of long term negative consequences due to experiences of trauma, loss, and family dysfunction, and because we lack understanding regarding beneficial programs for these youth, research is necessary to support policies and programs that promote the resilience of youth in care. I was interested in better understanding these youths’ viewpoints about resilience, and their understanding of mindfulness. The lack of research exploring MBIs with youth aging out of foster care necessitated an exploratory approach.
Applying qualitative inquiry and a constructivist lens, I collected data from eight participants who participated in two different groups. I interviewed the youths using open-ended questions in three semi-structured interviews prior to, immediately after, and four months following participation in a holistic 10-week arts-based mindfulness group program. A follow-up meeting was held with all of the youth one year after the groups were completed. Using an inductive form of interpretive thematic analysis, my analysis of the data yielded themes illustrating the participants’ perceptions of the challenges that they endured; the key features of resilience; their understanding of mindfulness; the benefits of learning mindfulness; and the perceived helpfulness of the group experience. These findings helped me to illustrate new insights about the benefits, challenges, and opportunities afforded by implementing MBIs with older youth in care. I found that the arts-based mindfulness group program was suitable and the youth expressed several benefits of learning mindfulness for their day-to-day lives including increased self-awareness and improved emotion regulation. The implications for service providers and other allies of marginalized youth are considered, and recommendations for future researchers are provided.

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


title: Envisioning an intercultural gerontology curriculum for undergraduate gerontology programs in Canada: attributes and resources

subject:
gerontology
curriculum
constructivist theory
life courses perspective
aging,

abstract:
Intercultural gerontology curriculum development at the baccalaureate level has been discussed
as a response to the challenge of global aging and a culturally diverse student population. As
students learn, live, and work on campuses, at home, and abroad as global citizens, the need for a
curriculum that reflects cultures and relationships among cultures will only continue to grow.
Based on this context, the questions driving this project were the following: What should an
undergraduate university-based intercultural curriculum in gerontology encompass? How might
it be delivered? As an exploration of these questions, this study examined the theories and
practices associated with intercultural curriculum development in educational studies as well as
the theories and practices associated with culture and aging in the field of gerontology. A
qualitative study that explored the current thinking of university-based stakeholders associated
with intercultural and/or gerontology curriculum followed. Education’s constructivist and
humanist learning theories in combination with gerontology’s life course perspective, social
construction theory, and cultural gerontology’s emphasis on narratives provided the theoretical
lenses for the analysis and integration of the findings. The results of the study included ten
attributes of an intercultural gerontology curriculum for Canadian universities and suggested
tools for educators in gerontology.

abstract: Doctoral Theses


title: Technosol evaluation for mine site reclamation in the Boreal Shield

subject:
Technosol
mine reclamation
pedogenesis
revegetation
water chemistry

abstract:
Technosols, soils substantially influenced by human activity, are often found on former
mine sites. In some cases they develop as a result of natural processes on abandoned sites; in
others, they are intentionally manufactured as part of the mine’s reclamation program. In this
study Technosols with either 40% woody residuals and 60% mine rock or 80% woody residuals
and 20% mine rock were constructed and placed over mine rock lysimeters in either 30 cm or 60
cm layers to evaluate their potential for use in the reclamation of a gold mine in the Canadian
boreal forest. The Technosol plots were constructed in summer 2012 and have been continuously
monitored for water chemistry, soil microclimate, and vegetation health. In 2016 soil pits were
excavated to examine the physical, chemical, and microbial development of Technosol profiles.
The high organic Technosols had higher concentrations of bioavailable nutrients, reduced
availability of Mo and Cd, less extreme soil temperatures, increased soil moisture, and reduced
soil pH compared to the low organic. In all Technosol plot water samples pH was between 7 – 8,
high levels of DOC were measured, and no elements exceeded site compliance limits specified
by the Ontario government. Little profile development was observed in the Technosols, but there
were differences between comparison field and forest soils in terms of chemistry and microbial
functional diversity. Green alder (Alnus viridis subsp. crispa) grew well on the Technosol plots,
but bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) struggled and after two years almost complete mortality
was seen. This is likely due to a combination of factors including high soil pH, low moisture, and
low nutrient availability in the Technosols. Overall the high organic Technosol appears more
suitable for reclamation, and green alders are a good choice for initial planting.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Biology


title: Formulation and efficacy of liposome-encapsulated azithromycin for pulmonary infection due to Pseudomonias Aeruginosa

subject:
cystic fibrosis
liposomes
Azithromycin
pulmonary infection

abstract: Cystic fibrosis is the most common life-threatening autosomal recessive disorder in Caucasians. Recurrent pulmonary infection and inflammation are the major risk factors associated with cystic fibrosis. Microbial infection with highly resistant pathogens such as Burkholderia cenocepacia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is principally associated with cystic fibrosis. The effective management of pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis patients is not controllable due to the multidrug-resistant strains and potential side effects of antibiotics usage. Liposomal encapsulation of macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin show increased drug concentrations at the site of infection, along with reduced toxic effects. In this thesis work, liposome-loaded azithromycin formulation was prepared by dehydration-rehydration vesicle method and related characterizations including cytotoxicity were identified. The effects of liposomal azithromycin on biofilm community, purified bacterial virulence factors were determined and motility studies were performed in clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa. We found that liposomal azithromycin reduced biofilm activity, virulence factors production and bacterial motility. The liposomal formulation confirmed interactions between liposomes and bacterial membranes besides insignificant hemolysis or A549 cell toxicity. The end results collectively indicate that liposomal drug delivery systems could be a promising model to enhance the efficacy of antibiotics against resistant bacterial strains in lung infections.

abstract: Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Sciences


title: Becoming a guitar hero: does it alter multisensory processing skills?

subject: Music-genre video games

subject: training

subject: multisensory processing

subject: Music-genre video focused attention paradigm

abstract: Three groups of novice gamers were trained for 10 hours using the music-genre game Rock Band©: one group played the game normally, another played using visual cues only, and a third simply listened to music. Pre- and post-test eye-tracking data was collected using a focused attention task in which participants quickly shifted their gaze toward a visual target; on some trials a to-be-ignored auditory tone was also presented. Past research has shown the tone to speed-up saccadic response time (SRT). We hypothesized that training on a music-genre video game would boost this intersensory facilitation effect, defined as the difference between SRTs on unimodal only trials minus SRTs on bimodal trials. There was an overall SRT decrease from pre- to post-test, but, more critically, the magnitude of the facilitation effect was not disproportionally enhanced in the full Rock Band© training group, relative to the controls. Future research avenues are considered.

abstract: Master of Arts (M.A.) in Psychology


title: Use of computer interface usability testing to evaluate the success of science communication website artifacts.

format: application/msword application/pdf

subject:
Communication in science
Internet website

abstract: Science Communication Program


title: Race relations in Sudbury : a focus on African-Canadians

subject:
race relations
African-Canadians
city of Greater Sudbury
life experiences
critical race theory
discrimination

abstract:
This thesis explored the perception of race relations among African‐Canadians in the city of
Greater Sudbury. It assessed African‐Canadians’ perception of the treatments and equal
opportunities afforded to them in the city. The purpose of this research was to examine the
effect of race on the life experiences of African‐Canadians and the unique meanings they
ascribe to these encounters. Using snowball sampling, data for this study were collected from
the personal stories of 20 African‐Canadians in the city of Greater Sudbury. This thesis
employed a phenomenological qualitative inquiry to focus on participants’ life experiences in
the city. Critical race theory was employed as the theoretical framework guiding the analysis of
this study. Five major themes emerged during data analysis (1) Social Interaction,
(2) Employment, (3) Black in Sudbury, (4) Settlement challenges, and (5) Coping Strategies.
This thesis captures a picture of the daily struggles that participants experience in the Sudbury
society due to discrimination.

abstract: Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology


title: Planaria as a model for the effects of the co-use of alcohol and nicotine

subject:
Poly drug abuse
Planarian locomotor velocity (pLMV)
atypical behaviours
withdrawal effects
alcohol abuse
cigarettes abuse

abstract: Poly drug abuse is the abuse of more than one drug, often simultaneously, and is common in many drug-abusers in real-life conditions (Raffa, 2008). The co-use of alcohol and cigarettes is especially prevalent among heavy drinkers such as those diagnosed with alcoholism or alcohol abuse (Bobo & Husten, 2000). The purpose of this study is to gain further insight into the potential mechanisms involved in the poly-drug abuse of alcohol and cigarettes by observing the withdrawal effects of each individual drug versus the combined drugs in the planarian flatworm. Planarian locomotor velocity (pLMV) and atypical behaviours are the behavioural paradigms used in this experiment to quantify the withdrawal effects observed. Results reveal a complex relationship between alcohol and nicotine with interactions between concentration and exposure time to influence the poly-drug relationship.

abstract: Honours Essay


title: A study of the crystal chemistry, cathodoluminescence, geochemistry and oxygen isotopes in Scheelite: application towards discriminating among differing ore-deposit systems

subject:
scheelite
indicator mineral
cathodoluminescence
laser ablation ICP-MS
mineral chemistry,
oxygen isotopes
ore deposits

abstract:
Scheelite (CaWO4) from a total of 37 of world-wide, differing ore-deposit settings
(orogenic, sediment- and greenstone-hosted, skarn, porphyry, greisen, volcanogenic massive
sulfide, breccia and polymetallic deposits) were examined using cathodoluminescence, SEMEDS,
LA-ICP-MS and whole-grain stable isotopic analyses. The goal of this study was to assess
whether the crystal-chemistry of scheelite (i.e., major, minor and trace elements, stable isotopes,
CL response) could be used to distinguish between differing environments of formation. Results
show: (1) weak to strong CL responses, these varying from grains with complex, oscillatory
zonation patterns, to discordant patterns to those where no zonation is evident; (2) the
predominant elemental substitutions involve As5+ or Mo6+ ↔ W6+, and Sr2+ or REE3+ ↔ Ca2+;
(3) the trends in REE vary in terms of ΣREEs (104 range in CN values). The degree and type of
REE fractionation patterns (flat, convex, concave) are variable and both positive and negative Eu
anomalies (<0.1 to >20-30) may be present; and (4) the δ18O values are highly variable, ranging
from -4.6 to +12.7‰. The broad ranges do not independently fix a single parent fluid during scheelite formation. The intensity of CL zonation was found to correlate with Mo content:
increases in Mo ↔ W substitution correlates with a reduction in CL signal. Further, the nature of
the type zonation revealed by CL was found to directly correlate with geological environment:
where zonation is absent (i.e., a homogeneous CL response), the scheelite is associated with
metamorphic-related systems and where the zonation is pronounced, the scheelite is associated
with magmatic-related systems. The variability in REE patterns suggest that other factors are
likely controlling the incorporation of REEs into scheelite (e.g., changes in fluid chemistry and
mineral precipitation). The presence of substitutions involving Mo and As are particularly
relevant, as both are redox sensitive. In particular, enrichments in Mo (>100 ppm) suggest
formation in highly oxidizing environments wherein, Mo may be mobile. The crystal-chemistry
of scheelite has been demonstrated to be both a strong indicator of ore-forming conditions and
the general geological environment.

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


title: L'expérience psychosociale de l'arthrite vécue par les jeunes étudiants postsecondaires du nord-est de l'Ontario : une étude photovoice

subject:
arthrite
jeunes adultes
étudiants postsecondaires
maladie invisible
Photovoice
maladie chronique
expérience psychosociale
sensibilisation

abstract:
Ce mémoire vise à explorer l’expérience psychosociale de l’arthrite vécue par les jeunes étudiants postsecondaires du Nord-Est de l’Ontario. L’approche écologique, la typologie des problèmes et le modèle des perspectives changeantes de la maladie chronique furent
utilisés afin d’analyser ce phénomène.
Cette étude comporte deux objectifs. D’une part, elle cherche à comprendre et connaître
la réalité de l’arthrite vécue par les participants. D’autre part, elle souhaite sensibiliser
les professionnels de soins de santé, ainsi que le grand public sur les défis auxquels ces
jeunes étudiants font face.
Des entrevues qualitatives ont été effectuées auprès de dix jeunes étudiants
postsecondaires. Quatre participantes ont aussi contribué à la discussion de groupe. La
technique Photovoice fut employée lors des entrevues individuelles et lors de la
discussion de groupe.
Huit thèmes furent explorés lors des entrevues : les premiers signes et symptômes, les
problèmes liés aux soins médicaux et aux ressources communautaires, les difficultés et
stratégies de la vie quotidienne, les enjeux liés aux traitements, les difficultés reliées aux
études et à la vie professionnelle, les impacts sur les relations et loisirs, les aspirations et
inquiétudes face à l’avenir, et enfin, la discussion de groupe.
Les données recueillies lors des entretiens avec les participants mettent en perspective la
réalité d'être aux prises avec l'arthrite en tant que jeune adulte. Ils ont dégagé leurs défis
reliés à l’imprévisibilité, la gestion et l’invisibilité de la maladie, le manque d’accès aux
services, ainsi que la méconnaissance dans la société de son impact sur les jeunes
adultes.

abstract: Maîtrise en Service Social


title: Adapting methodologies from the forestry industry to measure the productivity of underground hard rock mining equipment

subject: ground support installation component

subject: underground hard rock mines

subject: equipment comparison

subject: ground support installation process

subject: semi-mechanized ground support installation productivity

abstract:
The purpose of this dissertation is to develop and apply a framework to characterize the ground
support installation component of the mining development cycle in underground hard rock mines
for the purposes of comparing equipment. A secondary goal is to identify opportunities to
improve the productivity of the ground support installation process.
It was found that the forestry industry faces similar challenges as the mining industry when
measuring equipment output in a variable environment where equipment productivity is affected
by a range of external conditions. Despite this challenge, forestry researchers successfully
developed and applied a standardized methodology and nomenclature to measure the
productivity of equipment for the purposes of equipment and process comparison in variable
external conditions.  The methodology used in the forestry industry was modified to measure mechanized and semimechanized
ground support installation productivity in three Canadian underground hard rock
mines. Furthermore, opportunities to improve the ground support installation process were
identified. This framework can be modified to measure and compare other types of mining
equipment. By using a standardized methodology to measure, compare and improve mining
processes, development and production rates can be increased in underground hard rock mines.
In summary, a framework was adapted from the forestry industry to measure and compare the
productivity of the ground support installation cycle in three Canadian hard rock mines, and
opportunities to improve the process were found.

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


title: Les processus décisionnels d'utilisation et de partage de l'argent transféré par les émigrés Sénégalais

subject:
émigrés sénégalais
argent
capital social
capital humain

abstract:
Cette recherche porte sur les processus de partage et d’utilisation de l’argent transféré par les émigrés sénégalais à leurs familles. La théorie de l’action rationnelle, soutient que l’individu est libre et qu’il établit son choix uniquement en fonction de son intérêt (Coleman1990). Si nous nous basons sur cette théorie, nous reconnaitrons que l’individu ne penserait qu’à atteindre ses objectifs pour la maximalisation de ses gains. En étudiant les processus de partage et d’utilisation des fonds transférés par les émigrés sénégalais à leurs familles restées au pays, nous voulons découvrir si l’explication que nous attribuons à l’action dans la décision est uniquement utilitariste. L’acquisition des fonds par les familles réceptrices contribue au capital social et au capital humain du pays. Cependant, nous nous demanderons comment les familles sont affectées par les processus décisionnels? L’objectif de cette étude consiste à examiner les éléments discursifs qui interfèrent dans la reconnaissance de l’action rationnelle des acteurs. Il importe alors de se demander si le processus décisionnel de la répartition et de l’usage de l’argent transféré par les émigrés sénégalais à leurs familles répond entièrement à une rationalité instrumentale.
Afin trouver réponse à nos interrogations, nous retenons une approche qualitative assez bien indiquée dans la recherche de la compréhension des faits sociaux. Nous avons effectué quinze entrevues semi-directives avec des répondantes mariées appartenant à des familles sénégalaises habitant le quartier de la Médina. Elles ont été sélectionnées parce qu’elles reçoivent directement ou indirectement des fonds transférés par les émigrés sénégalais. Les effets économiques et sociaux individuels ou collectifs liés aux fonds transférés font l’objet de réflexions par rapport aux motivations de l’action. Étant donné que les principaux acteurs représentant les émigrés et les bénéficiaires de ces sources financières ne détiennent pas un total contrôle en ce qui a trait à
iv
la répartition et à l’utilisation des fonds. Les effets économiques et sociaux induits par ces fonds transférés, font l’objet de questionnement par rapport aux directives initiales.

abstract: Master's Theses


title: Imaging, characterization and processing with axicon derivatives.

subject:
Axicon
image processing
Wiener deconvolution
histogram equalization
point spread function
characterization
extended depth of field
resolution limit

abstract:
Axicons have been proposed for imaging applications since they offer the advantage of extended depth of field (DOF). This enhanced DOF comes at the cost of degraded image quality. Image processing has been proposed to improve the image quality. Initial efforts were focused on the use of an axicon in a borescope thereby extending depth of focus and eliminating the need for a focusing mechanism. Though promising, it is clear that image processing would lead to improved image quality. This would also eliminate the need, in certain applications, for a fiber optic imaging bundle as many modern day video borescopes use an imaging sensor coupled directly to the front end optics.
 In the present work, three types of refractive axicons are examined: a linear axicon, a logarithmic axicon and a Fresnel axicon. The linear axicon offers the advantage of simplicity and a significant amount of scientific literature including the application of image restoration techniques. The Fresnel axicon has the advantage of compactness and potential low cost of production. As no physical prior examples of the Fresnel axicons were available for experimentation until recently, very little literature exists. The logarithmic axicon has the advantage of nearly constant longitudinal intensity distribution and an aspheric design producing superior pre-processed images over the aforementioned elements. Point Spread Functions (PSFs) for each of these axicons have been measured. These PSFs form the basis for the design of digital image restoration filters. The performance of these three optical elements and a number of restoration techniques are demonstrated and compared.

abstract: Master of Science (MASc) in Engineering


title: Flexible floating thin film photovoltaic (PV) array concept for marine and lacustrine environments

subject: modelling flexible thin film

subject: techno-economics floating PV

subject: electrical reliability water saturated PV

subject: mechanical reliability water saturated PV

subject: floating PV prototype

subject: water absorption laminated PV

abstract:
The focus of the research is on the development of the concept of floating flexible thin film arrays for renewable electricity generation, in marine and lacustrine application areas. This research was motivated by reliability issues from wave energy converters which are prone to large loads due to the environment which they are exposed in; a flexible system would not need to withstand these loads but simply yield to them. The solid state power take off is an advantage of photovoltaic (PV) technology which removes failure risks associated with mechanical machinery, and also potential environmental hazards such as hydraulic oil spillage. The novelty of this technology requires some development before it could even be considered feasible for large scale installation. Techno-economics are a big issue in electricity developments and need to be scoped in order to ensure that they would be cost-competitive in the market and with other technologies.
Other more technical issues relate to the change in expected electrical yield due to the modulation of the PV array according to the waves and the electrical performance of the PVs when in wet conditions. Results from numerical modelling of the modulating arrays show that there is not expected variation in electrical yield at central latitudes (slightly positive), although at higher latitudes there could be considerable depreciation. With regards to the electrical performance a notable improvement was measured due to the cooling effect, slight decrease in performance was also estimated due to water absorption (of ~ 1.4%) within the panels. Overall results from both economic and technical analysis show the feasibility of the concept and that it is a possibility for future commercialisation.

abstract: Doctoral Theses


title: The synthesis of macrocyclic molecules related to telomestatin

subject:
G-quadruplexes
telomestatin
poly-oxazole macrocycles
macrocyclization
dinuclear copper (II) complex

abstract: G-quadruplex DNA represents an attractive target for the development of anti-cancer therapeutic agents as it plays important roles in transcriptional regulation and the maintenance of telomeric length. Oxazole-containing macrocycles such as telomestatin are considered to be a promissing new class of G-quadruplex binding ligands. In this work, poly-oxazole building blocks were synthesized to prepare a tetraoxazole peptide macrocycle in good yield. The macrocycle was obtained by employing standard peptide coupling conditions using a convergent solution phase approach. The synthetic unit of the oxazole amino acid containing compound was prepared by cyclodehydration/oxidation of protected serine and phenylalanine. Two-cycle coupling of the unit gave a linear tetraoxazole amide. The final macrocyclization was accomplished by using O-[(1-cyano-2-ethoxy-2-oxoethylidene)amino]-oxytri(pyrrolidin-1-yl) phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyOxP) and the product (45% yield) was characterized by 1H NMR. Finally, the Cu (II) coordination chemistry of the tetraoxazole macrocycle was investigated by spectrophotometric titration.