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“Is that a policy thing or is that a guard thing?”: A qualitative study of providers’ experiences supporting pregnant individuals incarcerated in Ontario, Canada
No full textAbstract Background Incarcerated pregnant individuals face barriers to perinatal care and health disparities when compared to the general population. Social and healthcare providers serving incarcerated pregnant clients are uniquely positioned to identify systemic barriers which hinder clients’ access to care and service delivery. This study explores the experiences of providers and the systemic challenges they encounter while delivering perinatal health and social services to individuals incarcerated in Ontario, Canada. Methods We conducted a qualitative study using a descriptive design. We administered virtual, semi-structured interviews with social service and healthcare providers. Participants were recruited through purposeful and snowball sampling based on their experience delivering services to at least one individual who was pregnant while incarcerated in Ontario, Canada. All interviews were conducted individually to facilitate discussions and ensure confidentiality. We employed thematic analysis to identify and develop themes and subthemes. Results Twenty-three participants (15 social service providers and eight healthcare providers) were interviewed. Participants explained how overlapping systems shaped their ability to deliver care, which we conceptualized as the carceral perinatal care system, composed of carceral, clinical, and community subsystems. Through thematic analysis, we also identified five themes, visually depicted as three concentric circles to reflect providers’ layered and compounding experiences. The outermost circle, divided into three segments, represents the main challenges providers encountered when delivering perinatal care: (1) operating within a fragmented system, (2) knowing too little, and (3) witnessing dehumanization. These challenges contribute to the middle circle theme of (4) feeling powerless, which culminates in the centre circle theme of (5) enduring occupational stress. Conclusion Participants provided insights about the challenges involved in delivering perinatal care to incarcerated individuals. This study underscores the multifaceted, systemic barriers providers encounter, enhancing our understanding of the complexities surrounding perinatal care in carceral settings. The knowledge generated forms a foundation for developing policies, guidelines, and training resources tailored to the carceral context. Such interventions may strengthen providers’ capacity to deliver equitable care, improving perinatal experiences and health outcomes of pregnant individuals and their infants. Future research should explore perinatal care from incarcerated individuals’ perspectives to inform evidence-based solutions and guide comprehensive reforms
An Intersectional Exploration of Job Experiences for Equity-Owed Lifeguards
No full textLifeguarding in Canada has historically been a white-dominated field. Amid the current nationwide lifeguard shortage, it is critical to examine the experiences of equity-owed lifeguards and identify how workplaces can more effectively support and include individuals from diverse backgrounds. In my thesis I address two research questions: (i) How can organizations increase the representation of equity-owed individuals in lifeguarding? and (ii) What are the workplace experiences of equity-owed lifeguards? The thesis is presented in a two-paper format, with each paper responding to one of the research questions. In paper one, I address the first research question using an intersectional theoretical framework and archival research, with data analyzed through Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). The analysis led to the identification of three promising practices for organizations in Canada and the United States to enhance representation in lifeguarding: (i) accessible programming, (ii) inclusivity and equity in the workplace, and (iii) culturally relevant programming. In paper two, I investigate the second research question using a qualitative descriptive methodology. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using RTA within an intersectional framework. The findings informed three key recommendations to improve workplace experiences for equity-owed lifeguards: (i) shared leadership, (ii) education on sexualization and sexual harassment, and (iii) equity-owed community outreach and barrier reduction. Together, the two papers underscore the need for systemic organizational change to increase representation and improve the workplace experiences of equity-owed lifeguards
A primary insight into gut microbiome, MicroRNA and stemness, in a PCOS rat model
No full textAbstract Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with reproductive and metabolic dysfunctions, including gut microbiome dysbiosis. This study aimed to examine the alterations in stemness in ovarian surface epithelium (OSE), gut microbiome microRNA expression in granulosa cells and plasma in a dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced rat model of PCOS. Female rats were administered DHT to induce PCOS, and the expression of stem cell markers in OSE was assessed to evaluate the impact on stemness. Alterations in the gut microbiome composition were assessed using 16S rRNA gene Long-Read sequencing and changes in the microRNA profile of granulosa cells and plasma were analyzed using qPCR. Our results demonstrated alterations in stemness markers and, a significant alteration in gut microbiome composition in DHT-induced rats compared to controls, characterized by shifts in the relative abundance of specific bacterial taxa, particularly Akkermansia muciniphila. Elevated levels of miR-574 and miR-378 were observed in plasma, whereas miR-21 and miR-574 showed increased expression in ovarian granulosa cells. Concurrently, increased expression of stem cell markers was observed in OSE, suggesting an enhancement of stemness in response to PCOS-like conditions. These findings imply a potential link between gut microbiome dysbiosis and increased ovarian stemness in PCOS, suggesting that the gut microbiome may contribute to ovarian dysfunction through modulation of stem cell activity. Understanding this interaction could provide novel insights into therapeutic targets in restoring ovarian function in PCOS patients
Catalytic Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Food Waste Using Heterogenous Catalysts
No full textÀ la demande de l'auteur, le résumé a été retiré en raison de la nature confidentielle de la thèse. Il sera ajouté une fois la période d'embargo terminée.
At the author’s request, the abstract has been removed due to the confidential nature of the thesis. It will be added once the embargo period has passed
Type Theoretic Methods for Higher Structures
No full textThe present work is concerned with the study of higher structures through the lens of dependent type theory and categorical logic. We distinguish two main themes, but type theory can be seen as the common ground.
The first part presents some aspects of the theory of (∞,1)-categories in the framework of simplicial homotopy type theory of Riehl and Shulman. We present the theory of limits and colimits in this setting and prove some results, such as universal properties and preservation under adjunctions. We also include the computation of the limit of a family of spaces. In this setting, we also study and characterize exponentiable functors, where our main tools are Segal and Rezk completion of types, which we develop throughout. Importantly, we emphasize the consistency of our definitions by providing explicit comparison results with the bisimplicial sets model of simplicial homotopy type theory.
In the second part, given any weak model category, we associate to it the notion of an infinitary first-order logic. The idea, originally due to Simon Henry, is motivated by Makkai's FOLDS. To build the logic, we use the syntactic specification of dependent type theory of Cartmell's generalized algebraic theories. In the language we build, the cofibrant objects of the weak model category play the role of contexts from which the formulas are constructed. The fibrant objects are the models which validate the formulas. Thus, the formulas refer to properties of the fibrant objects of the weak model category. We prove what we call 'invariance theorems' to show that the language we define is homotopically well-behaved: homotopic variables satisfy the same formulas, equivalent models satisfy the same formulas, equivalent contexts produce equivalent sets of formulas, and Quillen equivalent weak model categories have equivalent languages. The language avoids the so-called "evil properties", and can be seen as a homotopic version of the language for categories introduced by Blanc and Freyd
Mechanical Characteristics and Desiccation Behaviour of Bentonite-Paste Tailings Engineered Barrier Materials for Waste Containment Facilities
No full textMining plays an essential role in shaping the modern society by providing the necessary raw materials for the development of technology, infrastructure, and other daily conveniences, while also promoting the economic growth of a country. However, this critical industry faces significant environmental challenges, particularly in terms of waste management. The process of mineral extraction generates an enormous amount of waste, known as tailings. Furthermore, a large volume of products made from mined mineral ultimately end up in municipal and industrial landfills before or after their lifecycle. Landfills contain materials ranging from electronic waste and construction debris to discarded clothing, food wastes, etc. As these materials decompose, they generate harmful leachate containing heavy metals and other toxic compounds, as well as greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming. Such waste needs to be securely contained to prevent environmental contamination and ensure long-term stability.
Engineered barriers systems, such as liners and covers, play a vital role in mitigating these environmental risks. These barriers serve as crucial components in preventing the escape of contaminants into the vadose zone or the atmosphere. Liners are installed at the base and side slopes of waste impoundments and help prevent the toxic substances from seeping into groundwater, surface water, soil, etc. Covers form the topmost layer of waste facilities once they have reached their maximum capacity. Covers aims to prevent ground infiltration of fluids and regulate gas emissions. The efficacy of these barrier systems depends on their material properties, such as hydraulic conductivity, mechanical characteristics, resilience towards natural seasonal stresses such as wet-dry cycles and freeze-thaw cycles, and desiccation cracking behavior.
In alignment with this perspective and to promote sustainability through the reuse of tailings, recent studies have investigated the properties of compacted mixtures of bentonite-paste tailings (BPT) as a potential barrier material. Through the experimental study, it was found that BPT mixtures exhibit very low hydraulic conductivity, which is necessary to fulfill the requirement for barriers in a waste containment facility. This low hydraulic conductivity is further coupled with robust resistance of BPT towards natural stresses such as wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles. However, mechanical characteristics (consolidation behavior and shear characteristics) of BPT, which are important geotechnical criteria for the design of liner and cover, are not known. No studies have addressed this research and knowledge gap. Thus, further research is required to address this knowledge deficiency.
This study investigates the mechanical characteristics of bentonite-paste tailings mixtures in terms of consolidation and shear strength. The experimental program evaluates BPT mixtures with varying bentonite contents – 0%, 2%, 4%, and 8% – combined with synthetic tailings. One-dimensional consolidation tests revealed low compressibility and minimal volume change upon addition of bentonite. Moreover, direct shear testing showed improved shear strength and its parameters (cohesion and angle of friction) as bentonite content increases up to a threshold bentonite content (4%), indicating its strength under heavy loading conditions.
However, in reality, barriers are often temporarily exposed to environmental conditions between the time of their installation and placement of waste. Moreover, during the operational phase, the waste placement can be either uniform, covering the entire region, or non-uniform. This can lead to the formation of desiccation cracks, which can significantly reduce the mechanical strength and impermeability, creating preferential pathways for contaminants to seep into the subsurface or escape into the atmosphere. However, no previous studies have examined the desiccation cracking behavior of BPT. Therefore, this study further investigates the desiccation cracking behavior of BPT mixtures, up to one wet-dry cycle, which is critical to ensure its suitable performance. Desiccation crack analysis showed a direct correlation between bentonite content and crack intensity, with increased bentonite content exhibiting more pronounced crack formation.
The experimental program examining the performance of the proposed BPT barrier material reveals a complex interplay between mechanical strength and desiccation behavior. While the BPT mixtures exhibit favorable mechanical characteristics – low consolidation and high shear strength – suited for barrier applications, they also show susceptibility to desiccation cracking at higher bentonite contents, presenting a potential vulnerability to the very same improved mechanical and hydraulic properties. Therefore, the study suggests that optimizing the bentonite percentage needs careful consideration of the trade-off between mechanical performance and crack resistance. The findings from this study significantly contribute to understanding the behavior of BPT mixtures as engineered barriers and encourage further research to ensure their long-term efficiency in waste containment facilities
La gentrification à Montréal entre 2006 et 2016 : analyse du noyau urbain de la métropole québécoise
No full textLa gentrification est devenue un sujet brûlant dernièrement et de plus en plus de personnes prennent conscience du phénomène, en particulier à Montréal, au Canada. En effet, il semble que nous sommes face à un processus qui a pris une dimension particulière récemment dans le contexte montréalais à la lumière de la vulgarisation du concept. En sachant que la notion de gentrification est vaste et complexe, cette thèse tente de répondre à la question de recherche suivante : Dans quelle mesure le processus de gentrification est-il toujours en cours dans les secteurs centraux de l'agglomération de Montréal entre 2006 et 2016 ? À l'aide de statistiques descriptives, des « Annuaires statistiques » provenant de la Ville de Montréal ont été analysés afin de, entre autres choses, identifier les arrondissements et villes liées qui ont été les plus touchés par la gentrification entre 2006 et 2016. Les résultats montrent que la partie centrale de la ville a connu une revitalisation beaucoup plus importante que la périphérie et que la majorité des arrondissements et villes liées du noyau urbain semblent avoir subi un processus de gentrification entre 2006 et 2016. Selon nos indicateurs, ces arrondissements et villes liées se trouveraient pour la plupart à un stade plus préliminaire d'embourgeoisement ; toutefois, une enquête plus approfondie serait nécessaire pour confirmer cette hypothèse. Montréal a certes connu de nombreuses transformations urbaines, mais on ne saurait trop insister sur l'importance de la prise en compte des éléments contextuels lorsque l'on cherche à creuser davantage certains aspects
Molecular and Epigenetic Consequences of Short-Term Hypoxia Exposure in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
No full textEnvironmental hypoxia affects freshwater systems, and acute hypoxic events are expected to increase in frequency with climate change. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a salmonid
species of economic and cultural importance in Canada and introduced to freshwaters across most continents, is an active species that is sensitive to environmental hypoxia. In this thesis, I
investigate the hypothesis that rainbow trout acutely exposed to mild (50% oxygen saturation) and severe (25% oxygen saturation) hypoxia exhibit rapid metabolic changes which are indicative of anerobic glycolytic and are, at least in part, mediated at the gene expression level and I hypothesize that these changes in gene expression are mediated by histone modifications. While glucose and lipid metabolite concentrations are not significantly affected by acute hypoxia exposure suggesting tight regulation to maintain steady-state, transcripts coding for key components of glucose, lactate, and lipid transcripts are differentially induced in a tissue-specific manner. Hepatic transcripts were most sensitive to hypoxia, favouring induction of transcripts related to glucose metabolism like in white muscle tissue. Under severe hypoxia exposure, coordinated expression of transcripts related to lipid metabolism was observed in liver, but also muscle and adipose tissue, possibly indicating a scavenging response of peroxided lipids rather than a use as fuel. When probing a role for the O2-sensitive epigenetic mark H3K4me3 in upstream prompter regions of induced hepatic genes mct1 and pck1, no clear relationship between O2-dependent regulation of this mark and gene
expression was found, suggesting other transcriptional control mechanisms are involved. Together, this thesis provides novel insight into molecular underpinnings and thresholds of tissue-specific metabolic responses in rainbow trout and opens the field for future comparative investigation of epigenetic mechanisms of responses to hypoxia in fishes
"Rise Up Against the Gynocentric Government": Symbolic Violence, Alternative Masculinities, and Involuntary Celibacy
No full textThis thesis demonstrates how the men in society who claim to be the most detrimentally effected by the patriarchal standards of masculinity perpetuate patriarchal values and reproduce hegemonic masculinity by engaging in alternative masculinities and toxic behaviours that contribute to and justify their own subordination.
Through the initial examination of this research topic, it became quite apparent that there was a gap in the current literature pertaining to Incels' worldviews and opinions. Although some researchers have interviewed Incels, and other scholars have conducted research surrounding their behaviour, the knowledge produced focuses on violence or extremism. As well, it has been very difficult to find scholarly research which provides a theoretical analysis of Incels' behaviour, rather than a normative condemnation of it.
The main goal of this research project is to address these gaps, and to gain a better understanding of Incels' worldviews, opinions, problems, and solutions, by analyzing their discussions through a theoretical lens and critical paradigm. I also want this project to problematize hegemonic masculine standards and shed light on the ways in which individuals and groups can be unknowingly complacent in their own oppression. The theory that will be used in order to analyze the data collected for this research is Pierre Bourdieu's symbolic violence. The concepts stemming from this theory which will be utilized are field, habitus, doxa, social capital, symbolic capital, and misrecognition. Other concepts that will be used in tangent with the previously stated ones are hegemonic masculinity, hypermasculinity, hypomasculinity, and toxic masculinity. Intertwining this theory and these concepts will provide an extensive analysis of the data collected.
A qualitative thematic analysis will be conducted. Themes will not be pre-determined but pulled out of the data after a first readthrough of the data set, and will be analyzed through a critical lens, using the theory and concepts stated above. Using all of the above-stated data and concepts will allow for an in-depth analysis of Incels' online forums and chat rooms in order to gain an understanding of their views of the world, how these views perpetuate toxic structural systems, and consequently, their own suffering
Neural Correlates of Resilience in Pediatric Concussion and the Influence of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention
No full textConcussion is the most common form of brain injury. It disproportionately affects children and adolescents, as they face heightened risk of head injury. Emerging evidence suggests psychological resilience mitigates clinical symptom burden from pediatric concussion. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) may enhance resilience, thereby affecting recovery trajectories. More advanced imaging research of pediatric concussion is required to better understand the neural correlates of resilience in this context as well as whether MBIs moderate associations between resilience and neural outcomes. This dissertation presents an evidence-based framework depicting mechanisms by which resilience may affect neural outcomes following concussion, as well as ways that MBI may influence resilience and moderate neurofunctional correlates of resilience.
This work includes three studies from multi-site pediatric concussion trials. Studies 1 and 2 were based on data from the Pediatric Concussion Assessment of Rest and Exertion trial (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02893969). Study 1, a case-control study, examined associations between resilience and white matter microstructure in adolescents with acute concussion (n=66) and orthopedic injury (n=29). Resilience was measured by the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 10 at baseline, reflecting experiences over the preceding 30 days, and white matter microstructure (fractional anisotropy, mean, axial, and radial diffusivity) was assessed via diffusion tensor imaging at baseline and follow-up. Results revealed negative correlations between baseline resilience and fractional anisotropy, and positive correlations between baseline resilience and both mean and radial diffusivity in the concussion group. Study 2, also a case-control study (concussion n=67, orthopedic injury n=30), examined associations between resilience and resting-state functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN), and central executive network (CEN) at baseline and follow-up. Seed-to-voxel analyses showed a positive correlation between resilience and CEN connectivity in the concussion group, with group moderating associations involving SN and DMN connectivity. Study 3, a study from the Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05105802), explored whether an MBI influenced resilience trajectories and moderated the association between baseline resilience and functional connectivity at 4 weeks post-injury (MBI n=16, cognitive sham control n=20). While MBI did not significantly impact resilience trajectories, significant group-by-resilience interactions were observed in relation to connectivity of the DMN (intention-to-treat and per-protocol), SN (per-protocol), and CEN (per-protocol). Together, these studies provide a foundation for understanding the neural underpinnings of resilience following pediatric concussion, providing evidence of significant associations of resilience with white matter microstructure and functional connectivity, as well as the moderating role of MBI. The findings explored in this dissertation support an empirical evidence-based framework of resilience and MBI in pediatric concussion outcomes, warranting future initiatives to improve our understanding of the potentially beneficial effects that resilience may have on brain health of children and adolescents with concussion