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The response of the occupational therapy profession to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s health calls to action
Get PDFFor over a century, the central goals of Canada’s Indigenous policies were to eliminate
Indigenous governments, rights, and treaties, and through this process of assimilation cause the
extinction of Indigenous Peoples (Truth and Reconciliation Commission [TRC], 2015).
Residential schools were a central component of this assimilation process, which can best be
described as “cultural genocide” (TRC, 2015). The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
describes cultural genocide as the “destruction of those structures and practices that allow [a]
group to continue as a group” (TRC, 2015, p. 1). The Canadian government worked to remove
Indigenous children from their homes, sending them to residential schools with the main purpose
of breaking the connections to their culture and identity. For residential school students, neglect,
lack of supervision, and physical and sexual abuse were common within the schools, along with
discouragement and prohibition of engaging in traditional practices and speaking their own
languages (TRC, 2015). Canada further pursued and supported the goal of cultural genocide in
relation to Indigenous Peoples to remove itself from legal and financial obligations and to gain
control over land and resources (TRC, 2015). Due to policies under the Royal Proclamation of
1763, Indigenous Peoples reserved all land not ceded by or purchased from Indigenous Nations.
Between 1871 and 1921, Canada negotiated 11 treaties with Indigenous Peoples which provided
the Crown with land for industrial and settler development in exchange for various promises
including special rights to treaty land and distribution of resources. [...
Effect of boreal forest disturbance due to logging at different spatial scales on migratory songbirds
Get PDFBoreal birds have experienced population declines that may be related to alteration of the forest
at a range of scales. Understanding how resource extraction may affect the distribution and
abundance of species is critical to address conservation policy in the boreal forest region. This
study aims to understand how habitat alteration by logging influences the abundance and habitat
choices of a migratory songbird, the Canada Warbler (CAWA; Cardellina canadensis) in its
Canadian breeding range and more specifically within the northwestern region of Ontario, where
there is little information about this species at risk. I assess whether there exists a different
response in the abundance of upland migratory songbirds to logging disturbance at different
scales. Also, I assessed the “habitat compensation hypothesis,” which states that some species
can substitute their primary habitat for other alternative and less preferred habitats on the
landscape. I conduct a meta-analysis of 21 studies to identify the effects of habitat alteration on a
relative abundance index (RAI) of 21 upland songbird species, comparing logged to unlogged
sites along the southern border of Canadian boreal forest. Using generalized linear mixed models
(GLMM), I model the RAI incorporating two scales (local- and landscape-scale effects), time
since logging, and forest type. Several species, including CAWA, are reported in decline in
Canada. They occasionally have a higher mean RAI comparing logged areas at landscape scale
than comparing at the finer local scale, suggesting that they occupy lower quality habitats in
disturbed areas. The results are consistent with other findings: birds associated with old-growth
forests are most sensitive to logging, as well as birds that nest on trees and those more associated
with a coniferous forest. I then assess how time since logging affects CAWA occurrence and
distribution in Northwestern Ontario. I use Maxent software to develop a predictive highresolution (30 m) field-validated species distribution model (SDM). [...
The block copolymer and its related problems and mathematical models
Get PDFBy competing short and long-range interactions, there exists some energies have been introduced and studied in the mathematics. These energies are relevance to the diblock copolymer
microphase separation model. The diblock copolymer is a linear-chain molecule with two
sub-chains. These two sub-chains are covalently linked to each other. One of the sub-chains
is NA monomers of typed A and the other one is NB monomers of types B. The problem
of diblock copolymers was introduced by Ohta and Kawasaki [1] in 1986 at first based on a
density-functional theory. Nowadays, this problem has rekindled the interest of mathematicians.
The following research of the diblock copolymers is about the droplet regime. Furthermore, a continuous study of the sharp interface of the diblock copolymers is addressed as a
study of small volume-fraction asymptotic properties of a nonlocal isoperimetric functional
with a confinement term. This functional is the sharp interface limit with a large number
static nanoparticles as a confinement term and penalize the energy outside of a fixed region
[2]. [...
Usability, quality, and factors influencing acceptance of a resilience app (JoyPopTM) among university students
No full textCampus mental health (MH) services are struggling with increasing postsecondary student MH needs, and many students face barriers to MH care, which can have long-term negative impacts on their well-being. MH smartphone applications (apps) are one solution that can mitigate barriers to care by providing students with accessible MH support. The JoyPopTM app was designed to improve resilience and emotion regulation. While evidence suggests that using the JoyPopTM app is associated with better MH among students, factors influencing acceptance, usability, and quality must be examined to ensure a safe, engaging, and valuable user experience. The present study used the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) to examine factors that influence the acceptance and use of the JoyPopTM app. The app's overall acceptance, usability, and quality were also evaluated. Participants were 183 postsecondary students attending a Canadian University who used the app for one week. Relationships posited by the UTAUT2 were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Results showed that the UTAUT2 explained substantial variance in behavioural intention and app use. Performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, and facilitating conditions predicted behavioural intention, and behavioural intention and facilitating conditions predicted app use. Age moderated the association between facilitating conditions and behavioural intention. Experience moderated the relationship between performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, and social influence on behavioural intention. Participants rated the app's acceptance, quality, and usability highly. An exploratory analysis showed that quality and usability significantly predicted use, and personality traits showed unique associations with the UTAUT2 constructs. Findings provide insight into factors influencing the acceptance of the JoyPopTM app and support its utility as a helpful tool to support the increasing MH needs of postsecondary students. Findings also provide valuable insights for developers in evaluating and optimally designing MH apps
Project-based learning activities as a pedagogy that encourages future 'change makers'
Get PDFThis portfolio argues that project-based learning is an effective environmental
education pedagogy to empower future change makers. The deliverables of this portfolio
are two cross-curricular resource bundles, Stephany Hildebrand: Framing the
Environment and Abraham Francis: A Voice for the River. These resource bundles are a
part of the larger Great River Rapport Change Maker Series, which was created to
empower future change makers. These resource bundles entail a case study about a
change maker paired with a project-based learning activity to model the actions of a
change maker. The development of these resource bundles was influenced by courses in
the MEd program, including but not limited to Decolonial Approaches to Environmental
Education, Changemaking in Climate Change Education, Wild Pedagogies, and
Activism in Education. Influences beyond the MEd program also include my
experiences as an undergraduate student and my work at a non-profit environmental
organization, the River Institute. These resource bundles employ Land-based
environmental education approaches, activist pedagogies and decolonial pedagogies.
This portfolio demonstrates that a combination of these pedagogies with project-based
learning is a promising approach that can empower future change makers
Functional outcomes following total knee arthroplasty utilizing lifestyle risk factors and comorbidities on performance-based tests
Get PDFTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an orthopedic surgical procedure designed to alleviate the effects of knee osteoarthritis (OA), aiming to enhance patients' strength, range of motion (ROM), and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) post-operatively. Lifestyle risk factors and comorbid conditions are factors thought to impair recovery following TKA. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate the effect of lifestyle risk factors and the presence of comorbidities on both pre-operative and post-operative TKA patients, specifically evaluating their ability to perform functional tests.
Participants completed the Stair Climb Test (SCT), Stair Climb Power Test (SCPT), and Six-Minute Walk Test (SMWT). The study analyzed lifestyle risk factors and comorbidities alongside functional test scores collected before and six-months after TKA surgery. A two-way mixed factorial ANOVA was employed to assess the impact of smoking status, alcohol consumption, and the presence of comorbidities on functional performance measures, while a bivariate correlational analysis examined the relationship between BMI and performance outcomes.
28 participants completed the study. Non-smokers recorded the fastest time in seconds (s) on the SCT, SCPT, lowest average power in watts (W) on the SCPT and furthest distance walked in meters (m) on the SMWT compared to smokers/former smokers, both pre- and post-operatively. Smokers/former smokers averaged an improvement of 31.2% across all testing postoperatively with non-smokers improving averaging an improvement of 22.6%. For alcohol consumption status, non-drinkers recorded the fastest time for the SCT (s), SCPT (s; pre- and post-operatively), and highest average power on the SCPT (W; pre- and post-operatively) compared to drinkers. [...
Lignin-acrylamide-diallyl dimethylammonium chloride copolymer: mechanism of polymerization and purification
Get PDFThe world economy is growing faster than ever, while environmental issues are getting
worse. The use of ecologically friendly materials has increased as a result of environmental
concerns. Promoting ecologically friendly products will be greatly aided by biomass, which is
a renewable resource. Lignin, as a main component of lignocellulosic biomass and one of the
most abundant biopolymers, is utilized extensively in a variety of industrial domains. It has
been proposed that lignin can be grafted with a variety of monomers, including glycidyl-
trimethylammonium chloride (GTMAC), acrylamide (AM), and acrylic acid (AA) to produce
water soluble products.
In this study, a detailed investigation was carried out on the free-radical polymerization
of kraft lignin, acrylamide (AM), and diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) to
generate flocculants for wastewater treatment. To comprehend the physicochemical properties
of this copolymerization system, in-situ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), rheological
analysis, and particle size techniques were conducted. The copolymerization of lignin-AM and
lignin-DADMAC had an activation energy of 65.7 and 69.3 kJ/mol, respectively, and followed
the first-order kinetic model, which was monitored by in-situ 1H NMR results. The highest
conversions of AM and DADMAC were 96% and 68%, respectively, in the copolymerization
of lignin, AM, and DADMAC at the molar ratio of 5.5: 2.4: 1, pH 2 and 85°C. It evidenced that
the participation of AM in the reaction was essential for polymerizing DADMAC to lignin due
to less steric hindrance of AM than DADMAC facilitating its bridging performance. Lignin
acted as an inhibitor in the copolymerization reaction, indicated by the monomer conversion
ratio and dynamic rheology of the reaction system. [...
Comparison of deer browsing intensity of tree seedlings in open and fenced plots in Southern Ontario, Canada
Get PDFThis study examined the intensity of browsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) on tree seedling growth in wildlife management unit (WMU) 83B. The
study was conducted in an island ecosystem that has regular browsing with a large
white-tailed deer population. I used exclusion plots to compare the percent browse and
tree seedling height between open and fenced plots located in an open area plantation
and a bush area plantation with partial shade. One plot from each area had a constructed
electrical fence to control and measure the intensity of the deer browsing on the plots.
Species used for observation were the following: Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) and
Acer freemanii (autumn blaze maple). Observations of regenerating species in the plots
allowed for examining deer browsing intensity and seedling growth effected by whitetailed deer in an island ecosystem. Fenced plots experienced no disruptions to growth
and non-fenced plots showed immediate effects to growth due to high densities of
white-tailed deer. Deciduous seedlings were browsed more than coniferous seedlings,
although autumn blaze maples showed resilience to browsing. My results suggest that
exclusion fencing similar to that used here can be an effective means of preventing deer
browse and may be useful in areas where intensive deer browsing otherwise greatly
impedes seedling growth
Effects of different intensities of thinning on ground beetles (Coleoptera : Carabidae) in a black spruce plantation
Get PDFThinning is a silvicultural practice implemented to maximize harvest
productivity. However, biodiversity conservation is a growing trend, therefore it is
important to understand the short, and long-term effects of thinning on biodiversity.
Ground beetles (Carabidae) play an important role as bioindicators of overall forest
health. In order for forest managers and policymakers to balance economic growth and
sustainability, we must understand how to implement optimal thinning practices.
Ground beetles were sampled in replicated (n = 3) 15-year post-mechanical thinning
plots ((CC): 100% basal area removal, heavy thin (HT): 45%, light thin (LT): 25%), 62-
year-old mature site (controlled (CT)), and an 80-year-old untouched black spruce forest
(reference (REF)). A total of 10234 individuals across 21 species were collected.
Species richness was highest in reference (REF), and lowest in clearcut (CC). Total
catches did not differ statistically among treatments. Heavy thin was found to be within
controlled and light thin ordination. This may indicate that ground beetle biodiversity is
not negatively affected by heavy thinning. It also illustrates that heavy thinning, light
thinning, and controlled intensities share similar community structures. Overall, results
conclude that heavy thinning and light thinning show similar recovery patterns, which
could indicate that heavy thinning may not negatively impact the long-term recovery of
ground beetle assemblages unless denoted as a forest specialist (narrow niche).
Although REF and CT share similarities in stand age, there are still major differences in
total catches and species composition
Weaving perspectives in environmental justice and socio-spatial mapping tools: using key-informant interviews and an arts-integrated approach
Get PDFEnvironmental justice (EJ) is an ever-evolving term with multiple definitions,
applications, and practices across geographies and disciplines. With a strong history in the
United States, it is a growing field in Canada in legislation, research, and policy. A central,
historical, and current dimension to environmental justice are socio-spatial tools and data
applications, which is a term that refers to digital tools, including maps, that integrate spatial data
to assess, visualize, and understand negative and inequitable cumulative impacts experienced by
communities and ultimately guide action and decision-making. However, given an overemphasis
on distributive justice in research, policies, and socio-spatial tools, scholars assert that more
fulsome and simultaneous engagements of three dimensions of justice ‒ distributive,
representational, and recognitional ‒ are necessary.
As the EJ landscape grows in Canada, this thesis project explores how researchers and
practitioners who develop and use integrative socio-spatial mapping tools implement and engage
with environmental justice in their work. The author of this thesis conducted key-informant,
semi-structured interviews with eight researchers and practitioners from across Canada who play
a crucial role in developing or supporting integrative socio-spatial mapping tools and use a range
of data sources through their work across various sectors within Canada. These interviews were
coded and distilled into themes using a thematic analysis approach concurrently with an artsintegrated methodology. The emergent arts-integrated methodology used weaving as a modality
to support data analysis and knowledge translation to explore, visualize, and make visible tacit
dimensions of participants’ experiences while making the researchers’ role in shaping the
research more tangible.
Core findings and discussion of this thesis articulate critical conceptions, practices, and
processes that are vital to consider at the individual, institutional, and collective levels while
seeking more wholistic applications of dimensions of EJ in operationalizing socio-spatial tools in
research, community engagements, and policy spaces. This research and application of an artsintegrated methodology offers novel contributions to interdisciplinary fields of the academic
literature of environmental justice, health sciences, and arts-related research