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Canadian university student experiences participating in a health promotion without borders : excursion to Mongolia
No full textHealth Promotion Without Borders (HPWB) has facilitated International Service Learning (ISL)
excursions for Canadian students at Laurentian University (LU) since 2001. During this time,
over 80 students have received academic credit for their immersive work promoting health in
developing countries. Despite the number of students that participated in the HPWB Program
over the years, no research has explored the experiences of these students during their ISL
excursions. Furthermore, there was a gap in the ISL literature related to the experiences of
participants during their immersive international excursions. Therefore, I participated in a
HPWB excursion to Mongolia and analyzed my own experience using an autoethnographic
method, and I then thematically analyzed the journals of three of my fellow HPWB group
members using a case study method. Overall, although both my group members and I found the
excursion to be positive, we experienced a process of navigating different instances of cultural
dissonance that emerged during our immersive excursion. I wrote six narratives that explored
some of the cultural dissonances that I experienced while in Mongolia. Four themes were also
identified within the participants’ journals related to their experiences of cultural dissonance. The
results of this research may benefit the HPWB Program Coordinator, other similar ISL programs, and future students, as they plan their excursions through enhanced training, preparation, and
field techniques related to cultural dissonance
Synthesis, properties and applications of functional polymer nanocomposites
No full textPolymer nanocomposites have been extensively studied and have found numerous
applications as they provide versatile materials with substantially enhanced properties.
Despite the enormous developments, design of novel value-added polymer nanocomposites
with new superior functional properties through convenient low-cost synthesis remains a
continuous challenge. This thesis demonstrates the alternative, simple design of several novel
polymer nanocomposite systems with enhanced mechanical, surface, or catalytic properties.
Firstly, a new method for the modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) is
developed with the use of hyperbranched polyethylene ionomers containing cationic
quaternary ammonium ions through an ionic interaction mechanism. A systematic study has
been undertaken on the modification process and the modified CNCs. In contrast to original
CNCs that can only disperse in water or few highly polar solvents, ionomer modified CNCs
are able to disperse in several nonpolar or low polarity organic solvents. Dispersions of
several modified CNCs in THF exhibit the unique thixotropic rheological behavior. The
modified CNCs have also become dispersible in a commercial non-polar hydrophobic
ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) elastomer due to the presence of nonpolar polyethylene
modification layer. Based on thermal, rheological, and tensile mechanical characterizations,
EOC nanocomposites filled with the modified CNCs are significantly reinforced with nearly
doubled tensile modulus relative to neat EOC while with a much better-maintained
elongation at break relative to those filled with unmodified CNCs or surfactant-modified
CNCs.
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Secondly, a class of CNC-sodium alginate (SA) nanocomposites derived exclusively
from sustainable biopolymers has been designed to fabricate tough-strong nanocomposite
film. A systematic study on the effects of composite composition on the optical, thermal, and
mechanical properties of the prepared films has been undertaken. The calcium ion crosslinked composite films maintain high film transparency with higher thermal and mechanical
properties than the uncross-linked films, indicating that the calcium ions play an important
role in the enhancement of mechanical and thermal properties. The effects of various metal
ions on film mechanical properties have also been studied. As a result, the bivalent calcium
ions show the most optimum effect to render strong-tough composite films.
Thirdly, hybrid composites of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated
with polycyclopentene crystals have been synthesized by a novel in situ Pd-catalyzed
cyclopentene polymerization technique. It is demonstrated that the method offers a
convenient, large-scale, one-pot noncovalent surface decoration of polycyclopentene crystals
on the MWCNTs. Controlling the catalyst loading and/or polymerization time in the
polymerization effectively tunes the composition and morphology of the as-prepared hybrid
composites. Interestingly, films made of the composites show the characteristic lotus leaf-like
superhydrophobicity featured with high water contact angle (> 150), low contact angle
hysteresis (< 10), and low water adhesion, while being electrically conductive.
Lastly, a systematic study on ligand-assisted selective hydrogenation of alkynes
(phenylacetylene and diphenylacetylene) over three Pd nanocatalysts have been presented
with the purpose of identifying the most optimum ligands. Five ligands, including quinoline,
pyridine, DMSO, 3,6-dithia-1,8-octanediol (DTO), and triphenylphosphine, have been
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screened with their performance compared. It is demonstrated that the sulfur-containing DTO
and phosphine-containing triphenylphosphine are the more efficient and practical ligands in
improving the alkene selectivity of the catalysts
Interpretation of rock mass yield using apparent stress of microseismic events – examples from Glencore’s Nickel Rim South Mine, Sudbury, Ontario
No full textSeismic events are manifestations of sudden, inelastic deformations in a rock mass. The
characteristics of these deformations are reflected in quantitative descriptors of seismic events,
known as seismic source parameters. The seismic source parameter apparent stress (σa) is a relative
estimate of co-seismic stress change. This parameter has been used by other authors to infer local
stress conditions in a rock mass and how they vary in space and time. This thesis investigates short term space-time variations in apparent stress in spatially-isolated volumes of a rock mass following
open stope blasts. The results are used to infer how the new excavation affects the nearby rock
mass. These excavations are expected to cause local stress increases as stress redistributes around
the void, and stress decreases as rock mass near the excavation yields and sheds stress.
Data for this research is taken from Glencore’s Nickel Rim South Mine (NRSM) in Sudbury,
Ontario. This modern operation has a state-of-the-art microseismic monitoring array that
consistently locates events with less than 5 m of residual error and provides accurate source
parameter estimates for large and small events. NRSM uses a bulk open stoping mining method,
which creates large excavations on the order of several thousand tonnes in a matter of a few
seconds. The large stress changes and loss of confinement produced by these blasts can generate
large seismic responses which provide an abundance of information about rock mass behaviour.
Analysis of apparent stress over time is performed spatially isolating a group of events and tracking
apparent stress variation in a moving window. This analysis shows that apparent stress:
• Rapidly increases for a matter of minutes immediately following the blast.
• Gradually decreases for a matter of hours to a lower level than before the blast.
• Slowly increases over a matter of days to weeks.
Based on the mechanics of rock masses near excavations and use of apparent stress to infer local
stress conditions, these variations are interpreted to correspond with:
• Mining-induced stress increasing with the creation of a new excavation.
• Stress decreasing as the rock mass near the stope yields and/or enters its post-peak strength.
• Stress increasing farther from the stope as a result of the more damaged rock mass closer
to the stope shedding stress onto less damaged regions.
Variations in event-stope distances are also analysed to re-enforce the inferences made based on
the variations in apparent stress over time. The analysis of event-stope distances shows that events:
• With high apparent stress tend to locate farther from the stopes than events with low
apparent stress.
• Initially move away from the stopes for a matter of hours after the blast.
• Gradually move back towards the stopes for a matter of hours to days.
• Gradually move away from the stopes again for a matter of days to weeks.
The inferred rock mass behaviour based on these variations are:
• Higher stress conditions in more confined and less damaged regions of the rock mass.
• Stress redistributing around the new excavation and creating a new zone of active rock
mass yield.
• Yield occurring in a more consistent region of the rock mass as redistribution of stress
outside the more damaged regions slows.
• Growth of damaged zones as rock mass yield progresses over time
These observed variations and inferred behaviour are used to propose a conceptual model for rock
mass yield which describes the formation of an excavation damage zone following a blast. Further
study based on this research may use more detailed aspects of the variations to calibrate
constitutive behaviour of rock masses (making it a useful tool for numerical model calibration), or
relate variations in apparent stress to the occurrence of large events (making it a useful tool for
seismic hazard forecasting)
Computer-based application to assess gross motor skills using Microsoft Kinect sensor
No full textThe performance of a fundamental motor skill in early childhood can be investigated using diverse
assessment tools. Although the classical tests are reliable and useful for motor skills assessment,
they have some limitations. The launch of the Microsoft Kinect marked a revolutionary
advancement for developers thanks to the depth camera and its affordable price. This work aims
to develop a reliable computer-based application using the Microsoft Kinect sensor to implement
the third version of the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3). The assessment consists of
customized algorithms that verify if the 3D position of the most relevant joints for each subtest
varies along time according to the respective performance criteria. The proposed system returns
an immediate feedback to the participant, indicating if s/he passes or fails the selected subtest. The
results revealed the computer-based application for assessing gross motor skills is accurate,
although it is limited by the space requirements
Flip it Around! To being a good reminder on how you’re supposed to live: understanding the role of storytelling as a means of encouraging compassionate listening in Type 2 Diabetes healthcare settings
No full textThis thesis explores how the act of storytelling in healthcare care can facilitate compassionate
listening and act as a means of improving the relationships between Indigenous patients who
have type 2 diabetes and their caregivers and supporters. By centring relationships and
Indigenous life stories, this research brings together two individuals as co-creators of found
poems that reflect a life journey with type 2 diabetes. Through the sharing of Indigenous stories,
this thesis implicates the researcher as a settler allied-listener who is gifted with one’s life history
with type 2 diabetes. This research is grounded in the importance of relationships, allyship, and
deep listening while engaging in Indigenous stories. Together, the co-creators of this research
create an online poetry reading to be used as a tool for healthcare educators, students, and
caregivers. This thesis addresses two main research objectives. The first objective of this
research is to explore how the act of Indigenous storytelling and subsequent listening to health
narratives is relevant to the delivery of holistic and culturally respectful diabetes health care to Indigenous Peoples. Secondly, this research also aims to present a life-story health narrative in
the form of an online poetry reading to informal and formal caregivers of Indigenous patients in
Sudbury in order to communicate the importance of the relationship between Indigenous storied
health experiences and Indigenous spiritual and psychological wellbeing. Given that diabetes is
intergenerational in many Indigenous families and something that an individual may live with for
several years of their life, a life story is well-suited to this kind of health narrative research. This
will aim to help establish a more culturally-safe healthcare system and decolonize the interaction
between patient and healthcare providers in Indigenous communities while also engaging in
relationship based research informed by allyship
L’expérience d’une visite chez le médecin de famille par des francophones de 35 ans et plus, résidents du nord de l’Ontario
No full textLes francophones du nord de l’Ontario sont une minorité linguistique qui se trouve en
moins bonne santé comparativement à la population ontarienne. L’amélioration des soins de santé
pour ces francophones demande une meilleure compréhension des services offerts par les
médecins de famille et une meilleure compréhension des enjeux linguistiques entre patient et
médecin. Une approche phénoménologique, centrée sur l’expérience du patient, guidée par le cadre
méthodologique de l’« Experience Based Design » permet de comprendre l’expérience de soins
de santé chez le médecin de famille pour des francophones de 35 ans et plus, résidents de régions
urbaines et rurales du nord de l’Ontario. Les émotions des participants définissent les 16 points
critiques de l’expérience d’une visite chez son médecin de famille. L’expérience selon la
dimension de la (discordance)concordance linguistique est caractérisée par des sentiments
d’(in)confort, d’(in)accessibilité), d’(in)sécurité et d’(in)aptitude des patients, des thématiques qui
informent les priorités d’actions pour l’amélioration des services en santé en Ontario
A case study of homelessness in Sudbury understood through the Anishnaabe seven life stages
No full textColonial violence, multi-generational trauma and systemic racism greatly contribute to
the high rate of Indigenous homelessness. This thesis focuses on the experiences of a formerly
homeless Indigenous man; his life history is analyzed through an approach informed by
teachings on the Anishnaabe seven life stages. The findings show how life events and
experiences contributed to homelessness and to recovery. Many years of chronic homelessness
came to an end with learning about cultural traditions and access to Elders. With additional
supports from some positive mainstream interventions, he overcame barriers and obtained secure
housing. The findings suggest the nature of the changes required to end poverty and
homelessness among Indigenous populations. This thesis speaks to Indigenous perspectives
about success and healthy communities. Organizations can be useful by supporting and assisting
Indigenous communities to provide services based on homegrown solutions. Investing in the idea
of a healthy community, healthy Elders and healthy families can help to break cycles of multigenerational
trauma, internalized oppression, abuse and poverty. Initiatives led by Indigenous
people such as Healthy Babies programs, schooling, health care, and child protection can support
healing and preserving the culture, but also can create employment, pride, and the opportunity to
give back in meaningful ways. Opportunities for communities to have access to healthy foods,
recreation and physical activities may also provide young people with positive experiences.
Places where youth can play safely and develop their skills are crucial during the Good Life and
Fast Life. The factors needed for an urban Aboriginal person to achieve bimaadiziwin include involvement with supportive/healthy cultural communities and opportunities to give back in meaningful ways; they can lead to traditional healing, a sense of belonging and personal identity. Access to such supports should be ensured in childhood.Master of Social Work (MSW
Environment-microbe-host interactions: understanding the relationship between the external environment, gut microbiome diversity, and host immunocompetence
No full textMicroorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of vertebrates co-exist with their hosts
and may provide them with health and physiological benefits. However, environment-microbehost
interactions within gut microbiome communities (GMCs) are poorly understood. In this study
deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were used to determine a) how the natural (wild)
environment influences GMCs compared to captivity and b) how microbes associated with the
natural environment as well as overall GMC α-diversity influences host immunocompetence.
Captive- and wild-born deer mice were sampled twice (initial and post-translocation phases), twoweeks
apart. After the initial sampling period a sub-sample of deer mice were reciprocally
translocated between environments to assess how the external environment influences host GMCs
and immunocompetence. Non-translocated individuals served as captive- and wild-born controls.
GMCs were analysed via fecal samples, sequenced using 16S rRNA next –generation Illumina
HiSeq sequencing. Host immunocompetence was determined using blood cell counts and a
functional immune challenge (i.e. bacteria killing assay). Captive individuals possessed less
diverse GMCs compared to wild individuals. Individuals translocated from captivity to the wild
increase in GMC α-diversity, while individuals reciprocally translocated experienced a decrease.
Individual’s GMCs clustered closer together with deer mice sharing the same environment. In
natural environments deer mice had higher abundances of Ruminococcaceae, Helicobacteraceae,
and Lachnospiraceae spp., than in captivity. No strong correlations were found between GMC α-
diversity and host immunocompetence. Findings suggest that despite containing less diverse
GMCs in captivity, upon reintroduction to natural environments deer mice GMCs rapidly changed,
homogenizing with deer mice in the same environment. Future experiments should further study
the effects of reduced exposure to Ruminococcaceae, Helicobacteraceae, and Lachnospiraceae
during early-life stages, to better understand environment-microbe-host interactions
An airborne electromagnetic system with a three-component transmitter and three-component receiver capable of detecting extremely conductive bodies
No full textThis paper is © 2019 Society of Exploration Geophysicists. The posting is available free of charge and its use is subject to the SEG terms and conditions: https://seg.org/Terms-of-UseExtremely conductive bodies, such as those containing valuable nickel sulfides, have a secondary response that is dominated by an in-phase component, so this secondary response is very difficult to distinguish from the primary field emanating from the transmitter (because by definition they are identical in temporal shape and phase). Hence, an airborne electromagnetic (AEM) system able to identify the response from the extremely conductive bodies in the ground must be able to predict the primary field to identify and measure the secondary response of the extremely conductive body. This is normally done by having a rigid system and bucking out the predicted primary (which will not change significantly due to the rigidity). Unfortunately, these rigid systems must be small and are not capable of detecting extremely conductive bodies buried deeper than approximately 100 m. Another approach is to measure the transmitter current and geometry and subtract the primary mathematically, but these measurements must be extremely accurate and this is difficult or expensive, so it has not been done successfully for an AEM system. I exploit the geometric relationship of the primary fields from a three-component (3C) dipole transmitter. If the transmitter is mathematically rotated so that one axis points to the receiver, then linear combinations of the fields measured by a 3C receiver can be combined in such a way that the primary fields from the transmitter sum to zero and cancel. Alternatively, the measured transmitter current and response could be used to estimate the transmitter-receiver geometry and then to predict and remove the primary field. Any residual must be the secondary coming from a conductive body in the ground. Hence, extremely conductive bodies containing valuable minerals can be found. An AEM system with a 3C transmitter and a 3C receiver should not be too difficult to build.Work on this development project was funded by an Industrial Research Chair funded by NSERC, Vale, Glencore, KGHM International, Wallbridge Mining, and the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)
The construction of professional identity of beginning university teachers - two cases studies from Tunisia
No full textThis article examines the relationship that may exist between
the “link to knowledge” and “professional identity” which refers to the
process through which the beginning university teacher can or cannot
identify himself professionally. These different relationships determine
the identity construction process of beginning university teachers, which
is constructed in and through his experience. We used the study of “case
by case” and “one by one” (Terrisse, 2009) within a clinical didactic
methodology. It is about an in depth study of a “singular, divided and
subjected” subject which relies on qualitative study method”. The data
analysis is organised through three important tenses: the already-there,
the test and the post-stroke”. The originality of our study is to analyse
the identity construction process of two beginning university teachers in
the region of Tunis, through a crossed case study. The in situ
observation of four theoretical, the semi-structured interviews (a priori,
ante and post session and post-stroke) and the continent analysis, allow
us to unveil the mechanism (conscious and unconscious) of the identity
construction of these beginning university teachers as well as its
evolutionary and moving dynamics especially at the first years in
teaching job