3855 research outputs found
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Catification: exploring shelter design to improve the quality of life of cats
No full textIn Canada, twice as many cats are admitted to shelters compared to dogs. Cats are
domesticated companion animals that when left outside experience a reduction in lifespan
and quality of life. Free-roaming cats are also considered an invasive species and cause
great damage to natural ecosystems. Shelters therefore provide important infrastructure
for managing both cat wellbeing and overpopulation, yet are routinely over capacity with
insufficient funding. This design proposal aims to envision a shelter for Sudbury, Ontario
that prioritizes the wellbeing of both cats and local ecosystems by combining the programs
of shelter, cat cafe, educational space, and veterinary practice. Informed by primary
research of local shelters, the resulting centre creates a safe environment that prioritizes
the diverse needs of shelter cats, increases capacity to address overpopulation and cat
health, promotes education around cat care and environmental impacts, and provides a
revenue-generating community-oriented space that serves both humans and cats
Cultivating resilience: architecture and urban design for a local and circular food system in Sudbury, Ontario
No full textThe escalation of climate change threatens
global food security and worsens pre-existing
inequities in diets, particularly for vulnerable
communities. Viewed primarily as a commodity,
food is problematically shaped by unsustainable
practices from production to consumption that
perpetuate negative environmental, social, and
health outcomes. Focusing on the northern
Canadian city of Sudbury, Ontario, this thesis
explores how architecture and urban design can
cultivate resilience, address poverty, and stimulate
economic growth by supporting local and circular
food systems. Drawing on extensive research
from non-governmental organizations, precedent
studies, and interviews with local non-profits, a
framework geared at shifting mindsets is proposed
both to challenge existing preconceptions
and practices of food production, and to guide
food security-focused design interventions. The
proposed mixed-use food network hub connects
existing local initiatives and infrastructure with
new urban food production and skill-based
training facilities in downtown Sudbury to improve
access to healthy food while reducing greenhouse
gas emissions.Master of Architecture (M.Arch
Base metal metallogeny of the Onaman-Tashota greenstone belt, Ontario, Canada
No full textArchean greenstone belts are a significant source of base and precious metals. The metal endowment of greenstone belts varies by several orders of magnitude, a phenomenon that remains enigmatic despite decades of research on greenstone belt ore deposits. This dissertation describes the metallogeny and evolution of the lesser-endowed Neo- to Mesoarchean Onaman-Tashota greenstone belt and demonstrates that prolonged crustal development and a lack of mantle plume activity are critical controls on metal endowment at the belt-scale.
Well-endowed greenstone belts, exemplified by the Neoarchean Eastern Abitibi, are dominated by juvenile, tholeiitic volcanic successions hosting komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu, volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), intrusion-related gold, and orogenic gold deposits. These settings and deposits reflect extensive, plume-driven rifting and syn-volcanic transcrustal structure development. The Onaman-Tashota belt, in contrast, is characterized by isotopically mature, calc-alkaline-dominant, volcanic successions. The metallogeny of the Onaman-Tashota belt is typified by magmatic Ni-Cu±PGE, polymetallic epithermal-like, porphyry Cu-Au, and hybrid volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, reflecting a thicker crustal setting, limited transcrustal connectivity, and increased magmatic volatile inputs into mineral systems.
Mesoarchean volcanic crust is present within and underlying the Onaman-Tashota belt. In contrast, Mesoarchean crust is absent within the well-endowed Abitibi greenstone belt. Within the Onaman-Tashota greenstone belt this older crustal material led to a thickened Neoarchean crustal setting, and controlled endowment by: limiting rifting and transcrustal structure development; increasing crustal melting and contamination; generating subduction-like volcanic sequences; and leading to an increase in continental freeboard, leading to locally shallower water and subaerial volcanic successions.
These results have implications for mineral exploration related to regional area selection, greenstone belt fertility, and exploration strategies. Specific implications include: 1) greenstone belts with evidence of a thickened crust are of an overall lower rank for traditional VMS endowment; 2) FI-dominant felsic signatures, high felsic-mafic ratios, and a lack of komatiites are indicative of thick crust settings, lowering the komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu and traditional VMS potential; and 3) greenstone belts with Mesoarchean (thickened) basement may contain a different metallogeny, necessitating the use of different ore deposit models, such as the porphyry, epithermal, and hybrid VMS models
Effect of friendship on socially shared tip-of-the-tongue states
Get PDFA tip-of-tongue (TOT) state is classically defined as a failure to retrieve a word from memory, typically associated with partial recollection and a strong feeling that recall is imminent. However, not all TOTs are caused by difficulty accessing a word in memory. According to metacognitive accounts, the likelihood of experiencing a TOT state builds up from the accumulation of evidence that points to the likelihood that recall of the target word will be successful. Using a set of general knowledge questions to induce TOT states, Rousseau and Kashur (2021) have shown that individual participants reported more TOT states in when in groups than when tested individually. The authors suggested that people remembering in groups entertain the metacognitive inference that the target word will be easier to recall, if not by oneself, by the entire group. The primary aim of the current study was to investigate in more depth the metacognitive appraisal hypothesis put forward by Rousseau and Kashur (2021). More specifically, it addressed the following research question: Is the magnitude of this metacognitive appraisal magnified by interpersonal closeness? We hypothesized that, unlike Strangers, close Friends are more likely to share common memories, which may make Friends remember together experience a stronger feeling of closeness with the target word than Strangers would. Over the 90 general knowledge questions, groups of Friends exhibited better recall (M = 63 per cent) than groups of Strangers (M = 54 per cent). Consequently, the number of items available to report a TOT state was more elevated for participants participating in a group with Strangers. Indeed, Strangers reported five per cent of TOT states, compared to four per cent for Friends. Following a common practice, to circumvent the bias created by unbalanced correct recall rates, TOT rates were adjusted in two different ways. First, following the two-stage word production model, TOT rates were reported as a ratio of “known” items. When adjusted this way, the TOT rate was higher in Strangers (8 per cent) than in Friends (6 per cent). Unlike Strangers, Friends benefited from more phonological cues and stronger arousal, two factors that may explain why Friends were more inclined to reach the final, second stage of word production, resulting in fewer TOT states. Second, following the metacognitive model, TOT rates were reported as a ratio of “unknown” items. When adjusted this way, the TOT rate did not differ between Friends and Strangers. However, the TOT rate increased as a function of the number of years Friends have known each other, within the 4-to-10-year range. Coupled with more elevated confidence to remember with others reported by Friends, this finding suggests that as relational closeness increases, the metacognitive feeling of closeness with the target word increases, which may promote shared TOT states
Design/build and a van: an alternative (outlaw) practice
No full textThe relationship between craft and architecture is intrinsic but not
always in balance. This work encapsulates the struggle to understand
the disparate parts of designing and building and my relationship to
the built environment as an intern architect. This thesis focuses on
testing a design/build methodology for the purpose of converting a
1994 GMC van into my own future mobile studio, workshop, and home.
Employing methods of certainty and risk as a base approach to making,
I try to tap into my inner maker, recognizing that by no means am I a
skilled craftsman or seasoned builder. The methodology used further
includes research into the history of craft in architecture and
the practical application of design/build using new and repurposed
materials. The thesis explores the practice of design/build, what
it means to participate in this form of designing and making, its
benefits, and how small-scale design/builds can cause large-scale
change.Master of Architecture (M.Arch
Habitats in harmony: nurturing biodiversity in Sudbury, Ontario, through wetland restoration and community education
Get PDFHuman land practices continue to pose existential threats across global ecosystems. As a result, designers must learn to redefine the methodologies of the human-built environment, prioritizing human well-being with ecological productivity. This Thesis delves into strategies for biodiversity enhancement and ecological recovery through architecture, drawing from diverse research methodologies in relation to wetland
ecosystems in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. By proposing a mixed-use research and community center in Robinson Marsh, this Thesis aims to demonstrate how ecologically sensitive architecture can be integrated within wetland environments, thus nurturing biodiversity and improving the community’s relationship with its natural ecology. Through Nature-based Solutions such as circular urban farming, wetland restoration, and ecologically-productive urban green spaces, this Thesis strives to
accomplish multispecies coexistence, harmonizing the human community as part of its surrounding ecosystem.Master of Architecture (M.Arch
Obsolescence to opportunity: transforming abandoned infrastructure in Scarborough
No full textLine 3 was the light rail transit line that had once served
the community of Scarborough, Ontario. The obsolescence
of Line 3 arose from authoritative negligence placing
unnecessary strain on a struggling community that is largely
composed of recent immigrants. The narrative unfolds from
the line’s ambitious inception in the 1980s as a high-tech
transportation experiment to its recent closure in 2023.
However, we can learn from history, as obsolescence also
presents an opportunity for impactful change. This thesis
proposes adaptive reuse strategies as a more culturally and
environmentally sustainable practice for the Line’s disused
transit stations and track infrastructure. These initiatives aim
to promote address food insecurity, provide educational
opportunities, and promote cultural exchange, fostering
community resilience and cohesion. It seeks to create
vibrant, inclusive spaces that enhance the quality of life for
residents of Scarborough, both in the present and the years
to come.Master of Architecture (M.Arch
Experiences of nurse practitioners delivering dementia care in rural and remote communities in Canada and Australia: an integrative review
No full textBackground: Nurse practitioners (NP) delivering primary care for dementia patients in rural and remote regions face numerous challenges. These challenges are characterized by a lack of resources, integration difficulties, and limited scope of practice, which complicate recruitment and retention efforts. With increasing prevalence of dementia in these regions, advanced dementia care services are needed for health equity. Purpose: This study explores nurse practitioners' experiences in providing dementia care in rural and remote communities in Canada and Australia. It provides actionable recommendations to improve the delivery of dementia care to underserved populations. Method: Whittmore and Knafl's (2005) integrative review methodology guided this research. The approach enables the incorporation of various study designs and guided synthesis, adding method and rigour to the analysis of the existing literature. Bronfenbrenner's (1979) social- ecological model was employed as the conceptual framework to identify the systems that impact NP-led dementia care in rural and remote communities. Results: Nurse practitioners significantly contribute to primary dementia care by filling critical gaps in health services. However, systematic barriers, such as resource shortages and policy limitations, hinder care. The role of the NP in these settings emphasizes the importance of interprofessional collaboration between practice nurses, physicians, and NPs and the need to optimize education and policy support. Conclusion: This review recommends improving NP-led dementia care in rural and remote regions by addressing systematic challenges, enhancing education and training, and informing healthcare policies
2024 National Building Reconciliation Forum (NBRF): Indigenous Education and Mapping Out Institutional Spaces: summary report
No full textLaurentian University proudly hosted the 2024 National Building Reconciliation Forum from June 25th to 27th on its Sudbury campus. This event brought together close to 300 participants, including Indigenous leaders, community members, and representatives from post-secondary institutions across Canada. The forum served as a vibrant meeting point for individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing reconciliation in education and creating inclusive learning environments.
The forum began with a ceremonial gathering that honored the protocols and teachings of the local Anishinaabe Nations, establishing a reflective atmosphere that encouraged participants to engage deeply with the theme: "Indigenous Education and Mapping Out Institutional Spaces." This theme emphasizes the importance of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into higher education and creating spaces where Indigenous voices are heard and respected. The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the need for respect and acknowledgment of Indigenous traditions, laying a strong foundation for the discussions that followed.
A highlight of the event was the symbolic paddle transfer from Western University to Laurentian University. This ceremony, rich in cultural significance, represented the passing of responsibility and ongoing efforts towards reconciliation. The paddle, a traditional symbol of journey and collaboration, reinforced the commitment to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. This transfer not only symbolized the commitment of both institutions to the principles of reconciliation but also underscored the collaborative nature of this ongoing journey.
Over three days, the forum featured panels, workshops, and discussions exploring strategies and best practices for implementing the TRC’s Calls to Action. Participants examined topics such as cultural diversity, Indigenous verification, and the integration of traditional knowledge within academic settings. These sessions provided valuable opportunities for dialogue and collaboration, promoting a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in advancing reconciliation. The diversity of sessions allowed for a rich exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment for learning and growth.
In addition to the formal sessions, the forum facilitated numerous informal networking opportunities, enabling participants to build relationships and share insights beyond the structured discussions. These interactions were crucial in fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among attendees, emphasizing the collective effort required to advance reconciliation in education.
This report captures the key themes and insights from the forum, providing a comprehensive overview of the discussions and ideas shared. It highlights ongoing efforts to promote cultural diversity, integrate Indigenous knowledge, and build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities within the academic landscape
Development of a novel, multidisciplinary, computer-based disaster simulation training tool for code orange event in northern Ontario
No full textSerious games utilize the virtual medium of video games to increase player knowledge. Within this thesis, we created a serious game to utilize for training hospital staff for emergency (Code Orange) events. The process of creating this game, Safety Simulator, is described in detail, as we present various learning theories and models, taking care to link how these were used to build our serious game. Through analysis of 5-point Likert scale and supplementary data, it was determined that participants have a positive feeling overall towards Safety Simulator, and elements such as choosing to play the tutorial can impact participant’s ability to feel positively towards the learning elements of the game. We found that training factor had a calculated Chi-value of 0.03 for tutorial elements and participant’s opinion on learning, indicating there is a connection between these elements