3855 research outputs found
Sort by
Embracing a strength-based philosophy and reflective practice with supervision as a mental health therapist at the Alliance Centre of Sturgeon Falls, Ontario
Get PDFThis advanced practicum report will detail my experience training as a Mental Health Therapist at the West Nipissing General Hospital’s The Alliance Centre in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. The 450-hour advanced practicum was completed in the Mental Health Counselling Treatment Program with the direct supervision of Lynn Perreault, program manager and director, and registered psychotherapist.
A strength-based philosophy was the key paradigm of influence in my role as a Mental Health Therapist working at The Alliance Centre. My primary goals were to incorporate a strength-based philosophy within all elements of intervention, assessment, and treatment; and to actively submerse myself into the social work practice of supervision.
Within this practicum report, research surrounding a strength-based philosophy in mental health treatment and interventions will be reviewed including a comprehensive literature review with peer-reviewed literature surrounding the history of madness, motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, brief solution-focused practice and social work supervision will be explored. To conclude, I will summarize how I met my learning goals and discuss how the outcomes of my practicum will influence my work in the future as a mental health therapist.
Throughout my time spent at practicum, I was able to build upon my existing research and incorporate strength-based approaches into my everyday work with people. I also experienced reflective practice through the use of bi-weekly supportive supervision with my direct supervisor at The Alliance Centre and focus on my own strengths and resources as a strengths-based enthusiast. Supervision enriched my practicum experience because it was reflective of the strengths-based theoretical underpinning that I wanted to model with the people that I had the opportunity of working with
Soil microbial response to increasing temperatures: influence of elevated temperatures on enzymatic activities, bacterial and fungal abundance and diversity
No full textElevated temperatures, a defining characteristic of climate change, profoundly affect soil ecosystems by reshaping microbial communities The specific objectives of the present study were to 1) examine the effects of increasing temperatures on soil enzymatic activities in an environmental controlled setting and 2) assess the effects of elevated temperatures on bacterial and fungal abundance, diversity, and structure using temperature-controlled growth chamber. Soil samples were subjected to three temperature treatments (23°C, 30°C, and 37°C). Fresh soil samples were used as references. Activities of β-glucosidase (BG), β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGase), aryl sulfatase (AS), acid phosphatase (AP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and peroxidase (PER) exhibited strong responses to temperature variations with activities peaking at 30°C and declining at higher temperatures (37°C). Candidatus Koribacter dominates the bacterial community in fresh samples and soils incubated at 23°C, 30°C. Overall, the abundance of the top five bacterial genera (except for Bradyrhizobium) revealed an inverse relationship between temperature and relative abundance that decreases as the temperatures increase. For Fungi, Trichomas was the most dominant genus in fresh soil with 40% of relative abundance while Umbelopsis was dominant in soils incubated at 23°C, 30°C, and 37°C with values ranging from 20% to 34 %). The relative abundance decreases as the temperature increases for Tricholoma and Russula and increases as the temperature increases for Umbeopsis and Holtermanniella. Shannon diversity entropy for samples treated at 23°C and 30°C were identical with value of 5.1 in fungal communities. This closeness between 23°C and 30°C was confirmed by Principal Coordinate Analysis plot, based on the weighted UniFrac distances for bacterial and fungal communities
Obtainable architecture: an adapted framework for building in remote Northern Ontario
Get PDFThe central research question orienting this
thesis focuses on how existing construction
models found in geographically accessible
places, can be modified to ensure greater access
to architecture in remote locations. Focusing on
Attawapiskat in northern Ontario, it is readily
apparent that this and similar communities
face significant barriers to building. This thesis
focuses on adapting the existing construction
methods that are adequate for accessible
locations so they can be more responsive to
the unique parameters of the remote north.
The proposal is a framework and building test
case that responds to the specific parameters
laid out with the case study of Attawapiskat.
The scope of the proposed framework primarily
takes into account seasonality of construction
in the north and ease of access to materials
and systems within the process of building in
the remote north.Master of Architecture (M.Arch
Creating a model high-density housing development for the city of Waterloo
No full textWith the current housing shortage that currently exists in Canada, high-
density housing will become more and more common. In its current state, these
high-density developments are not effectively planned to serve their residents
and surrounding communities. This thesis aims to explore the creation of a
model high-density development based in the City of Waterloo, a rapidly
growing municipality that is currently seeing a push for high-density, focusing
on the design through the three pillars of Affordability, Sustainability and,
Community. These pillars show up today independently or sometimes in duos
but never to their fullest extent. However they are absolutely vital in deploying
effective housing to tenants rather than becoming profit centres for developers.Master of Architecture (M.Arch
A discourse analysis of fourteen indigenous stories through a two-eyed seeing lens
No full textIndigenous stories are an important way of telling accounts from cultural lenses demonstrating
Indigenous connections to history, culture and traditions. This provides a greater understanding
of Indigenous histories and cultures. Exploring Indigenous ways of knowing and the colonial
impact on Indigenous communities globally enhances backing for decolonization from settler
societies by immersing readers in Indigenous stories (Justice, 2018). I argue that Indigenous
stories serve as a gateway to historical truths and foster a positive portrayal of Indigenous
peoples. I used the word peoples in this thesis to honour the diversity of Indigenous communities
on Turtle Island and to negate a pan-Indigenous ideology.
In this thesis, I have created an extensive literature review and analysis that exposes
subjects such as colonization, decolonization, recognition, art, and storytelling to answer the key
research question: "In what ways can Indigenous stories support the socio-political goals of
decolonization?" The objectives of this thesis were the following:
1. To understand how Indigenous stories can contribute to decolonization and recognition
of Indigenous critical analysis.
2. To find meaning that is relevant to Indigenous experiences.
3. To showcase the creativity, vitality, resilience, and strength of Indigenous peoples as
expressed through Indigenous writers.
In order to find the answers I drew information from fourteen Indigenous authored
stories. Indigenous stories can serve as an important introduction to understanding colonization
for settler readers and to some Indigenous readers, and with such knowledge support the efforts
toward decolonization. As a settler, I made the deliberate choice to incorporate fourteen books
into this thesis to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the Indigenous stories. The stories
were chosen through internet searches for Indigenous authors, references from friends, and best-
seller lists. I then applied Florian Schneider’s (2013) discourse analysis method, a systematic
step-by-step process to expose key socio-political themes within each of the texts. I applied the
concept of Two-eyed seeing which was developed by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall and
further developed in collaboration with Murdena Marshall, another Mi’kmaw Elder and
Professor Emeritus of Mi’kmaq Studies, and Cheryl Bartlett, a settler Professor Emeritus of
Biology. Their efforts aimed to enhance the connection between Indigenous Science and
Western Science (Ray, 2021). I believe that the Two-Eyed Seeing framework reconciles the
linear thought patterns of Western individuals with the more holistic and inclusive nature of
Indigenous ways of understanding.
Eight key findings were identified in the books which include:
1. The Spectre of Colonization
2. Depictions of Decolonization
3. The Devastation of Lost Language and the Understanding of Language
4. References to Historical Injustices Due to Colonial Interference
5. Land as a Life Force
6. The Tragedy of Ecological Devastation
7. Representations of Indigenous Art Forms
8. The Totality of Culture Loss
These findings underpin the socio-political goals of decolonization which are centred on
dismantling systems of colonial oppression and domination, addressing historical injustices, and
promoting social, political, and economic equity for Indigenous communities. Decolonization
aims to challenge and transform power structures, institutions, and ideologies that perpetuate
colonial legacies while centering Indigenous knowledge, self-determination, and sovereignty. It
seeks to create a more just and inclusive society that respects and upholds the rights and
autonomy of all peoples, particularly those who have been historically marginalized and
oppressed (Memmi, 1965; Fanon, Tuck & Yang, )
As a settler researcher, I utilized a Two-eyed seeing framework (Ray, 2021) as a
framework to reconcile the use of Western worldviews with Indigenous worldviews. For this
thesis, the Two-eyed seeing framework was a guiding principle to both work with Indigenous
worldviews, to critique my Eurocentric worldview because I am a settler and to ensure that the
information I was revealing in the discourse analysis was in alignment with Indigenous
knowledge and experiences.
These books hold educational significance, but only when handled by the
Indigenous individuals. Educators and policymakers should undergo Indigenous-led
training to safeguard the authenticity of Indigenous perspectives and knowledge when engaging
with Indigenous stories.
It is hoped that this thesis will contribute to understanding the need for decolonization
and the amplification of Indigenous voices
Improving conservation translocation and Ex Situ breeding techniques for the recovery of a temperate zone rattlesnake
No full textReintroduction biology is the study and practice of establishing populations of organisms using tools like conservation translocation. An understanding of how to effectively conduct translocations, particularly with snakes, is lacking and there is a need for technique improvement. Systematic literature review, occupancy modeling, artificial hibernation, retrospective analysis of zoo data, and population viability modeling were used to evaluate the effectiveness of in situ and ex situ techniques to inform future translocations with temperate zone snakes. Field work occurred at the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem in southern Canada with the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus), a rattlesnake in decline across its global range and in need of research into the effectiveness of population management tools. When working with a low detectability species, results showed that evaluating long-term success of translocations at achieving population establishment requires intensive survey efforts to estimate patch occupancy across a study landscape. In the short-term, the invasive and sample- size-limiting technique of radiotelemetry is required for evaluating success of release tactics. A systematic literature review on snake translocations provided evidence for the utility of a suite of translocation tactics for reducing postrelease effects. However, an assessment of ex situ reproductive output coupled with demographic modelling, showed that certain beneficial tactics (e.g., release of captive-reared snakes) can be problematic to implement and sustain, perhaps due to breeding techniques that fail to replicate natural conditions, and with potential impacts to release site fidelity of translocated snakes. Empirical and theoretical guidance were provided for Massasauga recovery by informing eight steps for a successful snake translocation, beginning with the establishment of translocation goals and ending with effectiveness monitoring. Regardless, recovery efforts are hindered by the limitations of existing ex situ breeding techniques, coupled with intensive supplementation efforts required to overcome postrelease effects in situ and to establish a viable wild population over time. Research into alternative ex situ breeding techniques for viperids (e.g., polygamous matings) and effectiveness of beneficial translocation tactics for snakes in general are required. Reintroduction can be a daunting and resource intensive pursuit, echoing the need to stabilize declining populations before they become small
Examining the stress response in anhydrobiotic yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
No full textYeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is a unique model system for biological research due to the fact
that it can be maintained in a dry desiccated state of anhydrobiosis for lengthy periods of time
without the need for water or nutrients. However, there is very limited understanding of how
anhydrobiosis impacts the natural stress response. The objective of this thesis was to study the
thermal stress response in yeast pre- and post-desiccation. It was hypothesized that desiccation
induces a stress response in yeast which makes them resistant to a thermal stress, and that as
rehydrated yeast start to enter exponential growth, the stress response will be down regulated
resulting in return to normal thermal sensitivity. To study this, two different strains of yeast were
used: a wild type strain (YBS21-A) and a rad51 mutant strain (YBS29-1) that is defective in
homologous recombinational DNA repair. Yeast samples were exposed to heat shocks pre-
desiccation, as well at various timepoints post-rehydration. Survival was quantified at each
timepoint following a heat challenge to identify shifts in thermal-sensitivity. In addition,
transcriptional changes were quantified using RT-qPCR to identify which genes might be
regulating the response. Immediately post rehydration, thermal survival to a potentially lethal heat
challenge of 52oC for 10 minutes was high. Thermal tolerance then started to gradually decrease
and survival decreased to up to three orders of magnitude by the 12 hour timepoint. Following this,
heat tolerance began to increase back to almost 100% survival by 18 and 24 hours post rehydration.
The trends in growth rate were opposite to that of survival. When cell growth rates were at their
highest (exponential phase), thermal tolerance was low, whereas when growth rates were low (lag
phase and stationary phase), thermal tolerance was high. The expression levels of multiple heat
shock proteins were found to correlate with thermal survival, including hsp104, hsp78, hsp42 and
hsp12, suggesting that they may be regulating thermal sensitivity. Interestingly, there was no
difference in survival between the wild type and rad51 strains, suggesting that heat shock induced
cell death is independent of DNA double strand break repair. Overall, this foundational knowledge
of the stress response during anhydrobiosis and how it impacts thermal sensitivity is important for
the use of desiccated yeast as a model organism for long term low maintenance biological research.Master of Science (MSc) in Biolog
La dynamique de l'intégration des immigrants ivoiriens dans le cadre de la régionalisation de l’immigration au Canada : une étude comparative entre Montréal et Sudbury.
No full textCette thèse compare l'intégration des immigrants ivoiriens à Montréal et à Sudbury, en se
concentrant sur les dimensions normative, instrumentale, interrelationnelle et occupationnelle.
Les résultats révèlent des différences dans l'intégration normative liées aux caractéristiques
culturelles et linguistiques des deux villes. Montréal, avec sa diversité et son usage du
français, favorise l'intégration, tandis que la prédominance de l'anglais à Sudbury pose des
défis. Sudbury se distingue par sa cohésion communautaire et sa stabilité instrumentale, alors
que Montréal offre plus d'opportunités économiques et un réseau social plus large.
Concernant l'intégration occupationnelle, Montréal présente une plus grande diversité
d'opportunités, tandis que Sudbury offre une stabilité professionnelle nuancée.
L'étude souligne l'importance d'ajuster les politiques d'intégration aux spécificités régionales
et recommande des recherches futures dans d'autres régions canadiennes pour une
compréhension approfondie de l'intégration des Ivoiriens et d'autres groupes immigrés, tout en
reconnaissant la limitation de la généralisation des résultats due à l'approche qualitative.Maîtrise ès arts (MA) en sociologi
Open pit mine design guidelines considering autonomous haulage fleet
No full textThis study concentrates on the integration of Autonomous Haulage Systems (AHS) into open pit mining activities and produces thorough design guidelines to deal with limits in traditional mine designs. The conventional design concepts do not match the operational needs of autonomous trucks, and that requires a change in approach to ensure sustainability, efficiency, and safety. This research utilized a mixed technique approach, merging quantitative and qualitative information from simulations, expert interviews, case studies, and literature reviews.
For AHS to function efficiently, it requires integration of different technologies. The integration of cutting-edge technologies like LiDAR, radar, and the Internet of Things (IoT) devices further improve the precision and dependability needed for autonomous operations. This makes utilization of communication networks and fleet management software crucial for ensuring real time data transfer for smooth operation.
This highlights the significant economic, safety, and efficiency benefits of implementing an AHS, which brings down fuel consumption, improves haulage cycle times, and minimizes operational disruption. AHS contributes to sustainability through lowering of emissions and improved operational safety. Rio Tinto and Suncor case studies demonstrate the transformative potential of AHS, showing improved productivity, cost savings, and enhanced safety records. Challenges persist, though, such as high initial investment costs, integration challenges, and workforce adaptation problems.
The research proposes actionable design guidelines to deal with these challenges. These include implementing AHS specific mine designs, investing in technical infrastructure, putting into action extensive workforce education plans and encouraging collaborative projects amongst industry stakeholders. Pilot projects and simulations are suggested to verify new designs prior to large-scale implementation, while continual evaluation and updates to the guidelines are recommended to ensure alignment with technical advances and changing operational requirements.
This analysis suggests that AHS could transform open pit mining by providing long-term economic, operational, and environmental advantages. The mining industry could unleash the full potential of autonomous systems if it addresses identified difficulties and implements the suggested recommendations. It also offers useful insights for existing operations and sets the groundwork for future developments in autonomous mining technologies
Indigenous partnered research on contaminants in subsistence fish from the Sudbury Basin
No full textWahnapitae First Nation (WFN) is a small Anishinaabe Community in Ontario, Canada, whose members regularly harvest fish for subsistence. Thus, like many Indigenous Communities, the quality and health of these fish are of great concern. The goal of this project is to better understand contaminant levels in subsistence fish from the waters of WFN’s Traditional Territory, which has been heavily impacted by local mining and smelting activity. Through a collegial partnership between the Community and academic researchers and a robust data- sharing agreement, we incorporated Community input into our study design. We specifically focused on five species of freshwater fish (burbot, lake trout, lake whitefish, smallmouth bass, walleye) from two chemically and physically distinct lakes that are important to WFN’s food security and sovereignty. We sampled three tissues commonly eaten by Community members (i.e., muscle, liver, and pyloric ceca, which is known as the chum in WFN and referred to as such herein) and analyzed them for total arsenic and selenium, as well as total and methyl mercury, at an accredited lab. Results show a consistent pattern for Hg bioaccumulation among species, with the expected higher mercury concentrations ([Hg]) observed in the larger fish and in top predators such as walleye. Fish muscle [Hg] from Lake Wanapitei frequently exceeded the Province of Ontario “8 meals/month” benchmark for consumption, while samples from Kukagami Lake had significantly lower [Hg]. Instead, Kukagami Lake fish exceeded the Provincial “8 meals/month” benchmark due to elevated selenium concentration ([Se]). In both lakes, [As] were generally low except for all tissues in burbot. The stark differences in [Hg] and [Se] between lakes, which are in close proximity to each other, emphasize the need for lake and population-specific consumption guidelines. Our data also show differences in elemental concentrations between the three tissues, suggesting physiological and biokinetic differences between fish populations. Although, benchmark exceedances were generally less in liver and chum than in muscle, with the exception of [Se] in lake trout liver and arsenic in burbot. Lastly, despite the differences in [Se] between the two lakes, we found a positive relationship between [Hg] and [Se] across all tissues, suggesting a co-bioaccumulation of these elements. This appears contrary to the commonly assumed protective effects of Se on Hg accumulation and warrants further study. In addition to improving our understanding of contaminant distributions amongst tissues in fish, this project will provide WFN with the resources for more informed fish consumption and guide future monitoring efforts