3855 research outputs found
Sort by
Reintroduction and management of at-risk freshwater turtles in an urban wetland complex in a protected area
No full textA headstarting program for the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) was initiated by the Toronto Zoo in 2012 to supplement a functionally extinct population in the Rouge National Urban Park (RNUP) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Data collected from multiple years of radio- tracking (2014–2021) and mark-recapture (2018–2021) surveys were used to evaluate the success of the headstarting program. Based on demographic data, survival of headstarted turtles remained high, except during a mass-mortality event when a substantial decline in survival was observed. Male:female sex ratio measured using incubation temperatures shifted from 1:1.5 in captivity to 1:1 in the wild, and size-class distribution of the population remained juvenile- biased. Release methods did not improve post-release outcomes in terms of survival, somatic growth rate, body condition, or movement patterns, and headstarted turtles sustained similar health to wild juvenile conspecifics in other Ontario populations. Headstarted turtles selected hibernacula similar to wild adult conspecifics, and there was weak evidence towards sociality, specifically in terms of familiarity (i.e., individuals from the same release cohort) in overwintering site selection. Demographic data from other resident freshwater turtles indicated that multiple sources of ongoing threats and catastrophes can affect population stability. Headstarting also affected community diversity by shifting species richness and evenness. Overall, Blanding’s turtle headstarting program showed progress, but continued monitoring will be required to determine if headstarting will achieve its desired conservation goals. Conservation actions targeting multiple life-stages of the Blanding’s turtles will be necessary to address root causes of population decline and to ensure that the population will reach a self-sustaining level
Renforcer l’identité culturelle : la conception d’un Keemeenopin Keekeh pour les jeunes à Moosonee, Ontario
No full textCette thèse explore comment une architecture fondée sur les relations
sociales et territoriales pourrait contribuer à la création d’un lieu qui procure
un sentiment d’appartenance pour les jeunes de Moosonee. L’approche vise à
invoquer une identité culturelle individuelle chez les jeunes, tout en fortifiant
l’avenir culturel de la communauté. Issue de discussions avec des membres
de la communauté, la thèse propose une approche unique à la conception
et à la programmation d’une maison des jeunes qui est confortable et
sécuritaire, un Keemeenopin Keekeh, se fondant sur leurs besoins et
aspirations. Des sessions de recherche participative ont été accomplies pour
donner une voix aux jeunes durant les phases initiales du projet. Celles-ci
ont permis d’identifier 5 objectifs de design clés pour guider la conception
de la maison. Le projet vise ainsi à supporter les jeunes dans la célébration
de leur identité, ainsi que de leur place comme membres actifs dans leur
communauté.Maîtrise en architecture (M.Arch
Sense-able transit: bridging the gap between human ability difference and the built environment through GO Transit Gateways
No full textTransportation has played a pivotal role in shaping cities
while creating gateways within societies providing technological,
economic, social and political growth. The Mimico GO station is one
of many within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area providing
its community with socio-economic opportunities through a series
of accesses. A substantial number in population today require accessibility accommodations due to visible and invisible ability differences. Through critical analysis of disability studies, it is evident
that the learnt environment greatly affects perceptions on the right
to being and perceived as human. Therefore, the transformation of
the mind and built environment combined sets a new framework for
universal design. The framework investigates alternative technologies, adaptive reuse, sensorial enhancement, and spaces within the
public realm that go beyond the minimum requirements. Focusing
to capture moments of transition with detailed connection, ultimately delivering fluidity, adaptability, independence and pride to each
individual user experience.Master of Architecture (M. Arch
Determining the relative impacts of natural and anthropogenic contamination in the Tambo River Basin, Peru
Get PDFPeruvian Andean Watersheds are under pressure. Mining, agriculture, urbanization,
and natural stressors such as climate chance and geothermal and volcanic activity are
causing water quality to deteriorate. Although rapidly declining, little attention has been
given to understanding the current state of these watersheds and literature is often limited
to grey literature such as academic theses and governmental reports which are difficult to
access. Without baseline information on water quality, it can be challenging to properly
identify sources of contamination and effectively manage these aquatic ecosystems.
In this context, the water quality of the Tambo River Basin was assessed. Located in
Southern Peru, the Tambo River Basin is subject to pressures from a variety of stressors
such as a metal mine at its headwaters, geothermal and volcanic activity, agriculture, and
urbanization. Water chemistry samples, physicochemical water quality measurements and
benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from 15 sites across the basin, representing the
different sources of contamination from source to mouth.
Signs of contamination were evident at sites impacted by the mines, where acidic pH
was recorded along with high metal concentrations exceeding Peruvian Water Quality
standards for both drinking water and the aquatic environment. Sites along geothermal
sources of contamination showed high concentrations of arsenic exceeding Peruvian Water
Quality standards for both drinking water and the aquatic environment. At the most
downstream and urbanized sites, high concentrations of lead were recorded.
To our knowledge this is the first study of benthic macroinvertebrates in the region,
thus it provides baseline information on the benthic macroinvertebrate communities of the Tambo River Basin. Changes in abundance, taxa richness and EPT% were compared at sites
with different sources of contamination. More pollution-tolerant taxa dominated the
contaminated sites and pollution-sensitive taxa were present at sites that had better water
quality. Overall, this study provided baseline information on the water quality of the
Tambo River Basin and helped to identify sources of contamination entering the basin
contributing to pressures on the water quality and the aquatic environment. The use of
benthic macroinvertebrates helped supplement physicochemical and chemistry water
quality data which provides information on the conservation and management of the
aquatic environment. However, given the complexity of the altitudinal gradient of this
basin, this type of study should be repeated during both the dry and rainy seasons to
further build upon this database. Efforts should also be directed towards preserving the
ecological integrity of high altitudinal wetlands (bofedales) as they possess contaminant
filtering capacity.Master of Science (MSc) in Biolog
An interpretive description of health equity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinical practice guidelines
Get PDFHealth equity is an increasing global phenomenon of interest among health care professionals
(HCPs), researchers, and decision-makers. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) serve to promote
standardized care and may have implications relative to health equity. Health care professionals
rely on evidence including CPGs to be accountable, provide optimal care, and to advance
advocacy efforts for people with chronic lung disease. However, CPGs for COPD may
unintentionally exacerbate health inequities and health disparities experienced by those living in
northern or rural areas where there may be decreased access to supports such as spirometry,
pulmonary rehabilitation, and specialist care. The purpose of this study was to conduct an
interdisciplinary analysis of COPD CPGs to understand the contribution and implications of
these guidelines to health equity for individuals living with COPD. Different perspectives and
representations of health equity across the guidelines may have problematic implications and
challenges for patients, HCPs and decision-makers. The research question guiding this study is
how do CPGs for COPD explicitly or implicitly address health equity? The study design,
interpretive description, was guided by critical social theory. Using purposive sampling, publicly
available international, national, and provincial English language CPGs for COPD were selected.
Concurrent data collection and analysis was informed by five items of The Equity Lens
instrument and the four items of Domain 5, outlined in the Applicability of the Appraisal of
Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) Instrument. The four stages of content
analysis are decontextualization, recontextualization, categorization, and compilation. The results
offer opportunities to engage multiple interdisciplinary knowledge users in dialogue about the
implications of CPG adoption to move toward health equity and to best service individuals with
COPD in Northeastern Ontario.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Rural and Northern Healt
Where does the flower bloom?: designing for Brampton’s multicultural identity
No full textCanada’s representation as a “cultural mosaic” purportedly welcomes and celebrates diversity, yet in reality, whiteness continues to be privileged. Many cultural groups are not given access to spaces, amenities, and opportunities to practice their traditions and express their culture, leaving them vulnerable to loss of cultural identity. In Brampton, Ontario, three-quarters of the residents are global majority citizens, which makes the city a particularly revealing case for exploring the exclusion and racism that manifest in urban policy decisions and the use of public spaces. This thesis focuses on the expanded program of a public Library + Civic complex to support residents of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The proposed intervention of a library facility as a community hub provides a space for all people to access free learning and training opportunities within a space of representation and civic participation that offers an environment for socialization, collaboration, and community engagement.Master of Architecture (M.Arch
Northeastern Ontario nurses' perceptions of violence in acute care settings
No full textThe incidence of workplace violence (WPV) is increasing and has become a worldwide concern. This is particularly true among medical workers, especially nurses, who are at a high risk of exposure, as they are the first and closest contact with patients. The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions and the Ontario division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees conducted a survey in Northeastern Ontario in 2019 and found that 96% of personal support workers and registered practical nurses experienced physical violence while working. This was 8% higher than the provincial average. This study explores Northeastern Ontario nurses’ perceptions of violence in an acute-care setting through two research questions: What are Northeastern Ontario nurses’ perceptions of violence and challenges to preventing violence? What improvements or changes are needed to reduce or prevent WPV? This study uses Sally Thorne’s (2016) interpretive description qualitative methodology guided by the Haddon matrix conceptual framework of WPV. Registered nurses (n = 14) participated in one of three virtual focus groups from three patient care units. The overarching theme, nurses surviving violence in acute-care settings, is supported by three key themes: nurses’ different perceptions and levels of threshold of violence, nurses in jeopardy, and changes needed to the status quo. The findings indicate that violence against nurses occurs daily and should never be justified. Education, training, and supports involving hospital staff, the local police department, the community, and the public are crucial to preventing WPV
The voice of the rural small town: how architecture can inspire locally grounded growth in Parry Sound, Ontario
No full textMany rural areas in Canada are financially dependent
on tourism. There are negative effects of this dependency
on the local working class as these small towns transition
from tourism towards a community designed for an aging
affluent population. Using Parry Sound as a case study, this
thesis attempts to investigate how architecture could serve
the neglected local working class by incentivizing investment
in the local community rather than catering to seasonal
tourism. Covid-19 also emphasized the gap in access to
healthcare and lack of overall well-being, issues that the
local community faced but the seasonal resident did not.
This thesis found that a grounded design that
amplified the voice of the local community would best
aid their existing efforts to grow. Discussions with the local
community organizations working in these areas provided
the perspectives necessary to design an adequate program
that would assist local grounded growth in Parry Sound.
Through the lenses of housing, health, and food, architecture
could support the existing network of community initiatives
to achieve self-agency. A mixed-use design provides the
necessary community spaces for these initiatives to foster
a connection to people and landscape and achieve locally
grounded growth.Master of Architecture (M.Arch
Modelling trophic recovery, interactions, and food web dynamics across smelter-damaged lakes
No full textUnstable and simplified freshwater food webs threaten the long-term potential of Canadian
fisheries due to lack of resiliency in response to stressors including pollutants, climate change,
and invasive species. This study utilizes lakes in Sudbury, Ontario to highlight potential drivers
and limiting factors of trophic recovery from acidification and heavy-metal pollution from
historical nickel smelting emissions. Three lakes across the smelter-impact gradient were
selected: one severely damaged lake with a barren watershed (Baby Lake), one severely
damaged lake that received sub-watershed liming treatment but retained partial forest cover
(Daisy Lake), and one minimally impacted lake with intact forest but had previously been limed
to enhance a fish population (Nelson Lake). Two reference lakes far from Sudbury impacts were
selected for comparison. Twenty Sudbury region lakes were examined to contextualize fish
community assemblages and size data across the smelter deposition zone. Stable isotope ratios
of carbon (δ 13C) and nitrogen (δ 15N) were quantified in yellow perch (Perca flavescens),
smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and baseline organisms to develop quantitative
population metrics and describe dietary niche partitioning in each study lake. The barren
watershed lake had lowest trophic positioning, smallest body size and niche area, and greatest
niche overlap among fish species. The semi-barren and forested watershed lakes were more
similar to reference lakes than barren lake in isotopic metrics, signifying significant trophic
recovery; however elevated niche overlap revealed additional recovery in these lakes is ongoing.
Including stable isotopes in recovering lake studies provides ecosystem insights overlooked by
traditional biomonitoring approaches that are critical in understanding freshwater food web
responses.Master of Science (MSc) in Biolog
Diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma using machine learning
Get PDFMesothelioma is cancer that develops in the pleura. The most common cause of this disease is contact with asbestos. Patients with mesothelioma have a better chance of surviving if they are diagnosed quickly. This study utilizes a variety of machine learning to enhance pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. The possibility of misclassification was decreased by extracting features from a preexisting dataset. SVM, Decision Trees, and Random Forests are only a few machine learning classifiers trained using essential and foundational features. Accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score were just a few measures used to evaluate these classifiers' performance in cross- validation. SVM demonstrated excellent accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score when classifying individuals as either healthy or having mesothelioma. The results show the potential of machine learning techniques for early diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma. Machine learning algorithms improve diagnosis accuracy and turnaround time, improving patient outcomes. Using the results of this research, a fully automated technique for diagnosing mesothelioma might be developed, allowing clinicians more time to provide better care for their patients