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Evaluating the effectiveness of headstarting for wood turtle (glyptemys insculpta) population recovery
Get PDFHeadstarting is a conservation strategy that assumes raising hatchling turtles to larger body sizes
increases their survivorship compared to wild non-headstarted turtles. This increased
survivorship should increase population growth rate relative to wild recruitment. There are,
however, few published results of long-term population recovery using headstarting. The lack of
demographic assessment of population recovery has led to an overall lack of quantitative
assessment of the effectiveness of headstarting as a conservation action. Headstarting needs to be
efficient and effective as a poorly executed headstarting project can result in species extinction
given it is often used with critically endangered species. We released 3 cohorts of headstarted
Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) with varying degrees of headstarting to determine if
headstarting increases survivorship. I showed that headstarting turtles to a larger body size
confers a survival advantage, and this survival advantage should increase population growth rate
relative to wild recruitment. I then quantitatively assessed the effectiveness of a 15-year Wood
Turtle headstarting program by modeling population-specific demographic parameters to
evaluate recovery efforts, and determine the next phase of recovery. I found some evidence of
population recovery, but also identified challenges and make several management
recommendations that should enhance the success of the headstarting program. Overall, I have
provided support for headstarting as an effective conservation strategy, with the caveat that all
headstarting projects must be paired with management plans that maintain high adult and
juvenile survival
Oneiric architecture: a filmic exploration of the subjective dream experience
Get PDFThe mind’s ability to fill void space with elaborate landscapes and complex structures is
truly extraordinary. As humans we have an innate ability to create spaces, sometimes
entirely new, sometimes variations of places we know, drawing from elements that we
encounter in our conscious lives. This thesis explores this phenomenon of dreaming from
an architectural perspective. This research considers the history of dreams as cultural and
artistic phenomena and their subsequent representation amongst a vast array of media.
Film is identified as the most appropriate medium to represent the temporal qualities
of dreams, and as such, is suggested as a potential tool for developing an architectural
design strategy. In response to an increasingly objective architectural landscape, the
hypothesis suggested herein uses filmic devices to design spaces that mimic aspects
of the subjective dream experience. This thesis has culminated in the proposal of a
“dreamatorium” development on Bethel Lake in Sudbury, Ontario. The project is a public
park that explores oneiric space through a series of pathways and pavilions
Examining the humor styles and positive aging in older adults and the role of cognitive functioning
No full textThe current study examines how humor use may relate to positive aging in older adults. In
particular, it is proposed that the four different humor styles (self-enhancing, affiliative, selfdefeating, and aggressive humor) may be differentially associated with positive aging. The
current study also suggests that level of cognitive functioning may play a role in this relationship.
Accordingly, it is proposed that older adults with intact cognitive functioning will use more
positive styles of humor and experience more positive aging than those with impaired cognitive
functioning. Twenty-four older adults from Northern Ontario communities completed self-report
measures pertaining to the four humor styles, positive aging, and self-esteem, as well as
completed a brief assessment of cognitive functioning. Significant differences were found
between intact and impaired cognitive functioning older adults on use of self-defeating humor.
Additional exploratory analyses are further discussed. Limitations of the current study and
future directions are considered
Fluid-chemical studies of gold systems: case studies of an Archean greenstone belt, Nunavut, and a Paleozoic slate belt, Meguma terrane, Nova Scotia.
No full textDespite several decades of study, the source(s) of gold and mineralizing fluids, and the
mechanisms responsible for gold precipitation remain controversial. In particular, there is a need
to improve: (i) the identification of secondary gold upgrading processes that lead to very highgrade gold zones; (ii) the understanding of precipitation mechanisms in carbonaceous material
(CM)-bearing metasedimentary systems (i.e., slate belts); and (iii) the exploration criteria for the
cryptic, finely disseminated gold mineralization in CM-bearing metamudstone lithologies.
The combined results of an extensive in situ microanalytical protocol (SEM, confocal Raman
microspectroscopy, microthermometry, decrepitate mound analysis, LA-ICP-MS,
cathodoluminescence, SIMS) has idenitified evidence of secondary gold enrichment at the Madrid
deposit, Hope Bay Greenstone Belt, NU, Canada, resulting from the addition of new gold onto an
earlier orogenic quartz-carbonate vein deposit by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. This conclusion
is based on robust textural, mineralogical, and fluid inclusion evidence. The geological setting and
mineral-chemical features suggest an intrusion-related (i.e., porphyry), or intermediate-sulfidation
epithermal mineralization style for the later event. This work provides another example of the
importance of compositionally distinct cumulative hydrothermal events in the development of
high-grade gold deposits in orogenic settings.
The Dufferin deposit, NS, Canada, is a vein-type system hosted in CM-bearing metasedimentary rocks. A detailed fluid inclusion study strongly suggests that Au mineralization occurred through
coupled fluid fO2 reduction (via interaction with CM) and pH increase, leading to efficient Au
precipitation from an Au-undersaturated aqueous-carbonic fluid. This study presents one of the
few examples of measured Au concentrations in ore fluids in an economic orogenic Au deposit and reports direct evidence for the genetic relationship between Au and CM in metasedimentary
lithologies. The results of this study show that, despite mineralizing fluids being Auundersaturated, they may still produce economic deposits through highly efficient precipitation
processes. The Moose Rive anticline, NS, Canada, hosts a number of, commonly inconspicuous,
metasediment-hosted disseminated Au deposits. An initial study using an on-line, rock-crushing
gas chromatographic technique identified bulk fluid differences (CO2 and hydrocarbon
abundances) between gold-bearing and gold-barren parcels of metasedimentary rock. This work
suggests that bulk fluid characteristics may be a viable exploration vector for disseminated gold
systems
Harm reduction with people who use psychoactive substances: social workers’ perceptions of harm reduction work and in implementing harm reduction work in their direct clinical practice in rural Central Ontario
No full textHarm reduction approaches to psychoactive substance use continue to be a highly
politicized and polarizing topic in today’s society, even after several decades of ongoing
discourse. Many social workers work for and with organizations that include harm
reduction approaches to social work direct practice with individuals who use
psychoactive substances. This qualitative study of six participants explores social
workers’ perceptions of harm reduction work with individuals who use psychoactive
substances and the ways in which they perceive the implementation and
operationalization of harm reduction approaches in their direct practice in rural Central
Ontario. A semi-structured interview design was used, with the research grounded in
structural social work theory, as well as critical ecological theory and a person-centered
perspective. Findings indicate that stigma of individuals who use psychoactive substances
and associated harm reduction work is deeply rooted and reinforced within structural
systems, organizations, and within social work and harm reduction work, itself. Social
workers’ perception of harm reduction and it’s implementation cite organizational culture,
social work as harm reduction work, and clinical barriers to implementation as main
themes in the social work direct practice role, working with individuals who use
psychoactive substances. Social workers are equipped to support harm reduction work
through their social work worldview, and benefit from an organizational culture that both
formally and informally supports harm reduction work. An aligned organizational culture
and social work worldview can more effectively advocate for greater availability and
accessibility of harm reduction programming and services. Implications for research,
policy, and practice are discussed.Master of Social Work Progra
Litho-and chemostratigraphy of the lower to middle cambrian Mount Clark, Mount Cap and Saline river formations in Hornaday River Canyon, Carcajou Range, and Norman Range, Northwest Territories
No full textThe Lower to Middle Cambrian Mount Clark (sandstone-dominated), Mount Cap (sandstone and
dolostone), and Saline River (dolostone, gypsite, and siltstone) formations were deposited in an
epicratonic basin that spans northwestern mainland Canada from the eastern Mackenzie
Mountains to the Arctic coast (>500 km distance). A cross-section through the three Cambrian
formations was developed based on stratigraphic sections documented at surface exposures on
the northeastern margin of the basin (Hornaday River canyon), in the west-central part of the
basin (Norman Range), and in two southwestern locations near the ancient Mackenzie arch
(Carcajou Range). Carbon isotopic (δ13Cvpdb) data for the Mount Cap and Saline River
formations show correlatable regional trends that are consistent with part of the Cambrian global
composite carbon isotope curve (including the global ROECE and DICE negative carbon isotope
excursions), but also highlight local excursions that record phenomena characteristic of specific,
localised depositional paleoenvironments near the Mackenzie arch. Carbon isotope
chemostratigraphy is here demonstrated to be a robust tool that can augment biostratigraphy in
future studies that require correlation of lower Paleozoic strata in northwestern Canada
The role of cancellous bone architecture in misalignment and side effect errors
No full textCancellous bone is often found at the ends of long bones and similar load-bearing surfaces. Its
complex architecture allows high stiffness and strength, while also minimizing the mass and
metabolic needs of the bone. This architecture confounds attempts to measure cancellous
bone’s mechanical properties to produce a model for predicting its response to various loading
scenarios (e.g., falls). Two of these experimental challenges, specimen misalignment and “side
effects”, are known to be significant; however, the role of architecture on the magnitude of
these artefacts is unknown. The current study used finite element method (FEM) modelling
of bovine cancellous bone to examine this issue in more detail. Misalignment is strongly
dependent on bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and degree of anisotropy (DA). Side-effects are
affected by trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), as well as BV/TV and DA. These findings will result
in more accurate testing, and hence more accurate modeling, of cancellous bone behaviour
The role of architecture and craft for the Ontario weekend dwelling
No full textThe spatial divide between work, home, and leisure provoked the development of secondary properties dedicated to recreation in natural environments, known as weekend dwellings. Canadians have formed a unique
relationship with the weekend dwelling. As a country, Canada is united in the cultural importance of weekend dwellings however, the terminology and context of weekend dwellings is argued across Canada.
Out of the large collection of terms, the most popular choices for Canadian weekend dwellings are cabin,
cottage, and camp. Ontarians are locked in a linguistic debate between the northern Ontario camp and the
southern Ontario cottage. Southern Ontario’s cottage country began in Georgian Bay during the 1800s with
American hunting and fishing lodges.1
Camp, as a permanent weekend dwelling has its linguistic roots in the
collection of rustic buildings that comprise logging camps.2
While the terms camp and cottage are not synonyms, they both hold the connotation of a self-built single-family structure that is integrated with nature.
Contemporary weekend dwellings are permanent structures. Both the camp and cottage have the ability to
inspire a sensation of being “away”. The Ontario weekend dwelling’s sense of away is fourfold: the journey, the physical structure, the active dwelling, and the return. Historically the sense of away was achieved
through a lengthy train ride and the transition to a steamer. In modern Ontario where morning commutes
can be as long as the journey to the weekend dwelling it is important to distinguish travel from journey.
Weekend dwellings can be comprised of multiple architectural interventions. These physical structures play
a primary role in our understanding of being away. If the architecture closely resembles experiences in the
primary dwelling there is no distinction between place, and there is only geographical separated from the everyday.3
Actively engaging in the environment, weekend dwellings offer the opportunity to practice agency
over one’s actions. Active dwelling is the collection of practices exhibited at weekend dwellings that differ
from those at primary dwellings. The collective memory of place is a culture that both creates and is created
by the place. Returning to the weekend dwelling builds that collective memory and cements the sensation of
being away.
However, the single-family weekend dwelling model has become economically inaccessible to the vast
majority of Canadians. Using the framework of the sensation of being away this thesis looks to develop a
structure that can preserve the importance of craft from the self-built single-family weekend dwelling into a
shared lodge typology. The design of a learning lodge prioritizes craft and respectful building solutions with
the ability to impart knowledge of how to live gently on the land, through a set of building details
Women survivors of intimate partner violence experiences in an arts-based mindfulness group program
No full textMeeting the needs of women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), that seek
emergency shelters across Canada is a persistent concern in shelters across the country as women
are experiencing high rates of stress-related challenges after feeling abuse such as post-traumatic
stress (PTSD), anxiety and depression. The annual national report of YWCA Canada
acknowledges that women’s shelters require innovative, cost-effective supports that use a
trauma-informed perspective to meet the diverse needs of their residents. They propose VAW
shelters collaborate with local and provincial agencies to develop effective solutions and
implement best practices that can empower women. My research study explored the suitability
and effectiveness of an innovative mindfulness-based intervention (MBIs) called the Holistic
Arts-Based Program (HAP) to teach mindfulness skills to women survivors of intimate partner
violence (IPV), living in an emergency shelter. Arts-based methods are enjoyable and engaging,
and enable individuals to express feelings/thoughts that might otherwise be difficult to elicit; this
information is rich and interesting, even powerful. Results of qualitative thematic analysis of preand post-group group interviews led to the development of three main themes: (1) benefits of
learning mindfulness skills and concepts, (2) benefits of arts-based experimental methods, and
(3) benefits of strength-based group work. Participation in HAP helped women survivors
mitigate the negative impacts of stress, and taught them mindfulness concepts and activities that
they were inspired to use in their own lives and introduce them to their children. My research
demonstrates how interventions such as the HAP could make a difference in women’s mental
health. As MBIs may not have universal appeal they should not be a mandatory program
requirement, but consideration may be given to offer mindfulness interventions to empower
women survivors of IPV in emergency shelters.Master of Social Work (MSW) Progra
