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An Art Therapy Intervention for Displaced Arab Families: Creating New Narratives and Pathways to Communication
Get PDFThe global migration crisis calls for more support for refugee and asylum-seeking families. Families escaping their countries due to war, climate, or economic crisis are likely to have been exposed to traumatic events prior to, during, and after their displacement. These relocations can have multiple consequences on individuals and their family system. This research paper examines the effects of displacement on families. The primary research question of this study asks: How can a family art therapy intervention program be developed to support displaced Arab families in North America during their resettlement process? Subsidiary research questions ask: (1) How might family art therapy interventions support resettlement for displaced Arab families? and (2) What are some culturally sensitive approaches to arts-based intervention with displaced Arab families, and how might they support family communication and foster well-being? The research questions are explored using the first two steps of Fraser and Galinsky’s (2010) intervention research methodology. The literature is examined and analyzed using a systematic research synthesis and narrative synthesis. The results informed the creation of a 12-week family art therapy intervention program for displaced Arab families. The goals of the program are to enhance the family’s ability to use coping skills, improve communication, and support the development of their narrative. I conclude that the program could support displaced families in enhancing their sense of connection and belonging during their resettlement. This first proposal must be piloted to confirm and improve the findings
Influence of Enhanced Amino Acid Compositions on Human Cognitive Functioning
Get PDFThis study aimed to demonstrate the effect of Enhanced Amino Acid (AA) compositions on human cognitive functioning. The research study design included an open, randomized, enhanced vs non-enhanced placebo-controlled trial for 90 days. Participants in the study were measured initially, randomly divided into three groups (experimental, control, and placebo), and measured 30, 60, and 90 days later. 80 healthy people aged 35-65 (men and women) participated in the study and were randomly divided into three groups. 40 used AA composition enhanced in plasma tachyon igniton treatment (experimental),20 people used the same AA non-enhanced composition (control), while 20 used a placebo. In the second (after 30 days), third (after 60 days), and fourth (after 90 days) tests. The results showed that using AA compositions during the longitude period significantly affected cognitive functions in particular memory, speed of reactions and attention and that AAs processed by radiation of a cold plasma had an even more substantial effect
Reframing the Occult-inspired Paintings of Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo with Anti-Essentialist Methodology
Get PDFThis thesis examines the use of occult-inspired imagery in the paintings of Surrealist artists, Leonora Carrington, and Remedios Varo, through a feminist, anti-essentialist methodology. My approach departs from essentialist and universalist definitions of women that I identify in foundational scholarship on women Surrealists and offers a new approach by engaging with anti-essentialist theories. I argue that these artists draw on occult sources and folklore to convey images of womanhood that challenge the notion of a normative, fixed identity that essentialist ideologies necessitate. Further, I explain how their representations of typically “feminized” occult archetypes, such as the goddess and the witch, encourage anti-essentialist analyses by resisting and deconstructing the normative patriarchal stereotypes these artists encountered throughout their lives, including the limiting characterizations of women in the Surrealist movement. I employ feminist theories from Elizabeth Grosz, Diana Fuss, Simone de Beauvoir, and others to my anti-essentialist reading of their occult-inspired paintings. Finally, I use Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s concept of strategic essentialism to analyze how, in their paintings and magic practices, these artists drew on and simultaneously parodied the empowering yet essentialist myths about women that exist in occult traditions, such as the perception that women wield magical faculties and innate spiritual connections to the natural world. Ultimately, this thesis argues for the relevance and value of an anti-essentialist methodology in feminist interpretations of Varo’s and Carrington’s occult-inspired paintings
Automated Analysis of Ground Penetrating Radar Outputs for Bridge Condition Assessment
Get PDFBridge infrastructure requires periodical inspection, repair-maintenance, or complete replacement of bridges for long-term safety and sustainability. The visual inspection method has been predominantly used by transportation agencies for bridge condition assessment whereby qualified bridge inspectors visually observe the surface defects and based on their knowledge, scale the bridge components according to their condition. However, this method does not provide accurate information about the bridge condition due to its inability to detect internal defects. While various non-destructive techniques are being increasingly adopted for wholesome condition assessment, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is recommended for bridge evaluation due to its distinct advantages of identifying major subsurface defects rapidly. The interpretation of data obtained from GPR profiles is a major issue for bridge inspectors due to inconsistent correlation with the actual bridge condition. Federal agencies commonly employ an amplitude-based approach that involves picking amplitude values at specific locations in a GPR profile which are indicative of concrete corrosion levels. However, this approach may not always yield reliable results as it disregards the majority of the information present within a GPR profile. A novel approach based on image-based analysis involves an experienced analyst reviewing the GPR profiles and marking attenuated areas across them while considering structural and surface anomalies, and other several parameters, which are typically ignored in amplitude-based analysis. Thus, this holistic method generates less noisy condition maps and has demonstrated good correspondence with the actual ground condition. However, this approach is highly subjective, dependent on the level of knowledge of the analyst, and time-consuming. To overcome these shortcomings, the image-based approach of analyzing GPR data has been automated based on scientific analysis and image processing tools by evaluating the GPR profiles as images since most of the information contained in these profiles can be better analyzed visually. Two successful models have been developed which generate reliable condition maps. The first comprehensive model is based on Viola-Jones Algorithm, and it identifies hyperbolic regions automatically with a trained classifier to develop condition maps using entropy values of detected regions and K-means clustering. The second model is relatively a more robust and wholesome approach for analyzing GPR data as it considers user-assisted information, identifies complex hyperbolic sig-natures based on downward openings and local maximums of the distance transform image, detects anomalies, and assigns an optimal cluster value to generate condition maps. As part of the validation, both these methods were implemented on real case studies that have shown good resemblance with the existing amplitude-based approach, image-based analysis, and more importantly, correlated with the destructive coring samples. Finally, lab tests were conducted in a controlled environment to evaluate the measured factor, entropy, used for detected regions and compare it with the amplitude values for subsurface objects and the results indicated that entropy yielded comparatively better results for all cases (rebars, air gaps, and water gaps). Consequently, condition maps generated based on developed models can be efficiently used by bridge inspectors in making informed decisions regarding the repair and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete bridges
How Large-Scale Social Events Change Employees’ Attitudes and Behaviours
Get PDFIn this dissertation, I study the relationship between large-scale social events, individual experiences, and social identities. Particularly, I explore the impact of social events, using Quebec's Bill 21 as a case study on people’s experiences and behaviour in the workplace. My discussions and results are based on qualitative and quantitative research.
I discovered two distinct informants with varying perceptions of Bill 21 in my qualitative study. The individuals directly targeted by the law faced personal, emotional, and daily life consequences and expressed feelings of devaluation, exploitation, exclusion, discrimination, and hopelessness. On the other hand, individuals who did not consider themselves targets maintained a more detached, objective perspective. They focused on societal implications, secularism, neutrality, and the law as a symbol of Quebec's identity and autonomy.
In addition, I categorize responses to the challenges of a social event into avoidance behaviours, involving strategies like role change, identity concealment, or enhancement to protect threatened identities, and engagement behaviours encompassing identity distinctiveness, sympathizing among minority groups, and pro-social voice. Avoidance behaviours include individuals leaving their professions or concealing religious symbols, while engagement behaviours involve supporting the law, fostering solidarity among minority groups, and advocating for change. These findings offer insights into the complex dynamics of identity and societal responses, emphasizing the importance of considering social identities and identity threats in understanding reactions to mega-events.
In the quantitative study, I study three other overarching mega-events: the MeToo movement, COVID-19, and the change of abortion laws in the US. Additionally, I extend my discussion to include gender and racial identity. By employing both qualitative and quantitative methods, I aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of social events. While the qualitative study uncovers the nuanced emotional and personal repercussions experienced by those directly targeted by the law, the quantitative phase seeks to understand people’s workplace behaviours in the larger population.
This research contributes to understanding mega-events impact on individual identity and behaviour and provides insights into how employees from minority groups react to such events. By shedding light on the relationship between social identities, individual experiences, and mega-events, I offer valuable contributions to both research and practical applications in organizational contexts
Animating Transit Tales: A Poetic Approach to Oral Histories, Discussing Gendered Narratives in Montreal's Métro Experience
Get PDF"Transit Tales" is a multi-disciplinary exploration documenting the gendered experiences of eight individuals navigating public spaces, particularly within the context of the Montreal Métro. Through oral history interviews, the study captures participants' voices, weaves together common themes such as self-censorship, spatial practices, and resistance against oppressive structures. Going beyond traditional documentation, the research incorporates visual and poetic elements to deepen narrative engagement and extend its reach to a broader audience. This research creatively navigates transcription techniques, and visual interventions to foster community interaction and stimulate conversation and self-reflection. By critically examining the intersection of oral history methodology and visual communication design, the research seeks creative inquiry for authentically capturing and responsibly sharing gendered experiences in an urban environment. It delves into questions of transcription processes, the representation of oral histories for critical engagement, and the graphic forms through which these narratives can be effectively communicated. Through this multi-faceted exploration, Transit Tales contributes to a deeper understanding of engendered and/or presenting as feminine people’s experiences in an urban transit environment while offering new perspectives on communicating oral history research
Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Urban Aquatic Environment: Targeted and Non-targeted Analysis
Get PDFThe urban aquatic environment is a repository of anthropogenic organic chemicals. Some of these are classified as contaminants of emerging concerns (CEC) due to their newly discovered environmental and health risks. These chemicals enter the aquatic environment through various routes, including urban runoff, wastewater discharge and snow melting. While some efforts have been invested in monitoring these substances along these routes, the coverage is limited to a small set of chemicals. This thesis aims to address environmental exposures of CEC and identifying lesser-known chemicals of environmental concerns, e.g., transformation products (TPs). Targeted and non-targeted analyses were conducted on 42 surface water and 30 snow samples in Montreal. The analyses focused on automobile-derived compounds used as industrial antioxidants and vulcanization accelerators. Samples were processed using solid-phase extraction (SPE). Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (Orbitrap LC-MS) was used for the sample analyses. Fifteen target compounds were quantified using internal standard calibration. Non-targeted screening of lesser-known contaminants and their TPs generated over 30,000 features in snow and 17,000 in surface water. Feature prioritization was based on peak intensity (>10000) and detection frequency (≥ 50%) while identification relied on retention time and substructural information. To further facilitate the identification of TPs, an additional oxidation experiment was conducted by exposing the parent compounds to ultra-violet (UV) radiation in a multi-lamp photochemical reactor. From the non-targeted analysis and transformation experiments, 37 analytes were identified. Our findings highlight the presence of lesser-known CEC including chemicals used as tire additives and their transformation products in the urban aquatic environment. This study also underscores the importance of using targeted and non-targeted screening approaches to identify and assess these compounds and their TPs
Conspirer avec les Morts : Enquête Souterraine sur les Trajectoires de Vies Post-Mortem à Hong Kong
No full textEntre les îles de Hong Kong, un navire aux motifs roses et fleuris, réquisitionné par le gouvernement en 2014, emporte les morts vers la mer de l’archipel. Là, les morts engloutis sous la pression de l’urbanisation délaissent le cercueil et l’enterrement pour l’urne et « l’emmerement ». Tandis que les pratiques funéraires cantonaises insistent sur le soin portés aux morts à travers des gestes rituels pyrotechniques qui alimentent un souffle vital et accompagnent les défunts dans leurs trajectoires post-mortem, les rites funéraires ont depuis 2007 pris un tournant océanique. Les morts sont depuis lors l’objet de campagnes gouvernementales tintées d’une rhétorique environnementaliste incitant les vivants à disperser les cendres de leurs morts dans les « jardins du souvenir », ainsi que dans certaines zones océaniques. C’est sur ces nouveaux dispositifs de translation (et de respiration) des morts et leur « liquéfaction » en milieux océaniques, analogiques et numériques (au sein desquels il s’agit aussi de naviguer), que je suis partie enquêter entre mai et décembre 2021. Dans cette thèse de doctorat, je propose de contribuer aux études anthropologiques de la mort en m’intéressant aux trajectoires post-mortem des défunts à partir de leurs milieux médiatiques. En trois axes : virtualités, spectralités, et viralités, cette thèse explore la vitalité des morts, leurs modes d’augmentation, de dépotentialisation et de circulation dans l’industrie funéraire de Hong Kong. Pour appréhender les destins croisés des morts et des nouveaux dispositifs de deuil, j’ai accompagné différents « undertakers » ou employés funéraires, mais aussi des artistes, professionnels des médias et gamers devenus explorateurs urbains. Chacun à leur manière, ils et elles se font les « entre-preneurs » du deuil, prenant en charge la tâche consistant à faire de la place aux morts. Comment avoir prise sur des existences ténues qui nous glissent entre les doigts, celles des morts et celles d’un archipel en passe de devenir une île fantôme, engloutie par l’amnésie coloniale ? Cette enquête sur les traces des défunts se propose d’accompagner à son tour l’existence ténue des morts, de redonner un peu d'espace à ceux et celles qui nous habitent afin d’habiter différemment un territoire
Three Essays on Mutual Funds Performance and Political Connections
Get PDFThis thesis explores the relationship between the ownership and social connections of mutual funds and their performance and investment decisions with a specific focus on political connections. Recent studies show that political connections are an important factor affecting stock prices and managerial decisions. However, such explorations are rare in the Chinese mutual fund industry. The thesis consists of three essays whose objectives and methodology are summarized below. The first essay, Political Connections of Chinese Fund Management Companies (FMCs) and Fund Performance, uses hand-collected information on shareholders' background of mutual funds and their fund management companies (FMCs) and administrative and criminal penalties for insider trading as the proxy of government regulation intensity. The essay finds a positive relationship between a fund's performance and the proportion of state-owned FMC ownership that supports our hypothesis that state-owned funds have an information advantage. This relationship becomes negative when the government increased its regulatory effort to reduce informational advantages obtained through this ownership channel. Results are robust using DiD and IV analyses, placebo tests, propensity score matching, Oster test for missing covariates, and alternate ownership classifications.
The second essay, Do Political Backgrounds of Fund Managers Affect Performance?, uses hand-collected information on the professional backgrounds of Chinese mutual fund managers to identify their political connection types. We find that funds with politically connected fund managers, primarily attributable to those with government department experiences, generally outperform managers without political connections before the 2012 anti-corruption campaign. In contrast, we find that mutual funds with politically connected fund managers, primarily attributable to those with state-owned financial institutions experiences, generally perform no difference after the 2012 campaign except for some economically unstable periods such as the 2018 China-U.S. Trade War. Our findings suggest that the anti-corruption campaign successfully contributed to greater market fairness by helping to reduce self-serving agency links between fund managers and government officials.
The third essay, Political Connections of Chinese Mutual Funds and Funds' Investment Decisions, examines the impact of political connections on the investment decisions of Chinese mutual funds. We identify a direct link between the political connections of mutual funds and stocks held from the same political network using hand-collected information on the professional backgrounds of Chinese mutual fund managers and fund management company (FMC) shareholders. We find that mutual funds tend to allocate more investment to stocks based on their direct political connections, and that this effect alleviates somewhat after the 2012 anti-corruption campaign. Our findings suggest that Chinese mutual funds use information obtained from their political networks when making investment decisions and the anti-corruption campaign contributed to greater market fairness by helping to reduce the effects of political connections between mutual funds and government-related agencies on fund holdings
Preventive interventions for youth at risk for bipolar disorder: assessing their efficacy and effects on neuroendocrine function
Get PDFBipolar disorder (BD) is a severe and functionally impairing mental disorder that poses significant burden to family members. Offspring of parents with bipolar disorder (OBD) are at elevated risk for affective disorders. This risk is attributable to both genetic and environmental risk factors, which influence underlying stress-response systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Given that OBD display dysregulated HPA functioning, which in turn prospectively predicts later affective disorders, the HPA axis might play an important role in the development of affective disorders. Programs aimed at preventing affective disorders, particularly in the OBD, have grown considerably. However, relatively few programs have targeted OBD during childhood, prior to the development of affective disorders. Furthermore, little research has examined how prevention programs impact functioning of the stress sensitive HPA axis, or how HPA axis functioning impacts individual response to such interventions. Study 1 of this dissertation was a systematic review that consisted of 33 articles from 19 studies that examined intervention programs for youth at genetic risk for BD and/or exhibiting prodromal clinical presentations (PROSPERO #443438). Preventive interventions were associated with generally positive mental health outcomes, including decreased affective and non-affective symptoms. Numerous child, parent, and environmental factors were identified to mediate program efficacy. Study 2 examined the impact of the Reducing Unwanted Stress in the Home (RUSH) prevention program on HPA axis functioning in OBD. This quasi-experimental study examined a sample of OBD (N=26) and healthy control (N=29) children (6-11 years old) at baseline, post-, 3-, and 6-months post-intervention. Only OBD participated in the RUSH program. No group differences were observed at baseline, but OBD had lower cortisol levels than controls. Although no main effect of the intervention on cortisol levels was observed, OBD who experienced improvements in family organization and cohesion following RUSH exhibited elevated and rising cortisol levels across time. Study 3 examined whether indices of HPA functioning at baseline predict how children respond to the RUSH program. Low cortisol levels at baseline predicted improved internalizing symptoms over time in OBD, but not in controls. These studies highlight the importance of early intervention for improving mental health outcomes in the at-risk OBD. This dissertation also highlights how the HPA axis is sensitive to environmental change in families with a parent having BD, and how the neuroendocrine system may be used as an indicator of individual sensitivity to prevention