Research Repository

LU|ZONE|UL distributes and preserves the scholarly work of LU faculty. It is a space for faculty to support the dissemination of knowledge created at Laurentian.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) Repository This section preserves Master's theses and doctoral dissertations accepted at Laurentian University and is a mechanism for making this form of scholarly work widely accessible.

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Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
The role of community development in addressing food insecurity
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2022-04-28) Josh, Drewitt; Dr. Sandra Hoy, Dr. Tanya Shute
This report examines the experience of my Advanced Practicum at the London Food Bank (LFB). Community development and food security are two concepts that will be discussed in detail throughout the duration of my report, and were a large focus of the advanced practicum setting. The London Food Bank is located in a low-income neighbourhood, and serves thousands of people who are experiencing poverty and food insecurity each month. Throughout my practicum, I was also able to understand how different social service organizations in London employed food security interventions for their clients who were vulnerable in terms of experiencing food insecurity. I engaged in community development work at the London Food Bank through helping lead a community garden project called Adopt a Plot/Plant a Row Grow A Row. An overall review of frameworks and theories relevant to community development social work practice addressing food insecurity will also be included. Throughout my advanced practicum, I developed an understanding of how community development can be used as a tool to address food insecurity. A review of literature surrounding food bank models, food security interventions and the ways in which policy can be used as a tool to alleviate food insecurity will also be included in this report. An unfortunate reality exists today even in developed nations such as Canada: many people lack access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. While they are not without critique, food banks certainly play a vital role in addressing food insecurity in Canada.
Access status: Open Access ,
Correlates of tapering initiation and success at an opioid agonist treatment program in Northern Ontario
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2023-08-10) LeBlanc, Matthew H.; Dr. Marion Marr, Dr. Diana Urajnik
Currently, there is limited research on the correlates of tapering initiation and success in opioid agonist treatment (OAT). This research is part of a community-based participatory research study conducted in collaboration with a First Nation to describe and identify the benefits and areas of improvement for a community-based OAT program in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. The study utilized retrospective chart review data for all active clients seeking treatment at the community-operated opioid replacement clinic, Naandwe Miikan, between May 2014 and December 2019. The correlates in this study were education level, age, gender, start drug, start dose in morphine equivalent dose (MED), and clients’ number of children. Standard binary logistic regression was used to model the binary variables taper initiation and taper success. Models demonstrated that taper initiation and success were influenced by start dose in MED and start drug, respectively. There were no significant findings related to the sociodemographic correlates. The results from this study have assisted in reducing the substantial gap in knowledge surrounding correlates of taper initiation and taper success in a remote Northern Ontario setting. Findings also identified electronic record limitations that impede robust evidence-based practice at the community level to track the added value of various strengths-based, cultural and community services on clients’ well-being and recovery. Lessons learned identify the need for data sharing agreements across health and mental health services in future research using patient chart data to investigate potential correlates of tapering initiation and success in opioid agonist treatment programs.
Access status: Open Access ,
Advanced electromagnetic methods for deep mineral exploration : development of a three-component transmitter system and principal component analysis for target discrimination
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2025-12-17) Zamperoni, Anthony; Dr. Richard Smith
The discovery of mineral deposits at increasing depths presents significant challenges for electromagnetic (EM) exploration methods. Traditional single-component transmitter systems face fundamental limitations in detection depth due to poor coupling with variably oriented conductors and low signal-to-noise ratios. This thesis addresses these challenges through two interconnected studies: the development of a novel three-component transmitter (3CTx) system and the application of principal component analysis (PCA) for differentiating conductor signatures in complex geological settings. The first study presents the design, construction, and initial field testing of a prototype 3CTx system comprising three orthogonal, co-located transmitter loops operating simultaneously at distinct base frequencies (30, 32.5, and 35 Hz). The system was validated through three field tests, demonstrating that individual transmitter signals can be successfully separated during processing with minimal cross-coupling. Cross-coupled signals were consistently two to three orders of magnitude smaller than primary signals. When compared with data from a conventional ground-loop system over a known conductive target, the 3CTx system produced comparable results, validating the fundamental methodology. The second study develops a PCA-based processing workflow for extracting localized conductive targets masked by dominant regional conductors. Using synthetic models generated with Maxwell plate-modeling software and a distributed array of three-component transmitters and receivers, the method successfully isolates the spatial signature of regional conductors, residual energy calculations then reveal otherwise masked local targets. Analysis of three distinct geometric configurations with 2% Gaussian noise demonstrates robust suppression of regional signatures and clear delineation of local target location and orientation. Comparison with single-component transmitter data validates that the multiplicity of data from the three-component system is critical for effective regional characterization and local target detection. Together, these studies establish the feasibility and advantages of three-component transmitter technology for mineral exploration. The 3CTx system provides enhanced coupling to variably oriented targets, while the PCA processing method offers a data-driven approach to isolate targets in conductively complex terrains. These advances represent important steps toward improving detection capabilities for deep mineral deposits and provide a foundation for future development of operational multi-component EM systems.
Access status: Open Access ,
Hydrodynamics and mass transfers in bubbly two-phase flow systems with applications to efficient gas compression in hydraulic gas compressors
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2025-12-16) Young, Stephen M.; Dr. Dean Millar
A steady one-dimensional integral drift-flux formulation for co-current two-phase (water-air) bubbly flow tubes of devices known as hydraulic air compressors (HAC) is presented. The model simultaneously evaluates hydrodynamics with interphase mass transfers, including psychrometric aspects. The model is verified with reported experimental observations of CO2 absorbed in bubble columns as well as from a 5-metre-high pilot HAC fabricated to support the research. The model shows good agreement with the observations of gas volume fraction and gas-phase concentration of CO2 along the axis of the bubble column. The model is extended to deal with transient cases to predict liquid-phase and gas-phase concentrations of gas species. Allowing for the transients to steady state, the bubbly flow model can predict the operating conditions of the pilot HAC (within 10 % of measured) for varying inlet gas-phase concentrations of CO2 from 1 % to 10 % by mole in the gas phase and 20 ppm to 80 ppm by mass in the liquid phase. Some of the work considered a ∼30 m demonstrator scale HAC, constructed to support the re- search. A wire-to-air audit of the previously published performance led an upward revision of the peak efficiency of the installation from 72.9 % to 74.4 % applying when an in-line air-water mixing head was deployed. An updated performance map of the HAC compression efficiency of the demonstrator is presented. Application of the verified model to simulation of the downcomer flow tube in the various HAC’s of varying scales and ratings considered indicate that the psychrometric effects provide an upper limit of 38 ◦C on process temperature due to losses arising as compressed water vapour condenses. Model and observations confirm that the compression process is isothermal to within ∼10 mK. Performance of a novel air compressor featuring a Venturi injector is presented, designed based on understandings gained from the HAC investigations. The pilot unit was able to produce compressed air at a variable and controllable pressure up to 690 kPa (g) (100 psi (g)) while the pump(s) faced a near constant head as the system pressure increased. Electrical power required was estimated through modification of the pump performance curve due to the observed pump wear. The Venturi injector system compressed was found to compress air with an efficiency of 6.9 % when compressing air to the same pressure as the HAC Demonstrator (approximately 30 psi (g)) and 3.2 % when compressing to 620 kPa (g) (90 psi (g)). Optimization of the injector geometry to maximize air flow and compression efficiency is necessary to realize commercially viable designs.
Access status: Open Access ,
Open pit mine design guidelines considering autonomous haulage fleet
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2024) Appiah, Obed Opoku
This 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.