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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
Comparing conventional and novel lithium extraction methods for a sustainable future
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2025-04-22) Kaur, Rajvir; Dr. Louis Mercie
Nowadays, lithium is used everywhere such as in electric cars, to store energy and also in gadgets that people use regularly. Because the need for lithium is increasing, there are lots of worries about the extraction methods and exacerbating outcomes for the environment. Some ancient methods for example hard rock mining and brine evaporation are used but that also come with some negative outcomes such as wastage of water, harmful environmental consequences and extreme energy consumption. To navigate this matter, researchers have invented new and novel techniques which include nanomaterial-based adsorption, membrane filtration, electrochemical separation and photocatalytic processes. Well, these advanced technologies not only offer a high efficiency but also improve the selectivity, and they also reduce the environmental impacts in comparison to traditional methods. However, factors such as high costs, scalability, may limit the use of these techniques on a large scale. This essay reviews the traditional as well as emerging lithium extraction technologies to analyze the benefits, issues and future directions. To conclude, to have a sustainable lithium extraction not only requires a combination of advanced technologies but also need productive and recycling methods to ensure a long-term lithium supply chain.
The tumour cellular senescence index: quantifying the effect of doxorubicin in inducing senescence in human A2780 ovarian cancer cells
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2024-05-31) Marchetta, Paul
Therapy induced senescence (TIS) refers to senescence caused in cancer cells by anti-cancer agents. Many investigations indicate that TIS may increase invasiveness, survivability, and stemness in tumour cells. The goal of this study was to quantify changes in the expression of senescence-related genes (SRGs) in doxorubicin (DOX)-treated human A2780 cells to compute a tumour Cellular Senescence Index (CSI). Additionally, we examined the relationship between the CSI in DOX-selected cells and their sensitivity to DOX.
Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) studies revealed that 6 SRGs (PAI1, CDKN1A, MKI67, ANKRD1, MMP1, and MMP3) reproducibly changed expression relative to 3 reference genes (GAPDH, RER1, and RPS28) as cells acquired DOX-induced senescence. Computed CSI values substantially increased as the exposure time to DOX increased. Higher tumour CSI values in DOX-induced senescent cells were found to be associated with increased DOX sensitivity, as seen through increased DOX-induced ribosomal RNA degradation (RNA disruption).
Base metal metallogeny of the Onaman-Tashota greenstone belt, Ontario, Canada
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2024-07-30) Strongman, Keaton R.
Archean greenstone belts are a significant source of base and precious metals. The metal endowment of greenstone belts varies by several orders of magnitude, a phenomenon that remains enigmatic despite decades of research on greenstone belt ore deposits. This dissertation describes the metallogeny and evolution of the lesser-endowed Neo- to Mesoarchean Onaman-Tashota greenstone belt and demonstrates that prolonged crustal development and a lack of mantle plume activity are critical controls on metal endowment at the belt-scale.
Well-endowed greenstone belts, exemplified by the Neoarchean Eastern Abitibi, are dominated by juvenile, tholeiitic volcanic successions hosting komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu, volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), intrusion-related gold, and orogenic gold deposits. These settings and deposits reflect extensive, plume-driven rifting and syn-volcanic transcrustal structure development. The Onaman-Tashota belt, in contrast, is characterized by isotopically mature, calc-alkaline-dominant, volcanic successions. The metallogeny of the Onaman-Tashota belt is typified by magmatic Ni-Cu±PGE, polymetallic epithermal-like, porphyry Cu-Au, and hybrid volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, reflecting a thicker crustal setting, limited transcrustal connectivity, and increased magmatic volatile inputs into mineral systems.
Mesoarchean volcanic crust is present within and underlying the Onaman-Tashota belt. In contrast, Mesoarchean crust is absent within the well-endowed Abitibi greenstone belt. Within the Onaman-Tashota greenstone belt this older crustal material led to a thickened Neoarchean crustal setting, and controlled endowment by: limiting rifting and transcrustal structure development; increasing crustal melting and contamination; generating subduction-like volcanic sequences; and leading to an increase in continental freeboard, leading to locally shallower water and subaerial volcanic successions.
These results have implications for mineral exploration related to regional area selection, greenstone belt fertility, and exploration strategies. Specific implications include: 1) greenstone belts with evidence of a thickened crust are of an overall lower rank for traditional VMS endowment; 2) FI-dominant felsic signatures, high felsic-mafic ratios, and a lack of komatiites are indicative of thick crust settings, lowering the komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu and traditional VMS potential; and 3) greenstone belts with Mesoarchean (thickened) basement may contain a different metallogeny, necessitating the use of different ore deposit models, such as the porphyry, epithermal, and hybrid VMS models.
Evaluating the effectiveness of VR in a working at height training program: a crossover design experiment
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2024-05-22) G C, Pranil; Dr. Ratvinder Grewal
Falling from height is considered one of the top causes of workplace injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. Safety training employing virtual reality has demonstrated its effectiveness in enhancing learning outcomes as compared to traditional methods of training. However, there is a research gap in integrating and evaluating the effect of VR in traditional forms of training. The main objective of this study is to assess the impact on user performance when VR is integrated with traditional methods in working at height programs. A cross-over experimental design was employed, allowing participants to experience VR both before and after traditional training across two distinct groups. Both between-subject and within-subject analyses were conducted to gauge the individual effects and determine the superior sequence or group performance. User performance was significantly enhanced in both groups using pre-test and post-test measures, with no notable difference observed between the groups. However, the group experiencing VR after the traditional training improved their self-efficacy score in both trainings. This study implies that introducing VR after traditional training could potentially bolster participant confidence in safety training scenarios.
My live-In treatment experience working with vulnerable youth and their families
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2024-09-04) Mannarino, Sierra B.
This final report presents findings and analysis from my practicum experience at a twenty-four-hour treatment home concerning identifying best practices informed by a literature review, implementing a family-centred and collaborative approach, and applying an anti-carceral framework. The literature review examines the existing literature on twenty-four-hour treatment homes to identify evidence-based practices and strategies for effective intervention. The practicum description outlines my roles and responsibilities in the setting of a treatment home; these responsibilities include the integration of family-centred and collaborative approaches to service delivery. An anti-carceral framework is applied, prioritizing alternatives to punitive approaches and how the application addresses systemic problems. Critical analysis and reflection of this practicum is applied to consider the challenges and opportunities encountered in an anti-carceral framework implementation within a treatment home setting. Further, the impacts of adopting a family-centred and collaborative approach to client outcomes and staff dynamics are explored. This paper contributes to the ever-continuing discussions of best practices in residential treatment settings, providing insights and recommendations for improving and sustaining services offered to vulnerable populations.