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 ,
Le rôle de l`éducation interculturelle dans l`intégration sociale des jeunes Haïtiens de 10 à 17 ans fréquentant la maison d’Haïti à Montréal
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2026-05-11) Previl, Windy; Dre Myriam Bals, Dre Gabriela Marcoci
Dans un contexte marqué par la diversification culturelle de la société, phénomène croissant au Québec, particulièrement à Montréal, les organismes communautaires jouent un rôle essentiel en développant des programmes éducatifs visant à soutenir l’insertion des groupes ethnoculturels. Cet essai, réalisé dans le cadre de la maîtrise en service social de l’Université Laurentienne, se consacre à l’étude des parcours d’intégration des familles et des jeunes d’origine haïtienne à Montréal. Basée sur un stage pratique effectué à La Maison d’Haïti, cette analyse explore la contribution spécifique des pratiques d’intervention fondées sur l’éducation interculturelle auprès d’une clientèle âgée de 10 à 17 ans. Les activités menées auprès des jeunes ont mis en évidence des enjeux majeurs liés aux mécanismes d’exclusion sociale, dont les victimes sont les populations immigrantes, y compris les jeunes. Parmi les difficultés rencontrées, on compte le racisme, la discrimination, les stéréotypes, les préjugés et le profilage racial. Ce terrain de pratique nous a également offert l’occasion d’analyser les stratégies favorisant l’inclusion dans le contexte interculturel du Québec. En mobilisant les outils propres à l’intervention interculturelle, nous avons approfondi l’approche interculturelle systémique ainsi que des concepts fondamentaux tels que la médiation interculturelle et l’empowerment. Ces cadres de recherche ont structuré l’étude de nos interventions, dans une perspective tant individuelle que collective. L’évaluation des dispositifs d’intervention auprès des jeunes, menée en concertation avec l’équipe des intervenants de La Maison d’Haïti, a permis d’affiner notre réflexion. Cette démarche a confirmé la pertinence de notre sujet de recherche, intitulé : « Le rôle de l’éducation interculturelle dans l’intégration sociale des jeunes Haïtiens âgés de 10 à 17 ans et fréquentant La Maison d’Haïti à Montréal ».
Access status: Open Access ,
Radiocarbon (14C) as a tracer for understanding carbon cycling in the earth system
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2026-04-30) Patel, Ayushi Shaileshbhai; Dr. François Caron, Dr. Graeme Spiers
Understanding the response of the global carbon cycle to anthropogenic emissions requires information not only on carbon budgets but also on independent observational limits on the rates at which carbon is exchanged among reservoirs. This review integrates simplified box‐model representations with radiocarbon (14C) observations to evaluate carbon exchange dynamics across the atmosphere, terrestrial biosphere, and oceans. Particular focus is placed on the atmospheric 14C “bomb spike,” which provides a time‐resolved tracer of system‐level adjustment following a known perturbation. Analysis of post‐1963 atmospheric radiocarbon decline demonstrates that rapid gross carbon exchange can coexist with long atmospheric adjustment times, underscoring the distinction between molecular turnover and reservoir‐scale carbon removal. Radiocarbon evidence further indicates that terrestrial and oceanic sinks primarily act as dynamic buffers rather than permanent sequestration pathways on decadal timescales. By combining mass‐balance logic with isotopic constraints, this work highlights the essential role of tracer‐based approaches in resolving ambiguities inherent in bulk‐carbon‐only analyses and in strengthening interpretations of contemporary carbon‐cycle behavior under sustained anthropogenic forcing.
Access status: Open Access ,
Marine algae-derived bioactive compounds for the prevention and management of diabetes and Its complications
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2026-04-27) Ferdous, Md Rubayet; Dr. Éric Gauthier, Dr. Gerusa Senhorino
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important global health problems of the 21st century. As of 2021, it affected more than 537 million adults globally, and by 2045, that figure is expected to rise to more than 783 million. Diabetes is a long-term condition that causes serious problems such nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease. These problems place significant strain on healthcare systems and substantially diminish overall quality of life. While traditional drug treatments have made it easier to control blood sugar levels, they often come with side effects, high prices, and poor success in preventing long-term problems. This has sparked a lot of research into other and supplementary treatment options, especially those that come from natural sources. Marine algae, including macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae, have been identified as interesting sources of bioactive chemicals with potential antidiabetic effects. These photosynthetic organisms produce a wide range of unique metabolites, such as sulfated polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids, bioactive peptides, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, that are not commonly seen in plants that grow on land. The biochemical uniqueness of algae chemicals indicates their adaptability to the marine environment and implies innovative mechanisms of action that may augment or improve current diabetic treatments. This thorough critical review examines algal bioactive chemicals and their use to help prevent and treat diabetes. By conducting a thorough study of more than 100 research articles, including in vitro experiments, animal models, and clinical trials, the scientific evidence that supports the antidiabetic properties of different algal species and their individual components is systematically evaluated. The proposed mechanisms of action are critically analyzed including enzyme inhibition, insulin sensitization, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and alteration of gut microbiota. Evidence regarding the potential of algal-derived compounds to help with diabetes complications affecting multiple organ systems is also examined. The analysis reveals substantial preclinical evidence supporting the hypoglycemic and organ- protective attributes of algal bioactives, particularly from brown macroalgae such as Laminaria, Ecklonia, and Sargassum species, in addition to the prokaryotic microalga Spirulina. There are important gaps in the literature, though. These include not enough clinical validation, not enough standardization of extracts, not enough bioavailability of important chemicals, and not enough safety data. This study provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the potential and limitations of algal bioactives as therapeutic agents, accompanied by evidence-based recommendations for future research directions that could improve clinical use.
Access status: Open Access ,
Computationally driven design of small-molecule reversible covalent inhibitors for targeted therapeutics
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2026-04-30) Shah, Fahad; Dr. M’hamed Chahma, Dr. Farukh Jabeen
Reversible covalent inhibitors (RCIs) represent a promising strategy for achieving durable and selective target engagement in oncological therapy. By forming transient yet sufficiently stable covalent adducts, RCIs sustain target engagement while avoiding the cumulative toxicity associated with irreversible inhibitors. However, their rational design remains challenging due to the complex interplay between binding affinity, covalent kinetics, and resistance evolution. This review presents an integrated computational framework for RCI discovery, combining cheminformatics and machine learning-based triage with structure-based docking, molecular dynamics, free energy perturbation (FEP), and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approaches for modeling covalent reaction mechanisms. Potency, selectivity, and resistance profile are interpreted through thermodynamic and kinetic descriptors, ΔG_bind, K_i, ΔG‡, and K_cov. Importantly, this review addresses a critical gap in current drug design strategies by integrating thermodynamic, kinetic, and resistance-aware approaches into a unified and scalable paradigm for reversible covalent inhibitor discovery.
Access status: Open Access ,
Walking together : the journey to co-developing Ezhi-Gkendaagziyang, a linguistically and culturally responsive communication sssessment process for Anishinaabek children
(Laurentian University Library & Archives, 2026) Higgins, Zoe E.; Dr. Pascal Lefebvre, Dr. Darrel Manitowabi, Dr. Roxanne Bélanger
Conventional speech-language pathology (SLP) assessment approaches in Canada often overlook the values, priorities, and lived experiences of First Nations families. Implemented through Western frameworks, these approaches increase the risk of misdiagnosis, foster mistrust in health systems, reduce engagement, and ultimately result in worse outcomes for children. Though research highlights the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive services, little effort has been made to develop practical tools that SLPs can create collaboratively with First Nations communities. This dissertation had two related aims to address this gap. The first was to co-develop a culturally and linguistically appropriate communication assessment process for junior and senior kindergarten-aged Anishinaabek children in collaboration with the community of Dokis First Nation. The second was to explore how using this process could support more meaningful, equitable, and culturally grounded SLP practices. Guided by an Indigenous mixed-methods approach, the study combined Western literature on culturally responsive practices with community-based data from focus group discussions and interviews to identify local priorities and values. The resulting tool, Ezhi-gkendaagziyang, was locally validated by examining its inter-method agreement with the CELF-P3 and its social validity through topic-based interviews with caregivers and educators. Findings revealed that community members placed less emphasis on the specific content of assessments and prioritized SLPs' behaviours and approaches, including respect, relationality, and contextual understanding. Caregivers and educators perceived the Ezhi-gkendaagziyang as more meaningful and reflective of children’s communication than the CELF-P3. In contrast, quantitative analysis showed no agreement beyond chance between the two tools, underscoring the misalignment of norm-referenced tools with First Nations children’s linguistic realities. This dissertation presents one of the first culturally and linguistically grounded SLP assessment processes for First Nations children and shows how collaborative, community-driven assessment practices can change clinical methods. Although created specifically for Dokis First Nation, Ezhi-gkendaagziyang provides a framework for establishing fairer, contextually appropriate SLP assessment practices in partnership with other First Nation communities.