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Design and test of a Gundestrup probe for source characterization at FUSE
Get PDFThe purpose of this thesis project is to build a multitip electrical probe known as a
Gundestrup probe to characterize the plasma from a plasma gun. In this thesis, a brief introduction to plasma physics will be provided. The procedure for developing the probe involving its design, construction, circuitry, and experimental overview in a
plasma source, is discussed and described. The probe was designed and built with the objective of characterizing a plasma source installed at the experiment MU ”Magical
Unicorn”, based on a flow-thought Z-Pinch principle developed at Fuse Energy and Technology Inc, Napierville, QC. The preliminary data obtained prove the usability of the probe in the experiment. The probe measured temperature of the plasma
around 25 eV, density of 10^{20} m−3, and Mach numbers above 1, matching the plasma source design parameters. A discussion is provided, reviewing further details for the applicability of the probe and troubleshooting for collecting plasma parameters
Queer Reproductive Decision-Making in Saskatoon: Pandemically Complicated
Get PDFThis thesis examines how eighteen queer people living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, made their reproductive decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the twin lenses of queer theory and Cheryl Mattingly’s critical phenomenology 2.0, I have found that queer people in Saskatoon are influenced in their reproductive decision-making by meanings they have created around queer and reproductive safety, the family structures they feel are best and are supported making, and how COVID has impacted meanings of place. One-on-one remote interviews elicited three significant areas that influenced queer reproductive decision-making. The first was how queer family structures are formed, including an analysis of the nuclear family and the ways that approach does or does not work for queer families, the gendered problems queer people face when contemplating pregnancy, and the impacts of COVID-19 on how queer families are formed. The second centres on safety, with people born and raised in Saskatchewan prioritizing social safety and people born in different, sometimes less queer-supporting countries prioritizing physical safety when making reproductive decisions. The third is the relationship between COVID-19 and place, dissecting how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the meanings of place through social distancing and isolation, and how the space between places (i.e. travel, remote connection software like Zoom) has changed meaning during this pandemic, followed by how COVID-19 has specifically impacted queer peoples’ reproductive decisions. Further research on the current queer experience in the prairie provinces is needed to explore this topic, as qualitative research with queer communities in places like Saskatoon is lacking
Phosphate Deficiency Responsive Transcription Factors in Cucumber and Long-Distance Mobility of MYB44 mRNA in Arabidopsis
No full textThe abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo
CAML Collections Committee BIPOC Canadian Composers Shared Collecting Plan
Get PDFBuilding on the BIPOC Canadian Composers project (Doi & Hilts, 2022), the CAML Collections Committee has begun to develop a plan to systematically collect the works of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) Canadian Composers in a collaborative and coordinated approach. This presentation will outline the details of this shared collecting plan, and will present an opportunity for CAML members to share feedback and ask questions.
This presentation will outline the work of the committee members including identifying purchasing options, conversations with vendors, and plans for rolling out a national collaborative collecting plan. We will discuss some of the challenges that have arisen, and how this project ties in to wider inclusive collecting objectives at our own institutions. As part of this presentation, the Collection Committee will be seeking input from individuals or institutions that might be interested in volunteering to commit to collecting the works of individual composers from the BIPOC Canadian Composers list.
We view systematic collecting work of this kind as one of many tools to ensure diverse representation within Canadian library systems, especially music collections. This project has potential to serve as a stepping stone to testing future possibilities for systematic collecting to achieve broader coverage of Canadian musical works. The long-term goal of collaborating with Canadian music score vendors and universities to develop a formal shared collection plan is one way to ensure comprehensive collecting and preservation of works by BIPOC composers across Canada
Development of a Novel Egg Surface Decontamination Method via Electro-nano-spray
Get PDFChicken eggs and their products are a widely consumed and important source of nutrients for people worldwide. However, they can also be vehicles for pathogens like Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli) that can cause foodborne illnesses. Commercially processed eggs in North America are typically washed with hot water and a chemical solution to decontaminate the surface of eggshells. Although the washing process is effective, this approach also removes the egg cuticle, which acts as a natural barrier to bacterial intrusion. In addition, the use of large amounts of water and washing chemicals produces significant amounts of chemically contaminated wastewater, making this approach environmentally unsustainable. Therefore, exploring alternative methods and innovative technologies that are both effective in preserving food and environmentally friendly would be important to the egg industry.
Recently, a new and innovative technique based on nanotechnology called Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS) has been developed as a chemical-free solution for disinfection processes. EWNS are formed by electrospraying and ionizing water to create highly charged nanoscale water droplets that possess unique physicochemical properties. It means EWNS are electron-rich water shells that contain a variety of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydroxyl radicals, superoxide, and hydrogen peroxide generated during the electrospray process which has been proven to effectively deactivate bacteria. Researchers have explored the effectiveness of EWNS against food-related microorganisms on the surface of various fruits and vegetables. The consumption of eggs is common in Canada, with an average person consuming about 242 eggs per year. However, it has not yet been tested whether EWNS could effectively decontaminate egg surfaces, which could potentially serve as an alternative disinfection method in the egg industry.
To evaluate the effectiveness of EWNS on eggshell decontamination, this research project was conducted in three phases. In Phase 1, an electro-nano-spray system was developed to generate EWNS, and lab-based experiments were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the process against E. coli inoculated on the eggshell surface. The parameters investigated included exposure time, water flow rate, and electric field strength to identify the most optimal operating conditions for the EWNS system. In Phase 2, the efficacy of the EWNS method to inactivate Salmonella on the egg surface was investigated under the optimal operating conditions established in Phase 1. In Phase 3, the impact of the EWNS technique on the quality attributes of treated eggs was evaluated and compared to washed and fresh eggs. Egg quality was measured based on physical properties such as eggshell specific gravity, eggshell thickness, albumen and yolk pH, yolk index, Haugh unit, and moisture content of albumen and yolk, as well as chemical components such as the main proteins of albumen.
The results of the study showed that in 5 minutes of exposure time, the optimal EWNS operating conditions that produced the highest inactivation efficiency for E. coli inoculated on the egg surface included a water flow rate of 1 μL/min/needle (total flow rate of 16 μL/min), and an electric field strength of 9.0 kV/cm (-4.5 kV at 0.5 cm distance). At these conditions, the system achieved the inactivation efficiency of 97.6% for Escherichia coli W3110 with a 1.64 log reduction and 80.4% for Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis with a 0.71 log reduction. Statistical analyses of the physical characteristics of treated eggs showed that there was no significant difference in the properties compared to unwashed and washed eggs one week after treatment (20 eggs per group). Moreover, the physical characteristics of different egg groups (3 eggs per group), including unwashed, washed, and treated eggs, were analyzed over a 21-day storage period, and it was found that the quality of all groups decreased over time. However, there was no significant difference in physical properties between the EWNS-treated eggs and the control (unwashed and washed eggs). The intensity of protein bands of SDS-PAGE gel images were analyzed statistically, and the results indicated that there was no significant variation in protein features between the three sets of eggs (3 eggs per group). The research has demonstrated that the EWNS system can be a promising and environmentally friendly method for decontaminating eggshell surfaces, and may be a suitable substitute for traditional egg sanitation methods. However, the study was limited in scale, and further investigations are required to how the EWNS system can be applied for larger-scale commercial applications
Drag Story Time for Adults
No full textPresented at the 2023 Saskatchewan Library Association Conference in Saskatoon, SK.The University of Saskatchewan Library hosted their first Drag Story Time for Adults in June of 2022. Building on the concept of Drag Story Hour, where Drag Queens and Kings read books to kids, this event was aimed at an adult audience and featured more mature content pulled from the Neil Richards Collection of Sexual and Gender Diversity. The University Library wanted to create an inclusive and positive environment to celebrate diversity and to destigmatize the art of Drag and to introduce the audience to the amazing Neil Richards collection housed in the University Archives. For anyone interested in running their own Drag Story Time for Adults, come learn how with USask Librarian Ann Liang and USask Archives Specialist Lindsay Stokalko
The Search for the Perfect Flood : Working together to build a deeper relationship with the river
No full textCanada First Research Excellence FundNon-Peer ReviewedPersonal account of a scientist's working relationship with a local guide in northern Saskatchewan
We, the Bad : Facing hard choices in Saskatchewan farmland
No full textCanada First Research Excellence FundNon-Peer ReviewedPersonal account from a researcher about her encounter with a Saskatchewan farmer who must choose between preserving natural habitat and clearing his land for profit
Post Pandemic Band Programs: The Impact of COVID-19 on Retention and Attrition
No full textThe present study investigated student retention and attrition in post-pandemic band programs. The global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted music education worldwide, and while many ensembles, including band programs, maintained enrolment numbers similar to pre-pandemic times, others did not. To understand why students chose to continue band following their COVID-19 pandemic-band experience, a qualitative study was conducted in which 109 band students and 35 parents/guardians of band students were surveyed, and band teachers from five high schools were interviewed. Critical to examining motivation for student retention in band programs was utilizing the psychological framework of Deci and Ryan’s (1985) Self-Determination Theory, especially in relation to the construct of relatedness and community in music programs.
The findings from this study will be particularly relevant to music educators who are moving forward in a post-pandemic band program, especially given that the results from this study indicate that intrinsic factors were greater motivating forces in band retention than external factors. The study illuminated that band teachers responded to the pandemic restrictions with creativity, patience, flexibility, and adaptability while keeping their students’ mental health at the forefront of their pedagogical choices and modifications. Furthermore, technology was helpful on a variety of levels and, in some cases, during the height of restrictions, was a critical component in pivoting the band program delivery model. This research study contributes to the literature in novel ways, exploring successful retention practices in relation to an unprecedented pandemic in which restrictions were imposed and extensive program delivery modifications were required. This study, therefore, is consequential in providing music educators with information about healthy post-pandemic band program outcomes in the post-pandemic climat
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SLEEP DISORDERS AND VISION PROBLEMS AMONG FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE
No full textBackground: Sleep disorders have an adverse effect on the quantity and quality of sleep, leading to reduced alertness and impaired ability to function normally. Recent studies show sleep disorders can cause vision-threatening conditions. Most research has not considered Indigenous people living in on-reserve communities. Thus, current knowledge regarding sleep disorders and vision problems among Indigenous people is limited.
Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the current prevalence of vision problems and examined the association between sleep disorders and vision problems among First Nations living on-reserve communities in Saskatchewan. Additionally, potential mediators in this relationship were explored.
Methods: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from "Assess, Redress, Re-assess: Addressing Disparities in Sleep Health among First Nations People," an ongoing cohort study. A survey was conducted in 2018-2019 with approximately 588 individuals in two First Nation communities. In the present study, the outcome variable was vision problems. Primary predictors were sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep deprivation, Epworth sleepiness score (ESS), and STOP-BANG. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and generalized structural equation modelling were employed.
Results: The prevalence of vision problems was 18.71%. Sleep apnea, clinical insomnia, and ESS were significantly associated with vision problems after adjusting for other variables. The odds of having vision problems were 2.93 times (95% CI: 1.19 – 7.19) higher among those who self-reported physician-diagnosed sleep apnea and 2.21 times (95% CI: 1.12 – 4.37) higher among participants with clinical insomnia. Similarly, with each unit increase in ESS, the likelihood of developing vision problems increased by 1.11 (95% CI: 0.97- 1.28). Mediation analysis revealed that depression accounted for approximately 32% of the association between sleep disorders and vision problems.
Conclusion: These findings indicate a higher prevalence of vision problems and a positive association between sleep disorders and vision problems among First Nations people. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the nature of this association