MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
Not a member yet
2252 research outputs found
Sort by
Primordial Sulfur and the Origin of Life
No full textThe study of meteorites can give insight regarding the chemical composition that was present when the solar system was being created. The elements in meteorites have not undergone extensive changes since they were formed billions of years ago, so they are thought to resemble those on Earth before the formation of the hydrosphere. This can lead to information regarding the formation of the solar system, Earth, and consequently, life. Sulfur is of interest because it has essential roles in biochemistry and a prevailing theory regarding the origin of life is that it began in an iron-sulfur world. By determining the sulfur composition of meteorites and the isotopic ratios – ratio of atoms of the same element with different atomic masses – we hope to determine the processes behind for formation of the form of sulfur responsible for the creation of life. This first stage of the project was to perfect wet chemistry and analytical techniques to extract and quantify sulfur species from meteorites. The development of the techniques required reading research literature, testing, and altering the techniques while working with a meteorite simulant. Multiple extractions with different solvents were used to differentially separate the sulfur species based on their chemical and physical properties. The extractions were pure with high yields. These techniques will be used to extract sulfur from the meteorites in the MacEwan collection, which will then undergo isotopic analysis
The Octagon Navigation Task Reveals Sex Differences in Spatial Ability
No full textThe Morris Water Maze (MWM) is commonly used in research for investigating spatial cognition and hippocampal-dependent learning in nonhuman animals. One of the most consistent findings in the literature is the male advantage in spatial ability. Usually, the MWM is adapted as a virtual reality for testing in humans. In our lab, we constructed a real-world navigation task and found that by default, men implemented an allocentric strategy whereas women adopted an egocentric strategy when finding the target location. Based on these findings, the present study designed a table-top version of the MWM. The goal of each subject is to locate a hidden target by navigating on an octagonal board using different spatial navigation strategies. The allocentric condition experiment tested 60 subjects (30 women) ages 18-25 and examined their ability to find a hidden target located relative to constant environmental room cues. Results revealed that men outperformed women on this task. In the egocentric condition experiment, 60 subjects (28 women) were directed to find a target location that remained consistent with respect to their body axis and starting position in the experiment. Women outperformed men in the egocentric condition experiment. In the neutral condition, the target was located in the center of the board and could be found using either egocentric or allocentric strategy, which resulted in no sex differences. Our results suggest that when a spatial task requires competition between two sources of information, an egocentric strategy appears more prominent in women whereas an allocentric strategy appears more prominent in males. Future work may use fMRI to see if sex differences in spatial navigation will correlate to differences in functional connectivity
Analysis of Aspartame and its Degradation Using HPLC-MS/MS
No full textDisinfectants (e.g. chlorine) are used to inactivate pathogens, such as E. coli, in drinking water in order to prevent the transmission of waterborne disease. Unfortunately, disinfection by-products (DBPs) are formed when natural organic matter, present in raw water, reacts with the disinfectant. Many disinfection by-products are regulated in finished drinking water by Health Canada. However, these regulated DBPs do not explain the observed risk of developing bladder cancer. Halobenzoquinones (HBQs) are an emerging class of drinking water disinfection by-products (DBPs) detected frequently in Canadian tap water with an in vitro cytotoxicity up to 1000 times greater than regulated DBPs. Preliminary investigations show that aromatic amino acids, such as phenylalanine, act as HBQ precursors under disinfection conditions. Phenylalanine is a building block of aspartame (APM), a common artificial sweetener. Drinking water treatment processes can remove portions of natural organic matter, present in raw water that may act as HBQ precursors. However residual chlorine, present in tap water, may react with organic matter used in food and drink preparation, potentially forming HBQs in situ, prior to consumption. The main objective for this project is to investigate locally available foodstuffs containing APM that are prepared with tap water such as instant drink mixes and packaged sweeteners. Next, the concentration of APM, and its degradation products, in the prepared foodstuff will be determined. APM, and its degradation products, will be separated from the food matrix using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and then detected with mass spectrometry (MS). Though a method was successfully developed, aspartame’s degradation products, phenylalanine (PHE) and 5-benzyl-3,6-dioxo-2-piperazieacetic acid (DKP), the leading precursors for HBQs, were found to be below quantification limits in all samples. Regardless, this project provides a foundation for future studies regarding in-situ formation of HBQs.
*Indicates presente
Effects of Formaldehyde on DNA: A Molecular Dynamics Study of Formaldehyde Adducts
No full textFormaldehyde is a known carcinogen, which damages and mutates DNA in the cells of mammals. Acute and chronic exposure to formaldehyde may occur in both occupational settings (e.g., embalmers) and from several household products (e.g., insulation, particle boards, and carpeting). Upon human exposure to formaldehyde, several DNA adducts may be formed, including those with the amino groups of guanine (denoted CH2OH-N2-G), cytosine (CH2OH-N4-C), and adenine (CH2OH-N6-A). Each of these adducts consists of a methoxy moiety linked to the exocyclic amino group of the respective DNA nucleobase. The methoxy moiety can interfere with several noncovalent interactions within a DNA helix, including Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding, Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, and stacking interactions between neighboring DNA nucleobases. These interactions are essential to the normal function of DNA and their disruption could lead to mutations when DNA is copied, which in turn lead to health effects such as cancer. Although insight into the implications on formaldehyde adducts are currently lacking from experimental studies, computational chemistry can be used to predict the effects of the methoxy moiety on the nucleobase interactions and the mutagenicity of these adducts. In the current study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, along with advanced structural analysis and energy calculations, were used to study the preferred conformations of the nucleobase within damaged DNA, and thereby characterize the structural impacts of this damage. Using this analysis, key insight was gained into the mutagenicity of the CH2OH adducts and the data obtained can be used to direct future biochemical studies of the harmful effects of these lesions.
*Indicates presente
The Octagon Navigation Task Reveals Sex Differences in Spatial Ability
No full textThe Morris Water Maze (MWM) is commonly used in research for investigating spatial cognition and hippocampal-dependent learning in nonhuman animals. One of the most consistent findings in the literature is the male advantage in spatial ability. Usually, the MWM is adapted as a virtual reality for testing in humans. In our lab, we constructed a real-world navigation task and found that by default, men implemented an allocentric strategy whereas women adopted an egocentric strategy when finding the target location. Based on these findings, the present study designed a table-top version of the MWM. The goal of each subject is to locate a hidden target by navigating on an octagonal board using different spatial navigation strategies. The allocentric condition experiment tested 60 subjects (30 women) ages 18-25 and examined their ability to find a hidden target located relative to constant environmental room cues. Results revealed that men outperformed women on this task. In the egocentric condition experiment, 60 subjects (28 women) were directed to find a target location that remained consistent with respect to their body axis and starting position in the experiment. Women outperformed men in the egocentric condition experiment. In the neutral condition, the target was located in the center of the board and could be found using either egocentric or allocentric strategy, which resulted in no sex differences. Our results suggest that when a spatial task requires competition between two sources of information, an egocentric strategy appears more prominent in women whereas an allocentric strategy appears more prominent in males. Future work may use fMRI to see if sex differences in spatial navigation will correlate to differences in functional connectivity
Identification of Conserved Proteins in Nocardia brasiliensis and other Actinomycetoma causative agents using a Bioinformatic approach
No full textMycetoma, a neglected tropical disease, is caused by a multitude of different microorganisms. This condition may be caused by both bacterial and fungal species, with the bacterial species suggested to spread more quickly through the body. Often untreated due to lack of medical access, amputation is ultimately a commonly relied upon resolution to avoid further complications in patients. Nocardia brasiliensis, although a rare pathogen, is the main culprit of actinomycetoma (bacterial- caused mycetoma). This underreported disease has not been fully explored. Currently, actinomycetoma has no preventative measures. Given the difficult patient accessibility of medical care, an effective, practical, pre-emptive approach is worth exploring. One such measure is the implementation of a broad-spectrum vaccine aimed at most, even all, mycetoma causative bacterial agents by targeting a conserved motif. I hypothesize that at least one Nocardia brasiliensis encoded protein is conserved amongst other actinomycetoma bacteria. Using a bioinformatical approach, identified Nocardia brasiliensis proteins were used to search for homologs in other potential mycetoma-causative agents. Three key DNA replication proteins have been identified as potential candidates. Interestingly, homologs were identified in other Nocardia species, as well as Rhodococcus, Actinobacteria, and Corynebacteriales species. Furthermore, nucleotide sequences encoded by the three most common causative agents of mycetoma were compared. From these analyses, the 16S ribosom was identified as partially conserved amongst them. These identified elements can now serve as a platform for future studies exploring them as a potential vaccine candidate
The Wellness Value of Campus Landscapes
No full textAs part of the Campus Ecology Project at the University of Lethbridge, a twenty question online survey was administered to 265 students in Psychology 1000 or select Psychology 2000 level courses, who attend the campus. The students answered anonymously, and provided insight into their interactions with different plant and animal species that exist on the University of Lethbridge campus. This 10-20 minute survey gathered information about how landscapes and ecology affect and improve an individual’s experience on campus. The survey also attempted to gain insight about how individuals feel about allocating funds towards ecology on campus, and the protection of potentially endangered species. Lastly, students were given the opportunity to indicate any ways in which they felt that the University of Lethbridge campus could better promote wellness for it’s visitors
Potential sulfate sources for the Paskapoo aquifer of Alberta
No full textThe Paskapoo aquifer of Alberta is one of the most significant sources of groundwater for domestic and industrial use in the entire province. However, there are pronounced levels of sulfate in the southern part of the aquifer between Red Deer and Calgary, above the 500 mg/L drinking safety limit advised by Environment Canada. The focus of this study is to examine the potential origins of this sulfate from three primary sources: (1) self-sourced from the Paskapoo Formation, deposited ~60 million years ago; (2) overlying Cordilleran till; and (3) and overlying Laurentian till. Oxidation of sulphide minerals from Laurentide till is the primary source of sulfate based on findings from published research. The Cordilleran till has not been examined as a sulfate source to the same extent. This study used three methods to determine whether Cordilleran till had any potential to add sulfate to the Paskapoo aquifer. A geochemical test utilizing X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) determined sulfur content in rock samples from several potential source formations of Cordilleran till. Next, we immersed two grain-sizes of sediment (10 grams) from each formation into distilled water (40 ml) and reacted the sample with barium chloride to determine if and how much sulfate each formation could generate. Finally, a GIS map was constructed using flow directions of the Cordilleran and Laurentide Ice sheets, and the outcrop distribution of bedrock formations. This was used to determine whether each formation had the potential to be integrated as till material and subsequently deposited over the Paskapoo. This study found that several of the tested formations from the Cordillera had sizeable levels of sulfate and were capable of producing sulfate when immersed in water. Although sulfur did have the potential to be integrated into Cordilleran till, the flow direction of the Laurentide glacier ultimately restricted placement of Cordilleran till over the Paskapoo aquifer and may have limited the western input of sulfate into the aquifer. However, regional groundwater flow could potentially transport the sulfate to other aquifers due to the regional dip of Tertiary and uppermost Cretaceous strata. This study presents a multidisciplinary approach involving GIS, geochemistry, geology, and hydrogeology to determine potential sources of groundwater contamination.
*Indicates presente
Leadership Training: How Small Businesses Train Future Leaders and How Employees Interact with This Training
No full textLeadership training is a developing field when studying business, and the study of leadership training in small and medium sized businesses (businesses under 100 and 500 employees respectively) is even less developed. This project aims to discuss how small businesses handle training future leaders. Additionally, this study also has a focus on age in the workplace, specifically looking at how these employees view leadership training in small and medium sized businesses. This study incorporates a literature review, two interviews with managers, and a survey of young employees. The literature review gives attention to the base of the work, the interviews describe how managers in small businesses go about actually accomplishing leadership training, and the survey looks at how leadership training actually affects workers. This study shows that leadership training is still lacking and is a field that deserves better emphasis in order to make workplaces a better learning site.
Discipline: Human Resources
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Leo Wong
 
Applications of Discrete Markov Chains to Predicting Baseball Game Outcomes
No full textThere are two fundamental notions which justify the use of Markov chains in the analysis of baseball game outcomes. The first is simply a statement of the consequences of the rules of Baseball itself-- namely that for any batter, exactly one of three possible outcomes will have occurred by the time their turn at bat is finished. They will have scored a run, or they will find themselves on base, or they will be “out”. As a consequence, the evolving state of a game of baseball can be entirely characterized in terms of batters in sequence moving from their turn atbat into the appropriate variation of one of these three foundational “states”. In particular, from the beginning of a half-inning to its conclusion, every single possible configuration of bases occupied, number of outs, and number of points scored can therefore be arranged sequentially and, as I will demonstrate, the discrete Markov chain is the perhaps the most natural framework in which to do this.
Discipline: Mathematics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cristina Anto