MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
Not a member yet
2252 research outputs found
Sort by
Quantification of Escherichia Coli via Analysis of β-glucuronidase Enzyme Concentrations
No full textConcentration of Escherichia coli can be quantified based on a digestive enzyme produced by 97% of E. coli strains called β-glucuronidase (β-GUS). When in contact with a β-glucuronide (β-GLU) molecule, the enzyme cleaves the β-GLU segment off the molecule, leaving the remaining fragment untouched. The remaining fragment can serve as a marker for the presence of the enzyme and can be quantifiably calibrated to determine the concentration of the E. coli in each sample. For a colourimetric method approach, 4-nitrophenol-β-D-glucuronide (4-NβDg) can be used as a dye for the enzyme. The remainder of the molecule after enzymatic cleavage is a 4-nitrophenol, which is blue in colour. The change in colour can be quantified based on a calibration curve. For an electrochemical method approach, 4-NβDg can also be used because 4-nitrophenol gives a characteristic cyclic voltammogram on a potentiostat. The change in resistance of 4-nitrophenol can be determined and calibrated to show the concentration of the E. coli in each sample.
* Indicates faculty mentor
Molecular Modelling and Biochemical Characterization of a DNA Repair Enzyme Binding to DNA
No full textComputational techniques of homology modelling, enzyme–substrate docking, and molecular dynamics were applied to elucidate the structure and substrate binding properties of the DNA repair enzyme polynucleotide kinase/phosphatase from the nematode C. elegans (CePNKP). PNKP is involved in the repair of DNA strand breaks, a form of DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species, ionizing radiation and certain chemical mutagens. Mutations in human PNKP have been associated with the neurological disorders Microcephaly with Intractable Seizures (MCSZ) and Ataxia Oculomotor Apraxia 4 (AOA4). In addition, human PNKP has been identified as a potential drug target for the development of chemo- and radiosensitizing agents for cancer treatment. CePNKP is a useful model system for studying the human enzyme. The substrate preference for both human and C. elegans PNKP has been investigated, and found to be similar, with higher selectivity for recessed over blunt DNA ends. However, CePNKP exhibits a more exclusive preference for recessed DNA ends than human PNKP. To elucidate the reason for the unique substrate specificity of CePNKP, the structure of CePNKP in complex with its DNA substrate must be determined in atomistic detail by molecular modelling. The generated structural model is compared with our experimental results of kinase activity assays of CePNKP.
* Indicates faculty mentor
An approximation of a 3D golden spiral using polyhedra
No full textIn this presentation, we explore the benefits (cultural, scientific, mathematical, artistic) and drawbacks of creating a 3D Golden spiral. Throughout the prototyping process, we will detail the thought process behind decisions, and show the first complete prototype. We will also explain what our plans are for further iterations, how they might impact the larger community, and how they might benefit the understandings of science and mathematics of those doing the construction.
* Indicates faculty mentor
Locating Socail Support for Young LGBTQ Cancer Survivors in Edmonton & Northern Alberta
No full textThis study examined the social support resources that are available for young adult LGBTQ cancer survivors in Edmonton and Northern Alberta. A search was conducted for both cancer-related LGBTQ support and general LGBTQ social support. The appropriate sources were located, examined, and categorized according to type and location. The results of the search revealed 20 sources of social support for young LGBTQ adults within Edmonton and Northern Alberta. Only 5 of the sources located were specifically related to cancer all of which were online sources of support. Four of these organizations were located outside of Canada. These results indicate a significant need for LGBTQ cancer related support, both within Alberta and throughout Canada. The findings also revealed a need for more LGBTQ community based organizations in Northern Alberta, as only two towns had such supports in place.
Discipline: Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Diane Symbalu
Social Support in Post Secondary Institutions for Post-Cancer Adolescents
No full textIn this article, the researcher looks for various social support services offered at, or by, post-secondary institutions in northern Alberta, for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) who have survived cancer. Due to the cancer treatments, AYAs suffer from several types of effects, both physical and psychological, such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, organ damage, cardiotoxicity and obesity. Since cancer treatment is a long and difficult process, AYAs miss extended periods of school and everyday youth experiences, leading to social isolation. By combining social isolation with other physical and psychological effects, AYAs are left in a state of suspension between the maturity they gained by making adult decisions regarding their treatment, and their different social tendencies compared to peers due to missed experiences. Research was conducted on the internet, looking at eight post-secondary websites to find educational and social support services for cancer survivors. Findings revealed no specific services garnered towards post cancer AYAs, but a myriad of various other services for both ‘normal’ students, and students with disabilities. Peer led groups and counselling geared towards post-treatment of illnesses/diseases needs to be implemented in post-secondary institutions to help AYA cancer survivors handle the complex situation of being a cancer survivor, with the added stress of being a post-secondary student.
Discipline: Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Diane Symbalu
Sport and Exercise Options for Youth and Young Adults Living with Cancer-Related Fatigue in Northern Alberta
No full textThis study examined the frequency of free or subsidized exercise programs for the purpose of negating cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors unable to afford expensive exercise options. A content analysis of 14 communities within Northern Alberta was performed. Results found only one exercise program, the Alberta Healthy Living Program (AHLP), to be targeted specifically at cancer survivors. Charities were found to directly mitigate the costs of playing organized sports for youth in 10 of the 14 communities. Community-hosted free exercise options were available for young adults in 6 of the 14 communities, and for adults in 4 of the 14 communities. Only 2 of the 14 communities had their own form of subsidization for organized sports. These findings demonstrate that youth are supported more effectively than adults.
Discipline: Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Diane Symbalu
Best Practices for Maintaining Housing with Intellectually Disabled John Howard Clients
No full textIntellectually disabled offenders are a heterogenous group with varying needs and abilities. Therefore, further study is required to meet the needs of this diverse population that is overrepresented in the criminal justice system. The objective of this research is to create a sense of understanding in regards to housing and support services needed for criminalized or high needs individuals with intellectual disabilities who are housed at Independence Apartments, a federal halfway house run by the Edmonton John Howard Society. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders of the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program at Independence Apartments. These stakeholders included professionals, PDD clients, and non PDD clients also housed at Independence Apartments. This presentation examines the effectiveness of having both PDD and non PDD programs running under one roof and explores the support service needs of the PDD clients housed at Independence Apartments. Preliminary results show that moving the PDD program to a separate facility would be beneficial for the PDD client group because the PDD clients tend to have difficulty following house rules and are often taken advantage of by the clients in the halfway house program.
Discipline: Sociology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Gulayets
 
Behaviourism and Governance: A World Bereft of Freedom and Politics
No full textToday’s world is a world of bureaucratic governance and not of politics. In this context, the purpose of a government is not to engage in politics, but rather to engage in control and order, and to create a world in which people follow and appear to be free. This paper explores the notion that a dominantly bureaucratic state is not one in which the people are free. Through a hermeneutic analysis of certain texts that discuss how such a form of governance comes from and why it does not allow for freedom. Richard Rorty’s Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature and Alasdair MacIntyre’s After Virtue. Rorty’s text focuses on the benefits of behaviourism as a means of knowing the way in which people are and MacIntyre’s work focuses on the shortcomings of behaviourism and the social predictive sciences, and how they effect bureaucracy and government. With a hermeneutic analysis on these texts I have developed a proper and substantive defence of behaviourism and its relation to bureaucratic governance. Once the argument has been properly established, the fallacies within it can be examined and the fundamental argument that people can be controlled as animals, removing their freedom and eliminating politics, can be properly critiqued and dismissed.
Discipline: Political Science Honours
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Gaelan Murph
The Pursuit of Mathematical Truths: A Rich and Meaningful Aesthetic Experience of Inquiry
No full textGiven a Deweyan philosophy of mathematics, education, and of the nature of experience, the pursuit of mathematical truths can be classified as rich and meaningful aesthetic experiences that are ends in themselves. My argument is that mathematical experiences of inquiry can have a meaningful impact on an individual that is of similar effect on an individual as a work of art, such as a painting, or a novel, or a piece of music. The nature of mathematical inquiry is to expand an individual’s conscious experience of themselves, their relation to other people, and their relation to the world at large.
Discipline: Philosophy
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alain Beauclai
A Time Series Approach for Forecasting the Weekly Percentages of Influenza in Canada
No full textInfluenza is the most common respiratory virus in Canada. This work is an attempt to establish a time series model, based on weekly reports from September 7, 2003 to August 23, 2015 of percentage of flu in Canada (from Canada’s FluWatch). As expected the weekly percentage of flu is seasonal, and our analysis show that a SARIMA (2,1,2)x(0,1,1)52 model is the best fit. Using the proposed model we obtain accurate 10 weeks ahead forecasts. The ability to forecast the rate of flu is important for conducting preventive measures which will lower the incidence of flu. We have conducted also a frequency domain analysis and a cross correlation analysis between the data from Canada’s FluWatch and Google Flu Trends.
Discipline: Statistics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cristina Anto