MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
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Saliz discolor: Prospects for phytoremediation of lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
No full textMembers of the genus Salix, more commonly known as willows, are of great interest in the field of phytoremediation. Their ability to rapidly accumulate biomass, grow in disturbed conditions, aggressively seek water and development of extensive root systems are well documented – all highly desirable traits for phytoremediation, yet the remediation capabilities of most species remains unknown. The present study seeks to determine the ability of Salix discolor to remediate lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – two of the most common pollutants in urban and industrial areas and which are often found in states of co-contamination. The ability of S. discolor to remove these contaminants from aqueous media was tested using a hydroponic experiment. The treatments consisted of an uncontaminated control, lead or PAH contamination and lead and PAH co-contamination. The concentration of the media was monitored weekly, and at the conclusion of the experiment the accumulation of the lead and PAHs in the roots, shoots and leaves of the plants will be analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry, respectively. Additionally, biomass accumulation will be recorded to determine the effects of contamination on the growth of the plants. Results are pending until the experiment has concluded.
*Indicates faculty mentor
Effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide application in the treatment of acne
No full textThe development of a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) for use in electrochemical testing represents a sensitive, selective, disposable, and low-cost method of analysis. Despite its advantages over the traditional glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in these characteristics, the PGE lacks the reproducibility seen with the GCE. In order to better control the surface chemistry of the PGE and thus achieve a higher level of reproducibility, various electrode activation techniques were tested. The activation of an electrode is a pre-treatment method in which the electrode is coated using electrochemical processes to alter the surface chemistry of the electrode. Three different solutions were examined for the activation: 0.10 M potassium nitrate, 0.50 M sulfuric acid, and 1.0 M sodium hydroxide. Experimentation proved the sulfuric acid, applied using cyclic voltammetry, to be the most effective activation method. Once activated, the PGE was used in the analysis of coffees and teas brewed by various methods. Coffee and tea samples were prepared by a traditional coffee brewer, as well as with a Tassimo T20 Home Brewing system. Once prepared, the samples were tested using square wave voltammetry and compared to results from the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Our results show that the activation of the PGE provided more reproducible peak currents and allowed for the determination of antioxidant content in various coffee and tea samples brewed by multiple methods.
*Indicates faculty mentor
MRU Active Office Study: The Effects of an Active Office Workstation on the Magnitude of Neurovascular Coupling
No full textNeurovascular coupling (NVC) is the normal regulation between neuronal metabolic demand and local cerebral blood flow. We hypothesized that the introduction of the standing work station would result in improved NVC. Participants (40.5±9.8yrs; n=41) were recruited as part of the MRU Active Office Study, and sub-divided into one of three groups: Control (C; no standing station; n=19) and Intervention (I; standing station; n=22). Each participant was instrumented with transcranial Doppler ultrasound for posterior cerebral artery velocity (PCAv) in seated position at time 0 and 3 months. A 3-min eyes closed baseline was recorded for each participant, prior to NVC testing. NVC was tested via visual stimulation using a strobe light (6Hz; 30sec on/off x5). Peak PCAv from baseline ( P) and slope ( P/ T) were calculated during the NVC test. No significant change for P or P/ T (P=0.09, P=0.17, respectively) was found for the I group from 0 to 3 months. However, significant decreases were found for both P and P/ T (P=0.005, P=0.002, respectively) for the C group from 0 to 3 months. These preliminary data suggest that adopting a standing work station has an attenuating effect on the decline of NVC observed in sedentary office workers.
* Indicates faculty mento
Examination for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Premature Neonates and Feeding
No full textIntroduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affecting developing retinal blood vessels in premature neonates may lead to poor visual activity or blindness. ROP occurs in 50% of neonates and 8% develop severe ROP, requiring treatment. Eye drops for dilating the pupils for examination of the eyes can be absorbed and consequently impair gut motility. Eye examinations may be associated with pain and adverse physiological effects including apnea, which cause parental distress. Objective: To examine the relationship between feeding intolerance 24 hours before and after eye examination for ROP.
Method: Retrospective audit was conducted in preterm infants undergoing ROP examination. Feeding intolerance and apnea were observed 24 hours before and 24 hours after eye examination. Results: A total of 18 infants (mean birth gestational age=25.4weeks ±1.5 weeks, mean birth weight=799g ±290g) with 57 eye examinations were included. We observed a significant increase in feeding intolerance in the form of pre-feed aspirate after eye examination (5.2% versus 23%) and suspension of feed (0% versus 5.2%). Two infants were kept nil per oral following eye examination.
Conclusion: Eye examination for ROP screening was associated with feeding intolerance in preterm neonates.
* Indicates faculty mento
Investigating cerebral blood flow regulation in response to nitric oxide, β adrenergic signaling and the loss of Foxf2 expression
No full textBackground- There are conflicting reports in the literature regarding the mural cell, pericytes and/or vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), responsible for regulating cerebral blood flow. Accordingly, this project aimed to addresses these conflicting reports by identifying the mural cell responsible for cerebral blood flow regulation, in vivo.
Methods- The optical clarity of the zebrafish model was used to explore the ability of the mural cell-covered cerebral vasculature to relax and dilate in response to chemical signals. Mural cell activity was investigated at 4 days post-fertilization (dpf) and at 7dpf.
Results- Overall, pericyte-covered vessels were found to be less than 10µm in diameter while VSMC-covered vessels were larger than 10µm in diameter. In the presence of a vasodilating agent, pericyte-covered vessels only dilated at 4dpf, whereas VSMC-covered vessels dilated at both 4dpf and at 7dpf. Furthermore, a deficiency in forkhead box F2 (Foxf2) did not alter the range of cerebral vessel sizes covered by VSMCs as well as their ability to dilate to the same extent as those seen in wild type zebrafish.
Conclusions- The dilation of VSMC-covered vessels in response to a vasodilating agent suggests for their role in cerebral blood flow regulation. However, further investigations are needed to characterize the contractile activity of vascular mural cells when it comes to cerebral blood flow regulation in zebrafish.
* Indicates faculty mento
Design of A Paddle Monitoring System to Track Dragon Boat Performance
No full textDragon boat racing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world today. On a typical race team, there are twenty paddlers working together to move the vehicle through a pre-determined course. While it is easy to determine which team is the fastest during a given race; the individual contribution of each paddler on the team is a harder to ascertain. In order to track the contribution of each paddler, a system must be designed to measure specific metrics for each team member, and collect them in a central data unit. The aim of this project is to create a paddle system to generate the stroke profile for each paddler, and measure the applied pressure and track the movement of the paddle as the paddler moves through the profile. This data can then be analyzed later in collaboration with other paddle systems to determine the contribution of each paddler on the vehicle motion.
* Indicates faculty mento
Detection and isolation of bacteriophage from Paenibacillus larvae
No full textAmerican Foulbrood is currently one of the most widespread and devastating brood diseases in honeybees. It has caused huge financial losses in apiculture businesses, with additional effects on crop pollination and productivity. Traditionally, treatments for American Foulbrood disease have employed the antibiotic approach. However, the increasing issues of resistant bacterial strains and antibiotic residues in honey have promoted research towards alternative treatment options. This study focused on detecting and isolating bacteriophage of Paenibacillus larvae. The primary method pursued was to identify phage within current stocks of bacteria through PCR detection methods. Several DNA extraction protocols were assessed to provide material for PCR detection. Pairs of primers to select for four known and previously characterized P. larvae bacteriophages were used. Best results were obtained using philBB_P123 primers, after an extensive DNA extraction process involving filtration of culture solutions, and heat and cold treatments with a number of centrifugations. These preliminary steps work towards developing an effective method for identifying and amplifying bacteriophage. The application of bacteriophage as an alternative treatment to Paenibacillus larvae bacteria, the causative agent of American Foulbrood, could then be explored in the near future with the ultimate goal of using bacteriophage in the hive.
* Indicates faculty mento
Identification of ice-binding peptide sequences from genetically-encoded phage libraries
No full textIce-binding peptides are small molecules capable of exerting control over ice nucleation. They are of interest in in areas ranging from medically important problems such as cryosurgery on tumours and preservation of transplant organs, to more concrete everyday applications such as snowmaking or de-icing of roads. In this project, we aim to identify glycopeptides capable of inducing ice nucleation. To our knowledge, no ice-nucleating peptides have yet been identified.
Taking inspiration from an approach used in the literature for the purification of antifreeze proteins from a mixed solution, we developed a phage-display technique allowing for the selection of ice-binding peptides from a naïve library. In this method, a test tube chilled to -25°C is placed into a phage-containing solution. Ice builds around the test tube, integrating phage that display ice-binding peptides as it grows. Through multiple freezing rounds, we are able to narrow the selected population from 10^12 pfu to 10^2 pfu in five rounds. We present preliminary selection results from the SXCX3C library. Through these results, we wish to demonstrate a selection method applicable in a challenging system where the target (ice) must be able to be distinguished from the surrounding liquid. In addition, we have constructed a freezing platform capable of validating ice-nucleating properties, and model the process with gold slides coated with alkanethiol SAMs (self-assembled monolayers). Our next steps will be to synthesize and evaluate the ice-nucleating properties of peptide hits to identify the peptides that exhibit a statistically significant influence on ice nucleation temperature.
* Indicates faculty mentor
Measure to Manage: Ghost PLUZ Collector App
No full textThe Ghost Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ), located 60 km northwest of Calgary, is a popular area for recreation activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, and driving off-highway vehicles (OHVs), despite lack of sufficient facilities to support these activities. There is a desire among concerned residents for a better understanding of the current land use to warrant the development of more facilities, to help decrease widespread environmental damage resulting from recreation. Using Esri’s Collector for ArcGIS, a smartphone app was created which allows residents to record incidents of environmental damage related to recreation, with or without cell reception. The data fields and the data input structure were designed in collaboration with the residents to ensure optimal usability. Data is automatically georeferenced and stored on ArcGIS Online, Esri’s cloud-based mapping platform, allowing multiple people to use the app and view the data simultaneously. The app was successfully tested by the community users, their feedback was recorded, and the app has drawn interest from Alberta government representatives who make decisions about recreational planning in the Ghost PLUZ.
* Indicates faculty mentor
Uncovering the source for the hysteresis of Poly-L-Proline’s temperature dependent solubility
No full textThis experiment characterizes the hysteresis of the heat-induced precipitation of poly-L-proline (PLP). PLP is a polypeptide polymer composed from the naturally occurring amino acid, proline. There are a number of proteins in which proline constitutes a high proportion of the total amino acids such as collagen, a component of connective tissue and spider silk. PLP is highly soluble under cold aqueous conditions and precipitates when warmed. However, cooling to re-dissolve heat-precipitated PLP is not path reversible and a significant hysteresis is observed. To gain better understanding of the mechanism behind this hysteresis, we used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and x-ray powder diffraction. Vibrational spectra showed little to no difference between the starting PLP to the precipitated PLP and are consistent with literature reports. However x-ray diffraction of the two samples show large differences including the appearance of diffraction peaks seen at d values of 7.16, 6.11, and 4.25 Å not previously reported in literature. We suggest that differences between these two samples maybe the result of a cis-trans isomerization of the peptide bond between the two proline amino acids. Further research is required to determine if and where in the polypeptide chain the isomerization occurs using polarimetry.
* Indicates faculty mentor