MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
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MRU Active Office Study: Occupational Activity and Effects of Neck and Back Pain Perception
No full textSeveral chronic diseases, as well as neck and back pain, have been linked to prolonged sedentary behavior, particularly in the workplace. Standing desks are frequently advocated to reduce occupational sitting time. We investigated the relationship between reduced sitting/increased standing time and localized neck and lower back pain, and compared self-reporting to an objective measure of physical activity (PA) using accelerometers. We hypothesized that reduced sitting/increased standing time would decrease pain, and that the Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ) is an effective tool for assessing PA. MRU employees (n=72; 42.7±1.2yrs; BMI 27.3±0.7 kg/m2; 12 males) were divided into control (C, n=24) intervention (I, n=26), or intervention plus education (I+E, n=25) groups. Five days of PA data was collected using activPAL3 accelerometer technology, and compared to OSPAQ responses. Localized neck and back pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale. After baseline measures, I and I+E groups were given standing desks, while I+E was further informed about the risks of sedentary behavior. The I+E reported less neck pain (-14.7%; P=0.004) after three months, but this was unrelated to any variation in sitting/standing time. The OSPAQ values were only weakly correlated with the activPAL3 PA data for sitting (r =0.32, P=0.005), standing (r =0.34, P=0.003) and walking (r =0.31, P=0.007) at baseline. At three months, only standing time was correlated (r=0.24, P=0.04). Our preliminary data suggests neck and back pain are unrelated to sitting/standing time after 3 months, and individuals are inaccurate in estimating changes to PA using the OSPAQ.
* Indicates faculty mentor
A Critical Analysis of the Impact of the Medical Insurance System on the Relationship between Doctor and Patients- based on a comparative study of Canada and China
No full textObjective To explore the key dimensions of the impact of the medical insurance system on the relationship between doctors and patients in China. By comparing the design of different medical insurance systems and their influence on the relationship between doctors and patients in China and Canada, there are aims to improve doctor-patient relationships and to suggest policies. Methods A quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted to compare the relevant medical insurance arrangements between China and Canada and to provide reasonable policy recommendations. Results The different institutional arrangements of financing mechanisms, payment mechanisms, reimbursement mechanisms, fund operation and management mechanisms, legislative supervision mechanisms and medical insurance elements in different places are the key system causes of the different results of the doctor-patient relationship in China and Canada. Conclusion The construction of a harmonious relationship between doctors and patients is not only the responsibility of doctors and patients, as the medical insurance system plays an important role in it. International experience shows that a reasonable institutional design and elements of the arrangements influences the doctor-patient relationship, to provide a good institutional environment.
* Indicates faculty mentor
Collision Analysis of Driving Scenarios
No full textThe National Collision Database (NCDB) provided by Transport Canada contains information about individuals that have been in traffic accidents. A thorough analysis of this data was performed in order to isolate and identify possible dangerous traffic scenarios that could result in injuries or even death. The purpose of our study was to identify any occurring patterns of injuries or fatalities, and identify any possible preventative safety measures which could ultimately help in reducing these occurrences to a minimum. It also gives the chance to demonstrate the potential of data driven decision making which can result in valuable knowledge for any potential user. Among all the research that was done, one test in particular stands out, with which fatality rates involving streetcars driven by much older drivers being significantly higher than the norm. The results of the research suggests that improvements in road design, and traffic controls could lessen these verities of several scenarios of collisions. Also insurance rates adjustments for risky drivers found in our study could be a potential resolution for passenger and pedestrian safety. * Indicates faculty mentor
Negativity within the Public\u27s Responses to New Articles Concerning Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: A Content Analysis
No full textThis content analysis studied the negative comments responding to four news articles about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women with thirty or more total comments that were posted to the CTV News Facebook page in either 2015 or 2016. Results showed that there were five general trends within these negative responses: generalizations or stereotypes about Indigenous peoples, victim blaming (blaming Indigenous peoples for this issue), dependence of Indigenous peoples on the government and other Canadians, accusations of reverse racism towards White Canadians, or the argument of all lives mattering, not only those of Indigenous women. These findings demonstrate that there is a long way for Canadians to go in terms of their understandings of Indigenous peoples.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Diane Symbaluk
Discipline: Sociolog
A Portable Timed Pendulum as a Relative Gravimeter
No full textA gravimeter is a device that measures the strength, g, of the Earth\u27s gravitational field. To obtain high precision to a fraction of a milligal requires a complex and expensive instrument. However, precision of the order of 10 milligal can be achieved with an ordinary physical pendulum, which insufficient accuracy for students to measure the variations in the gravitational field in a variety of field environments. In particular, a well crafted pendulum will enable our PHSC 200 students to study the variations of the gravitational field as a function of altitude as they ascend Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. Our pendulum acts as a relative gravimeter with a fixed length. Its simple constructions facilitates easy the transport and set-up. A simple timing device measures the period to a high precision over just a few oscillation. The construction, calibration and testing of the pendulum is described.
Discipline: Physics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Orla Aaquis
The Psychophysics of Boredom
No full textBoredom is a phenomenon that occurs in almost all individuals. Despite how common boredom is in our lives, little research has investigated whether boredom is quantifiable. We are using psychophysical techniques in an attempt to mathematically quantify boredom. We tested forty-two MacEwan undergraduate students who were classified as being high boredom prone (HBP = 15) or low boredom prone (LBP = 20). Participant performance was measured using Glass patterns, which require individuals to discriminate pattern from noise. Using these patterns, we were able to quantitatively extract various performance measures such as threshold, slope, error rate, and reaction time. We found that boredom proneness did not impact visual performance amongst HBP and LBP participants. We were unable to find significant differences between the two conditions when analyzing threshold, slope, error rate, reaction time, and the general psychometric function. These results suggest that boredom-proneness does not influence performance on psychophysical tasks, which in turn underscores the robustness of psychophysics as a measure of performance. Keywords: boredom, psychophysics, Glass patterns
Discipline: Psychology Honours
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nicole Anderso
Fabrication and Study of Conductive Aerogel Membranes
No full textAerogel is a polymer produced by removing the liquid phase in a gel, leaving a solid framework surrounded by porous pockets filled with air. This structure makes aerogel a promising material as a thermal insulator, a potentially a conductive device, and most importantly a rapid, reusable multiuse tool for purifying water. The research conducted so far focuses on building an environmentally friendly aerogel that is highly stable in water, yet rapidly absorbs non-polar liquids such as oils. Two different aerogels were produced by cross-linking cellulose from used tea leaves with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDE). Cellulose was chosen for its natural hydrophobicity, and has been proven as an ideal aerogel material for the desired properties. The polymers were converted to aerogel via freeze drying and a curing process. Graphene oxide (GO) was added to one aerogel as a way to increase the conductivity and improve structural rigidity. Characterization and physical testing of the aerogels shows promise in the synthesis and desired adsorbent properties, as the both aerogels do not readily absorb water, yet absorb hexane. Added GO increased the structural stability in water compared to BDE and cellulose. Future plans are to design a method that allows the aerogels to act as a membrane, or gated ion channel, controlled by a voltage. This has promise to transport ions through a membrane, and could be used to desalinate and remove heavy metals from water.
Discipline: Chemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Samuel Mug
Time Series Analysis of Bitcoin Prices
No full textBitcoin is a cryptocurrency created by an unknown person or persons using the name of Satoshi Nakamoto. It is a decentralized, peer-to-peer currency. Even though all transactions are public, the identity of any particular party of a transaction is difficult to trace. Therefore, it is commonly used by criminals alongside legitimate users interested in privacy or novelty.
Discipline: Statistics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cristina Anto
Applications of Dynamical Systems Toward Understanding Population Dynamics
No full textThe goal of the study was to model the exchange rate of Bitcoin to USD using time series analysis, in hopes that it could be used to predict future exchange rates. Historical weekly data from 2013 was used to train the current model. Later weekly data was used to assess model fit. In the end, a well-fitting model was found.
Discipline: Mathematics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Cristina Anto
Data Base on Breast Cancer
No full textAfter staying at a low value for years, it suddenly spiked during 2013 (possibly due to interest from the European/Cypriot debt situation), leading to a period of price instability.
Discipline: Statistics
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Karen Bur