MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
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Investigating the Anxiety-Increasing Potential of β-Carboline (FG-7142) in Zebrafish
No full textβ-Carboline (FG-7142) is a partial inverse agonist of the benzodiazepine allosteric site at the GABA-A receptor. It has been shown to yield anxiety-increasing (anxiogenic), proconvulsant, and appetite-reducing effects among various aquatic and mammalian species, including humans. It is found naturally in succulents, hallucinogenic plants, as well as tobacco leaves, and may be made endogenously. While previous literature has focused on seizure-inducing effects, interest is growing in the anxiogenic effects it has on terrestrial and aquatic species to model high-anxiety states. This study aimed to (1) establish a dose response curve for anxiety-like behaviour in zebrafish and (2) evaluate FG-7142 in a conditioned fear paradigm. An open field test and novel object approach test were used to generate a dose response curve of FG-7142 on anxiety-like behaviours. A U-shaped distribution curve was found with peak responses in increased immobility, lowered velocity, and lowered distance travelled at 10.0 μM. These findings suggest that FG-7142 has a significant effect on some behavioural markers of increased anxiety. Currently, this effective dose of 10.0 μM is being used to evaluate fear and anxiety conditioning in zebrafish using a 3-day repeated exposure and subsequent submerged plus maze paradigm based on red-green colour preference. Should FG-7142 have a mediating effect in the formation of conditioned fear and anxiety responses, it is expected that zebrafish in this test should avoid locations in the plus maze associated with the colour that was present during their respective repeated exposures.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Trevor Hamilton 
Finding comfort in a world of uncertainty: Exploring Ecological grief and anxiety through support circles
No full textThe exponential effects of climate change have increased fear and uncertainty of youths’ and young adults\u27 futures, negatively impacting psychological well-being. Hickman et al. 2021, found that 60% of youth (aged 16-25) feel “very” or “extremely” worried about climate change, and 45% of participants say that climate anxiety affects their everyday life. MacEwan’s Wellness and Psychological Services (WPS) are seeing an increased prevalence of ecological grief and anxiety expressed by students, specifically those studying environmental science; however, there is very little support for these individuals. Grief circles have been used to address grief and loss in various ways in psychology. When facilitated well, group discussions and grief circles remain among the most effective ways to process eco-grief, eco-anxiety, and climate trauma. With this in mind, we decided to bring an eco-grief peer support group to MacEwan campus. This project brings together WPS, Eco-SAMU, and student groups to support participants as they process their experiences of eco-grief and eco-anxiety. This includes the creation of resources and the implementation of a facilitation training program for peer supporters to build skills and confidence to facilitate the volunteer-led eco-grief peer support circles. Ultimately, our initiative seeks to build the capacity of students, staff, faculty, and the wider community to empower action and environmental justice initiatives in a healthy, sustainable, and inclusive way. We envision this project becoming a staple Eco-SAMU program with the support of students and staff so that support circles can be held on a regular basis.
Faculty Mentors: Helena Dayal & Sydney Benne
Music Entertainment Effects on Attention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
No full textAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction, communication, and attention (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Previous research has shown that music can enhance the attention of children with ASD and promote active social interaction. To extend these findings, music from singing bowls will be explored as a method to improve the attentional abilities of children with ASD. The acoustic properties of singing bowls have been widely used in Eastern traditions to induce relaxation, which can benefit focused attention. The research goal of this study is to determine whether exposure to singing bowl music during a structured play task can enhance ASD children’s performance in a subsequent visual attention task. It is predicted that exposure to the calming acoustic features of singing bowl music, in comparison to a no music condition, will enhance performance as shown by increased accuracy and decreased latency in the search for a visual target among distractor items. In addition, the benefit will be greater for children with ASD than for neurotypical children. The findings can be used to inform the development of accessible therapeutic techniques to improve children with ADS’s attention, which will enhance their cognitive and socio-emotional outcomes.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tara Vongpaisal 
Afrocentric Knowledge Within the Context of Social Work Education and Practice
No full textOur poster examines the results of a scoping literature review and seminal works search related to the existing knowledge on the inclusion of Afrocentric paradigms within Social Work and African/Black studies disciplines. It presents the firsthand findings about identity development and Africanness related to knowledge gathered through an ongoing research project on Afrocentricity and Social Work. Our poster’s purpose is to highlight the necessity to implement the recommendation of the United Nations People of African Descent decade which is a concrete inclusion of Afrocentric education within Social Work discipline in particular, and in higher education. It uplifts People of African descent’ contributions to sciences and community well-being over centuries of a true world history. As two first-generation African Canadian graduate students, this study allowed us to explore the spaces we occupy within graduate studies focused on Eurocentric frameworks. Our poster, therefore, discusses the intersecting identities that have shaped our lives, by allowing us to dissect the theories and empirical evidence surrounding Afrocentricity and Social Work.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Somnoma Valerie Ouedraogo 
Investigation into the Implementation of Rehabilitation in the Penal System
No full textThe question of how criminals must be treated has always been in the interest of society. Modern research suggests that the punitive approach to imprisonment, which was used for hundreds of years, exacerbates the issue of imprisonment rates. Demand for reform and rehabilitative processes has also arisen due to a societal shift in perception. The rehabilitative approach, which modern prisons are in charge of, aims to reduce crime and foster public safety, treating offenders as patients needing therapeutic care. But do prisons rehabilitate prisoners as they should? So, in our research paper, we will explore the effectiveness of prison rehabilitation. Moreover, to make our research more accurate, we consider factors such as age, race, and gender which may influence the effectiveness.
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Michael Gulayets 
City Wide ID Project : C5
No full textLooking into barriers to accessing ID for Edmonton Youth: C5 Hub
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Emily Milne 
The Abortion Debate: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Public Relations to a TikTok Video on the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
No full textThis qualitative analysis investigated public reactions in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This consisted of a content analysis of 50 of the most recent comments from an NBC news video posted to the TikTok account for the Today Show. The analysis identified four findings, with an emphasis on the last finding. The results demonstrated that individuals felt strongly about the overturning: 1) reactions were either for or against the decision, 2) forty-two of the comments were reactions against the overturning while 8 were for, 3) general themes found among the 8 comments were happiness, celebration, unsympathetic and dismissive, and 4) the most apparent themes among the 42 comments were freedom of choice, individual rights, injustice, medical and societal implications, emotional and betrayal
Educators As Risk Takers: An Ideas that Matter presentation
No full textThis presentation will cover what risk-taking is from an educator\u27s perspective, why it is so important, and some of the benefits as seen through real-life researched examples, including those of Reggio Emilia and some personal experiences with taking risks in my own professional practice. Lastly, it will cover the concept of responsible uncertainty in our practice and talk about where we can, as educators can, start with risk-taking
How Do You Like To Learn? Evaluation of Online Education and Its Effects on Undergraduate Students
No full textOnline education is no new phenomenon, but has recently gained traction due to the closure of educational institutions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the possibility of online learning becoming more relevant in the education system, researchers have observed the implications it has for students. While some studies have found little to no variance in academic performance, others have detected increased levels of engagement from students completing online courses. Mental health and student well-being have also been evaluated, with researchers coming to the conclusion that remote education increases negative emotions, such as depression and anxiety, due to the lack of interaction students have.
This essay discusses the evolution of online education, addressing its increased popularity over this past year, as well as discussing its pre-pandemic prominence. Following that is a dissection of the advantages and disadvantages of remote education from students’ perspectives. Further, I will discuss how these findings suggest that online education has both improved and worsened students’ academic performance, engagement levels, and mental health, as well as that blended learning is the most effective and efficient method. Lastly, some possible suggestions of how to mitigate the complications posed by remote education, as well as expectancies of the post-pandemic educational system will be discussed
Christ, These Wolves Are Ill-Behaved: Satirized Christianity in Empire of Wild
No full textThis paper examines the satirical representation of Christianity and Indigenous/Church relations throughout Cherie Dimaline\u27s novel Empire of Wild.