MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
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The Phrase “Committed Suicide" is Judged as More Applicable to Suicides Depicted as Immoral
No full textThis research investigated the endorsement of the phrases “committed suicide” and “died by suicide” in relation to different suicide storylines. One hundred and eighty-eight MacEwan University students were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions, with conditions differing in the fictional account of a death by suicide that was read by participants. The storylines were systematically varied regarding whether the suicide was depicted as immoral or neutral and regarding whether the suicide involved a librarian or researcher. After reading their assigned storyline, participants rated six statement-pairs in terms of which would be preferred by the family of the deceased, with statements in each pair differing only in the use of either the phrase “committed suicide” or “died by suicide”. In a separate part of the study, participants judged whether “died by suicide” or “committed suicide” suggested that suicide is immoral and then they rated the degree to which the phrases “committed suicide” and “died by suicide” suggested immorality, wrongdoing, illegality, and sinfulness. As hypothesized, participants in the immoral suicide scenario condition endorsed the phrase “committed suicide” over “died by suicide” more than those in the neutral condition. The majority of participants selected the phrase “committed suicide” as suggesting suicide is immoral. Lastly, the phrase “committed suicide” was seen as connoting higher levels of immorality, wrongdoing, illegality, and sinfulness compared to “died by suicide.” Findings have potential implications for stigma reduction and help-seeking.
Department: Psychology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrew Howel
Lost in Eternity: A Visual Representation of Einstein\u27s Dreams, by Alan Lightman
No full textLost in Eternity is a project of DESN231 Typography II, a course in the Bachelor of Design in the Faculty of Fine Arts & Communications. Students were asked to visually translate an assigned section of the novel “Einstein’s Dreams”, by Alan Lightman (1993) into a two-page layout that explores concepts of time and challenges convention. With the overall goal of enhancing the meaning of the written text students focused on featuring the nuances of language through visual devices. Students were encouraged to explore linguistic deconstruction (semantics, syntax, grammar), alternative ways to organize the page, and to experiment with non-traditional grids, all while maintaining legibility and readability of the text. Informative callouts were added throughout the publication to give conceptual or factual context to the piece.
Department: Design Studies
Faculty Mentor: Constanza Pache
Taking a Stand; No Playing Around; Hope
No full textAn assortment of photos taken during the Spring and Summer of 2020 depicting different images of the COVID pandemic
It Won\u27t Be Long
No full textI remember taking the photo and the next day it was the first lockdown. I appreciated this moment with my friends while going on a walk into the forest and I didn\u27t know the next day we wouldn\u27t see each other. The beauty from this photo was my feelings about this pandemic, It\u27s dark and the sun is leaving. The sunshine only lasts as long as the day lasts. The sunset is my representation of the lowliness that I have experienced while in this pandemic, even when the sun is shining I feel lonely and the only aspect of life that I have been able to experience at this time, is the moments of the seasons changing and the sky. It was a part of myself that made me still feel human, while in a pandemic of loneliness and anxiety, I still can experience mother nature\u27s beauty
I Am Sorry I Could Not Be There
No full textAfter finding out that many friends and family members in Mexico were getting sick, impotence took over my body. I found comfort in talking to them over the phone. Seeing their faces illuminated my heart; however, the fear of losing them stays there.I miss my family, I miss my friends, I miss my life
Screening phytochemical extracts of invasive Albertan weeds for anti-biofilm properties
No full textBiofilms, complex bacterial communities encased in a secreted matrix, are highly pervasive and problematic in health care settings. This lifestyle allows bacteria to anchor in a particular location and provides high intrinsic antibiotic resistance to the biofilm community, rendering biofilm infections difficult to remove once established. Effective anti-biofilm compounds for clinical use are lacking and are urgently needed. Plants may be an excellent natural source of anti-biofilm compounds given the prevalence of phytochemicals used as a defence mechanism. However, despite their rich phytochemical diversity, plants, and invasive weeds especially, have remained understudied for their anti-biofilm properties. In this study, we screened phytochemical extracts from invasive Albertan weeds for anti-biofilm properties against Escherichia coli, Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms by testing the capability of the plant extracts to inhibit biofilm formation. Single-species adherent biofilms were grown in liquid culture in 96-well microtiter plates, and were exposed to increasing concentrations of a single plant extract during biofilm formation. To quantify total biofilm biomass, biofilms were stained with crystal violet and absorbance was measured at 595 nm. Preliminary analysis identified novel anti-biofilm activity in tested extracts, including an ethyl acetate extract from Leafy Spurge flowers and leaves. This work will contribute to existing knowledge of phytochemicals with anti-biofilm properties, which can be further developed into therapeutic treatments. In addition, this project provides preliminary identification of these compounds in invasive Albertan weeds, laying the groundwork for future studies on these extracts.
Department: Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kimberley Harcomb
Characterization of an Aptamer for AFB1: : An Attempt at Aptasensor Design and Modular End Labeling
No full textAptamers are nucleic acid-based ligand binding molecules that are capable of strong and specific binding to small molecule, protein, or whole cell ligands. These versatile nucleic acids can be paired with visualization techniques to create sensors which are aptly named aptasensors. This research project was aimed at developing a colorimetric DNA-based aptasensor for the detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) by pairing it with DNAzyme in a same-strand split design. To properly design the aptasensor, characterization experiments were carried out. These included a native gel to test for conformational change, UV absorption spectra, and DMS probing. The native gel and UV absorption spectra were low in resolution and did not provide valuable information regarding conformational change. DMS probing is a type of fingerprinting experiment that allowed for the elucidation of AFB1 binding sites on the aptamer. An end-labeling technique was required for the DMS probing. Since MacEwan University is not equipped for radioactive end labeling, a modular fluorescent labeling technique was developed. This technique involved a 5’-fluorescently labeled “probe” molecule ligated to the aptamer by use of an adaptor oligonucleotide (complementary to both the probe and 3’ end of the aptamer), T4 PNK and T4 DNA ligase. Overall, our end labeling technique was functional and DMS probing allowed for aptamer characterization, but time did not allow for the aptasensor to be designed and tested. Now that the aptamer has been characterized, aptasensor design and testing may be carried out in a future project and the end labeling technique may be used in future aptamer research.
Department: Honours Biology
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Nina Bernstei
Evaluating Gender Inequity in Medicine
No full textI examine the existing inequalities in healthcare and medicine in regards to gendered variation in treatment and access to medical resources or information. My goal of this independent research project is to identify specific areas of healthcare where there is variation in the quality of care received by patients as a result of their gender identity. I have employed an online survey that was distributed to a variety of platforms, with all genders encouraged to participate. The responses from this anonymous survey were compiled and examined in order to identify specific trends and areas of concern within the healthcare system. The survey predominantly consisted of short answer questions that were scored based on severity of response, with those responses then sorted according to the gender identity of the respondent. Special attention was paid to instances of marginalization, unequal access to resources or medical information, and any other form of discrimination, where there was variation in the quality of treatment received in medical settings in response to the gender of the patient. The results from the survey were then examined in the context of existing literature which discusses inequality in healthcare and medicine, and a statistical analysis was performed based on the data obtained.
Department: Biology
Faculty Mentors: Dr. Katie Biittner and Dr. Monica Davi
Student Demographic Research Insights for Hive Fit Co.
No full textAn analysis of the viability of captivating post-secondary students within Edmonton to participate at a class-specific fitness institution. The presentation will entail an explanation of the marketing problem, followed by the qualitative and quantitative research design and dedicated solutions found.
Department: Business
Faculty Mentor: Fernando Angulo-Rui
Copywriter Salary Trends: : Past, Present, and Future
No full textThe researchers of this study attempted to learn more about the gender wage gap and why it affects the copywriter industry in particular. This initial inquiry led to testing for potential reasons for this discrepancy in pay such as personality, skills, and education. The target population for the research was copywriting professionals. The sampling for the survey was judgmental which allowed us to design a survey that was more accommodating to questions involving compensation. From our analysis, we confirmed that there is a statistically significant difference between male and female compensation, however, we also determined that years of experience is highly correlated with a larger salary. After 10 years there is a substantial increase in earnings. This finding is related to the price determinants that are used. High-earning copywriters price their projects based on outputs such as sales revenue generated by the copy.
Department: Business
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Fernando Angulo-Ruiz