MacEwan Open Journals (MacEwan University)
Not a member yet
2252 research outputs found
Sort by
The Value of Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles for Lexus of Edmonton
No full textOur objective was to discover productive improvements to Lexus of Edmonton’s (LoE) current Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Vehicle practices by determining if CPO vehicles added value, and if so, what value was added. By utilizing multiple methods, we discovered areas in the used vehicle sector that Lexus of Edmonton could improve on. In order to conduct our research, five in-depth interviews, scholarly article evaluations, meet with the representatives of Lexus of Edmonton, and surveys were conducted using paper, email and social media tools such as Google surveys, Twitter and Facebook. The methods allowed our group to utilize statistical analysis to outline the importance of relationships between variables with the statistical software, SPSS. With the information received from statistical analysis, we believe that Lexus of Edmonton can succeed with the sale of CPO vehicles by following our recommendations, including: certification education, appropriate pricing of used vehicles, building trust, value-added certification benefits based on willingness to spend and targeted demographics, as well as further research
Helminth Therapy: A Promising Approach to Treating Crohn\u27s Disease and Asthma
No full textIncreasing rates of autoimmune diseases, such as asthma and Crohn’s disease, have become a major concern in industrialized countries. One potential cause for the rising rates of autoimmune diseases in humans, is the disconnected relationship to parasites due to better hygiene. The extensive history between parasites and humans has resulted in the evolution of immunomodulating characteristics in parasites that may prevent the development of autoimmune diseases in humans. Here, I discuss the evolutionary reason for the protective effect against autoimmune diseases provided by parasites, explain the hygiene hypothesis as it relates to parasites, and propose the immunological mechanisms of parasites that might confer protection from autoimmune diseases. I will also give evidence for the protective effect and indicate the current state of helminth therapy and its challenges. While helminth therapy may be an effective treatment and prevention method for autoimmune diseases, much more research needs to be conducted in order to determine the specific mechanisms of action on our immune systems, and how these could be used medically to treat autoimmune diseases
Elucidating the Distribution of a Non-Native Katydid in Alberta Using Bioacoustics
No full textAccumulating evidence has shown that climate change is causing shifts in species distributions. Several Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids) species have been shifting their ranges in response to rising annual temperatures. Bioacoustics is a useful tool for monitoring this shift in populations distributions because Orthoptera produce audible vocalizations and can be captured by recording devices. Recently, Roeseliana roeselii, a species of Orthoptera native to Europe, was discovered near Edmonton, Alberta, outside of its naturalized range in eastern North America. This discovery presents a unique opportunity to elucidate the provincial distribution of R. roeselii by using bioacoustics software. In this project, I used automated audio recognition software to sort through province-wide field recordings from the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) to evaluate the feasibility of using bioacoustics for R. roeselii in Alberta and report any new records or observations. Using field and lab collected recordings of R. roeselii, an algorithm is created to sort through over 10,000 hours of audio. In all these recordings I was unable to detect R. roeselii calls in the ABMI recording data despite finding multiple populations through field sampling. This project lays the groundwork to better understand R. roeselii’s distribution in North America and comments on the possibility for using automated acoustics for other Orthoptera species in North America.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Kevin Judge
Department: Biological Sciences
 
The Effect of Chronic Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Exposure and Withdrawal in Zebrafish
No full textZebrafish (Danio rerio) are an excellent model for neuroscience research due to the similarities in neurochemistry they share with humans. Zebrafish are a good model for anxiety research as they are highly anxious prey species. In addition, cortisol is the primary stress hormone in both humans and zebrafish. This enables researchers to study the relationship between neurotransmitter systems and hallucinogenic drugs. There has been little research into hallucinogens due to their reputation as drugs of abuse and focusing on their benefits is a recent development. The few studies conducted on acute lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) exposure in zebrafish has shown a significant anxiolytic effects. The current study involves chronic exposure of zebrafish to LSD. Subjects will be randomly assigned to a low or high dose of either 100 μg/L or 250 μg/L for 11 days and behaviour in the open field test will be assessed on the 11th and 18th day. Based on past research, since fish have experienced a decrease in anxiety when exposed to LSD, the withdrawal will elicit a rebound effect. This research will increase understanding of hallucinogens and their potential therapeutic application in disorders such as anxiety. Future research should address the nature of chronic exposure of lower doses as well as the effect hallucinogens have on treating addiction disorders.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Melike Schalomon
Department: Psychology
NOTE: This work is available to MacEwan users only at https://roam.macewan.ca/islandora/object/gm:210
Spreading the Word:: How to Increase Interest in a Career Development Course for University Students
No full textThe purpose of this research is to identify ways in which MacEwan’s CDEL Navigating MyCareer Journey program can better reach students and increase enrollment and completion rates. This paper addresses these goals by looking at ways to improve the programs current marketing strategies and the features that effect its overall appeal. First, we researched fifteen scholarly articles regarding career development and student learning preferences. Next, we conducted three in-depth interviews with MacEwan students; one currently enrolled in the program and two not enrolled. After our analysis, we formulated a questionnaire aimed at solving the programs main areas of concern. A total of 126 respondents from the target group completed the survey.
The research indicates that CDEL should focus its marketing efforts on posters, friends, MyMacEwan website, and Blackboard. It also showed that CDEL should focus on creating awareness through friends, parents, online forums, and professors. Our research indicates that networking skills, career/life opportunities, and developing a career mindset are the most important topics to students and that CDEL should focus on those. Our research also identified that making a comprehensive, for-credit course might be the best way to increase their completion rate. We recommend that CDEL develop these key features of the program and modify the course to make it warrant credits
Idioma e Identidad de Género:: Is Life Satisfaction Influenced by Gendered Language?
No full textThis planned retrospective study will examine the relationship between first language spoken, gender identity, and life satisfaction among MacEwan students. The first language learned and fluently spoken by each subject will be classified as either gendered or non-gendered according to a set taxonomy. Subjects will be asked to self identify as having either a binary or non-binary gender identity. Finally, the Riverside Life Satisfaction Scale will be used to measure the subjects’ current life satisfaction. It is predicted that non-binary individuals who grew up speaking a non-gendered language will report higher levels of life satisfaction relative to non-binary individuals who grew up speaking a gendered language. The results may indicate that the degree of life satisfaction experienced by people who identify as non-binary may be adversely affected by the language they speak. If their primary language is highly gendered we predict a lower life satisfaction because of a mismatch between their gender identity and the language they use to describe themselves and the world around them.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Sean Rogers
Department: Psycholog
Conditions
No full textConditions is a collection of written works by women, their experiences in life, and their thoughts and views on the world. It features six poems, two short stories, and an interview with author Adrienne Rich. The book is illustrated with imagery of mountains, hot weather, and desserts, settings that are often referenced in the stories. On a deeper level, a theme that runs through the book is that of rejection of traditional expectations of women and femininity. For this reason, motifs like flowers and the colour pink were avoided purposely. The typefaces Playfair Display and Crimson Text were chosen to match the overall feel of beauty that is communicated in this collection, as well as the elegance and quality of the written pieces. The layout was kept traditional to accommodate a wide variety of different types of work included in the collection; large headings and ample white space was used to separate each writing.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Constanza Pacher
Department: Design Studies
 
Interdisciplinary Research on Perceptions of Fairness in Organizational Setting
No full textI propose to present the main findings from a research project at MacEwan University. Fairness is an important concern when organizations are recruiting. Our research explores the effects of fair versus unfair selection processes, specifically: (1) How does fairness affect the effort levels of people who are selected? (2) How does fairness affect the motivation of people who are not selected? Previous studies indicate that the standard economic model lacks consideration for fairness. However, what processes are deemed fair or unfair depends on the situation. A majority of people find ‘weak people first’ and ‘first come, first serve’ to be the most fair, while a small percentage finds random selection as most fair selection process. Our research builds on this topic by exploring people’s perceptions of fairness and their resultant levels of motivation. We collected data through a survey with 252 MacEwan University students, containing hypothetical scenarios regarding recruitment for a sustainability initiative on campus. Respondents were asked to rank the fairness of four different selection processes: (1) Auction (2) Authority (3) Lottery (4) Queue. We had eight different versions of the survey presented through the Qualtrics platform to ensure each student viewed a random version of the survey. Our results indicate that fairness does affect people’s levels of efforts, especially for the participants who were offered volunteer positions with people reporting significantly lower effort level when selected through an unfair process. Our research holds significance for why organizations should use fair selection processes to ensure higher levels of effort.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Rohit Jindal
Department: Business, Decision Science
Exploring Queer Joy: The Importance of Positive LGBTQ+ Narratives
No full textMedia is a powerful tool for socializing society about norms. Media portrayals of LGBTQ+ narratives often reinforce heteronormative ideals in society. Lack of representation or narratives that exploit the trauma of LGBTQ+ characters can lead to associations of queerness with negative outcomes and unhappiness. However, LGBTQ+ narratives that focus on the joy and happiness between characters can serve as a catalyst for acceptance. As such, it is important to celebrate and highlight series like Schitt’s Creek which intentionally show the tenderness, happiness, acceptance, and love of LGBTQ+ characters. The centre of the hoop is the hand embroidered image from the show\u27s billboard. In an interview, Daniel Levy, the co-creator of Schitt’s Creek, shared that he wanted to do something bold for the final season and that his younger self would never have dreamed of seeing a billboard with two men kissing. Many fans have taken photos in front of the billboard to share their acceptance and celebration of queer love. When young sunflowers grow, they turn towards the direction of the sunlight during the day and reverse course at dawn so they are ready for morning. A study by Harmer in 2016 found that restricted sunflowers that were unable to turn were smaller in size and had fewer petals. In the same way, lack of positive LGBTQ+ narratives negatively impact the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Here, the border of sunflowers represents a collective turning towards LGBTQ+ joy, health, and happiness. When we celebrate and support positive and healthy LGBTQ+ media representations, like the sunflowers in sunlight, we can all flourish and grow.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Katie Biittner
Department: Gender Studie
Effects of Salinity Stress on the Germination, Survival, and Legume-Rhizobial Symbiosis of Native Legume Dalea Purpurea
No full textSoil salinity poses a major challenge for oil sands reclamation in Alberta. Sodium chloride is an abiotic stressor that negatively affects plants physiologically causing a need to identify native plant species capable of surviving and improving the soil conditions of these sites. Dalea purpurea (Fabaceae) is a promising candidate for oil sands reclamation, but no research has been done to assess its salinity tolerance and the effect of salinity on its Rhizobial symbiosis. In the present laboratory study, we subjected D. purpurea seedlings to pre-germination conditions of 0, 25, and 50mM NaCl, in the presence and absence of Rhizobial symbionts. We found a significant decrease in germination success and post-germination survival as a result of salinity with salt-sensitivity varying among individuals. Surviving individuals in salinity treatments displayed growth comparable to control treatments. Salinity did not affect nodulation, but significantly reduced nodule volume by 56% at 50mM NaCl. While nodule health of the species is negatively impacted by salinity, the species may be useful in salinity reclamation due to the presence of salt-tolerant individuals. This is the first study to consider the utility of native legumes and their rhizobial symbionts for the reclamation of saline oil sands sites.
Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled)
Faculty Mentor: Karen Christensen-Dalsgaard
Department: Biological Sciences
NOTE: This work is available to MacEwan users only at https://roam.macewan.ca/islandora/object/gm:210