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Evaluating the efficacy of ethanolic lemongrass extract (citratus cympbopogon) in treatment of colon cancer and drug-drug interactions of lemongrass extract and chemotherapeutics for treatment of colon cancer
No full textViable, Healthy and Safe CommunitiesCancerous cells have certain vulnerabilities that can be targeted by therapeutic cancer treatments. Chemotherapeutics, which are conventional treatments for a wide range of cancers exhibit toxicity towards non-cancerous cells, which cause a plethora of side effects that reduce the patient's quality of life. Natural extracts have been shown to selectively target cancerous cells. Specifically, we have shown that lemongrass extract (Cymbopogon citratus) can induce apoptosis in in-vitro and in-vivo leukemia and lymphoma models. Ethanolic lemongrass extract is investigated here for its efficacy and anti-cancerous properties in colon cancer models. Cell viability was reduced after treatment with varying concentrations of ethanolic lemongrass extract, without a negative effect on a non-cancerous colon cancer cell line. Drug-drug interactions between lemongrass extract and chemotherapy drugs, namely FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil, folinic acid, and oxaliplatin) and Taxol, were not disruptive, showing that cell death either remained the same or was slightly increased in combination treatment groups compared to individual treatment groups. Further research is being conducted to elucidate the mechanism of apoptosis induction, specifically looking at reactive oxidative stress (ROS) production, activation of the caspase pathway, and mitochondrial membrane potential
Mapping The Toronto Theatre Blogosphere
Get PDFFrom online reviews, to live tweeting during a performance, to "liking" a production on Facebook, the blogosphere is transforming how we talk about theatre. Theatre criticism in the digital world is now a "team sport," where audience members and artists play alongside professional critics (Fricker 49). This shift holds much potential: online critical discourse can help us develop a more diverse and inclusive picture of theatre reception and theatre-going cultures than print reviews, and expand the historical documentation of performance, which, as a vanishing art form, leaves very few traces of itself. However, the limited research in this area has yet to fully understand the role of the blogosphere in theatre ecology or how to archive the criticism found there (Collins ; Poll ; Radosavljevic). "Mapping the Toronto Theatre Blogosphere" is a new research project bringing together Dramatic Art and Computer Science students. It attempts to answer two key questions: how is the blogosphere changing how we talk about theatre, and how can we preserve the critical discourse occurring there? To answer the first question, we tracked and archived the online critical response (blog reviews, online publications, tweets, and Facebook posts) to a representative sample from the fall 2016 Toronto theatre season. Our resulting dataset was examined using a content analysis approach in order to identify which productions generated the most critical response (posts) online, the demographics of the posters (including age, gender, occupation, and ethnicity), and the purpose of the posts (including commentary on the production, socio-political commentary, endorsements, and check-ins). To answer the second question, our CS team member is developing an open-access website to archive the materials collected, which the public will be invited to use and contribute to once it is launched. Our preliminary findings suggest that the blogosphere is changing how we talk about theatre in three key ways: it is providing more coverage to new plays and plays about political or controversial subject matter; it is increasing and diversifying the participants in critical discourse, allowing women and people of colour more access into the conversations; and it is connecting discussions about theatre to other topics such as political issues and identity. Our UWill Discover presentation will summarize our findings about the Toronto theatre blogosphere and include an interactive demonstration of our database
Development of an analytical model for rotational vector of a sphere using MEMS inertial sensors
Get PDFA critical investigation of Bell Let’s Talk
Get PDFIn September 2010, Bell created the Bell Let’s Talk campaign to help lessen the stigma of mental health illnesses in Canada. The objective of this paper is to tease out the “ambivalences” (see Banet-Weiser, 2012) surrounding a massive corporation’s leadership in mental health awareness by analyzing both the importance and controversy surrounding Bell Let’s Talk. The first component of this paper is a literature review that seeks to answer the research question: “how may components of Bell Let’s Talk Day be understood as both progressive and regressive?” Although “social media is the next step in the war against silence” (Campbell, 2017), I argue that Bell has underlying motives. Through the campaign, Bell seeks to strengthen its affective brand value by encouraging consumers to produce an ethical surplus via immaterial labour (Banet-Weiser, 2012; Arvidsson, 2006). Second, I present the ambivalence of Bell Let’s Talk under Banet-Weiser’s theoretical framework of brand culture. My secondary research question is: “considering both the progressive and regressive aspects of the campaign, how does Bell Let’s Talk exemplify the ambivalences of twenty-first century brand culture?” The works of Sarah Banet-Weiser and Samantha King are important for situating cause-related marketing in a much larger social and political-economic context – for example, the neoliberal trend of relying upon private corporations to solve what should be collective, social problems. Third, I implement a small-scale reaction analysis of the comments of a Bell Let’s Talk Facebook post. Although 64.5% of audience reactions are categorized as positive, there are Facebook users who are skeptical. This mini-case study seeks to make evident the ambivalence of contemporary brand culture within society
'Bigger than football': A capacities and signals approach to the NFL kneeling protests
Get PDFThe ‘kneeling protests’ happening in the National Football League (NFL) have transformed football stadiums across the country into unlikely, yet impactful, spaces of resistance to racist rhetoric and racial violence. The reactions to the protests have been split, to say the least. Some have praised the kneeling as a powerful and moving display of civil resistance, culminating in the most high profile protester, Colin Kaepernick, being recognized as Amnesty International’s 2018 Ambassador of Consciousness. Others have interpreted the protests as a sign of disrespect towards the American flag, national anthem, and military. Now well into its third season, the symbolic power associated with the act of kneeling on the NFL may have ran its course. Broadcasters made clear their decision to not televise the anthems before the games, in a sense choking the kneeling protests of the oxygen that made for their fiery support and opposition in the first place – their circulation via traditional mass media broadcast. However, Kaepernick and #TakeAKnee are as widely discussed today as they were now almost three years ago. In theorizing the athlete/activist in the digital age, the aim of this research is to answer the following central research question: How was visibility maintained and the narrative of the kneeling protests controlled through deliberate image making and circulation, considering the ever-shifting, yet overlaid, physical and digital sites of resistance? The primary focus of this paper is the ability of the social movement to adapt strategy and tactic when space/place is denied or limited. It references a theoretical model (Tufecki, 2017) that measures a social movement’s power in terms of its i) narrative, ii) disruptive, and iii) electoral/institutional “capacities,” and how it “signals” to them
Weight Loss Outcomes of Optifast Total vs Partial Meal Replacement Programs in a Community Clinic
No full textBackground The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of the total Optifast program (OP), an evidence-based total meal replacement program, with a partial OP, for weight loss in a community-based setting. This is a study of real-world data primarily examining total weight loss, % weight loss, and change in BMI following 12-14 weeks of the total and partial OP. Methods Participants were selected from a community obesity clinic in Windsor, within November 2019 to June 2022. Participants were selected sequentially based on at least 12 weeks of adherence to the total OP (4 packets/day, with no meals, at least 80% of the time) or partial OP (1-3 packets/day, replacing one or more meals). Participants were examined for changes in BMI and % change in weight at a 12-14 week follow-up. Results A total of 73 participants made up the total (n=47; baseline weight = 270.6 ± 63.9 lbs) and partial (n=26; baseline weight = 254.1 ± 58.5 lbs) OP groups. Compared to baseline, absolute weight loss across 12 weeks was 37.4 ± 13.2 lbs (p<0.001) and 20.3 ± 10.7 lbs (p<0.001) in the total and partial OP groups, respectively. The % weight change at 12 weeks was significantly greater in the total (13.8 ± 3.6%) compared to the partial (8.2 ± 3.9%) OP group (p<0.001). Conclusion After 12-14 weeks, significant weight loss was achieved in both the total and partial OP groups, with the total OP showing significantly greater weight loss than the partial O
The Framing of Temporary Foreign Workers in Canadian Parliamentary Debates
Get PDFThis study examines the framing of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) within the context of Canadian political discourse. Through a qualitative content analysis of parliamentary speeches spanning from 2006 to 2022, it investigates how TFWs and the TFWP have been framed by members of three federal political parties: Conservatives, Liberals and the NDP. With an aim to understand influences on framing strategies, the analysis considers significant events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and a change in government. The findings highlight the significance of party ideology in shaping perspectives on TFWs and the TFWP, with all three parties recognizing the necessity of this group and program in achieving Canada’s economic goals. At the same time, despite their increasing significance in the economy, the study highlights the conditional inclusion of TFWs in Canada. Policymakers adapt their frames based on perceived contribution of these workers and their alignment with Canadian interests. This research illuminates the crucial role of framing in shaping policy outcomes regarding TFWs and the TFW
Law and Oppression: A Moral Call to Abstain from the Use of Moral Language
Get PDFAbstract: In this presentation, I first establish that morality is invoked to justify the existence of discriminatory or otherwise oppressive laws that harm marginalized groups. Examples that demonstrate this point will be pulled from past and present laws that target homosexual and transgender populations, ranging from anti-sodomy laws to trans bathroom bills. Next, I argue that moral language is imbued with normative and motivational force because of its association with legitimate moral judgments. Since normative judgments provide reason to act, the invocation of such judgments is seen to carry that same reason and motivational force. In the absence of legitimate uses of moral terms, or at least the refusal by a significant portion of the population to use moral rhetoric, use of such terms no longer carries the same force. Therefore, I conclude that there is a compelling moral reason to stop using moral language when discussing laws. Finally, I respond to the objection that this prevents moral discussion and criticism or support of laws on moral grounds. I explain why genuine, content-laden positions still have the same strength and normative force. Such positions can still be discussed in terms of their underlying principles, rather than simply stating that a given law is moral, immoral, good, or bad. However, positions relying upon empty moral rhetoric do not have the same ability and are revealed as lacking true moral justification. Keywords: morality, law, oppression, discrimination, language, ethics, normative, discourse, semantic
Economic Impacts of Establishing a Neutron Source Facility in Windsor
Get PDFCancer poses a significant health challenge in Canada, with two in five individuals likely to develop the disease. This paper explores the economic impacts of establishing a prototype compact accelerator-based neutron source (PC-CANS) facility in Windsor that will produce medical isotopes locally in Windsor, Ontario, rather than relying on centralized production and transportation from London, Ontario. Fluorine-18 medical isotopes, crucial for positron emission tomography (PET) scans, experience significant decay losses during transportation due to their short half-life of 109.8 minutes, increasing costs and restricting availability. Using a differential analysis approach, the study quantifies economic benefits, focusing on three main impacts: transportation cost elimination, reduction in decay-induced production losses, and advancements in cancer treatment and research, particularly through Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). Findings indicate that, over a 30-year lifespan, local production is projected to save Windsor Regional Hospital approximately CAD 2.88 million in transportation costs, generate gains from reduced decay-induced production losses of CAD 21.25 million, and enhance cancer treatment and research through BNCT, resulting in a cumulative benefit of CAD 4.86 million. With an initial investment of CAD 10 million, total economic benefits are estimated at CAD 28.98 million over 30 years, positioning Windsor’s neutron source facility as a valuable model for other smaller Canadian cities
The Man Who Stands Most Alone: How Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People Addresses Science Ethics
No full textHenrik Ibsen’s 1882 play An Enemy of the People follows a recent discovery that reveals a contaminated water supply, threatening the economy and well-being of a small town. This play is one of many that work to create an open dialogue between Science and Art. As theatre director and theorist Anne Bogart argues, theatre and performance as a medium can open up a space to explore how society may discover and adjust to scientific breakthroughs. My research works to further illuminate the interconnection of Science and Art by examining how the theatre might engage with the questions and conflicts of Science Ethics. My presentation will analyze both Ibsen’s play and an acclaimed production of it directed by Thomas Ostermeier (2012) by applying principles of Science Ethics to a close reading of both texts. Specifically, I will examine how Act Utilitarianism, an ethical principle that discerns moral rights from wrongs based on appeasing the greater good (Eggleston & Miller), is illustrated in these works. Ibsen uses this principle to reveal a conflict between public health and private interests, as the characters grapple with what exactly is the “right� thing to do regarding the water supply. Ostermeier’s staging of the play helps to highlight this conflict, using a chalkboard backdrop to mirror the ever-changing mindset of the townspeople. Both the play and Ostermeier’s production force the audience to consider the consequences of using Act Utilitarianism to guide our actions. Applications of this research will help to understand how theatre offers a new perspective to the open dialogue on the issues within science