Acadia Scholar
Not a member yet
4433 research outputs found
Sort by
Understanding the relationship between participation in organized sport and self-efficacy in paediatric cancer survivor
No full textOrganized sport plays an important role in fostering confidence and self-efficacy in children. For childhood cancer patients, the opportunity to engage in sport is often delayed due to treatment. Research has shown that involvement in physical activity can increase overall feelings of self-efficacy; however, few studies have focused on sport participation in childhood cancer survivors and its effects on physical and psychological health. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between sport participation and self-efficacy in a childhood cancer survivor. One 13-year-old male adolescent and his mother completed a demographic questionnaire and took part in three semi-structured interviews (M = 30 minutes) which included questions related to confidence and self-efficacy in sport. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Major themes reflected the adolescent's ambivalence and lack of competence in sport post-cancer. This study enhancesour understanding of how self-efficacy can be fostered in sport among childhood cancer survivors
Field evaluation and baseline data mapping of a rapid assessment technique for coastal plastic debris: with application to remote regions and citizen science
No full textAccumulation of plastic debris is a worldwide environmental issue, which has gained broad scientific and public attention in the past decade. The marine environment is not exempt from the threat of plastic, with 10% of global plastic waste produced entering the marine environment every year, negatively impacting marine wildlife. While much work has been conducted to quantify plastics in the marine environment, and establish rates of accumulation for modelling efforts, many of these approaches are site-specific and not amenable to rapid surveys. This study is part of an overarching project investigating plastic on Nova Scotia beaches and aimed to: 1) developa "rapid beach assessment technique", using cell phone photos, with possible applications in citizen science and remote regions, and 2) quantify concentrations of anthropogenic debris along the high tide strandline of beaches in Nova Scotia. Our data suggest that the concentrations of plastic on Nova Scotia beaches are relatively low with little interannual variation, and that densities along the high tide line are lower than the storm line farther backshore on beaches. Interobserver variation was also tested to determine the viability of this rapid assessment approach and we found that that there are some small, but notable, differences in density observations made between observers. However, because of the minimal interobserver variation, the rapid assessment technique appears viable for citizen science applications. A power
analysis to determine the appropriate number of quadrats, as well as repeated surveying of sites are recommended to understand and reduce variation in this study
Effects of light attraction and flight-calling on mortality of nocturnally migrating songbirds
No full textMigration is observed in many species of the animal kingdom, including birds. Of increasing risk to nocturnally migrating birds is mortality associated with attraction to artificial light. During migratory
flights, some birds produce species-specific vocalisations known as flight calls, which are believed to facilitate group cohesion and collective decision-making. Artificial light has the ability to disrupt compass systems used by migrants, disorienting them. Studies have suggested that flight-calling may contribute to mass collision events by amplifying disorienting effects of light at night. Migrants increase flight-calling in response to light, possibly attracting more conspecifics that are then at greater risk of light-related mortality. Light may also negatively affect decision-making capacity, leading to poorer decisions during migration. To examine this, I used data from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) to determine if flight-calling species have experienced greater population declines between 1966 and 2017 than non-flight-calling species. Analysis supported this hypothesis with 74% of flight-calling species continent-wide showing declines. There was a greater proportion of negative trends in the western BBS region (71%) versus the two other regions. However, further research is required to determine if these effects are attributable to increased anthropogenic light, or other mortality sources which have increased in tandem, such as habitat loss and habitat degradation
The relation of adult attachment style to microexpressions of emotions in the face during administration of the adult attachment projective picture system
No full textAttachment Theory suggests emotional responses are an important aspect of behaviour, particularly when the attachment system is activated. This study examines the relations of Adult Attachment classifications using the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) and emotional expressions exhibited in the face during AAP administration. Ekman described microexpressions as displays of facial behaviour lasting less than one second that reflect "true emotions" as they are not in conscious control. Thus, the present research examines microexpressions of Joy, Anger, Surprise, Fear, Contempt, Sadness, and Disgust. Participants were 60 undergraduate students who were administered the AAP story-telling task as a means to classify them as Secure, Preoccupied, Dismissive, or Unresolved while their facial behaviour was recorded, and expressions analyzed using Affectiva AFFDEX© and iMotions® technology. Results showed the presence of microexpressions of all emotions at low rates, with more Joy being expressed to Attachment-Neutral than Attachment-Relevant AAP cards. Microexpressions did not vary across the four Attachment Categories, with the exception of Contempt, which was higher in the Preoccupied group than the other three Categories. While few hypothesized differences were found, this study is the first to examine microexpressions during an assessment of the AAP, and thus, serves as a new paradigm to explore the underlying emotional structure of Adult Attachment. Future directions for this work are suggested.</p
Estimating the underreporting of COVID-19 cases using fatality data
No full textThis thesis presents research completed in collaboration with the Acadia COVID-19 Modelling Group during the spring and summer of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began. In particular, it focuses on the lack of reliable COVID-19 case incidence data due to variation in testing and reporting policies as well as resources available across different regions. We introduce a phenomenological GLM model that uses death data and estimates of the infection fatality ratio (IFR) to produce estimates for the true number of COVID-19 cases in various regions. We then compare estimates from this model with model estimates from another study [11] as well as serological data from various regions. We also discuss a compartmental model, based on the SIR model and modified to fit the specifications of COVID-19. We use the final size relation for this model to improve regional estimates of the IFR and, which could be used to improve the estimates from our GLM model.</p
Impact of COVID-19 & SARS on countries GDP & stock market returns
No full textCOVID-19 has demonstrated the difficulty the world has in dealing with global crises. This pandemic in particular has caused uncertainty in international markets with concerns generating from differing economic circumstances. This virus has caused global panic, and this panic is evident in global markets in the past weeks as stakeholders rethink their investments. However, with the world'
s population continuing to rise, the likelihood of more potential pandemics rises subsequently. This paper investigates past global health crises and the extent these consequences had on global
economies. In particular, I used the ThomsonReuters database to collect economic information surrounding the SARS Outbreak (2002-2004)and the most recent pandemic ; the COVID-19 outbreak (2019 –Present). The countries that were evaluated were the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, and South Africa. The variables of unemployment, CPI, bankruptcies, interest rates, and foreign exchange rates were used as independent variables to regress country GDP and stock market indices, along with dummy variables that represented the SARS epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic. The conclusion demonstrated that SARS was statistically significant towards GDP overall and that COVID-19 was economically significant
within the overall sample and particularly within. Australia, Japan,and Hong Kong.This indicated that health crises have become a more significant economic event and may continue to worsen as a
result of rising population density
Influence of genetics and environment on reproductive fitness: lessons from a self-fertilizing, amphibious fish
No full textThe amphibious mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) are one of only two self-fertilizing, hermaphroditic vertebrates. Rivulus live in mangroves and have the capability of living both in and out of water and surviving a wide range of environmental conditions. We know the basics of the unique reproductive strategy of rivulus; however, there are still many questions that are worthy of investigation in order to better understand the biology of K. marmoratus and its complex life history.The goal of my thesis was to use three highly homozygous lineages to determine how specific extrinsic and intrinsic factors affect the reproductive fitness of rivulus. To this end, I used four years of reproductive datato determine if rivulus have periods of reproductive highs and lows. In a lab-
based study, I gave rivulus the choice between land or water to determine egg-laying preference and reproductive fitness. I observed differences in egg production over time in all 3 lineages. These temporal differences were not seasonally dependent and all lineages preferred to lay eggs in water. There were significant differences between individual fecundity and fitness where some individuals and some lineages laid many eggs but had low hatch success, and some laid fewer eggs but had high hatch success. My research on this emerging model fish provides broad insight into the consequences of genetics and environment on reproductive fitness and is also important for rivulus conservation in the wild and for breeding in the lab. Mangroves are critical yet threatened
habitats and we need to understand the environmental challenges for their inhabitants
Disability ministry for small churches
No full textApproximately 20% of Canadians have some sort of disability. However, those numbers are not reflected in most congregations. There is a need for congregations to welcome and include people with disabilities and their families. But how is that done? One option is to set up a formal Disability Ministry led by a staff person or a group of volunteers and which focuses on organized programs. There is a place for such ministries, however, they require resources in terms of finances and people that may not be available in smaller congregations. In addition, smaller congregations may have only one or two people with disabilities, making it a challenge to develop a separate ministry program.
While this may suggest that smaller congregations are less equipped to provide quality Disability Ministry, that is not the case. Research into the needs and desires of people with disabilities and their families reveals that formal programming is not the highest priority. What is valued more than a separate Disability Ministry program is full inclusion into the life of the congregation. This goes beyond the ability to enter the church building through physical accessibility. What people with disabilities desire is the opportunity to fully participate in the worship and mission of the Church.
Much of effective Disability Ministry is relationship-driven rather than program driven. This means that smaller congregations can be just as effective at Disability Ministry as larger congregations. While there is not sufficient data to demonstrate that smaller congregations are more effective, it is possible to demonstrate that smaller congregations are at no disadvantage when it comes to provide a welcoming and inclusive faith community for people with disabilities and their families
The postcolonial female bildungsroman as counter-discourse: strategies of resistence in Merle Hodge's Crick Crack, Monkey and Simi Bedford's Yoruba Girl Dancing
No full textThe aim of this thesis is to examine the counter-discursive strategies employed in Merle Hodge's Trinidadian bildungsroman novel Crick Crack, Monkey and Simi Bedford's African bildungsroman novel Yoruba Girl Dancing. By examining the postcolonial female child's perspective and voice in these novels, I propose that the authors appropriate the Western-based genre of the bildungsroman and make it their own by skilfully subverting both the form and content. This thesis initially explores how Hodge and Bedford deviate from the traditional linear trajectory of the bildungsroman by depicting a reversal of this narrative in the beginnings of their novels. I then introduce Mikhail Bakhtin's concept of the chronotope to examine how the authors further disrupt this linear trajectory by exploring the past histories that shape the current realities of the protagonists. Moreover, I highlight the ways in which the authors challenge the content of the traditional bildungsroman by drawing attention to the often-silenced realities of the postcolonial female child. In this, I observe the violent ways in which colonial education often violates the subjectivity of the female protagonists as well as the ways in which this sort of education opens a unique space of agency for these characters. This thesis concludes with a study of the endings of the novels, examining the ways in which the authors convey how the psychic violence that the postcolonial female child experiences is not easily negotiated and resolved, unlike the traditional bildungsroman, which often ends in resolution
Exploring the role of pediatric simulated patients in the teaching of pediatric communication skills in health education
No full textPurpose: Effective pediatric communication plays a essential role in quality pediatric care making it an important component in pediatric health education. Pediatric simulated patients (PSPs) are real children recruited (with their parents/guardians) to work with health education learners in order to provide a valuable and authentic experiential learning opportunity. The literature regarding their involvement, role, and benefit is limited and by exploring learners', as well as parents/guardians and educators, thoughts, feelings, and experiences it may create a textual framework and provide a possible application for developing pediatric communication skills. This study explored the role of PSPs in the teaching of pediatric communication skills in health education.
Method: Following an interpretive research paradigm informed by a social constructivist theoretical framework, this study utilized a case study approach for its data collection. Results from 12 interviews (five with learners–three in medicine and two in nursing; five with parents/guardians; and two with educators) were analysed using a pre-set and emergent category approach.
Results: Participants reported a variety of critical outcomes and needs regarding the teaching and learning of pediatric skills and communication through working with PSPs, including a safe-learning environment, increased learner confidence and comfort, pediatric communication skills, and family-centered care. Other unexpected outcomes and themes emerged from the study, including increased advocacy for own and family's health and possible changes for pediatric programming and curriculum.
Conclusion: This study identified multiple benefits of working with PSPs, defining and solidifying their role in the teaching of pediatric communication skills in health education. These learning opportunities ultimately provided learners with beneficial and valuable exposure and experience working with typically developed children, in the presence of educators, which enhanced the development of their pediatric communication skills and comfortably bridged to real-world experiences. Some suggested initiatives for future pediatric programming, as well as research, were identified, including increased inclusion of PSPs (and the feasibility of including those aged zero to five years) and further exploration into the role parents/guardians and educators play in PSP interactions