Oral Abstracts
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Presenter: Adeney, Robin (PhD Student) |
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Tales from the dollhouse: A narrative inquiry into children's understandings about the meaning of play |
Keywords: Play, Narrative, Early Childhood, Meaning, Story
Play is a universal phenomenon with a pervasive and enduring presence in human history. Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the significance of play in the lives of children, acknowledging play as a specific right, in addition to and distinct from the child's right to recreation and leisure. We also know that play is the leading source of development in the early years and is essential to children's optimal development. Ironically, play is persistently undervalued, and children's opportunities for uninterrupted free play - both indoors and out - are under threat. This proposed study uses a narrative inquiry methodology as first developed by Clandinin and Connelly (1990)to explore the experience of play from a child's perspective in a preschool setting. Beginning with the researcher's own autobiographical narratives of play the research then shifts to Learning Tree Preschool, the study site, where the play lives of four preschoolers will naturally unfold and be documented. The researcher will observe children's understandings of play as revealed in their multiple languages of learning - their dramatic play, conversations, photographs, writing, drawing, sculpture, paintings, dance and spontaneous singing. The majority of early childhood studies are adult conceived and present findings from an adult perspective. A unique and rare aspect of this research is the focus on the children's perspectives of play and their participation as co-researchers. Throughout the study care and respect for participants will be ongoing with the use of pseudonyms for the school site, teachers, parents and the children. It is hoped that the eventual findings will reveal insights into how playfulness can be injected into early learning settings and will facilitate improved learning through play in the early years.
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Presenter: Balfour, Amy (Masters Student) |
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Documenting the Antecendents of Female Adolescent Engagement in Prostitution: A Multi-Strategy Approach |
Keywords: Antecendents of Female Adolescent Engagement in Prostitution: A Multi-Strategy Approach
Experience working in the community with female youth motivated this research. The issue of female adolescent engagement in prostitution is not secluded to one community or class of people. The issues and reasons surrounding why young girls become involved in prosituting is complex. The women that participated in this project expressed that involvement in prostitution during adolescence was the result of the need to survive away from home that was often characterized with violence, abuse, and neglect. Investigation of the antecedents of female adolescent involvement in prostitution was the topic of research in this study. A multi-strategy approach was employed using both qualitative and quantitative methods to gain an understanding of the variables predicting adolescent’s prostituting and the relationship among the variables. An unstructured interview was used in addition to a structured questionnaire and a poker-chip exercise. The findings from all three methods of inquiry indicated that those who participated in prostituting during adolescence experienced multiple problems in the home such as parental substance abuse and violence, which may have been affected by inadequate care and supervision. Exposure to such experiences potentially opened additional pathways for sexual and/or physical abuse victimization; often concurrently. Drug use and running away became part of these adolescent experiences. With no safe haven and lacking alternatives, prostituting was an open door as a way to survive or the result of exploitation by others.
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Presenter: Bonsu, Nana (Masters Student) |
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A Taste Test of |
Keywords: Triangle taste test, sensory assessment, masking
Abstract:
The aim of this project was to determine if a powdered fibre supplement and a natural sweetener had a similar taste when mixed with a masking substance, in this case, orange juice. This task was undertaken because subjects in an upcoming research project would be using these products and any detectable taste differences needed to be assessed before the start of the main project. To determine any taste differences, the triangle test for similarity was used. The triangle taste test is used primarily to determine if a particular ingredient change creates a detectable difference in the final product. Respondents in a triangle taste test taste three different samples of a substance and then indicate which sample is different. For this task, three small samples of orange juice were placed in front of the respondents and they had to determine which sample tasted different. For the triangle taste test used in this project, 42 responses were gathered. Out of the 42 respondents, 18 correctly picked the odd sample and 24 could not distinguish between samples. The amount of people who can distinguish between the different samples falls slightly out of the accepted range for this type of test. However, this discrepancy is small enough to be negligible.
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Presenter: Canart, Christina (Masters Student) |
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The Impact of Agricultural Policy: A Manitoba/Saskatchewan Case Study Comparison |
Keywords: agricultural policy, impact assessment, stakeholders, Agricultural Policy Framework,
Abstract:
The number of agriculture producers within
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Presenter: Chan, Greta (PhD Student) |
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How does context facilitate memory? |
Keywords: text processing, short-term memory, event-indexing model, chunking, proactive interference, retroactive interference
Abstract:
When reading narratives, people tend to categorize events in five dimensions: time, space, causation, intention, and protagonist. This is called the event-indexing model. The objective of this study is to investigate how the event-indexing model facilitates people’s memory of semantic information. Three hypotheses were tested: 1) People are no better in remembering a series of episodes presented in a loose context than in remembering a string of unrelated words. 2) A series of episodes that can be chunked or recoded using the event-indexing model will facilitate people’s memory of the episodes; 3) When a string of words with no context is presented to people, the middle portion of the list is poorly remembered; but when a series of well structured events is presented, people will remember the middle part of the series as accurately as the beginning and end parts of it. The participants were 30 psychology students. They were presented with a list of words and then recalled the words in any order. They were then presented a 12-episode story and their task was to recall one event in each episode. The results show that recall accuracy for events in structured context was 80%, compared to 58% for events in loose context and 53% for words with no context. Although people are not better in remembering events in loose context than remembering a list of unrelated words, loose context is helpful for the recall of the middle part of a presentation than no context.
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Presenter: Dawson, Michele (Masters Student) |
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Expanding the ‘Sport Posse’: Masculinizing the Feminine in Jump In and High School Musical |
Keywords: Masculinity, Pop-Culture, Children, Boys, Sports, Identity, Youth Culture, Children's Literature
Abstract:
Boyhood masculinity is a valuable cultural commodity. Since the nineteenth century, Western cultures have been preoccupied with developing healthy, masculine boys. The focus on training boys to become young men causes for the creation of the homosocial space, which allows boys to develop in an arena free from the potentially sissifying influences of women. During the twentieth century, Baden-Powell’s Boy Scout Movement created one such space for boys to learn appropriately masculine behaviour. Sports also became an important facet of boys’ maintenance of their masculinity. Michael Kimmel, for example, stresses the importance of sports in the lives of today’s adolescent males in developing their masculine identity apart from female influence. Strangely, current kids’ movies use the discourse of sports for the opposite purposes. Rather than separating themselves from girls, boys appropriate female activities, for example double-dutch and musical theatre, by linking them to sports. My proposed paper will look at how four popular Disney Channel films (Jump In and High School Musical 1, 2 &3) present boyhood masculinity to child audiences. I will, more importantly, examine the seeming contradiction of how the masculine, homosocial realm of sports can help alleviate the anxiety of boys participating in feminine activities (be it jumping rope or dancing on stage). This paper will focus on the various successes and failures experienced by Izzy Daniels (Jump In) and Troy Bolton (High School Musical) as they attempt to negotiate the tensions between masculine and feminine spaces.
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Presenter: Denis, Nicole (Masters Student) |
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Putting Culture Back Into Translation Studies |
Keywords: translation, culture, literature, equivalence, fidelity, transposition, contextualization, interpretation
Abstract:
This presentation will assess the importance of culture in the field of translation. There is an important relationship between literary translation and culture which makes the two inseparable. The translation of a text is most importantly the translation of a culture and its components, such as language, literature, customs, myths and even beliefs. Literary translation is a rewriting process that requires translators to possess a broad understanding and specific knowledge of the languages and cultures they translate. The emphasis of Translation Studies has shifted and now focuses on these aspects instead of the out-dated notions of equivalence and fidelity (of both form and content) which have historically dominated the field. Because these notions change through time and space, they cannot be graded, measured, or even adequately defined without a specific cultural context. I would like to challenge these myths while exploring the difficulties and problems that translators face in a Canadian Literature corpus. By using specific examples from both French and English and from Annabel Lyon’s novella “The Goldberg Metronome”, I will attempt to shed light on possible solutions to these problems.
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Presenter: Dohms, Kimberly (Masters Student) |
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Using nestling growth to assess habitat suitability for a grassland songbird |
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Authors: Stephen K. Davis, R. Mark Brigham |
Keywords: Sprague's Pipit, nestling growth, conservation plans, species at risk
Abstract:
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Presenter: Dolter, Brett (Masters Student) |
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Ecovillages Will Save the Planet – But Who Wants to Live in Them? |
Keywords: ecovillage, environmental behaviour, environmental action, environmental psychology, ecological economics
Abstract:
An ecovillage is a community of people who have come together to grow their own food, build energy-efficient housing, and live as simply as possible in order to “do no harm” to the Earth. Members of ecovillages believe that they are building “lifeboats” of sustainability that will survive the worst a global economic crisis can throw at them. They also believe that by living simply, in self-reliance, they are lowering their “ecological footprint” to a bare minimum and creating a “beacon” of sustainability for the rest of society to emulate. Building an ecovillage isn’t easy. Ecovillage pioneers face skeptical neighbours and inflexible government regulation. Still, there are some who choose to leave mainstream society, and invest time, sweat and money into building an ecovillage community. In my Master’s research I asked ecovillage members: why? I spent two weeks in an ecovillage, tending to the gardens by day and conducting interviews with ecovillage members by night. The interviews revealed that ecovillagers share a unique worldview that led to their lifestyle choices. This ecovillage worldview is composed of beliefs and values that create environmental concern and motivate the ecovillage members to act on that concern. By identifying the beliefs and values that motivate ecovillage membership, we can gain insight into ways to motivate people to take simpler environmental actions such as driving less or recycling. This presentation will thus be of interest to activists, educators and policy-makers interested in motivating environmental action.
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Presenter: Donald, Derek (Masters Student) |
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The effects of nitrogen pollution on water quality in fertile lakes; can it stimulate the growth of toxic blue-green algae? |
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Authors: Derek B. Donald, Peter R. Leavitt |
Keywords: Environment, pollution, water quality, lakes, nitrogen, urea, toxins, algae
Abstract:
Freshwater is one of the most important resources available on the planet. Unfortunately, human activities are causing detrimental effects on the health of freshwater ecosystems. Eutrohication and the occurrence of toxic algal blooms is one of these problems. Nitrogen pollution is commonly overlooked as a cause of algae blooms in lakes. However there is substantial evidence that suggests nitrogen is important for the growth of these algae. In addition, human activities such as agriculture and urbanization dramatically increase the amount of nitrogen entering lakes. Here I will present data from seasonal monitoring and in-lake experiments showing that nitrogen pollution degrades water quality in the Canadian prairies by stimulating the growth of toxic blue-green algae.
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Presenter: Donald, Teslin (Undergraduate Student) |
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Environmental and Temporal Influences on Incubation Attentiveness in Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii) |
Keywords: incubation, behaviour, conservation, ecology, songbirds
Abstract:
Sprague’s pipit (Anthus spragueii) is a cryptic grassland songbird that has experienced significant population declines in the last 30 years and is currently listed under the Federal Species At Risk Act (SARA) as threatened. This migratory species is endemic to the North American Great Plains where native prairie has been identified as important habitat for nesting. Unfortunately for researchers, this ground-nesting species construct a highly concealed grass-domed nest, which can only be found by flushing females during incubation or nestling care. I am currently investigating how incubation attentiveness in this species is influenced by time of day, temperature and the stage of egg development. Nest searches were conducted throughout the spring and early summer of 2007 and 2008 in the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area and incubation behaviour was documented using video cameras at randomly selected nests. By quantifying incubation attentiveness the results from this study will aid in the identification of environmental and temporal factors that influence incubation behaviour. There will also be the practical outcome of providing future researchers with information on the best times and conditions for undertaking nest searches.
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Presenter: Dunbar, Miranda (PhD Student) |
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Hibernation in bats: who's hot and who's not |
Keywords: energy, bats, temperature, hibernation, metabolism
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Most studies of animal physiology sample populations from within a single location. However, climatic conditions vary with geography so separated populations of widespread species likely experience different levels of environmental stress. My goal was to measure changes in hibernation physiology among geographically separated populations of a non-migratory and migratory species to determine whether there is a continuum based on latitude. Hibernating bats serve as great research models because they are sensitive to even slight fluctuations of climatic features. I chose big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus; non-migratory) and eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis; migratory) as focal species. I captured bats throughout each species’ winter range and measured metabolic rate and body temperature in response to a range of ambient temperatures. My data suggest that torpid metabolic rate (
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Presenter: Dzal, Yvonne (Masters Student) |
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What is the influence of reproductive status on the use of torpor by female little brown bats? |
Keywords: bats, reproduction, temperature, energy-saving, foraging, torpor
Abstract:
Because mammalian reproduction is energetically demanding, individuals should adjust how they use metabolic energy to regulate body temperature and foraging behaviour to use the least amount of energy. This is especially true for small mammals, such as bats, which use energy much faster than large mammals do. One possible energy-saving strategy is the use of torpor, a short-term hibernation that results in decreased metabolic rate, temperature, and daily energy expenditure. Although torpor use by mammals is well studied during the non-reproductive season, our understanding of torpor use by reproductive individuals is limited. Torpor might be helpful, as it contributes to energy savings when energy is needed most, but it could also delay the development of offspring, and therefore be disadvantageous. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of pregnancy and lactation on thermoregulatory strategies and foraging behaviour in little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). Radio-telemetry was used to monitor the thermoregulatory response and foraging behaviour of 40 adult female bats. The results of this study show that all bats, regardless of reproductive status, used torpor daily and that these torpor patterns varied between reproductive and non-reproductive females. This suggests that variation in torpor use (but not foraging behaviour) is influenced by energy costs of various reproductive stages. This study adds a much-needed field component to the breadth of knowledge we have gained from laboratory studies. As a result, we are slowly beginning to understand the energetics of torpor patterns and the physiological and behavioural ecology of small mammals.
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Presenter: ElMoudir, Walid (PhD Student); Idem, Raphael |
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Development of Mechanistic Rate Models for Water Gas Shift Reaction |
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Authors: Walid ElMoudir, Hussam Ibrahim, Prashant Kumar, Enefiok Akpan, Raphael Idem |
Keywords: H2 production, rate equation models, Chemical Reaction Mechanisms, Water Gas Shift Reaction, Computational fluid Dynamic Simulation
Abstract:
Searching for alternative fuel that would be environmental friendly is an important approach to mitigate the greenhouse gases emissions from burning fossil fuels. Hydrogen production is one of those alternative fuels and it can be produced through the Water Gas Shift Reaction (WGSR) which also plays an important role in many industrial processes such as ammonia synthesis, methanol synthesis, methanol steam reforming for, catalytic combustion, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, coal gasification, and cleaning of H2 streams from CO, prior to feeding H2 to low-temperature fuel cells. In this work, WGSR has been studied for H2 production experimentally and numerically. The aim of this study is to obtain a reaction rate equation for WGSR from experimental data obtained at three different temperatures. Twenty two models are proposed based on power law model and Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) mechanisms. Only three models were found to be satisfactory; among the three models, model 5 is selected as the most plausible model to describe the WGS reaction mechanism. Furthermore, a reactor model was developed to simulate the WGSR in a packed bed reactor. The model was developed using COMSOL computational fluid dynamic simulator. The model results show that the WGS reaction proceeds very fast and occurs in the first section of the reactor where almost 2/3 of the reactor has not been utilized as the reaction reaches equilibrium.
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Presenter: Fisher, Ryan (PhD Student) |
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Landscape and local influences on habitat use by a grassland songbird in Saskatchewan and Alberta |
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Authors: S.K. Davis, R.M. Brigham |
Keywords: grassland bird, Sprague's Pipit, native prairie, hay field, wildlife conservation, landscape,
Abstract:
Sprague’s Pipits are small songbirds that primarily nest in grasslands that have never been plowed by humans, but are moderately grazed by cattle (i.e., native grassland). With the substantial loss of native grassland in , pipits have been observed nesting in fields planted with exotic grasses. Understanding the reasons why pipits choose to nest in either native grasslands or planted grasslands remain unknown, but the answer is critical for directing conservation strategies aimed at preserving this Threatened species. Similar to humans that choose what neighbourhood to live in, we propose that birds may also choose what type of “neighbourhood” to live in when they select a nesting place. Our goal was to determine whether the habitat composition (native or planted grassland or cropland) surrounding nesting patches (i.e., neighbourhood) influences whether pipits use a site. We counted singing males in native and planted grassland quarter sections (65 ha) in
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Presenter: Fletcher, Amber (PhD Student) |
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Keywords: farm women, gender roles, work/labour, agriculture, public policy, neoliberalism, family farm
Abstract:
In the current era of free trade and corporate agriculture, there is one point on which many agriculturalists concur: the Canadian family farm is in a state of crisis. Meanwhile, the roles of
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Presenter: Frederick, Tyler (Masters Student) |
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Assessing the Physical Impact of the 2005 Jeux du Canada Summer Games on the University of Regina Faculty of Kinesiology |
Keywords: holistic, sport, event, impact, assessment
Abstract:
The majority of literature regarding the impact of sporting events is concentrated largely on the economics of mega-events (Gratton & Henry, 2001). This is problematic in part because it overlooks many other outcomes and there has been little attention directed to the impact of smaller sporting events. Evaluating the monetary benefits of sporting events is the highest priority in capitalist societies and this premise reflects the academic literature regarding event impact analysis. Many residual effects of hosting sporting events are intangible, such as the psychological, political, socio-cultural and tourism impacts. However, the success of an event is often recognized by the tangible immediate economic impact (Gratton & Taylor, 2000). Ritchie (1984) developed a classification of the types of impacts which must be evaluated for sport events. The physical impact category developed by Ritchie (1984) will become the focus of this study. Physical impacts examine the construction of facilities and environmental damage. The rationale behind singling out the physical impact category is that within the data it was the area with the most dialogue and has parallels to other impact categories. Methods: This case study was conducted in a qualitative manner to gain multiple viewpoints from participants on perceptions about the 2005 Games on the
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Presenter: Graham, Sean (Masters Student) |
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This Hour Has Seventy Years: The |
Keywords:
Abstract:
For over seventy years, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (
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Presenter: Guba, R Dawn (Masters Student) |
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Biocomposites and Environmental Impacts |
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Authors: R. Dawn Guba, D. S. D. Stilling |
Keywords: biocomposites, biodegradable, standards, sustainability, plastics, natural fibres
Abstract:
A socio-economic responsive consciousness that minimizes the environmental footprint has resulted in a growing interest in biocomposites for sustainability. Generally, biocomposites are comprised of natural fibres and synthetic matrixes (i.e. plastics) where the material properties of the matrix are significantly enhanced. Innovations in biocomposite materials and product designs have shown multifold, positive impacts on the environment. The products tend to be for single-use applications or products with short life spans. Not only is less plastics required but also the synthetic matrix material can be reclaimed. With the end product being biodegradable, natural components are returned to the earth. Another benefit is cost reduction associated when using these products for temporary, time-limited applications as negligible to no costs are incurred in disassembly because the product biodegrades and integrates in a benign way with the surroundings. Assessing the degradation of biocomposites is a crucial proponent. Standards and protocols for establishing biodegradability relating to biocomposites are discussed, herein. Related standards include Biodegradable plastics used for coatings and substrates (
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Presenter: Hatin, Bianca (Masters Student) |
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The Relationship Between Pseudoneglect and Collisions in an Older Population |
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Authors: Bianca Hatin, Laurie Sykes-Tottenham, Chris Oriet |
Keywords: Pseudoneglect, aging, brain, neurological changes, bumping, colliding, attention.
Abstract:
In a neurologically normal population, there is a perceptual bias towards the left side of space, such that the left side of stimuli tends to be represented more prominently and is more readily attended. This bias, called pseudoneglect, is demonstrated by the fact that people will consistently bisect a horizontal line to the left of its true center. Evidence from a younger population suggests that pseudoneglect is associated with rightward collisions (the tendency to collide into things on the right side of space). Given that deficits observed in younger populations are often exacerbated in older populations, it is important to examine how pseudoneglect affects collisions in the elderly. A number of age-related neurological changes occur that affect how pseudoneglect manifests, making results from current studies on pseudoneglect and collisions inapplicable to older populations. The current study addresses that inapplicability by examining whether pseudoneglect is associated with the greater incidence of collisions observed in older populations. It also examines how manipulating attention can affect collision rates. Finally, this study examines whether the relationship between pseudoneglect and collisions is attributable to age-related changes in neurological functioning.
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Presenter: James, Michelle (Undergraduate Student) |
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Neville Longbottom and his internal struggle to be a hero. |
Keywords: Neville Longbottom and how he breaths new life into the literary history of the hero.
Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to look at the character Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter Series and contextualize him with a broader literary tradition of boy soldiers/heroes. The character Neville Longbottom breaths new life into the idea of the soldier in training, which has been perpetuated in British Empire literature, such as Rudyard Kipling’s The Drums of the Fore and Aft and The Young British Soldier. Neville’s character begins in the literary tradition of the “soft boy” who is decidedly un-heroic; however Neville’s position as a “soft boy” is different because of his own sense of incompetence. As the series continues, Neville transforms away from the role of the “soft boy” and adopts a more heroic role by becoming a soldier in training, which is different from the concept of the child soldier in that the soldier in training volunteers. In this case, Neville volunteers for this role whereas other characters in the series, such as Harry, have it thrust upon them. This research is significant because Neville provides the framework of the non-traditional hero which is not found in the tradition of natural heroes.
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Presenter: Karimi Pour, Kosar (Masters Student) |
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Promotion of ‘Normative’ Version of Scientific Knowledge, Public Understanding of Science in What on Earth! Gallery |
Keywords: PUS (Public Understanding of Science),
Abstract:
The investment of millions of pounds from the National Lottery and other sources in museums, and the decision that museums should be free is supposed to change the focus of science museums and galleries, from encouragement to understand science to inclusion and diversity. The presentation intends to link theoretical implications to What on Earth! Gallery (a natural history gallery in
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Presenter: Kilgour, Julia (Masters Student) |
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Understanding the Social Organization of Big Brown Bats |
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Authors: R. Mark Brigham |
Keywords: bats, sociality, behaviour, Cypress Hills, competition
Abstract:
Many animals live in groups, and benefit from doing so. There are, however, potential costs to living with other individuals. Among these may be greater competition for resources such as food, mates, and territories. To reduce competition between group members, some animals follow a dominance hierarchy, where certain individuals have priority or access to resources based on their status. The goal of this project is to understand the social organization of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). This insect-eating species is found all over the continent. Females form maternity colonies in the summer, where they roost together and raise their young. This project involves capturing individuals from known colonies and conducting trials where all pairs of individuals compete for a food source. The outcome of the trials will determine if these bats are organized into a dominance hierarchy based on the number of wins and losses for each bat. Results from preliminary trials indicate that this species does follow a dominance hierarchy. The captive group is also video monitored for several days to observe all interactions between all individuals. The behaviours observed will be compared to the dominance rank, and help to understand what behaviours are linked to dominance. This study will provide unique information about bat social behaviour, and how bats compete with each other within their colonies. In addition, we will have a better understanding of how animals solve problems of social competition, and balance the costs and benefits of group living.
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Presenter: Kim, Dong Won (Masters Student) |
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A Web-based Learning Support System for Inquiry-based Learning |
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Authors: Dong Won Kim, JingTao Yao |
Keywords: Web-based learning support systems, e-Learning, Online game, Inquiry-based learning, Treasure hunt and Treasure Hunt Model
Abstract:
Advances in Web technology have changed the means of learning as well as the way people live their lives. Web-based learning support systems are means which support student learning. Inquiry-based learning is a student-centered educational method driven more by student questions than by instructor's lessons. Students can construct their knowledge through the process of inquiry. My talk will demonstrate the prototype of a Web-based learning support system called Online Treasure Hunt, which exploits an online treasure hunt game to conduct inquiry-based learning. Some topics of Data Communications and Networks course are treated by this prototype system. The system takes inspiration from the treasure hunt and integrates inquiry-based learning with online game technologies. Online Treasure Hunt allows students to conduct a "treasure hunt" on certain topics and develop answers to given questions. With this Web-based learning support system students can experience inquiry-based learning and study the course topics with fun and thrills.
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Presenter: Kirzinger, Nadine (Undergraduate Student) |
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‘The Trials of Arabella’: A Narrative Arc |
Keywords: Ian McEwan, Atonement, "The Trials of Arabella," theme, parallels
Abstract:
In the first passages in Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement, we are introduced to a young girl named Briony and her play “The Trials of Arabella.” It is unsurprising that, as a post-modern text, Atonement displays a conscious acknowledgement of a text within a text. What we may perhaps call unusual, however, is the manner in which this seemingly self-contained intertext continues to appear throughout the course of the novel. This mirroring of the text within the text provides the reader with a point of reference around which all romantic narratives, as understood by Briony, are based. There are several parallels between “The Trials of Arabella,” and the ‘real life’ romances in the novel, including the stunted courtship of Robbie and Cecilia, the ‘courtship’ of a fatally wounded soldier named Luc and Briony and Lola and Paul Marshall’s puzzling relationship. Through her changing perceptions of the play’s narrative, we, as readers, are able to gain insight into Briony’s understanding of the world around her in terms of social relationships and the roles or individuals within these relationships. Let us explore some of the deep reaching consequences of the romantic imaginings of a young girl as they follow her throughout her life.
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Presenter: Kotowich, Roberta (Masters Student) |
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Sediment Cores from two Alluvial Fans in the Qu’Appelle Valley area of Saskatchewan |
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Authors: Roberta Kotowich, Ulrike Hardenbicker |
Keywords: alluvial fan, erosion, sedimentation, geomorphic response
Abstract:
In the Qu’Appelle Valley, landuse changes during the last 150-years have increased erosion and sedimentation in the valley catchments and subsequently developing alluvial fans. Alluvial fans are distinctive geomorphic landforms which develop when sediments and soils transported in water are deposited and accumulated at the base of side valleys. Two alluvial fans in the Qu’Appelle Valley were chosen in order to analyze the influence of these landuse changes on sediment deposition and to document the geomorphic response. The first alluvial fan is situated adjacent to intensive agricultural landuse near Lumsden, whereas the second lies within the Cowessess First Nation with little to no agriculture activity documented in the catchment. Bore holes were drilled and sediment cores extracted from each fan. The first result indicating increased erosion and sedimentation adjacent to agricultural landuse is the length of cores extracted above the till layer; on the First Nation the length of core is 350cm and near Lumsden the length is 850cm. Further investigation of the particle size analyses in combination with geochemical analysis of the sediments were used to identify sediment layers which reflect times of severe erosion in the catchment and sediment layers which reflect times of geomorphic stability in the cores.
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Presenter: Lawrie, Tricia (Masters Student) |
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Verbal Overshadowing in Cross-race Face Identification: A Theory Reconciliation |
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Authors: Tricia Lawrie, Katherine Arbuthnott |
Keywords: cross race effect, verbal overshadowing effect, eyewitness testimony, First Nations populations, face recognition
Abstract:
Factors that affect eyewitness accuracy are a concern (Wells, Memon, & Penrod, 2006). The cross-race effect (
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Presenter: Li, Gongchen (PhD Student) |
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A Two-stage interval-stochastic management model for non-emergency evacuation |
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Authors: Gongchen Li, Yumin Chen, Gordon Huang |
Keywords: Allocation planning, Management, Optimization, Stadium evacuation, Transportation, Uncertainty
Abstract:
Traffic allocation planning is commonly required for mass evacuation management. It primarily relies on efficient coordination and appropriate utilization of roadway capacity and available traffic resources. However, traffic and evacuee information are usually difficult to be obtained and consequently of various uncertainties in data. Especially, stochastic information may often exist in evacuation management systems. In this study, a two-stage interval-stochastic evacuation management (TISEM) model was developed for supporting the evacuation planning under uncertainty, by which stochastic and interval evacuation information could be well reflected and communicated in the system. In addition, by adopting the proposed model, a case study abstracted from the City of
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Presenter: Liao, Renfei (PhD Student) |
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Neural Network-based Predictive Control System for Petroleum Separation Process |
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Authors: R.F.Liao,G.H.Huang and W.J.Zhang |
Keywords: Neural network,Predictive control,Oil battery,Uncertainty,Gas-liquid ratio
Abstract:
In order to predict the effect of potential control actions on the evolving state of the petroleum separation process, a neural network predictive control (NNPC) system was introduced in this research. This system contained a neural network emulator, a neural network controller, and an optimization procedure. The advantage of the developed NNPC is that the neural networks have a learning ability, which makes the system different from the general model-based predictive control system. It could generate results with progressively improved accuracy along with the on-going training process. NNPC is capable of updating its optimization information according to the changing situation adaptively. In the application of this NNPC system at real-world petroleum site in southeast
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Presenter: Ma, Tennille (Undergraduate Student) |
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Exploring how individuals use yoga to recover from experiences of depression |
Keywords: yoga, depression, hermeneutic phenomenology, qualitative, self-study, self-discipline, surrender
Abstract:
Within the literature regarding the effects of yoga on depression, there are empirical studies conducted that demonstrate that yoga alleviates depression, however, there is not a lot of narrative research done on how people recover from feelings of depression using yoga. My study will be done from a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. My research project is an exploratory, preliminary study. Therefore, three participants are enough to complete the study. The aim of the research project is to examine the experiences of how individuals use yoga in their recovery from depression, thus, the number of participants is not meant to be representative of people in general. If I can contribute to the small amount of narrative research already done, perhaps more therapists can recommend yoga to people with experiences of depression.
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Presenter: McLeod, Katherine (PhD Student) |
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Osteoporosis Screening Management – A Population Health Perspective |
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Authors: Katherine M. McLeod, Shanthi Johnson |
Keywords: osteoporosis, screening, population health, social determinants of health
Abstract:
Osteoporosis is a chronic disease burden affecting 1.4 million Canadians and the incidence continues to rise. To strive for optimal management of the disease, a population health perspective is necessary. A population health approach examines the interactions among the entire range of individual and collective determinants of health including social, physical environment, genetic, health care, and behavioural determinants. Calcium and vitamin D intake, and weight bearing physical activity are well established behavioural determinants of osteoporosis, however less well understood, are the social determinants of osteoporosis. Most of the studies on the effects of social determinants of health refer to socioeconomic status (
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Presenter: Meisner, Dwayne (Masters Student) |
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Livy and the Bacchanalia: |
Keywords: Dionysus, Bacchanalia, Roman law, Roman Senate, , conspiracy
Abstract:
This paper concentrates on a set of events which occurred in
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Presenter: Mills, Cathy (Masters Student) |
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“If there is a chunk of ice I’d probably be able to do the same thing”: Participant perspectives on artifacts in their figure skating arena. |
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Authors: Cathy Mills, Dr. Larena Hoeber |
Keywords: youth sport, figure skating, artifacts, participant experiences,
Abstract:
A physical artifact can be defined as something that is aimed at solving a problem or satisfying a need, exists independent of its creator, and is perceived by the senses (Gagliardi, 1992). Skating arenas are made up of various physical artifacts, which may include trophies, photographs, and training equipment (Mills & Hoeber, 2008; Mills, 2007). Despite the prevalence of artifacts in arenas and other sport environments, there is little research on how they are understood by the club’s members. To address this gap in the literature, the purpose of this exploratory research is to identify which artifacts, if any, have meaning to young figure skaters. This research is a case study of participants’ perspectives of artifacts in a midsize figure skating specific arena. The study included 8 figure skaters between 13 and 15 years of age. Data collection involved researcher observations, fieldnotes, and auto-driven photo-elicited interviews (Collier, 1957; Samuels, 2004). Skaters were asked to photograph the artifacts within their arena, followed by an interview to discuss the content in 10 photos of their choice. Through their photographs and interviews, participants’ descriptions of the arena highlighted different artifacts than initial researcher observations. While researcher photos focussed on plaques and the pictures of skaters displayed in the lobby, most participant photos focussed on artifacts like the ice surface, music player, and dressing room. Research into participant perceptions of artifacts may help managers better understand how to design training environments and the importance of choosing artifacts carefully (Rafaeli & Vilnai-Yavetz, 2004a).
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Presenter: Moleski, Janet (Masters Student) |
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No Greater Love than between a Man and a Woman: The Homoerotic Tragedy of The Merchant of |
Keywords: shakespeare, queer-theory, merchant of
Abstract:
The Merchant of Venice has traditionally been studied as a comedy. This classification holds true if the play is given a heterosexual reading wherein “true love,” or the love created by reciprocated desire, conquers all, and the older generation and patriarchal society are undermined by the desires and fertility of the young. Society must continue, and this can only occur if lovers are united in marriage and given the opportunity to bear children. True love should be strong to allow the lovers to be united. However, when the play is studied according to queer theory, it becomes apparent that the patriarchal society is not overturned. While Bassanio and Portia’s marriage is traditionally seen as symbolizing the flourishing of love, a queer reading suggests that the marriage blocks the homoerotic relationship that exists between Antonio and Bassanio. Marriage in the play can only be between a man and a woman, and is one aspect of the traditional patriarchal culture that cannot be overturned. Subsequently, true love in the play must be moderated between the queer tragedy and the heterosexual comedy according to how those genres portray the relationship of characters to patriarchal traditions. A straight reading of the play points toward a comedic structure and an overturning of the oppressive patriarchy, while a queer reading features a breaking of the bond between Antonio and Bassanio due to the oppressive nature of traditional marriage that they, as men, are forced to adhere to within a patriarchy and a comedy play.
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Presenter: Mustafaeva, Shahlo (Masters Student) |
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Perceptions of Depression Among Karen Refugees: Development of Culturally Sensitive Screening Tool |
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Authors: Shahlo Mustafaeva, Regan Shercliffe |
Keywords: Depression, culture, Karen, cross-cultural, focus groups
Abstract:
Despite the fact that research in Western cultures is facilitated by the availability and development of depressive symptom measures and diagnostic instruments, research on depression in non-Western cultures has been very limited and dependent for the most upon direct translations of these Western instruments. A strict reliance on the constructs of Western psychiatry risks inappropriately prioritizing psychiatric syndromes that are familiar to Western clinicians, but may be of secondary concern or simply lack meaning to non- Western populations for whom local idioms of distress are more salient. With this in mind, we sought to develop a measure of depression specific to Karen immigrants, as given the long-standing unrest in many Karennai are immigrating to . Thus it is important to develop a culturally sensitive measure of depression in order to provide more thorough assessment and if needed appropriate treatment. Focus group discussions were conducted with Karen refugees to identify culturally relevant conceptions of depression. Participants were recruited through the help of Regina Open Door Society. A total of 30 individuals, 16 females and 14 males, participated in focus group discussions. Participants were presented with a vignette describing individuals emotional and somatic symptoms of depression. Depressive symptoms that Karennai presented seemed to be conceptualised as a problem related to cognition (thinking too much) rather than emotion. The resulting condition is referred to as heart disease that may or may not require medication depending on severity of heart disease. The use of hypothetical case vignettes made it possible to access the views of Karennis on depression. The results of this study are used to develop a culturally sensitive depression screening tool. Furthermore this study will inform health care professionals on cultural syndromes and terms that will allow them to accurately detect depression in this unique cultural group.
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Presenter: |
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Keywords: Woodrow Lloyd,
Abstract:
This presentation will discuss the political and public policy impact of former Saskatchewan premier and Cooperative Commonwealth Federation leader Woodrow Lloyd, with particular focus on Lloyd’s role in the 1962 Saskatchewan Medicare dispute. In many ways, Lloyd’s political career as
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Presenter: Nelson, Kristina |
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The application of the RASI-MIDI methodology to identify bacterial community structures in microbial fuel cells. |
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Authors: Dena McMartin, Roy Cullimore, Takaya Ono, Behrooz Razban, Kristina Nelson |
Keywords: alternative energy, microbial fuel cells, bacterial communities, fatty acid methyl esters (
Abstract:
A current global initiative is the exploration of alternative energy sources that are reliable, renewable, and cost effective. One potential method to produce electrical energy is through the use of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). MFCs exploit the normal metabolic activities of bacteria whereby electrons are produced. Typically, MFCs are comprised of bacterial communities that can change and thus affect
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Presenter: Nielsen, Dustin (Undergraduate Student); Prince, Alex; Cottrell, Andrew |
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Multi-Touch Table for Audio Manipulation |
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Authors: Dustin Nielsen, Alex Prince, Andrew Cottrell |
Keywords: multi, touch, audio, image, manipulation, FTIR, user, interface, HCI, synthesis
Abstract:
Our project is a creation of both hardware (based off of the work by Jeff Han and the concept of Frustrated Total Internal Reflection) and software for a multi-touch interface. When a person touches the table infrared light bounces off their finger and directs it into the table. A video camera detects these beams of light coming off the table. The software makes use of an open source software package called Touchlib in order to detect where the touches on the table appeared and pass it along to the rest of the software that performs the audio and image manipulation. The table makes use of a projector in order to direct images onto the table that the user can then manipulate by touching the table and performing basic gestures. A silicone layer paired with a special kind of paper called Mylar catches the image while still making touches from the user show up bright on the video camera. By manipulating the images the user is able to manipulate audio in real time. This includes changing volume, pitch, and frequency. As well as being able to perform an advanced audio technique called Granular Synthesis to manipulate the audio stream even further. The table can be used by DJ's for this express purpose, but this table also acts as a proof of concept for other uses by a wide variety of businesses.
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Presenter: Nugent, Alisha (Masters Student) |
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Keywords: McEwan, history, memory, perception, historical space, fiction
Abstract:
Monuments are created by human beings to be a historical reminder of events and individuals which a culture deems important in their collective memory. History acts as a unifying and organizing principle in the consciousness of the people within a culture. However, this historical significance is condensed and constructed. The experience of the people who lived through an event can be quite different from the facts and figures on plaques at monuments. While monuments tend to negate the lived experience of the individual, attempts can be made to incorporate the authentic narratives of people and humanize the historical record. However, no matter how hard one tries to incorporate the lived and fragmented experience of the collective memory into the historical record, as soon as the living connection to the past is lost, so is the collective memory. The account becomes another artifact. Even so, the disparity between the history provided by the monument as artifact and the lived experience which created it can only be addressed through the incorporation of lived experience. Multiple pasts and narratives may conflict, but they provide a more complete picture of the past. The power of the living over the dead is the ability to remember. The events of history will only perpetuate themselves if they are not remembered. The question becomes how the disjunction between the monument in lived experience and the experiences that create the monument function in Ian McEwan’s work, specifically in his novels Atonement,
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Presenter: Panigrahy, Bhabani (Masters Student) |
| Properties of Fibre and Biocomposites |
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Authors: Bhabani Panigrahy, Dr.Denise Stilling |
Keywords: Natural fibre,Composite Materials,Green Markets, Hygroscopic, Thermal Properies, Mechanical properties,acoustic impedances
Abstract:
Natural fibre is experiencing a re-emergence as a viable material for products to meet "Green" market demands. Waste fibres both from the fields of producers and the landfills of consumers serve as sources of fibre for innovative product designs. A fibre-rich source with the potential to re-emerge as a ‘golden’ fibre is hemp. Prior to the explosion of polymers in the 1970s, hemp and jute were harvested for their fibres and used for a variety of textiles and industrial products. Using fibres to enhance material properties of polymers has resulted in the development of biocomposites. Various biofibres have been used to enhance the properties, improve manufacturability and create new products with polymer-based matrices. The benefits of such research and design enable economic diversification and create new markets for waste fibres. As both fibres and matrix material can be reclaimed, sustainability and reduced demands on the environment can be realized. The physical, hygroscopic and thermal properties of hemp fibre are presented with the material properties for a unique biocomposite application for the construction industry. Tensile strength, density and acoustic impedances for varying compositions of this innovative material suggests an optimal percentage of fibre within the material.
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Presenter: Pankiw, Joey (Masters Student) |
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Carbon Capturing Inventory in Prairie Shelterbelts |
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Authors: Joey Pankiw, Joseph Piwowar, John Kort |
Keywords: Carbon Sequestration, Objec-based Classification, Shelterbelts
Abstract:
The Shelterbelt Program established by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) has had several benefits to farmers and the prairie landscape; mitigate the effects of soil erosion, provide a means to control snow drifting over highways and roads also providing wildlife habitat. Due to growing concerns of about rising levels of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere shelterbelts have also been seen an effective way to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. PFRA has limited channels to judge the success of the program, as a result, the current number of trees that exists and their exact location on the landscape is not known. Estimates of the number of functioning shelterbelts can be made from records that have been kept by PFRA but certain assumptions need to be made for tree lifespan. However, the accuracy of these estimates depends on independent corroboration of the shelterbelts on the ground. The objective of this study is to use Definiens eCognition software along with
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Presenter: Razban, Behrooz (Masters Student); Nelson, Kristina |
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Changes in Bacterial Population during Wastewater Treatment |
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Authors: Behrooz Razban, Kristina Nelson, Dena McMartin, Roy Cullimore |
Keywords: Bacterial Population; Wastewater; Lagoons; Treatment process; BART;
Abstract:
This study demonstrates that bacterial populations are significantly reduced during the wastewater treatment process. At wastewater treatment plants, organic material in wastewater is consumed and removed during three main treatment stages (primary, secondary, and tertiary). As levels of organic material go down, bacterial activity is limited, resulting in a drop in bacterial population. In this study, bacterial populations are measured using Visual BART Reader(VBR72, Droycon Bioconcepts, Inc.,
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Presenter: Riess, Kelly-Anne (Masters Student) |
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Sexualizing Weena in H.G. Wells' Time Machine |
Keywords: H.G. Wells, Time Machine, film adaptation, gender studies, feminism
Abstract:
The Weena character in H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine and the two film adaptations that followed have been shaped by the sexual politics of the times in which the works were created. Weena, the female character, is four-feet tall and childlike. She, therefore, cannot be the Time Traveller’s love interest. Since women, in Victorian times, were considered to be inferior, it is not surprising that Wells minimizes Weena’s role by making her feeble. In the 1960 film, however, Weena is a sexualized love interest, as her character on the
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Presenter: Ritenburg, Heather (PhD Student) |
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Constructing the Ideal Body: No Thunder Thighs or Flabby Abs |
Keywords: dance, body, Foucauldian genealogy, post structuralism, ballet, children's books, dance training, dance education, fitness
Abstract:
Ah, the ideal dancer's body: streamlined thighs, lifted derrieres and flat abs. An accompanying gracefulness and fluidity of movement rounds out - or rather, slimly defines - an idealized body shape. Why might young girls and grown women alike continue to desire this often unachievable ideal? A Foucauldian genealogical analysis considers how a way of thinking can change into a way of acting in the world - in other words, it considers how we create reality whether or not we agree with, or want, that reality. My research investigates how the varied contexts of professional dance, adult health/fitness and children's books construct a powerful message of a body shape not only 'appropriate' for ballet but also one to be desired by others. This research presentation considers the visual and textual imagery of the three varied contexts.
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Presenter: Rud, Helen (Masters Student) |
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Boom or Bust: How Commodity Price Volatility Impacts Farm Management Strategies |
Keywords: Primary commodities, Prices,
Abstract:
That prices of agricultural commodities are volatile, but downward trending relative to the price of purchased inputs, has had a direct impact on processes of agricultural decision-making in
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Presenter: Salmon, Danielle (Masters Student) |
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Exercise training to mitigate neck muscle dysfunction in Canadian Forces CH-146 helicopter aircrew |
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Authors: J.P. Neary, M.F. Harrison, D. Sharpe, D. Candow, M. Coutu, D. O’Neil, Elvidge, J.L. Hussey |
Keywords: Neck pain, Coordination Training, Endurance Training, Neck Muscles, Helicopter Aircrew, and Military
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of neck pain in CH-146 Griffon helicopter pilots and flight engineers has been identified in the range of 81-84%. In attempt to mitigate this problem, we quantified the adaptations of cervical musculature isometric strength using a 12-week training program. METHODS: Subjects were recruited on a volunteer basis from the Canadian Forces CH-146 Griffon aircrew in
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Presenter: Shujah, Atif (PhD Student) |
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Meta-cognitive basis of cultural-competent psychotherapy |
Keywords: Psychotherapy, counselling, meta-cognitive, cultural-comptency, professional training
Abstract:
Psychotherapy is a healing technology that a client may utilize in an attempt to cope more effectively with a particular cognitively, emotionally, or socially problematic experiences (Lee & Armstrong, 1999). A culturally-competent therapist is able to act in a 'culturally intentional' manner which refers to the therapist purposefully adjusting the implementation of psychotherapy in order to make it suitable for a specific client given the client’s cultural heritage (Ivey, Ivey, & Simek-Morgan, 1997; Sue et al., 1998). The ability of therapists to act in a cultural intentional manner is contingent on their use of relevant meta-cognitive skills. Meta-cognition refers to a person’s capacity to monitor and manage his or her own thinking. Therapists must be able to monitor their conceptualization of the problem-space and control for the processing of information in order to avoid being relatively inflexible in their delivery of therapy (Ivey, Ivey, & Simek-Morgan, 1997; Pedersen, 1999). Relevant meta-cognitive strategies for supporting cultural competency will be outlined (e.g., controlling attention, reasoning strategies, dialoguing). In order to illustrate how theoretical knowledge regarding relevant meta-cognitive skills may be used to inform the training of therapists a proposed curriculum for enhancing cultural competency will be discussed.
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Presenter: Skalak, Samuel (Masters Student) |
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Acoustic detectors and bat conservation: understanding how study design can influence data interpretation |
Keywords: Biology, Conservation, Bats, Acoustics, Data Interpretation
Abstract:
Our present understandings of bat ecology are increasingly shaped by acoustic sampling techniques. Acoustic detectors are often perceived to be a panacea for bat conservation, and are commonly employed to infer habitat associations, activity, abundance, and behavior. However, acoustic detectors are a mutually exclusive sampling technique, and can only catalog ‘what, when, and where’ types of data, and not ‘who’ (individual movements), or ‘why’ certain activities occur. Negligence on the part of researchers, biologists, and consultants to recognize the limitations of acoustic detectors can lead to false assumptions or nonsensical results. In this presentation, I summarize recent peer-reviewed scientific literature to stress the importance of study design when using acoustic detectors to make recommendations concerning bat conservation. I provide evidence that concurrent sampling at multiple points may best account for variations in bat activity and reduce the chances of artifactual data interpretation.
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Presenter: Soloduk, Myron (Masters Student) |
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Reasonable Error: Mistakes and the Daily Grind |
Keywords: Error, Reason, Erasmus, Saul, knowledge
Abstract:
This seminar will raise two questions: are the mistakes that occur everyday – the follies of love, inadvertent tips, slips of the tongue, etc. to be avoided, or may they, in fact, be in some way reasonable? And, is the path of reason an exercise in error? A response to the first question can be found in Erasmus’ Praise of Folly. Responding to Thomas More’s Utopia, he suggests that folly is the source of all good things; that an ideal society cannot be constructed on the pegs of reason, and that enjoying life consists in no small measure, of being the fool, not the sage. As such, error and folly need not be avoided, but embraced. Further, Canadian thinker John Ralston Saul, in his book Voltaire’s Bastards forwards the claim that the current Age of Reason we live in, divided and specialized, works against general knowledge. As he puts it: “the subsequent pining down and splitting up of language into feudal states has now made it impossible for the citizen to participate seriously in society.” (7) Reconciling this, I propose, is an acceptance, if not a praise, of error. I outline what such a viewpoint will look like, and address the questions aforementioned, making the case for error as reasonable, if not rational, for daily life.
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Presenter: Srinivasan, Asha (PhD Student) |
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Uptake of oil from water using fungal biomass |
Keywords: oil, emulsion, fungi, adsorption, removal
Abstract:
Oil and grease in surface water cause problems for wastewater treatment plants. Oils are toxic to soil and aquatic organisms and cause taste and odour problems. Several adsorption media such as activated carbon have been used to treat oily waters, but they are expensive. Recent studies have focused on some microorganisms which may be capable of removing various pollutants in wastewaters. In the present study, a non-living fungal biomass, Mucor rouxii was examined for its ability to remove various oils from water. The study demonstrated that the removal efficiencies for a synthetic mineral oil, vegetable oil, and cutting oil were 77.5%, 75.5%, and 63.4%, respectively. The results indicate that the fungi tested can be used for oil removal from wastewaters.
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Presenter: Stephenson, Coby (Undergraduate Student) |
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The Short Story and Bi-polar Disorder: Violet |
Keywords: Bi-polar disorder; short story theory
Abstract:
Madness in literature has existed since representations of Dionysus. According to Branimir M. Reiger, the representation of madness in literature focuses on three trajectories. First, due to external and internal forces, characters descend into madness. Second, a character’s acting out against society’s restrictions is interpreted as madness. Finally, a character’s inability or unwillingness to adhere to social norms is depicted (confusingly) as the cause and the effect of madness. But, what if the character has a pre-existing diagnosis of mental illness before the story begins? What if it is just a day in the life of an individual who lives with bi-polar disorder? Through research on short story theory and on bi-polar disorder, I have written an inter-connected short story cycle whose unifying thread is both bi-polar disorder and the character Violet. Violet is an eccentric young woman who notices everything around her and struggles to find her place within her family, her personal relationships, and the world. Violet is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and so her existential anxiety is further complicated. She is aware of her outside world but has limited self-awareness. In order to not fall into the traps of perpetuating misconceptions and in sensationalizing manic-depression the story is not a clinical case-study; after all, Violet is a literary character and not a real person. I attempt to treat this illness honestly and gently in 2nd person narrative so that stereotypes are not propagated and so that Violet will not be viewed as "other".
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Presenter: Tiggelman, Dana (Masters Student) |
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Relationships between communication, cohesion, and role clarity in team sports |
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Authors: Erwin Karreman, Harold Riemer |
Keywords: Relationships, communication, cohesion, role clarity
Abstract:
Intra-team communication (i.e., between team members), team cohesion (i.e., how well members get along; loyal and united in the pursuit of goals), and role clarity are important concepts within the context of team sport. Previous studies have examined the relationships between these concepts, but none have examined all three simultaneously. Two differing models have hypothesized the nature of the relationships between the three constructs. Carron (1982) suggested that role clarity influences communication which in turn affects cohesion. Eccles and Tenenbaum (2004) proposed that communication influences role clarity and cohesion, but that role clarity also has an effect on cohesion. The results of previous research suggest a third possible model in which communication affects role clarity and cohesion, and cohesion also has an effect on role clarity. This study examines which of the three models fits the data best. To date, data has been collected from 221 team athletes (mean age 20.17±1.53) playing for interactive Canadian university teams. Participants completed three questionnaires (i.e., Scale For Effective Team Communication, the Group Environment Questionnaire & the Role Ambiguity Scale) in addition to general demographic information. The questionnaires were completed either through a secure website or by a paper version. Results will be presented.
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Presenter: Turchenek, Kim (Masters Student) |
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The impact of snow cover variability on snow water equivalent estimates derived from remote sensing imagery |
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Authors: Kim R. Turchenek, Joseph M. Piwowar, Chris Derksen |
Keywords: snow cover, snow water equivalent, remote sensing
Abstract:
The considerable seasonal and spatial variations in snow cover pose problems for obtaining reliable estimates of the physical properties of snow over large spatial areas. To address this issue, the Climate Research Branch of the Meteorological Service of Canada (
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Presenter: Vaughan, Adam (Masters Student) |
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Hate Crime in : Prosecutorial Perceptions of Sentencing Enhancements |
Keywords: hate crime, Crown prosecutors, grounded theory, perceptions, sentencing enhancement
Abstract:
Throughout the past ten years, a considerable assortment of academic, legal, and theoretical studies of hate crime have been conducted. A hate crime is an act committed to intimidate, harm, or terrify not only a person, but an entire group of people to which the victim belongs. The proposed study seeks to examine how Crown prosecutors perceive hate crime sentencing enhancements. Following the phenomenological approach known as grounded theory, semi-structured interviews will be conducted to generate data for the prosecution of hate crimes which fall under subparagraph 718.2(a)(i) of the Criminal Code of Canada. A purposive sample of Crown prosecutors from the province of Saskatchewan will be interviewed to comprehend their opinions of hate crime policy and the factors related to their discretionary powers involved with their decision to screen-in and charge hate crimes. Exploratory themes considered in this study include Crown prosecutors’ perceptions of hate crime sentencing enhancements in and the factors relevant to prosecutors when deciding whether to add a sentencing enhancement. Furthermore, the study will query prosecutors on what possible legal reforms could be implemented to more effectively reflect the values and interests of Canadians. This work has exciting implications to Canadian social policy and has the potential to further the advancement of knowledge by providing insight as to whether our current hate crime legislation, specifically subparagraph 718.2(a)(i), is sufficient to address issues of hate crime in .
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Presenter: White, Peta (PhD Student) |
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(Re)claiming ‘activism’ in the context of environmental education |
Keywords: Environmental education, activism, research, education, critical pedagogy
Abstract:
The label 'activist' is contested and troubled. Maxey (1999) self labeled with pride and honour, as I felt I have, “empowered by my experiences of activism, I began to refer to myself as an ‘activist’. I saw accepting this label as a form of activism” (p 200). Activism is the practice of intentional, vigorous action or involvement, individual or collective, and desires a different (better) situation/outcome. “In my view, activism is about good work done by decent people to make this a better world” (Schugurensky, 2007, p 2). I hope to reclaim/reactivate notions of ‘activism’ through my work in the academy, through research and education. If discursively produced, then let this label (activism) be critically engaged and used to inspire and emancipate, with inclusivity, at a time when we most need it. “My commitment to engaged pedagogy is an expression of political activism” (hooks, 2004, p 203). Not only must education be transformative, but educators must be authentic in their practice and leadership around change towards a sustainable and socially just future. Ecofeminist poststructural lenses support these notions of activism through critical deconstructionist framings. Autoethnographic and self-study methodologies allow for critical reflection upon critical pedagogies and self practices. This work is ongoing and embodied. Excerpts from data gathered over the past two years will be presented. Cited in abstract: hooks, b. (1994). Teaching to transgress: education as the practice of freedom.
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Presenter: Wren, Don (Undergraduate Student) |
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The Foundation of the House of Labour: Freirean Pedagogy and Union Education |
Keywords: Labour,
Abstract:
Union Education is one of the fundamental building blocks of the Labour Movement. It is based on the principles of Popular Education as developed by Paulo Freire. This paper describes the three forms of Union Education courses: tools, issues, and Labour Education. Union Education develops a critical awareness of hegemonic forces at work in society. This paper offers a brief overview of the pedagogical style of Freire and situates Union Education within that pedagogy.
Poster Abstracts
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Presenter: Arrobo, Rodrigo (Masters Student) |
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Mass Wasting and Erosional Processes on the |
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Authors: Rodrigo Arrobo, Dr. Janis Dale, Dr. Joe Piwowar |
Keywords: Mass Wasting, erosion processes,
Abstract:
The
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Presenter: Balayar, Chakra (Masters Student) |
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Intelligent Device Discovery in P2P Systems using Backpropagation Neural Network |
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Authors: Chakra Balayar, K. H. Kwon |
Keywords: Device Discovery, P2P Systems, Neural Network, Back-propagation
Abstract:
Over the past years, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) systems have gained tremendous interest and popularity among the Web users and researchers. The reasons are their capabilities to share resources such as information, computing power, storage and bandwidths. To do this, a device must locate other device(s). However, the size, heterogeneity, and dynamicity of P2P systems are posing threats to their further development and popularity and make the premier goal of locating device complex every other day. In the traditional systems, a device sends a query to each available devices which may log-jam the system with flooding results or may yield very few results due to their simple rules and parameter constraints. In this paper, we propose back-propagation neural network model for device discovery. This model takes into account many different parameters in this regard such as each device's free CPU, its number of neighbor devices and the devices connected or known to those neighbors etc. Initial results have shown the encouraging results, specially in large P2P systems where few systems are busy and many of them are idle. This technique may lead a new direction in P2P systems where the wide ranges of devices leave or join the network randomly.
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Presenter: Barks, Patrick (Undergraduate Student) |
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Are double-crested cormorants to blame for the lack of large yellow perch in |
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Authors: Patrick M.G. Barks, Christopher M. Somers |
Keywords: fisheries, aquatic ecology, double-crested cormorant, yellow perch,
Abstract:
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Presenter: Belton, Adam (Masters Student) |
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Income Distribution for Women and Men by Income Source in |
Keywords: Income inequality, women,
Abstract:
This poster presents a descriptive statistical portrait of income distribution in
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Presenter: Berard, Nathalie (PhD Student) |
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Long-term neuropsychological consequences of mild traumatic brain injury |
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Authors: Nathalie Berard, Dr. Dennis Alfano |
Keywords: consequences of mild traumatic brain injury
Abstract:
The majority of individuals who sustain a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) recover fully within a relatively short period of time. A minority, however, report symptoms than can persist over the long-term. Recent studies have suggested an association between emotional factors and persistent symptoms following MTBI. The purpose of this study was to examine long-term neuropsychological functioning following MTBI, and the potential impact of emotional and demographic factors. Ninety-two individuals with medically diagnosed MTBI and 94 non-injured controls completed a neuropsychological test battery that included objective measures of neurocognitive functioning, and subjective measures of depression and neurobehavioural symptoms. Statistical analysis reduced the neuropsychological measures to core objective neurocognitive and subjective neurobehavioural domains. When statistically controlling for age, education, level of intellectual functioning, and depression, the group with MTBI scored significantly lower in the domains of verbal learning and memory, speed of information processing, motor speed, and word fluency. The group with MTBI also reported a significantly higher level of cognitive and somatic symptoms. A significant correlation between symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and a global index of neurocognitive impairment was also found. These results indicate a clear pattern of neuropsychological findings over the long-term in individuals with MTBI that occurs independently of demographic and emotional factors.
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Presenter: d'Almeida, Jordan (Undergraduate Student) |
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Other Presenters: Kristina Nelson, Takaya Ono |
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An examination of applying a dissemination model in developing countries for water and sanitation technology. |
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Authors: Jordan d'Almeida, Kristina Nelson, Takaya Ono |
Keywords: Sustainability, dissemination model, drinking water, biosand filter, sanitation, hygiene, developing country, health, water quality, water purification
Abstract:
The World Health Organization estimates that over 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water worldwide. In 2000, the United Nations convened to form the Millennium Development Goals, which include objectives to reduce the number of people lacking access to potable water and basic sanitation by half, and to decrease the mortality rate among children under five by two-thirds. In order to achieve these goals, technology and knowledge applicable to providing safe drinking water and basic hygiene must be transferred and distributed in a sustainable fashion in affected regions. A dissemination model is a means to share skills, knowledge and methods with other parties so that valuable information is made more accessible and distributed among a wider range of users. In turn, the end-users can further develop and assimilate the acquired skills and knowledge into their own setting. We propose a model that focuses on providing the end-users a method to meet their own needs for acquiring safer drinking water and to sustain the local distribution of such knowledge in a developing area. This model was tested in rural in December 2008 where we implemented a two week water filter project. The ensuing results will be discussed, including a detailed description of the dissemination model, the method in which we applied it in Guatemala to improve household water quality and hygiene, the challenges encountered, and the lessons learned when implementing a water treatment project in a ‘real-life’ setting in a developing area.
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Presenter: Doucette, Jennifer (Masters Student) |
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Did devil birds eat my walleye? Food web studies of cormorants and sport fish in |
Keywords: cormorants, food webs, ecology, sport fish, competition, anglers,
Abstract:
Populations of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus; also known as crow ducks) in
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Presenter: Guba, R Dawn (Masters Student) |
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Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Processes Related to Flax Fibers |
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Authors: R. Dawn Guba, D.S.D. Stilling |
Keywords: manufacturing, processing, synthetics, bast fibers, biocomposites
Abstract:
Synthetics and wood fibers have been the primary raw source for many woven and non-woven manufactured products. The use of these sources attributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions both in their manufacturing and disposition. Furthermore, using wood fibers eliminates a carbon sink. As an alternative, natural fibers from annual sources for nonstructural applications are being popularized; these sources include jute, sisal, bamboo, hemp, and flax straw. In
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Presenter: Harris, Jonathan (Masters Student) |
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Physical activity interventions and physical function in older adults with dementia in long term care: A systematic review |
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Authors: Jonathan Harris, Dr. Shanthi Johnson |
Keywords: physical function, dementia, long term care, physical activity, exercise, fall prevention
Abstract:
Physical activity interventions have been shown to improve many parameters of physical function in older adults (Mazzeo et al, 1999). Improving physical function has the potential to improve overall quality of life and prevent falls in older adults (Kannus et al, 2005). There is some evidence to suggest that the same is true of residents of long term care facilities with dementia. However, less is known about this population due to the considerable challenges associated with accessing them, and the wide range of comorbidities they may suffer from. To explore this issue further, a systematic review of the Cochrane Library, Medline, PsycInfo, and SportDiscus databases was conducted. Studies of the effectiveness of physical activity interventions with the primary outcome goal related to improving physical function or preventing falls conducted with individuals 65 years of age or older with a clinical diagnosis of dementia were reviewed. Studies of multidimensional interventions that included physical activity as a component were also included. Reviews, studies not published in English, and unpublished works (including theses and dissertations) were excluded from the search. Thirteen studies were initially identified as meeting the search criteria. Further results are pending and will be disseminated in the presentation.
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Presenter: Hennin, Holly (Masters Student) |
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Belly up! Non-native grassland provides a buffet to Burrowing Owls |
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Authors: Holly L. Hennin, Chris M. Somers, Ray G. Poulin |
Keywords: Burrowing Owl, conservation, ecology, prey avaliability, non-native grasslands
Abstract:
With the increase of agriculture on the Canadian Prairies there have been substantial amounts of habitat loss to native grasslands, causing declines in the populations of many bird species, including the endangered Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia). To provide Burrowing Owls and other grassland birds with higher quality foraging habitat than provided by crop lands, conservation organizations have been converting crop land into non-native grasslands. Research assessing the effectiveness of these programs at providing foraging habitat to grassland song birds has been conducted, but its suitability for Burrowing Owls is unknown. To determine if non-native grassland provides Burrowing Owls with good foraging habitat we tested for the relative abundances of their two main prey items: small mammals (i.e., mice and voles) and grasshoppers. We determined the relative abundances of small mammals and grasshoppers using standardized transects and compared them across three habitat types: permanent cover, crop land (supposed poor quality habitat) and native prairie (supposed high quality habitat). Permanent cover and crop sites had higher small mammal capture rates than native prairie, and grasshoppers were more abundant and larger on crop conversion sites. Our results suggest that, although non-native grasses are used to recreate grasslands for Burrowing Owls, permanent cover may provide a larger prey base than both crop land and native prairie. However, it is still unknown how accessible this prey base is to Burrowing Owls. This information will be critical in informing future crop conversion programs and aid in the overall recovery of Burrowing Owls.
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Presenter: Karimi Pour, Kosar (Masters Student) |
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Patterned Interactions and Identity construction, Iranian Network in Sheffield |
Keywords: Identity, Immigration,
Abstract:
Ethnic identification is an ongoing process, and it changes when it is persuaded to change by new circumstances. However, the responses of ethnic groups to these persuasions are not reflexive and passive. In response to a new circumstance ethnic groups actively construct, reproduce, and transform their own identities. This research project studies the ethnic identification of British-Iranians who live permanently in
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Presenter: Kelsey, Roz (PhD Student) |
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Other Presenters: Bonnie Cummings-Vickaryous |
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Investigating Experiential Learning in Kinesiology and Health Studies |
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Authors: Roz Kelsey, Bonnie Cummings-Vickaryous |
Keywords: Experiential Learning Post Secondary Kinesiology Health Studies Teaching
Abstract:
Research has demonstrated that students possess a wide array of learning styles. To increase teaching effectiveness it is important for instructors to use a variety of teaching methods including experiential learning. Significant authors such as Kurt Lewin, John Dewey and David Kolb have argued that experiential learning opportunities should be afforded to students as one means of offering multiple learning experiences. In an effort to gauge understanding and inclusion of experiential learning opportunities in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies (KHS) at the
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Presenter: Lawrie, Tricia (Masters Student) |
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Other Presenters: Mamata Pandey |
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Quantifying the Role of Experience in Other-Race Face Identification |
Keywords: cross-race effect, face recognition,
Abstract:
People are more accurate at recognizing faces from their own race compared to faces from another race (Meissner & Brigham, 2001). One proposed explanation for this cross-race effect (
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Presenter: Liu, Yongxing (Masters Student) |
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Fluid Characteristics and Fluid-Structural Relationships in the |
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Authors: Yongxing Liu, Guoxiang Chi, Kathryn Bethune |
Keywords: geology, structure, gold deposit,
Abstract:
The Red Lake Greenstone Belt in northwestern
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Presenter: Mani, Thilakavathi |
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Modeling of rRNA synthesis from yeast |
Keywords: ribosomal RNA, ordered mechanism, rate constant, modeling, yeast
Abstract:
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA), synthesized in the nucleolus by RNA polymerase I, is the core of protein synthesis machinery. Synthesis of the rRNA molecules is unusual because they are formed as one primary transcript (35s) that is chopped up into small ribosomal subunit 40s contains a single RNA species, (18s rRNA) and the large subunit 60s contains three RNA species (5s, 5.8s, and 25s rRNA). Current work is an attempt on modeling of rRNA, considering the rate expressions for the steps of 35s degradation to give 27s and 20s rRNA and the formation of 25s and 18s mature rRNA using structured model. The rate expressions were derived by assuming ordered uni-bi mechanism for the degradation step and uni-uni mechanism for the next two rRNA synthesis steps. During the trial and error process of assigning the values of rate constant, it has been observed that k1 value was more sensitive compared to other forward rate constant for the model response. This implies that the degradation of 35s rRNA controls the synthesis of matured rRNAs. The predicted values matched with experimental data present in the literature with the correlation coefficient of 0.9927, 0.7628, 0.8426, 0.9696, and 0.9888 for 35s, 20s, 27s, 18s, and 25s rRNA respectively. The formulation of differential equations for rRNA synthesis may be useful to establish the mechanism for reproducing the behavior of the species and to predict the synthesis of matured rRNA.
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Presenter: McIntyre, Amanda (Undergraduate Student) |
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Other Presenters: Randene Shiplett, Sarah Acton, Billy Patterson |
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How psychology can help save the environment: Conservation Psychology theory and research. |
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Authors: Amanda McIntyre, Randene Shiplett, Sarah Acton, Dr. Katherine Arbuthnott, Billy Patterson |
Keywords: Conservation psychology, overview, environment, self-regulation depletion, commons dilemma
Abstract:
Currently, we face serious environmental problems, and steps must be taken to preserve and sustain the natural world. While many look to the natural sciences, and rely on technology as answers to these problems, often the role of the social sciences, particularly psychology, are not considered. As human actions are the cause of many environmental problems, psychology, the study of human behaviour, may play a vital role in changing environmentally degrading behaviours and promoting sustainable alternatives. Thus, Conservation Psychology has emerged. Defined as “the scientific study of the reciprocal relationships between humans and… …nature, with a particular focus on how to encourage conservation…” (Saunders, 2003), Conservation Psychology examines psychology’s role in environmental problems. It also encourages an interdisciplinary approach in addressing environmental issues, and so introducing policy-makers, educators and other academic fields to these ideas is necessary and beneficial. This presentation will highlight the field and describe current research being done at the university. Our research examines the affect Self-regulation depletion has on cooperative conservation behaviour. Self-regulation refers to humans’ capacity to control their responses, and is limited in strength (Schmeichel & Baumeister, 2004). Self-control may be necessary when engaging in pro-environmental behaviours that are not desirable or automatic choices. We hypothesize that depleted individuals will be less able to exhibit conservation behaviour, despite personal motivation to do so. If results show that motivated individuals fail to conserve when experiencing self-regulation depletion, compared to those who are not, then this may have implications for how psychology can aid and understand conservation behaviour.
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Presenter: Murugan, Pulikesi |
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Geographical comparison of seasonal variation of surface ozone- |
Keywords: surface ozone; urban site; seasonal variation.
Abstract:
Ozone (O3) plays an important role in the chemistry of the earth’s troposphere. High level of ozone can be harmful to human beings and vegetation. In order to know the ozone level, we measured and compared the surface ozone from
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Presenter: Ono, Takaya (Masters Student) |
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Other Presenters: Kristina Nelson |
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An examination of (the applicability of) socially responsible investing in marginalized regions |
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Authors: Takaya Ono, Kristina Nelson |
Keywords: Socially Responsible Investing, Social Enterprise, Sustainability, Social investors
Abstract:
Socially responsible investing (
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Presenter: Orosz, Amber (Undergraduate Student) |
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Other Presenters: Dennis P. Alfano |
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Utility of the Trail-Making Test in the Neuropsychological Assessment of Sport-Related Concussion |
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Authors: Amber Orosz, Dennis P. Alfano |
Keywords: concussion, brain injury, assessment, treatment, sports medicine
Abstract:
The short-term and sometimes permanent consequences of sport-related concussion make it an important topic of study. The cognitive deficits resulting from concussion make neuropsychological tests an important clinical tool in assessing and treating concussion. The objective of this study was to examine the ability of the Trail-Making Test, a commonly used neuropsychological test, to objectively discriminate athletes who have sustained a concussion from those who have not. Seven quantitative indices derived from the Trail Making Test were examined. The participants were 37 university athletes who had sustained a recent concussion and matched samples of 37 athlete and 37 non-athlete controls. Data were analyzed using discriminant function analysis to determine the specificity and sensitivity of the Trail Making Test in detecting concussion. The results showed that the indices derived from the Trail Making Test discriminated significantly between the athletes who had sustained concussion and the matched control subjects. This study provides valuable information on the clinical utility of the Trail Making Test in the neuropsychological assessment and treatment of athletes who have sustained a concussion.
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Presenter: Pandey, Mamata (PhD Student) |
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Other Presenters: Bianca Hatin |
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Emotional Intelligence and Hindsight Bias |
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Authors: Mamata Pandey, Bianca Hatin |
Keywords: emotional intelligence, hindsight bias, decision making
Abstract:
When asked to judge the outcome of a future event, people often tend to remember their predictions as stronger and more accurate than they really were. This is called the hindsight bias. Emotional information can influence how strongly the hindsight bias manifests, but it is not known whether this effect is mediated by level of emotional intelligence (EI). Persons high in EI use emotional information to problem solve, whereas persons low in EI tend to problem solve based on other aspects of the situation. The goal of the present study is to examine the relationship between EI and hindsight bias. Individuals who score high or low on tests of EI will participate in two experiments in which they will read about traffic and theft incidents, and decide on a compensation package for the victim. Emotional or non-emotional supplementary information about the persons involved in the incidents will be presented before or after a judgement is made (Experiment 1). The two compensation package decided with or without the supplementary information will be compared. Participants will identify the nature and strength of the emotions experienced towards the persons involved in each incident before deciding on the compensation package (Experiment 2). If EI affects the hindsight bias, then individuals high in EI will demonstrate a stronger hindsight bias when the emotionally-laden supplementary information is provided before the compensation package is decided upon. Additionally, identifying the level of emotional arousal may change the strength of the bias.
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Presenter: Pandey, Mamata (PhD Student) |
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The nature of the response set |
Keywords: task switching, task-set, response-set configuration
Abstract:
How do we prepare to respond in an upcoming task? Choosing a response consists of configuring the stimulus-set (identifying stimulus features relevant for categorization) and the response-set (adjusting the likelihood of choosing any particular response). Meiran (2000) proposed that preparation time does not influence response-set configuration because response-set configuration follows response execution. The present study examined whether the Response-set can be configured prior to target onset. In two experiments subjects switched between judging the parity and the magnitude of a digit, and selected the correct set of response keys by interpreting a cue before response selection of the target. The cue for the correct response set was presented briefly and varying latencies to ensure immediate processing (Experiment 1). The task cue and correct response set were predictable and an additional 1500 ms was given to recover from the interference of the previous task (Experiment 2). Predictability of the task and the correct response set were ineffective in decreasing response times on response repeat trials. However, forcing subjects to process a brief response cue led to Response-set configuration in advance of, rather than after, target onset. This suggests that the Response-set is configured independently of, and after the Stimulus-set. Although Response-set configuration can occur prior to target onset, when possible, this operation is delayed until after response selection to the target.
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Presenter: Panigrahy, Bhabani (Masters Student) |
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Agriculture and Agro-Industry Development in |
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Authors: Bhabani Panigrahy, Dr.Denise Stilling |
Keywords: Agro-Industry,Research Development centre,Governance,Globalization
Abstract:
The economy of Orissa is 80% dependent on agriculture and faces the challenges of population migration from rural to urban centres. Other issues faced in this developing region include illiteracy, gender inequality and coping with natural disasters. While interning in Orissa, under the support of the Student for Development, AUCC fund, an opportunity to examine various efforts to improve agriculture, agro-industries and secondary agriculture was possible. Through conferences, meetings, tours and/or experiences with government, nongovernment organizations, financial institutions, academic institutes, research development centres, industries, entrepreneurs and producers, the current state of these sectors of Orissa was realized. This paper presents concerns and issues of rural agro-industries and related socio-economic factors by focusing on the programs, governance and related implementation of small scale rural industrial developments. Education and globalization are key factors for improving the agro-industries.
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Presenter: Rathgaber, Joel (Masters Student) |
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Cody's Corner: Remembering Cody Through Music |
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Authors: Joel Rathgaber, Dr. David Gerhard |
Keywords: Musical Education, Musical Expression, Guitar Instrument, Computer Music, Musical Interface
Abstract:
This poster details the design, implementation and evaluation of Cody's Corner, an interactive computer music installation at
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Presenter: Ritenburg, Heather (PhD Student) |
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No Flabby Abs or Thunder Thighs! Desiring the Dancer's Body |
Keywords: dance, body, Foucauldian genealogy, post structuralism, ballet, children's books, dance training, dance education, fitness
Abstract:
Ah, the ideal of the dancer's body: streamlined thighs, lifted derrieres and flat abs. An accompanying gracefulness and fluidity of movement rounds out - or rather, slimly defines - an idealized body shape. Why might young girls and grown women alike continue to desire this often unachievable ideal? A Foucauldian genealogical analysis considers how a way of thinking can change into a way of acting in the world - in other words, it considers how we create reality whether or not we agree with, or want, that reality. My research investigates how the varied contexts of professional dance, adult health/fitness and childrens books produce and perpetuate a powerful message of a body shape not only 'appropriate' for ballet but also one to be desired by others. This poster presentation considers the visuals and visual imagery of the three varied contexts.
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Presenter: Shukla, Riddhi (Masters Student) |
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A Systematic Review of Nutritional Intake of the Institutionalized Elderly |
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Authors: Riddhi Shukla, Dr. Shanthi Johnson |
Keywords: nutrient intake; elderly; long term care
Abstract:
Five percent to 80% of institutionalized elderly suffer from some degree of malnutrition (Lengyel, Whiting & Zello, 2008). Institutionalized elderly also suffer from a range of comorbidities that impact their nutritional status and quality of life. Past research shows that nutrient intake of elderly in long term care (
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Presenter: Sockett, Amanda (Masters Student) |
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Memory Processes in Three Mental Health Disorders |
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Authors: Amanda K. Sockett, Katherine D. Arbuthnott, Alyssa L. Counsell |
Keywords: Memory Organization, Episodic Memory Impairment, Verbal Recall,
Abstract:
The recovery process in individuals diagnosed with a mental illness is an ongoing process, and there remains a high incidence of occupational, psychological, and social difficulties during remission (Zarate, Tohen, Land, & Cavanagh, 2000). Classically, cognitive impairments have been considered to be transient, and limited to affective episodes. However, newer studies suggest there is persistence of cognitive dysfunction during remission in bipolar disorder (e.g., Clark, Iverson, & Goodwin, 2002; Ferrier & Thompson, 2002), unipolar depression (Bearden et al., 2006), and schizophrenia (Kareken et al., 1996). Deckersbach et al. (2004) suggest that episodic memory impairment is attributable, at least in part, to difficulties organizing verbal information during encoding. Presumably, more organized encoding of information leads to better structured memory representations and, in turn, facilitates subsequent retrieval (Savage, 1998, as cited in Deckersbach et al., 2004). The purpose of the present study was to compare the performance of healthy volunteers to community participants with a mental health diagnosis on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT, Delis et al., 1987). Clinical participants had one of three diagnoses (bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia) and were we interested in determining whether the impairment in verbal episodic memory was different between diagnoses. It was predicted that clinical participants would have more difficulty organizing and recalling verbal information, regardless of mood state. Differences were observed for recollection measures but not for organizational measures, and there were no significant differences between the three clinical groups.
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Presenter: Soica, Ionel (Undergraduate Student) |
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Is there a connection between handedness and spirituality? |
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Authors: Ionel Soica, Em. Paul Antrobus, William Smythe |
Keywords:
Abstract:
The purpose of the survey was to see whether there is a connection between the two, unsearched, variables, handedness and spirituality. In a convenient sample of 63 students from
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Presenter: Xu, Qin (Masters Student) |
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A Diagenetic Study of the Mannville Group in the |
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Authors: Qin Xu, Guoxiang Chi |
Keywords: Mannville Group; Diagenesis; Biodegradation;
Abstract:
The Mannville Group in the
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Presenter: Zhang, Xinglin (Masters Student) |
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Chord Detection Using Instrument Voicing Constrains |
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Authors: Xinglin Zhang, David Gerhard |
Keywords: Guitar chords recognition
Abstract:
This presentation introduces a technique for disambiguating musical chord recognition based on a-priori knowledge of the probabilities of chord voicings in a specific musical medium. The main motivating example is guitar chord recognition, where the physical layout and structure of the instrument, along with human physical and temporal constraints, make certain chord voicings and chord sequences more likely than others. Pitch classes are first extracted using the Pitch Class Profile technique, and chords are then recognized using Artificial Neural Networks. The chord information is then analyzed using an array of voicing vectors indicating th likelihood of various chord voicings based on the constraints of the instrument. Chord sequence analysis is used to reinforce the accuracy of the individual chord estimations. The specific notes of the chord are then inferred by combining the chord information and the best estimated voicing of the chord.
Demonstrations and Exhibits Abstracts
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Presenter: Beattie, Brien (Masters Student) |
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Computer Graphics and Steady State Fluid Flow |
Keywords: computer graphics water fluid flow simulation animation
Abstract:
In the world of computer graphics, realistic modeling and rendering of natural phenomena is one of the most significant areas of research, and foremost in this area is fluid simulation. As research in this area advances, the complexity of fluid models increases as do their computational requirements. It is therefore important to identify innovative ways of minimizing the computational requirements of a model without sacrificing its realism. A special case of fluid flow is steady state flow wherein flow is constant. In this case, fluid simulation can be isolated from the rendering process allowing the latter to run unhindered by complex fluid dynamics calculations. The result of this separation yields an efficient means for rendering steady state fluid flow which will be demonstrated in this exhibit.
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Presenter: Dosselmann, Richard (PhD Student) |
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Photographic Level-of-Detail |
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Authors: Richard Dosselmann, Dr. Xue Dong Yang |
Keywords: image, level-of-detail, image quality, mean shift segmentation, variance map
Abstract:
This research introduces a novel computer program to measure the amount of detail in different regions of a given photograph. Rather intuitive, "detail" may be more formally defined as the amount of variation among neighboring image pixels. Individual pixel colors vary dramatically in high detail regions, with less such variation in low detail areas. The amount of detail in a given portion of an image may be expressed numerically, such as on a scale from 0.0 to 1.0. Image detail plays a critical role in image quality assessment in which a computer must, among other tasks, automatically judge the quality of live television and video signals. Video signals made up of high detail images are noticeably impaired by blurring. Conversely, noise (or "snow") is visually concealed by highly detailed images. Further applications arise in medical imaging in which detail information may be used to detect cancerous cells, measure bone density and distinguish among tissues. Detail is also useful when differentiating among roads, water and vegetation in satellite photography. This research determines level-of-detail using a modified form of the popular "mean shift" algorithm, a segmentation procedure used to separate the individual objects of a picture. The procedure has been adjusted to compute the local pixel variance. This estimate of variance is visualized as a "variance map" in which bright colors correspond with high detail regions, while darker colors are assigned to less detailed portions. This new method has been validated using a variety of test images.