HARVEST
University of Saskatchewan's Repository for Research, Scholarship, and Artistic Work
Welcome to HARVEST, the repository for research, scholarship, and artistic work created by the University of Saskatchewan community. Browse our collections below or find out more and submit your work.
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Recent Submissions
Leveling Up Learning: AI-Powered Gamification for Improving Student Engagement and Motivation
(University of Saskatchewan, 2024-09-06) Meagen Courtney Giannios
This paper explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and gamification in educational settings, with a focus on enhancing student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes in Grade 5 classrooms. It highlights the potential of AI to create personalized learning experiences and provide real-time feedback, empowering both students and teachers to make data-driven instructional decisions. Gamification’s ability to foster motivation and engagement through game-like elements is also examined, with empirical studies indicating positive impacts on cognitive, motivational, and behavioral learning outcomes. However, the paper critically examines challenges, including data privacy concerns and the need to balance AI and gamification with traditional teaching methods. It emphasizes using these tools thoughtfully to prevent excessive screen time and ensure they contribute meaningfully to learning. The paper concludes with practical implications for educators and recommendations for future research, advocating for a thoughtful and ethical integration of AI-enhanced gamification to create inclusive, engaging, and balanced learning environments.
Cannabinoid Therapy in Athletics: A Review of Current Cannabis Research to Evaluate Potential Real-World Cannabinoid Applications in Sport
(Springer, 2024-08-21) Thompson, Elizabeth S.; Alcorn, Jane; Neary, J. Patrick
The increasing legalization of Cannabis sativa plant products has sparked growing interest in their therapeutic applications. Prohibition laws established in 1937 hindered formal research on cannabis, a plant with cultural and medicinal roots dating back to 2700 BC in Chinese history. Despite regulatory hurdles, published research on cannabis has emerged; yet elite athletes remain an underrepresented population in these studies. Athletes, known for exploring diverse substances to optimize performance, are drawn to the potential benefits of cannabinoid therapy, with anecdotal reports suggesting positive effects on issues ranging from anxiety to brain injuries. This review aims to evaluate empirical published cannabis research with a specific focus on its potential applications in athletics. The changing legal landscape, especially the removal of cannabis from drug testing programs in leagues such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), and endorsements by Major League Baseball (MLB) for cannabinoid products and the National Football League (NFL) for cannabis research, reflects a shift in the acceptability of such substances in sports. However, stigma, confusion, and a lack of education persist, hindering a cohesive understanding among sports organizations, including business professionals, policymakers, coaches, and medical/training staff, in addition to athletes themselves. Adding to the confusion is the lack of consistency with cannabinoid regulations from sport to sport, within or out of competition, and with cannabis bioactive compounds. The need for this review is underscored by the evolving attitudes toward cannabinoids in professional sports and the potential therapeutic benefits or harms they may offer. By synthesizing current cannabis research, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the applications and implications of cannabinoid use in the realm of athletics.
Pulsation Assisted Fluidized Bed for Potash Drying to Eliminate Agglomeration and Enhance Energy and Exergy Efficiency
(2024-09-06) Nabipoor Hassankiadeh, Mojtaba; Zhang, Lifeng; Meda, Venkatesh; Evitts, Richard; Soltan, Jafar; Simonson, Carey; Bi, Tony (Xiaotao); Acharya, Bishnu
Bubbling fluidized beds are widely used for drying solid materials and agricultural products. Accurate prediction of bubbling behavior in fluidized beds has been a challenge due to the higher degree of bubble coalescence and break up and high probability of forming slugging regime, and partial fluidization. Among different techniques, electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) has been deemed as one of the most appropriate tools for imaging fluidization and bubbling behavior in fluidized beds due to non-invasive and in line measurement nature. Average bubble velocity, average bubble size, and bubble frequency in both bubbling and slugging regimes were measured and compared at two heights of potash bed using a twin-plane ECT system. The experimental data for bubble diameter and bubble rise velocity were validated by the model of Agu et al. with average absolute deviation (AAD) of 25% and 7% for the bed height of 49 cm, and 13% and 17% for the bed height of 53 cm, respectively. In addition to hydrodynamic investigations of dry potash, strong cohesiveness of wet potash particles during the drying process poses significant challenges to fluidization of such particles due to formation of aggregates. In order to improve fluidization behavior, pulsed airflow was employed to break agglomeration and eliminate channeling in a fluidized bed. The effects of pulsation frequency, pulsed air to steady flow ratio (r), and relative humidity of the inlet air on minimum fluidization velocity and bubbling behavior were investigated. A frequency of 1.0 Hz and an r of 0.33 with 100 ms opening time were found to be the best operating condition in our system, that leads to the lowest minimum fluidization velocity and generation of more homogeneous bubbles in size and shape. A new theoretical model was developed to predict the minimum fluidization velocity (umf) of wet particles in a pulsation-assisted fluidized bed by considering both the liquid bridge force and resonant force resulting from the pulsation. The average deviation percentage values between the experimental data of umf and the new developed model were 13.8 and 20.7 for dry and wet potash particles, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of different operating conditions including inlet drying gas temperature (40°C, 50°C, and 60°C) and pulsation frequency (1.0 Hz and 2.0 Hz) on the energy and exergy efficiency of drying potash particles was investigated. The results showed that the highest energy and exergy efficiency of potash drying, 28.6% and 27.8%, respectively, was achieved when the fluidized drying of potash particles was performed at T = 40°C and f = 1.0 Hz. A drying model based on the thin-layer theory was employed to fit the experimental data of drying of potash particles. The Midilli and Kucuk model provided the best agreement between the experimental data and the predicted values at both the constant rate and falling rate period of potash drying. Finally, synchrotron-based X-ray tomography 3D-imaging technique was for the first time employed to investigate the solid bridge formation between potash particles, quantitatively. The results showed that by increasing the moisture content of particles (3% to 5%), solid bridge length between potash particles was enlarged from 28 μm to 44 μm due to saturation of particles surface with KCl and higher recrystallization growth. This phenomenon led to a decrease in the external porosity of potash particles at the end of drying process from 25.3% to 19.5% for 3% and 5% moisture content, respectively.
A Field Examination of Snowmelt Infiltration into Sloping Frozen Soils in the Canadian Rockies
(2024-09-06) Groff, Terava; Pomeroy, John; Clark, Martyn; McDonnell, Jeff; Ireson, Andrew; Aitken, Alec
There is little research on infiltration into seasonally frozen soils on mountain hillslopes and few evaluations of infiltration model performance in this environment exist. As a result, the application of existing infiltration estimation methods developed in level environments is uncertain for estimating spring runoff in mountain basins. A field study was conducted in the Canadian Rockies using eight years of snowpack, liquid soil moisture and temperature profile observations from steep north-facing and south-facing hillslopes. Seasonal infiltration depths and initial soil saturation were estimated with the help of soil freezing characteristic curves, soil texture and timeseries of volumetric water content and soil temperature. Infiltration was found to primarily follow the limited case postulated by Popov (1972), with only one year, at one site, undergoing unlimited infiltration where all meltwater infiltrated. Restricted infiltration did not occur, despite ice layers under the snowpack, which can impede water entry to soils. Infiltration was estimated using an equation for the limited case developed from extensive observations of seasonal infiltration, initial soil saturation and peak SWE in Canadian prairie agricultural fields (Gray et al., 1985b). Whilst this equation accurately estimated infiltration depths, it was unsuitable for application at the study site due to a statistical association between its driving variables. Initial soil saturation did not have a statistically significant influence on infiltration depths at these sites and so a simpler single-variable infiltration equation to estimate infiltration depths based on peak SWE was developed using linear regression and was found to have good predictive capability. Alternative approaches using modelled cumulative melt or infiltration opportunity time to estimate infiltration depths also had good predictability. Runoff depths estimated from a water balance assuming negligible evaporation and sub-surface drainage were reliably predicted using peak SWE or cumulative melt depths by single-variable infiltration equations in the absence of soil moisture, texture, aspect, or slope information. The results provide insights into how snowmelt runoff on hillslopes may be estimated from snowpack accumulation information that has been observed in cold region mountains, despite the complexity of hillslope hydrology and frozen soil infiltration processes.
Influence of sex, age and ethnicity on the facial temperature
(Springer, 2024-08-13) Barbosa, Jussara da Silva; de Melo, Niebla Bezerra; Firmino, Ramon Targino; Ferreira, José Eraldo Viana; Amorim, Ana Marly Araújo Maia; de Melo, Daniela Pita; Bento, Patrícia Meira
Infrared thermography (IRT) allows the acquisition of a thermal profile of an anatomical region of interest from a physiological perspective. For a real-time, dynamic and physiological analysis of the microcirculation, IRT is now being employed to analyze skin temperature based on the infrared radiation emitted by the human body, and may be used as an adjuvant in the diagnosis of disease and to monitor therapeutic procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of age, sex, ethnicity and body mass index (BMI) on temperature in the facial macro and microregions of healthy subjects.
Bellerophontid molluscs in the Grimsby Formation (Llandovery, lower Silurian), Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and their paleoecological and taphonomic implications
(Canadian Science Publishing, 2024-08-01) Pratt, Brian R.; Hopkins, Graeme J.; Hopkins, Richard J.
Specimens of a small bellerophontid mollusc, considered conspecific with Planorbis bilobatus Conrad 1839 from coeval strata in New York State, were recovered from the Grimsby Formation (lower Llandovery, lower Silurian), exposed in the Niagara Escarpment of western Hamilton, Ontario. Because Conrad’s species name is pre-occupied and is a secondary homonym, the new material is assigned to Tritonophon grimsbyensis n. sp. As Conrad’s original specimens are lost and where he collected them is unknown, a neotype from the Grimsby Formation is designated. These bellerophonts are preserved as casts on the soles of thin, fine-grained, sandstone beds interbedded with shale. These beds are probably tempestites Most are juvenile forms oriented on their sides, but in some beds adults with a widely expanded aperture are oriented aperture-down. Some specimens exhibit a V-shaped sinus on the median lobe, which is rarely preserved in Silurian examples. The aperture-down orientation suggests that this was the stable position during gentle wave action as well as probably their life position. Beds containing only juveniles may be evidence that the bellerophonts occasionally experienced a population boom but then were killed off during the storm event. Fine-grained sandstone fills the shell interiors, likely emplaced during wave-induced agitation. However, the shell walls are cast in mudstone, indicating that they dissolved during shallow burial and mud was pumped into the moulds. This may have been aided by episodic ground motion due to earthquakes that mobilized the adjacent sediment.
Breaking Down Software Composition Analysis: An Adversarial Approach
(2024-09-04) Ivanova, Ekaterina; Stakhanova, Natalia; Stakhanova, Natalia; Makaroff, Dwight; Eager, Derek
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.
Development of a Curling Rock Launcher to Improve Curling Research and Performance
(2024-09-04) Razavi, Saeideh SR; Huang, Shaobo; Lanovaz, Joel; Bugg, Jim
During this thesis work a device was designed, manufactured, validated and used for
experimentation. This device is capable of launching curling stones at preset linear and rotational
velocities, and preset angles from the centerline. This device aims to assist sports scientists,
physicists, and engineers in investigating the behavior of curling stones, potentially resolving
ongoing debates about the mechanics of curling stone behavior. Additionally, the device may be
used as a tool for ice technicians in calibrating ice surfaces and matching stones, as well as for
curlers practicing various brushing techniques. Following initial research and design, a prototype
was fabricated and subjected to validation tests and experiments. Validation tests confirmed that
the prototype could launch curling stones accurately and consistently within the range of linear
and rotational velocities relevant to the sport, meeting the design constraints of the Rock Launcher.
However, there were some inaccuracies in achieving the target linear velocities at certain values.
Three different experiments were conducted using the Rock Launcher. The first experiment
revealed that both the longitudinal and lateral distances traveled by a stone slightly decrease over
an increasing number of identical throws. The second experiment demonstrated that longitudinal
and lateral displacements depend on linear velocity, that longitudinal displacement is largely
independent of rotational velocity, and that lateral displacement varies with rotational velocity. The
third experiment highlighted the potentially significant impact of a stone's running band
temperature on the longitudinal and lateral distances traveled by a stone. In the ranges that we
tested, stones with a low running band temperature traveled shorter longitudinal distances
compared to those at normal temperatures but traveled farther than stones with a higher running
band temperature. A similar pattern was observed for lateral distance, except that a different curl
direction occurred when the higher temperature stones were delivered.
THE EFFECT OF GRAIN SIZE ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PIPELINE STEELS UNDER DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS
(2024-09-04) Nnoka, Meekness N; Szpunar, Jerzy; Oguocha, Ikechukwuka N. A.; Chen, Daniel
The abstract of this item is unavailable due to an embargo.
Modulation of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) RNA translation by the nucleocapsid protein
(2024-08-29) Hao, Lin; Tikoo, Suresh; Falzarano, Darryl; Luo, Yu
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a serious epidemic outbreak, characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and anorexia in pigs of all ages. It brings problems to pig industry and causes significant economic losses. However, according to the effectiveness of current porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) vaccines is not very high, so it is very important to develop new and effective PEDV vaccines and therapeutics. The PEDV nucleocapsid (N) protein is a highly conserved protein, which usually be phosphorylated. It has multiple functions. For example, as a structural protein, it plays a role in the nucleocapsid formation with viral genomic RNA. Moreover, it regulates viral replication, transcription, and assembly. At the same time, the N-terminal domain and serine arginine-rich (SR) region of some coronavirus N proteins are usually modified by phosphorylation, which contributes to increasing RNA binding and is essential for replication. In addition, the C-terminal domain of N protein mediates dimerization. Although it has been shown that N protein plays an important role in both virus RNA synthesis and host cell processes regulation, the effect of PEDV N protein on viral translation is not well understood. We therefore studied the role of PEDV N protein in regulating viral RNA translation. Our results showed that N protein increases PEDV RNA translation. Furthermore, we discovered a synergistic impact of the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the linker region in increasing PEDV translation. Additionally, our research demonstrated that N protein dramatically increases PEDV RNA translation when only 3' untranslated region is present. Moreover, PEDV N protein regulates viral RNA translation through the 3' untranslated region bulged stem loop (BSL) domain.
Akt is a serine/threonine–protein kinase which exists as three isoforms: Akt1, Akt2 and Akt3. Both Akt1 and Akt2 have been found to be activated by virus infections and play a role in regulating viral replication or translation. However, whether one or more Akt isoforms influence PEDV translation remains unclear. We performed ectopic expression and knockdown experiments to investigate the effects of Akt isoforms on viral RNA translation modulation by PEDV N protein. Results showed that Akt1 increases the enhancement of RNA translation by the N protein. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Akt1 enhancement of viral translation depends on its kinase activity and catalytic domain. We provided evidence of the interaction between PEDV N and Akt1 through GST pull-down and co-localization assays. Moreover, we revealed that the NTD and Linker region of PEDV N protein decreases its interaction with Akt1 but increases PEDV RNA translation enhancement by Akt1.
In summary, this study indicated PEDV N protein increases RNA translation and Akt1 enhances viral translation upregulation by N protein.