PURE Research Report

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https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/1880/107683
Program in Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) undergraduate award holders work with University of Calgary researchers to pursue an area of inquiry over the course of a summer term. In doing so, they learn how research projects are developed and conducted, and how research results can contribute to new knowledge and solve problems in a field of research and in society. PURE Research Reports demonstrate the power of inquiry and innovation in undergraduate student work, and provide insight into the exciting work of the next generation of emerging researchers from every program of study on campus. https://taylorinstitute.ucalgary.ca/students/undergraduate/pure-awards

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    The Giant Walkthrough Gut: Virtual Reality Simulation of the Digestive System
    (2018-09-12) Lee, Ryan M.; Jacob, Christian
    The Giant Walkthrough Gut is an immersive 3D computer model that utilizes virtual reality (VR) technology to fully explore and learn about the digestive system. The Giant Walkthrough Gut was developed using Unreal Engine by Epic Games, allowing for two different versions of visualization: a video and an exploratory program designed for both VR and desktop monitors. Traditionally, human anatomy and body systems have been taught with the use of 2D illustrations, text, and verbal instruction. Though spatial and auditory learners benefit from this convention, there can be a disconnect to the material for those who are kinesthetic learners. By providing a game-like experience, the Giant Walkthrough Gut has elements that can simplify the complex processes of the digestive system, having the potential to be a powerful and comprehensive tool that could supersede existing teaching methods.
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    Every Word I Write is History: Memory and Literary Analysis of Italian Postwar Literature
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-15) Pennetta, Sabrina
    This report will analyze postwar Italian literature from 1945 to 1990. It will look at how Italian society dealt with the events of the war and how the idea of national unity and the nation were compromised during and after the Second World War and the internal Civil War (1943-1945). I will analyze various Italian authors who contributed to different perspectives on postwar Italy, such as Cesare Pavese, Italo Calvino, Alberta Moravia, Elsa Morante, Ada Gobetti, Natalia Ginzburg, and Maria Occhipinti. An analysis of nationalism, gender, and memory will form the backbone of this report. Literature holds the key to understanding Italian society in the postwar world because of the freedom and vastness that writing provided Italians who had previously sought refuge from the persecution of their faith, gender, or political standing. Various questions emerge when studying this period; questions that are worthy of analysis. How did partisans attempt to understand their role in a larger struggle for their nation? Could women push through the paternalistic hierarchies established by fascism and emerge stronger? To what extent do these authors challenge the landscape of Italian memory studies? The answers to these questions lie in the words of postwar Italian literature.
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    PURE Award Final Report
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-18) Pethrick, Carolyn
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    PURE Award Final Report: DESTINE Health Web Application Spring/Summer 2018
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-17) Nguyen, Darin
    DESTINE is a cloud based project that strives to assist health professionals in deciding the optimal treatment for a stroke patient taking into account different time parameters regarding the patient’s location and the screening tool used to determine the type of stroke. The following report details the contributions made to the Web application's user interface, as well as some early attempts at displaying appropriate information regarding probability of certain regions.
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    2018 Pure report: Interactions of AbiK and Sak3 in vivo
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-18) Sundby, Adam
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    PURE Final Report-Hrushovski Theorem on Simple Graphs and Tournaments
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-19) Qian, Xinjie
    I worked with Dr. Micheal Pawliuk at the University of Calgary on this summer research. It was about graph theory, a topic in the field of pure mathematics. The research involved two main components: understand the details of the article ``Extending partial isomorphisms of finite graphs'' (Milliet,2004) and code the algorithm presented in the article in Sage; and extend the results to a case that is unresolved. The specific theorem we worked on is ``the Hrushovski property for graphs'' or the ``Extension property for partial automorphisms (EPPA) for graphs. (Hrushovski, 1992)'
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    PURE Report 2018 Anzo Nguyen
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-24) Nguyen, Anzo
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    System Identification for “Fluidic Pinball” Process
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-24) Chung, Man Chun
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    A novel supercritical fluid chromatography method for chiral separations
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-24) Kolmatiski, Rachel
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    Rnd2 and Rnd3 expression in the ventromedial hypothalamus is compromised during embryonic development in absence of proneural genes Neurog2 and Ascl1
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-24) Zhang, Cindy HaiQin; Kurrasch, Deborah M.
    The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is a hypothalamic nucleus with essential roles in homeostatic functions such as satiety signaling and reproductive behaviors. Despite the functional importance of the VMH, mechanisms driving VMH development are just starting to be explored. Among the most important unanswered questions regarding to VMH development is: what are the mechanisms responsible for VMH neurons migrate from their birthplace to their final positions? Here, we investigated whether the absence of the proneural genes Neurogenin-2 (Neurog2) and Achaete-scute homolog 1 (Ascl1) compromises the expression of downstream Rho family GTPase 2 and 3 (Rnd2 and Rnd3), respectively, in migrating VMH neurons. In migrating cortical neurons, Neurog2 has been shown to directly induce Rnd2 expression, and Rnd3 expression is likewise induced by Ascl1. When expressed normally, Rnd2 and Rnd3 both facilitate critical aspects of radial migration, and Rnd3 further maintains the correct timing and direction of migration. We used Ascl1GFP/KI and Neurog2GFP/KI mouse embryos as model organisms. Rnd2 and Rnd3 expression throughout critical development periods was examined by individually immunostaining for anti-Rnd2 and anti-Rnd3 at E12.5, E15.5, and E19.5 slices and imaging slices using compound fluorescence microscopy. VMH neurons expressing Rnd2 and Rnd3 were visually counted and compared with counts of control slices. Up until now, we have found that Ascl1 null embryos had fewer cells expressing Rnd3 at E15.5 and E19.5, and Neurog2 null embryos had fewer cells expressing Rnd2 at E19.5. Preliminary immunostaining results shows a reduction in transcription of both Ascl1 and Neurog 2. Results from this work will shed important insight into the mechanisms employed by hypothalamic neurons during migration. Abnormalities in neuronal migration to the VMH may result in obesity disorders and early puberty; thus, understanding migration mechanisms is an essential first step in developing tools to treat and prevent potentially debilitating conditions.
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    Temporary Land Use, the Creative Class and Local Economy in Calgary
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-20) Carruthers, Alyssa
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    Pure Award Final Report
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-21) Siddiq, Affan
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    Auroral X-Ray Imager
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-21) Pitzel, Jared
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    PURE report: traffic analysis
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-21) Boudes, Elodie
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    An Analysis of the Barriers Encountered in the Teaching and Learning of Refugee Youth Through Trauma Informed Practices
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-24) Pelletier, Janine
    This report presents the results of a qualitative study that explored the multiple facets of the teaching and learning of youth from refugee backgrounds, many of whom are participating in specialized programming within the Calgary, Alberta area. In particular, this article presents data and discussion regarding some of the interwoven challenges encountered by youth, families, teachers, and administration when working with refugee youth. This study confirms that improvements are needed in areas such as teaching strategies, teacher training, school inclusive practices, and systematic utilization of community services. Teachers also expressed the need to combat ongoing prejudice at the peer, teacher, and administrative level. Further, implications for policy and practice are discussed.
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    Viability of Synthetic Nucleotides in Digital Storage
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-22) Hwang, Munsu
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    Elucidation of 3' exon requirements of a novel group II intron
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-23) Fung, Beatrice
    Group II introns are a type of mobile genetic element. They are composed of a catalytic RNA called a ribozyme, and a protein encoded within the intron called the intron-encoded protein (IEP). Group II introns have the ability to self-splice. Self-splicing is the result of ribozyme activity and produces an excised lariat intron and ligated exons. Mobility of group II introns occurs when the excised intron inserts into DNA target sites using the IEP. In 1994, four group II introns were identified in Escherichia coli. They were named E.c.I1, E.c.I2, E.c.I3 and E.c.I4. Recent research has identified a non-standard mechanism for 5' exon recognition in E.c.I4. Exon recognition is essential during self-splicing. In contrast to the 5' mechanism for exon recognition, the mechanism for 3' exon recognition in E.c.I4 has yet to be elucidated. Two possibilities have been suggested: nucleotide one of the 3' exon may pair with either the delta nucleotide adjacent to exon binding site 1 (EBS1), or with the EBS3 nucleotide. The purpose of this research project was to identify the 3' exon recognition mechanism used by E.c.I4.
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    Lessons from the Field: Working with Conflict Survivors in Northern Ireland
    (University of Calgary, 2018-09-23) Bull, Brooke