Browsing by Author "Buro, Karen"
Now showing 1 - 20 of 24
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Academic procrastination: the pattern and correlates of behavioural postponement(2006) Powell, Russell A.; Howell, Andrew J.; Watson, David; Buro, KarenUsing a series of computer-based assignments, we examined whether students’ submission patterns revealed a hyperbolic pattern of temporal discounting, such that few assignments are submitted far ahead of the deadline and submission of assignments accelerates at an increasing rate as the deadline becomes imminent. We further examined whether variables related to self-regulation – namely, self-reported procrastination, implementation intentions, say-do correspondence, and perceived academic control – correlated with behavioural postponement. Results revealed strong behavioural evidence of temporal discounting, especially among those who identified themselves as procrastinators. Among the self-regulation measures, only say-do correspondence consistently correlated with procrastination.Item Appraising risk for intimate partner violence in a police context(2017) Jung, Sandy; Buro, KarenThis study examines the predictive accuracy of three risk assessment approaches for intimate partner violence (IPV) among a sample of 246 male perpetrators who were charged for offenses against their intimate partners. The sample was followed up for an average of 3.3 years, and any new general, violent, and IPV charges and convictions were recorded. The Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) and a modified 14-item version of the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment Guide (SARA) demonstrated large effects in their ability to predict any reoffending or any violent reoffending and moderate predictive accuracy for IPV offending behaviors. The regionally used approach, Family Violence Investigative Report (FVIR), showed good predictive validity for any future offending but poorly predicted any of the violent-specific recidivism outcomes. Results of the study show that the ODARA was significantly better at predicting violence risk over the FVIR, but paired comparisons did not reveal statistical differences with the SARA.Item Attitudes and decisions about sexual offenders: a comparison of laypersons and professionals(2012) Jung, Sandy; Jamieson, Lisa; Buro, Karen; DeCesare, John; Jung, SandyThe current study examines the inherent biases about sexual offending held by 123 laypersons and 120 professionals (i.e. probation officers and therapists). In order to determine the extent of these biases, a series of brief newspaper articles were constructed to depict cases of sexual offenders. Each article comprised several combinations of key variables, including offender type, level of admission, and the presence of alcohol. Participants read a series of three fabricated articles and then completed a questionnaire regarding attitudes about the various offenders. The results indicate important differences between the lay and professional samples. Laypersons deemed sex offenders more favourably in terms of character, accountability, and risk for sexual recidivism. However, both groups showed some similar perceptions about sexual offending. Specifically, both groups evaluated child molesters more negatively than exhibitionists and in some cases, rapists. These findings highlight the need for continuing education for professionals in order to attenuate the effects of prejudicial attitudes.Item Blended learning versus face-to-face learning in an undergraduate nursing health assessment course: a quasi-experimental study(2021) Berga, Keri-Ann; Vadnais, Elisha; Nelson, Jody; Johnston, Sharon; Buro, Karen; Hu, RuiBackground: Blended learning, which integrates face-to-face and online instruction, is increasingly being adopted. A gap remains in the literature related to blended learning, self-efficacy, knowledge and perceptions in undergraduate nursing. Objectives: To investigate outcomes of self-efficacy, knowledge and perceptions related to the implementation of a newly blended course. Design: This was a quasi-experimental pre-post test design. Setting: This study was conducted at an undergraduate university in Alberta, Canada. Participants: A total of 217 second-year undergraduate nursing students participated and 187 participants completed all study components. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used. Data were collected at the start and end of the semesters. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics using R(3.4.3) and R-Studio(1.1.423). Results: There were no significant differences in self-efficacy scores between groups or in the pre-post surveys (p > 0.100) over time. There was no significant difference in knowledge between the blended online and face-to-face groups (p > 0.100). For students in the blended course, perceptions of the online learning environment were positive. Conclusion: Blended learning has the potential to foster innovative and flexible learning opportunities. This study supports continued use and evaluation of blended learning as a pedagogical approach.Item Comparisons between text-only and multimedia tweets on user engagement(2020) Indratmo, Indratmo; Zhao, Michael; Buro, KarenHaving highly engaged followers on social media allows us to spread information, seek feedback, and promote a sense of community efficiently. Crafting engaging posts, however, requires careful thoughts, creativity, and communication skills. This research studied tweets and explored the effect of content types on user engagement. More specifically, we compared the number of likes and retweets between text-only and multimedia tweets. We analyzed four Twitter accounts relevant to the City of Edmonton, Canada, and performed negative binomial regressions to model the expected count of likes and retweets based on accounts, content types, and their interaction. The results showed that multimedia content increased engagement in two of the four accounts but did not change engagement significantly in the other two. In other words, multimedia content had a positive or neutral effect on user engagement, depending on accounts. Our analysis also showed the effectiveness of well-written texts in attracting the attention of users. Tweets, by design, are text-oriented, and posting multimedia content may help, but is not a necessary condition to engage with followers effectively on Twitter.Item Comparisons between text-only and multimedia tweets on user engagement(2020) Indratmo, Indratmo; Zhao, Michael; Buro, KarenHaving highly engaged followers on social media allows us to spread information, seek feedback, and promote a sense of community efficiently. Crafting engaging posts, however, requires careful thoughts, creativity, and communication skills. This research studied tweets and explored the effect of content types on user engagement. More specifically, we compared the number of likes and retweets between text-only and multimedia tweets. We analyzed four Twitter accounts relevant to the City of Edmonton, Canada, and performed negative binomial regressions to model the expected count of likes and retweets based on accounts, content types, and their interaction. The results showed that multimedia content increased engagement in two of the four accounts but did not change engagement significantly in the other two. In other words, multimedia content had a positive or neutral effect on user engagement, depending on accounts. Our analysis also showed the effectiveness of well-written texts in attracting the attention of users. Tweets, by design, are text-oriented, and posting multimedia content may help, but is not a necessary condition to engage with followers effectively on Twitter.Item Does stalking behavior improve risk prediction of intimate partner violence?(2021) Jung, Sandy; Himmen, Marguerite; Velupillai, Nirudika; Buro, KarenThe present study investigates whether stalking is associated with recidivism risk among IPV offenders and incrementally adds to the predictive validity of existing validated risk measures for predicting recidivism of intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators. Using 226 police-reported cases of IPV, the criminal histories of the perpetrators in these cases were examined, and perpetrators were categorized based on their stalking histories. Stalkers and non-stalkers were then compared on their risk scores, and survival analyses were conducted to determine if stalking incrementally improved prediction of recidivism outcomes over and above the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) and a modified version of the Spousal Assault Risk Assessment (SARA). We found that the SARA significantly differed between stalking and non-stalking perpetrators, but no difference emerged when we examined the ODARA score and recidivism outcomes. We found that stalking did not incrementally increase predictive validity for recidivism outcomes over and above the modified SARA and ODARA. Our findings challenge policies that regard stalking as a risk factor for future IPV and explore how police services may better allocate resources in cases of intimate partner stalking.Item The effect of animal-assisted intervention on undergraduate students’ perception of momentary stress(2023) Chute, Andrea; Vihos, Jill; Johnston, Sharon; Buro, Karen; Velupillai, NirudikaBackground: Student mental wellness is a priority in higher education. Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs’) are gaining momentum in universities across North America (Dell et al., 2015). Aims: This study explored the relationships between AAIs’, demographic variables, and perceived momentary stress among university students. Methods: Using a descriptive correlational design, students completed a Perceived Momentary Stress questionnaire that included the Stress Numerical Rating Scale-11 (Stress NRS-11) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to measure perceived stress before and after AAIs’. Data were analyzed using R (4.1.2) (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria) to identify relationships between students’ perceptions of momentary stress, AAIs’ and sociodemographic and demographic variables. Results: First-year students, female students, and students identifying as sexual minorities were found to benefit the most from AAIs’. Conclusion: Results from this study reflect relationships between exposure to animal-assisted interventions and student demographic variables.Item The effect of earworms on affect(2019) Tingley, Jessica; Moscicki, Michele; Buro, KarenOur study investigated earworms in relation to affect. An earworm is defined as hearing music without currently listening to music. Affect refers to emotions. As the research on earworms is limited, one goal of our study was to confirm and advance prior findings, such as whether or not neuroticism is associated with a heightened occurrence of earworms. We hypothesized that earworms are a type of ruminative thought, which are typically associated with stress and worry. Based on this hypothesis, our specific prediction was that people with higher levels of stress/anxiety would be more likely to experience earworms.Item Elevated waste anaesthetic gas concentration in the paediatric post-anaesthesia care unit(2018) Özelsel, Timur J.-P.; Kim, Sam; Buro, Karen; Tsui, BanObjective: Exposure to waste anaesthetic gas (WAG) is a recognised occupational hazard for health care professionals (HCP). In recovery rooms, scavenging and ventilation systems differ from those in the operating room, raising the question as to how efficient they are. This study aims to measure the levels of ambient sevoflurane over the course of consecutive workdays in the paediatric recovery room of a tertiary academic centre. Methods: The following is a descriptive-analytic study of ambient air sevoflurane levels measured using a MIRAN® 205B Series SapphIRe portable ambient air analyser. Samples were obtained between 7:30 am and 6:30 pm for two non-consecutive weeks on consecutive weekdays in our paediatric recovery room area. Results: The ambient air levels of sevoflurane exceeded the ceiling concentration of 0.5 ppm recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on all days of measurement. The concentration of sevoflurane in ambient air correlates directly with the number of patients present. Conclusion: Even in a modern recovery room constructed according to current building standard and code, ambient air levels of WAG exceed the recommendations. Future research and practice standards are needed to reduce this occupational exposure. Disregarding whether chronic exposure to WAG is harmful, we have shown that HCP working in recovery rooms are chronically exposed to concentrations which exceed recommended levels. Strategies are needed to reduce ambient levels of WAG in post-anaesthesia care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Item Evidence for vicarious hope and vicarious gratitude(2015) Howell, Andrew J.; Bailie, Thomas; Buro, KarenTheorists posit that well-being reflects an optimal balance of self- and other-interest. An index of other-interest may be the degree to which hope and gratitude concern others (termed vicarious hope and vicarious gratitude) in addition to concerning the self. We examined the frequency of vicarious responses generated by participants (N = 350) invited to list ten things for which they were hopeful or grateful. Results showed that, on average, about 13 % of participants’ responses were other-oriented, that such responses were more likely to occur in the hope than in the gratitude condition, and that they were more likely to occur in conditions where task instructions primed inclusion of others. The generation of vicarious responses correlated with the trait of empathic concern. Implications of these findings for future work on vicarious hope and vicarious gratitude are discussed.Item The future is now—it’s time to rethink the application of the Global Warming Potential to anesthesia(2019) Özelsel, Timur J.-P.; Sondekoppam, Rakesh V.; Buro, KarenAll volatile anesthetic agents are fluorocarbons and variably potent greenhouse gases (GHG).1 As a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), isoflurane also has ozone depleting potential (as does nitrous oxide [N2O]), while sevoflurane and desflurane, being hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), do not.1 The global emission of HFCs increased 128% from 1990 to 2005 and is projected by 2030 to increase a further 336% compared with 2005 emissions.2 The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty agreed upon in 1987 with the primary goal to protect the ozone layer and to reverse the ozone hole over Antarctica.1 While it is being heralded as a major multinational success, since it has led to the phase-out of CFCs3 and a subsequent slow recovery of the ozone layer, it has led to an increased use of HFCs, which are also very potent GHGs. The 2016 Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol further aims to phase-down those HFCs with a high potential for contributing to global warming.1 Unfortunately, the field of anesthesia finds itself in a unique position where the release of its CFCs and HFCs has actually increased over time.Item Identifying male sexual offender subtypes using cluster analysis(2014) Jung, Sandy; Ennis, Liam; Buro, KarenThis study examines whether clinically meaningful subgroups could be identified within a large, undifferentiated group of convicted adult male sex offenders. Of eight cluster analyses, a reliable three-cluster solution emerged based on the subscores of the Static-2002R with 345 sex offenders. To establish the validity of the emergent clusters, the three groups of offenders were compared on four domains: Criminal history, psychosexual development, sexual attitudes and interests, and recidivism. The findings revealed meaningful differences among the group and the implications of subgroup membership is discussed in terms of risk, treatment, and supervision.Item The impact of sevoflurane anesthesia on postoperative renal function: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials(2020) Sondekoppam, Rakesh V.; Narsingani, Karim H.; Schimmel, Trent A.; McConnell, Brie M.; Buro, Karen; Özelsel, Timur J.-P.Purpose Renal damage secondary to fluoride ions and compound A (CpdA) after sevoflurane anesthesia remains unclear. For safety reasons, some countries still recommend minimum fresh-gas flows (FGFs) with sevoflurane. We review the evidence regarding the intraoperative use of sevoflurane for anesthesia maintenance and postoperative renal function compared with other anesthetic agents used for anesthetic maintenance. Secondarily, we examine the effects of peak plasma fluoride and CpdA levels and the effect of FGF and duration of anesthesia on these parameters. Source The databases of MEDLINE (OVID and Pubmed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Health Technology Assessment Database, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched from inception until 23 April 2020 to identify randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) in humans utilizing sevoflurane or an alternative anesthetic for anesthesia maintenance with subsequent measurements of renal function. Two different paired reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted data. The quality of the evidence was appraised using GRADE recommendations. Principal findings Of 3,766 publications screened, 41 RCTs in human patients were identified. There was no difference between creatinine at 24 hr (21 studies; n = 1,529), or creatinine clearance (CCR) at 24 hr (12 studies; n = 728) in the sevoflurane vs alternative anesthetic groups. Peak fluoride and fluoride measured at 24 hr were higher with sevoflurane compared with other inhaled anesthetics. Subgroup analyses for sevoflurane usage in various contexts showed no significant difference between sevoflurane and alternative anesthetics for creatinine or CCR at 24 hr at varying FGF, duration of exposure, baseline renal function, or absorbent use. Conclusions We did not find any association between the use of sevoflurane and postoperative renal impairment compared with other agents used for anesthesia maintenance. The scientific basis for recommending higher FGF with the use of sevoflurane needs to be revisited.Item Measuring and predicting student well-being: further evidence in support of the flourishing scale and the scale of positive and negative experiences(2015) Howell, Andrew J.; Buro, KarenAn increased focus on well-being in university settings has spurred the development of brief scales of both functioning well and feeling good. The objectives of the current study were to generate descriptive findings concerning psychometric properties (e.g., factor structure; reliability) of the recently devised Flourishing Scale (FS) and Scale of Positive and Negative Experiences (SPANE; Diener et al., Soc Indic Res 97:143–156, 2010) with an English-speaking university student sample, and to test associations between the scales and potential predictors of eudaimonic and hedonic aspects of well-being. The FS and SPANE scales were completed by 478 undergraduate students, along with scales measuring 10 human values and both time and material affluence. Descriptive statistics (e.g., means, standard deviations, reliability coefficients) for the FS and SPANE scales were highly similar to those reported by Diener et al. (Soc Indic Res 97:143–156, 2010) and confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized three-factor model (i.e., flourishing, positive feelings, and negative feelings). Self-transcendence and conservation value types were significant predictors of FS scores, whereas only the conservation value type predicted affect balance scores from the SPANE. Time and material affluence were significant predictors of both FS and affect balance scores. Results are discussed in relation to the distinction between eudaimonic and hedonic aspects of well-being.Item Measuring the activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in relation to home-based additives by measured net weight loss(2022) Mainwaring, Shaun; Buro, KarenThis research study is to measure the activity of saccharomyces cerevisiae through selected additives which have been added in the hydration step of making bread dough. The saccharomyces cerevisiae is sensitive to sugars (Mazzoleni, S. et al.2015) and by using multiple possible additives that can be found at home, we can compare which ones give a healthier yeast and therefore a better rise to the dough. As the saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments, it consumes the sugars naturally in the dough and creates an acidic environment to maintain its growth and produces CO2 as a product of this reaction, which is the cause for the rising dough. This can be tracked by how active the yeast is to its mean weight loss by measuring the weight loss of the three separate batches and comparing the results through a Multiple Comparisons of Means: Tukey Contrasts test to see if the significance to what is added to what was added to help the fermentation process of the yeast. We can see that easily soluble sugars are the best choices for promoting the health of the saccharomyces cerevisiae in by the test withF(9,20)=14.49, p<0.0001.Item Measuring the activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in relation to home-based additives by measured net weight loss(2022) Mainwaring, Shaun; Buro, KarenThis research study is to measure the activity of saccharomyces cerevisiae through selected additives which have been added in the hydration step of making bread dough. The saccharomyces cerevisiae is sensitive to sugars (Mazzoleni, S. et al.2015) and by using multiple possible additives that can be found at home, we can compare which ones give a healthier yeast and therefore a better rise to the dough. As the saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments, it consumes the sugars naturally in the dough and creates an acidic environment to maintain its growth and produces CO2 as a product of this reaction, which is the cause for the rising dough. This can be tracked by how active the yeast is to its mean weight loss by measuring the weight loss of the three separate batches and comparing the results through a Multiple Comparisons of Means: Tukey Contrasts test to see if the significance to what is added to what was added to help the fermentation process of the yeast. We can see that easily soluble sugars are the best choices for promoting the health of the saccharomyces cerevisiae in by the test withF(9,20)=14.49, p<0.0001.Item Measuring the analgesic effect of adding pre-operative single-shot rectus sheath blocks to postoperative rectus sheath continuous blocks for major urological surgery: a double-blind randomised study(2021) Green, James; Niu, Shuang; Verrier, Michelle; Buro, Karen; Lupul, Nicholas; Douglas, Chris; Fairey, Adrian; Dillane, DerekContinuous rectus sheath block offers an alternative to epidural analgesia for postoperative analgesia after midline abdominal surgery.1–4 Catheters can be placed under ultrasound guidance3 or under direct vision during closure of the surgical incision.2 A disadvantage of surgically placed rectus sheath catheters is that they are inserted at the end of surgery. Therefore, unlike epidural catheters inserted pre-operatively, the patient does not benefit intra-operatively and the block may not be fully established in the early recovery phase of care. We hypothesised that the addition of ultrasound-guided pre-operative bilateral single-shot rectus sheath blocks to surgically inserted postoperative continuous rectus sheath blocks would improve postoperative analgesia in the first 24 h after surgery. To this end, we designed a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where the primary outcome was opioid consumption in the first 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included intra-operative opioid requirement, and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)-11 pain scores in the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. This study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Board of the University of Alberta (protocol number 00078459, date of registration 7 February 2018, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03458598).Item A prospective observational study of persistent opioid use after complex foot and ankle surgery(2022) Verrier, Michelle; Niu, Shuang; Kroetch, Kimberly; Buro, Karen; Douglas, Chris; Green, James; Pedersen, Mary E.; Dillane, DerekThe incidence of persistent postsurgical opioid use (PPOU) after complex foot and ankle surgery is unknown. We aimed to determine the incidence and characteristics of PPOU in opioid-naı¨ve, occasional, and regular opioid users at baseline and at six weeks, three months, and six months postoperatively.Item Sex differences in the inflammatory response of the mouse DRG and its connection to pain in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(2022) Maguire, Aislinn D.; Friedman, Timothy N.; Villarreal Andrade, Dania N.; Haq, Fajr; Dunn, Jacob; Pfeifle, Keiana; Tenorio, Gustavo; Buro, Karen; Plemel, Jason R.; Kerr, Bradley J.Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with notable sex differences. Women are not only more likely to develop MS but are also more likely than men to experience neuropathic pain in the disease. It has been postulated that neuropathic pain in MS can originate in the peripheral nervous system at the level of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), which houses primary pain sensing neurons (nociceptors). These nociceptors become hyperexcitable in response to inflammation, leading to peripheral sensitization and eventually central sensitization, which maintains pain long-term. The mouse model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a good model for human MS as it replicates classic MS symptoms including pain. Using EAE mice as well as naïve primary mouse DRG neurons cultured in vitro, we sought to characterize sex differences, specifically in peripheral sensory neurons. We found sex differences in the inflammatory profile of the EAE DRG, and in the TNFα downstream signaling pathways activated intracellularly in cultured nociceptors. We also found increased cell death with TNFα treatment. Given that TNFα signaling has been shown to initiate intrinsic apoptosis through mitochondrial disruption, this led us to investigate sex differences in the mitochondria’s response to TNFα. Our results demonstrate that male sensory neurons are more sensitive to mitochondrial stress, making them prone to neuronal injury. In contrast, female sensory neurons appear to be more resistant to mitochondrial stress and exhibit an inflammatory and regenerative phenotype that may underlie greater nociceptor hyperexcitability and pain. Understanding these sex differences at the level of the primary sensory neuron is an important first step in our eventual goal of developing sex-specific treatments to halt pain development in the periphery before central sensitization is established.