Lighting the way in spine motion research

How does hip joint mobility affect lumbar spine motion and forces during exercise? That’s the question Janice Moreside is pursuing as she works on a PhD in spine biomechanics in kinesiology with supervisor Stuart McGill.

They are using a Vicon motion capture system, similar to that used in computer-generated animation. Participants — here, for example, Chris Vigna, a grad student in physiology — are fitted out with reflective balls and electrodes, and work out on an elliptical trainer, which allows for a standard stride length.

“Two groups of young males are being compared: those with limited hip mobility and those with very mobile hips,” Moreside says. “The Vicon motion capture system is being used to monitor motion of the different body segments, allowing us to calculate joint angles (such as hip and low back) as well as the position of body segments at any point in time.

"Simultaneously, muscle activity of the trunk and gluteal muscles is monitored with surface electromyography. Using biomechanical modelling with the position and muscle activation data, we are able to calculate the forces occurring in the low back during these activities.”

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Food services' fresh face wins Grand Gold

Food services’ bright and cheerful new look, already familiar to people on campus, is more than just a freshening-up. This year it won a Grand Gold Medal in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Awards, in the category of Integrated Advancement Programs: Visual Identity Systems. (Other UW winners were announced earlier.)

“About two years ago,” says Heather Kelly, UW Food Services Co-ordinator, “we decided we needed to rebrand ourselves. Many people on campus were not aware of the department, and sometimes our 17 different outlets were not recognized as all being part of food services. We needed to unify our look.”

The brochure Kelley put together to submit to CASE describes how food services worked with a UW Graphics team led by Christine Goucher to devise and roll out a “creative branding campaign” aimed at attracting incoming and prospective students and current faculty, staff and students, as well as informing and gaining the support of food services staff.

“The design started with the department logo, using a specialized font.… Once the UW Food Services logo (left) was completely re-designed, we looked at rolling out new logos for each decentralized unit…. The next phase was to update our publications and print materials: custom food illustrations were developed for various applications, new photography for the Meal Plan Options brochure (main recruitment publication), online Weekly Menu Planner, What’s Happening Monthly Calendar, event posters (i.e. Eco Bike Promotion) and Grab ’n Go food labels.”

The website was also updated, and new promotional items, such as the UW Food Services lug-a-mug and water canteen, were distributed. Finally, “this past September we decided to issue new uniforms with our updated logo to all UW Food Services staff, including front-line staff, cooks, chefs and management.”

How did it work out? “This campaign has garnered great results; we have a clear, recognized, fun and original brand image for UW Food Services and we have unified our decentralized units with logos and signage that contain common yet unique features.… Research with student groups has indicated our concept has taken the mystery out of who operates food services on campus. Feedback from department staff has been very positive; they have taken ownership of the new look with pride.”

And it won the CASE Grand Gold. In that competition, entries were judged on, among other things: "clarity of stated objectives for the identity system; effective presentation and design of information that reflects the character and personality of the institution; creativity; ...efficient and creative use of resources; understanding of target audience(s); usability; overall effectiveness."

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August events on the horizon

The Social Cure: Seniors, Social Connections and Health is a research symposium being presented by the Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR). All are welcome. “Learn how and why social activity improves and protects health and well-being,” reads the poster. Researchers will discuss such topics as the impact of social networks on recovery from heart attacks and stroke; the dangers of dehydration, and water clubs; group reminiscence therapy; and more. The event takes place Friday, August 7, 9 a.m. to noon, in the Lyle Hallman Institute’s Sun Life Financial Auditorium (room 1621) at the University of Waterloo. It’s free, but please register by email.

To learn how to harvest free energy from the sun, sign up for Out of the Dark: A Solar Information Night, hosted by Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW) and the Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP). You’ll learn about solar technologies available in Waterloo Region, including solar panels that generate electricity and others that heat water. Homeowners will be able to buy solar equipment through a bulk initiative organized by CREW. “In commemoration of the great blackout of August 14, 2003, the event will emphasize the importance of conserving energy in homes and provide information about grants available for energy-saving renovations.” The free event takes place Thursday, August 13, 6:30 – 9 p.m., in the Hauser Haus room at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, 101 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo. Organizers say space is limited: register early.

CPA staff

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