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Science & Technology

How Augmented Reality technology could transform food quality assessment

by K. Coco Zhang on

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Rapid technological advancements have transformed numerous industries, including the field of food quality assessment. Augmented Reality (AR)—a technology that allows digital images and information to be projected onto the real-world environment—has emerged as a powerful tool to enhance food inspections and evaluations.

In a recent paper, Jacob Liberty, PhD student in McGill’s Department of Bioresource Engineering, and his team explored AR technology and its applications in food quality and safety assessment.

Food quality assessments serve to systematically evaluate potential hazards associated with food products. These assessments aim to identify and analyze health risks posed by factors such as harmful bacteria, chemical contaminants, or other substances.

In the traditional food quality assessment process, sensory panelists or consumers perform a sensory evaluation of food products. 

“This evaluation focuses on various sensory attributes such as appearance, aroma, taste, texture, and overall palatability,” Liberty wrote in an email to The Tribune. “Sensory evaluation provides valuable insights into the [sensory] properties of food products, helping to assess their quality, acceptability, and consumer preferences.”

Although well-established, the traditional food quality assessment process is vulnerable to errors due to the inherent subjectivity of sensory evaluations. 

However, AR technology provides an innovative and alternative approach to the sensory evaluation process, improving its efficiency, accuracy, and objectivity. 

“AR-enhanced sensory evaluation provides standardized assessments based on objective attributes such as colour, texture, and flavour, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of food quality assessments,” Liberty wrote.

Another concern with traditional methods is the lack of transparency around information about food products, including their ingredients, sourcing, production process, and sustainability. 

The majority of consumers called for more transparency in the food industry and expressed concerns about food safety and quality.

“[These] concerns have increased due to incidents of foodborne illnesses, contamination, and fraud, [so] consumers want assurance that the food products they purchase are safe, authentic, and of high quality,” Liberty wrote. 

In addition to food safety concerns, the growing interest in sustainability and ethical sourcing practices has led to a higher demand for traceability in the food supply chain. This increased attention drives consumers to seek information about the environmental and social impact of their food choices.

AR technology offers innovative solutions to enhance transparency by providing consumers with instantaneous information about the food they consume, including its source, production methods, and quality attributes.

“By providing consumers with access to transparent and traceable information through AR technology, food producers and suppliers can build trust, foster brand loyalty, and meet the evolving expectations of the modern consumer,” Liberty wrote.

Furthermore, the traditional food quality assessment process lacks real-time precision—the immediate and accurate identification of food safety and quality issues, which can lead to delays in addressing these problems. 

By contrast, AR allows real-time precision through the use of AR-enabled smart glasses. Equipped with built-in cameras and sensors, these glasses can provide inspectors with hands-free access to critical information and tools during food quality inspections. For example, they can overlay digital information, such as product specifications and inspection checklists, onto the inspector’s field of view in real-time.

“This allows inspectors to quickly identify defects, contamination, and quality issues while maintaining efficiency and accuracy,” Liberty wrote.

Despite the benefits of AR technology, its implementation in food quality assessment requires careful consideration of various ethical and regulatory factors to ensure responsible and compliant use.

“AR technology relies on accurate and reliable data inputs to generate meaningful insights. [Therefore,] food producers and suppliers need to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data sources used in AR applications to prevent misleading or erroneous outcomes that could compromise consumer safety and trust,” Liberty wrote.

Liberty also points to the importance of ensuring consumer education, regulatory compliance, bias mitigation, and privacy protection during the implementation of AR technology. 

By addressing these considerations, the stakeholders can harness the transformative potential of AR technology in food quality assessment while ensuring ethical standards and regulatory compliance.

Research Briefs, Science & Technology

What nurses have to say about healthcare for the underprivileged

by Daniel Pyo on

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We often take many aspects of our lives for granted. Among these are access to healthcare, a place to stay permanently, and a safe and stable home, which are all critical for a healthy and prosperous life. However, many people lack access to these necessities. 

Overlooking the improvement plan for greater access to healthcare in vulnerable communities,

McGill University’s Ingram School of Nursing (ISoN) opened an on-site nursing service at a large homeless shelter called Accueil Bonneau near the Old Port area of Montreal in 2021.

Amid this initiative, Molly Korab, a registered nurse (RN) in Internal Medicine and a research leader at ISoN, has pursued an interview-based qualitative project to encompass the perspectives of frontline shelter staff regarding the health needs of the unhoused population. 

This study aims to shape service development and expand the existing literature on frontline shelter staff’s perspectives in informing the development of health services for the unhoused.

“I was passionately seeking to communicate with shelter staff one-on-one in order to gain a

thorough understanding of the nursing service needs and determine the potential contributions

that the McGill clinics can provide,” Korab said in an interview with The Tribune.

To understand the reasons behind the challenges faced by people living in shelters, nurses interviewed unhoused clients and shelter staff to translate their personal stories into actionable issues to be addressed. Among the many anecdotes, one common theme emerged: Unhoused people prioritize addressing their basic needs like food, shelter, and survival before focusing on healthcare.

The root cause of many health issues often stems from experiencing any form of homelessness. A higher share of unhoused Canadians have poor mental health than the overall population does, primarily due to the lack of constant personal healthcare and the issues that arise from these instabilities. Consequently, the stigma surrounding healthcare in this population has intensified, further exacerbating the already poor health outcomes experienced by these individuals. 

“I think that hospitals are also stretched thin [as a result of COVID-19]. We see it in the media. And I think that [makes] the hospitals less patient with our clientele,” one of the shelter staff highlighted during her interview with Korab for this project.

Due to staff shortages and intermittent absence of on-site nursing, medical referrals to these services decreased even after the pandemic. The fluctuating presence of on-site nursing services and the turnover of frontline staff led to a decline in health referrals to doctors, even as staffing rates slowly returned to levels seen before the pandemic.

“For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals who were not well-connected

with the healthcare system faced difficulties in accessing necessary medical care,” Korab explained. 

Amid these shortages, the remaining nurses were on the frontlines fighting for their everyday lives. Currently, nurses are urging for better conditions to reduce the strain on healthcare staff and the unhoused population. This includes improved hygiene assistance on-site, narrowing frontline staff knowledge gaps, and reducing administrative barriers.

“I strongly believe in highlighting and valuing the voices of those who are actively involved in

this. Whether it’s community nurses, shelter staff, or individuals without homes, I believe the idea of frontline healthcare workers has somewhat disappeared recently,” Korab said.

Meeting the unique needs of the unhoused population requires collaboration between healthcare and community service providers. As Korab highlighted, it is important to create a safe environment where unhoused individuals can build trust and develop long-lasting relationships. To effectively serve this population, health systems should prioritize easy access to primary care and community-based services.

In the meanwhile, Korab advocates for the endless possibilities that nursing research offers to improve healthcare and protect our rights to quality care. By encouraging more nurses to participate in research, we can continue pushing the boundaries of knowledge and ensure that healthcare remains a fundamental right for all individuals.

Research Briefs, Science & Technology

Diversity dynamics: Exploring organizational diversity’s impact on minority recruitment

by Jenna Durante on

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Existing research in the field of psychology has shown that organizational diversity influences the work environment and the behaviours of individuals seeking employment opportunities. In a paper titled “A field study of the impacts of workplace diversity on the recruitment of minority group members,” Jordan Axt, assistant professor in McGill’s Department of Psychology, examined how subtle alterations in organizational diversity—the demographic makeup of a company’s workforce—influence the behaviour of job applicants, as well as the relationship between diversity and recruitment outcomes. 

In his research, Axt explored how people form and express intergroup bias across various social domains, such as race, politics, religion, age, sexual orientation, and physical attractiveness. He looks at patterns of human behaviour in an experimental setting, and he also studied ways to measure and reduce intergroup bias. 

Conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study employed a field-based approach by creating a realistic-looking website for a technology startup company with virtual job openings. Applicants were randomly assigned to view images showcasing differing levels of gender, racial, and ethnic diversity within the company’s workforce, with their responses providing insights into diversity cues.

This investigation relies on social identity theory, a prominent theory in social psychology that explores how an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by other people. 

“[Social identity theory is] the extent to which people gain their identity from themselves and from group membership,” Axt explained in an interview with The Tribune. 

In the case of Axt’s study, social identity theory aims to provide explanations for the behaviour of applicants and their responses to different levels of group diversity. Individuals infer an organization’s values based on the representation of people from their own groups within it, influencing their willingness to apply.

To Axt’s surprise, the study’s findings revealed that changes in diversity representations did not significantly impact the demographics of job applicants. 

However, analysis of the overall likelihood of opening the job ad link and initiating or completing an application across all applicants suggests that diverse representations across multiple dimensions may reinforce each other and enhance organizational appeal.

One explanation for the surprising trend reflects real-world situations and that practical concerns may take priority when seeking job employment. 

“You’re just not paying attention to these types of things; you’re not really as focused on organizational diversity, or maybe the need to have a job outweighs any of your actual organizational diversity concerns,” Axt said. 

The experiment highlights the significance of using a field-based approach, rather than relying on evidence from a laboratory setting. This involves creating real-world hypothetical scenarios by allowing participants to reflect on their hypothetical behaviours in the experiment. 

According to Axt, the major limitation of the study comes from the fact that it took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the circumstances, all of the positions offered in the study were remote. Consequently, it is uncertain how the dynamics of diversity perception and applicant behaviour might differ if the positions were in-person, where individuals would expect to interact directly with a more or less diverse workforce. 

Overall, Axt emphasized that companies that aim to promote diversity in the workplace require more than surface-level representation. The discussion section of the study argues for companies to send stronger signals to effectively impact applicant behaviour. 

“So, for example, is there equal representation of diversity across all levels? Is it only that the lower-level people show greater diversity? Is it the case that you have commitments financially to mentoring programs that are going to make it easier for people from stigmatized backgrounds to advance in this organization?” Axt stated. “The idea is that you can’t just put up some non-white faces and say, well, we’ve solved this problem.” 

By looking at the effects of organizational diversity and its role in influencing minority job applicant recruitment, the research helps us address the issues in job hiring and focus on strategies to improve workplace diversity for the future. 

Out on the Town, Student Life

Snow-melting looks to don for Spring

by Simi Ogunsola on

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Spring has sprung in Montreal. The Hot Dog Guy has resumed his post at the Y-intersection, the amount of people walking around campus seems to have doubled, and the thrifting girlies have broken out the long, ruffled skirts and quirky sunglasses. With the temperature change comes an important change in a young student’s journey—one that has less to do with the books, and more to do with the lewks: The transition from Winter to Spring fashion. 

While the change can seem daunting, it needn’t be. Spring fashion—like all fashion—is first and foremost about wearing what you feel most comfortable in; start there and experiment with clothing that makes you feel good. Read on to hear what trends I observed while perched on a bench by the Y-intersection, listening to the new KYLE album, wondering if enough people had seen me looking mysterious and contemplative, or if I should give it 15 more minutes. 

The big bag 

Take a look around the library or your next class and you’ll notice something different within the bagscape. A new bag is on the scene, nestled among the tote bags silently crying for a break and that one geometric patterned bag that everyone seems to be in love with. It’s questionably called “the hobo bag,” and it’s the slouchy bag with a woven pattern that the girlies are using to tote their iPads and lipgloss around this semester. 

Wide-legged jeans and Doc Martens 

For all of the Doc warriors out there, fear not, this trend shows no signs of stopping. This spring, whether you rock the originals, the Hollys, or the thick platform boots (that I feel like are getting a little higher every time I see them) there’s plenty of room for Doc Martens in your closet. They go well with any colour of wide-legged jeans, giving you that effortless yeah-I-know-a-bit-about-fashion look. 

Funky sunglasses

I made a nod to this in the intro, but it bears repeating: Funky sunglasses are in! Whether they be the sporty-style dollar store ones, the 2012-Tumblr-core flower ones or something you thought looked cute from the thrift store, toss some sunnies on to complete your look this Spring. 

Colour, colour, colour

One thing I observed while edging slowly toward the Beaver Tail truck was how the Y-intersection seemed almost to be in bloom—there was colour everywhere. It was as though when the world hibernated, our boldest and brightest clothing did too. But it’s back in full force, with people donning greens, yellows, eye-catching blues, and reds, in honour of the dreary Montreal winter ending. 

Kissing the boots goodbye

While my time spent perusing saw no shortage of platform Ugg boots (especially ones with little bows on the back) and snow boots, they are on their way out. After spending a couple of months on the rack recovering from intimate interactions with club bathrooms and frat house floors, the sneakers were back on the scene. People are trading in their stompers for a pair of New Balance 237s and any variation of the “dad shoe.” 

The white, ruffled skirt 

This season is seeing the resurgence of the frilly, ruffly, floor-length skirts, also referred to as “boho” skirts. Evoking a Jane-Austen-like sense of wistfulness and romance, these skirts pair perfectly with a quick glance and smirk aimed at the cutie in the hot dog line before disappearing into the crowd. Or if that’s not really your style, cowboy boots and brightly coloured tops work well too!

All jokes aside, it was so refreshing to sit outside under the sun and take in all of the gorgeous fashion we have at McGill. It’s so unique, and honestly, a little inspiring too (if you are the person with the long, pink hair that I stopped to compliment, your outfit was incredible—I’m still thinking about it). Maybe as a study break while you prepare for finals, or as something to think about when you’re laying out on the hill, see if you can get some fashion inspiration this spring, and spring out of your comfort zone (see what I did there?). Happy styling!

McGill, News

Food Security Summit fosters collaboration between student food advocacy groups

by Eliza Lee on

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Representatives from student groups across campus and beyond gathered in the University Centre for a Food Security Summit on March 15 to discuss ways to improve the sustainability, accessibility, and affordability of food systems at McGill. The summit included presentations, “visioning sessions” where attendees exchanged ideas on discussion questions in smaller groups, and a free lunch. 

The summit was organized by McGill senators, representatives from the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), members of food advocacy groups, and Let’s Eat McGill. Let’s Eat McGill representative and SSMU Nursing Senator Naomi Pastrana Mankovitz moderated the event, beginning with a land acknowledgement. She then defined what achieving food security looks like—all community members having “stable access to affordable, fulfilling food that is nutritious, where no student minimizes or cuts meals because of cost or insufficient options.”

In an interview with The Tribune, Pastrana Mankovitz highlighted that knowledge transmission was a key motivation for organizing the event. The choice to incorporate both presentations and discussions from and between attendees was a way of spurring collaboration and ensuring future generations of students have a base to build upon when discussing food insecurity.

“We don’t want this research that we’ve done over the years just to be lost and [future students to have to] start from scratch,” Pastrana Mankovitz said. “I wanted at this event for people to be aware of what’s already been done, and what the history is, so that we [don’t] start from scratch.”

Representatives from various groups present at the summit—including Midnight Kitchen and the Student Nutrition and Accessibility Club—then gave brief updates about their work during this academic year. Associate director of Student Housing and Hospitality Services (SHHS) Zach Suhl also addressed attendees, explaining that although students have expressed that they felt SHHS did not listen to their concerns, he is committed to maintaining greater transparency with them.

“I can promise you that I will work as best I can to support all the groups and to support students being able to eat affordably on campus,” Suhl said.

Following this, Pastrana Mankovitz gave a short presentation on the history of student advocacy for food security at McGill. She noted that during the 2000s, student societies, such as the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) and Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS), managed their own cafeterias, cafes, and vending machines. Around 2007 and 2008, the university strategically took over many of these spaces and privatized them despite student resistance. This included the work of the Coalition for Action on Food Services—a group of students, staff, and faculty advocating for a food system founded upon input from the entire McGill community. Pastrana Mankovitz explained that since then, every few years “there’s been waves of student uprising” advocating for improved food security. However, each time, the movement loses momentum when organizers graduate.

Two student groups also presented projects under the Integrated Management Student Fellowship (IMSF) relating to food security, each echoing the importance of knowledge transmission and collaboration. The Food Fighters discussed their proposal to create a McGill Food Coalition (MFC) to coordinate efforts between student groups on campus. The group also described a proposal for creating a community kitchen for students to use on campus.

A second group of students called Food First presented their plans to create a guidebook—which is currently available as a draft version—to institutionalize the knowledge gathered by student activism and make it more accessible. Catherine Chen, U3 Management and member of Food First, spoke about using the history of mobilization at McGill to empower students in an interview with The Tribune.

“[My group] noticed that when we entered McGill, we just sort of accepted how it was as the norm […] the lack of non-corporatized cafes on campus,” Chen said. “Knowing that it used to be all student-run or used to be run by different companies, it’s important […] to inspire future efforts and further empower students who might wanna start their own co-op or cafe.”

Sam Liptay, U3 Science, attended the summit as a representative for the Macdonald Student-run Ecological Gardens. Liptay explained in an interview with The Tribune that one reason he came out to the event was to bring his perspective as a food producer to larger conversations about food security. 

“I think it’s really interesting to see all the different levels at which people are working with food, whether it’s making it, growing it, supplying it or processing it […] or even people doing waste diversion,” Liptay said. “And understanding these problems are all part of one system that different people in the food system can contribute to in different ways.”

Student Life

The Tribune’s natural skincare guide

by Arian Kamel, James West on

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Do we need skin? Most would say yes. Some would say it depends. I, for one, believe that the former is the case, which is why I’m committed to sharing my skincare routine with the McGill student populus. 

For some context: I’m a minimalist at heart. I only use a five-in-one shampoo/body wash/toothpaste, I have worn the same pair of jeans since I was seven, and I believe in reusable toilets. Does this make me more qualified than your board-certified dermatologist? I like to think so. Some may argue that I’m not qualified to give “skincare advice” because I “have never struggled with acne,” but being an empath, I have always struggled with other people having acne.

Let’s start with the essentials. Sunscreen? Probably. Tanning beds? Only if you enjoy melanoma, so why not? Formaldehyde? Chairman Mao would say so. Chocolate? Delicious. However, the real key is that, like my grandma used to say, “The best skincare is self-love. Scratch those chicken pox.”

Now, alternative, more expensive, options also exist. Botox always seems like a good idea until you wake up one morning and realize your eyes never fully closed. If you’re considering mud baths, just keep in mind that you can’t just accrue tons upon tons of street mud from your neighbourhood and store it in the free bathtub you found in your local Ikea—trust the professionals—like me.

If none of my suggestions have helped you so far, you may be saying, “It’s not working. I’m so worried about my acne.” Do you know what you should be worried about? Crime. Maybe the best skincare routine is you being less shallow.

Still, I have a few more tricks in my shoe. Like all university students, I try to craft my points from different perspectives, something my future employers will surely cherish and appreciate. If one were to take a communist lens, perhaps a hard day’s work is what is missing in your skincare routine. Maybe you should go on LinkedIn or Craigslist, then apply for any underwater oil rigging jobs you can find, preferably welding. Even if you still have acne after the eight-month expedition, you will at least have abs of steel and new-found respect for blue-collar life.

Anyone who has had the profound experience of booking an appointment with a dermatologist, waiting four to eight months, and being prescribed topical steroids after a seven-minute appointment, will tell you the same thing: It’s about the journey, not the destination. In the process of trying new moisturizers and throwing out overpriced cleansers, one finds their true self, a genuine and once kind soul driven mad by the depraved restraints of skin. 

But I’m here to tell you that this doesn’t have to be the case. Just remember to always wear sunscreen when it’s sunny outside, change your pillow sheets every other week, eat well whenever you can, and always prioritize your sleep. These simple, but essential steps, will do most of the heavy lifting necessary to rejuvenate your skin and help you feel better along the way.

And remember, if none of my skincare recommendations work, give the underwater oil rigging another shot.

Montreal, News

Montreal feminist network speaks about organizing collectively and intersectional feminism 

by Jasjot Grewal on

More in Montreal:

On March 14, the Quebec Public Interest Research Group (QPIRG) at McGill and the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) hosted Women of Diverse Origins (WDO-FDO) for an event titled “Are You Outraged? Organize Collectively: A History of Women of Diverse Origins and the Militant Women’s Movement in Montreal-Tio’tia:ke and beyond.” The two-hour workshop drew nearly two dozen students, with WDO-FDO organizers Zaïnab El Guerrab, Dolores Chew, and Dina El Sabbagh leading the discussion. 

The event began with a presentation from El Guerrab, in which she outlined the history of WDO-FDO. The organization brings together networks of grassroots anti-imperialist women’s groups and consists of women of diverse ethnicities, religions, ages, and sexual orientations who unite in their “struggles against patriarchy, racism, capitalism, colonialism, fascism, and imperialism.” 

“Colonialism and racism didn’t stop during the pandemic,” El Guerrab said. “Women are still resisting war, colonialism, and capitalism, and [now] we are united in demanding justice, equality, quality, and integration [….] These [global struggles] are a reflection of how we take both current and global struggles, and we try to bring them here.” 

WDO-FDO is a member of several international alliances, including the International Women’s Alliance, the International Migrants Alliance, and the International League of Peoples’ Struggle. El Guerrab also shared that WDO-FDO has organized activities to mark International Women’s Day, March 8, since its inception in 2002 and remains involved in various other initiatives throughout the year, such as showing solidarity with Palestine, fighting militarization, and participating in “Don’t Touch Syria” protests in 2017.

“Whether it’s snowing, whether it’s a global warming winter, […] we take the streets, but we are also very keen to learn and to share our learnings and to speak up,” El Guerrab said. “Reading lineages between different groups, different struggles, finding ways to strategize, to learn from each other.”

The workshop then turned to an open-floor discussion with the audience members, in which attendees were encouraged to ask questions. Alex*, an attendee and WDO-FDO member, encouraged audience members to share their own experiences of being outraged over the patriarchy. Alex also emphasized the inclusive nature of the organization, recalling their own experience joining WDO-FDO after just moving to Montreal. 

“Because of this perspective that FDO has, that they welcome people, regardless of how long they’ve been around,” Alex said. “It allows someone like me to take over an elder who was previously involved. So I think those principles are what guide the day-to-day work. So that when objective conditions change, individuals fall sick, or they move or something else happens, the work still persists.” 

El Guerrab hopes that students will see the importance of taking collective action in the face of a capitalist system that encourages separation and competition.  

“[Thinking and acting collectively] offers these kinds of fresh air to think differently and try to build in an anti-imperialist, feminist, anti-racist [space],” El Guerrab said.  

In an interview with The Tribune after the event, Chew explained that she enjoys coming to the McGill campus to engage with students of all ages who have never heard of WDO-FDO and to reflect on how far she’s come from when she was a student and later a secretary at McGill. 

“Looking at faces with people who are in their twenties and remembering myself at that time […] what a great impression it made on me to hear women who were older, who had been doing things, and like thinking, ‘Oh, really, that can be done. I can do it,’” Chew said. 

Creative

Modern Day Reverence – Graffiti Scripture

by Defne Olgun on

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Captured in the Park Extension neighborhood of Montreal. I enjoy the playful contrast between the broken, crumbling, raw infrastructure and a rather uplifting and spiritual message. The veins of the city are poking out next to a citydweller’s message to the common passerby. This photograph serves as a reminder of the beauty in the broken and finding everyday joy.

Creative

Life in a Postcard

by Sheridan Curteanu on

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I call this series Life in a Postcard, a visual love letter to my hometown. Growing up, I failed to

take the time to explore the possibilities within my small rural town. My parents were never big

outdoor people and since I was little, nothing seemed to matter except school and sports. After

suffering a sports injury that ultimately ended my time with that sport, I began to look for

meaning in other things. I found myself leaning on art, music, and the outdoors during this time.

What seemed in the moment an incredible loss, ended up introducing me to something even

more inspiring and significant to my life today.

Combining my love for photography and the outdoors has been such a gift. While I could never

convey the entire experience of being within the mountains, photography has allowed me to

express my love for the outdoors and has offered me an opportunity to attempt, to the best of my

abilities, to share its beauty.

Along with my love for the outdoors, is my love for my friend; who was key in introducing me

to it. Portrayed in a couple photos within this series, it can not be over-emphasized her

contributions to these experiences.

Behind every one of these photos, is a mind, body, and soul experience. If I had one wish, it

would be to give the world these moments.

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