Human-Based Study to Characterize the Biomechanical, Physiological and Comfort Impact of Alternative Torso-Borne Loads and Load Distributions

Torso-borne protective clothing and load carrying equipment (ie. bulletproof vests) is fundamental to the safety of Canadian Armed Forces personnel. To make informed decisions on purchasing and developing new equipment, a suite of mannequin-based tools was developed by Defense Research and Development Canada. They are developing a female model to reflect the Canadian Armed Forces’ goal to increase diversity within its ranks, particularly with the representation of women. HumanSystems® Incorporated has been contracted to complete human testing to help validate the new tools.

CASI Platform, Environment pillar: Benchmarking the environmental and climate performance of Canadian Agriculture

By 2050, agri-food systems must produce enough to feed 9 to billion people, while reversing trends of environmental degradation caused in part by agriculture production. This is no small task, and underscores why countless sustainable agriculture standards, certifications, initiatives and platforms have emerged to encourage and measure the impacts of sustainable agriculture practices.

Disruption of swine production and marketing in Ontario due to infectious diseases in swine and human populations: impact and mitigation strategies

The overall objective of the proposed project is to construct a simulation model that will estimate production impact of disruption in swine marketing in Ontario, and propose mitigation strategies that could minimize impact of such disruption on swine populations and swine producers. Such disruption could occur due to various reasons such as outbreak of human disease among abattoir workers, or due to border closure that occurs due to hypothetical detection of reportable foreign animal disease in Canada.

Root associated microbiome of trees growing in a fractured bedrock toluene phytoremediation site - Year two

Phytoremediation is a promising in-situ technology that uses plants and its associated microorganisms (particularly bacteria and fungi) to clean up contaminated soils. The efficacy of these processes however, requires an in-depth knowledge on the diversity of microbial communities closely interacting with plant roots. Several studies have demonstrated that plants growing in contaminated soils select for competent microorganisms able to degrade these contaminants.

Using long-term monitoring data to quantify the impact of white-tailed deer reduction on vegetation and avian communities at Long Point, Ontario

Through analysis of vegetation data collected between 1991 and 2021 in Long Point National Wildlife Area, it is the goal of the research to identify trends and changes in sand dune vegetation communities following a reduction of white-tailed deer browsing pressure. By evaluating the rate and level of change in vegetation diversity, structure, and composition, recommendations can be identified for land managers to assist in achieving effective management of protected areas in relation to deer populations and resulting community impacts.

Evaluation of Suncor Experimental Photodynamic Insecticides

Insect pests can cause substantial losses in crop yield and livestock. Conventional insecticides have lost efficacy due to insect resistance and have negative impacts on humans, animal health and the environment. There is a great need for effective insecticides that can provide solutions to these problems and that are compatible with sustainable approaches in agriculture The proposed research will investigate the insecticidal activity of experimental photodynamic insecticides developed by Suncor Energy Inc. against agricultural insect pests.

Redesign of a commercial across-breed genetic evaluation system and in-silico investigations of resulting system performance and flexibility.

Genetic improvement is core to the long-term productivity and viability of all livestock industries. A review of crossbred genetic evaluation methods and approaches for national and international genetic improvement programs will determine the necessary improvements to make to AgSights’ genetic evaluation system (GES). Research will be conducted on hardware, software packages and statistical methods best suited to achieve these improvements. Research results that will be used to redevelop AgSights’ GES.

Collaboration with biotech incubator creates jobs for researchers

For Toronto-based Dose Biosystems, a focus on researching and developing the next generation of probiotics brings a hiring challenge: finding and onboarding highly specialized talent. Coming directly from doctoral programs, new employees encounter an unfamiliar environment that requires new skills and different ways of working.

Interrogation of small RNAs in MSC chondrogenic potency

Injuries involving joint cartilage such as osteoarthritis (OA) are some of the most common causes of lameness and pain in equine. Sophisticated means of monitoring joint health status are needed to allow early detection and intervention as well as monitoring the effect of interventions. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of short non-coding RNAs, participate in various biological processes including cartilage development and homeostasis. miRNAs have been measured at the tissue level, in synovial fluid and serum, and may reflect some aspects of the health status of the animal.

The application and validation of predictive models to establish indices of protein quality in companion animal feed ingredients

This project will result in the generation of mathematical models that will predict the quality and sustainability of protein-based ingredients that are commonly used in dog diets. With the projected growth of human and pet populations, and increases in food production necessary to meet growing demands, providing Canadian pet food companies (such as our industry partner, Champion Petfoods) with the ability to rapidly identify ideal protein-based ingredients to select for dog diets based on environmental, financial, and biological sustainability is a top priority.

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