Innovative Projects Realized

Moving to musical groove: Modulatory effect of emotions, and individual differences

Rhythmic music naturally urges us to move. This is visible when they spontaneously move or dance with music, even without being consciously aware of aligning movements to the musical pulse. Moving to the beat of the music (Auditory-Motor Synchronization – AMS) is a widespread behavior involving the fine coordination of a motor rhythm with an external rhythm which involves a complex neuronal network including both cortical and subcortical areas (such as the basal ganglia and the cerebellum) and cortical regions (such as the SMA and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Previous researches have shown that there is a tight link between brain networks subserving in processing emotions and motor control as well as duration perception. In this regard, The main goal of this project is to examine whether emotions conveyed by complex auditory stimuli, namely rhythmic music, affect AMS and if so, what are the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms supporting this effect. To reach this aim, we designed a project to investigate the behavioral aspects of emotional conditions and their relationships with AMS abilities.

Conception et fabrication d’une matrice de micropropulseurs à combustible solide

L’utilisation de plusieurs petits satellites à faibles coûts envoyée en orbite plutôt qu’un seul comporte de nombreux avantages, autant au niveau financier que logistique. Cependant, le placement sur les bonnes orbites de ces petits satellites amène un problème important, soit la conception d’un système de propulsion assez puissant, compact et à faible coût. C’est l’objectif de ce projet, qui sera de concevoir et fabriquer une matrice de micropropulseurs à combustible solide. Le combustible étant limité à ce qui a été inséré dans les chambres, une plus grande quantité de micropropulseurs équivaut à un plus grand nombre de poussées disponibles. Par l’entremise de la compagnie Numérica Technologies inc. un prototype fonctionnel sera conçu et testé en laboratoire afin de recueillir les données nécessaires pour mieux caractériser le système, et ainsi l’améliorer.

Formulating and solving the multi-calendar resumable and non-resumable Naval Surface Ship Work Period Problem

This project deals with the development of a new mathematical model and a fast solution method to optimize the multi-calendar naval surface ship refit scheduling problem with resumable and non-resumable operations. The Naval Surface Ship Work Period Problem (NSWPP) is a highly complex resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) with many work orders that are equivalent to small projects. Planning, scheduling, and executing NSWPPs are very challenging, and a large volume of planned and scheduled work is typically never achieved for a variety of reasons such as unexpected discovery of damages, high variability in work scope and duration, unavailability of human resources or equipment, logistical delays.
This project will extend the existing formulations and matheuristic solution methods to the more realistic case of activities following different calendars such as 8-hour shifts 7 days a week and 12-hour shifts 5 days a week. Activities that span the weekend can be allowed to resume on Mondays with or without penalty.

Project HYBRHIB (Hybrid Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat)

Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIB) are one of the most versatile Inshore boats. These are the vessel of choice for law enforcement, rescue, security, Naval Forces and multiple marine industry and science sectors. The cost of fuel always impacts budgets, operations, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing economy. To reduce carbon and other air pollutant emissions and noise, our project will research the technical requirements for an electric Hybrid RHIB and measure reductions in noise from electric propulsion.

Developing the local economies of food in northern Indigenous communities

Communities in Canada’s North face a series of complex barriers to food accessibility and sovereignty. The Dene community of Kakisa in the Northwest Territories is partnering with Wilfrid Laurier University to research and implement solutions to food security and sovereignty. Kakisa leadership and residents plan to leverage their community economic development arm – Noda Enterprises Ltd – to create a food hub, where food can be grown, harvested processed, and distributed in ways that build economic resilience while promoting cultural resurgence, and respecting traditional customs of harvest and food sharing. Through the project, Noda will also strengthen its overall economic viability while supporting the health and wellbeing of the community.

Arts’ Civic Impact: Researchers in Residence

In conjunction with Mass Culture and Emily Carr University of Art and Design’s Aboriginal Gathering Place, The Arts’ Civic Impact: Researchers in Residence, BC cohort focuses on developing a qualitative arts impact framework through a decolonized, Indigenous research lens for Indigenous focused, BC arts organizations in concert with four other researchers from across the country.

The BC Cohort will infuse the research with Indigenous protocols, way and knowledge to bring deeper engagement and understanding the complex relationship that Indigenous organizations and communities in the civil art and culture sector and how indigenous artists, filmmakers, ECU art/design/media alumni that have utilized cultural production to create other forms of value (social, ethical, communal, identity vs economic or state-sponsored, extractionist).

City of Markham Inclusive Community Engagement Research Project

The proposed research project will explore how cities can do a better job at engaging everyone in the community planning process. This research will result in a collection of best practices and recommendations to help the City of Markham better engage with individuals in the community that are traditionally excluded from the planning process. This may include racial and ethnic minorities, youth, older adults, low-income residents, and individuals with mental and physical disabilities, among others.

Des astres au territoire: recherche au service d’un film immersif sur les savoirs autochtones

Les Premiers Peuples partagent tous une relation viscérale, intime, organique et sacrée au Territoire. Avec le Territoire, le Ciel, les Astres, la Nature, les Animaux, les Oiseaux, ils ne font qu’un. Malgré qu’ils aient été dépossédés de leurs territoires et parqués dans des réserves, ce lien et cet attachement demeurent. En ces temps de recherche de sens, de crise climatique, d’éco-anxiété, l’humanité peut apprendre des savoirs et pratiques autochtones. Ce projet de recherche vise à explorer et documenter cette interconnexion au territoire chez les Autochtones afin d’appuyer la réalisation d’un film immersif qui plongera le spectateur au coeur du lien qui unit les Autochtones au territoire, aux astres et aux rêves.

Exploring the Reconciliatory Potential of Marketing Processes in the Book Publishing Industry

There is a growing recognition in the publishing industry that standard supply chain marketing strategies have not been effective in promoting Indigenous materials and reaching Indigenous audiences. This problem has prompted us to explore how marketing processes can be amended or augmented to ensure that Indigenous organizations and educators are introduced to the resources that are being created to support their objectives of cultural revitalization. The question we are posing is (how) can marketing be a strategy that contributes to the national project of reconciliation? Using the Six Seasons Series as a case study, this research will be undertaken with Portage & Main Press, an industry partner on the Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw ?thiniwak Partnership Project, and contribute to their goal of making visible works by and for Indigenous artists, educators, and young peoples through the development of a marketing strategy that intentionally seeks to create and strengthen relationships and networks with Indigenous organisations and educators.

Impacts d’une intervention visant l’augmentation du niveau d’activité physique sur la santé cardiométabolique de femmes autochtones

La prévalence de l’obésité est plus élevée chez les peuples autochtones qu’au sein de la population adulte canadienne non autochtone ce qui augmente leur risque de diabète de type 2 et de maladies cardiovasculaires. Ainsi, pour réduire les risques inhérents à l’obésité, il est pertinent de développer des programmes d’intervention qui favorisent l’adoption d’un mode de vie actif. L’objectif principal de ce projet est d’évaluer l’impact d’un programme d’intervention de 6 mois sur la pratique d’activité physique ainsi que sur les facteurs de risque du diabète de type 2 et des maladies cardiovasculaires chez des femmes autochtones qui présentent une obésité. Ce projet permettra à l’organisme partenaire de démontrer l’importance d’un mode de vie actif pour la santé de femmes autochtones à risque de développer un diabète de type 2 ou une maladie cardiovasculaire.

Earth Diver: Digital Land-based Worlding

This project pilots “Earth Diver” an online digital ‘land-based’ creation, curation, and exhibition site in the virtual world platform Second Life. The project re-imagines the digital gallery space as a virtual expression of Indigenous pedagogies, land relations, and sovereignty. Guided by Ojibwe Anishinaabe philosophies our team of artists, philosophers and environmental scientists work together to create a series of immersive and interactive environments, habitats, stories and objects that express, enact, and reflect Indigenous thought, relationships to land, ancestral teachings, languages, cultural traditions, pasts, presents and futures. The project will culminate with a virtual exhibition of the work, and series of 5 community-based workshops. Programmed by Native Women in the Arts (NWIA), the project’s processes inform NWIA’s digital strategy, and advance their goals to support Indigenous women, gender non-conforming and transgender artists.

Développement de méthodes pour évaluer une prothèse d’épaule innovante.

Actuellement les prothèses d’épaules dites inversées sont préconisées dans le cas de coiffe des rotateurs endommagée. Ces prothèses assurent la stabilité de l’articulation, mais limitent la mobilité articulaire, notamment en élévation du bras. Pour pallier cette déficience, Statera Medical propose un design de prothèse innovant avec un degré de liberté additionnel. Ce concept de prothèse doit donc démontrer une amplitude articulaire plus grande, particulièrement en élévation du bras, face à la prothèse inversée. Cette démonstration devra aussi considérer l’aspect physique pour être reconnue comme une preuve valable dans l’industrie. L’objectif de ce projet vise donc de démontrer la capacité de la prothèse SM à améliorer les amplitudes de mouvement par rapport à la prothèse inversée et à évaluer l’impact de cette dernière sur les charges transmises à la scapula lors d’une abduction comparativement à la prothèse inversée.