Projets novateurs réalisés

Cloud Native Big Data Engineering and Automation

XLScout is a startup engaged in democratizing innovation and connecting research and development with intellectual property (IP) departments across the world. The company is developing proprietary algorithms, using Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning, to mimic the behaviour of an expert searcher.
XLScout hosts a data vault of about 130+ million patent documents which occupies approximately 8TB of storage. Searching such documents is a cumbersome process requiring extensive effort, time and strategies that a novice searcher might not be aware of. The objective of this project is to automate the search process by allowing machines to understand users’ queries. A sustainable and adaptive text mining framework will be developed to provide NLP-based research outputs for IP search in different domains. This will provide scalable solutions for XLScout’s data vault on which the company will run proprietary AI/ML models and generate high-value analytic solutions to help the customers make informed decisions

Evaluating the Implementation of Goal Management Training Cognitive Remediation Therapy among OSI Clients in Quebec City

There is an urgent need to address the mounting crisis of mental illness, and in particular posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among military members and Veterans in Canada. PTSD is associated with changes in cognitive functioning across multiple domains (e.g., poor memory and attention) that can negatively impact military members and Veteran. Goal Management Training (GMT) is a cognitive remediation strategy that has been found to improve memory, attention and ability to engage in complex reasoning in individuals with PTSD. Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, GMT was adopted to an online delivery method in an Occupational Stress Injury (OSI) clinic. The currently study aims to evaluate the online delivery of GMT members among OSI service providers. The results of this study can be used to inform the future delivery of online GMT to OSI clients, and ways in which the process of providing GMT can be improved.

Mobile energy efficient tissue culture laboratory for northern agriculture development and crop improvements

Food production and agriculture in Canada’s far North is met with many challenges. Short growing seasons, poor soil, extreme weather all impact the ability to effectively and efficiently produce food locally. In addition, Northern communities are at the end of a South to North supply chain, suspectable to multiple disruptions, both physical and economic. Our mobile lab allows for exponential plant cloning through sustainable processes. It will provide access to big agriculture technology for farmers and food producers of all sizes for rural and remote communities, minimizing the impacts of supply chain disruption, producing resilient and hearty plants, and enable food sovereignty amidst times of crisis.
The partners, OUTFRNT and Cold Acres, will benefit through the commercialization and deployment of the lab. This initial research will allow for the deployment of a live feasibility pilot as this project is a first in Canada innovation (mobilization of micropropagation).

Syndrome Anomaly Detection System

Technologies that can speedily and efficiently analyze large amounts of data in real-time play a critical role in helping healthcare professionals and governments predict the impact and spread of a pandemic such as the Covid-19 virus over time. Our Syndrome Anomaly Detection System (SADS) is an innovative platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to capture a set of symptoms using conversations of patients with health practitioners. Machine learning (ML) algorithms are then used to classify and detect sudden increases in unusual syndromes in communities. SADS will immediately notify public health and government officials upon outbreak detection. SADS will allow governments to manage disease outbreaks efficiently and in real-time, save lives, reduce health care costs and hospitalizations.

3D foot motion Kinetyx Sensor Validation

For this project, the intern will be assessing the ability of the Kinetyx Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to measure 3-dimensional foot orientation and running gait metrics in real time. Measurements will be collected both in and outside of the laboratory setting, in order to establish measurement validity for a variety practical applications. The insole imbedded IMUs will be validated against the Vicon optical motion capture system as well as the Bertec force plate treadmill system within the laboratory. For overground testing, the Optojump sensor system will be used for comparison or stride metrics. A white paper will be produced for Kinetyx which will allow them to inform potential clientele on the specific capabilities, accuracy and validity of their sensor products in real time.

Simulation des flux de patients au sein des urgences du CHUM

Dans ce projet, nous nous proposons de développer un modèle de simulation qui vise à analyser le flux des patients aux urgences, particulièrement le temps d’attente. Cet outil permettra aux responsables de la coordination du CHUM d’être proactifs dans la gestion des urgences. Il leur servira entre autres à comprendre le comportement du système, identifier les facteurs clés qui influent dans la performance du service, ainsi que les causes pouvant mener à la saturation de l’hôpital. Ceci sera ensuite directement mis à profit dans la planification des ressources dans l’objectif de mieux répondre aux besoins des patients pris en charge dans le système hospitalier.

Effets secondaires associés à la mobilisation vertébrale dans la population pédiatrique préscolaire : une étude longitudinale de cohorte

De plus en plus de parents consultent en médecine complémentaire et alternative (MCA) pour leurs enfants. Les thérapies manuelles, incluant la manipulation et la mobilisation vertébrale, occupent une place importante au sein des MCA et les chiropraticiens sont les professionnels de la santé utilisant le plus ces thérapies. À ce jour, l’efficacité et la sécurité de la thérapie manuelle chez les enfants sont peu connues. L’objectif de ce stage Mitacs est de développer le protocole pour une étude visant le rapport des effets secondaires associés à la mobilisation vertébrale chez les enfants préscolaires (0-5 ans) consultant en chiropratique. Deux cliniques chiropratiques agiront à titre de partenaires afin de prendre en compte la réalité clinique dans le développement du projet. Ultimement, les résultats permettront de mieux comprendre les effets secondaires chez les enfants préscolaires recevant des thérapies manuelles et aideront les cliniciens à évaluer la sécurité des soins dans cette population.

Financière des professionnels

Le projet permettra d’utiliser des méthodes quantitatives pour analyser les différents produits financiers offerts sur les marchés
de façon rigoureuse et structurée et de s’assurer de la pertinence et de déterminer le processus de choix optimal de la
combinaison des produits financiers pour atteindre les objectifs des investisseurs. Supporter la prise de décision optimale du
portefeuille selon les besoins et contraintes spécifiques des investisseurs individuels. Ce projet permettra à l’organisme
partenaire de se démarquer dans l’offre de solutions innovatrice et de servir les besoins sophistiqués de sa clientèle.

Riddl Tech Inc – Arjun Chaunhan

Due to Covid-19, we were required to shift our product launch and sales strategy. The original launch plan and sales strategy was focused on in-market travel, conferences and events in target markets such as London, NYC and San Francisco. Face to face gatherings is no longer an option for our global market reach.

imYEG Project

The student will help startup companies and innovators at the University of Alberta to help them grow their business.

For the imYEG project: The work being done will contribute to the overall ecosystem success and will help the University advance innovation. There is a real opportunity to help expand the reputation of the University and provide tremendous value to the innovators.

For Brass Dome Ventures clients/projects: The efforts will help provide efficiencies and improve processes. The student will recommend investment opportunities for Brass Dome Ventures.

Smith x Mitacs Internship V2.0

With COVID-19 accelerating the adoption and expansion of eCommerce selling channels, traditional retail businesses have been forced to adapt very quickly. Companies have to start re-thinking how they approach eCommerce and online selling in order to tap into new, high growth revenue streams. By pivoting and creating an online eCommerce selling presence, SME’s can use COVID-19 disruptions as a tailwind for robust revenue growth, rather than having it as a revenue blocker. This project will look to help the partner organization maintain and grow their eCommerce selling channels, expand internationally into new country markets using eCommerce marketplaces, build out a better online social media strategy, and create a loyalty program for online customers.

HUMAN beIngS trafficking and Minor sexual exploitation (HUMANISM)

Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are serious and complex issues affecting millions of children around the world. Unfortunately, scientists, Child protection workers (CPWs), law enforcement personnel, and other experts are currently struggling to effectively prevent these crimes and ensure the rehabilitation of vulnerable children. One of the main hurdles impeding their efforts is the current lack of accurate information on the subject. Indeed, no consensus exists on the most important risk factors to consider in prevention efforts, or even, how many people are trafficked and exploited each year around the world. More importantly, too few projects currently link computer experts and social scientists to aid police in their investigative efforts. To address this gap, the HUMAN beIngS trafficking and Minor sexual exploitation (HUMANISM) project was created by an international and multidisciplinary team of experts coordinated by Dr. Aziz Essadek. As a Mitacs Globalink Research Award recipient, I will be involved in mapping out and reviewing existing academic scholarship, contrasting policies and practices between Canada and France, participating in data analysis and synthesis, and collaborating in creating knowledge dissemination tools. I will contribute to building a common base of knowledge that professionals from TOBECONT’.