Projets novateurs réalisés

Assessment of Physiological Vibration Acceleration (Phybrata) Sensor in Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis

Globally, Canada has the highest prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Diagnosis relies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor lesion development over time in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. Despite its wide utility, MRI is not easily accessible. MRI requires a designated medical facility and expertise? is expensive, and needs to be done repeatedly to diagnose MS.
Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to minimize the progression and severity of impairments in MS patients. This project will assess the PROTXX “phybrata” wearable neurophysiological sensor as an easier-to-use, lower cost, and more widely accessible solution that has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and monitoring of MS. Clinical applications of the phybrata sensor already encompass concussions, stroke, invasive neurosurgeries, Parkinson’s disease, and elderly frailty. Preliminary work using the PROTXX sensor for remote monitoring of MS patients has also indicated potential broader diagnostic utility. The current study will be the first to thoroughly investigate the potential of digital biomarkers derived from phybrata sensor signals to determine lesion locations in MS patients.

Silicon photonics-based biosensor for multiplex detection – Year two

The goal of this partnership is to conduct preliminary research on developing a hand-held biosensor built from state-of-the-art silicon photonics technology. The multiplexed architecture of our biosensor will allow us to simultaneously assay for different infections; it will be a general platform.

UBC has developed a new architecture for low-cost multiplexed testing (patent pending). This architecture replaces the expensive external tunable lasers used by silicon photonic biosensor research groups and companies, and instead integrates a low-cost laser within the silicon chip. Dream Photonics would like to validate this sensor using high-volume manufacturing facilities, and further develop the sensor so that it can be commercialized.

Our goal is to research, develop, and commercialize an advanced silicon photonic multiplexed biosensor that detects many different pathogen infections and immunity for diseases such as COVID-19 and its variants. Our hope is that our sensors can provide answers to individuals, industries, governments, and policy makers. In the long term, testing for emerging diseases will be an important global need: our multiplexed sensors will be low cost (estimated cost: $20 in volume), will be disposable, will connect via Bluetooth to a mobile device, and will be usable in the field (point of care setting).

Silicon photonics-based biosensor for multiplex detection

The goal of this partnership is to conduct preliminary research on developing a hand-held biosensor built from state-of-the-art silicon photonics technology. The multiplexed architecture of our biosensor will allow us to simultaneously assay for different infections; it will be a general platform.

UBC has developed a new architecture for low-cost multiplexed testing (patent pending). This architecture replaces the expensive external tunable lasers used by silicon photonic biosensor research groups and companies, and instead integrates a low-cost laser within the silicon chip. Dream Photonics would like to validate this sensor using high-volume manufacturing facilities, and further develop the sensor so that it can be commercialized.

Our goal is to research, develop, and commercialize an advanced silicon photonic multiplexed biosensor that detects many different pathogen infections and immunity for diseases such as COVID-19 and its variants. Our hope is that our sensors can provide answers to individuals, industries, governments, and policy makers. In the long term, testing for emerging diseases will be an important global need: our multiplexed sensors will be low cost (estimated cost: $20 in volume), will be disposable, will connect via Bluetooth to a mobile device, and will be usable in the field (point of care setting).

Development of high-quality reference genome for American mink

Currently, mink producers select their breeding animals based on their phenotypic performances, and they have limited experience of using genetic or genomic selection to improve their profitability. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the ability of the Canadian mink industry to compete internationally by improving animal production using new genomic selection tools. Genomic selection can be used to estimate the breeding value of an animal for traits of interest. Consequently, this would increase the genetic gain by decreasing the generation interval, increasing the selection accuracy, and the frequency of favorable alleles (Falconer and MacKay 1996, Goddard and Hayes 2009, Miar et al. 2015). Taking this big step from phenotypic selection to genetic and genomic selection will ensure that Canada especially Nova Scotia mink breeders will produce more fur with better quality that better meets consumer demands. A continuous genome assembly and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay will enable development of resources for genomics and proteomics studies in American mink, which will support the application of genomic selection in the mink industry.

Insularités, cartographie et pouvoir : les représentations des îles égéennes aux XVe et XVIe siècles

La thèse de doctorat se centre sur les représentations cartographiques des îles de la mer Égée à la Renaissance. Elle inscrit les objets étudiés dans leur contexte géopolitique et socioéconomique afin de les étudier comme “discours” et à travers le prisme de l’histoire de l’art. Le corpus comprend différents types d’images cartographiques dont des Livres d’îles, des cartes marines ou encore des Atlas. Ces oeuvres proviennent de différents territoires culturels entourant le bassin méditerranéen et la démarche se distancie résolument de l’occidentalocentrisme dans lequel s’inscrivent la majorité des recherches en histoire de l’art jusqu’à présent. Sous la direction du professeur Denis Ribouillault, mes recherches s’intéressent ainsi à la manière dont la notion de pouvoir trouve une inscription forte parmi les représentations cartographiques de l’espace égéen, plus particulièrement des territoires insulaires des 15e et 16e siècles.

Examining the benefits of interactive learning as a function of decreased mind wandering

Educational video games or ‘serious games’ represent an emerging trend in technology-assisted learning. Research suggests that interactive media, which responds to user input (e.g. video games), may promote learning by engaging attention better than receptive media (e.g. videos). Mind wandering, including off-task thoughts, is associated with disengagement of attention and is linked to boredom and poor learning outcomes. Thus, reduced mind wandering may serve as an indicator of better engagement and learning associated with serious games. We propose to compare an interactive serious game, designed by Exo Insights, to an educational video in terms of mind wandering and learning outcomes. We anticipate that mind wandering will be lower and learning outcomes higher for the interactive serious game. This study promises to uncover the potential engagement and learning advantages of serious games. Study methods and findings may also inform the development of Exo Insights’ virtual training technology.

Évaluation de la pérennité des ouvrages de génie civil dans des contextes en évolution : développement de méthodes non destructives en forage

Cette recherche porte sur le développement de nouvelles méthodologies de diagraphies qui seront adaptées et optimisées pour le contexte des fondations rocheuses des ouvrages de génie civil.
Le travail de la thèse consistera d’abord à évaluer les potentiels d’intégration des différentes techniques de diagraphies disponibles dans un système holistique. L’identification des spécificités du domaine du génie civil permettra de proposer des adaptations scientifiques et des technologies nécessaires pour le traitement des données en vue d’améliorer la précision et la justesse du diagnostic. Des travaux numériques et expérimentaux sur corps d’épreuve et ouvrage réel seront menés pour proposer une méthodologie adaptée aux mesures sur site. Le comportement mécanique, les propriétés de transferts, ou la présence d’endommagements localisés seront visés. Puis les éléments tels que la caractérisation de l’homogénéité ou de la distribution des propriétés le long du forage viendront compléter les éléments de diagnostic. Finalement le travail proposera une méthodologie de mesure, d’analyse et de mise en forme des résultats pour être utile à l’ingénieur gestionnaire.

Development of Fungal-selective Yck2 Inhibitors to Combat Drug-resistant Invasive Fungal Diseases

Invasive fungal infections represent a major threat to human health that is exacerbated by the widespread emergence of antifungal drug resistance. Existing therapies are already limited in number, largely due to the similarity between fungal and human cells. As such, new antifungal approaches are urgently needed to combat drug-resistant fungal pathogens. We have previously implicated key fungal stress response regulators in the development of drug resistance, including the protein kinase Yck2. Moreover, we have identified chemical scaffolds active against this promising target which reverse resistance to clinical antifungals. The goal of this research project is to develop molecules that selectively inhibit fungal Yck2. We will leverage a structure-guided approach to generate novel Yck2 inhibitors and assess their target engagement, bioactivity and mammalian toxicity as antifungal potentiators and as single agents. This work has the potential to empower mechanistically novel strategies in the treatment of invasive fungal diseases.

Use of AI and Wearable Data for Public Health Monitoring

In this proposed project, our research team aims to develop a data ecosystem to use consumer-level technologies such as fitness trackers and wearables to support public health decision making. We will use the COVID-19 pandemic as a testing scenario for the technology, exploring the data to improve our understanding of the impact that social-isolation had on: (1) population levels of physical activity and sleep, (2) quality of the work experience for employees working from home and (3) stress level. Through the use of data mining systems previously developed at the UbiLab, in addition to new ones developed under the umbrella of this MITACS Accelerate project, we will monitor the impact of quarantine rules on household-level and individual-level physical activity (e.g., duration, type, intensity), sleep quality (e.g., duration and disturbed sleep patterns), mental health (through stress level estimation).

Investigating the potential of a Vancouver Island Model Forest – A qualitative stakeholder analysis

This research project aims to investigate the potential of a Vancouver Island Model Forest. A model forest is a partnership-based process for working towards sustainable development of a forested landscape. We will arrange a stakeholder meeting to establish a common understanding of the concept and see if there is commitment from stakeholder groups to procees with development. By interviewing key forest stakeholders we will try to identify the common needs and possible areas of collaboration on the Island. This will provide insight about the viability and value of an island-wide model forest, and reflect the broader opinion about the project. The project will provide Ecotrust Canada with information that can help guide the future direction of their work with the model forest. If the model forest project continues the research can provide guidance in identifying a common vision and strategic plan for the model forest.

Intelligent Energy Management for Production Facilities with Robotics Automation [IEMPRA]

This project shows the possibility of decreasing the power consumption of Industrial robotics. Design methodology for Intelligent Energy Management for Production Facilities with Robotics Automation [IEMPRA] is proposed to Cherkam, by predicting the energy consumption over the energy model, which delivers a guide to enable energy-efficient approaches. The total energy consumption is evaluated using ML and optimization of the robotic is described to propose a design interfaces with robotics and automation systems. Following, with design real time co-simulation for the integrated energy system, and the development of the control strategies and system, and for the design hybrid energy System. It is also incorporated with the real time optimization of energy consumption with LCC, and key performance indicators analysis. The optimal result of the project [IEMPRA] reduces the power consumption, the associated cost, and lowering the environmental pollution.

Engaging young people and fostering intergenerational collaboration: Assessing the impact of initiatives within the nature conservation sector – Year two

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has served as a global authority on sustainable development and environmental governance for over seventy years. Responding to broader trends within these areas, the IUCN has sought to foster engagement with young people as a strategic priority-to move beyond tokenistic involvement toward institution-wide intergenerational collaboration. The Canadian Committee for the IUCN (CC-IUCN) has been particularly dedicated to this work. Its
efforts, however, are hindered by a lack of both evidentiary support for such reforms as well as mechanisms for evaluating success.
Employing a case study methodology, this project seeks to identify how engaging young people may benefit the CC-IUCN and its partner organizations, including the potential return on investment [ROI] for resources spent on engagement initiatives and the extent to which these build constituency for nature and foster pro environmental attitudes and actions.
This project will also identify the key components of successful initiatives and the most effective and sustainable approaches to this work. This knowledge will be used to develop an ROI measurement tool, a theory of change model, a life-course model of engagement, and child/youth mainstreaming tools that set minimum standards for policy and programming.