Projets novateurs réalisés

Supporting Capacity Building and Resilience in the context of COVID-19

Non-profits have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and many have closed their doors. This is a problem: non-profits are crucial to Canada’s social safety net, they serve marginalized populations to build greater resilience. This research intends to determine how United Way Halton and Hamilton (UWHH) and United Ways across the country can best support non-profits in their need for social innovation to recover strong from the COVID-19 pandemic.
We will use a mixed-methods, end-user integrated approach in our research, drawing insights from representatives throughout the Canadian United Way network, and those who manage non-profits in our community. The goal of our research is twofold: first, to gain and share an updated and national view of the current needs non-profits have for social innovation within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and second, to apply those findings to a particular program at United Way Halton and Hamilton that targets updated needs, and features a customized digital platform co-designed by end-users.

Exploring the Context for Social Prescription in the Hamilton and Halton Region

Life circumstances that influence people’s health (e.g. education, employment, housing, and social support) are called social determinants of health (SDoH). Interest in improving SDoH is growing as chronic diseases become more prevalent. Social Prescription (SP) is a model from the United Kingdom where a health care provider “prescribes” social or community programs that increase a person’s sense of community connectedness, encourage exercise programs, employment counselling, or other beneficial services. In this research, the intern will work with the United Way of Hamilton and Halton (UWHH) to review published literature to better understand the concept of social prescribing, the objectives of different SP models and how they have evolved over time. Based on the findings, a typology of different SP models will be created to link model objectives with model components in practice. UWHH and community partners will use the typology to develop SP models that align with community objectives.

Understanding the effects of: 1) Different types of outdoor access for dry cows on transition cow health, 2) Outdoor access for dry cows on dairy farm profitability, and 3) Different communication strategies on public perception of dairy farming in Canada – Year two

We recently studied Western Canadian dairy farmers’ perspectives on outdoor access for dairy cows and identified 3 key areas requiring more research. Participants cited a lack of research on the effects of outdoor access for dry cows on transition cow health and farm profitability as a barrier to making an informed decision to provide outdoor access. Our first 2 proposed studies aim to understand the effects of different types of outdoor access for dry cows on the incidence of transition diseases and farm profitability. This will allow for evidence-based recommendations to be made on the benefits, or not, of providing different types of outdoor access to dry cows. Participants also indicated that more public education on dairy farming practices is needed to improve public perception of the dairy industry. However, research has demonstrated that educational efforts do not necessarily lead to increased acceptance of certain practices. Our third proposed study aims to assess the effects of producer-guided farm tours that are focused either on one-way education efforts or use an open-ended dialogue approach that promotes the identification of shared values. All studies will aid the dairy industry to better prepare for future challenges to help maintain its social license.

Understanding the effects of: 1) Different types of outdoor access for dry cows on transition cow health, 2) Outdoor access for dry cows on dairy farm profitability, and 3) Different communication strategies on public perception of dairy farming in Canada

We recently studied Western Canadian dairy farmers’ perspectives on outdoor access for dairy cows and identified 3 key areas requiring more research. Participants cited a lack of research on the effects of outdoor access for dry cows on transition cow health and farm profitability as a barrier to making an informed decision to provide outdoor access. Our first 2 proposed studies aim to understand the effects of different types of outdoor access for dry cows on the incidence of transition diseases and farm profitability. This will allow for evidence-based recommendations to be made on the benefits, or not, of providing different types of outdoor access to dry cows. Participants also indicated that more public education on dairy farming practices is needed to improve public perception of the dairy industry. However, research has demonstrated that educational efforts do not necessarily lead to increased acceptance of certain practices. Our third proposed study aims to assess the effects of producer-guided farm tours that are focused either on one-way education efforts or use an open-ended dialogue approach that promotes the identification of shared values. All studies will aid the dairy industry to better prepare for future challenges to help maintain its social license.

Appréhension et prise en compte des situations de vulnérabilité des familles en contexte de protection de la jeunesse au Québec

La notion de vulnérabilité occupe actuellement une place majeure dans la recherche sur les enfants et familles en situation de précarité psychique, sociale et/ou financière. La vulnérabilité désigne étymologiquement la situation de celui qui « peut être blessé, frappé » (Dictionnaire Larousse). Brodiez-Dolino (2016) nous rappelle la nécessité de questionner la façon dont s’est construit cette notion au sein des différents champs de recherche. Ainsi, dans le champ de la psychologie, la notion reprend des situations hétérogènes : situations « à risque », handicap physique ou psychique, précarité vis-à-vis du logement et des ressources financières, isolement social, expérience de victimisation. Ces situations font par ailleurs l’objet d’études fréquentes au Québec, telles que les études d’incidences sur les situations évaluées en protection de la jeunesse (EIQ-2003, 2008, 2014), et en France (ONED, 2014). L’objectif de ce stage de recherche est d’explorer les représentations de la vulnérabilité et les pratiques professionnelles associées en contexte de protection de la jeunesse au Québec. Les résultats attendus sont des représentations hétérogènes de la vulnérabilité, en fonction de facteurs individuels et contextuels que connaissent les professionnels du terrain. Sur le versant des pratiques, cela conduirait à des mises en œuvre différenciées des dispositifs d’intervention.

Emerging seismic monitoring techniques to understand microseismicity at a shallow CO2 injection site – Year two

Carbon Capture and Storage is projected to play a key role in achieving the federal government’s target of reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. CMC Research Institutes, in partnership with the University of Calgary, has established the Containment and Monitoring Institute Field Research Station (FRS), a state-of-the-art testbed facility to develop, test and validate monitoring technologies, and to accelerate innovation and commercialization of geological carbon storage domestically and internationally. An onset of microseismic activity, consisting of thousands of events located in the shallow sedimentary layers above the target reservoir at a depth of approximately 300 m, was first observed in 2020. The proposed research will explore the use of emerging technologies, such as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and machine learning, to improve seismic monitoring capabilities and accuracy of discrimination of anthropogenic events. These microseismic observations will be combined with other seismic observations, including shallow surface wave dispersion and controlled-source VSP measurements, and the resultant data will be inverted in a Bayesian nonlinear probabilistic framework for microseismic event relocations and 3D anisotropic velocity structure with robust uncertainties.

Emerging seismic monitoring techniques to understand microseismicity at a shallow CO2 injection site

Carbon Capture and Storage is projected to play a key role in achieving the federal government’s target of reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. CMC Research Institutes, in partnership with the University of Calgary, has established the Containment and Monitoring Institute Field Research Station (FRS), a state-of-the-art testbed facility to develop, test and validate monitoring technologies, and to accelerate innovation and commercialization of geological carbon storage domestically and internationally. An onset of microseismic activity, consisting of thousands of events located in the shallow sedimentary layers above the target reservoir at a depth of approximately 300 m, was first observed in 2020. The proposed research will explore the use of emerging technologies, such as Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and machine learning, to improve seismic monitoring capabilities and accuracy of discrimination of anthropogenic events. These microseismic observations will be combined with other seismic observations, including shallow surface wave dispersion and controlled-source VSP measurements, and the resultant data will be inverted in a Bayesian nonlinear probabilistic framework for microseismic event relocations and 3D anisotropic velocity structure with robust uncertainties.

Development of novel therapeutics for multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens by targeting indel-containing essential proteins

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens are ubiquitous in hospitals and community settings. New antibiotics against unexploited targets are urgently needed to better control such infections. The proposed research aims to identify novel, drug targets and therapeutics for antibiotic-resistant nosocomial pathogens, capitalizing on a proprietary indel-targeting approach that takes advantage of structural differences between homologous essential human and pathogen proteins. The nominee will help identify small molecule inhibitors for Indel Therapeutics’ microbial drug discovery programs by using the indel-targeting platform to identify the most potent and selective inhibitors for the development of potential antimicrobials for the treatment of multidrug-resistant pathogens. The participation of the intern in the Company’s drug discovery efforts will accelerate the Company’s milestones and increase its internal resources towards higher priority advanced projects.

Développement d’un protocole de qRT-PCR pour l’analyse de l’expression des gènes de biosynthèse des cannabinoïdes majeurs du chanvre en réponse aux facteurs de stress environnementaux.

Aujourd’hui, le marché mondial du chanvre est en plein essor. En Belgique, la valorisation de cette plante multi-usage se fait majoritairement sur la graine, la fibre, et la chénovette. Cette plante est caractérisée par un métabolisme secondaire produisant des molécules à hautes valeurs ajoutées (comme le cannabidiol ou CBD et le delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol THC). L’intérêt pour ces molécules thérapeutiques, notamment le CBD, grandit et génère beaucoup d’attentes sur le plan de la recherche. Cependant, très peu de recherche ont été menées sur les mécanismes moléculaires qui régulent la biosynthèse et l’accumulation de ces cannabinoïdes majeurs. L’objectif de ce projet consiste à développer une méthode d’analyse de l’expression des gènes de biosynthèse du CBD et du THC. Cette méthode pourra servir à mieux suivre la teneur en CBD dans le chanvre et contribuer à une valorisation innovante et éco-responsable pour cette filière.

Evaluation of the Effects of Autonomous Vehicles on Highway Geometric Design

Autonomous vehicles (AV) need to see ahead since the driver no longer drives the vehicles. The driver’s eye in AV is replaced by the Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar). However, the distance ahead of the autonomous vehicle that must be available, called sigh distance SD, is less for AV because the perception-reaction time of the AV is much less than that of the driver. The main objectives of this project are threefold: (1) to develop revised values of different types of sight distances that are required by autonomous vehicles, (2) to determine the configuration of Lidar sensors (height, effective range, field of view) for the safe operation of AV on mixed traffic (autonomous and human-driven vehicles) on existing highways, and (3) to present revised values for geometric design on highways with only autonomous vehicles. The results of the proposed project should improve safety of AV on existing and new highways.

The influence of early-life gut microbiome disruption on HPA stress axisdysregulation and allergic asthma – Year two

Asthma affects 1 in 8 Canadian children and is the leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations with costs to Canadian health care
systems estimated to exceed 4.2Billion/year by 2030. While the causes are still debated, infant prematurity is a strong predictor for
asthma. The altered gut bacterial community (microbiome) in preemies is suspected to contribute to asthma susceptibility by
miscommunicating with regions of the brain that control stress and inflammation in the body, including microglia immune cells.
Malfunctioning microglia may thus contribute to stress and inflammation that leads to asthma.

Our project will examine the contributing role of microglia in controlling stress activity, immune development and functioning and
asthma susceptibility of newborn mice, by altering their microbiome using early-life chronic stress, antibiotics and preemie fecal transplant exposures. Microglia will also be genetically target-eliminated to verify their critical function in stress-mediated asthma
activation. Finally, we will also examine the therapeutic potential for probiotics developed by Lallemand Health Solutions to repair
microglia and prevent asthma by normalizing the microbiome and the communication pathways to the brain.

Our results will provide Lallemand with important therapeutic information about their probiotics to ameliorate stress pathways and
asthma, which will help them improve and develop targeted probiotic formulations.

The influence of early-life gut microbiome disruption on HPA stress axis dysregulation and allergic asthma

Asthma affects 1 in 8 Canadian children and is the leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations with costs to Canadian health care systems estimated to exceed 4.2Billion/year by 2030. While the causes are still debated, infant prematurity is a strong predictor for asthma. The altered gut bacterial community (microbiome) in preemies is suspected to contribute to asthma susceptibility by miscommunicating with regions of the brain that control stress and inflammation in the body, including microglia immune cells. Malfunctioning microglia may thus contribute to stress and inflammation that leads to asthma.

Our project will examine the contributing role of microglia in controlling stress activity, immune development and functioning and asthma susceptibility of newborn mice, by altering their microbiome using early-life chronic stress, antibiotics and preemie fecal transplant exposures. Microglia will also be genetically target-eliminated to verify their critical function in stress-mediated asthma activation. Finally, we will also examine the therapeutic potential for probiotics developed by Lallemand Health Solutions to repair microglia and prevent asthma by normalizing the microbiome and the communication pathways to the brain.

Our results will provide Lallemand with important therapeutic information about their probiotics to ameliorate stress pathways and asthma, which will help them improve and develop targeted probiotic formulations.