Projets novateurs réalisés

Evaluation of Clustering Methods on Game Play Data

The goal of the project is to evaluate several clustering algorithms on players’ styles data in the context of Video
Lottery Terminals (VLTs). The previous work has shown that by segmenting anonymous player data by
sessions, and then clustering the sessions using the simple k-means algorithm, we can get a descriptive
statistic on player styles, including problem gambling behavior, recreational player styles, and similar. An open
question is whether the preprocessing techniques were optimal for this purpose and whether the k-means
algorithm is the most appropriate algorithm. In this project, of a number of clustering algorithms, such as
partition-based (e.g., k-means), hierarchical-based (e.g., hierarchical k-means), density-based (e.g.,
DBSCAN), model-based (e.g., statistical model based such as EM), and grid-based (e.g., STING) algorithms
will be evaluated and their performance on game play data will be analyzed.

Targeting Semaphorin 3C in Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and a major cause of cancer deaths. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the first-line therapy for metastatic prostate cancer but invariable the cancer regrows despite the androgen deprivation – this regrowth is termed castrate resistant prostate cancer. We have discovered that expression of a specific gene (Semaphorin 3C) is associated with the emergence of castrate resistant prostate cancer. The Ong laboratory has developed an inhibitor to the Semaphorin 3C pathway, and the purpose of the current study is to determine what genetic alterations in the tumour cells can result in the emergence of resistance to inhibition of Semophorin 3C signaling.

Capacity Building for Good Governance and Economic Development in First Nations in British Columbia

The Ahp-cii-uk Community Society and the Beedie School of Business are submitting a

research cluster proposal to the MITACS Accelerate Program with the purpose to continue

research conducted by the Ahp-cii-uk Leadership Initiative in the three Nuu-chah-nulth

First Nations of Ahousaht, Ehattesaht and Tseshaht. The proposed research cluster will

provide interns with an opportunity to apply lessons learned in these three communities to

well defined needs expressed by other First Nations, with the financial support of

businesses with an interest in encouraging First Nations Economic Development. Ahp-cii uk

will benefit from being able to demonstrate the utility of its process, a holistic approach

to working with First Nations on economic development projects, in a way that is

adequately documented and linked to the aspirations of the relevant communities

Investigation and design of large supercapacitor banks for grid energy storage system

Supercapacitors provide high power density, extra-long cycle life, and wide operating temperature ranges and are poised to grow rapidly in the energy storage market. They offer good complementary features to the batteries and can be used to implement fast cycling speed grid energy storage systems given the cost being driven down. With its own charging and manufacuturing technologies developed, the industry partner is set to move forward to design and implement large supercapacitor banks for distribution grid use. This research proposal is intended to identify and design optimal solutions for the targeted large supercapacitor bank, including its internal cell arrangements, balancing schemes, and investigate the behavior and performance of the designed systems.

A data-driven framework for integrating visual inspection into injection moulding pipeline

Recent advances in machine vision has led to new opportunities for automating that entire manufacturing pipeline. Consider, for example, the situation where an unattended computer vision system inspects the widget and decides whether or not to discard it. Even this little amount of automation can save many hundreds of person-hours on a typical factory floor. While for simple designs, we now have automated inspection methods relying upon lasers, 3D scanning or other imaging modalities that can decide if a widget has any defect. For complex designs, this ability remains elusive. More importantly, however, automated inspection schemes can only decide if a widget deviates from its intended design, say available in the form of a CAD drawing, it cannot decide what changes should be made down the manufacturing pipeline to prevent similar defects in the future. This project aims to explore machine learning techniques that integrate automated inspection with manufacturing process. Specifically, we will focus on injection moulding process in this project. We will develop new theory and methods for characterizing the injection moulding process in terms of quantities measured via an automated inspection system.

Preventing school dropout through community worker interventions modeling

The project is part of a desire to address the school dropout issue, particularly in multi-ethnic and disadvantaged communities. Despite the implementation of several universal interventions in Quebec, the drop-out rate remains high in numerous areas. In the Eastern Townships area, a partnership between the Sherbrooke Regional School Board and the Université de Sherbrooke in the form of a research chair has been established to study the issue since 2007. As a result, a new program (i.e., Accès 5) was initiated in partnership with a community organism, the Maison Jeunes-Est (MJE) that allowed community workers, school personnel and researchers to work together towards a common goal: better social and educational outcomes for youth. The ultimate goal of the program is to change the culture of education in the targeted community. Although the evaluation of Accès 5 demonstrated great promise for helping youth reach better outcomes, there were limitations. First, there was very little data gathered pertaining to specific undertaken actions/interventions, due to the high variability in intervention style. Second, the program is deployed in one setting, due to the limitations of the used tools. Finally, no tool enables interconnecting such variability of data sources.

Evaluation d’un programme d’entraînement des fonctions exécutives sur la régulation du stress chez les adultes vieillissants

Le séjour de recherche s’insère au sein d’un projet de thèse qui s’intéresse au rôle des fonctions exécutives dans la régulation du stress et sera composé de deux axes. Le premier évalue la faisabilité et l’efficacité d’un programme d’entraînement des fonctions exécutives réalisé récemment à l’Université de Montréal auprès de 66 participants âgés de plus de 60 ans. Le projet vise à analyser ces données et à publier les résultats de l’intervention. Il est attendu à ce que l’entraînement améliore les fonctions exécutives, mais aussi les réponses physiologiques liées au stress comme le cortisol, le rythme cardiaque et la pression sanguine. Le deuxième axe est une étude pilote en laboratoire qui a pour objectif d’identifier les profils des fonctions exécutives chez des adultes vieillissants. Des profils comportant des performances plus élevées devraient bénéficier d’une meilleure régulation du stress au quotidien, d’une diminution du recours aux pensées négatives répétitives et de capacités de gestion du stress plus constructives.

Augmenter la productivité d’une pépinière par la révision de saconception (layout) et de ses processus de production

Afin d’atteindre les objectifs de reboisement du Québec, les pépinières doivent produire une grande quantité de plants forestiers. La production des plants dure 3 ans et comporte plusieurs étapes interreliées dont la mise en terre, la croissance et la livraison. Pour s’assurer d’avoir des plants de qualité (qui deviendront de beaux grands arbres), il faut un système de production bien conçu tant au niveau des opérations que de l’aménagement physique. C’est en connaissant mieux le système et ses caractéristiques (outil de diagnostic) que des solutions permettant de réduire les déplacements inutiles et d’améliorer la productivité pourront être proposées. Pour la pépinière Somival, améliorer la productivité signifie donner vie à 6 millions de petits arbres plus forts et prêts à affronter les rigueurs de notre climat.

Élaboration d’un programme de formation en agriculture avec lacommunauté crie de Chisasibi

Le stage de recherche sera fait avec le Nihtaauchin – Chisasibi center for sustainability (NCCS), un
OSBL voué au renforcement de l’autonomie dans la communauté cri de Chisasibi via différents projets
durables qui combine l’innovation et l’expertise Eeyou (crie) d’une manière qui respecte et profite à la
nation crie de Chisasibi. Au cours des trois dernières années, l’organisme a mis l’accent sur la sécurité
alimentaire et l’agriculture nordique avec plusieurs projets communautaires tels qu’une ferme de pommes
de terre sur l’île Fort George, une serre communautaire en collaboration avec la James Bay Eeyou School,
puis une future serre commerciale est aussi en préparation. Pour la saison 2020-2021, NCCS se concentre
sur l’élaboration d’un programme de formation agricole ciblé, conjointement avec le conseil des jeunes
de Chisasibi et le conseil des aînés de Chisasibi. Ce programme sera destiné à la fois aux jeunes de la
communauté et au personnel de soutien du NCCS.

Conception d’un tableau de bord de gestion qui permet de soutenir la conscience de la situation dans un contexte de gouvernance en sécurité de l’information

Utilisé en sécurité de l’information, le tableau de bord de gestion (TBG) est un outil visuel permettant de faire le suivi de la performance en affichant graphiquement un ensemble de métriques, représentant notamment l’état des risques et des incidents. L’objectif principal de cette recherche est de créer un modèle de représentation visuelle de métriques de gouvernance de sécurité de l’information afin de soutenir la conscience de la situation de l’utilisateur.
Cette recherche permettra d’une part à la Banque Nationale du Canada d’avoir une méthode éprouvée pour élaborer des TBG adaptés à son contexte de gouvernance en sécurité de l’information et, d’autre part, au stagiaire d’acquérir des compétences en élaboration de TBG et en méthode de recherche dans un contexte organisationne.

Modification of Coin Surfaces Using Atomic Layer Deposition

Circulation coins present a large challenge from the point of view of protecting and

enhancing their appearance, as well as incorporating new features for recognition and

protection. An ideal technology for the modification of the surface of coins is atomic

layer deposition (ALD), where films of any thicknesses from just above the atomic

scale to the microscopic scale can be developed. These films need to be transparent

and colourless, as well as maintaining important characteristics (e.g. conductivity,

magnetism) of the coin substrate. Additionally, the films need to be rugged with

respect to wear and have to protect the coin substrate from tarnishing during normal

use. The project will explore the deposition of a variety of thin films on Canadian coin

surfaces, focusing high volatility, simple, and known precursor chemistry.

Innovations in Collaborative Food System Governance

Food security is a growing concern in communities across Canada, along with a host of other challenges impacting the health and equity outcomes of our food system. Municipalities, whether big or small, find themselves at the front lines of these issues and there is growing recognition of the potential for municipalities to play a leading role in addressing food security and promoting healthy sustainable food systems. At the same time, there is growing interest in developing collaborative and inclusive approaches to food policy and food governance – the relationships, rules, practices and structures through which power and control are exercised and decisions are made over how food is produced/harvested, processed, distributed and consumed. This project brings these two elements together, to explore, model and evaluate innovative approaches to municipal food governance that enable governments and civil society actors to be active partners in fighting hunger in their communities.