Projets novateurs réalisés

Improving quality of life with right hemisphere stroke patient with neglect

The overall objective of our project is to develop a better understanding of the positive effects

of prism adaptation in patients with spatial neglect. Remarkable, long-lasting changes have

already been found using paper tests; we aim to take this one step further and test for

changes in activities that are important in every-day life. We also aim to develop a better

understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the prism adaptation procedure by using two

different adaptation techniques. By using these different techniques we can uncover whether

the positive effects of prism rehabilitation are limited solely to visually guided actions of can

generalize to perception. Understanding the effects of prism adaptation on every-day

activities, and determining the underlying mechanisms of these positive effects is incredibly

important if we are to introduce prism glasses as a rehabilitation tool. We hope that our

findings will have a large impact on a patient’s and their caregiver’s quality of life.

Integration of benchtop focused ultrasound device with a collaborative software platform for image-guided exploration and user-centred design guidelines

Focused Ultrasound (FUS) is a therapeutic modality that can concentrate non-invasively mechanical energy far from its source in just a few cubic millimeters. FUS is used, by example, to treat brain disorders such as essential tremor. At research level, very diverse approaches are being explored. From the treatment of Alzheimer Disease, brain stimulation with FUS for psychiatry disorders, to the enhancement of therapy response of chemoradiotherapy in tumors, the potential of FUS for non-invasive therapy is tremendous However, there is a critical need for pre-clinical FUS devices engineered to enhance the experience of researchers with a very diversified science background. The goal of this research is to develop and validate a systematic methodology to guide the design of FUS applications. We will work with the company FUS Instruments to integrate our image-guided software suite, which is called Proteus, with their benchtop FUS small animal system (RK50). We will apply user-centric design guidelines, with scientists with a non-ultrasound physics background in the center of the process, to improve the researcher interface of the RK50 system. To be continued.

Measured and perceived differences between writing on digital and analog surfaces

Digital devices have the potential to play a positive role in the classroom. For example, longhand note-taking has been shown help learners better remember what they’ve learned than typing notes on a keyboard. With younger generations more accustomed to using digital devices in their everyday lives, it is important that the educational system finds a way to move digital devices into the classroom in a way that these devices can support learning. In this study, we hope to gain a better understanding of how students are able to take notes on different digital devices, and what properties might help them improve their learning in the modern classroom.

Efficient Design and Implementation of Concatenated Error-Correction Coding for High-Throughput Fiber-Optic Links

The project targets design and implementation of error-correction codes for high-throughput fiber-optic communication links. We focus on the error-correction encoding at the transmitter side as well as decoding at the receiver side considering the simplicity of implementation and low power consumption at both transmitter and receiver.

Développement d’une nouvelle turbine hydroélectrique permettant le passage des poiss

Le but de ce projet consiste à développer un nouveau modèle de turbine hydroélectrique qui permette le passage des poissons tout en offrant de bonnes performances. L’hydroélectricité est une source d’énergie qui est fiable, quasiment neutre en carbone, et peu chère sur le long terme. Malgré cela, les barrages ont généralement aussi des impacts négatifs sur l’environnement dans lequel ils sont implantés. Les turbines présentent notamment des risques de blessures et de mort pour les poissons qui les traversent. Dans le cadre d’un contrat de modernisation de turbine, ce projet a pour but de rendre le passage des poissons moins dangereux, et d’ainsi réduire l’impact environnemental du barrage.

Adversarial Examples and Uncertainty

While neural networks can classify images with very high accuracy, it was shown in 2013 (original paper by Szegedy et al) that it is also possible to make very small perturbation to an image so that the network misclassifies it (e.g. so that a panda is classified as an airplane). Many variations of this effect have subsequently been discovered and studied, but the mechanisms underlying this are still not well-understood. In this project, we plan to look at the system’s underlying uncertainties and certainties that might contribute to this effect. For example, even though the system might predict that the panda is an airplane with probability of 98%, is there some other way in which the system is in fact uncertain about this? How might we be able to quantify this?

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I began my research in May 2018 in the MJA lab at Ryerson University with the research topic of porphyrin silanes. The opportunity to work in Dr. Anderson’s research lab at the University of Oxford would allow me to expand my knowledge of porphyrins, as his research focuses on -conjugated porphyrin nanostructures. My project with Dr. Anderson would be centered on the preparation of three-dimensional porphyrin nanostructures driven by template-directed synthetic methods. Following the synthesis of the porphyrin nanorings, my project would also include the formation of functional porphyrin arrays with differing metal centers, achieved through the use of template structures. Porphyrins with a metal center can be applied to organic electronics due to its ability to perform redox activity, conduct electricity, and absorb UV/visible light. As porphyrins offer a cost effective alternative for a variety of electronic applications, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), my project aims to develop novel porphyrins that are more efficient that the existing set used in the applicable products.

Exploring the need for a standard on work environment reporting

Poor work environment (WE) contributes to poor employee physical and mental health and reduced company productivity and performance. Reporting on the WE has little guidance, making WE in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports inconsistent and not comparable between companies. This project explores the need for a management system standard for WE reporting and the development of a prototype WE reporting tool based on a review of the scientific literature and existing standards, and stakeholder feedback through a workshop and webinar. More clearly defining WE, its dimensions and creating a standardized reporting approach can provide direct benefits to CSA Group, by improving their suite of available products, and indirectly society beyond. Providing companies a consistent means to report on WE allows intra- and inter-organization comparisons, driving change to improve WE, employee wellbeing, and organization performance.

Microcontroller development and integration for high voltage bushing condition monitoring through wireless communication

It has been demonstrated in the previous research that monitoring only one point as the sole region of insulation degradation is not sufficient for operational safety of high-voltage bushings. Therefore, monitoring a wider volume of the high stress region inside the bushing using ECT sensing becomes a necessity for earlier detection of defects. In this project, we will investigate this problem and develop algorithms and prototypes of using microcontroller, sensors and wireless networking technologies for determining the condition of polymer high voltage bushings. The method proposed is different from current methods of monitoring bushings which utilise Tan- Delta. The microcontroller will accurately determine the location of insulation condition on a 3-dimensional for solid insulation. A significant advancement compared to existing sensors which report localised damage near a test tap. TO BE CONT’D

An outcome evaluation of the Family Services Ottawa Long-Term Counselling Program

Family Services / Services à la famille Ottawa’s (FSFO) long term counselling program is delivered to individuals living with severe and persistent mental illness. Although their counsellors anecdotally report improvement in clients, FSFO has not evaluated the results for this client group as a result of their work with FSFO. Since 2015, FSFO had been using the Outcome Questionnaire-45.2 (OQ-45.2) a survey that measures client progress in therapy, for their long-term counselling program to inform the practice of counsellors with the clients. The current proposed study will examine client outcomes by analyzing data collected through clients’ regular completion of the OQ-45.2 as they received services. An analysis of the data (including interviews with staff and clients) will allow for an examination of how clients show progress in their functioning from when they start receiving counselling to when they finish.

Evaluation of the mechanistic interplay between psychobiotic microbes and human gut microbiota challenged with psychotropic chemicals.

Several classes of psychotropic compounds have been increasingly shown to possess antimicrobial properties with possible implication in microbiota-gut-brain axis. For instance, sertraline and paroxetine are efflux inhibitors in bacteria cell walls and are effective on gram-positive bacteria such as Enterococcus and Staphylococcus. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of the antimicrobial effect of these chemicals on gut commensal bacteria and consumed probiotics will provide critical insight for the design of robust new nutraceuticals. This project will provide essential data prerequisite to the potential application of probiotics for prevention of gut dysbiosis, specifically in response to psychotropic chemicals..

Investigating the impact of alternative performance environment in the development of Hover, a new chamber opera

Hover is a new chamber opera by UBC DMA candidate (music composition) Benton Roark and UBC MFA alumnus (creative writing) Lindsay Cuff that explores different types of seemingly impossible travails that human bodies go through and their ways of coping. The importance of water is made evident by the action that is set in, on top of, and around an indoor pool. Locating this “stage” so particularly aims to intensify the audiovisual experience, as well as to strengthen the growing tradition of using alternative public space as a place for artistic performance. This is central to Redshift’s mandate – to deepen the relationship between environment and performance and to expose the public to the vitality, diversity, and originality of Vancouver musicians and composers. With Hover, Redshift will aim to encompass both the musical and the dramatic effect of experiencing art in the space so closely tied to its conception.