Projets novateurs réalisés

Probabilistic Safety Analysis Methods for Applications in NuclearTechnologies

The ability to correctly make safety-related decisions and to demonstrate compliance with

existing limits is of great importance in the nuclear safety analysis industry. For example, we

may be interested to assess whether or not a physical component (such as the pressure tube

which carries fuel) has undergone physical changes that have exceeded its allowable limits.

The problem relies on the development of models that involve parameters describing such

components and to use the models to predict and assess whether the parameter has become

non-compliant. These predictive models are based on (imperfect) experimental data or

complex computational codes. Thus, these physical parameters are considered as random

variables that are subject to uncertainties (e.g., stochastic and epistemic uncertainties) that

affect our ability to make safety-related decisions. The objective of this project will be to

investigate the development of methods and tools required to demonstrate the statistical

basis for reaching decisions that are consistent with the so-called 95/95 industry standard.

Nanoparticle-encapsulated Cannabinoid and Temozolomide Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (the deadliest form of brain cancer) is associated with poor survival rates (approximately 12-15 months from the time of diagnosis). This is due to the fact that most cases of GBM are resistant to current standards of care. As a result, novel effective treatment options are highly desirable. It has recently been shown that the combination of cannabinoids (such as THC or CBD) with the standard of care chemotherapy agent, temozolomide, demonstrates promise in the treatment of animal models of GBM. The main aim of this project is to design a novel nanoparticle that can deliver a combination of cannabinoids and chemotherapy to GBM tumours.
The proposed project combines 13 years of nanoparticle and drug combination research in the Allen Lab, with Avicanna Inc., a Toronto-based medical cannabis company. TO BE CONT’D

Technical and Economic Assessment of Implementing UV Treatment in Potable Reuse Process Trains – Year two

Driven by climate change induced water scarcity, further enhanced by rapid urbanization and population growth, potable water reuse initiatives are gaining interest. Potable reuse involves the indirect or direct use of highly treated municipal wastewater as a municipal drinking water source. Historically, the most commonly installed potable reuse train consisted of microfiltration, reverse osmosis (RO), and ultraviolet (UV) as treatment stages. Today, in many non-coastal geographies, non-RO based alternative advanced water treatment trains such as ozone-biological activated carbon (BAC) are being evaluated. UV plays a significant role in potable reuse trains because of its capability to inactivate pathogens up to 6-log. Thus, given the multiple reuse treatment trains where UV plays an essential role, there is a need to minimize the UV energy consumption and maximize the performance depending on the various upstream treatment trains. TO BE CONT’D

Technical and Economic Assessment of Implementing UV Treatment in Potable Reuse Process Trains

Driven by climate change induced water scarcity, further enhanced by rapid urbanization and population growth, potable water reuse initiatives are gaining interest. Potable reuse involves the indirect or direct use of highly treated municipal wastewater as a municipal drinking water source. Historically, the most commonly installed potable reuse train consisted of microfiltration, reverse osmosis (RO), and ultraviolet (UV) as treatment stages. Today, in many non-coastal geographies, non-RO based alternative advanced water treatment trains such as ozone-biological activated carbon (BAC) are being evaluated. UV plays a significant role in potable reuse trains because of its capability to inactivate pathogens up to 6-log. Thus, given the multiple reuse treatment trains where UV plays an essential role, there is a need to minimize the UV energy consumption and maximize the performance depending on the various upstream treatment trains. TO BE CONT’D

Integrating biodiversity functional guild responses to land use and climate change in natural heritage system update – Year two

Urbanization continues to drive the land conversion from natural areas to urban uses dominated by impermeable surfaces. This conversion has direct and indirect impacts on ecosystem services that are critical for a sustainable and resilient ecosystem as well as human wellbeing. Habitat removal and fragmentation accelerate biodiversity loss in urban landscapes. Additionally, climate change exacerbates these impacts even further. Hence, green infrastructure is also becoming more common in urban landscapes to offset negative urbanization impacts. Here, species and habitat data in the Greater Toronto Area will be used to derive functional guilds based on their sensitivities to urbanization and climate change. Habitat suitability analysis will be conducted on each of these functional groups under current and future land use scenarios assessing changes in the landscape’s capacity to provide habitat with three climate scenarios (current, 2050, and 2080). TO BE CONT’D

Integrating biodiversity functional guild responses to land use and climate change in natural heritage system update

Urbanization continues to drive the land conversion from natural areas to urban uses dominated by impermeable surfaces. This conversion has direct and indirect impacts on ecosystem services that are critical for a sustainable and resilient ecosystem as well as human wellbeing. Habitat removal and fragmentation accelerate biodiversity loss in urban landscapes. Additionally, climate change exacerbates these impacts even further. Hence, green infrastructure is also becoming more common in urban landscapes to offset negative urbanization impacts. Here, species and habitat data in the Greater Toronto Area will be used to derive functional guilds based on their sensitivities to urbanization and climate change. Habitat suitability analysis will be conducted on each of these functional groups under current and future land use scenarios assessing changes in the landscape’s capacity to provide habitat with three climate scenarios (current, 2050, and 2080). TO BE CONT’D

Advancement of bio-processing technology for ginseng polysaccharides: a model for value-added medicinal plant polysaccharides development – Year two

This proposed project focuses on American ginseng (AmG), a natural herb native to Canada that has been used as a traditional medicine for many generations. Southern Ontario has become the World’s largest producer of AmG with annual sales of over $400M at the farm gate. Polysaccharides (PS) are a major active component of AmG showing various biological activities including anti-carcinogenic, anti-aging, immunostimulatory and antioxidant effects. Despite of having such significant pharmacological activities, they have limited bioavailability due to their physicochemical properties including molecular size, heterogeneity, and solubility. Herein, advanced state-of-the-art technologies including nanosizing and encapsulation will be employed for enhancing penetration, absorption and controlled delivery. In addition, fluorescent dye labelling of PS will be developed to allow the tracking of PS. Pharmacology of these innovative health products will be studied to evaluate their safety and delivery efficacy. TO BE CONT’D

Advancement of bio-processing technology for ginseng polysaccharides: a model for value-added medicinal plant polysaccharides development

This proposed project focuses on American ginseng (AmG), a natural herb native to Canada that has been used as a traditional medicine for many generations. Southern Ontario has become the World’s largest producer of AmG with annual sales of over $400M at the farm gate. Polysaccharides (PS) are a major active component of AmG showing various biological activities including anti-carcinogenic, anti-aging, immunostimulatory and antioxidant effects. Despite of having such significant pharmacological activities, they have limited bioavailability due to their physicochemical properties including molecular size, heterogeneity, and solubility. Herein, advanced state-of-the-art technologies including nanosizing and encapsulation will be employed for enhancing penetration, absorption and controlled delivery. In addition, fluorescent dye labelling of PS will be developed to allow the tracking of PS. Pharmacology of these innovative health products will be studied to evaluate their safety and delivery efficacy. TO BE CONT’D

Inhibiting somatostatin signaling in animal models of diabetes – Year two

The prevalence of diabetes is growing rapidly and currently, over 60 million people worldwide use insulin treatment to manage their diabetes. However, insulin treatment can result in hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels. To date only retroactive treatments are available to treat hypoglycemia, which affects an individual’s quality of life and increases the likelihood of recurring bouts of hypoglycemia as well as development of cardiovascular or renal disease. The goal of this project is to test the efficacy of novel therapeutic targets utilizing somatostatin receptor-2 antagonists to better manage glycemic control in type 1 diabetics. It is hypothesized that this new drug will help prevent hypoglycemia in diabetes by increasing glucagon levels when blood sugar drops below normal. TO BE CONT’D

Inhibiting somatostatin signaling in animal models of diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes is growing rapidly and currently, over 60 million people worldwide use insulin treatment to manage their diabetes. However, insulin treatment can result in hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels. To date only retroactive treatments are available to treat hypoglycemia, which affects an individual’s quality of life and increases the likelihood of recurring bouts of hypoglycemia as well as development of cardiovascular or renal disease. The goal of this project is to test the efficacy of novel therapeutic targets utilizing somatostatin receptor-2 antagonists to better manage glycemic control in type 1 diabetics. It is hypothesized that this new drug will help prevent hypoglycemia in diabetes by increasing glucagon levels when blood sugar drops below normal. TO BE CONT’D

Improve the performance of Heaven Fresh Canada Inc. air purifier

Indoor air quality has received immense attention in past decades, considering it is more

heavily polluted than outdoor environments. People generally spend more than 80% of their

time indoors, which contributes to a higher risk of inhaling pollutants. Air cleaning is the most

feasible way to improve indoor air quality. Most of indoor air – purifying systems adapt filter –

type components to purify polluted air. This method is effective for short-term use, but

insufficient for long-term filtration as cleaning the filter components produces secondary

pollution. In this proposal, two different types of materials are considered as potential

substitutions for traditional air filters. First, a filter coated with TiO2 nanoparticles; TiO2 based

cleaning techniques are effective against degrading organic and inorganic compounds, toxic

metal ions, and to kill microorganisms and viruses. Secondly, a zeolitic material that can be

dispersed on a filter; the zeolites are porous aluminosilicate compounds. The present study

indicates that the zeolites are particularly well suited for volatile…

Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion Enhancement Associated with Current Treatments for Ischemic Heart Disease Using Positron Emission Tomography – Year two

Efficient pumping function of heart depends on receiving oxygen and nutrients through heart’s specific blood vessels called coronaries. In case of coronary stenosis (e.g. plaques formation on their inner walls), the heart muscle cannot function normally and may be permanently damaged. Three treatment strategies are broadly available that include medications, coronary stent placement and coronary bypass graft surgery. However, the efficacy of either treatment in restoring blood perfusion to the heart muscle is not clearly quantified. This knowledge gap prevents the physicians from systematically predicting the benefits and risks of each available treatment for every individual patient. The objective of the current study is to use positron emission tomography (PET) to measure coronary blood perfusion using a specific tracer that is rubidium-82 (Rb-82). TO BE CONT’D