Projets novateurs réalisés

Approche stratégique du développement et du lancement de l’oclacitinib au Canada, un médicament d’une nouvelle classe thérapeutique contre le prurit associé à la dermatite atopique canine

La dermatite atopique provoque des démangeaisons excessives chez 15% des chiens, ce qui en fait une des atteintes les plus fréquentes en médecine vétérinaire des animaux de compagnie. L’évolution peut atteindre des niveaux très problématiques. Les médicaments disponibles sur le marché présentent des inconvénients difficilement gérables.

L’oclacitinib est un nouveau médicament qui agit sur un intervenant des démangeaisons excessives. Ce projet de stage post doctoral en partenariat entre Zoetis Canada et le GREPAQ de l’Université de Montréal a pour objectif de fournir des données scientifiques probantes qui seront utiles au lancement de ce médicament au Canada. Grâce à ses travaux, le stagiaire élaborera des bulletins techniques sur le mode d’action et la sécurité du médicament en collaboration avec des meneurs d’opinions en soins de la peau, il participera à l’approche marketing ainsi qu’à la mise sur pied d’une procédure de pharmacovigilance afin d’enregistrer et évaluer les effets secondaires indésirables potentiels.

Improvement in paper tissue production: Wet strength and stock preparation

Irving Tissue is a leading manufacturer of household tissue products and provides the premium tissue products for its customers throughout North America. The objective of this project is to improve the process b y1) optimizing the wet- strength additive chemistry, and the associated curing process, 2) optimize the stock preparation, in particular, in light of the new capital investment of Irving Pulp and Paper and its impact on the pulp properties. This project is to identify alternative wet strength chemicals, such as GPAM, or GPAM/PAE to address the issue of wet strength curing for tissue products. The project would also involve characterization and modeling of the stocks of softwood and hardwood in each current operation unit, such as pulper, refiner, so that quick responses in the prediction of the impact on the operations and final tissue
quality and optimization of equipment and process settings can be achieved when the new pulps are introduced. The further development of the tissue production process with respect to these two aspects will enhance Irving Tissue as a producer of premium consumer oriented paper tissue products.

Non Invasive Identification of amyloid Plaques in Human Retina for Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease – Year Two

Le diagnostic de la maladie d’Alzheimer (MA) repose actuellement sur l’observation de troubles de mémoires et la diminution des facultés cognitives. Le développement d’outils permettant un diagnostic présymptomatique est donc important dans l’établissement de traitements étant plus efficaces et agissant plus tôt dans l’évolution de la maladie. L’imagerie tomographique par émission de positrons (TEP) permet déjà l’imagerie de la plaque bêta-amyloïde (?A) dans le cerveau. Toutefois, en raison de la nature radioactive des marqueurs utilisés et du prix d’utilisation qui lui est associé, il est peu réaliste de baser le diagnostic de la MA sur l’imagerie TEP. En revanche, des groupes de recherche ont pu établir un lien entre la présence de plaques ?A sur la rétine et la MA. Cela ouvre donc la porte au diagnostic de cette maladie par l’imagerie non invasive de la rétine. TO BE CONT’D

Non Invasive Identification of amyloid Plaques in Human Retina for Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis currently relies on the observation of cognitive impairments and memory loss. Developing tools enabling earlier diagnosis could help test new treatments that may be more effective when acting at early time points of the disease. While amyloid peptide plaque (A?) tracers used with PET imaging are now available to confirm the presence of this hallmark of the disease, the price and nature (radioactive) of this label makes it unlikely to be a cost effective screening tool for early diagnosis of AD. The presence of A? plaques in the retina of AD mice models and in humans with AD was recently reported opening the possibility of detecting this AD hallmark though a simple non-invasive eye scan. The proposed project aims to explore this avenue with the development of new algorithms to detect A? plaques on retina images taken from a multi-spectral, fluorescent fundus imaging device.

Spatial and Temporal Linear Induction Motor Harmonics

Linear Induction Motors (LIMs) are used in a significant portion of existing rail transport systems, and Bombardier Transport Canada Inc. is a global leader in the industry. LIMs will be ever more important in the future with the expansion of Maglevs globally. In this project, the intern will explore the mathematical models used in designing LIMs. The main objective will be improving the mathematical treatment in order to increase the efficiency of LIMs and eliminate or minimize undesirable effects such as overheating. Improving the efficiency leads to savings in energy consumption of operating LIM rail transport systems, and eliminating undesirable effects leads to savings in maintenance costs. The results will help maintain Bombardier’s position as the world leader in LIM design and manufacturing.

Développement de tests pour évaluer l’efficacité de mélanges de substances naturelles et transformées d’origine naturelle, sur des bactéries pathogènes et commensales animales

En réponse au phénomène de l’antibiorésistance, nombreuses sont les pressions pour réduire, voire éliminer l’usage des antibiotiques en aviculture. Des alternatives aux antibiotiques ont été commercialisées et sont en développement. Selon nos expériences en laboratoire, des mélanges d’huiles essentielles offriraient une solution intéressante pour contrôler des pathogènes entériques aviaires. En effet, les comptes bactériens suite à des infections expérimentales étaient significativement plus bas dans les groupes de poulets recevant des mélanges d’huiles essentielles, mais l’impact de ces produits sur les bactéries commensales intestinales sont méconnus. Nous désirons tester divers mélanges de substances naturelles (Huiles essentielles et molécules) et substances transformées d’origine naturelle pour vérifier leur effet sur des souches bactériennes pathogènes et commensales. L’efficacité de divers produits du partenaire Probiotech International Inc./Laboratoires Phodé a à diminuer la croissance voire éliminer des bactéries ciblées sera testée in vitro et chez un modèle invertébré.

Model development for machine condition assessment

The scope of this project is to construct a physics-based analytical model through the bond graph modeling for a reciprocating compressor. The purpose of this model is to quantify input-output relations among mechanical components involved in a compressor, particularly under normal operating conditions. Such a model, once validated and calibrated can serve as a baseline model or a template for the detection of machine health problems. Because of the details of a machine internal variables this model can provide, it can allow the root cause determination of machine faults. The bond graph model will be cross examined with a finite element model and validated by experimental tests. The successful completion of this project will provide a key cornerstone in the development of a competent and adaptable machinery health assessment system AP Dynamics Inc. is currently undertaking.

Enviromètre

L’objectif principal du projet Enviromètre est de produire une enquête annuelle comportant une batterie d’indicateurs d’opinion publique. Ces indicateurs permettront de faire le suivi de l’évolution des croyances, priorités et préférences des Québécois et Canadiens en ce qui a trait aux enjeux environnementaux. En plus de cette enquête principale, le projet produira d’autres études de plus petite ampleur afin de comparer l’efficacité de différents arguments ou formats de messages visant à communiquer au public l’état des connaissances scientifiques à l’égard des enjeux environnementaux. Le rapport d’analyse produit sera partagé avec les autres acteurs du milieu. Les principaux résultats feront également l’objet d’une diffusion médiatique. À l’issu du projet, l’expertise académique rigoureuse du stagiaire permettra à Équiterre de mieux comprendre le public auquel il s’adresse. Les conclusions du projet serviront entre autres de base afin d’améliorer les campagnes d’information et de sensibilisation.

High efficient food drying by microwave

Commonly used hot air drying results in non-uniform shrinkage due to significant thermal gradients, especially at the last stage of drying. In this project we will study two-stage drying of apple slices with hot air at beginning and microwave at the end to minimize effect of non-uniform heat transfer. The goal of the project is to study microstructure changes (porosity and shrinkage) under combined hot air-microwave drying. The results obtained from this study will bring new knowledge and significantly help industry in predicting and control food microstructure.

Synthesis of camelina biodiesel using heterogeneous catalysts

Currently in North America, biodiesel is mainly produced from vegetable oils such as soybean and canola using a homogenous catalyst, KOH or NaOH. Two associated challenges are: 1) using edible oils as feedstock may impact food and feed supply adversely; 2) a great amount of water is needed to wash off the homogeneous catalysts dissolved in biodiesel product and then the waste water effluent is discharged to the environment.
This project will evaluate the feasibility of producing biodiesel from camelina using heterogeneous catalysts. Camelina is a low cost oil crop; however, it has a fairly high oil content. It can grow in marginal lands and exhibits a strong tolerance to drought, cool weather and insect pests. The application of heterogeneous catalysts allows recovery and reuse of catalysts, which would reduce biodiesel production costs and minimize the impact on the environment.

Analysis, best practices, and content creation for mobile learning

Mathtoons Media, Inc. is a Kelowna, BC based company founded on the belief that students want to be engaged in learning through apps on their mobile devices, and therein lies a significant component of future education. The company has created the Practi app for personalized mobile practice, thus far focused mainly on the practice of mathematics. Spiteri’s research team used Practi in a second-year numerical analysis course from Jan-Apr, 2015. The proposed research project aims to analyze the data collected from its use in that course, attempt to distill best practices, and create new content for an upcoming version of the course in Jan 2016. The expected benefits to Mathtoons are an analysis of Practi’s performance in a real classroom setting, an enhancement of Practi’s course content capabilities, and increased practical exposure of Practi to a new cohort of students.

Assessing Nutrient Retention in Sediments and Harmful Algal Blooms in the Bay of Quinte by Field, Laboratory and Modelling Studies

The impaired beneficial use “Eutrophication & Undesirable Algae” is the main reason that the Bay of Quinte was declared an “Area of Concern” (AOC) in 1986. External and internal nutrient loadings are among the main reasons for this impaired beneficial use. The development of a long-term phosphorus reduction strategy is a key remaining activity needed to delist this AOC. The results of the proposed project can establish an effective management strategy for Bay of Quinte and can be used as a guide to other waterbodies of concern in the province of Ontario, such as Lake Simcoe, and Hamilton Harbour by creating an integrated P model that would represent entire spectrum of P cycle for the bay and predict the long-term impact of nutrient release on harmful algal blooms. The project can provide the modelling framework (free) for the partner organization, support training course for using modelling and optimizing monitoring data.