Innovative Projects Realized

Investigation of cloud computing for business transaction management

The aim of this project is to experimentally assess and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of cloud computing in relation to data centric enterprise applications requiring real-time user interaction.  This research will consist of two major phases.   In the first phase, the goal is to deploy and evaluate a significant existing enterprise application, i.e. INETCO Insight network monitoring system, within cloud environments.     The second phase will seek to explore deeper integration of the application with cloud specific services and capabilities, for example to utilize a cloud native datastore, and implementing  the surge model of cloud wherein a private cloud provides baseline functions and a public cloud is used to augment capacity dynamically for certain functions.   The surge model is appealing as it may allow Insight to broaden the range of analyses that users can access interactively (in real time).   

Sampling optimization to build an efficient digitizer

The project seeks to examine the feasibility of recovering a spectrum at high frequencies (such as 20 kHz – 40 kHz) from a signal sampled multiple times at much lower frequencies (such as 3999 Hz-4000 Hz). After this it aims to determine what sort of constraints are required for a digitizer to successfully recover the signal.

Robust Flexible Integrated Powering System for Microelectronics

Spinal Cord Stimulation utilizes a pacemaker like device, to deliver electrical impulses to the dorsal column of the spinal cord via an electrical lead placed in the epidural space.The electrical stimulation saturates the large nerve fibers with electrical noise masking the sensation of pain by creating a gentle tingling sensation in the area of pain. By utilizing this therapy, patients are able to resume normal activities and reduce their dependency on strong opioids and psychotropic medications. WorkSAFE BC (Worker Compensation Board) does not recognize or fund these therapies in BC, even though these therapies are funded by most WCB programs in Canada. Published returned to work rates (RTW), improvement in function, and significant decrease in pharmacological medications have not been well studied and currently show poor outcomes in this population of patients. This study will attempt to address these shortfalls and provide sufficient evidence that SCS is effective in improving these outcome measures. Based on these new findings, Medtronic expects that WorkSAFE BC will provide funding to treat injured workers in the Province of BC.

Effects of oil and gas development on density and reproductive success of grassland birds.

Native grasslands in Alberta provide important breeding habitat for many grassland birds, including species at risk.  However, conservation agencies are concerned that the quantity and quality of remaining grasslands in southeastern Alberta may currently be threatened by expansion of energy development. The Antelope Creek Habitat Development Area (ACHDA) is composed largely of native grassland and is co-operatively managed for the success of ranching and wildlife, while meeting the needs of the oil and gas industry. My objective is to determine the degree to which oil and gas development influences density and reproduction of grassland birds. To achieve this objective I plan to assess how bird density and reproductive success vary with distance from wells, compressor stations, and roads. Information from this initiative will assist in the refinement of Antelope Creek Ranch land management strategies and provincial and federal policies with respect to set-back distances and best management practices associated with energy development. 

Human-Computer Interaction, Mobile Device Interactions, Mobile User Interfaces

Navigation interfaces (such as scrolling, zooming, and panning) are the key components that help users move between different views on a document. The project’s goal is to enhance current user interfaces for collaborative search tasks. Initially, we will use spatial documents (ie, maps) to explore potential enhancements. We will also provide visual features, to improve collaborative search tasks, which will show to each user where the other is browsing.

Implementing object tracking in head-mounted video capture for eyegaze tracking

Head-mounted eyegaze tracking allows experimenters to record the eye movements of a wearer while he interacts with a real situated environment. Analysis of the eye movements however, is difficult since motion of the wearer’s head causes objects to move relative to the head-mounted video camera. The focus of this project is to implement object recognition and motion tracking in video recorded from the head-mounted camera. Motion in the recorded environment will be matched to user’s eye movements to determine which particular object a person is looking at. This will be an improvement to Locarna’s current software in that it will allow experimenters to more reliably capture a user’s focal attention on both static and moving objects, while allowing the user to move his head freely during recording.head-mounted video camera. The focus of this project is to implement object recognition and motion tracking in video recorded from the head-mounted camera. Motion in the recorded environment will be matched to user’s eye movements to determine which particular object a person is looking at. This will be an improvement to Locarna’s current software in that it will allow experimenters to more reliably capture a user’s focal attention on both static and moving objects, while allowing the user to move his head freely during recording.

Improving Query Performance on Database Free-Text and Semi-Structured Text Columns

The project deals with the better indexing of text fields in the database. It explores an idea of on-line maintenance of an inverted index, which is built for the tokens of the text content in the database. The on-line update of such an index is currently considered impractical. We try to overcome this inverted index update bottleneck with the use of B-tree data structure and the specially designed in-memory buffer. In case of success, this on-line indexing will highly improve the performance of user queries on database text fields. In addition, it may create a viable solution for other fields, such as WEB documents indexing, which require the on-line incorporation of up-to-date changes in the index.

Delivery of Immigrant Services in Smaller Urban Centres & Remote/Rural Areas

Immigration is changing Canada. Yet the successful integration of new immigrants is a task rife with challenges. My research will focus on the delivery of services in smaller urban communities as well rural and remote centres, with a specific focus on the South-Okanagan- Similkameen, a region in the southern interior of British Columbia. My research will “learn from the front-line” about the full range of services that have been developed to reach and serve diverse immigrant populations with an eye towards improving services. This research is important and urgent for several reasons. The regional population is among the oldest in the province. Experts predict that the share of seniors in the region will increase because of its attractiveness as a retirement destination. This puts the region at the leading edge of a “silver tsunami” that might soon alter Canadian society. More practically, it means that the region will have a higher demand for younger workers — and by extension, immigrants – capable of filling the various jobs needed to sustain and support an aging population.

Verification and validation of Real-time Embedded Software with RTEdge

Genetic relationship between faulting, hydrothermal fluid flow and gold mineralization, North Caribou terrane

Time series analysis for forecasting television ratings and market share

Television ratings in Canada are collected by BBM Canada, a not-for-profit organization that serves all the major television networks in Canada. Monthly surveys of 30,000 households collect a range of data on demographic variables and television viewing habits. The proposed research is to investigate models that take into account market swings between various modes of television signal delivery: off-air, cable, digital satellite and digital cable. To date each mode has been modeled separately, but it is important to study the co-variation in market share as customers move from one mode of delivery to another. BBM Canada undertakes to provide accurate and timely estimates of market share for its industry sponsors, based on modeling and forecasting, and more sophisticated models will enhance the quality of these estimates.

Survey of Lynde Creek Redside Dace Habitat and Stewardship Opportunities

The purpose of the survey of the Upper Lynde Creek Watershed for redside dace habitat addresses the ability of current habitat measurements to accurately predict redside dace locations.  The survey will be completed in three phases.  The first phase identifies potential redside dace habitat by using GIS technology.  In addition, landowners are contacted to gain permission to access the streams on private property.  The second phase includes the field surveys following a modified version of the Ontario Stream Assessment protocol and utilizes underwater camera technology.  The final phase consists of follow-up contact with landowners and reporting on the results.