Innovative Projects Realized

Dispersal and recovery of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in Human Altered Landscapes of Manitoba

This research is designed to assess various factors related to the dispersal and recovery of the Peregrine Falcon in Manitoba. As the Peregrine Falcon continues to be designated “Endangered” in Manitoba and “Threatened” nationally, data regarding survivorship, mortality factors, habitat use, and movements are required to guide future management activities related to the provincial Peregrine conservation effort. Satellite tracking of 20 juvenile Peregrine Falcons will enable collection of these data. Spatial analysis of Peregrine locations and detailed assessments of flight trajectories will enable the delineation of sensitive habitats where Peregrines may face an increased risk of collision with artificial landscape features, including utility lines. By identifying these areas, potential impacts arising from human activities may be assessed and mitigated if necessary.

Quantitative estimation of the radiance distribution in the lab and the seas

Nanwakolas Council Society Seafood and Forestry Sector Research

The Chief’s Pride Aquaculture Corporation (CPAC) and the Nanwakolas Council Society are undertaking Strategic research on behalf of 8 member Nations in support of a Regional Economic Development Strategy. This research is comprised of two studies (1) Seafood Industry Overview and Analysis And (2) Forestry Sector Economic Opportunity Analysis. With CPAC and the Nanwakolas Council moving forward with delivering upon its mandate and Business objectives, this Innovative research Will inform decision–‐makers of advantageous strategies within new product development and business operation arenas. Graduate students will utilize innovative business research methodologies to create new  solutions for all stakeholders involved through vitally important community interaction and investigation of secondary literature.

New strategies to improve the use of the predatory bug, Orius insidiosus, to control Western Flower Thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, in greenhouse ornamental crops

Successful use of biological control agents for thrips control has been documented in greenhouse vegetables, such as sweet peppers, but thus far has provided inconsistent results for ornamentals. The proposed research will investigate how to improve the performance of the biological control agent – O. insidiosus biocontrol, against western flower thrips through the use of banker plants and adding supplemental food to promote a more sustainable management strategy. The project complements previous thrips research and will contribute to increased greenhouse production and profitability. Additionally, while the proposed research is targeted towards floriculture, there may be applicable uses for control in greenhouse vegetable and field crops as well.

Terrain Sensing Mechanisms for High-Speed Navigation of UGVs in Heterogeneous Ground Environments

This project will implement and test high speed autonomous navigation algorithms for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV). The algorithms will i) sense the terrain, ii) determine the interaction between the terrain and the UGV such as forces induced on the UGV as it moves, and iii) autonomously determine the maximum allowable speed and turning radius of a UGV traversing unknown off-road terrains while maintaining safe conditions at all times for users, the UGV, and the environment. The developed mechanisms will place the partner organization (Mechatroniq Systems Inc.) at the forefront of competitive companies and enable the use and commercialization of UGVs in high demanding critical activities such as infrastructure security, search & rescue, and border security where novel solutions are needed.

Computed Tomography Images Enhancement and Denoising

In Computed Tomography (CT), X-ray radiation is used to penetrate through the internal structure of the patient body in order to produce digital images. Therefore patient could be exposed to certain level of X-ray radiation dose. Accumulation of these exposures beyond certain threshold could increase risk of fatal cancer. Thus it is of paramount importance to lower the amount of radiation exposure during CT images acquisition. However, a low radiation dose in CT images would result to lower image quality. To maintain lower dose usage and still produce images with a high quality therefore one needs to develop advanced image processing tools in order to reduce noise and enhance CT images. This internship therefore will attempt to bring advanced methods of image processing tools that are specifically tailored to reduce noise and enhance CT images to the partner organization.

Relationships between parental self-efficacy, parent training instructional practices and models of parent professional interaction

Research has shown that parents of children with autism have lower levels of selfefficacy (i.e., self-perceptions of their ability to nurture their children’s growth and development) when compared to other parents. This is problematic, as parents of children with autism who feel more confident and effective when implementing intervention strategies and who believe that their involvement has a positive impact on the development of their child tend to be more involved in early intervention than parents who lack confidence and do not believe they are effective. Fortunately, research suggests that parental self-efficacy can be affected by parent-professional relationships as well as by parent training, although the exact nature of these relationships is not clear. This research will examine the impact of parent-professional interaction styles and parent training techniques on the self-efficacy of mothers of children with autism receiving early intervention. The results will assist the partner organization to provide optimal intervention supports that facilitate active parental involvement.

Mars Methane Analog Mission Simulation

The purpose of this project is to develop the scientific knowledge to search for life on Mars. We expect signs of life on Mars to be hard to find and interpret. This project will determine the operations and science and engineering coordination needed to be performed by a micro rover equipped with scientific equipment. The basis sign of life that we are looking for is the methane gas that can be generated from micro living organisms. This project will simulate the mission in an-earth environment that best simulates Mars and the findings, hardware development will be a big assist in Canada future participation in a mission on Mars. MBP Communications are the prime contractor for this project and the research and work experience of Dr. Ala’ Qadi will be very beneficial for completion of the project. Because Dr. Qadi has both industry and research experience he can provide a different point of view for implementation of the project and cooperation with other engineers at MPB Communications.

Response modeling by Gene Expression Programming method in single channel and multi channel marketing campaigns

Previously in the first step of this research as an internship with MITACS, the researcher could find a piecewise linear model to approximate the dependent variable. The genetic algorithm was employed to approximate the value of sales, as the dependent variable against changes on marketing efforts, as the independent variables. The outcome became a program that can approximate the actual data with three lines. The suggested program is able to calculate the coordinates of four nodes as well as three slopes and draw the 3-pice linear approximation. The aim of this research is to apply gene expression method to create a predictive modeling and approximation program. This program will be used to model the response curves against marketing efforts in cases of single or multiple marketing channels (independent variables). Due to the novelty of gene expression programming applications, it is anticipated that the output of this research can be presented as one of the first applications of this fantastic scientific method.

Community land-use planning on First Nations reserves and the influence of land tenure: A case study with the Penticton Indian Band.

Tenure, the distribution of resource rights and responsibilities, is a central issue for First Nations’ management of lands and resources. The focus of this research project is the historical and contemporary land management implications of policy that created individualized land tenures on First Nations reserves. This project is in partnership with the Penticton Indian Band community land-use planning process and will support the Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation’s participation in land-use planning and sustainable community economic development decisions. The goal of this collaboration is to contribute to First Nations’ efforts to develop their own sustainable and effective land management systems within contemporary jurisdictional and policy settings.

Wild fish community composition and host-parasite infection rates relative to net-pen aquaculture facilities

The economically cost-effective methods of intensive open net-pen farming externalize the costs of waste treatment and clean water supply by drawing these critical ecosystem services from the nearshore marine environment. Salmon farms serve as point sources for organic nutrients (uneaten feed and salmon waste), parasites, and heavy metals. Salmon farms may have impacts on proximal wild species including increases in disease and parasite abundance and chemical and heavy metal contamination. This project will be examining the effect of proximity to salmon farms on the prevalence of parasites and disease in wild fish populations. This research will prove useful to Wild Canadian Sablefish Ltd. by providing knowledge for the conservation of economically important wild finfish populations and the ecosystems that sustain them.

Development of carbon storage and emission flow diagram for harvested wood products within British Columbia

The purpose of this project is to aid in the development of more complete carbon accounting within forestry carbon projects, by working towards a means of calculating long term carbon storage within harvested wood products in British Columbia (BC). The project will involve a literature review of harvested wood products manufacturing statistic in BC and product life-cycle information. Using the literature review, a diagram will be developed modeling the flow of carbon from initial forest harvesting to product disposal. This diagram will assist in the overall development of the conceptual carbon flow through the wood products life cycle, and will be used to develop technical descriptions of the input files for a product carbon storage simulation model. The research will improve full carbon stock accounting in Canadian forest carbon projects and increase the ability for forest carbon projects to proceed in Canada.