Novel Strategies to Enhance the Protective Ability of Tpr-based Syphilis Vaccines

Over the last two decades, our efforts to develop a syphilis vaccine have allowed identification of two antigens that confer high but not complete protection to syphilis in immunization/challenge experiments in the rabbit model. These two vaccine candidates were derived from conserved regions of selected members of the Treponema pallidum repeat (Tpr) antigens TprC/D2 and […]

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Total Synthesis of (?)-Acaranoic acid

Lichens are a symbiosis of fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. Lichen substances have been reported to show a wide array of biological activities including antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor action. This project aims to establish a reliable way to prepare (?)-acaranoic acid, a lichen substance isolated in 1895, from commercially available chemicals. The proposed synthesis of this […]

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Cloud-based Services for Interactive, Collaborative, Smart Cities Platforms

Canadian urban populations are increasingly aware of climate change and generally support mitigation strategies. But understanding how urban form impacts energy use and emissions is challenging. We propose to design, deploy and evaluate digital media tools that support collaborative exploration of urban design scenarios where some participants are joining from remote locations. Key elements of […]

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Interactive Molecular Modelling in Virtual Reality

The work that the Glowacki lab has addressed concerns two main issues of VR: a lack of multi-user interaction and heavy processing requirements. Using remote cloud supercomputing facilities, his lab can access the processing power to model in real time incredibly complex mathematically systems, with the computational physics simulations performed off-site, thereby enabling multi-user interactions. […]

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Numerical and theoretical investigation of blow-up in various fluid models

The global regularity problem for smooth solutions to the incompressible Euler and Navier-Stokes equations is a major open problem in the analysis partial differential equations and in mathematical physics. In recent years, there have been several significant advances in our understanding of the global regularity problem for the Euler equations both numerically and analytically. Particularly, […]

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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 […]

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Nickel-catalyzed [3+2+1] synthesis of 2-pyridones

Catalysts speed up chemical reactions by lowering the energy required for a process to occur. In our daily lives, this phenomenon occurs very similarly to how catalytic converters in car exhausts work. By employing a catalyst, we can minimize waste and save energy, time, and money. However, to increase the performance of a catalyst, and […]

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The Information Needs of People with Colorectal Cancer: a Knowledge Synthesis

The information needs of people with colorectal cancer are complex and poorly understood. This project seeks to undertake a narrative synthesis, a form of story telling that brings together evidence in a way that tells a convincing story of why something needs to be done or changed. It helps bridge the gap between research, policy, […]

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Molecular measures of yeast exhaustion in commercial brewing

Beer production is only as good as the yeast that make it. When yeast are first pitched for brewing, they produce the desired fermentation product—beer. But, after numerous cycles of fermentation, the yeast become exhausted and produce beer with unwanted flavors and alcohol content. As such, the beer is no longer fit for consumption. Over […]

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Synthesis of diamond and diamond-like films

This project is geared towards the development of a cost-effective method to fabricate thin films of carbon materials, such as diamond. The idea is to use solution-based methods coupled to electrochemistry to produce the films. Avenues for the deposition of the film on surfaces of arbitrary shapes will also be explored. Carbon based thin films, […]

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The influence of local and global stressors on coral reef ecosystems

Vibrant coral reefs are amongst the world’s most diverse and economically important marine ecosystems, but are also imminently threatened by climate change and local threats, including fishing and pollution. Understanding how these threats impact coral reefs, and the capacity for reefs to recover after bleaching events is critically important. This project will focus on Kiritimati […]

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Engendering Dialogue and Meaningful Participation Among Constituencies Working Toward Ending Homelessness in Victoria, BC., Phase II

This work will build on the findings of the literature review conducted in Phase I. Phase II will focus on engaging people with experience of homelessness in vetting and refining inclusionary principles identified in Phase I and developing a draft inclusionary policy for the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness.The work is also highly relevant […]

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