Optimization of Bull Semen Cryopreservation through Iterative and Rational Media Design

Cryopreserved (frozen) semen provides optimal genetics to cattle and especially dairy farmers, facilitating improved breeding programs. The sperm cryopreservation process significantly reduces fertility compared to fresh sperm. Each percent of reduced fertility amounts to a significant financial loss to farmers. Thus there is great pressure on semen providers to improve post thaw fertility, as it […]

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Scale-up of a Green Plasticizer

Plasticizers are used to increase the flexibility and workability of relatively rigid polymers such as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). For decades, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP and sometimes termed as dioctyl phthalate (DOP)) was the most common plasticizer used in PVC formulations. However, DEHP has been shown to have negative health effects, such as being an endocrine disruptor. […]

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Nanoscale toolset for formatting and visualizing single molecules: validating applications and miniaturized flow cells

The “CLiC” microscopy technique was invented and developed by Prof. Sabrina Leslie and her lab at McGill. It is ideal for formatting and visualizing single molecules, like DNA and proteins, with advantages that overcome the limitations of other single-molecule techniques. Due to the increasing interest in the technique from academic and industrial researchers, Prof. Leslie […]

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Framework for Enterprise IT DevSecOps Governance to enable Continuous Security

In today’s business context, companies need to release software quickly in order to remain competitive. This requires internal teams to work closely together from the outset. Unfortunately, security is typically considered only at the very end. This means if any issues are discovered by the security team, it requires extensive rework. Typical responses are to […]

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Connecting prey and specialized predator population dynamics: a hundred-and fifty year record of salmon and killer whale interactions

Pacific northwestern southern resident killer whale population only encompasses 74 individuals and is considered endangered. Chinook salmon, the main food source of resident killer whales, is today disappearing from the North American western coast. Yet, it remains unclear to which extent food deprivation is affecting recovery of resident killer populations. The main aim of this […]

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Salt marsh carbon storage and accumulation rate in Boundary Bay, Delta, British Columbia

Salt marshes are intertidal ecosystems found on sheltered temperate marine coastlines which are known to provide a range of ecosystem services. These services include storm surge and flood protection, and carbon storage, which have been identified as valuable services to help coastal communities prepare for and fight against climate change. Salt marshes are good sinks […]

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Accuracy Assessment of Optical Tracking for Orthopedic Robotic Surgical Tool

Highly accurate spatial measurement systems are among the enabling technologies that make image-guided surgery possible in modern operating theatres. We consider the problem of positional accuracy assessment for robotic surgical tool while using a multiple camera optical tracking system (OTS). Since the position of the surgical tool with respect to the bone is guided by […]

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Effects of Chemotherapy and Immune Cells on Ribosomal RNA Degradation (RNA disruption) in Tumour Cells

The business partner in this application (Rna Diagnostics, Inc.) has developed a diagnostic tool to determine whether the tumour(s) of a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy before surgery is responding (dying) in response to treatment. This tool, called the Rna Disruption Assay (RDA), can help tailor chemotherapy, such that chemotherapy treatment is discontinued (along with its […]

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