Raman micro-spectroscopy for biopsy for prostate cancer prognosis -Year two

Prostate biopsies can be difficult to interpret using standard pathology techniques. Because cancer can be fatal, the development of technologies providing complementary information could improve current pathology practice resulting in improved patient outcome. Raman micro-spectroscopy is a molecular imaging technique using backscattered light following tissue laser excitation to indicate whether or not prostate samples contain […]

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Real Time Inverse Scattering for Optical Coherence Tomography – Year two

A critical challenge today in neuro-surgery is the determination of tumor boundaries intraoperatively. There are means of doing this using high-resolution MRI machines, however, these can be prohibitively costly. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a promising, cheaper, label-free alternative. However, the basic models used for clinical, real-time OCT limit its usefulness and depth of focus. […]

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Improvement of the fire resistance of Discontinuous Long Fiber Thermoplastic Composites for gas turbine engine applications

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is interested to further investigate the use of novel Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC’s) technologies, in order to improve their products by reducing weight and increasing performances of their engines. Current applications of PMC’s in P&WC’s engine are mostly limited to cold section parts (< 100°C), nonstructural external components, and nacelle […]

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Assessment of the Neonatal Lung Using Structural and Functional MRI

Currently available diagnostic imaging tools, such as chest radiography and computed tomography, are inadequate for assessing the lungs of preterm neonates. There is considerable interest in using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor lung development in neonates longitudinally, since it is a non-invasive and non-ionizing imaging modality. MRI can potentially detect complications at an early […]

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Testing nutrient profiling tools and portion size based initiatives (education, regulation and reformulation) for public health policy in Canada

Poor diet is one of the factors associated with obesity and overweight, which may increase the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Two ways to improve the diets at the population level are to 1) establish public health initiatives (e.g. product labelling or advertising restrictions and 2) change the portion […]

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End-User Understanding of Web Certificates – Year two

Users must decide which websites to trust and which to avoid. How can users know if a website is truly what it claims to be? This is a pivotal issue. When attackers can convince users to trust their sites, though phishing or other strategies, user security and privacy are easily compromised, malware can be downloaded, […]

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Enhancing Lateness Management in Cross-docking

Today’s marketplace is moving faster than ever, and companies are challenged to distribute their products more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. This has led to the rise of cross-docking in the global supply chain to help keep pace with customer demand. Cross-docking refers to the practice of unloading goods or materials from an incoming vehicle (e.g., […]

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Toward an Understanding of Beautiful Feather Cover in Laying Hens

Feather pecking (FP) in egg-laying hens, where individuals peck repetitively and excessively at other birds to pull out and eat their feathers, is a challenge for the industry with large economic and welfare implications. High prevalence of FP is reported (60-80%) and this is associated with mortality rates of up to 20-40%, which translates to […]

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Validation of novel neurofeedback training engine for improving brain health in aging and neurodevelopmental disorders

Memory impairment is the most common cognitive complaint among older adults. On the other side of the developmental spectrum, young adults that have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have difficulty adapting flexibly to changing social circumstances. These memory and social deficits disrupt every day living. At present, promising interventions based on research using […]

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Analysis of protein interaction complexes by advanced mass spectrometry workflows

The analysis of protein-protein interactions is critical for understanding cell growth control, and how aberrant connections contribute to cancer and other diseases. Mass spectrometry is a critical tool in this field, but sample complexity, instrument dynamic range and resolution limit some applications. This project will evaluate the use of the SelexION ion mobility device and […]

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