Improving optics and illumination for smartphone-attached magnifier

The objective of this project is to design and build a new prototype device attachable to a smartphone camera employing a novel method of illumination to enable acquiring high quality images of the skin without surface contact. By replacing the precise optical and lighting components currently used in the company’s existing product MoleScope, this design […]

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Creation of arbitrary geometric shapes for pellet packing optimization

The demand for renewable and clean energy alternatives is steadily increasing due to the cost and environmental concerns of traditional fossil-based fuels. Wood pellet fuel is one such renewable alternate energy source, manufactured by Pacific Bioenergy, Prince George, BC. These wood pellets are transported via rail and subsequently loaded onto vessels for trans-ocean shipment. The […]

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100 Islands: Elucidating connections between land and ocean ecosystems

Informed decisions on resource management and development require an understanding of how projects will impact the resource, other resources, and the ecosystem. Because the ocean and land are intricately connected along coastal areas, development projects in either will invariably affect the other. However, Ecological Risk Assessments do not consider the two in tandem because the […]

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Mapping for Change: A Case Study of Enhancing Informational Exchange and Collaboration Through Geoweb Technology

‘Mapping for Change’ is a case study of best practices in the use of Geoweb as a mechanism for enhancing informational exchange and collaboration between homelessness stakeholders including non-profits/charities serving the homeless. Using geoweb technology developed in the Spatial Information for Community Engagement (SPiCE) Lab at UBC Okanagan, the project involves implementing and monitoring/evaluating the […]

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Glutamate-induced allosteric potentiation of GABAA receptor: a novel mechanism of Purkinje cells inhibitory plasticity

Our brain is controlled by two systems: excitatory systems and inhibitory systems. The balance between these two systems is essential for normal brain functions. Our lab has found that glutamate, a key neurotransmitter in excitatory systems, can act at GABAAR, a key receptor in inhibitory system, and improve GABAAR’s function. This is a novel form […]

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Generating Insight for Continuing Care through Exploration of RAI-MDS Data with Data Analytics and Computational Mode

The Resident Assessment Instrument Minimum Data Set (RAI-MDS) is used by health authorities for collecting information about individuals in continuing care facilities. Collected quarterly, RAI-MDS records contain more than 500 data elements, including cognition, psychosocial well-being, health conditions, communication, physical function, and activity patterns. Because of this it has great potential for providing an incomparable […]

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Integration and Application of Microlens Arrays within Heads-Up Displays

Recon Instruments Inc. is a Canadian company, founded in 2008, that is based out of Vancouver, BC. Recon develops technologies to incorporate displays into eyewear. The company recently released a Heads-Up Display for snowboarding goggles and they have had great success with it. They have sold more than 40,000 of the units. The proposed project […]

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Multi-dimensional wellbeing: Examining how financial, social, health, and environmental factors interactively determine subjective wellbeing

Maintaining a high level of subjective wellbeing (SWB) is critical to a happy and productive life. To achieve happiness, it is important to know what factors determine SWB. So far, a number of factors have been identified, including income, social relationships, physical health, and the environment. However, it is currently unknown how these factors interact […]

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Heap leaching of refractory gold ore by integrating enhanced bio-oxidation of pyrite and chloride-based gold leaching

Gold occurs in association with pyrite and arsenopyrite in the Carlin-type gold deposit, with little gold being contained in carbonaceous materials. Extracting this gold requires pretreatment, such as pressure oxidation or roasting, to remove carbonaceous materials and sulphides, followed by the application of alkali cyanide or thiosulphate solution to leach gold. These processes are energy-intensive […]

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Assessing the spatial and temporal distribution of snow for climate change impacts and its influence on wildlife habitat selection

Annual snowpack data is typically summarized at a regional scale and used to make forecasts for spring melt conditions and flooding. However the spatial pattern of snow, its accumulation and melting across the land base, also directly influences the movement and habitat selection for many wildlife species which in turn impacts forest harvesting and resource […]

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