Predicting disability benefits claim durations and Comparing actual versus expected disability benefits claim durations

The financial implications of time lost from work due to disability can be severe. Disability insurance coverage plans protect people from possible loss of income. We have found factors that predict the duration of disability benefit claims. However, it remains to be seen whether these associations are consistent. Improved understanding of modifiable factors associated with […]

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Modelling Collaborative Networks: Developing an International Fashion Studies

At present, networks for the studying of fashion exist globally in Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others. Canada, too, is home to some of these collaborative sites, for example the Canadian Fashion Scholars and the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards. Many of these networks have flourished through the publishing of an […]

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Knowledge, awareness, and uptake of new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines

Being physically active is associated with many health benefits. To help guide people on how much activity they need for optimal health, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology developed new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for all age groups. Specifically, this work will look at assessment, awareness, and uptake of the new guidelines as it relates […]

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Experimental investigation of the structural performance of engineered bamboo composites (Dragonwood) in jacking applications.

This research aims at investigating the structural performance of engineered bamboo composites (EBCs), namely Dragonwood, to replace traditional Canadian and tropical hardwoods used in jacking applications. Key mechanical properties and failure modes will be documented. The durability and flammability of all three materials will also be evaluated. Despite the obvious environmental advantages of EBCs (e.g., […]

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Synthesis of Alkynamides From Carbamoyl Fluorides Through Metal-Free Fluoride Catalysis

Alkynamides are very promising inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, important enzymes that can cause cancer when being too active in cells due to different mutations. While being important moieties, until recently there was no convenient method to synthesize them using carbamoyl fluorides — most protocols use either dangerous or expensive and ecologically unfriendly reagents, which always […]

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Complex Network Data Analysis for Systemic Risk Management and Loss Prevention

Financial fraud is a very serious problem plaguing financial institutions. Recent advances in information technology have only exacerbated this problem. Poor risk models were at the core of the 2008 financial crisis. Complex networks, structured graphs, are powerful models for representing higher-order interactions or dependencies within data sets. Graphs are relational models of covariates, where […]

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Deciphering the immunosuppressive functions of viral glycoproteins

Embedded in the surface of a virus, are different types of proteins that the virus uses to enter a host cell. These so-called viral glycoproteins are pivotal targets of the host antibody response to fight a viral infection. In recent decades, it has become clear that certain viral glycoproteins have evolved clever ways to suppress […]

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Biobased Polyurethane Composites Comprised of Lignin derivatives

Polyurethanes are an important class of synthetic polymers with widespread applications in consumer products. The origins of most of these products are derived from petrochemicals, and these traditional polymers are non-degradable and have limited recyclable potential. There is a need in this industry to endorses the practice of conserving resources, minimizing the environmental, health impacts […]

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An Automated Manhole Extraction Algorithm from 3D Point Cloud Utilizing a New LiDAR-based Mobile Mapping System

Traditional surveying procedures are labor and cost intensive. Mapping features like manholes require traffic disturbance, add risk to the field crew personal and the community members. The proposed project utilize a newly developed unique LiDAR-based mapping system. The developed 3D mapping system has a substantial cost reduction compared to the commercially available, which also tend […]

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Creating AR computer vision applications for children’s toys

The objective of this project is to explore the uses of Augmented Reality (AR), a technology that superimposes computer-generated animations, on a mobile user’s view of the real world, in the context of children’s gaming applications. These applications will allow children to experience a game as being directly tied to reality. Specifically, using for example […]

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