Innovative Projects Realized

Femmes, mémoire et religion: les archives des Religieuses du Saint-Rosaire comme révélateur régional

Le stage proposé s’inscrit dans la foulée d’une recherche plus large menée par Karine Hébert (histoire, UQAR), avec la collaboration de Jean-René Thuot (histoire, UQAR), et Guillaume Marsan de Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) au sujet du fonds d’archives déposé récemment par la Congrégation des sœurs du Saint-Rosaire (RSR) à l’antenne bas-laurentienne de BAnQ. Dans le cadre d’une subvention d’Engagement partenarial (CRSH), une première étape du projet consiste à contextualiser le fonds par une série d’entrevues menées auprès d’une quinzaine de religieuses (automne 2022). L’étape subséquente, réalisée en partenariat avec les RSR et qui fait l’objet de la présente demande, vise à compléter l’analyse des entrevues et à dégager et documenter les thématiques principales qui seront mises à profit dans la réalisation de capsules vidéo qui seront insérées dans la nouvelle exposition permanente du musée des sœurs du Saint-Rosaire et mises en ligne à partir de leur site Internet. Dans une étape ultérieure, ces entrevues seront également mises à contribution dans une production documentaire ainsi que dans une série de conférences grand public, de même que dans des travaux scientifiques (communications et articles) menés par les deux chercheurs principaux, en collaboration avec la stagiaire.

Smart Vertical Farming

The Smart Vertical Farming project will utilize smart sensor technologies and advanced computing to optimize indoor growing conditions for plants. Researchers will monitor inputs such as fertilizer levels, soil conditions, lighting, temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in real-time and make correlations to the plant growth using cameras to measure foliage density, colour and health. Advanced computing algorithms will be developed to master these correlations so that optimal inputs can be discovered for each phase of plant growth. With these ‘recipe’ algorithms and smart systems, partner organizations can utilize the technology for indoor growing environments to ensure optimal production relative to energy use and input costs.

Perspectives et attitudes des personnes vivant avec la trisomie 21 et leurs proches quant au recours au test génomique prénatal non invasif (TGPNI) en dépistage de première intention pour une variété de conditions génétiques

En 2011, le test génomique prénatal non invasif (TGPNI) a permis d’analyser l’ADN fœtal dans le sang maternel pour dépister efficacement la trisomie 21. Présentement, le système de santé public rembourse ce test dispendieux uniquement pour des individus déjà dépistés à haut risque par des tests biochimiques moins performants. Ce projet vise à informer les acteurs de santé publique quant à l’utilisation du TGPNI en première intention pour toutes les personnes enceintes, en remplacement des tests utilisés présentement, et à la possibilité de détecter d’autres anomalies chromosomiques. Cela diminuerait les cas de faux positifs, évitant jusqu’à 9 000 amniocentèses par année au Canada et empêchant ainsi la perte accidentelle de jusqu’à 70 fœtus. Au moyen d’entrevues semi-dirigées dans le déploiement pancanadien d’une méthode qualitative empirique, toutes les parties prenantes sont consultées : professionnels de la santé; décideurs; personnes dont la condition peut ou pourrait être détectée par le TGPNI; et regroupements de défense des droits de ces personnes.

Cracking Characteristics of Structural Members made with Durable SCC Mixtures containing Local Materials

This proposed study is a part of a comprehensive investigation to evaluate the corrosion performance in SCC concrete structure. The full project is carried out based on the
development of new SCC mixtures containing concrete materials available in Newfoundland and an investigation on the cracking behavior of full-scale SCC structure members. The main purpose of the first stage is to develop a high performance low permeability SCC using a new, inexpensive SCM that is already available in Newfoundland. The new developed SCC mixtures will be tested for fresh and hardened properties prior to acceptance. The main objective of the second stage is to investigate the crack patterns and widths of full-scale reinforced concrete slabs made with SCC.

Unpacking the mystery of the Canadian healthcare system: Ukrainian refugees and healthcare system navigation

Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2014 after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. A larger invasion took place on February 24, 2022. Both conflicts have caused the displacement of 8 million Ukrainians to date. This is the largest humanitarian crisis in history since World War II.

A significant percentage of these Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Canada. In fact, between January 1st and October 12th, 2022, a total of 105 651 Ukrainian citizens or returning Canadian permanent residents of Ukrainian origin arrived by land or air in Canada (Government of Canada, 2022).

This project aims to share knowledge around Ontario healthcare system navigation with recent (since 2014) Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Toronto, Ontario, lead to changes in perspectives and/or actions/behaviours, and improve care and health outcomes of these refugees. A series of hands-on workshops framed within a focus group discussion and creative group activities, three in total, one week apart will be delivered to interested Ukrainian refugees on the topic of Ontario healthcare system navigation. The participants will include qualifying parents of children who attend the St. Volodymyr Ukrainian school and any other qualifying Ukrainian refugees they would like to bring along.

Physiological roles of Hippo effectors in bovine granulosa cells during follicle divergence and dominance

Disorders of ovarian function are major causes of infertility, subfertility and cancer in mammals. For this reason, our research interest is the study of ovarian physiology and dysfunction; particularly the regulation of ovarian follicle development and ovulation in cattle. Recently, we generated considerable insight into the regulation of a completely novel signaling pathway during ovarian follicle growth in bovine, but we still need to better elucidate the physiological roles and the mechanism of action of Hippo effectors in bovine ovarian granulosa cells during follicle development. For this, we are going to employ distinct bovine in vivo and in vitro models. These findings may lead to applications for the manipulation of Hippo signaling in vivo, such as the pharmacological targeting of specific signaling pathway effectors, that may result in industry funding to better use the ovarian follicle reserve in high genetic merit animals superovulated for in vitro embryo production. This is a major economic activity in the Canadian and world dairy industry.

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 academic journal, seen for example through the Association of Dress Historian’s publication Journal of Dress History and the Costume Society of America’s publication DRESS: Journal of the Costume Society of America. Building on the work of Fashion Studies, the first open-access, academic publication in Canada and North America, Modelling Collaborative Networks: Developing an International Fashion Studies proposes to further innovate the field by creating international collaborative networks across the fashion industry and research centres. Led by the Co-Founders and Editors of the journal, Dr. Ben Barry and Professor Alison Matthews David as the international and host supervisors respectively, and interned by the Managing Editor of the journal, Jaclyn Marcus, this project will model what expanding current sites of fashion might look like, with the goal of establishing a North American collaborative network.

Classification, affiliation, and deanonymization of cryptocurrency activities

Bloomberg recently reported that theft and embezzlement of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ether, have become an annual USD $200 million business. Indeed, just between January 2021 and March 2022 investors have lost over US$1 billion in cryptocurrency scams according to the report by the US’s Federal Trade Commission. More than 46,000 people have lost money in crypto fraud since the beginning of 2021, making it the leading source of payment scams. Cryptocurrency has become a vehicle for money laundering, payments for ransomware, illicit activity, and even funding of extremist groups. As the use of crypto technology continues to proliferate, the losses are projected to increase to even larger amounts. Understanding who is a recipient (e.g., initiators of ransomware) or sender (e.g., supporters of extremists) of these funds is critical. For example, tracing the source of extremists’ facilitators can help enforce accountability, assist in mitigating and controlling the extent of their influence, and most importantly deter future similar activities. Our research aims to enable efficient and accurate blockchain accounts’ tracking, analysis, affiliation, and de-anonymization of participating entities. This project will focus on bringing our innovative research idea to market.

Optimisation topologique de structures mécaniques par apprentissage par renforcement

Pour appuyer l’ingénieur lors de la conception, un nouvel outil d’optimisation structurelle basé sur l’apprentissage profond sera conçu afin de diminuer le temps requis pour générer des concepts préliminaires. Cet outil tirera profit des récentes percées dans le domaine de l’apprentissage par renforcement profond, afin d’entraîner un agent décisionnel autonome à accomplir la tâche d’optimisation.
L’accélération de l’OT offre la possibilité d’appliquer cet outil sur des structures plus complexes qui présentaient auparavant un coût de calcul trop élevé. Cette innovation permettra de proposer de nouveaux outils numériques aux ingénieurs, afin de leur permettre de concevoir des produits ayant une empreinte énergétique moins grande sur l’ensemble de leur cycle de vie.
Pour des fabricants d’automobiles et des avionneurs, ceci résultera en des voitures et des avions présentant une structure plus résistante, diminuant ainsi la quantité de matériaux requise lors de la fabrication ainsi que la consommation de carburant lors de l’opération.

Computer vision for 3D environment recognitionin augmented reality mobile games

We propose to develop computer vision technologies for recognizing 3D environment for augmented reality (AR) mobile games. Given an image/video taken captured a mobile device (e.g. iPad), we would like to be able to recognize some useful information about the 3D environment of the game player. For example, one of our goals is to recognize whether the player is in an indoor or outdoor environment. This information will allow the game to project appropriate virtual objects and characters that interact with the user. Another goal is to recognize certain important objects (e.g. building, road, sky) in the natural scene. This information will be critical to provide a more realistic and immersive gaming experience for the players. We will evaluate current state-of-the-art computer vision techniques for this application and adapt them for the mobile platform.

Improving student team effectiveness in collaborative projects in the university classroom

Team-based activities are central to many educational environments as a way to foster collaborative learning. Despite the benefits offered, many instructors shy away from using team-based activities in the classroom due to a lack of support in forming well-balanced teams, managing and monitoring team and individual productivity, and resolving conflicts. This project brings together two parties who have independently worked on educational technologies that support team-based learning. The goal of this project is to enhance a team project management tool built by a Vancouver-based company called Ensightful with team management and analytic features that are grounded in scientific research.

Development of a finite element software module for the fatigue life prediction of welded structures.

Due to modification ease, cost, and time-saving benefits, computational-based methods through the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software programs is the main approach besides physical testing (accelerated durability laboratory test, in-service drive tests) for evaluating the life of welded structures in several industries. Based on guaranteed functionality, integrity, and life cycle robustness requirements in the development of engineering products, it is of utmost importance that the structure’s damage location and life cycle magnitude are predicted to a very high degree of accuracy to avoid the severe consequential effects associated with its fatigue failure. Currently available FEA software programs for fatigue evaluation are usually associated with some degree of inaccuracies due to their underlying classical approaches for weld stress extraction. In this project, an algorithm that is based on contemporary fatigue evaluation methods and significantly improves the reliability and accuracy of the predicted fatigue life of randomly loaded welded structures will be developed.