Innovative Projects Realized

Développement de formulations pharmaceutiques à base de silice pour le secteur de l’oncologie

La silice est un minéral très répandu dans la nature qui entre dans la fabrication d’objets tels que le verre, les pneus et la fibre optique. Elle est également utilisée dans des procédés industriels tels que le moulage de métaux ou encore la purification de molécules à haute valeur ajoutée. La silice peut être modifiée chimiquement pour séquestrer des agents anticancéreux sous forme de microsphères. Celles-ci ont l’avantage d’être calibrées et fonctionnalisées pour permettre le ciblage des cellules cancéreuses. Le présent projet vise donc à: i) synthétiser les microsphères contenant des agents anticancéreux (paclitaxel, docetaxel et 5-FU) fréquemment utilisés en oncologie; ii) formuler les microsphères pour une administration intraveineuse, orale ou topique; et iii) évaluer leur efficacité in vitro sur des cellules cancéreuses et in vivo sur des souris porteuse de tumeurs. Cette nouvelle technologie permettra d’améliorer la chimiothérapie anticancéreuse (toxicité et efficacité) et pourrait s’appliquer à d’autres indications thérapeutiques.

Exploring document navigation and interaction on mobile devices

Title of the project: Exploring document navigation and interaction on mobile devices

Sponsor organization: PDFTron Systems Inc.

Intern: (AMY) Xiao-Ming LI

Supervisor: Hao (Richard) Zhang

School of Computing Science, Simon Fraser University

Description:

PDFTron Systems Inc. specializes in PDF, SVG, XPS and other graphics technologies. Based on the success of its product – PDFNet SDK on desktops, PDFTron is motivated to expand their technology to a fast-growing market — hand-held touch screen devices. But with limited CPU and display surfaces of tablets, new challenges emerge to minimize lag, flicker, and other viewing artifacts. PDFTron has developed a tiling-algorithm to address some of these issues. In this project we wish to improve a number of shortcomings of the current algorithm so that it can produce better document navigation and interaction experience on mobile devices. The research on the current algorithm will help PDFTron better to transform their technology to all kinds of mobile touch screen devices.

Effects of Introduced Honeybees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on Native Stem Nesting Bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in Temperate, Mixed-wood Forests

The present study investigates the impact of Eurasian honeybees on the functional diversity and reproductive ability of native stem-nesting bees. Honeybees have the potential to compete with native stem-nesting bees, however, currently no studies have examined this interaction in North American temperate forests. The main goal of this project is to develop a more mechanistic understanding of bee community composition and distribution, in particular, under the threat of exotic introduction. It is anticipated that this information will provide a greater ability to predict important community interactions in forest environments following the introduction of such non-native species.

Management of group-housed sows: Impact of grouping practices on sow reproductive performance and piglet development – Year Two

The practice of mixing sows shortly after breeding (MPI) is a practical approach for loose housing that is gaining popularity in commercial herds. However, the effects of dynamic grouping (in which newly bred sows are moved into an already established gestation group) in conjunction with MPI may result in stress during the implantation period, and heightened stress for sows throughout gestation. There is increasing evidence that stressors experienced by the mother during pregnancy can have lasting consequences for the biology of her offspring. Findings from previous studies indicate that, depending on the timing and severity of the stressor, pre-natal stress can impair piglet growth, physiological adaptability, immune function and behaviour. As the Canadian swine industry undergoes a period of transition from stalls to group gestation housing, understanding how management of the gestating sow can influence the welfare, health and productivity of piglets is an important question. TO BE CONT’D

Management of group-housed sows: Impact of grouping practices on sow reproductive performance and piglet development

Pork producers in Canada are in the process of transitioning from stall housing to group housing systems for gestating sows. The greatest concern with this change is the problem of aggression when pregnant sows are mixed. Mixing frequently results in aggressive interactions among sows, and can affect reproduction and cause welfare problems. Typically sows are held in stalls for several weeks after insemination to minimize stress during embryo implantation, however there is increasing pressure to reduce the time that sows are kept in stalls. Earlier mixing times can be used but there is insufficient information regarding these procedures and their consequences for production. In this project, three mixing times will be studied in two different housing systems: i) sows mixed immediately at weaning, ii) sows mixed after insemination, and iii) sows kept in stalls for four weeks and then mixed. Enrichment is also required for sows in groups, and has been shown to reduce aggression. Enrichment devices will be studied to identify suitable enrichment materials for sows. This research will benefit the Prairie Swine Centre by advancing research on the management of group-housed sows. TO BE CONT.

Development of predictive erosion-corrosion models for potash slurry flow

Electrochemical corrosion is the most common source of plant downtime in the Chemical Processing Industries (CPI); in the Province of Saskatchewan, the Mining Industry plays a very significant role in CPI. Mineral processing plants handle electrolytic and abrasive materials that can cause very significant structural damage due to electrochemical corrosion and wear.

The objective of this project is development of predictive erosion-corrosion CFD models to determine the influence of fluid and particle dynamics on the erosion-corrosion of piping in potash mills in order to assist in development of material selection guidelines for construction of new and repair of existing facilities. These models also will help in determining the appropriate operating conditions for operation of slurry test loop.

This work will help Canada’s mining and mineral processing industries reduce the need to perform maintenance, and thus help pave the way to increased equipment durability and equipment safety being enhanced by the development of standards.

A novel home cage testing environment for frontal cortical neuronal recording in marmosets – Year two

Marmosets are a valuable model for investigating the neural bases of behaviour and cognition, and there has been a substantial increase in marmoset use in translational neuroscience research over the last few years. A comfortable environment is critical for marmoset neurophysiological testing. At Rogue Research the fellow will be involved in developing a unique apparatus that attaches to the monkeys’ homecage and will permit automated neurophysiological testing using a touchscreen, reward systems, variety of sensors, and physiological setups for recording brain activity during research tasks. In testing the apparatus, several marmosets will be trained on a series of working memory tasks followed by the acquisition of neurophysiology data. This product will significantly simplify the process of training and recording from marmosets by different investigators.

A novel home cage testing environment for frontal cortical neuronal recording in marmosets

Marmosets are primates with a brain that has comparable anatomical-functional subdivisions to those of higher primates, including humans. It is thus a valuable model for investigating the neural bases of behaviour and cognition and there has been a substantial increase in marmoset use in translational neuroscience research over the last few years. A comfortable environment is critical for marmoset neurophysiological testing. Rogue Research is developing a unique apparatus that attaches to the monkeys’ homecage and will permit automated neurophysiological testing using a number of devices, such as a touchscreen for stimulus presentation, reward systems, eye-monitoring, and physiological setups for recording brain activity during research tasks. In developing and testing the system, we shall also address a major scientific question. Humans and macaque monkeys have the capacity to hold and manipulate in working memory the precise order of a short series of visual stimuli seen only once. TO BE CONT’D

Study on the Frequency Response of Overhead Transmission Lines

The goal of this project is to research and develop a model that is suitable for BC Hydro’s application to predict the sag of a power transmission line from its induced frequency response. Transmission lines always elongate over time due to the temperature of the conductor. The ability to monitor and obtain the shape of transmission lines is one of the most important tools in evaluating power transmission line’s effectiveness in operation, maintenance and the most important, safety. This project will be done by doing a thorough literature survey and using existing models on cable dynamics with appropriate assumptions, and then apply these models to transmission lines vibrational pattern.

Going with the flow: Advancement of data collection and analysis tools for utilizing drifter data in tidal energy applications.

This project aims to further develop cost-effective methods for characterizing fluid flow fields in high-energy tidal channels, with a focus on use of low-profile drifters to calibrate and validate numerical models of ocean flows. The project will focus on the Finite-Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) used by Acadia and Luna Ocean, primarily for tidal energy site assessment in the Bay of Fundy. The use of measurements gathered by various types of drifters provides a cost effective method for mapping flow fields, resolving spatial and short-term temporal variation in tidal flows. This project will further develop Luna Ocean Data Analysis Software (LODAS), utilizing some open source tools in Acadia’s existing ‘PySeidon’ tidal software package. The result will be an increased understanding of the accuracy of drifter measurements and module for LODAS that will calibrate and quantify errors within FVCOM using flow velocity data measured from drifters. We expect the results to advance tools used for commercial tidal energy site assessments as well as provide detailed tidal information for local high-interest regions for tidal energy developments.

Development of Design Guidance for Tall Wood-based Hybrid Buildings

The benefits of using wood in tall and non-residential construction are undisputed, namely reducing the carbon footprint, shortening construction times, and enhancing seismic and building physics performance. The international market for wood as a structural material in tall and non-residential construction is still relatively untapped. Among the main reasons is the lack of guidelines for novel structural systems. Two approaches to increase the use of wood in tall and non-residential construction involve the concepts of ‘mass-timber‘ such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and ‘hybrid structures’ that integrate wood with different materials. Hybridization is the process of combining two or more materials to form a system that makes use of each material’s strength and simultaneously overcomes their individual weaknesses. The project’s objective is the development of design guidance for tall wood-based hybrid buildings, which is vital to their industrial acceptance. TO BE CONT’D

Phase II: Genomics and Lipid Studies for Flavour Selection in Pork

The hog industry in Manitoba is a very efficient means of converting grains and pulses into
high quality protein. Fresh pork is a healthy and nutritious source of protein, yet demand
remains static. One of the main reasons cited by consumers for not choosing pork is the
absence of good taste in modern pork. The objective of this project, which is a continuation
from Phase I of this project is to get fresh pork back on the dinner table by restoring its
flavour. In Phase I, sensory analysis to test the flavour of 1,350 pork tenderloin samples from
an array of breeds supplied by Maple Leaf was conducted, in addition to metabolomics
analysis, which gave information on precursors critical for good flavour development.
Sensory data and characterization of the metabolomics profile, coupled with genomics and lipid analysis in the final phase of this research (Phase II), will enable us to understand the
relationship between sensory outcomes and factors that play of role in influencing taste and
acceptability to determine which samples result in the most naturally flavorful meat samples.
This will allow for customized recommendations to be made to the hog industry, with
specificity regarding diets, ideal genetic strains, and conditions to yield the most desirable
pork for consumers. TO BE CONT.