Innovative Projects Realized

Finite-Rate Quantum Error-Correcting Codes for Photonic Quantum Computing

Quantum computers offer superior advantages compared to classical computers. Technological and theoretical developments have spurred lots of research to enable fully functioning prototypes for quantum computers. One of the main challenges in this direction is building a fault-tolerant quantum computer. In this project, we aim to analyze and design a new method for providing better fault tolerance by improving quantum error correction. We believe this new design will help Xanadu, our partner organization, move a step closer towards realizing a scalable quantum computer.

Transcriptomic responses of in ovo delivered bioactive substances in heat stressed broiler chickens

Heat stress causes significant economic losses to the poultry industry. Several bioactive substances have reported heat stressmitigative properties. However, the conventional routes of bioactive substance delivery, i.e., via the feed or water, limit their
efficacy. Delivering these substances via the in ovo route might help overcome the limitations of the conventional delivery routes. This delivery strategy could potentially enhance their heat stress mitigating capacity. Therefore, this study intends to utilize molecular biological techniques to evaluate broiler chickens’ response to a mimicked summer heatwave. The heat stress mitigating potential of in ovo delivered bioactive substances (antibiotics, probiotics, folic acid, and essential oil) will also be determined. Outcomes from this study could help solve two critical challenges facing the global poultry industry; finding an effective alternative to antibiotics and heat stress mitigation. This research will ensure optimal gut health development in broiler chickens, hence dismissing the need for antibiotic use.

Harmonization of the engineering design and artificial intelligence

The research project aims at using artificial intelligence (AI) during the product design process. At the moment, computer-aided design (CAD) software are the primary central tools used by engineers to ease the product design process that can be quite difficult and long. However, the use of AI could further decrease the burden by automating parts of the product design process. To achieve this, AI tools and engineering design tools must be harmonized.This research will look at how reinforcement learning and/or evolutionary computation and engineering design tools can be integrated into a software in order to introduce a novel type of tool called AI-aided engineering design (AAED).

Le paysage adaptatif de la résistance aux antibiotiques

L’évolution de la résistance aux antimicrobiens est une crise sanitaire émergente qui menace notre capacité à contrôler les infections bactériennes. Les progrès dans les traitements médicaux dépendent de notre capacité de lutter contre les infections au moyen d’antibiotiques. Plus précisément, ce projet se concentrera sur la protéine dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS, E. coli folP), qui est une cible des antibiotiques des voies de synthèse des acides aminés essentiels. Nous utiliserons le balayage mutationnel profond, une approche qui combine la mutagenèse de saturation, la sélection et le séquençage profond pour tester les milliers de variantes mutationnelles. Cette approche sera effectuée en utilisant des concentrations d’antibiotiques variables (pour déterminer la dépendance posologique du niveau de résistance) et des niveaux d’induction différents du gène cible (pour déterminer la dépendance du coût d’aptitude et de la résistance au niveau d’expression du gène cible). Ces résultats quantifieront le paysage adaptatif d’une protéine ciblée par les antibiotiques, qui pourrait être utilisé pour prédire l’évolution de la résistance aux médicaments et la conception de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques.

Les phytotechnologies et le développement de filières territoriales biosourcées : le cas du saule au Québec

L’objectif de ce projet est d’identifier les facteurs de développement socio-économiques ou technologiques à mobiliser pour favoriser l’émergence d’une nouvelle filière de valorisation du saule. À ce jour, le projet a permis d’étudier la double fonctionnalité du saule comme un outil phytotechnologique et comme source de biomasse. Les premiers résultats issus des analyses de cycle de vie (ACV) et de l’évaluation économique par l’utilisation de la valeur actuel nette (VAN) montrent que le potentiel environnemental et économique de l’utilisation du saule pour le traitement des eaux usées et la décontamination associée à la valorisation de la biomasse est intéressant dans le cadre du développement local.
La suite de ce projet de recherche se concentrera à décrire et définir les caractéristiques socio-économiques du développement d’une filière adaptée aux territoires et aux collectivités. Des approches telles que la mobilisation des connaissances et l’analyse fonctionnelle de la filière seront utilisées. Les informations ainsi analysées permettront de donner une description la plus précise possible de ce que serait une filière biosourcée issue du saule dans un contexte local.

MechMonkey Business Development Internship

MechMonkey is an innovative technology platform dedicated to easing customers’ vehicle maintenance. Customers get in touch with their local dealerships and garages with the help of MechMonkey’s mobile app, and they can book, manage and track their service in-app. We are currently in the process of onboarding dealerships, so it involves developing a process for setting up dealerships in our application. This Business student will be our intern for spring-2022, and they will help speed up the onboarding process of dealerships.

Development of RNAi Enhancers using a yeast-based bio-manufacturing and delivery system and applications as a biopesticide against economically important crop pests in Canada

Biological pest control strategies (bio pesticides) offer promise as non-toxic and environmentally-friendly alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides. The use of RNA-interference as a potential biopesticide has become increasingly attractive due to its highly specific activity against target pest species, non-toxic and biodegradability, but as an emerging technology, has its limitations. This project aims to increase the effectiveness of RNAi as a biopesticides by developing Baker’s yeast which produces different natural RNAi-enhancing molecules along side the RNAi-effector molecules, all inside of the yeast cell. Those yeast cells would be grown up using existing technology and inactivated and applied as a dead yeast cells to crops in the place of conventional chemical pesticides. Insect pests that consume any crop plants covered in the yeast-based biopesticide would be specifically targeted and killed by the RNAi-effectors within those yeast cells. Non-target species would be unharmed due to the highly specific nature of RNAi. The yeast biopesticide, being dead yeast cells, would simply biodegrade in the environment and poses to risk to the environment, ecosystem or human health.

Développement d’une stratégie de gestion avancée des projets et programmes

L’objectif de ce stage et de définir une stratégie avancée de gestion des projets et programmes. Pour ce faire il faudra évaluer les pratiques en place et utilisées pour les adaptées à l’adn de l’organisation tout en anticipant les impacts de la croissance actuellement vécue tant sur la nature, la taille ou même le nombre de personnes impliqués dans un même projet. De ce constat, il faudra préparer et bien documenter les travaux et technologies de l’information nécessaires pour soutenir cette situation. L’ensemble de ces actions auront un impact majeur sur l’efficience nette de l’organisation et donc sur sa capacité à bien appuyer l’écosystème innovant.

Examining the impact of an in-hospital intervention on veterinary team coordination, employee mental health and commitment, and veterinary hospital business metrics

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were mounting concerns related to the mental health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals, resulting in an increased rate of employee turnover across the profession. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these concerns, calling for veterinary organizations, such as VCA Canada, to emphasize business practices that promote positive client, patient, and employee outcomes. Enhancing the coordination of tasks across different roles within a veterinary hospital, known as relational coordination, can contribute to increased positive outcomes for employees, including satisfaction, motivation, and identification with organizational values. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of an organization-level intervention, rolled out across all VCA Canada hospitals, on relational coordination, commitment to VCA Canada as an organization, employee psychosocial functioning, transfer of caregiver burden, and VCA Canada business metrics. In addition, a qualitatively examination of organizational practices within VCA Canada hospitals that demonstrated the greatest increase in VCA Canada business metrics during the first 6 months of the organization-level intervention will be conducted.

Noos : Géolocalisation de contenus

L’objectif principal du stage est d’augmenter la pertinence des recommandations aux utilisateurs en ajoutant la fonctionnalité de pouvoir filtrer selon les informations géographiques d’un document. Pour ce faire, des modèles prédisant le lieu géographique ainsi que l’aire d’intérêt seront étudiés et les meilleurs seront développés. Des modèles de traitement de la langue naturelle, notamment de Named Entity Recognition (NER), seront envisagés pour l’identification des lieux géographiques. Des modèles de classification sont également anticipés pour déterminer l’aire d’intérêt d’un document. Grâce à cette nouvelle capacité, les utilisateurs de la plateforme Noos pourront mieux cibler du contenu adapté à leur contexte géographique, et ainsi réduire les efforts nécessaires à la recherche de documents pertinents.

An immersive VR-BCI-robotic interface for visuomotor rehabilitation augmentation.

Neurological conditions such as stroke are a major cause of disability in Canada, estimated to affect 1.5 million Canadians. Canadians living with neurological conditions face many ongoing challenges with reduced functioning and activity limitations. According to the World Health Organization, one in six people worldwide have a stroke. Two out of three survive, but up to 85% suffer from paralysis and only 5% fully restore. At the same time, there are almost no tools to help those who are largely paralysed because most of the existing rehabilitation training equipment requires an ability to control the affected limb to a certain extent.

To help regain motion in those who initially have limited limb control, VIBRAINT Inc. (Ontario, Canada) have developed a cutting-edge rehabilitation robotic device incorporating a non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) and virtual reality. BCI can help those who are largely paralyzed, and provides personalized and even at-home rehabilitation. The technology is available early – when rehabilitation is most effective. The VIBRAINT RehUp system was successfully piloted and is now being prepared for regulatory approval and industrial manufacturing.

Development of a research process for the creation of mental health self-care resources

Mental health self-care journals provide a resource for people to build a variety of mental health skills, like resilience and self-compassion, and work through mental health challenges, like self-criticism. Despite the popularity of these resources, few, if any, provide any scientific basis for their effectiveness. The goal of this proposal is to (1) develop a research process for creating mental health self-care resources that is informed by and made for the intended users (e.g., postpartum women); and (2) to test the effectiveness of a postpartum journal created through this research process for improving health and wellbeing. Completion of this project will yield a process for creating further evidence-based mental health self-care resources and a journal for postpartum women with evidence demonstrating its preliminary effectiveness.