Innovative Projects Realized

Research in Support of New Orthotropic Steel Bridge Deck Provisions for CSA S6:25

Orthotropic bridge deck is lightweight steel deck, typically fabricated by welding “ribs” to the underside of a flat steel plate. The potential benefits of these deck systems are compelling. For example, from 1991 to 1993, the deteriorating deck on the Champlain Bridge was replaced with orthotropic steel deck panels weighing 25% less than the original reinforced concrete deck. The reduced self-weight enabled the bridge to continue to operate despite increasing live loads and deterioration of the superstructure for another two decades. In the last code cycle, provisions in CSA S6 for orthotropic bridge deck design were replaced with a reference to the American AASHTO Bridge Specification, on the basis the Canadian provisions were no longer up-to-date. On this basis, the goals of this project will be to: 1) conduct an in-depth review of the state-of-knowledge on steel orthotropic deck design; 2) perform preliminary structural analyses on a broad range of deck spans and configurations, to test the implementation of the current design approach; and 3) produce two reports, each including a summary of findings, and identified areas of improvement for future editions of CSA S6 and future research.

Multiplexed quantitative proteomics approaches to characterize residual host cell protein impurities in biopharmaceutical processing

Many drugs, such as those made of antibodies, are produced using cells from bacteria and other organisms. Companies such as BioVectra use this approach to produce antibody drugs efficiently and cost-effectively. At the end of the production process, residue such as protein from the “host” cells (called host cell proteins, or HCPs) must be removed from the antibody. Although methods are currently available to test for HCPs, they do not fully identify all those present. Furthermore, how drug production processes effect what HCPs are present is not known. Here, interns will undertake a project using new methods to determine the amount and types of specific HCPs in left behind in antibody drugs produced in bacteria. These methods will also be used to compare different ways of producing antibody drugs that may limit HCPs. In the end, the application of this approach will allow BioVectra to produce the safest and most efficacious drugs possible for public use.

Valorisation des plastiques usés par voie de composites formulés avec de la biomasse résiduelle

L’usage excessif des plastiques à l’échelle mondiale engendre de grands défis liés au control de la pollution, particulièrement dans les océans, mais aussi au niveau de l’empreinte carbonique de leur production. Dans le contexte de crise sanitaire actuel due à la COVID-19, les équipements de protection personnel sont nécessaires et leurs utilisation, obligatoire, a augmenté de manière exponentielle. Les déchets engendrés par ces équipements à usage uniques ne sont toutefois pas encore recyclables, et leur disposition est réduite à l’enfouissement ou à l’incinération. Ce projet se penche sur la valorisation de ces déchets pour la production de carburants durables. Les produits issus de la valorisation doivent avoir une formulation finale ajustée certifié durable (certification ISCC).

Efficient Cutting for Haptic Surgery Simulation using Hybrid Deformation Models

This research project aims to expand Symgery’s line of surgical training products by simulating cutting and tearing of physical models in real-time. Cutting and tearing of simulated models typically requires additional computational overhead due to post-processing of the volumetric mesh. However, our approach will render the process to be more efficient by using a hybrid model that combines continuum FEM models with mass-spring systems within a position based dynamics (PBD) framework. Implementation on a GPU and multi-core CPU will further improve performance.

Évaluation de l’implantation et des effets du programme Soutien aux Comportements Positifs en milieu résidentiel adulte (SCP-RA)

Notre projet vise à développer et évaluer un programme de soutien au comportement positif spécifique à un milieu résidentiel adulte (SCP-RA) hébergeant des personnes ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme et des besoins modérés de soutien. Ce programme vise à créer un environnement positif, harmonieux, organisé et prévisible en favorisant les comportements prosociaux et en diminuant les comportements perturbateurs.
La formation au programme SCP-RA sera destinée à tous les employés de la résidence. Notre approche de formation prend en compte les caractéristiques du personnel dans ce type de milieu et les enjeux propres à la formation en milieu de travail. L’approche d’implantation du programme SCP-RA visera la pérennité du programme en mettant la direction de la résidence au coeur du projet et la cohérence du SCP-RA avec les valeurs du milieu.
Nous évaluerons l’implantation du programme puis ses effets sur le personnel, les résidents et les parents des résidents.

Assessment of Physiological Vibration Acceleration (Phybrata) Sensor in Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis – Year two

Globally, Canada has the highest prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Diagnosis relies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor lesion development over time in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. Despite its wide utility, MRI is not easily accessible. MRI requires a designated medical facility and expertise? is expensive, and needs to be done repeatedly to diagnose MS.
Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to minimize the progression and severity of impairments in MS patients. This project will assess the PROTXX “phybrata” wearable neurophysiological sensor as an easier-to-use, lower cost, and more widely accessible solution that has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and monitoring of MS. Clinical applications of the phybrata sensor already encompass concussions, stroke, invasive neurosurgeries, Parkinson’s disease, and elderly frailty. Preliminary work using the PROTXX sensor for remote monitoring of MS patients has also indicated potential broader diagnostic utility. The current study will be the first to thoroughly investigate the potential of digital biomarkers derived from phybrata sensor signals to determine lesion locations in MS patients.

Assessment of Physiological Vibration Acceleration (Phybrata) Sensor in Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis

Globally, Canada has the highest prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Diagnosis relies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor lesion development over time in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. Despite its wide utility, MRI is not easily accessible. MRI requires a designated medical facility and expertise? is expensive, and needs to be done repeatedly to diagnose MS.
Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to minimize the progression and severity of impairments in MS patients. This project will assess the PROTXX “phybrata” wearable neurophysiological sensor as an easier-to-use, lower cost, and more widely accessible solution that has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and monitoring of MS. Clinical applications of the phybrata sensor already encompass concussions, stroke, invasive neurosurgeries, Parkinson’s disease, and elderly frailty. Preliminary work using the PROTXX sensor for remote monitoring of MS patients has also indicated potential broader diagnostic utility. The current study will be the first to thoroughly investigate the potential of digital biomarkers derived from phybrata sensor signals to determine lesion locations in MS patients.

Silicon photonics-based biosensor for multiplex detection – Year two

The goal of this partnership is to conduct preliminary research on developing a hand-held biosensor built from state-of-the-art silicon photonics technology. The multiplexed architecture of our biosensor will allow us to simultaneously assay for different infections; it will be a general platform.

UBC has developed a new architecture for low-cost multiplexed testing (patent pending). This architecture replaces the expensive external tunable lasers used by silicon photonic biosensor research groups and companies, and instead integrates a low-cost laser within the silicon chip. Dream Photonics would like to validate this sensor using high-volume manufacturing facilities, and further develop the sensor so that it can be commercialized.

Our goal is to research, develop, and commercialize an advanced silicon photonic multiplexed biosensor that detects many different pathogen infections and immunity for diseases such as COVID-19 and its variants. Our hope is that our sensors can provide answers to individuals, industries, governments, and policy makers. In the long term, testing for emerging diseases will be an important global need: our multiplexed sensors will be low cost (estimated cost: $20 in volume), will be disposable, will connect via Bluetooth to a mobile device, and will be usable in the field (point of care setting).

Silicon photonics-based biosensor for multiplex detection

The goal of this partnership is to conduct preliminary research on developing a hand-held biosensor built from state-of-the-art silicon photonics technology. The multiplexed architecture of our biosensor will allow us to simultaneously assay for different infections; it will be a general platform.

UBC has developed a new architecture for low-cost multiplexed testing (patent pending). This architecture replaces the expensive external tunable lasers used by silicon photonic biosensor research groups and companies, and instead integrates a low-cost laser within the silicon chip. Dream Photonics would like to validate this sensor using high-volume manufacturing facilities, and further develop the sensor so that it can be commercialized.

Our goal is to research, develop, and commercialize an advanced silicon photonic multiplexed biosensor that detects many different pathogen infections and immunity for diseases such as COVID-19 and its variants. Our hope is that our sensors can provide answers to individuals, industries, governments, and policy makers. In the long term, testing for emerging diseases will be an important global need: our multiplexed sensors will be low cost (estimated cost: $20 in volume), will be disposable, will connect via Bluetooth to a mobile device, and will be usable in the field (point of care setting).

Development of high-quality reference genome for American mink

Currently, mink producers select their breeding animals based on their phenotypic performances, and they have limited experience of using genetic or genomic selection to improve their profitability. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the ability of the Canadian mink industry to compete internationally by improving animal production using new genomic selection tools. Genomic selection can be used to estimate the breeding value of an animal for traits of interest. Consequently, this would increase the genetic gain by decreasing the generation interval, increasing the selection accuracy, and the frequency of favorable alleles (Falconer and MacKay 1996, Goddard and Hayes 2009, Miar et al. 2015). Taking this big step from phenotypic selection to genetic and genomic selection will ensure that Canada especially Nova Scotia mink breeders will produce more fur with better quality that better meets consumer demands. A continuous genome assembly and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay will enable development of resources for genomics and proteomics studies in American mink, which will support the application of genomic selection in the mink industry.

Insularités, cartographie et pouvoir : les représentations des îles égéennes aux XVe et XVIe siècles

La thèse de doctorat se centre sur les représentations cartographiques des îles de la mer Égée à la Renaissance. Elle inscrit les objets étudiés dans leur contexte géopolitique et socioéconomique afin de les étudier comme “discours” et à travers le prisme de l’histoire de l’art. Le corpus comprend différents types d’images cartographiques dont des Livres d’îles, des cartes marines ou encore des Atlas. Ces oeuvres proviennent de différents territoires culturels entourant le bassin méditerranéen et la démarche se distancie résolument de l’occidentalocentrisme dans lequel s’inscrivent la majorité des recherches en histoire de l’art jusqu’à présent. Sous la direction du professeur Denis Ribouillault, mes recherches s’intéressent ainsi à la manière dont la notion de pouvoir trouve une inscription forte parmi les représentations cartographiques de l’espace égéen, plus particulièrement des territoires insulaires des 15e et 16e siècles.

Examining the benefits of interactive learning as a function of decreased mind wandering

Educational video games or ‘serious games’ represent an emerging trend in technology-assisted learning. Research suggests that interactive media, which responds to user input (e.g. video games), may promote learning by engaging attention better than receptive media (e.g. videos). Mind wandering, including off-task thoughts, is associated with disengagement of attention and is linked to boredom and poor learning outcomes. Thus, reduced mind wandering may serve as an indicator of better engagement and learning associated with serious games. We propose to compare an interactive serious game, designed by Exo Insights, to an educational video in terms of mind wandering and learning outcomes. We anticipate that mind wandering will be lower and learning outcomes higher for the interactive serious game. This study promises to uncover the potential engagement and learning advantages of serious games. Study methods and findings may also inform the development of Exo Insights’ virtual training technology.