Innovative Projects Realized

L’intelligence artificielle au service de l’industrie de l’assurance

L’évolution technologique révolutionne les processus administratifs dans les banques et les assurances, mais entraîne également de nouveaux défis, en particulier au niveau de la reconnaissance de l’écriture manuscrite et imprimée dans les documents qui doivent être numérisés pour extraire automatiquement l’information pertinente. Les systèmes de dialogues automatisés connaissent également un succès grandissant, grâce à l’utilisation de techniques de traitement de langages naturelles, mais présentent néanmoins de sérieuses imperfections qu’il convient de corriger.

Le projet sera principalement axé sur l’accélération et l’optimisation des logiciels développés au sein de Koïos, sur la base de la comparaison de plusieurs techniques reposant sur un échantillonnage intelligent des observations. Il permettra de valider et tester l’outil de reconnaissance d’objets (écriture manuscrite) et l’outil de reconnaissance de la voix qui sont implémentés à l’interne, ainsi que d’essayer différentes approches pour améliorer l’entraînement des algorithmes.

Intelligent Analytics for Dynamic Events in a Smart City

Artificial Intelligence (AI) research has grown rapidly in recent years as the result of faster computers and better algorithms. AI models can be trained to automate the decision process and provide results. However, if the model is not properly or sufficiently trained, the outcome will likely be unpredictable and inaccurate. Besides, training data is not easily available in a lot of applications. To address these issues, our strategy is to integrate classical Computer Vision (CV) algorithms and Deep Learning (DL) techniques. CV can provide solutions without training data. CV knowledge is also valuable to select significant features, which is necessary to train AI model. Our strategy takes into account of the trade-off between CV and DL, and can benefit a wide range of applications, including healthcare data analytics, event monitoring and pattern classification in general. The objective of this proposal is to support intelligent business operations in a smart city environment.

Quantum autoencoder as storage device

The Quantum Autoencoder was proposed as a device which can compress quantum states efficiently.
One possible application on near term quantum devices would be the compression of quantum data in order to protect it from decoherence effects. The compression however, also introduces noise to the quantum states so that it will not always be beneficial to apply it. This will depend on the individual circuit representing the autoencoder and also on the specific time for which the quantum state has to be stored.
In this project we aim to find the critical points in storage time after which the compression of the quantum states is beneficial in order to keep most of the quantum information for a variety building blocks which can be trained to be autoencoders.
Apart from specific examples from the literature we will try to categorize those building blocks with respect those storage times.

Sub Synchronous Oscillations in Power Systems

With increased levels of series compensation of transmission lines (Which is the most economical solution for bulk power transmission over long distances) and with more power electronic controllers such as HVDC, FACTS and converter based distributed generation in the power network, Sub Synchronous Interaction (SSI) problems arise. It is necessary to identify different types of SSI that could occur in the power network through proper means and to prevent such at the design stage or to take counter measures if required. This project intends to clarify different types of SSI by capturing any inconsistencies or limitations I definitions by developing various test cases in RSCAD. These test cases will be further expanded to evaluate reported screening techniques, analytical techniques and mitigation techniques in different aspects and thereafter to develop screening techniques to capture SSI phenomenon in multiple series compensated lines at multiple contingencies and to develop efficient and effective mitigation techniques. Furthermore, Average Value models of TCSC will be developed to speed up system level studies. The final major outcome of this project is a proper SSI risk evaluation methodology which one can follow in SSI case studies.

Local Growth Factor Presentation by Macrophages

Fibrosis comprises different connective tissue disorders that ultimately result in deposition of detrimental scar tissue in injured or inflamed organs. The culprit cells for organ scarring are called myofibroblasts because they secrete fibrous collagen matrix (“fibro”) that is contracted (“myo”) into scar tissue. Excessive myofibroblast activities are responsible for loss of function of vital organs after injury, such as the heart after an infarct – this life-threatening condition is called fibrosis.

Fibrosis ensues from normal repair partly because unresolved inflammation promotes continued activation of myofibroblasts to make and pull fibrous collagen matrix into stiff scar tissue. Our lab found that inflammatory macrophages carry an inactive fibrosis-inducing factor on their surface. We propose that myofibroblast can grab onto and activate this factor by pulling it our of a ‘straight-jacket’. The receptors involved in the grabbing process will need to be identified.

It is our aim to identify the molecular players mediating macrophage-induced fibroblast activation. We propose that preventing these cells to touch or blocking the interaction signaling molecules will ultimately reduce tissue scarring. We will study macrophages and fibroblasts derived from mouse tissue in unique co-culture environments. We will delete and inhibit already identified receptors on the macrophage and/or myofibroblast sur

L’anxiété de performance en milieu scolaire : état de la situation et évaluation d’un programme d’intervention pour y répondre

Le présent projet propose de renseigner sur la nature et l’ampleur de l’anxiété de performance en milieu scolaire, une problématique qui prend de l’ampleur chez les adolescents anxieux. Les médias discutent effectivement de plus en plus du fardeau de l’anxiété aux évaluations chez les élèves qui entrainent des coûts importants par ses conséquences sur la performance scolaire et le bien-être émotionnel des élèves. Il devient ainsi nécessaire d’avoir un portrait plus général de la situation et des solutions probantes pour y répondre. Ainsi, dans un deuxième temps, ce projet vise à évaluer le programme Étudier sans anxiété visant à diminuer l’anxiété de performance en milieu scolaire. Réalisé avec l’appui de l’organisme partenaire Boscoville, ce projet permettra de faire avancer les connaissances en plus d’évaluer dans un devis randomisé une intervention innovante. Boscoville aura alors la possibilité de venir diffuser un programme basé sur les données probantes dans l’ensemble du Québec.

Closing the Gap: A Study of the Implementation and Effectiveness of theYouth in Transition (YouIT) Intensive Case Management Services.

This evaluation will investigate the implementation and effectiveness of the integrated

community mental health services for youth and young adults with mental health and

addiction problems. The evaluation will entail two distinct pieces of research: (1) an

evaluation of the implementation of the program and (2) an evaluation of the outcomes of

participants in the program. The implementation evaluation will be conducted to describe how

the program was implemented, and to evaluate the fidelity of the program. The second part

of the research will examine the outcomes of clients over the course of their involvement in

the program. The data for the outcome evaluation will be collected through the administration

information system, and through self-reported client data. If the evaluation is found to be

effective, the approach could be replicated by partner organizations allowing them to better

serve their clients.

Establishment of bovine embryonic cells derived from blastocyst for producing high quality cloned embryo

Nuclear transfer is a technique to clone animals of the same trait and it is industrially very valuable to clone animals of excellent traits. However, there is no standardized technology to secure, store and supply enough quantities of superior genetics to clone elite farm animals so it has limitation to use in industry field. Although various studies have been conducted and reported in humans and murines, many studies have not yet been conducted on farm animals. Therefore, we will conduct an overall optimization study on securing superior genetics such as cell establishment methods, low-genetic mutation culture protocols and cryopreservation methods. And we will produce cloned animals using genetics from optimized systems. This will result in improved efficiency of cloned animal production through optimization of genetics securing technology and preservation technology, which will lead to subsequent research and industrial technology development.

Handheld Histories: Collecting, Modding, and Playing the Portable Platform

Thirty years after its landmark 1989 release, Nintendo’s Game Boy and its long line of successors continue to capture the imagination of thousands of players who harbor a nostalgic attraction to the technologies of their youth. Montreal-based Retro Modding has developed a profitable business modifying (or “modding”) old video game handhelds and selling them alongside tools and parts for do-it-yourself projects. These alterations combine today’s expectations for consumer electronics (like backlights and rechargeable batteries) with the iconic form factors of early handhelds. This research project, which documents Retro Modding’s history and its position within a larger gaming community, believes mods have a lot to say about the way people use their video game hardware in ways that exceed what Nintendo and other hardware manufacturers intended. This project investigates how practices of repair and modification emerge out of social, cultural, aesthetic and even environmental contexts, changing the way we think about video games and about obsolete technologies more generally.

Mixed Supports in Chemical Looping

The subject of this project is to investigate the use of various materials in chemical looping combustion on a bench scale. The University of Manchester in Manchester, the United Kingdom will be hosting me during a 3-month internship. The main purpose of this work is to improve the efficiency of the capturing process and lower the cost to obtain a good alternative when dealing with CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. I will study the effects of theses material on many factors such as stability, durability as well as reactivity and investigate the type of gases released during the reaction and their perspective concentrations. At the end of the study I expect to obtain results comparable to the smaller scale that has been tested and verify that the reactor produces the right gases (which are CO2 and vapor water).

Improvement of the Robotic System for Stereotactic Neurosurgery in the MRI-guided process

In the MRI-guided stereotactic surgery, a robotic system is applied to assist the efficient workflow, process accuracy and safety. An important issue in the robot system is that the MRI closed-hole design limits its dimensional requirements and flexibility. In this project, a conceptual design will be proposed to reduce the robot size and increase its flexibility. The proposed design will be better used in conjunction with MRI scanners for the brain stereotactic surgery. Cubresa Inc. dedicates to the development of brain PET and intraoperative nuclear magnetic technology. The proposed robotic system will be compatible with a new generation of intraoperative nuclear magnetic scanner developed by Cubresa Inc. The project will provide innovative technologies for the brain disease treatment.

Straits Salish Plant Stewardship in the 21st Century:Cultivating Co-management Relationships in BC

This research supports the T’Sou-ke Nation to re-establish connections with culturally important native plant species cultivated and stewarded by traditional T’Sou-ke peoples for food, medicine and technology and to store this information in database and maps. The product of this research will be accessed when T’Sou-ke consider both large, economic development projects proposed within their territory, and for plant harvesting opportunities (for food and commercial purposes) by their members. Using community engaged methods alongside of ethnography, mapping and vegetation surveys, the Intern will establish the breadth and depth of plant use and management in T’Sou-ke’s traditional food system at the time of contact with Europeans, and suggest how the T’Sou-ke’s current interests in these plant species can be accommodated now and in the future.