Innovative Projects Realized

Microbial detection of hydrocarbon seeps offshore Nova Scotia

Offshore petroleum exploration requires a multitude of techniques to identify a petroleum system in an offshore area. Novel microbiology technologies which focus on the distribution of marine microbes (microbial biogeography) have been proposed as complementary tools to conventional techniques for oil and gas exploration. Hydrocarbon seepage from subsurface petroleum reservoirs is hypothesized to explain the transport of thermophilic bacterial endospores, i.e. “thermospores”, to cold seabed sediments. A microbial biogeography informed approach to identifying and quantifying petroleum reservoir derived thermospores in marine sediments could offer a strategy to locate reservoirs and improve the success of offshore oil and gas exploration. A data mining-based evaluation of published microbial community assessments of petroleum reservoirs will be used to determine the presence and abundance of thermophilic, endospore-forming bacteria. Prominent thermospores will be compared with those identified in heated incubations of marine sediments from hydrocarbon explorative areas. Analysis of genetic material will be used to evaluate the adaptations of thermophilic endospore-forming bacteria, in sediments overlying known petroleum reservoirs, that would permit growth in a petroleum reservoir, and survival during transport from the hot deep reservoir to cold surface sediments.

Visual Models and Knowledge Design for Media Studies

Drawing upon emerging practices in Digital Humanities, this research project aims to focus on visual models for the analysis of large corpora in Media Studies. Visual models differ from other types of data-based models in the way they make visible a set of relationships through a process of knowledge design (Schnapp 2014), rather than offering simulations, running tests or undertaking quantitative analysis. Starting from a corpus of television series, the final aim of the research project funded by Mitacs Globalink is to generate an open-access visualization, which will allow researchers and users to browse for information on televisual content and to better understand dynamics of circulation in the current media scenario.

Program evaluation for JUMP Math: An empirical assessment of a resource for math education – Year two

Canadian math scores are in decline. Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of numerical proficiency for outcomes such as health, employability and financial stability. Therefore, the effectiveness of a child’s math education is key to future success. It is of utmost importance, then, to identify effective math education programs. The proposed project will evaluate JUMP Math – a not-for-profit math curriculum – in a selection of schools within the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB). Along with investigating growth on several key numerical outcomes measures, this study will determine the effectiveness of JUMP Math for reducing anxiety regarding math in both children and teachers. These data will provide valuable information on the effectiveness of the JUMP Math program. Another focus is a literature review to communicate the evidence base for JUMP Math. This will provide clear links to the research that supports design and implementation of JUMP Math. In sum, our collaboration with JUMP Math will provide an empirical investigation and validation of an alternative curriculum for math pedagogy; work that holds great promise to positively impact the state of math education in Canada.

Program evaluation for JUMP Math: An empirical assessment of a resource for math education

Canadian math scores are in decline. Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of numerical proficiency for outcomes such as health, employability and financial stability. Therefore, the effectiveness of a child’s math education is key to future success. It is of utmost importance, then, to identify effective math education programs. The proposed project will evaluate JUMP Math – a not-for-profit math curriculum – in a selection of schools within the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB). Along with investigating growth on several key numerical outcomes measures, this study will determine the effectiveness of JUMP Math for reducing anxiety regarding math in both children and teachers. These data will provide valuable information on the effectiveness of the JUMP Math program. Another focus is a literature review to communicate the evidence base for JUMP Math. This will provide clear links to the research that supports design and implementation of JUMP Math. In sum, our collaboration with JUMP Math will provide an empirical investigation and validation of an alternative curriculum for math pedagogy; work that holds great promise to positively impact the state of math education in Canada.

Évaluation de l’immobilisation de l’arsenic dans un remblai minier en pâte cimenté entreposé en milieu salin.

Le site aurifère Méliadine au Canada (NU) est la propriété d’Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM). Il est envisagé au début des opérations minières prévues à l’horizon 2017 qu’une partie des rejets de traitement du minerai soient réacheminés vers les galeries de mine exploitées, dans un mélange avec de l’eau et du ciment. Cette technique du remblai minier en pâte cimenté permet de stabiliser mécaniquement les terrains. Cependant, ce remblai devrait contenir des teneurs non négligeables en arsenic. Le projet présenté ici vise à étudier la stabilité de l’arsenic dans le remblai minier en pâte soumis au contact des eaux souterraines. Sur le site de Méliadine, les eaux présentent la particularité d’être fortement chargée en sels. Une étude basée sur des tests de lixiviation en milieu salin et sur une caractérisation minéralogique sera mise en place pour déterminer l’influence du remblai sur la qualité des eaux souterraines, et sur une éventuelle libération….TOBECONTINUED

Renewable polymer based edible packaging materials for improving microbial food safety

Food packaging is a key component in microbial food safety which helps to protect the food from external factors such as temperature, light, humidity and microorganisms. Active food packaging materials interact with food to extend the shelf life mainly by controlling the environment around food and releasing active ingredients such as antimicrobial compounds. Soybean and gelatin like proteins were heavily explored due to their potential of preparing edible packaging films and coatings; however, poor mechanical, water and oxygen barrier properties restrict their uses in developing edible films. Proposed research focuses on developing a novel material platform which is suitable for developing edible active food packaging films using renewable polymers and essential oils with improved functionalities. Therefore, the proposed lipid-protein conjugates can be introduced as low-cost food grade materials which increase the stability and material properties. This research will support for the sustainability and resilience of agri/food systems and contribute to the local and world agriculture and food issues. Overall, success of the research will be beneficial to the health of the general public and to the natural environment.

Cell Designs for High-Energy Electrically Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries

The objective of this project is to design and fabricate electrically rechargeable zinc-air batteries. These batteries are highly promising due to their ability to store up to double the amount of energy as current commercialized lithium-ion batteries, based on both energy-per-mass and energy-per-volume measurements. This advantage, as well as their low cost and inherent safety, could enable rechargeable zinc-air batteries to replace or supplement lithium-ion batteries to boost the driving range of electric vehicles and enable widespread integration of clean renewable power sources by storing and releasing energy on demand.

The main task of the project is to research and develop commercially feasible battery designs. The proposed project builds off the laboratory-scale advancements in zinc-air battery electrode materials made during the applicant’s PhD thesis at the University of Waterloo. The specific research conducted will include designing a zinc electrode material which can store several hundred battery charges, a gel-like electrolyte which resists evaporation and leakage, and a multiple-cell battery design for serving high-power applications. The intern and partner organization will aim to patent the designs, allowing the partner organization to enter license agreements or partnerships with battery manufacturers to produce industrial-size rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

Defining epigenetic drivers of primary and metastatic medulloblastoma – Year two

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common childhood brain cancer. Current treatment for these tumors is invasive involving irradiation of the entire brain and spine. Although some types of MB respond well, others have an abysmal prognosis, and the lack of less invasive therapies means that children undergoing treatment suffer from severe developmental defects and reduced quality of life. Since metastasis (cancer cells which leave initial tumor site and travel to other locations in the brain and spine) is the single biggest risk factor for poor prognosis, the Taylor Lab at SickKids is interested in generating metastatic MB cell models and determine how their characteristics differ from non-metastatic MB cells. Types of MB which metastasize frequently are observed to have aberrations in the processes that control gene expression (epigenetic proteins) in the cell. Changes in gene expression can favorably alter the environment in cells to promote uncontrolled growth and ability to metastasize. By collaborating with the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), we are screening metastatic MB cells with their library of chemical compounds that target epigenetic proteins.

Defining epigenetic drivers of primary and metastatic medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common childhood brain cancer. Current treatment for these tumors is invasive involving irradiation of the entire brain and spine. Although some types of MB respond well, others have an abysmal prognosis, and the lack of less invasive therapies means that children undergoing treatment suffer from severe developmental defects and reduced quality of life. Since metastasis (cancer cells which leave initial tumor site and travel to other locations in the brain and spine) is the single biggest risk factor for poor prognosis, the Taylor Lab at SickKids is interested in generating metastatic MB cell models and determine how their characteristics differ from non-metastatic MB cells. Types of MB which metastasize frequently are observed to have aberrations in the processes that control gene expression (epigenetic proteins) in the cell. Changes in gene expression can favorably alter the environment in cells to promote uncontrolled growth and ability to metastasize. By collaborating with the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), we are screening metastatic MB cells with their library of chemical compounds that target epigenetic proteins.

City of Victoria Regional Cost Sustainability Analysis

The City of Victoria would like to review all costs associated with supporting the downtown core, and to determine which services are regional in nature. The City would also like to determine what the impact of supporting the core is to Victoria residents compared to residents in the rest of the CRD. The proposed research project will examine these costs and services, and identify possible mechanisms for sharing costs and fostering collaboration among jurisdictions. The focus of the study will be on the City of Victoria and its relationship with the surrounding municipalities with City and regional data being used in the analysis. The final report will include an overview of the research literature, and conclude with concrete recommendations (cost shares, total spending levels, distribution of services etc.) for the Greater Victoria area. The goal will be to provide balanced and reliable information for use in future…

Enhancing exercise adherence in people with persistent musculoskeletal pain using a behaviour change approach

Persistent pain is pain that is prolonged beyond normal healing time, usually defined as three months. Approximately one in five Canadians suffer from persistent pain conditions such as low back pain, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. These conditions account for $43-60 billion in healthcare costs. Prescribed exercise has been shown to decrease pain while increasing function and quality of life, however over half of patients with persistent pain do not adhere to the exercises they have been prescribed. There is a lack of research targeting exercise behaviours in a persistent pain population, and a shortage of multidisciplinary care available in Canada to treat these conditions. The proposed project builds upon proof-of-concept research established in the applicant’s PhD and will take a two-phase approach to test, refine and implement a novel empirically informed, theoretically driven intervention. The intervention employs group-based exercise and behavioural techniques to manage persistent pain and enhance adherence to exercise. This program will facilitate the Reh-Fit Centre’s mission to provide accessible programming underpinned by empirical evidence to support individuals with chronic and persistent conditions. Further, this research aims to alleviate the strain on the healthcare system by providing innovative, multidisciplinary care.

Assessing Perceptions Pertaining to Carbon Pricing in Kingston, Ontario

In their Major Research Papers, Jennifer Bunning and Nora Lobb each will explore the impact of different carbon pricing policies on citizens and businesses in Kingston, Ontario. Both a survey and a focus group will be used to engage with stakeholders from across Kingston. The findings from this research will be presented to provide context around the challenges that face the implementation of a Clean Fuels Standard and Carbon Pricing models in small communities across Canada. During their internship, they will be applying their understanding of how consumers and businesses will have to adapt to new policies towards creating a workplace sustainability program. This program will help both the individual employees and the business as a whole navigate these policies. The research will uncover pain points both businesses and individuals face when it comes to becoming more sustainable and provide a tool to help them reduce their carbon footprint.