Innovative Projects Realized

Web2.0 + Web3.0 Approaches to the Information / Decision Interface in Public Policy

After more than half a century (or perhaps many centuries) of reflection on how observations

and evidence interact with public policy processes, conclusions about the proper relationship

between scientific inquiry and political discourse remain elusive (witness, e.g., continuing

controversy surrounding the issue of human contribution to global warming). Revolutions in

how data and knowledge are accumulated and shared, and how on-line discourse is

facilitated, have not diminished the debate or clarified the relationship. Indeed, the scale of

observations, records, data, information, knowledge and opinion that must be taken into

account in public policy and governance decisions continues to grow, without any

corresponding scaling of our ability to manage that flow. This research cluster brings together

emerging trends in Web2.0 (the social web) and Web3.0 (the semantic web) to investigate

new approaches for engaging participatory mechanisms for public policy deliberation,

collaborative enterprise-wide policy analysis, and semantic data-mining in support of

evidence-based deliberative policy formation. The benefits to the partner centre on solidifying………..TOBECONTINUED

Impact of older siblings’ cognitive sensitivity on children’s empathy development

Sibling relationships provide an important context for both positive and negative socialization in childhood. Although there is extensive anecdotal and scientific evidence which demonstrates that older siblings influence their younger siblings’ social development, I intend to specifically address the gap in the literature about how older siblings might promote empathy development in younger siblings. My research question is: how do cognitively sensitive siblings foster the development of their younger siblings’ empathy?
For my proposed study I will use data from a large longitudinal study previously conducted in Dr. Jenkins’ lab. I will analyze the data on the youngest child in the family (i.e. target child). To explore my research question, I will conduct hierarchical regression analyses to examine the relationship between older sibling cognitive sensitivity and their younger siblings’ empathy.
Expected outcomes include a positive correlation between older siblings’ cognitive sensitivity and younger siblings’ empathy.

Patterns of neural activity in math anxious students during a math test

Math specific anxiety is thought of as a performance-based anxiety, in which increased arousal and negative thoughts inhibit performance on mathematics assessments (Ashcraft & Kirk, 2001; Dew, Galassi, & Galassi, 1984; Levine, 1995). Mathematics anxiety interferes with the manipulation of numbers and the solving of mathematical problems in a wide variety of life and academic situations. When anxiety arises during stressful math tasks, students have difficulty sustaining attention and might feel restless, experience frustration about feeling “stuck” on one part of a test, and they might begin to disengage from the task because they feel they won’t succeed (Pekrun, 2006). This project will attempt to gain a comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms that drive this phenomenon. The research questions will address whether students with high anxiety and fear of mathematics demonstrate different patterns of processing in the brain during a mathematics test. The findings from this project will inform future research in the cognitive and neural processes involved in mathematics learning for students who experience mathematics anxiety. Understanding the neural processes that drive mathematics learning will help researchers develop intervention strategies that can be used in the classroom when negative emotions arise surrounding mathematics learning and achievement.

Impact of parental cognitive sensitivity on at-risk children’s empathy development

The objective of this study is to explore how cognitively sensitive parenting fosters the development of children’s empathy in at-risk children.
To date, there is some research that suggests that the parent-child relationship contributes to the development of empathy in children. Parents who exhibit cognitive sensitivity promote mutual and positive interactions, adjust their behaviour according to what children need, and provide clear verbal and non-verbal directions (Prime et al., 2014; 2015). It is hypothesized that this type of sensitive parenting may foster the development of empathy in children, and can moderate risk for children who face environmental adversity.
For my proposed study I will use data from a longitudinal study previously conducted in Dr. Jenkins’ lab that examined influences on children’s development. I will use data about the youngest child in the family (i.e. target child). I will conduct quantitative analyses to examine the relationship between environmental risk, maternal cognitive sensitivity and children’s empathy at preschool age and how they predict subsequent children’s empathy when children were between 5-9 years old.

Applications of Blockchain for Cross-Border Deposits in the Finance and Banking Sector

Blockchain technology changed how e-payments work and opened the door for development of advanced and secure e-payment systems. Currently, cryptocurrency is the only well-known, successful application of blockchain technology. However, the application of blockchain technology is not limited to cryptocurrencies. Many distributed ledger technology experts discussed the benefits of applying blockchain in many sectors such as, finance, government, healthcare, energy, supply chain, and transportation. One important sector expected to benefit significantly from blockchain is the banking sector. Banks and financial institutions around the world are investigating blockchain applications. Perhaps banks are slowly and carefully examining blockchain, but they are actively exploring the technology. In this research project, we are collaborating with Scotiabank and the Cross- Border Institute (CBI) to investigate the applications of blockchain technology in Cross-Border Deposits. The project aims at developing a platform for cross-border banking to reduce the cost and the time required for cross-border deposits.

Perfectionism as Mediator of Adult Attachment Styles and Alcohol Problems in Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood is an important transitional time between the ages of 18 to 25, that is characterized by both increased possibilities and increased risk behaviours. As such, alcohol problems are frequently found among emerging adults. Research has found that individuals with high levels of insecure attachment have more alcohol problems due to their negative view towards themselves and others. Similarly, attachment insecure individuals are more likely to possess maladaptive perfectionism, which is characterized by extremely high self-criticism, ruminative concerns over mistakes, and a permanent sense of failure. Furthermore, perfectionistic cognitions are defined as frequent automatic thoughts and images involving the need to be perfect. Research has found that perfectionistic cognitions are associated with various mental health issues, but there is no research examining the specific role of perfectionistic cognitions in the forming of alcohol problems. Similarly, although maladaptive perfectionism has been found to mediate the relationship between attachment style and alcohol problems, there are no studies that examine perfectionistic cognitions. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to test the mediating role of perfectionistic cognitions in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and alcohol problems among emerging adults

Assessing Quality of Life for Canadians with Mobility-Limiting Disabilities through use of Emitto Technology: Creation of Implementation and Knowledge Translation Frameworks

Many people in Canada are aging and/or may be living with a disability. These people often have to rely on caregivers, and are limited in what they can do independently. Novalte has developed a SMART technology system that connects to WiFi devices in the home to allow someone living with a disability more independence and control over their home and space. This project will involve creating implementation and knowledge translation frameworks to support a larger research project on the system and help in its rollout to a larger number of users. This will help the company provide information to health authorities and potential funders and users to show that their device helps users and their caregivers life healthier, happier lives.

Design of Gallium-Nitride (GaN) Based Bridgeless Totem-Pole Power Factor Correction (PFC) Controller

In the development of power electronic devices, more and more switch mode power supplies (SMPS) are used in various fields. SMPS transfer power from a DC or AC source to DC loads. And they have many advantages, such as high conversion efficiency, low energy loss, and lighter weight than linear power supplies. However, switching current in SMPS can cause electrical noise problems and it may have a poor power factor. To solve these problems, gallium-nitride (GaN) based Totem-Pole power factor correction (PFC) has been used. In order to further improve the overall efficiency, new controllers in PFC are necessary to replace the traditional controller. The new controllers enable the whole system to achieve a higher switching frequency, optimize the bandwidth of the controller, as well as increase the system’s efficiency and response speed.

Chemical vapor deposition growth of Ga2O3 nanowire arrays and their application in solar blind UV detector

The proposed project aims at the formation of ordered arrays of beta-type gallium oxide (?-Ga2O3) nanowires using the technique of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and their application as solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors. Currently at Bo Fu’s home institution, Shandong University, only disordered ?-Ga2O3 nanowires can be grown, which is a far cry from meeting the demand of practical applications. In order to grow ordered arrays of ?-Ga2O3 nanowires, Bo Fu will employ the pulsed laser-induced dewetting method in Dr. Yujun Shi’s Lab at University of Calgary to produce arrays of Au nanoparticles (NPs) as catalysts for the CVD growth of ?-Ga2O3 nanowires. Since the growth of ?-Ga2O3 nanowires using Au NP catalyst follows a vapor-liquid-solid mechanism, the position of the nanowire growth is dictated by the position of Au NP catalyst. Hence, by using Au NP arrays as catalyst, organized arrays of ?-Ga2O3 nanowires can be produced. This provides the necessary control on the ordered nanowire growth. After the successful formation of ?-Ga2O3 nanowire arrays on ?-Ga2O3 substrate, the solar-blind UV detector based on the nanowire arrays will be designed and fabricated.

Seismic vulnerability assessment of reinforced concrete buildings subject to main shocks and aftershocks (Part 2)

Many regions, both in the eastern and western provinces of Canada, are prone to moderate to high seismic hazards. The seismic hazards, coupled with older, vulnerable infrastructures, pose the potential for damage and loss of life. The economic impact of seismic induced damage, on the Lower Mainland of British Columbia alone, has been estimated at 14.3 to 32.1 billion dollars. The overall objective of this research will combine current knowledge in the areas of seismic hazard assessment, structural engineering, and risk assessment to provide a comprehensive methodology to evaluate buildings and determine efficient retrofit alternatives. In the first phase of this MITACS proposal, the applicant will develop a methodology to quantify site seismicity (main shocks) and subsequent aftershocks, and develop a methodology to quantify damage accumulation. Subsequently, the proposed project will develop a decision support tool to assist decision-makers in the planning and management of the non-code…..TOBECONTINUED

Évaluation des services écosystémiques de 25 milieux humides dans le bassin hydrographique désigné Iroquois-Blanchette à l’aide du nouveau protocole d’évaluation WESP-AC

Les milieux humides jouent des rôles très importants dans notre environnement par le biais de multiples services écosystémiques qu’ils offrent. Par exemple dans un bassin versant, ils servent de réservoirs tampons contre les inondations en aval; ils purifient l’eau de la nappe phréatique et des ruisseaux en servant de lieux de dépôt et d’extraction des polluants solides en suspension (sédiments) et dissouts (azote, phosphore…). La présente étude a pour objectif d’évaluer les services écosystémiques de 25 milieux humides situés dans le bassin versant Iroquois-Blanchette, source d’eau potable de la ville d’Edmundston. Les divers services offerts par ces milieux seront identifiés. Aussi seront identifiés les sources actuelles de stress sur ces milieux, l’état actuel d’intégrité écologique de chacun de ces milieux et enfin les d’actions à prendre pour les protéger, les conserver et les restaurer, le cas échéant.

Evaluating community-based behavioural interventions for persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Our research goal is to improve community-based services for persons with developmental disabilities. We’ll test a service that helps people who are in crisis because their caregivers find it hard to meet their needs. We’ll develop and test a program to teach therapists how to involve parents in treatment decisions. Finally, we’ll test a program to teach kids to cross the street safely. Our partner, St.Amant, serves thousands of individuals and families every year. St.Amant and other agencies can use what we learn to help those people live safe and independent lives in their communities.