Innovative Projects Realized

Modeling Default Risk for a Small Lender using Machine Learning

Individuals with limited or poor credit history are often unable to access credit from traditional sources such as banks. While some alternative lenders will provide credit to such individuals, these lenders typically lack reliable sources of information which can be used to accurately assess the risk that the loans they make will not be repaid, and thus tend to charge very high rates of interest to compensate for the uncertainty involved on such loans. This project aims to design a system that lenders can use to collect meaningful data about their customers, and then analyze this data for the purpose of making decisions about lending. By enabling the lender to make more accurate decisions about the risks entailed in their lending practices, this project can ultimately make it possible for lenders to offer more loans to customers with limited or poor credit history at more affordable rates.

Plateforme de démonstration, de développement et d’essais de dispositifs sécuritaires de pêche au homard

Chaque saison de pêche, les pêcheurs de homard prennent la mer à bord de leur bateau pour installer les lignes de casiers afin de récolter ce produit marin. Le travail s’effectue sur une surface glissante, mouvante et encombrée de cordages, souvent dans des conditions difficiles. Les chutes par-dessus bord, dues à l’enchevêtrement dans les engins de pêche sont observées et généralement mortelles.
Des recherches antérieures ont démontré qu’il était possible d’installer des équipements sécuritaires et efficients sur le pont des homardiers, en revoyant la configuration des treuils et des systèmes de gestion des cordages. Les pêcheurs jugent qu’il est essentiel de disposer d’outils de démonstration pour les inciter à réaliser les changements appropriés.
Le projet vise à concevoir et fabriquer une remorque agissant comme démonstrateur de homardier, pouvant se déplacer sur la route et pouvant démontrer plusieurs dispositions optimales de pont de bateau. Il serait à l’échelle réelle et permettra aux pêcheurs de les utiliser afin d’en constater les avantages pratiques et faire des choix appropriés.

Molecular characterization, autogenous vaccine manufacturing and vaccine potency studies of two pathogenic Avian Reovirus (ARV) field isolates from the Province of Alberta – Part 2

Avian Reovirus (ARV) is an economically important virus that is affecting poultry flocks in Alberta. Birds infected with pathogenic ARV may develop a disease named viral arthritis/tenosynovitis which is characterised by lameness, swollen joints, rupture of tendons and increase mortality. The disease is controlled by parent stock vaccination with live and/or inactivated antigen to provide passive immunity to the chicks. As local strains have been found to be different from commercial vaccine strains, protection can only be achieved with vaccines made from local strains. The proposed studies will lead to the characterization of existing ARV field strains, the local development of antigen production protocols and potency studies for two ARV field isolates to be included in an autogenous vaccine for the poultry farmers in Alberta.

Development and Application of Marine Mammal Density Estimation Methods for Directional and Omnidirectional Hydrophones

Estimates of the population density of marine mammals in an area and the change in population over space and time are critical inputs for managing the interactions of human activity and mammal populations. Visual surveys from boats, shore stations, and aircraft have served as the basis for most population estimates currently used by managers. However, these survey methods are generally only performed in good weather conditions and require many trained observers. These factors make visual surveys expensive and reduce the temporal and spatial coverage of population estimates. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) data, which can be collected night-and-day, in all weather conditions and year-round, are a cost-effective alternative to visual data.
JASCO has data sets and ongoing data collection programs whose results that contain the vocalizations of numerous marine mammal species that are of high concern to regulators and the public, including right, blue and sei whales on the east coast and southern resident killer whales on the west coast of Canada. Converting the acoustic detections into estimates of the population density would greatly enhance the conservation value of the data sets.

The Effect of Degenerative Spine Disease on Neuromuscular Pain and Function

Despite its growing prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal disease in society, its cause is still poorly understood. Emerging research suggests that degenerative spine disease may be an important facilitator to the development of chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal disease. We aim to investigate the effect of degenerative spine disease on muscle inflammation, pain and dysfunction by using an animal model of experimentally induced spine osteoarthritis. The findings of this research have important implications to the partner organization (Ontario Chiropractic Association) as it will inform future basic research validating the important role of advancing spine treatment and prevention strategies and/or policies in the long term management of chronic musculoskeletal disease.

Designing a Driving Simulator in an Immersive Virtual Reality Environment as an Engaging Driving Game for Older Adults

In this project a driving simulator in virtual reality will be designed and developed, in which a user can drive a virtual vehicle in a country road with incoming cars and traffic lights and possibly some animals crossing the road. The users will learn the path to reach a destination through the trial and then they are supposed to drive the virtual vehicle in the same pathway and by doing so, strengthen their spatial navigation skills. The game will be played by a physical steering wheel and two pedals for acceleration and brake like a real car. The game is also designed to be suitable for older adults with dementia. It will also have different difficulty levels. While this short project is dedicated to the design and development only, it will have great applications for individuals with dementia as it will be an engaging and mood-uplifting game while also will likely improve the users’ cognitive function

Development of a comprehensive educational program forLaparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair and a randomized controlled trail for IncisionalHernia after abdomal surgery to Increase the safe and effectiv

Compared to “open” surgery, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair done with 3 small incisions in the

abdominal wall, is associated with less pain and quicker recovery. Many surgeons are not comfortable

performing this operation since it can be challenging to learn. The purpose of this research program

is 1) to describe the practice patterns of surgeons and residents and to understand what their

educational needs are, 2) to develop educational programs of both knowledge and skill to ensure that

surgeons are competent, 3) to implement programs in regular surgical trainaing, 4) to evaluate the

impact of the educational programs by measuring performance in the operating room and patient

outcomes. We intend to perform a pilot study to analyze the incidence of incisional hernia one year

after laparoscopic colon resection using midline or transverse extraction incision. Covidien Inc.,

produces laparoscopic devices. It will benefit from this project by obtaining direct, relevant and

insightful information and feedback from users about the latest laparoscopic…………………TOBECONTINUED

Role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in neurovascular coupling

My project aims to unravel how the brain can precisely deliver blood flow to match neuronal metabolism, termed neurovascular coupling (NVC). Evidence suggests that functional changes within the neurovascular unit, which is comprised of the neuron, the astrocyte and the vascular contractile cell, are associated with the development of vascular-cognitive impairment, as well as treatment strategies for stroke recovery in humans. Previous studies have shown the importance of regulating NVC via the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathways, specifically nitric oxide production via neuronal NOS (nNOS), in animal work and isolated preparations. However, these studies may limit translation to humans due to interspecies differences, the use of anesthetic agents dulls cerebrovascular regulatory pathways, and isolated models lack input to neurovascular unit. Therefore, this study will provide the first in vivo human data on the role of nNOS in NVC regulation using a clinically validated selective inhibitor of nNOS.

Serum Protein and Antibody Interactions with Immunomagnetic Cell Isolation Particles

Immunomagnetic cell isolation particles are widely used to separate cells from complex, biological environments, such as blood, urine, or bone marrow. Cell isolation particles are typically decorated with specialized antibodies to bind to targeted cell surfaces via specific antibody–antigen interactions. These interactions can be disturbed by the presence of serum proteins, which are common constituents of cell isolation buffers to prevent cell aggregation. The proposed research will investigates the effect of serum protein–particle interactions on the binding of antibody linkers to immunomagnetic cell isolation particles. The intern will compare the binding capacity of serum proteins to various types of cell isolation particles and examine binding mechanism(s) with deteriorating effect on the cell isolation process. The partner organization, STEMCELL Technologies, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of cell isolation products. The results of this research are expected to allow STEMCELL to benefit their customers with improved cell isolation kits and cell isolation protocols.

Using Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep to Enable and Enhance Clinical Epilepsy Surgery

A seizure is a medical emergency. 1 in 10 people will be hit by at least one seizure in their lifetime. 1 in 26 people continue to be hit by seizures recurrently: this is epilepsy. When medications do not work, surgery is needed to cut out seizing brain tissue. Unfortunately, many people cannot presently benefit from epilepsy surgery. Our research will harness the power of dream sleep (rapid eye movement or REM sleep) to help locate where the seizures are coming from. Empowered with this information, we can help guide the surgeon on where to perform life-changing epilepsy surgery. Our research will partner with the HSC Foundation, affiliated with Manitoba’s flagship hospital for neuroscience (Health Sciences Centre), to further its goal of advancing research and cutting-edge health care for the benefit of all Manitobans.

Modeling the Removal of Mine-impacted Water Species Using Freezing Technologies Focused on Frazil Ice Formation

The development of environment-friendly freezing technologies to contaminated water is a potential solution for water treatment in regions with cold weather conditions and vulnerable to anthropogenic impact. The results of laboratory tests fulfilled by Core Geoscience Services Inc. on the removal of mine-impacted water species through ice formation along with other publicly available data will form a basis for the next stage of research comprising quantitative analysis and mathematical modelling. The primary objective of this project is to develop and test a mathematical model based on the results of laboratory data analysis and mine-impacted water species removal using freezing technologies. This project is directed to providing a net benefit to communities and stakeholders by developing a more effective and efficient water treatment technology that utilizes northern climates and/or cold temperatures as an asset.

The role of marginal B cells in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol, fat and immune cells deposits in large arteries. In the body, the main inflammatory modulators are called immune cells. We have recently discovered that a type of immune cell called marginal zone B (MZB) cells protect from atherosclerosis (Nus, Nat Med 2017). In response to a high cholesterol diet (HCD), MZB cells activate an atheroprotective programme limiting another immune cell subset called T follicular helper cells, which are detrimental for atherosclerosis. RNAseq identified several genes responsible for MZB cell activation to a HCD. Our preliminary data shows BCR signalling pathway as a main regulator. To get more insight and validate our in vivo results we need to develop an in vitro model to perform gene expression (qRT-PCR, RNAseq data analysis using Ingenuity) and protein analyses (flow cytometry, western blot) to determine the main targets downstream of BCR signalling pathway.