Innovative Projects Realized

Validation de l’AMERA G8 comme outil d’évaluation et d’entraînement del’articulation du genoux chez des adultes sains.

L’objectif principal de cette recherche est de 2 ordres. Le premier objectif est de valider les

paramètres de détermination de la force maximale isométrique à différents angles (0 à 90°)

lors de mouvements de flexion et d’extension des genoux. En deuxième lieu, de vérifier

l’efficacité de l’appareil à des fins d’entraînement de la force maximale et de l’endurance

musculaire chez une population saine adulte. Le projet permettra également au partenaire d’orienter les correctifs où les améliorations

à réaliser pour une clientèle vivant des pathologies aux genoux (clientèle desservie par

l’organisme partenaire).

Origin of improved stability and polarization effect in polymer-integrated organic lead halide perovskite

Organometal halide perovskites (ABX3, where A is an organic cation, B is a metal cation and X is the halide anion, such as MAPbI3, where MA is methyl ammonium) have experienced a great upsurge in research due to their excellent optical and electrical properties. For instance, the perovskite solar cells have already achieved a certified power conversion efficiency of 23.7%, and are also being applied in other areas such as lasers, sensors, displays and single-photon sources, photodetectors, X-ray and ?-ray detectors. At present, the most challenging issue in perovskite devices is the long-term stability, which has limited their progression to commercialization. The ion migration under applied electric field and structural degradation due to exposure of light, air, and moisture are the major causes for the instability in the perovskites. We are addressing this problem by using a polymer (polystyrene) that interacts with the perovskite precursors. The interaction is based on the Lewis acid nature of PbI2 that leads to cross linking of the polymer chains within a perovskite film and hence improving its stability under harsh conditions. By using the spatial nanoscale imaging techniques, specifically Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM), and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) in Israel, I am going

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Primary and Secondary Production in the Salish Sea from a Coupled Model (SalishSeaCast with SMELT) – Part 2

We have developed a model that simulates currents, nutrient distributions, and plankton growth in the Salish Sea. This project focuses on continued development of that model and its application to answering scientific questions. These questions include: 1) How much does the timing and amount of plankton growth vary from year to year, and what factors explain increases or decreases? 2) What is the impact of the timing and amount of plankton growth in the Salish Sea on food availability for salmon populations, particularly along migration routes? Answering these questions directly contributes to the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s investigation of the drivers of declines in Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead salmon populations. This work addresses the hypothesis that declines in Salish Sea salmon populations may be due to changes in the timing or amount of phytoplankton and zooplankton growth in the Salish Sea.

Study the bond strength of adhered manufactured stone/thin brick veneer units and setting bed mortar at different temperatures and different cycles of freeze-thaw (Part 2)

The bond between adhered manufactured stone masonry veneer units and the setting bed mortar will be studied. It will involve testing shear, and tensile bond on small samples. Samples will consist of 2 types of adhered manufactured stones; two types of setting bed mortar (Type S, and modified dry-set cement mortar); and two types of substrates (simulated scratch coat and metal lath, and exterior grade cement board). Samples will be tested at 3 different temperatures (-40, 0 and 20°C), and 2 different numbers of freeze-thaw cycles. Three samples will be cast and tested for each combination. Reliability analysis will be conducted on the results to suggest which combination works best at different temperatures or with respect to the number of cycles of freeze-thaw. In addition, some factors that modify the bond strength equations will be investigated to determine if their inclusion better predict the bond strengths.

Textual Analysis of Climate-Related Disclosures

When faced with difficult issues such as climate change, some organizations decide to disclose information on relevant risks, opportunities, and strategies. The language used in these disclosures can theoretically reflect how managers process information in complex and uncertain environments, and by extension, their abilities in creating value for the firm. This research collaboration examines linkages between the language of climate-related disclosures and firm performance. From a theoretical perspective, findings from this collaboration could explain why different firms experience different outcomes when faced with complex issues. From a practical perspective, this collaboration could help establish foundational knowledge to evaluate the capabilities of firms in complex environments.

Projet de recherche applique dans la gestion de marketing

L’elaboration d’un plan de marketing et la mise en ceuvre programmee des ressources marketing font

partie d’un processus qu’il faut mettre en place pour atteindre les objectifs de I’entreprise Charlebois.

La planification marketing est susceptible d’avoir un impact majeur sur les resultats commerciaux de

Charlebois. II s’agit donc d’evaluer la situation concurrentielle de I’entreprise et d’ajuster efficacement

ses ressources aux opportunites du marche.

La stagiaire a pour but de mettre en place les objectifs, les ressources et les competences d’une

entreprise avec les opportunites offertes sur Ie marche. L’elaboration d’un plan de marketing

com porte certains phases : analyse de I’environnement externe et interne en identifiant les forces,

faiblesses, opportunites et menaces; formulation du diagnostic; definitions des objectifs; formulation

des strategies et elaboration des plans d’actions.

Les portraits comme reflets d’une société en mutation dans les contes et nouvelles québécois des XXe et XXIe siècles, de Jacques Ferron à Fred Pellerin

Le travail de recherche envisagé vise à situer dans une perspective évolutive et comparatiste, les renouveaux de la nouvelle et du conte québécois depuis les années 1960, et les innovations touchant les formes narratives brèves issues du XIXe siècle français. Les cultures nées de la Révolution française de 1789 et de la Révolution tranquille québécoise des années 1960, voient l’émergence de la conscience démocratique, et la constitution d’identités culturelles et nationales , à des moments de transformations socio-économiques majeures : l’homme s’inscrit alors dans sa propre modernité et temporalité. L’écrivain, réceptacle des turbulences et des transformations de son temps, traduit ou non, ces états d’émancipation et de « franchissement » individuels, et livre une mémoire sociale et historique d’un espace-temps en recomposition. Le travail de recherche tentera de comprendre la nature symbolique des liens entre les formes narratives brèves, la culture et la société, l’individu et !’Histoire. Il explorera les enjeux esthétiques, idéologiques et moraux du portrait dans l’écriture, en s ‘appuyant en partie sur les écrivains prestigieux du XIXe siècle français, Maupassant et Flaubert notamment, et en analysant l’impact de ces derniers sur les nouvellistes et conteurs francophones nord-américains des XXe et XXIe siècles , TO BE CON’T

Life Cycle Assessment of Methanol Production through Innovative Process Design

In a previous study, the combination of water electrolysis with tri-reforming of methane for methanol production was evaluated. Results from the process simulation demonstrated that a net negative carbon emission process could be achieved without compromising productivity. To make further improvements, the main objective of this current project is to carry out energy optimization on the prior simulation flowsheet. The main method considered in this study is the well-known pinch analysis. By following a comprehensive approach, the scope of this work will include composite curve development, heat exchanger network development and economic modelling. Comparisons will be made between this process and the prior design to determine the full extent of the economic benefits. A report will be generated as the outcome of this study to help with research progress in sustainable methanol production.

Emerging Clinical Speech Recognition Technologies in Canada: How to do it Right?

With the rise in electronic health records, we are seeing more reports of clinician job dissatisfaction that is attributed to the amount of data entry work they are now required to do. Therefore, there is a lot of interest to use a speech recognition system to reduce the burden clinicians have by automating the documentation process as it passively listens during clinical visits. However, while many companies and research groups are devoted to construct such a system, there has not been any evaluation on the practicality and usability of this approach. In our research, we examine how a speech recognition agent should be implemented to automatically document clinical notes in a way that does not disrupt clinical workflow and will also explore the barriers and ethical implications this may have.

Improving hygrothermal modeling as design tools using field measurements to achieve durable and energy efficient wood structures

Computer-based simulation software, called hygrothermal modeling has become increasingly popular and useful to predict and evaluate heat, air, vapour, and water-related performance of buildings. This research project aims to improve such modelling for wood construction through validation using specifically measured property data and field/lab performance data. The goal is to make modelling a more reliable design tool and to subsequently improve the design and construction of both mass timber construction and light wood-frame construction. Mass timber products including crosslaminated timber and nail-laminated timber, both critically important to meet the increasingly growing market in North America for mid-rise and taller timber buildings, will be covered. In addition, the work will focus on improving the simulations for highly energy efficient light wood-frame wall assemblies, commonly used to build high energy performance buildings across the country .

Evaluation of polyclonal antibodies for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis is the infection by the parasite Cryptosporidium that can cause life-threatening diarrhea in children <1 year old and in adults with altered immune system. No treatment is approved for those populations and there is an urgent need to find new therapeutic approaches. Recently, proteins of these parasites have been identified and antibodies against these proteins were produced. The goal of this project is to evaluate the potential of these antibodies to inhibit cryptosporidiosis in mouse models. The objective is to treat with these antibodies mice with a normal or an altered immune system. A reduction in parasite burden in treated groups compared to control group would prove the efficacy of these antibodies to control infection. Antibodies proven efficient in mouse models would constitute excellent candidates for further investigation in humans.

Examining social processes within a professional football academy using the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR)

The proposed research will contribute to an empirical analysis of the utility of the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) and Athlete Coding System for Social Environments in Sport (ACSSES) to assess auditory observational data for meaningful social processes related to social identity in youth sport teams. We anticipate that observational data collected from participants’ social interactions in environments around their sport activity (e.g., commuting to/from competition, in dressing rooms) will help us better understand how social identities are developed, maintained and/or undermined within young football players (8 to 16 years of age) in professional football academies. Furthermore, we expect to learn what consequences emanate from team social identities (e.g., enjoyment, prosocial behaviour) among a unique competitive youth sample. Lastly, by collaborating and sharing my expertise of the methodology with international colleagues, I hope to expand my research network while enhancing confidence in the use of the EAR methodology in sport.