Innovative Projects Realized

A Big Data Analysis Framework for MBFC Manufacturing

The Mercedes-Benz Fuel Cell Division (MBFC) in Burnaby, Canada develops and runs the manufacturing processes required for the assembly of Fuel Cell Stacks prototypes. MBFC uses the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to collect and analyse data from the manufacturing lines to the database system. However, because the size of the collected data is very large, MBFC is not able to detect certain fuel cell defects in a timely manner and sometimes not at all. This Mitacs project aims to develop and evaluate a big data mechanism that improves the predictive power and reduces the time taken to search MBFC’s data and detect failures in the manufacturing process in a real-time fashion.

Evaluation of corticosteroid-releasing nano- and micro-particles for pain management in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive joint disease that causes pain and stiffness, resulting in a decrease in quality of life for patients. Treatment include intra-articular administration of crystalline corticosteroids or hyaluronate. Intra-articular corticosteroids, due to the large doses required, short residence time in the joint, and crystalline structure, are associated with cartilage damage and a short duration of action requiring multiple injections. The use of intra-articular hyaluronate has conflicting clinical evidence, with some studies demonstrating an increase in adverse events, a clinically irrelevant benefit, and a short duration of action. There is thus a need for the development of new approaches for providing long-term pain relief for OA patients (>26 weeks) while limiting chondrotoxicity. The objective of the proposed project is to develop novel corticosteroid releasing technologies that have been processed in the form of nano- and micro-particles to be administered intra-articularly to provide long-term, sustained pain release for OA patients.

Comparaison de configuration de systèmes CVCA pour un espace d’agriculture intégré au bâtiment afin d’assurer une performance énergétique.

Ce projet de recherche vise à caractériser la consommation énergétique ainsi que de l’appel de puissance des systèmes permettant le contrôle de la température ainsi que de l’humidité de l’air dans les espaces d’agriculture intégrés au bâtiment (eAIB). Plusieurs configurations de ces systèmes seront analysées afin d’être en mesure d’identifier les avantages et inconvénients de chacune de ses configurations. La première étape du projet sera de caractériser tous les gains thermiques des équipements utilisés ainsi que d’estimer la transpiration des plantes dans l’environnement agricole étudié. Ensuite, en prenant ces paramètres en compte, différentes configurations possibles des systèmes de contrôle de l’environnement seront développées. Finalement, un outil de simulation énergétique sera utilisé afin d’étudier la performance énergétique de chacune des configurations étudiées.

Pricing Swaptions and Bond Options by Using One Volatility Surface

Options belong to a class of investments known as derivatives, because their value is derived from the

value of an underlying asset that the option holder has the right to buy or sell. Their pricing models

generally require at least the volatility of the underlying asset (eq. swap rate, bond price). We want to

focus on developing a model that allows us to apply the volatility of one type of option to another, by

taking into consideration the different behaviour of the underlying. The result will lead to a

comparative methodology of two different products (swaptions and bond options). With these results,

the investor will be able to hedge one of these instruments against the other. Moreover, such analysis

will lead to strategies for relative trading. By comparing prices, the financial institution will be able to

determine which investment has the highest expected return and also arrive at a decision of trading in

one product over another.

A preclinical study evaluating INOLIFE’s needle-free injection system (INOJEX) with cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of neuropathic pain and associated anxiety-depressive symptoms in rats.

Chronic neuropathic pain affects millions of Canadians for which the government spends ~$6 billion a year on treatment. It is therefore imperative to find new therapies with few side effects and high therapeutic efficacy. This study will examine the therapeutic properties of cannabidiol (CBD), which is a non-intoxicating component of cannabis. Studies have shown that CBD has ant-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and pain-relieving effects. Our main objective is to test the effects of CBD using Inolife’s needle-free injection system (Inojex) in an animal model of neuropathic pain and understand its mechanism of action. The Inojex system gives us an opportunity to deliver cannabis-based drugs to patients unable to consume cannabis through traditional oral routes. This system could revolutionize a safe and effective way of dosing and administrating cannabis for medical purposes in animals and eventually in patients.TO BE CONT”D

Leverage on Artificial Intelligence in Capacity Management: Predict IT assets usage based on Business events

The Societe Generale Bank possesses a network of trading applications which generate the hardware consumption data (CPU, memory and network communication). The main usage of this trading system is to receive/ send orders from the market and/ or the clients or vice versa, and based on these order information, business decisions are made accordingly.
The project’s main research focus is to use Artificial Intelligence technologies to help better manage hardware capacity and data flow in the network.
To achieve this, we will be using different methodologies such as gradient boosting (and others) to investigate the relationship between the components of this network and make predictions on hardware consumption and how the whole network reacts to data flow and market fluctuation.
Ideally, this research will result in a clearer understanding of the network and help maintain the infrastructure and avoid system crush.

Validation and Injury Risk Module Development for a Video-Based Physical Demands Description Tool

Benefit payments totaled 2.5 billion dollars for Ontario workplaces in 2015. The most common injury resulting in a lost time claim was a strain or sprain – indicating despite massive efforts to reduce musculoskeletal injuries by ergonomists, these issues still have a significant financial burden on the economy. An easy-to-use, readily available, and automated physical demands description (PDD) tool can allow worker health and safety professionals to evaluate worker injury risk with minimal training and expertise, and take steps to prevent or mitigate workplace injury risk. This research will expand our examination of the utility of a new video-based physical demands description tool and its concurrent validity compared to traditional pen-and-paper methods. Further, this research will integrate and evaluate a risk assessment module into the video-based tool in using common ergonomics posture analysis tools as a framework.

Data-Driven Intelligent Agents for Personalized Training on Design & Computational Thinking Skills

Computational thinking, i.e., the ability to formalize and solve problems with the assistance of computers, has become crucial in a growing range of jobs. Recent research in education has provided encouraging evidence that the development of computational thinking is the most effective when it is taught in the early childhood, and that game-based learning (GBL) technologies are extremely valuable in this context. However, children often need help when learning with GBL software. The goal of this project is to explore how to provide such help automatically and in a personalized way, which is important as personalization is a key aspect to facilitate human learning, as is it has been demonstrated by the effectiveness of one-to-one human tutoring. TTO BE CONT’D

Enjeux intertextuels au sein des modifications logicielles de jeux vidéo

L’objectif de mon séjour de recherche à l’Université de Liège est de profiter des installations du Liège Game Lab, un laboratoire se spécialisant sur des questions similaires à celles qui sont abordées dans mon projet de recherche doctoral. En effet, les recherches entreprises par les membres du Liège Game Lab se spécialisent sur les enjeux touchant à la prolongation du jeu et des relations complexes entre les joueurs et leurs jeux.
Au sein de ma thèse, je m’intéresse à l’étude formelle des modifications de jeux vidéo préexistants par des joueurs, ce qui se rapproche de deux des projets de recherche dirigés à Liège: la création amateur de jeux vidéo et les pratiques de détournement (dont les modifications que j’étudie font partie). TO BE CONT’D

Therapeutic Intervention of Cannabinoids in a Pre-Clinical Rat Model of PTSD

National Legalization of Cannabis has occurred in Canada. Very little is known about the different compounds in the Cannabis Plant. The two main compounds are THC and CBD. Both of them have shown some benefits for different conditions. We would like to determine the best dose and ratio of compounds within the Cannabis plant for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Anxiety to build evidence for a large-scale clinical trial. More data will help support safe and effective use of Cannabis, which may provide an alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals. We would also like to determine how best to integrate medical Cannabis into current treatment options.

Identification de marqueurs de stress biologiques chez Chionoecetes opilio, pour vérifier la qualité du crabe des neiges de la pêche au débarquement

Le crabe des neiges est la deuxième pêche plus importante en terme de valeur, après celle au homard, dans les provinces maritimes. Ce projet de recherche consiste à la caractérisation de molécules capables de nous indiquer de manière fiable, qu’un crabe des neiges est en situation de stress. Ces molécules ou marqueurs seront utiles dans un contexte de développement de nouvelles technologies de pêches pour bien déterminer l’effet de ces nouvelles technologies sur les crabes. Un meilleur suivi de l’état des crabes nous permettrait également d’identifier les étapes stressantes pour le crabe dans le processus de pêche et d’en raffiner les pratiques afin d’augmenter la qualité du produit. Ce projet permettra à l’Institut Valores de produire des données scientifiques fiable, de la capture du crabe à son arrivé à l’usine de transformation, en partenariat avec l’Université de Moncton.

Helmet testing and impact modeling: an approach to better understand the problematic of concussion in short track speed skating

The sport of short track speed skating is an extremely fast paced sport, in which multiple skaters, reaching speeds upwards of 50 km/h, jockey for position on a narrow track. Although skaters wear protective equipment and helmets, concussions continue to plague the health of athletes. Currently, there are no statistics on the ratesand prevalence of concussion in short track speed skaters. Additionally, there is no research that has investigated how current short track speed skating helmets protect the brain.
The first part of this project will investigate the injury data of Quebec short track speed skaters over the past 6 years to establish the rates and prevalence of head injuries and concussions. The second part of this project will test current helmet models against different impact scenarios. The third part of the project will analyze in-lab impact test data using a computer model of the human brain. This computer model will allow us to understand the stresses and strains the skull and brain undergo during impact. These projects are important steps in understanding the prevalence of head injury in short track speed skaters, as well as a deeper