Innovative Projects Realized

Why do some people have a great response to exercise while others don’t?

The benefits of an active lifestyle are irrefutable for both primary and secondary prevention of a range of diseases, such as cardio-metabolic diseases and cancer. However, the effects of exercise in humans are complex, and not all individual have the same responsiveness (or sensitivity) to exercise training, and data is emerging to indicate that the response to exercise is dependent upon individual predisposition to adaptation, as well as factors such as the mode of exercise performed, the intensity, duration, frequency and progression of the exercise program. This study will explore the phenomenon of individuals who are low- or non- responders to exercise training with the aim of determining whether the sensitivity of an individual to exercise training is determined by our genetic make-up (i.e. a hereditary trait), and also whether it is related to the modality of exercise undertaken. TO BE CONT’D

Le marché aux chevaux de Paris aux 17e et 18e siècles : étude d’un espace économique, social et urbain

La thèse porte sur l’espace économique, social et urbain du marché aux chevaux de Paris aux 17e et 18e siècles. La problématique consiste à étudier ce marché en observant l’interaction entre les groupes sociaux qui l’investissent et les pouvoirs qui régulent ce marché essentiel de la capitale. La recherche sera orientée autour de quatre axes principaux. D’abord, elle considérera le marché comme un espace commercial et le cheval comme une marchandise. La recherche s’attachera à répondre à plusieurs questions. Par exemple, à quel prix vendait-on un cheval ? Qui en fixait la valeur ? Sur quels critères se basait-on pour juger de la qualité d’un cheval, etc. ? Ensuite, elle observera les acteurs qui interagissent sur le marché aux chevaux et leurs sociabilités. Elle documentera la question des régulations sociales de ce marché. TO BE CONT’D.

Generation of photon pairs by parametric fluorescence in linearly uncoupled resonators

In this project we plan to study parametric fluorescence in a particular class of integrated photonic structures that can be used to enhance and control the generation of non-classical light based on photon pairs. The system we have in mind is composed of two resonators designed to be linearly uncoupled, but arranged in such a way that nonlinear interaction between the two resonators can occur.

The outcomes of this project can have a significant impact in both fundamental and applied research in quantum photonics.
The systems we want to study constitute an ideal platform for the investigation of the dynamics of second- and third-order nonlinear interactions, which are the basis of the generation of non-classical light via parametric fluorescence.
The structure under study can be used to enhance and control several nonlinear optical interactions. Here our focus is on tunable sources of non-classical light that would find application in quantum technologies based on integrated photonics.

Urban birds under chemical pressure: the influence of exposure to flame retardants on movement patterns

Ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) living in the metropolitan area of Montreal (QC, Canada) have been documented to be highly exposed to a class of industrial and potentially toxic contaminants, the halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), that might also negatively affect humans. Interestingly, those gulls showed intraspecific variations in tissular concentrations in HFRs, related to their foraging habits, which allowed assessing the endocrinal disrupting effect of the HFRs accumulation. Other adverse effects of HFRs have been documented in birds, including the impairment of neurological system and reproductive behavior through a decrease in nest attendance. However, the influence of the exposure to HFRs on the movement patterns, which can further amplify the associated fitness costs of exposure to HFRs has not been investigated yet. The objective of this project is to assess the effect of the accumulation of HFRs in GPS tracked ring-billed gulls on their behavior and movement. TO BE CONT’D

Classification of Minimal tau-tilting Infinite Algebras

Representation theory of algebras is an active area of research with numerous contributions to different areas of pure mathematics and theoretical physics. This is because it often represents very technical and complicated concepts in terms of concrete oriented graphs that are equipped with some additional data. In this area, as any other mathematical concept, the study of building blocks provide a deep understanding of the entire structure. Hence, the so-called indecomposable modules play a crucial role and it is a very efficient method to measure the complexity of an algebra by studying them. In this project we study the indecomposable modules and their interactions with each other. In particular, we employ some classical methodologies and develop them such that we can answer some fundamental questions in a new theory introduced in 2014. TO BE CONT’D

Unité robotique autonome pour l’alimentation d’une machine-outil

Robotiq fabrique des mains pouvant s’installer sur une grande gamme de robots. Ces

périphériques permettent d’accroître les capacités des robots existants. Le premier produit de I’entreprise est la Main Adaptative une main robotlque flexible destinee a des applications

manufacturieres Cette main est basee sur une technologie brevetee de I’Universite Laval pour

laquelle Robotlq detient une licence Le produit est maintenant sur Ie marche et est utilise par

plusieurs fabricants de robots Industriels ou militaires.L’etape actuelle consiste a developper avec des partenaires des applications tlrant profit des

caracteristiques uniques de la main. Une application au fort potentiel commercial est

I’alimentatlon robotique de machines-outils dans les entreprises produisant une grande vanete

de families de pieces C’est ce contexte qui justifie la pertinence du projet propose avec

I’etudlant. La preuve de concept developpe permettra de demontrer la falsabllite technique de

cette application aux Integrateurs et utilisateurs finaux alnsl que de dlminuer a leurs yeux Ie

nsque assocle Nous utlliserons Ie savoir-faire……

Settler-Indigenous Alliances in Food Governance Processes in Canada and Australia

Current approaches to food policy and governance have resulted in a range of social, environmental and economic problems, including inequity and food insecurity among Indigenous people. Projects in Canada and Australia have shown promising approaches to achieving more sustainable food systems, a central piece being constructing meaningful relationships between settler and Indigenous peoples. Building on a research project linking Canada and Australia, this project will look at relationships between Indigenous and settler people in the food movements in each country. This work will help inform growing international research collaborations as well as respective civil society organizations at a time when both countries are moving towards national food policies.

Investigating commercial impact of applied research funding in NB

In an atmosphere of dwindling research funding availability, making sure that the limited money is wisely invested is of critical importance. In our study, we propose to investigate how applied research has been funded in NB over the last decade, and how this funding has impacted economic growths. This study will attempt to make a link between applied research and creation of start-ups and spinouts, with the objective to determine what kind of research funding, at what stage in the research continuum, has the greatest economic impact. This will directly benefit the NBIF and other funding agencies by allowing them to target their funding programs and thus maximising the benefit for New Brunswick.

Total Synthesis of (?)-Acaranoic acid

Lichens are a symbiosis of fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. Lichen substances have been reported to show a wide array of biological activities including antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor action. This project aims to establish a reliable way to prepare (?)-acaranoic acid, a lichen substance isolated in 1895, from commercially available chemicals. The proposed synthesis of this natural product highlights a novel dynamic kinetic resolution via olefin hydroacylation, which can potentially deliver multiple stereocentres to the molecular architecture with excellent control over selectivity. Successful accomplishment of (?)-acaranoic acid will make it an asset for biological screenings, as well as stimulate future application of dynamic kinetic resolution exploiting C-C bond formation in target-directed synthesis.

Quantifying Motor Function: A Proof-of-Concept Investigation

Stroke is the leading causes of permanent disability in adults in the world. However, rehabilitation can be a long process requiring hard labor with high cost. This project proposes to develop a rapid and easy to record indicator of motor performance for individuals with neuro/motor conditions. The team intend to develop an electroencephalography (EEG) based technique to derive a motor score suitable for assessing impact of rehabilitation protocols/interventions. The team intend to test the EEG-based M-Score of the first objective in a proof-of-concept rehabilitation study where the Portable Neuromodulation Stimulator (PoNS™) developed by the supporting organization is paired with state-of-the-art robotic systems available in Dr. Menon’s laboratory to improve motor performance.

Correction de mouvement en tomographie d’émission par positrons à l’aide d’un système de stéréoscopie optique et de la reconstruction en mode liste événement-par-événement

La Tomographie d’émission par positrons (TEP) est une modalité d’imagerie médicale qui permet d’observer des processus biologique in vivo. L’imagerie TEP trouve de nombreuses applications en neurosciences, notamment pour la détection et le suivi des maladies neurodégénératives. Pour des images précises, le sujet doit demeurer immobile pendant l’acquisition des données qui peut typiquement durer plusieurs minutes. Le flou induit par le mouvement peut être mitigé en subdivisant l’acquisition en segments où le sujet est immobile. Une approche plus efficace qui élimine toute perte de données consiste à corriger au vol chaque événement à l’aide d’une lecture par stéréoscopie optique de la position du sujet. Notre objectif est d’implanter cette technique dans un processus de reconstruction événement-par-événement pour un imageur TEP cerveau d’ultra-haute résolution conçu à Sherbrooke en collaboration avec, et grace a un financement NIH obtenu par le Gordon Center. TO BE CONT’D

The Feminist Buddha: Revisiting the Role of Gender within Buddhist Communities in Sichuan Province, China

This project will be researching gender inequality in Buddhist communities within Sichuan province, China. I will be conducting interviews with both monastic and lay practitioners to get firsthand accounts of the role of gender in Buddhist institutions. Previous scholarly work concludes there is significant gender inequality within Buddhist institutions. This project will revisit the issue of gender inequality in Buddhism to provide updated research on the perceptions of gender by Buddhist practitioners, how gender roles function within Buddhist communities and whether any actions have been taken by these communities towards creating greater gender equality. The goal of this project is to connect previous literature and proposed resolutions for gender inequality to the current functionality of Buddhist communities in Sichuan province. Furthermore, I hope to develop a more thorough understanding of how gender plays a role in contemporary Buddhism.