Innovative Projects Realized

Towards Diversity in VR: Impact and Evaluation

The proposed project provides an intervention on the exclusionary practices, expectations, and development of contemporary VR. The project seeks to produce a Diversity Toolkit document for developers and designers working with VR. Analyzing relevant study data based on ongoing initiatives, the student will draft areas of interest, detailing the contexts conditions that are necessary for equity, diversity, and inclusion within the VR industry and the Game Industry more generally.

Acute effects of single arm muscle fatigue on bilateral cortical inhibition and functional connectivity

Diseases and injuries can affect essential activities of daily living like holding objects or walking. Investigating ways to optimize motor learning and performance is important for patient (i.e., stroke patients) and healthy populations (i.e., athletes). Exercising muscles to fatigue on one side of the body may improve motor tasks executed by the opposite limb. This study looks at short-term effects of exercising one arm to fatigue on nervous system activity and handgrip strength of both arms. Forty-five participants from the University of Oxford, UK will be assigned by chance to one of three conditions: single arm fatiguing exercise, sham (non-fatiguing exercise), or rest. Brain scans and handgrip strength measures before and after will be taken for all groups. By determining the effectiveness of using exercise-induced fatigue to improve motor learning in the fatigued and non-fatigued limb, this study may have substantial clinical implications for recovery from single-limb injury or impairment.

L’itinérance des femmes Kanaka Maoli: regard empirique sur les conditions de (sur)vie

Dans l’intention de parfaire notre compréhension des conditions de (sur)vie liées à l’itinérance féminine à Honolulu, ce mémoire empirique cherche à observer quels sont les vécus subjectifs de ces femmes à l’aide de l’approche biographique. Ce projet de maîtrise s’attarde spécifiquement à l’itinérance des femmes autochtones hawaiiennes afin de comprendre, de manière spécifique au genre et aux conditions autochtones, quelles sont les conditions subjectives de vie de celles-ci. Ce désir de compréhension du vécu subjectif s’insère dans une observation plus large des mécanismes sociaux ayant des répercussions sur les femmes rencontrées, notamment en ce qui a trait à l’exclusion, à la marginalisation, à la violence, etc. L’intention méthodologique est de réaliser des entrevues semi-dirigées auprès d’un petit nombre de femmes acceptant de participer à mon étude afin d’en dégager diverses similitudes dans les vécus subjectifs.

Advancement and evaluation of novel a quantitative ultrasound method for tissue characterization in dental diagnostics.

Gingival thickness (biotype) and quality of soft tissues have a significant impact on the outcome of dental restorative and regenerative therapy for many patients. Assessment of periodontal biotype is critical when selecting appropriate protocols in the field of dental surgery. Chosen methodology will have significant ramifications on the restoration of the soft and hard oral tissues, healing time, success rate and overall oral health. Currently used gingival biotype determination methods are limited to visual and invasive assessment; user-dependent, inaccurate and result in misinterpretation. Other invasive methods such as mechanical trans-gingival penetration (bone-sounding), transparency or radiography techniques are presently available, but all have proven to be inadequate in dental practice. A device has been developed that consists of a miniaturized probe with a specifically designed ultrasonic transducer that can address the needs in this field. This project will evaluate and optimize the performance of this device to meet clinical usability requirements.

Variations of Redox conditions across the Cambrian-Ordovician GSSP (Green Point Formation) in western Newfoundland (Canada): implications from the Trace element, Mo-, U-, C-, S- and N-isotope signatures

The specific investigation of the redox conditions of the Green Point Formation sediments will allow modelling the paleoceanographic conditions on a global basis particularly because the investigated formation is the Cambrian?Ordovician GSSP, which adds to the value of the contributions of the study to understanding the global distribution of source rocks around that time interval.

Study of texturizing bacterial strains in yogurt

The most promising strategy to reduce texturizing ingredients is the incorporation of bacterial cultures that have intrinsic capacity to modulate the texture of fermented milk due to the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS). Yoplait has sequenced the genomes of several bacteria strains that could be introduced as starters or adjunct cultures in yogurt. The main objective for Yoplait is the selection of promising EPS-producing strains that show stable texturizing properties in yogurts. The production of yogurts without additives will improved its acceptability by the consumers and therefore boost yogurt sales.

Enhancement of power system security using synchrophasor data

This research project investigates how to improve the security of operation of a power system using

measurements taken at several locations of the power system. In the past, there was no technology

available to synchronize these measured data, and thus the applications were limited. Now, the

technology has advanced and the measured data can be synchronized using Global Positioning

Satelittes (GPS). We investigate two different approaches for enhancing system stability and thus

security. In one approach, the synchrophasor data is used along with traditional Supervisory Control

and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. The combined data set will then be used to determine the

transient stability margin of the operating state of the power system. This will allow the system operator

to operate the power system with the desired stability margin. The other approach is to use the

synchrophasor data in a feedback system to enhance the transient stability and oscillatory stability of

the power system. This improves the stability margin…

Confinement Properties in Magnetized Plasmas

In order to model and determine properties of plasmas such as magnetosphere or fusion devices a consistent mathematical model is required. The goal of this project, among other open problems, is to prove long time uniqueness and existence of the Relativistic Vlasov Maxwell system. In the process, determine estimates on the electromagnetic field intensities, the kinetic distribution functions and their derivatives in hot and cold magnetized plasma regimes. A better understanding of plasma behaviors can prove advantageous in many applications such as space travel, or clean fusion devices. Computational challenges arise due to the non-linearity of the system. An original mathematic approach to such problems is being developed and implemented. So far it as been successful for cold plasmas, but one goal would be to extend these results to hot, relativistic plasmas. In the process help us to understand some of the turbulent structures which form. Richard Feynman is quoted with saying that the understanding of turbulence is the greatest problem in classical mechanics. Thus any advancements will be of highly invaluable to the field.

North Coast Innovation Lab

The North Coast Innovation Lab (NCIL) is a place-based initiative for people who are invested in the future of Prince Rupert to work together on tangible projects and initiatives that build a resilient economy as a tool for community well-being. Forthcoming student Project Coordinators provide capacity to the efforts of the NCIL through action-research, project prototyping/piloting, social innovation methodology application & understanding, and community learning activities and presentations reflecting the efforts and outcomes of the NCIL. They enhance internal and community understanding of complex community challenges; build relationships and partnerships within Prince Rupert; enhance collaboration and cooperation in developing innovative projects; and support ongoing community development initiatives.
Ultimately, the NCIL hopes to spark a systemic shift in the approach to community-led economic development, and student Project Coordinators (interns) will play an integral role in the planning, research, prototyping and feasibility of NCIL-related initiatives.

Generation and characterization of novel small molecule protein degraders in oncology

Many patients who initially respond well to highly efficacious chemotherapy eventually develop resistance and relapse despite continued treatment. These cancers acquire drug resistance to current therapies through various mechanisms such as the acquisition of mutations for example. Furthermore, some promising targets that play a crucial role in the progression of cancer have been deemed undruggable using current methods. The proposed project aims at synthesizing novel drugs based on a new design to target three proteins for degradation, located in different cellular compartments with their function well characterized in contributing to cancer. The knowledge gained from the project will allow the nomination of lead compounds that will be further developed by Paraza Pharma Inc. in the future as successful drug candidates.

Evaluating the Risk of Climate Change and Hydraulic Processes to Linear Infrastructure

Networks of linear Infrastructure, such as our roads and pipelines, allow us to move people, natural resources, and manufactured goods. Common practice has been to utilise historic climatic data to establish deterministic design guidelines for water course crossings. With climate change uncertainly, asset managers are in a position where they are questioning the guidelines and their current infrastructure robustness. This project proposes to produce an integrated approach that provides the framework, analytical methods, and supporting science for assessing linear infrastructure robustness in the face of climate change uncertainty This approach will provide equity to communities through design criteria that integrate environmental, social and economic values directly linked to geomorphic process. From this project, SNC Lavalin will gain additional modelling tools and an improved understanding of geomorphological processes to provide the stakeholders of linear infrastructure construction and rehabilitation projects with more information while making risk analysis decisions.

Determination for the cause of increased chlorination disinfection by-products in two Manitoba water treatment plants

Surface waters, such as lakes and rivers, often have high amounts of natural organic matter formed from decaying plants and animals. Drinking water treatment plants that use these water supplies are often faced with removing these compounds due to the unfavorable formation of carcinogenic disinfection by-products during disinfection with chlorine. However, removal of organics can be difficult due to the unique composition of the water resulting from local environmental conditions. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the local organic composition the better understand which treatment processes can be applied to remove natural organic matter and control the formation of disinfection by-products.