Innovative Projects Realized

Mobile Energy Consumption Monitoring and Forecast

The goal of this project is to explore new ways to present the most useful information needed by commercial building managers, in order to allow them make decisions regarding on how to manage their building, reducing costs and carbon emissions, and projecting future energy budgets. This information has to be accurate, easy to obtain and understand, and most important, intuitive and ergonomic in order to promote its use. To achieve this goal, the first intern will develop a forecasting model and algorithms using historical data; the second intern will develop a proposal to present the information on computers and mobile devices. Part of the benefits to the partner (Powersmiths) will be having a more stable application that will have a better acceptance in the market because of its value and that promotes an ecologic awareness in society.

Glutamate-induced allosteric potentiation of GABAA receptor: a novel mechanism of Purkinje cells inhibitory plasticity

Our brain is controlled by two systems: excitatory systems and inhibitory systems. The balance between these two systems is essential for normal brain functions. Our lab has found that glutamate, a key neurotransmitter in excitatory systems, can act at GABAAR, a key receptor in inhibitory system, and improve GABAAR’s function. This is a novel form of crosstalk between excitatory and inhibitory systems. To study the physiological significance of this phenomenon, our lab has collaborated with Dr. Zhifang Dong’s lab to generate two genetic knock-in mouse strains. In these mice, glutamate can no longer act on GABAARs. In my project, I will use these types of mice to study if this novel glutamate/GABAAR crosstalk contributes to the cerebellar Purkinje cells regulation. Once confirmed, this glutamate/GABAAR crosstalk can be a novel therapeutic target for treating Purkinje cell-related disease, such as motor deficiency and autism.

Étude du potentiel pesticide d’une huile issue de la pyrolyse de résidus de biomasse

“L’agriculture québécoise se retrouve actuellement confrontée à la problématique des pesticides synthétiques d’origine fossile. Les effets indésirables sur l’environnement ainsi que sur la santé humaine, provoqués par l’emploi intensif de ces produits, amènent le monde agricole à chercher des alternatives plus écologiques pour protéger leurs récoltes contre les insectes ravageurs et les maladies. À ce titre, nous proposons d’utiliser une huile, produite par pyrolyse de résidus agricoles ou forestiers, comme biopesticide. Le but de ce projet Mitacs est de montrer qu’il est possible de produire par le biais d’une technologie relativement simple un pesticide ‘vert’ aussi efficace que les produits synthétiques traditionnellement utilisés.Ce projet Mitacs devraient permettre à l’IRDA de développer ses compétences en matière de biopesticide et de pyrolyse.”

Optimisation de l’alimentation des juvéniles de doré jaune (Sander vitreus)

Le doré jaune (Sander vitreus) est une espèce d’un grand intérêt pour la pêche sportive et commerciale au Canada. La popularité de cette espèce a provoqué le déclin de sa population dans les milieux naturels. Dans le but de maintenir une offre de pêche adéquate, il est fréquent d’avoir recours à des ensemencements. Cependant, les résultats restent très variables. D’une façon générale, les ensemencements de dorés visent à introduire des individus produits en captivité sans nécessairement avoir des informations sur la qualité de ces derniers, ce qui peut engendrer une mortalité très élevée des jeunes stades de vie. L’ensemencement des juvéniles qui ont une plus grande taille et qui ont bénéficié d’une alimentation adéquate pourrait résulter en des individus plus robustes avec un meilleur succès de survie. Ce projet de recherche vise à définir les besoins nutritionnels des juvéniles du doré jaune afin d’améliorer les pourcentages de survie dans leur environnement. Pour ce faire, dans un premier temps, on assurera le bon déroulement de la reproduction des géniteurs sauvages de doré jaune pour obtenir des oeufs et des larves de bonne qualité. TO BE CONT’D

Développement d’un protocole d’extraction des polymères de proanthocyanidines de canneberge pour améliorer la santé intestinale

Le projet vise à mettre au point une méthode d’extraction des procyanidines de canneberges (PACc) et à vérifier leur effet sur l’inflammation de bas niveau et sur la modulation du microbiote intestinale dans un modèle de souris obèses. Les PACc seraient responsables des effets positifs des polyphénols sur la santé. Ces molécules réduisent en effet l’inflammation de bas niveau induite par une diète obésogène, améliorent la dyslipidémie et réduisent la glycémie de sujets souffrant du syndrome métabolique. Ces molécules moduleraient aussi le microbiote intestinal. Nous comptons donc développer un procédé d’extraction permettant de récupérer les PACc qui se retrouvent en quantité appréciables dans le résidu fibreux généré par le procédé d’extraction éthanolique utilisé par Nutra Canada. Nous développerons aussi une méthode pour purifier des polymères de PACc par CPC. Nous comptons enfin démontrer que c’est la fraction de PACc qui est active au niveau de l’inflammation de bas niveau.

The nature of the Archean environment revealed through micro-analyses of fluid inclusions

Much is still unknown about the early Earth environment. In this study we are exploring the Archean Eon (4.0-2.5 billion years ago) through micron scale measurements of multiple sulfur isotopes on 3.5 billion year old fluid inclusions from Western Australia. Different bacteria reflect unique environments, which they occupy and some species have been linked to oxygen in the atmosphere due to their metabolic requirements. Our goal in this project is to measure the multiple sulfur isotope composition of ancient microbial poop (waste products, in this case H2S) to discriminate between such species and enhance our understanding of the Archean environment. In this pursuit we will be pushing the limits of current analytical abilities which will set the stage for a number of questions to be addressed in the geosciences.

Grain Farmers of Ontario Internship: Assessment of plant to plant yield variation in Ontario corn fields.

Differences in plant growth rate and development stage of corn plants within a field have been associated with lower yields. This plant-to-plant variability has been attributed to temporal variability in plant emergence, plant spacing variability, and post-emergent environmental stresses. The role that

basic corn production practices such as tillage, crop rotation, and nutrient application play in plant-to-plant variability is understudied. A further understanding of this relationship can lead to further yield gains in the future.

An internship with the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), an organization that represents all 28,000 grain farmers in Ontario allows me to apply this research to actual corn producers and members of the GFO to provide insights on complex corn production issues. It will also give me the opportunity to network with GFO members, employees, and industry partners by being involved in several industry-wide events throughout the summer.

An Analysis of Flax Breeding Programs in Western Canada

Canada is the largest producer of flax in the world and the demand for flax is expected to increase significantly due to its proven health benefits. At the same time, the number of flax breeding programs in Western Canada has recently decreased from three programs to just one breeding program. The producer funded Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission (SaskFlax) is contemplating an expansion of flax breeding activity to address the deficit. The objective of this project is to undertake an economic assessment of the breeding requirements for flax industry in Western Canada and to develop a business plan with several options to scale up breeding operations in the Crop Development Center at the University of Saskatchewan. The knowledge created in this project will allow the SaskFlax to make informed decisions about investing in additional flax breeding. Experience in other crops suggests that these investments could create substantial economic benefits for flax producers and the industry as a whole.

Supply chain metrics during the product lifecycle (extension)

Ciena Corporation is a global supplier of telecommunications networking equipment, software and services. The company operates in a high product mix, low volume environment with short product cycle times. As a consequence, it has difficulty estimating product volumes and end-of-life inventory. The project will determine the best set of metrics during product lifecycle stages in order to measure supply chain performance, to estimate total product volumes, and to minimize end-of-life inventory. The study will use a product lifecycle framework to evaluate the metrics used by Ciena now and those suggested through the study of other companies. The data from several of Ciena’s historical products will be evaluated using these metrics and the framework. A supply chain process model will be simulated using the proposed metrics and supply chain data to evaluate potential supply chain performance.

Combined Physical Testing and Finite Element Modelling of Masonry Systems

Finite element modelling (FEM) can be used enhance the understanding of physical testing results and will be applied to two distinct structural problems. The first problem will involve compressive testing of concrete masonry units, and the second problem will involve the performance of adhered stone veneer under wind loading. Compressive testing has been conducted previously on standard compressive testing samples and numerical modelling will build on these results to evaluate and potentially modify current code factors to improve their accuracy. Adhered stone veneer will be analysed with a combination of physical testing and numerical modelling. This research would involve testing of walls over 3.2m (10’) in height, for which design must be done on a case-by-case basis. Such a testing regime will improve the understanding of the performance of these components under wind loading.

Citizen science for agricultural land management

Grassland habitat and agricultural activities go hand in hand on the Ontario landscape. The project will develop citizen science monitoring tools for agricultural producers in southwest Ontario. The purpose of the project is to engage participants in monitoring environmental change by documenting observations farming activities throughout the farming season. Many producers are cognizant of the natural partnership between the environment and economic productivity, and regularly look for opportunities to further their support for sensitive species relying on these critical habitats. OSCIA envisions the development of a web-based citizen science project to collect spatial data about farm practices that impact (positively or negatively) grassland bird conservation and recovery through farmer reported data.

Challenges for drug-using mothers with children in the care of family members

The purpose of the study is to identify and respond to experiences of and potential challenges faced by drug-using mothers when their children are placed in the care of family members (otherwise known as “kinship care”) as an alternative to a formal foster care placement. As an outcome, we will develop an information package for drug-using mothers whose children may be, or already are, placed with relatives. This information kit will include birth mothers’ rights pertaining to access and custody; legal and therapeutic support services; and options available in respect to kinship care arrangements. This research proposal stems directly from the concerns of VANDU members. VANDU Empowerment Consulting Inc. will benefit as participation of VANDU members in this qualitative research projects will facilitate the ability of VANDU members to articulate their situations, thus increasing their ability to participate in the Presentations and Public Speaking division of VANDU Empowerment Consulting Inc.