Innovative Projects Realized

Middleware infrastructure for processing of big spatial data on Spark

Location-based services such as Recon Instruments’ Engage web application provide feedback to users based on analysis of GPS trajectory data. While existing data analysis platforms such as Hadoop- GIS provide simplified support for batch processing of massive amounts of “big spatial data”, they are not efficient for supporting iterative machine learning algorithms (such as those in use at Recon) or interactive queries (common in web applications). More recently, a newer class of cluster-based solutions, known as “in-memory” databases, such as Apache Spark [3], has been introduced to address scalability for these types of workloads. The goal of this project is to provide the same easy to use interface as traditional spatial analysis platforms but leveraging Spark’s cluster-based in-memory scalability over multiple nodes. Recon will benefit from both (i) research into the application of in-memory databases to GIS analysis and (ii) the delivery of a software prototype for improving the support of Apache Spark for GIS tasks.

Dynamic analysis of tailings dams using advanced constitutive models

Tailings are the residual material produced during the extraction of minerals from mined ores and are usually produced in slurry form. Tailings are retained in impoundments that depending on the type of their structures could be vulnerable in terms of stability under different loading scenarios such as earthquake loading. The consequences of the failure of tailings dams are heavy economic losses, environmental degradation and, in many cases, human loss. These factors justify investment and detailed study on proper analysis and design of tailings dams. Finite element and/or finite difference analyses are powerful tools for the analysis in the embankments and foundations. Using these tools staged-construction, variation of material properties in different zones and foundation can be taken into consideration. The objective of the proposed study is development and application of advanced computational geomechanics tools, with emphasis on constitutive modeling of tailings, for static and seismic stability analysis of tailings impoundments.

Can brain fitness mobile apps really make you smarter?

Mobile brain fitness applications such as Vivity Lab’s Fit Brains aims to improve cognitive performance through frequent brain exercise games. This concept is based on previous research that frequent video gaming can produce transferrable cognitive improvement in another related cognitive task in the same domain (i.e. reaction speed while driving). Although the efficacy of mobile brain fitness application had been shown in elderly, more efficacy studies are needed for other populations. Vivity lab has a large user database describing user age, background, gaming behavior, and resulting game scores. This database, when properly analyzed, can produce useful information for future product development. In addition, several external researchers have used Fit Brains to investigate the efficacy of brain fitness applications in various subject pools such as football players recovering from concussion, but currently Vivity lab does not have the resources to provide data analysis services for these external efficacy studies. This internship will analyze existing database, establish data analysis services for external researchers, and use the resulting tools to create efficacy studies for Fit Brains. The outcome of this study will create new services and a framework for the company to empirically assess cognitive outcomes from future product developments.

Enhancement of Turbulence Models for Airframe Flow Simulations

The numerical simulation of turbulent flows is an important component in the process of the aircraft aerodynamic design and development. The computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solvers used for predicting the aerodynamic forces and moments should be capable of accurately predicting turbulence effects. Such accuracy is crucial to efficiently design aircrafts with improved quality and performance. The objective of this internship is to improve the performance of the RANS turbulence models in Bombardier’s in-house multiblock structured CFD solver in which the existing Spalart-Allmaras, K-omega and K-omega SST turbulence models are discretized with a finite-difference scheme. The internship will first target on improving the spatial discretization for turbulence transport equations by implementing finite volume based method which is consistent with that of the flow equations. Also efficient implicit iterative solvers for the turbulence model will be investigated to speed up the convergence. Moreover, the recent turbulence model corrections and correlations available in the literature will be reviewed and implemented. The outcome of the project is expected to improve the accuracy and robustness of the Bombardier in-house CFD solver on airframe turbulent flow simulations.

He said, she said: career histories of senior information communications technology leaders from Nova Scotia. Barriers and enablers to advancement for women and men

The study will contribute to a better understanding of Information Communications Technology (ICT) leadership development and in particular to executive career management for both men and women. Human resource management practices which contribute to advancement of senior women will be identified in an evidence-based fashion to encourage their application by decision makers. The study will include a review of literature, interviews, and focus groups with a balanced sample of men and women. Analysis and conclusions will be of interest to government, businesses, educators, and individuals. The study will complement a related consulting project which will encourage ICT businesses to change practices and advance more senior women. Halifax Global Inc. (HGI) is a subcontractor in this consulting project. The study will complement the consulting project by including the male career perspective and bringing a more research oriented approach to increase credibility of recommendations thus supporting future business development for HGI.

Development of innovative solutions for analyzing biological samples in pharmaceutical research and development: Novel bioanalytical chemistry merges digital microfluidics and mass spectrometry

Diagnostic tests that currently direct patient therapy in cancer and other diseases are more typically performed at the genetic level, despite the fact that the beneficial response to drugs and the development of resistance are rooted in the proteins that comprise the cell’s signaling pathways. We argue that this is a major gap, as proteomics can be used to understand how cells respond to inhibitors, thereby identifying patients who are responding positively at the molecular level, as well as patients who are developing resistance through the reorganization of the cell’s signaling network. The science of quantitative proteomics is becoming increasingly more robust, sensitive, and reproducible., however translating these types of assays into non-specialist environments has remained problematic largely for technical reasons involving sample preparation and method quality control. Here, we propose to address these issues by creating an Automated Digital Microfluidic Sample Processing System for Proteomics (DMF device) that offers complete control and standardization over all processing tasks from crude biological mixtures through to a sample compatible for quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) analyses.

Evaluation of Online Urban Futures Survey for Metro Vancouver

This project will expand upon the underlying research conducted with the 2012 Urban Futures Survey of Greater Vancouver. The intern will evaluate a survey that was the third similar survey approximately 20 years apart to inform planning policies in the Metro Vancouver region. The last survey, in 2012, used an online consultation platform instead of the previous face-to-face and/or telephone methods. This technology utilized was the PlaceSpeak public participation GIS, which authenticated respondents online to their physical address. The resulted survey produced a large amount of data that needs to be analyzed and interpreted. The intern will draw conclusions and possibly find new groups that might find the gathered data useful. Also, the intern will examine the survey methodology and in particular the sample size and confidence levels required for contemporary online survey techniques. At the end of the internship, a bulletin is to be produced and publicized, summarizing the findings of the survey and also generate an OpEd essay and other materials for publication in local newspapers and professional journals.

From Data Cleaning, Design and Migration to Portfolio Construction for Effective Recommendations and Decision Making in the Charity Domain

Charity donations have long been a feature of society smoothing the differences between rich and poor. In the past these donations were handled manually using a variety of ah hoc means. This continuing project aims at systematizing the donation process by implementing an online system that facilitates the connection between donors and recipients, thus enabling amore efficient donation environment.

Evaluating the effectiveness of perturbation-based training programs on the development of postural responses to continuous multidirectional perturbations

Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are a major concern in occupational environments, accounting for a significant portion of all reported work-related injuries in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum industry. Perturbation-based training has been shown as an effective measure in developing appropriate postural responses for young and older adults. This proposed research aims to address the industry’s STF concerns through the development of a perturbation-based training program that will help prepare new workers to better adapt to motion-induced stressors of their work environments. This training program will be delivered as a part of framework for a comprehensive research-based offshore specific STF training program, that will take into consideration the unique challenges and stressors associated with the offshore industry. This work will be accomplished by one research project lasting eight months and taking place in a laboratory setting. Through this work the partner industry will gain expertise and a service that can delivery to their partners that can be used to address the immediate STF-related concerns of the company, and may assist them in developing strategies for other human performance related concerns in the offshore industry.

Dreamcatcher Informatics: a Web-based and Mobile Information System to Support Land Management, Consultation, and the Preservation of History, Culture and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

The two goals of this project are to:

1. create a demonstration information system based on an existing system called Dreamcatcher for consultation, land-use, occupancy, and planning based on the archival material of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation (MNCFN); and

2. use this system and First Story to preserve and promote Aboriginal history and culture from the Aboriginal perspective.

To be useful for MNCFN, extensive research related to the Duty to Consult must be undertaking including investigation of: legal aspects of consultation processes; evaluating currently used methods related to land-use and development; legal status of First Nations; reviewing the Duty to Consult rulings of the Supreme Court; and how First Nations are represented in mainstream Canadian history. Additionally, resources such as archival documents, oral traditions, environmental assessments and land-use history must be transcribed, uploaded and annotated to create a rich asset map for the MNCFN.

Design of a Spatially-Based Conservation Decision-Making Platform for the Peace River Break

The Peace River Break is in the north east section of the province situated at the narrowest point of the Rocky Mountain range allowing for critical movement and ecological connections east-west over the Rockies and north-south between the mountain national parks and the Muskwa-Kechika Management area to the north. The purpose of this research project is to investigate the best practices to a) develop a publically accessible geo-spatial database for the Peace River Break that brings together both community and traditional knowledge and values along with scientific and technical information and b) to develop a prototype for that database. This information will then be used by partners, Landsong Heritage Consulting, Ltd and Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative to help shape conservation planning and implementation strategies for the Peace River Break. 

Lie Group Statistical Analysis of Human Movement

Statistical analysis of 3-dimensional motions of objects or humans is instrumental to establish how these motions differ, depending on various influences or parameters. When such motions involve no stretching or tearing, they may be described by the elements of the Special Euclidean Group. Statistical analysis of physical processes of this kind is complicated by the basic properties of the group; for example, by the fact that the arithmetic average of two rotations is not a rotation. Algorithms developed by Mr. Till in the course of his doctoral research to date, which exploit the unique properties of a formalism called Conformal Geometric Algebra, permit such statistical analyses to be carried out efficiently by computer despite these complications. This project will extend and generalize these algorithms to create a set of analytical tools which can be made available to a wide variety of researchers, clinicians and commercial users, who can apply them in a wide variety of statistical discrimination and hypothesis-testing contexts while remaining focused on their own disciplines.