Innovative Projects Realized

Detecting Phishing Websites using Machine Learning Techniques

The project “Detecting Phishing Websites using Machine Learning Techniques” aims to develop a method that can accurately identify and block malicious websites. Machine Learning algorithms will be used to analyze various website features, such as URL, page content, rank and other indicators to determine if it is a phishing site or not. By identifying and blocking these websites before they can cause harm, the system will save time and resources while also preventing the loss of sensitive information. With the increasing threat of cyber attacks, this project is essential for ensuring enhanced safety of browsing. Leveraging the power of Machine Learning, the research has the potential to make a significant impact in the fight against phishing.

The expected outcome of this project is a report describing a method that can later be used to develop reliable and efficient tool to help individuals, organizations and state agencies protect themselves from falling victim to phishing attacks.

Analysis of the error propagation dynamics of PIV-pressure

This study aims to analyze the dynamics of error propagation in the PIV-pressure analysis and suggests two approaches: I) a formal analysis and II) corresponding algorithms for optimal sensor placement that minimize the error propagation from the measured data to the computed pressure field. By analyzing the Poisson problem together with boundary conditions, the optimal sensor placement can be determined in advance, which would minimize the error in measurements. However, since there may be multiple locations that could be considered as good options, this task can be treated as an optimization problem. Therefore, a machine learning algorithm will be utilized to narrow down the possible cases and identify the best location for the sensor placement. Based on the formal analysis from I), we design algorithms to determine the optimal sensor placement that works for engineering and applications purposes. As a final goal, we want to estimate the optimal number and optimal location of sensors to fully describe the pressure field.

Quantifying Cortical Resilience Using CCaRT

Although brain resilience has long been thought to be important, only recently have methods been developed to measure it directly. In the proposed research, we will use one such method–known as the cortical challenge and recovery test (CCaRT)–to see if we can identify signs of concussion at the level of brain resilience. We will have 24 people with and without concussion history undergo the CCaRT testing method, and measure resilience metrics that it generates. Among those with concussion, we will select 12 with a minimal concussion history as well as 12 with a more extensive concussion history. We believe that those with a concussion history will show lower levels of brain resilience than those who have no concussion, or only a minimal concussion history. This substudy will be part of a larger study using the same paradigm to compare CCaRT performance between controls and two other important brain conditions, PTSD and long-COVID.

Who are the ‘good Russians’ for Ukrainians during the full-scale war? Attitudes of the Ukrainian society to the Russian opposition in the social media space

The research project aims to examine the attitudes of Ukrainians towards Russians, particularly about the concept of ‘good Russians’ during the ongoing full-scale war. The study will include the exploration of the socio-historical background of Russian-Ukrainian relations, as well as the analysis of the changes in attitudes before and after the Russian aggression in 2014. Then, it will focus on the formation and interpretation of the ‘good Russians’ concept, which is crucial to discover in the Ukrainian discourse to show up its truthful sense in terms of the modern war. With the usage of data scraping methods, the social media data will be collected and analyzed to uncover public sentiment around the ‘good Russians’ and compare such perceptions among demographic, regional, and differently educated groups within Ukrainian society. The research strives to gain an understanding of the war-time dynamics of attitudes, measure the tolerance to Russians, as well as expand this field of academic studies and offer insights into how social media both fosters constructive dialogue and perpetuates divisions within society.

Developing Standard Test for Evaluating Back-Support Exoskeleton Performance for Rebar Workers

Back-support exoskeletons (BSEs) are wearable devices designed to assist and enable human motion for workers in various industries ranging from manufacturing to construction. As with workers in other industries, the opportunity provided by BSEs for construction workers is to reduce injury rates for the benefit of worker health and productivity. Potential risks also exist, including discomfort, compromised balance, snags, and increased stress in the unassisted regions of the body. The challenge comes in finding effective BSEs for specific construction trades working on specific project types. To meet this challenge, this project aims to design and execute a standard test course to evaluate the performance of back-support exoskeletons for rebar workers. An experiment will be performed according to the designed standard test course. The results of this experiment will inform future iterations of a standardized BSE efficacy evaluation framework for rebar workers. Laboratory studies can lead to field studies that may give evidence for practical BSE regulations, guidelines, and ergonomic risk indices for the construction industry. The evaluation framework will include the assessment of a BSE’s effects on safety, productivity, and acceptability, including a tool for estimating a BSE’s Return on Investment (ROI).

Évaluation préliminaire d’une intervention axée sur les traumas auprès d’enfants et de jeunes placés en centres de réadaptation : Une collaboration Québec-France

Les jeunes placés en centres de réadaptation ont pour la plupart vécu différentes formes de maltraitance – par exemple la négligence ou l’abus physique – ce qui nécessite un placement hors de leur milieu familial pour quelques mois, voire plusieurs années. Ces expériences traumatiques les placent à risque de développer des problèmes psychologiques, psychiatriques, scolaires, comportementaux et relationnels. Depuis 2017, Boscoville et le Consortium canadien sur le trauma chez les enfants et les adolescents ont développé et expérimenté des programmes axés sur le trauma qui ont pour but de soutenir les équipes éducatives qui œuvrent auprès d’une clientèle hébergée en centre de réadaptation. Ces pratiques innovantes ont trouvé écho chez des partenaires français, la Fondation Les Apprentis d’Auteuil, qui ont collaboré avec Boscoville pour adapter ces programmes et les implanter. Basée sur une méthodologie mixte, ce projet permettra à l’étudiante de collaborer étroitement avec Boscoville, sur une période de quatre mois, afin d’analyser des données provenant d’entrevues et de questionnaires colligés en France.

Preclinical studies of Mediphage Bioceuticals ministring DNA gene delivery system for the treatment of Dravet Syndrome

This research project will advance the development of a possible treatment for Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of childhood epilepsy caused by a genetic mutation. In Dravet syndrome, an important protein responsible for sending signals along the nerve fibers of the brain does not function, which results in overactivity and triggers debilitating and recurring seizures. MBI’s gene therapy platform (DNA ministrings) is being developed into a precision medicine that would replace the dysfunctional protein with a functional version. This project will assess the potential safety and effectiveness of this novel gene therapy using advanced human induced pluripotent stem cells. This project will advance the mission of the stem cell network by simultaneously developing new stem cell models and a novel potentially life-saving therapy for an uncurable disease.

Measuring the dark matter halo mass distribution with weak gravitational lensing using the Ultraviolet Near-Infrared Optical Northern Survey

In this project, the results from Ultraviolet Near-Infrared Optical Northern Survey will be used to model dark matter mass distribution around galaxies in the galactic cluster. Observing weak gravitational lensing of background galaxies from the optical multi-band survey and determining its parameters will help us to simulate dark matter halos around galaxies, that cause lensing, using physical models like Chabrier initial mass function and a truncated NFW model, and compare simulated parameters of the lensing phenomena to real measurements. This work is planned to improve existing models of distributions of dark matter mass around galaxies, which will be a crucial step in cosmological and evolutionary research of our universe. The results promise to discover more about the galactic structure and intergalactic interaction, as well as expand our knowledge of the nature of dark matter.

Study the dynamics of changes in the nutritional value of wetlands for important waterfowl species after removing the invasive species Phragmites australis from the ecosystem in the Ramsar wetland and international birding area on the northern shore of Lake Ontario called Long Point

The availability of vegetative forage material is a crucial factor in determining the quality of habitat for waterfowl. During their migratory staging, waterfowl rely on consuming seeds and tubers of specific wetland plants to build their energy reserves. Phragmites australis, an invasive species, provides very little forage value, and is known to degrade wetland habitat for migratory waterfowl. While native plants differ in their forage value for migratory waterfowl, they are generally superior to Phragmites australis, whose rhizomes are tough and inedible. My study aims to assess whether the plant species that colonize wetlands after the removal of Phragmites australis can lead to an increase in forage value for migratory waterfowl in Long Point, a Ramsar Wetland and Internationally Important Bird Area located on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

Development of biocompatible magnetic resin for 3D printing

The goal of this project is to fabricate biocompatible, magnetic inks for 3D printing of structures that offer controlled motion by weak magnetic fields for various medical benefits such as increased imaging contrast, magnetic guidance and positioning of the structures. This has potential applications in regenerative medicine, such as smart implants, 3D printing of tissue implants, but also soft biohybrid actuators in robotics.

Using a novel sequencing method to explore signatures of viral mutation

Viruses can jump hosts and develop resistance due to genetic changes caused by mutations. Currently we have a limited
understanding of viral mutations as traditional genetic sequencing technology can only extract certain mutations (those that occur
at high frequency). Duplex seq is a sequencing technology able to detect rare mutations due to its very low error rate, however it
has not been implemented for analyzing viral mutations. Using this novel technique will allow for a comprehensive analysis of viral
mutations, yielding less biased results compared to traditional sequencing. We plan to use this technology to study the mutations
that incur in an algal virus as it develops resistance to its host, shedding light on how early mutations give rise to later viral
resistance.

Beyond endless frontiers: rethinking the social contract for science and innovation

The social contract for science and innovation is under strain. With the decline of trust, there are worrying signs of a public unsure about the value and authority of science in their everyday lives, and a growing disconnect between what the public increasingly sees as unapproachable, elitist institutions and what scientists see as a lack of public appreciation for the modes and merit of their work. At the same time, there have been major developments in the processes of science and innovation and their intersections with public policy, communications, and broad societal challenges. In this period of significant social, economic and environmental stresses, the need for science and innovation to be central to society’s response is even greater. The goal of this Mitacs grant is to work in partnership with a similarly titled SSRHC partnership development grant team and our industrial partner to examine the postwar social contract that underpins Canada’s scientific enterprise, and explore the elements of a new policy framework.