Innovative Projects Realized

Management of group-housed sows: Impact of grouping practices on sow reproductive performance and piglet development

Pork producers in Canada are in the process of transitioning from stall housing to group housing systems for gestating sows. The greatest concern with this change is the problem of aggression when pregnant sows are mixed. Mixing frequently results in aggressive interactions among sows, and can affect reproduction and cause welfare problems. Typically sows are held in stalls for several weeks after insemination to minimize stress during embryo implantation, however there is increasing pressure to reduce the time that sows are kept in stalls. Earlier mixing times can be used but there is insufficient information regarding these procedures and their consequences for production. In this project, three mixing times will be studied in two different housing systems: i) sows mixed immediately at weaning, ii) sows mixed after insemination, and iii) sows kept in stalls for four weeks and then mixed. Enrichment is also required for sows in groups, and has been shown to reduce aggression. Enrichment devices will be studied to identify suitable enrichment materials for sows. This research will benefit the Prairie Swine Centre by advancing research on the management of group-housed sows. TO BE CONT.

Development of predictive erosion-corrosion models for potash slurry flow

Electrochemical corrosion is the most common source of plant downtime in the Chemical Processing Industries (CPI); in the Province of Saskatchewan, the Mining Industry plays a very significant role in CPI. Mineral processing plants handle electrolytic and abrasive materials that can cause very significant structural damage due to electrochemical corrosion and wear.

The objective of this project is development of predictive erosion-corrosion CFD models to determine the influence of fluid and particle dynamics on the erosion-corrosion of piping in potash mills in order to assist in development of material selection guidelines for construction of new and repair of existing facilities. These models also will help in determining the appropriate operating conditions for operation of slurry test loop.

This work will help Canada’s mining and mineral processing industries reduce the need to perform maintenance, and thus help pave the way to increased equipment durability and equipment safety being enhanced by the development of standards.

A novel home cage testing environment for frontal cortical neuronal recording in marmosets – Year two

Marmosets are a valuable model for investigating the neural bases of behaviour and cognition, and there has been a substantial increase in marmoset use in translational neuroscience research over the last few years. A comfortable environment is critical for marmoset neurophysiological testing. At Rogue Research the fellow will be involved in developing a unique apparatus that attaches to the monkeys’ homecage and will permit automated neurophysiological testing using a touchscreen, reward systems, variety of sensors, and physiological setups for recording brain activity during research tasks. In testing the apparatus, several marmosets will be trained on a series of working memory tasks followed by the acquisition of neurophysiology data. This product will significantly simplify the process of training and recording from marmosets by different investigators.

A novel home cage testing environment for frontal cortical neuronal recording in marmosets

Marmosets are primates with a brain that has comparable anatomical-functional subdivisions to those of higher primates, including humans. It is thus a valuable model for investigating the neural bases of behaviour and cognition and there has been a substantial increase in marmoset use in translational neuroscience research over the last few years. A comfortable environment is critical for marmoset neurophysiological testing. Rogue Research is developing a unique apparatus that attaches to the monkeys’ homecage and will permit automated neurophysiological testing using a number of devices, such as a touchscreen for stimulus presentation, reward systems, eye-monitoring, and physiological setups for recording brain activity during research tasks. In developing and testing the system, we shall also address a major scientific question. Humans and macaque monkeys have the capacity to hold and manipulate in working memory the precise order of a short series of visual stimuli seen only once. TO BE CONT’D

Study on the Frequency Response of Overhead Transmission Lines

The goal of this project is to research and develop a model that is suitable for BC Hydro’s application to predict the sag of a power transmission line from its induced frequency response. Transmission lines always elongate over time due to the temperature of the conductor. The ability to monitor and obtain the shape of transmission lines is one of the most important tools in evaluating power transmission line’s effectiveness in operation, maintenance and the most important, safety. This project will be done by doing a thorough literature survey and using existing models on cable dynamics with appropriate assumptions, and then apply these models to transmission lines vibrational pattern.

Going with the flow: Advancement of data collection and analysis tools for utilizing drifter data in tidal energy applications.

This project aims to further develop cost-effective methods for characterizing fluid flow fields in high-energy tidal channels, with a focus on use of low-profile drifters to calibrate and validate numerical models of ocean flows. The project will focus on the Finite-Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) used by Acadia and Luna Ocean, primarily for tidal energy site assessment in the Bay of Fundy. The use of measurements gathered by various types of drifters provides a cost effective method for mapping flow fields, resolving spatial and short-term temporal variation in tidal flows. This project will further develop Luna Ocean Data Analysis Software (LODAS), utilizing some open source tools in Acadia’s existing ‘PySeidon’ tidal software package. The result will be an increased understanding of the accuracy of drifter measurements and module for LODAS that will calibrate and quantify errors within FVCOM using flow velocity data measured from drifters. We expect the results to advance tools used for commercial tidal energy site assessments as well as provide detailed tidal information for local high-interest regions for tidal energy developments.

Development of Design Guidance for Tall Wood-based Hybrid Buildings

The benefits of using wood in tall and non-residential construction are undisputed, namely reducing the carbon footprint, shortening construction times, and enhancing seismic and building physics performance. The international market for wood as a structural material in tall and non-residential construction is still relatively untapped. Among the main reasons is the lack of guidelines for novel structural systems. Two approaches to increase the use of wood in tall and non-residential construction involve the concepts of ‘mass-timber‘ such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and ‘hybrid structures’ that integrate wood with different materials. Hybridization is the process of combining two or more materials to form a system that makes use of each material’s strength and simultaneously overcomes their individual weaknesses. The project’s objective is the development of design guidance for tall wood-based hybrid buildings, which is vital to their industrial acceptance. TO BE CONT’D

Phase II: Genomics and Lipid Studies for Flavour Selection in Pork

The hog industry in Manitoba is a very efficient means of converting grains and pulses into
high quality protein. Fresh pork is a healthy and nutritious source of protein, yet demand
remains static. One of the main reasons cited by consumers for not choosing pork is the
absence of good taste in modern pork. The objective of this project, which is a continuation
from Phase I of this project is to get fresh pork back on the dinner table by restoring its
flavour. In Phase I, sensory analysis to test the flavour of 1,350 pork tenderloin samples from
an array of breeds supplied by Maple Leaf was conducted, in addition to metabolomics
analysis, which gave information on precursors critical for good flavour development.
Sensory data and characterization of the metabolomics profile, coupled with genomics and lipid analysis in the final phase of this research (Phase II), will enable us to understand the
relationship between sensory outcomes and factors that play of role in influencing taste and
acceptability to determine which samples result in the most naturally flavorful meat samples.
This will allow for customized recommendations to be made to the hog industry, with
specificity regarding diets, ideal genetic strains, and conditions to yield the most desirable
pork for consumers. TO BE CONT.

The impact of Flood risk on the value of residential property: The case of Quebec city

Whether due to urbanization or climate changes, flood events have an impact on property value. Newly available geography data about flood risk zone have yet not been utilized to their full potential in Canada. This project aims to study the impact of the flood risk zone on the value of homes for Quebec City, and to identify other regions in Canada where similar conditions could affect housing value. The development of a strategy to expand the aim of research at the country-wide level will else be part of the project.

Influence de l’imidaclopride et du stress sur la reproduction et les capacitésmétaboliques des oiseaux.

L’intensification agricole est une des principales menaces qui pèsent sur la biodiversité. Les activités humaines génèrent des polluants qui affectent la santé des écosystèmes. La dangerosité de ces polluants est le plus souvent établie à partir de leurs effets mortels sur les animaux. Or, même exposés à de faibles doses, des effets non létaux liés à l’exposition aux pesticides peuvent contribuer à réduire la taille des populations. Ces effets sont rarement quantifiés ni utilisés pour établir la règlementation. Cette étude expérimentale vise à reproduire les mécanismes opérant dans les systèmes agricoles intensifs contaminés où la disponibilité de la ressource alimentaire est réduite par l’usage de pesticides. Plus précisément, elle vise à déterminer les effets cumulés de l’exposition à l’imidaclopride et de la restriction alimentaire qui l’accompagne sur la croissance et le métabolisme d’oisillons. Elle permettra de mettre en lumière les effets synergiques de ces deux contraintes tout en fournissant des données essentielles à la compréhension des mécanismes physiologiques potentiellement impliqués dans le déclin de la biodiversité aviaire en milieu champêtre. À terme, ces données contribueront à l’établissement d’indicateurs d’impact des polluants sur la santé de la faune sauvage qui s’avéreront utiles pour les conseillers environnementaux .

An investigation into the psychometric properties of patient-oriented measures in frailty and dementia

Patient centred measures can facilitate better health outcomes by focusing on symptoms considered important to the patient themselves. These kinds of measures can prove useful with regard to age-associated health issues such as dementia and frailty. A patient oriented approach can ensure that the patient receives the correct intervention at the appropriate time, and can potentially provide individualized clinical evaluations to avoid unclear or misleading findings from standard psychometric tests.

Goal attainment scaling (GAS), a system of goal setting which places the emphasis on the symptoms of individual patients, has been utilized in dementia research. However, due to limitations of GAS, such as feasibility issues, the approach was modified to build a novel tool, Dementia SymptomGuide™ that allows patients and carers to record and track dementia-related symptoms online. The Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale was developed in response to some of the limitations of commonly used frailty measures (e.g., small numbers of listed symptoms; inappropriateness with severely frail). An investigation into the psychometric properties of these newly developed tools is necessary to determine reliability, validity and responsiveness. Also this research will solidify the industry partner’s position as a global leader in the field of patient-centric outcome measurement for clinical monitoring and research.

The role of serpin-producing B. longum as an inhibitor of gluten/ATI-related innate immuneactivation

Gluten-related disorders include a variety of clinical entities triggered by the ingestion of gluten containing cereals. The
best characterized condition is celiac disease, an autoimmune enteropathy occurring in genetically susceptible
individuals. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity or non-coeliac wheat sensitivity (NCGS/ NCWS) is a clinical descriptor of
patients, in whom celiac disease and wheat allergy have been ruled out, that present with intestinal and/or extraintestinal
symptoms after ingestion of gluten-containing foods. We recently found that treatment of mice with a
probiotic manufactured by our industrial partner (Nestle), a B. longum NCC 2705 producing serpin, alleviated gluteninduced
intraepithelial lymphocytosis and restored villus to crypt ratios. We also observed a change in glutenasic
activity in mice treated with B. longum NCC 2705, suggesting the protective effect may include a specific mechanism
linked to the metabolism of gluten. We will test the role of B. longum NCC 2705 in the metabolism of gluten and
amylase trypsin inhibitors which have been implicated in the induction of innate immune responses. The results will
enhance the mechanistic knowledge and provide a basis for human trials and the potential application of these
probiotic strains by the industrial partner, in the prevention or treatment of gluten and wheat sensitivities.