Innovative Projects Realized

Analyse de données pour l’application de stratégie de découvrabilité dans les arts et la culture

Face au développement du numérique, les industries culturelles ont subi depuis presque deux décennies d’importantes mutations bouleversant tous les aspects de la chaîne de valeur et remettant en perspective les pratiques d’affaires des maillons qui la composent.

Plus que jamais, le secteurs culturel québécois doit se mobiliser en développant des stratégies – pour atteindre les bons publics et sur les bons canaux – favorisant la découvrabilité sur le numérique. On constate cependant que, bien que certains secteurs aient déjà largement entamé leur transformation numérique, d’autres peinent encore à effectuer cette transition. La crise de la COVID-19, situation inédite, a cependant été l’occasion d’accélérer cette transition et l’on a vu de nouvelles façons de créer et de nouvelles plateformes de diffusion émerger ainsi qu’un intérêt accru pour les stratégies numériques afin de rendre visible et faire la promotion des contenus culturels.

Le présent projet s’inscrit ainsi dans une démarche collaborative visant à structurer, optimiser et pérenniser l’exploitation des données sur les publics de la culture ainsi que développer et mettre en œuvre des stratégies numériques pour répondre aux objectifs de découvrabilité et de relance du secteur.

African Nova Scotian (ANS) Social Innovation Opportunities Lab

Over the past 30 years, there has been no statistical change in the gap between the unemployment rates of African Nova Scotians and the provincial average. In early 2019, the Nova Scotia Government funded a Social Innovation Lab led by One North End to develop innovative solutions to address this long-standing issue.
African Nova Scotians make up the largest racially visible group in Nova Scotia. According to the 2016 National Household Survey, 21,915 African Nova Scotians represent 37% of the racially visible population (Statistics Canada, 2016).
Over the past several months, the ANS Lab team has gained traction in identifying ways to improve employment levels. This concerted effort has already demonstrated impact by establishing an informal job matching portal with ANS youth and employers. In addition, through a collective impact approach, the team has identified solutions that can make a real statistical change.
The project will help develop African Nova Scotian youth skills and support them in navigating existing employment services and the job market.

BSI Project – Market Study for European Expansion

Currently RAP focuses the majority of its sales in Atlantic Canada and the New England States regions. However, lobster fishing is done in so many other parts of the world and RAP is looking to make its way to the European market. Before RAP attempts to enter the European market, a market study must be conducted in order to have a successful entry. Currently, RAP cannot expend the manpower to conduct this study thoroughly to its full potential which is why we thought this would be a great opportunity for a student. This project will help RAP by providing all the necessary information required for a successful market entry into Europe such as product differences and requirements, potential distributors, various contacts in the commercial fishing industry, etc. This study is crucial as you only really get one chance to make a good impression with fishermen when it comes to new products and RAP wants to make sure it’s done right.

Development of simulation program for industry with AR/VR

There is a growing demand for training simulation programs using Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) in various industries such as nursing and construction worldwide due to safety and high cost issues. Additionally, the need for collaboration among workers within a country or across multiple countries for practical training and education is expanding in certain industries. However, there are differences in the technological issues required for software due to the cultural awareness of workers and the situation of each country’s industry. Furthermore, there are differences between clinical situations and simulations since simulations can only perform based on registered objects and scenarios. Therefore, this training aims to develop and research new forms of AR/VR training simulation technology and programs required for specific industries (e.g. nursing, construction) through joint research with Korea and Canada. Specifically, element technology will be developed so that objects/spaces in real space can be reflected in real-time training simulations through virtualization based on deep learning. In addition, new AR/VR training interaction methods required for specific industries will be developed by analyzing the user’s multimodal inputs (hand gestures, speech, etc.).

Effects of 2D and 3D Virtual Human on User Experience in XR Environments

This research aims to develop and utilize a virtual human evaluation model using the concept of dimensionality in XR interfaces. The phased goals to achieve the final goal are
Research phase 1) Experimental design by designing virtual humans according to dimension levels in XR interfaces and deriving types of usage purposes,
Research phase 2) Evaluation of differences in user experience preferences according to the dimension level applied to the virtual human and the purpose of use.
Through this, we aim to contribute to building a user-centered technological environment in the near future when XR interface-based technology is universally applied to virtual humans. The main objective of the study is to explain how the dimension level of the XR interface applied to the virtual human affects the user experience in the process of user interaction with the virtual human, and the user’s perception of 2D and 3D virtual humans as a result of user interaction with systems designed in different ways for various types and purposes of virtual human use, based on ergonomics and HCI.

Development of an AI Assisted Denoising Technique for Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging for Breast Cancer Margin Assessment

Breast cancer is the most common cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) in 109 countries including Canada. Approximately 70% of the breast cancer surgeries are breast-conserving lumpectomy procedures. Histopathology analysis typically require 2-4 days, resulting in the need for a second surgery if a margin is positive. Perimeter Medical is developing advanced Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging tools to visualize margins at the time of surgery. One of the keys needs is the training of medical professionals who would interpret images during surgery. Intern will contribute to development of an AI based solution that will have a click to reveal functionality to identify different features in OCT images. Intern will develop a binary classifier to identify calcifications which might be an early sign of cancer. Intern will learn various aspects of AI development from data labeling, curation to model building and optimization while Perimeter Medical accelerates the development of training tool.

Développement de modèles mathématiques en aquaponie

En partenariat avec le laboratoire en aquaponie de la compagnie ÉAU (Écosystèmes Alimentaires Urbains), le projet vise à développer des outils d’optimisation mathématique permettant de minimiser les coûts financiers et environnementaux de fonctionnement tout en assurant la résilience du système en prenant en compte les diverses contraintes présentes. Le stage considère la modélisation mathématique des processus en oeuvre afin de permettre leur intégration dans des modèles de simulation et des programmes mathématiques d’optimisation.

A Blockchain-Enabled Database for Sensitive Data Governance and OCAP Compliance

This research project aims to develop a secure and user-friendly database system for sensitive Indigenous data using blockchain technology. The project will explore how this innovative technology can enhance data security, privacy, and control for Indigenous Nations, while adhering to OCAP (ownership, control, access, possession) principles. The intern(s) will engage with stakeholders, assess the feasibility of various blockchain solutions, and design a tailored system that addresses the unique needs of Indigenous Nations. The outcome will benefit Living Lakes Canada by providing a trusted platform for data sharing, strengthening collaboration with Indigenous partners, and supporting informed decision-making in environmental and resource management across the Columbia Basin.

Indigenous Governance in Child and Family Wellbeing

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto (NCFST) must reflect the holistic Indigenous worldview so that we better reflect what we are supposed to be: a thriving and growing Indigenous multi-service urban agency. We need to align the decision-making principles and processes with historical and traditional forms of governance from the region in which we serve. Aligning agency governance with traditional forms of governance should lead to decisions that are consistent with cultural values and expectations. NCFST is transitioning from a mainstream hierarchical leadership structure towards an Indigenous governance model grounded in consensus-based decision-making. This transition requires an intern to conduct historiography and oral history research with similar non-profit organizations to determine best practices for the organizational change we plan. Our process of organizational change may also help other organizations to develop a governance model based on Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

COVID-19 and Toxic Hotel Workplaces

The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and workplace toxicity in hotels. The recovery for the hotel industry post pandemic will be challenging enough without the potential for toxicity in the workplace to become an unexpected consequence of COVID-19. The research results will be used for academic and industry purposes and will be published in academic conferences, journals, and industry reports. The intern will be continuing a previous data collection that has already taken place in the Fall of 2022 in BC Canada, where line managers and or human resource managers in hotels are interviewed using a standardized list of questions. The information gathered is regarding the participants views of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the hotel work environment. Continuing the research in the UK is to give a bigger data set to analyze, as well as seeing if there are disparities or similarities between the hotels based in the Canada and the UK.

Unraveling the Structure and Dynamics of OR2AT4 as a Drug Target for Acute Myeloid Leukemia using Molecular Dynamics Simulation

In this project, we will be investigating a potential therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is a type of blood cancer and the five year survival rate is less than 30%. We will be studying a receptor called OR2AT4, which has been found in the white blood cells of AML patients. This receptor has been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation when activated, making it a promising target for AML treatment. However, designing effective drugs has been difficult because we do not have an accurate structure for this receptor. We will be using computer simulations to study the structure of OR2AT4 and how it interacts with a natural odorant called sandalore, which activates the receptor. By doing so, we hope to provide a more reliable structure for OR2AT4 that can be used to design more effective drugs for AML treatment.

Investigation of the surface characteristics of fingers and impacts of PUR adhesive chemistry and application on joints performance

The research project has the objective to evaluate how tool wear, adhesive type and adhesive application impact the manufacturability and bonding performance of finger-jointed (FJ) Douglas-fir lamellas. These will be assessed by measuring the mechanical properties, characterizing the surface quality and determining the initial friction. The experimental design will be conducted in both industrial (FJ process) and laboratory (measurement of dependent variables) settings to maximize technological transfer to the partner. The partner will benefit by noticing an expected reduction in the occurrence of rejects (i.e., FJ lamellas not meeting the required standard) and an increase in the performance of their products, which will foster an optimized use of their products and minimize forest resources.