Developing spatial and participatory resolutions for the Canadian Aboriginal housing crisis

The Aboriginal housing situation in Canada is in crisis with a lack of culturally and environmentally appropriate housing. A Participatory Approach towards Housing Solutions (PATHS) Framework has been developed that recognizes and visualizes the strengths and limitations of communities, and assesses pathways with which they may achieve their housing goals. Communities are actively engaged in […]

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Blood biomarkers of asthma

Allergic asthma is a condition of the airways characterized by airway constriction and hyperresponsiveness upon allergen exposure. About half of the allergic asthmatic individuals experience only an acute airway constriction (early response) within several minutes upon exposure to allergen while the other half of individuals experience not only an acute airway constriction but also a […]

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Marine mammal behavioural responses to tidal turbine sound

The coastal marine regions of Canada are an excellent source of renewable energy. Tides and currents are predictable in space and time so ideal for tidal energy. Coastal areas with strong currents are also popular with marine mammals often providing good feeding opportunities. However little is known about how marine mammals will be affected by […]

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iMALDI-based Assays for Protein Activity to Improve Patient Selection for Therapeutic Akt Inhibitors in Cancer Treatment

Detailed profiling with modern analytical technologies has shown that most cancer types are composed of multiple small sub-populations with distinct molecular signatures. Correct identification of the cancer subtype can predict its response to a particular treatment. Genomics has commonly been applied for this purpose, but in some cases, our ability to predict drug response may […]

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Investigation and development of plasma-based cancer diagnostic

The blood of cancer patients contains DNA that has been shed by their tumours (circulating tumour DNA or ctDNA). As such, any genetic mutations in the tumour may be detected in the patient’s blood. Theoretically, patients can be followed and monitored through analysis of ctDNA, which would reveal if the patient is responding to treatment, […]

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Evaluation of a School Active Travel initiative

The number of children being driven to school has substantially increased over the past few decades—fewer children are walking or bicycling to school. There is good evidence to suggest that programs promoting walking or cycling to school may increase physical activity in children’s lives. With limited funds available, it is important to document the effectiveness […]

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Determining how differences between avid and lapsed anglers can improve license sales and angler satisfaction

Regardless of the numerous fishing opportunities, and cultural and historical significance of fishing in British Columbia, the number of freshwater fishing licenses sold to residents has been declining. Many British Columbia anglers are lapsed, meaning that they do not purchase a license every year. A better understanding of these anglers, and the difference between them […]

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Carbon thin-films for cosmetic jewellery applications: Year 3

Thin-films of carbon are finding use in a wide variety of military, industrial, and commercial applications. Arnell Workshop Inc., a West Kelowna, British Columbia-based cosmetic jewellery manufacturer, is using thin-films of carbon in order to coat titanium rings. As of the present moment, they are using an American firm in order to perform these depositions. […]

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Deconvolution of Whole Blood Transcriptome based on mRNA-Seq data

Gene expression in blood is highly affected by the type and proportion blood cells. Therefore, cell composition needs to be taken into account when looking for signatures specific to a condition. The issue is that cell composition needs to be assessed on fresh blood, i.e. at time of blood collection. If this has not been […]

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Mapping temporal and spatial variations in air quality using real-time mobile mass spectrometry

This project will support the development of mobile sensor technology and data processing techniques that can be used to identify, characterize, and map contaminant sources that impact air quality in British Columbia. Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOC/SVOCs) are present in the atmosphere as a result of human activities and natural sources. These compounds are […]

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Optical Tracking of Log Rotation with Bulk Motion and Skewing

This project will focus on using cameras to measure the rotation angle of a wood log in a sawmill production line. This work will involve updating a cart to move and rotate a wood log, setting up a camera to see the full path of the wood log, and writing a computer code to find […]

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