Connect with us

Technology

Philippe Constant Appointed Chief Scientific Advisor to the City of Mirabel

Published

on

INRS professor specializing in microbiology and biotechnology to play key role at Carrefour d’innovation écoresponsable in Mirabel

LAVAL, QC, Sept. 23, 2024 /CNW/ – The City of Mirabel has announced the appointment of Professor Philippe Constant, researcher at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), as its Chief Scientific Advisor. This appointment is part of a wider announcement of funding for the City of Mirabel’s “Signature innovation” project in anticipation of the future Carrefour d’innovation écoresponsable de Mirabel (CIÉM).

This project is the result of a collaboration agreement signed in 2021 between INRS, the City of Mirabel, and Mirabel économique, as well as several other local partners. The event was attended by Mirabel mayor Patrick Charbonneau and Sylvie D’Amours, MNA for Mirabel.

“The Carrefour d’innovation écoresponsable de Mirabel must be seen as a rallying point for collective intelligence. The idea is to bring skills together and share knowledge and innovation in promising fields for the area, such as soil health and water and waste management. The aim is to make the city of Mirabel a model of sustainable development,” explains Philippe Constant, professor at INRS’s Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre and Chief Scientific Advisor to the City of Mirabel.

Professor Constant, who has long collaborated with the municipality and RCM of Mirabel, will contribute his expertise in microbiology and his network of local partners. Professor Constant’s appointment was applauded by Quebec’s Chief Scientist, Rémi Quirion. The Mirabel native is now the seventh chief scientific advisor of a Quebec municipality.

Philippe Constant will be able to draw on his personal knowledge of Mirabel to provide scientific guidance that is perfectly tailored to the area. That is an invaluable asset. He will also be able to count on the other municipal scientific advisors in Québec for support, and on my office to build relationships with science committees around the world through INGSA—the International Network for Governmental Science Advice—which I am fortunate enough to lead as its president,” says Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec.

“The appointment of Professor Philippe Constant as Chief Scientific Advisor to the City of Mirabel re-emphasizes the importance of making science central to municipal decision-making for the benefit of society. This aligns with INRS’s mission to play an active role in Quebec’s economic, social, and cultural development through all of our scientific activities. Our research and education institution is delighted to have the City of Mirabel as a partner in innovation for a more sustainable future,” adds Isabelle Delisle, Interim Scientific Director at INRS.

The CIÉM will specialize in the key fields of agriculture, environment, water management, energy, and waste treatment and optimization. It will be dedicated to research, knowledge transfer, and the development of new, high-value-added bioproducts. Its mission is to put scientific research at the forefront of socioeconomic development while employing its skills for the benefit of the regional ecosystem to take on current and future environmental challenges.

“The idea behind the Carrefour is also to promote the research taking place at INRS, while responding to the issues and needs of the City of Mirabel,” concludes Professor Constant.

About the role of Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA)

The main mission of CSAs is to incorporate the scientific approach into cities’ decision-making processes. They help to instill a scientific culture in the city’s ecosystem while fostering innovation and the adoption of sustainable practices. This also allows them to suggest, at their discretion, themes or initiatives they feel should be explored for the benefit of elected officials, citizens, and businesses alike. A CSA’s biggest asset is their network, which allows them to bring together researchers from Quebec and abroad to address the issues identified in the field.

About INRS

INRS is an academic institution dedicated exclusively to graduate research and training in strategic sectors in Quebec. For the past 55 years, it has actively contributed to Quebec’s economic, social, and cultural development. INRS is first in Canada in research intensity. It is made up of four interdisciplinary research and training centres located in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, which focus their efforts on strategic sectors: water, earth, and environment (Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre); energy, materials, and telecommunications (Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre); urbanization, culture, and society (Urbanisation Culture Société Research Centre); and health and biotechnology (Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre). The INRS community includes over 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty and staff members. 

SOURCE Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS)

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Danish Publisher Automates Digital Textbook Delivery with Integrated WooCommerce-Webdoxx Solution

Published

on

By

Danish educational publisher eliminates manual processing errors and delivers instant access to more than 20 digital learning products

LONDON, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Forlaget 94, a Danish educational publisher serving commercial colleges and vocational schools since 1994, has transformed its digital textbook distribution by implementing a fully automated WooCommerce-Webdoxx solution.

“Using the Webdoxx-WooCommerce integration we have achieved full automation of order processing, fewer errors, and happier customers,” Tom Gertsen, IT Manager at Forlaget 94

Previously, Forlaget 94 relied on manual processes to distribute digital textbooks to customers. As demand for online educational materials grew, the publisher required a faster, more reliable way to manage orders, provision access, and reduce the risk of administrative errors.

Through its integration of WooCommerce with Webdoxx, Forlaget 94 now runs more than 20 educational products through a 100% automated workflow. The solution automatically processes customer orders and provides instant access to purchased digital textbooks, improving the experience for both customers and internal teams.

“The result is full automation of order processing, fewer errors, and happier customers,” said Tom Gertsen, IT Manager at Forlaget 94 and architect behind the WooCommerce-Webdoxx integration. The automated system has enabled Forlaget 94 to eliminate manual errors, accelerate customer processing, and increase customer satisfaction through immediate access provisioning. The implementation demonstrates how educational publishers can modernize digital content delivery while maintaining secure, managed access to learning materials.

Webdoxx, a service created and managed by Drumlin Security Ltd, provides online DRM and managed document delivery services for publishers, educational organizations, institutions, and commercial content providers.

About Forlaget 94

Forlaget 94 is a Danish educational publisher established in 1994, providing educational products for commercial colleges and vocational schools.

About Webdoxx

Webdoxx is an online DRM and managed document delivery service created and managed by Drumlin Security Ltd. The platform supports secure access to digital publications and documents across a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, government, finance, and publishing.

Media Contact

Mike de Smith, Drumlin Security Ltd, 44 7768404712, info@drumlinsecurity.com, https://www.drumlinsecurity.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/danish-publisher-automates-digital-textbook-delivery-with-integrated-woocommerce-webdoxx-solution-302759942.html

SOURCE Forlaget 94

Continue Reading

Technology

139th Canton Fair Phase 3 Advances Toward a Better Life with New and Strengthened Product Zones

Published

on

By

GUANGZHOU, China, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has rolled out nine newly established product zones. Phase 3 features an expanded and upgraded Intelligent Healthcare zone and the inaugural presentation of a Functional & Technical Fabrics zone.

The upgraded Intelligent Healthcare zone brings together 50 companies presenting a full spectrum of intelligent medical solutions, spanning AI-powered diagnostics, surgical robotics, and next‑generation eldercare technologies. Exhibits highlight how medical devices are becoming smaller, more precise, and increasingly non‑invasive. Capsule endoscopy systems demonstrate how gastrointestinal screening can be completed without discomfort, while AI‑enabled traditional Chinese medicine analyzers compress the inspection and inquiry process into minutes. Wearable glucose monitors make chronic disease management easier and more convenient.

Robotic technologies play a prominent role as well. Endoscopic and orthopedic surgical robots showcase enhanced precision through integrated human‑machine coordination, while bionic prosthetic hands use non‑invasive myoelectric sensing to independently control each finger. Intelligent rehabilitation systems, including lower‑limb exoskeletons and hand‑training devices, provide consistent support for patients recovering mobility. Companion‑style eldercare robots, equipped with monitoring and telemedicine functions, signal the rise of integrated home‑based health services.

The debuting Functional & Technical Fabrics zone highlights how the traditional textile industry is moving toward higher-end and smarter products. Exhibitors present materials that combine multi‑layered performance with intelligent responsiveness. Textiles featuring temperature‑regulating fibers, phase‑change materials, and light‑ or heat‑sensitive color‑shifting effects illustrate how fabrics are evolving into adaptive platforms capable of responding to environmental conditions.

Sustainability emerges as a defining theme. Bio‑based fibers, degradable films, recycled polyester, and organic cotton reflect a shift from isolated eco‑products toward full‑chain green manufacturing. High‑performance outdoor and protective applications further shape the narrative. Materials engineered for waterproof breathability, UV resistance, flame retardancy, and long‑term durability address rising demand across sportswear, professional protection, and medical environments. Smart textiles with embedded health‑monitoring modules demonstrate how apparel is beginning to function as a continuous wellness interface.

Both technology‑driven healthcare and advanced textiles are converging around a shared pursuit of a better life. As these advancements continue to evolve, they reflect a manufacturing landscape increasingly shaped by innovation, resilience, and a commitment to improving everyday living.

For pre-registration, please click: https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/139th-canton-fair-phase-3-advances-toward-a-better-life-with-new-and-strengthened-product-zones-302760704.html

SOURCE Canton Fair

Continue Reading

Technology

CupidFeel Insights Show How Shared Interests Affect Initial Connection Outcomes

Published

on

By

New behavioral insights from CupidFeel offer a carefully considered look at how shared interests influence whether an initial connection on a dating platform is sustained or abandoned in those first critical exchanges.

GIBRALTAR, May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The findings by CupidFeel are not dramatic, but they are telling. People who referenced a shared interest — whether a genre of music, a type of cuisine, a sport, a creative practice, or even a shared discomfort with small talk — within the first few exchanges of a new conversation were found to be measurably more likely to continue that conversation beyond the initial contact window. The effect was not uniform across all interest categories; certain types of shared interest appeared to carry more relational weight than others.

It was also observed by CupidFeel that the timing of when shared interests entered a conversation mattered. Connections where common ground was discovered organically — through the natural flow of exchange rather than prompted by a profile field or a direct question — showed stronger indicators of sustained interest. The discovery, in other words, carried more meaning when it felt like something found rather than something declared.

Among the most quietly striking findings in the CupidFeel data was the role of specificity. Broad shared categories — “we both like travel,” “we both enjoy cooking” — were associated with polite, often brief exchanges that rarely extended past pleasantries. But when specificity entered the picture — when one person mentioned a particular documentary that had stayed with them, or a city they had visited and could not stop thinking about — the conversational energy shifted. Something opened up.

In a CupidFeel review of trends in profile engagements, those whose profiles reflected specific, idiosyncratic interests — rather than broadly appealing ones — also showed higher rates of receiving first messages, a finding that runs gently counter to the instinct many people have to present themselves in the most universally appealing terms possible.

What seemed to matter most was not the quantity of overlap but whether the overlap that existed was felt — whether it produced a sense of being seen in some particular, non-generic way. A CupidFeel review of early conversation patterns suggests that a single deeply resonant shared interest may be more generative for early connection than a long list of surface-level commonalities that, taken together, feel more like a demographic profile than a person.

About CupidFeel

CupidFeel is an online dating platform built around the belief that meaningful connections begin with emotional honesty and the willingness to let a conversation go somewhere real. It came into being for people who are less interested in the mechanics of dating and more drawn to the possibility of something that feels grounded — exchanges that move at their own pace, guided by genuine curiosity rather than performance.

A CupidFeel review of its own design principles returns consistently to the same question: what does it take for a first message to feel like it might be worth the journey? The platform makes room for the kind of interaction that doesn’t always have a clear destination but feels, from the first exchange, like something real. CupidFeel is a place where the unexpected is not something to be managed, but something to be welcomed.

Media Contact

Timothy Albers, CupidFeel, 1 14845691657, smm@cupidfeel.com, https://cupidfeel.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/cupidfeel-insights-show-how-shared-interests-affect-initial-connection-outcomes-302759951.html

SOURCE CupidFeel

Continue Reading

Trending