NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Substrats neurophysiologiques du traitement émotionnel de l'information visuelle chez les adultes vieillissants

Background. Although empathy is an essential tool throughout life, its study in normal aging remains limited and largely supported by subjective measures. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a new avenue for studying empathy through mu rhythm. The purpose of this study was to explore the evolution of empathy trough time and between sex by focusing on the neurophysiological response (mu rhythm) resulting from the observation of emotional facial expressions (EFE) and from the score obtained on an empathy questionnaire. Methods. A total of 65 participants, including 33 young adults and 32 seniors, took part in this study. They were exposed to short video clips of dynamic facial expressions of joy, fear and neutral during which they had to try to feel each exposed emotion while electroencephalography (EEG) responses were recorded. They also completed the Empathy Quotient (EQ). Results. Young adults reacted more strongly to emotional EFEs. Seniors perceived themselves as less empathetic and had an equivalent neurophysiological response between stimuli. Senior women were even more responsive to neutral EFEs than younger women. A sex effect in favor of women has been observed in the modulation of mu rhythm and higher empathy capacities have been associated with a higher mu rhythm in the latter. Conclusion. Mu rhythm appears to be an age and sex sensitive neurophysiological marker in empathic treatment and could therefore serve as an objective measure for this purpose.

Keyphrases: Empathy, Aging, Electroencephalography, Mu rhythms, Emotional facial expressions
Mais où est passé le réel? Profils, représentations et métaontologie

What has happened to the real? This apparently timeless question takes on an entirely new meaning in our contemporary era defined by digital media (social networks, virtual reality devices, augmented reality, etc.). The Dibutade myth, as an origin myth relating to a particular form of representation, that of the profile, seems particularly useful to analyze the question of the real. It relates, in particular, to the proliferation of online “profile writing”. This article will propose an interpretation of profile writing from a philosophical perspective called “metaontology”. Metaontology attempts to take into account the real after the deconstruction of it by the heterogenous intellectual movement which we have come to call – somewhat problematically – “post-structuralism”.

Keyphrases: Imaginaire-réel, Facebook, Dibutade, Orlando, Francesco, Auerbach, Erich
Vente de drogues illicites sur le darknet: Enchâssement des marchés de drogues physiques et virtuels

Links seem to exist between virtual and physical markets for illicit drugs. While several authors referred to them, none of their studies really focused on understanding the nature of the links between these two types of markets. Therefore, this research aims to provide us with a better understanding of the links that exist between the virtual and physical markets of illicit drugs. More precisely, it focuses on the frequency of illicit drugs vendors that have sales experience in the physical world, on the level of diversification of those vendors’ activities as well as on the characteristics of their professional networks on cryptomarkets. This study’s data was collected from a survey administered on cryptomarkets that was addressed to illicit drugs vendors who are over 18 years old. The vendors were directly contacted via internal messaging on those cryptomarkets. This study demonstrated that almost half of the vendors in its sample were involved in physical trades of illicit drugs before expanding their activities to cryptomarkets. Those vendors seem to succeed better financially on cryptomarkets than the sellers who have no previous experience in non-virtual illicit drugs dealing. When we analyzed the professional networks of bimodal vendors, we noted that business contacts were mainly met offline. Finally, when we compared the supply sources for bimodal vendors with the ones used by unimodal virtual vendors, we can saw in a significant way that the bimodal vendors restock their products from the physical markets more often than unimodal vendors on the cryptomarkets. We can therefore conclude that links exist between the virtual and physical illicit markets of drugs.

Keyphrases: Cryptomarket, Illicit drug trafficking, Online drug market, Offline drug market, New technologies
Levels of immunoglobulin G, white blood cells and fibrinogen in dairy cows with and without endometritis during the transitional period

Reproductive performance is particularly dependent on uterine health during the postpartum period. Under normal circumstances, close to 100% of cows have uterine contamination within the first 2 weeks after calving. The innate immune and reproductive system usually eliminate all of the offending microbes, however persistent infection reportedly occurs over 20 % of postpartum cows. The aims of this study were to estimate concentrations of systemic immune indicators like white blood cells (WBC), IgG, and fibrinogen during the transitional period in dairy cows and to compare these concentrations in dairy cows with and without endometritis. A total of three different commercial dairy herds located in Quebec (Canada) in the Maskoutain region were recruited, and 61 multiparous cows were systematically and consecutively enrolled at drying period and then examined six times between 40 days (J-40) before and after calving (J40). All six exams included an assessment of lameness, the collection of milk and blood samples, a transrectal and vaginal exam, and a vaginal cytobrush. Diseased cows (n = 11) were identified based on the presence of T. pyogenes grade >2 in the uterus, clinical and subclinical endometritis, and cervicitis. The control group animals (n = 11) were characterized by the absence of all four criteria. For the 61 cows, the prevalence for clinical endometritis, subclinical endometritis , T. pyogenes, and cervicitis were 23%, 16%, 25%, and 31% respectively. Concentrations of the systemic inflammatory indicators (IgG, WBC, and fibrinogen) did not change significantly over time or vary significantly between control and diseased cows at any exam. In conclusion, systemic indicators of inflammation are not good markers for diagnosing or monitoring endometritis in postpartum dairy cows.

Keyphrases: Dairy cows, Immunoglobulin G, Fibrinogen, White blood cells, Neutrophils, Endometritis, Transition period, Neutrophiles
Synthèse des revues systématiques et méta-analyses traitant des interventions nonpharmacologiques chez des personnes souffrant de maladie d’Alzheimer, de démence vasculaire ou de démence mixte et vivant à domicile

With the aging of the population, the prevalence of major neurocognitive disorder is increasing. In Canada, 13 individuals out of one thousand are affected by the disorder (Tessier, 2016). Alzheimer’s disease, vascular diseases and mixed impairments are recognized to be the most frequent etiology of major NCD. Non-pharmacological interventions (NPI) are often considered in the treatment of people suffering from the disorder so they can maintain their autonomy in everyday life activities and their abilities, often by trying to reduce the functional impairments.  The objective of this work was to make a summary of the best non-invasive NPI to provide to therapists and caregivers the means to identify the best intervention to maintain the autonomy and quality of life depending on the particular needs of the individual. After a literature search on the University’s usual databases, 722 reviews were found. Out of those, 8 that responded to our PICOTS criteria were kept for the present analysis. Five of those were reviews of cognitive interventions and three were of physical exercises. The reviews reported a total of 57 different primary studies published between 1979 and 2015. All of the reviews analyzed the effects of the NPI on cognition, 5 looked at mood and 5 considered the adaptation of the ADL. Methodological quality of the reviews, as assessed by AMSTAR 2, was between low and moderate. Quality of confidence in the evidence as assessed by GRADE was between very low to high. The summary of the results was written in a narrative format. Most of the reviews included in this present work had important heterogeneity in their definition, methodology and outcomes. Therefore, it was impossible to have a clear picture of the outcomes concerning ADL and the quality of life associated with specific interventions. The definition of the physical exercises, albeit with some imprecision concerning the duration and intensity, were best described. Therefore, the results of our summary of reviews allows us to say that a physical exercises program seems to have significant positive effect on autonomy in ADL

Keyphrases: Neurocognitive disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular dementia, Mixed dementia, Non-pharmacological interventions, Cognitive interventions, Physical exercises, Neuropsychology
Gestion des contrats de service

This report reflects my experience throughout my 4 months’ internship at the CIUSSS-CODIM-JGH. My main mandate at this institution has been the management of service contracts. Other related tasks have also been entrusted to me, namely the acquisition of medical equipment.  In this report, the CIUSS-CODIM and the organizational structure of the department of biomedical engineering will be presented. Subsequently, the management of the service contracts and their planning will be explained. Finally, other activities carried out throughout my project will also be discussed, namely the acquisition of several specialized medical equipment.

Keyphrases: CIUSSS-CODIM, Clinical engineer, Consultant, Service contracts, CIUSSS-CODIM, Biomedical engineering, Acquisition of medical equipment, Acquisition process, Biomedical technician
Évaluation du déploiement d’armes à impulsions électriques au sein du Service de police de la ville de Québec de 2015 à 2017

The use of force entails a substantial risk of injury to the citizens and officers involved in police action. In Quebec, the right provided to peace officers to use force is strictly regulated by law and is guided by the National Use of Force Model. At the beginning of 2017, the Service de police de la ville de Québec (SPVQ) established a deployment of approximately 60 patrol officers armed with conducted electrical weapon (CEW) –commonly referred to as TASERS. The present internship report seeks to evaluate the recent CEW deployment by analyzing 241 Use of Force Reports submitted by CEW users between January 1, 2015 and September 30, 2017.  First, we place the use of Tasers within the broader concept of use of force and we describe its context of utilization by the SPVQ. We then develop a profile that allows to compare new and experienced users in order to determine the impact of the selection process and the training on the use of conducted electrical weapon. Finally, the following research question is addressed: which factors (citizen, police, or context) influence the decision to use an CEW and the way it is used? The results show differences between the two groups of users in terms of socio-demographic characteristics and the way the weapons are used. However, there are few differences in terms of training. The decision to use an conducted electrical weapon during an intervention is mostly explained by factors relating to the police officer. Furthermore, it appears that police officers are more likely to use an CEW in electric shock mode when a subject presents violent behaviour. Research that examines the characteristics of users, involved individuals, and context of use of conducted electrical weapon can ultimately be used to improve the selection process and the training offered to patrol officers.

Keyphrases: Use of force, Intermediate weapon, Conducted electrical weapon
Caractérisation et étude de l’impact des permissions dans les applications mobiles

Android provides a security model based on permissions to third-party application developers, who control access to system resources, including hardware, settings, and user data. This search examines a set of permission data for more than 130,000 existing apps on the Google Play Store on how they can affect smartphone users. The goal is to identify patterns of permissions usage and to better understand the patterns in permissions from the users' point of view. We report results on thousands of applications and we observe a negative correlation between the score of conformance to the patterns that we calculated for each application, the average rating and the price.  This project also presents an empirical study of the Android permission model, allowing to observe the use of permission sets by third-party developers in similar applications and to identify the risk levels associated with different combinations of permissions in the Android applications. We found that Internet access permission was used by over 70% of applications and that the two most common permissions that access user information are ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION and ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION.  The study showed that the conformance score is not a risk indicator and is not an indicator of sustainability. On the other hand, the degree of use of dangerous permissions is at the same time a risk indicator and an indicator of durability, in fact, the applications which request more dangerous permissions are more likely to be malicious applications and to be deleted from Google Play store. Likewise, we've found that user satisfaction reflects both risk and sustainability, as less-rated apps are more likely to be malicious apps and removed from the Google Play store.

Keyphrases: Permissions Android, Android permissions, Risk, Personal data, Android applications, Permission-based security, Smartphone operating systems, Access control List
Pour une écologisation du concept de capabilité d’Amartya Sen

This article discusses the basic concepts of the theoretical framework developed by Amartya Sen and seeks to extend it to the question of the relationship to nature understood as biosphere, a theme left out by the author, who draws classically is demonstration on a Cartesian conception of nature. As the capability turns out to be a compound of the nature and artifice, the enlargement is possible. We conclude on the perspective of science habitats.

Keyphrases: philosophy, ethics, economics, Capability, freedom, nature., philosophy, ethics, economics, liberté, nature.
Effet de la buspirone sur le réflexe-H chez la souris adulte décérébrée spinale

Locomotion is generated by a spinal network which is, under normal conditions, modulated by supraspinal inputs and peripheral feedback. A spinal cord injury induces a loss of descending command and silence the locomotor network. Nevertheless, reexpression of this network can be facilitated by application of serotonin, a neurotransmitter originating supraspinally known to help locomotor recovery in spinal rodents. Such effect is associated with neuronal rearrangement which could be observed on reflex pathway. The aim of our study is to measure reflex modulation induced by buspirone, a 5-HT1A partial agonist that allowed reexpression of locomotion in adult spinal mice. Using a newly developed model of decerebrated unanesthetized mouse we measure the modulation of H-reflex excitability induced by buspirone after an acute spinal transection for 60 minutes post-injection. Comparison between buspirone (8mg/kg) treated (N=8) and control (N=6) groups present a significant decrease in reflex amplitude (69%) at early stages of pharmacological treatment followed by a raise (170%) that become significant 30 minutes postdose. Those results allowed us to associate reflexe decrease during prolocomotor period observed in first minutes after buspirone injection. There also support the involvement of buspirone in sensorimotor control.

Keyphrases: serotonin, motor function recovery, reflex control, monosynaptic reflex
Développement d’un algorithme pour la surveillance de l’incidence du cancer colorectal à Montréal avec les banques données médico-administratives de la RAMQ

Background: Cancer case ascertainment methods used in Quebec and elsewhere are known to underestimate the burden of cancer, particularly for certain subgroups. Algorithms using claims data are a low-cost option to improve the quality of cancer surveillance but have not been implemented at the population-level. Objectives: Our objectives were to 1) develop a colorectal cancer (CRC) case ascertainment algorithm using population-level hospitalization and physician billing data, 2) validate the algorithm, and 3) describe the characteristics of newly-captured cases. Methods: We linked physician billing, hospitalization, and tumour registry data for 2,013,430 Montreal residents aged 20 + (2000–2010). We compared the performance of three algorithms based on diagnostic codes and different data sources. We validated cases using receipt of treatment, site distribution, and time trends. We described identified cases according to age, sex, socioeconomic status, and treatment patterns. Results: Our algorithm based on diagnosis and treatment codes identified 11,476 of the 12,933 incident CRC cases contained in the tumour registry as well as 2,317 newly-captured cases. Our cases share similar overall time trends and site distributions to existing data, which increases our confidence in the algorithm. Our algorithm captured, proportionally more individuals aged 50 and younger among newly captured CRC cases: 8.2% vs. 5.3%. Additionally, newly captured cases were more likely to live in socioeconomically advantaged areas. Conclusions: Our algorithm provides a more complete picture of population-wide CRC incidence than existing case ascertainment methods. It could be used to estimate long-term incidence trends, aid in timely surveillance, and to inform interventions, in both Quebec and other jurisdictions.

Keyphrases: Incidence, Données médico-administratives, Colorectal cancer, Algorithm, Administrative health data, Cancer registry data
L'application de matériau tiré de la musique populaire à la musique classique contemporaine

This paper presents how popular music has influenced my musical language as a composer. The musical elements that I borrowed from popular music and their uses are detailed in an analysis of the pieces that I composed during my masters studies. Furthermore, a discussion of my artistic approach places it among the various aesthetic trends in classical music. Finally, I explain how both the influence of popular music and the knowledge I acquired throughout my masters contributed to the advancement of my career as a composer.

Keyphrases: Composition, Jazz, Analysis, Popular music, Contemporary classical music, Dance music, Orchestral music
Effet des épandages de lisier de porc et du travail du sol sur la présence de gènes de résistance aux antimicrobiens dans le sol et l’eau de drainage en grandes cultures

Agricultural practices represent potential pathways for the propagation of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. Hog manure applications introduce antimicrobial resistant microorganisms to the soil. This study evaluated the impact of hog manure spreading and tillage practices on the presence of ARGs in soil and drainage water in field crops. Escherichia coli and enterococci bacteria were counted. After DNA extraction, tet(T), sul1 and blaCTX-M-1 resistance genes were quantified by qPCR. The detection of mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes was performed by conventional PCR. The results showed that high-dose manure application (45 m3/ha) had a long-term impact on tet(T) and sul1 genes abundance in soil. A dose of 20 m3/ha had a short-term impact. Gene abundance in drainage water decreased significantly 15 days after manure application for sul1 and 169 days for tet(T). Tillage practices did not have an impact on the presence and abundance of ARGs in samples. The blaCTX-M-1 genes were detected in hog manure and in 7 water samples, but no link was established with the treatments. The mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes were not detected. This study demonstrated that tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance genes reservoir in soil can be increased after repeated high doses swine manure applications.

Keyphrases: Colistine, Antimicrobial resistance, Drainage water, Liquid hog manure, Antimicrobial resistance genes, Tillage, Tetracyclines, beta-lactams, Sulfonamides, Colistin
Impact d’un programme de stérilisation sur la taille des colonies de chats sans propriétaire en milieu rural

Several methods have been implemented in an effort to reduce feline overpopulation, such as trap-neuter and release programs (TNR). Lots of human and financial resources are put in TNR, although little data has been published on its real impact. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of a TNR program on the size of free-roaming rural cat colonies. This randomized controlled study included 18 cat colonies around barns and stables that were randomly assigned to TNR group (10 colonies of 7 to 27 cats; 14.3 cats in average) , and to Control group (8 colonies of 7 to 26 cats; 14.5 cats in average). A TNR program was applied once to TNR group at the beginning of the study. Number of cats and kittens in each colony were calculated from the images obtained by camera-trapping at 3 time points: baseline (T0), 7.5 months (T7) and 12 months (T12). When taking into account adults only, a significant growth difference in the number of cats between TNR group and Control group was observed at T7 (p=0.03). There was no significant impact of the TNR program on the growth when comparing all individuals (kittens and adults), but a trend was noted at T7 (p=0.06). There was no difference in the number of kittens at T7 (p=0.49) nor at T12 (p=0.36). There was a trend towards more migration in Control group at T12 (p=0.095). TNR program, as applied here, has a low and temporary impact on colony size in rural cat colonies.

Keyphrases: Feral cats, Sterilization programs, Trap-neuter and release program, Population control, Surpopulation, Chats errants