NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Impacts des emprises de lignes électriques sur la végétation des tourbières

Linear infrastructures are known to facilitate the spread of undesirable plants within their right-of-way (ROW) as well as in adjacent habitats. However, the impacts of power-lines ROWs have been weakly studied, particularly in wetlands. This study examined the vegetation of 23 ombrotrophic (bogs) and 11 minerotrophic (fens) peatlands intersected by a power-line ROW. The results showed that the spread of undesirable species along the feature is possible in fens and that some of those species could disperse into the adjacent habitat to more than 43 m from the ROW. Inversely, those features seemed to be inefficient dispersal vectors in bogs, because undesirable species were restricted to the bog margin in the ROW, and almost none dispersed in the adjacent habitats. Finally, intrinsic characteristics of peatlands, such as their degree of minerotrophy (bog or fen) and their vegetation type (open, semiforested or wooded peatland) seem to be important factors influencing invasion.

Keyphrases: Bogs, Corridors, Fens, Fragmentation, Anthropogenic disturbances, Exotic species, Invasive species, Linear infrastructures
Impact des polluants agricoles sur la génétique des populations d’une espèce sentinelle : le ouaouaron (Rana catesbeiana)

Agricultural expansion continues to act on the loss of critical habitats for the development of species and affects the integrity of remaining habitats. Although several species manage to survive in such inadequate ecosystems, persistence and health of many populations seem compromised by the intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers. This study aims at determining the impact of pollutants and landscape ecology on the genetic diversity of bullfrog populations inhabiting an agricultural area. Our hypothesis states that chronic exposure to agricultural pollutants induces genetic differences in exposed populations. The watershed of the Yamaska River was designated as the study site because it is part of the largest agricultural region in Quebec and because the sampling sites represent a gradient of land use for agriculture (low, moderate, high). The bullfrog was chosen as the biological model, since its physiological and ecological characteristics make it a sentinel species, which can reflect the overall health of an ecosystem. Population genetic characterization has been conducted from AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers. The results show that genetic diversity is correlated to colonization from the mouth of the Yamaska River and that some populations are genetically differentiated. Furthermore, we demonstrated a positive relationship between the number of polymorphic loci and the atrazine, the contamination index and the nitrogen concentration as well as between expected heterozygosity and phosphate concentration.

Keyphrases: aflp, pesticides, agriculture, bullfrog, sentinel species, genetic diversity, landscape ecology, agrochemicals, fertilizer, agriculture
Orientation spatiale et plasticité de l’hippocampe chez les personnes aveugles

It is well known that the visual modality plays a key role in the development of spatial representations. Hence, one may wonder how complex spatial abilities develop and how the brain is able to adapt in the absence of this modality.  In order to answer such questions we investigated the spatial abilities and cerebral plasticity of both early and late blind individuals in comparison to sighted blindfolded individuals.   The first experiment was designed to assess mental rotation abilities. A tactile topographical orientation task was used. The results show that blind individuals are able to develop mental rotation abilities similar to those of sighted ones. In the second experiment, we used different spatial tasks requiring the use of locomotion and wayfinding. Results show that blind individuals are better than their sighted counterparts at learning new routes in a maze. They also perform better when having to recognize a small-scale model representing a real-size spatial layout they had previously explored. Thus, the absence of vision does not appear to significantly impede the formation of spatial concepts.   The second part of this thesis is in line with studies on brain plasticity in blind individuals. We measured morphological changes in the hippocampus, a medial structure of the temporal lobe. Animal lesion-based and human brain imaging studies have shown that the hippocampus plays an important role in the processing of spatial information and in spatial navigation. Furthermore, structural changes in the hippocampus have been documented in relation to the ‘spatial’ experience of individuals. For instance, Maguire and colleagues (2000) have shown structural differences in the hippocampus of well-trained taxi drivers in comparison to individuals without extensive spatial training. Like taxi drivers, blind individuals require extensive storage of information regarding their environment. This is essentially because they cannot rely on visual cues to create a representation of the spatial organization of their environment, nor can they continuously visually update their position in space and the spatial coordinates of objects outside of their reach. Here we show for the first time an increase in the volume of the hippocampus in blind compared to sighted individuals. Moreover, this increase in hippocampal volume was positively correlated with performance on the route-learning task described above.  Overall, the results not only support previous findings showing that blind individuals can develop spatial abilities similar or superior to those of sighted individuals, but also shed light on the concept of brain plasticity by showing for the fist time a correlation between hippocampal volume and spatial abilities in the blind.

Keyphrases: Navigation, Compensation, Blindness, Navigation, Brain imaging, Volumetric MRI, Spatial abilities, Compensation, Brain plasticity, Neuropsychology
Reconnaissance mnésique dans le vieillissement normal, le trouble cognitif léger et la
maladie d’Alzheimer : impact du matériel et caractérisation des processus impliqués

Abstract: The main objective of this thesis was to characterize recognition memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment. The thesis includes three articles. The first paper proposes a literature review on the cognitive deficits observed in mild cognitive impairment, whereas the following articles report results from experimental studies on memory recognition. The goal of the first empirical study was to assess the impact of the type of material on long-term recognition and short-term recognition in Alzheimer’s disease comparing deficits in the verbal and musical domains. Results indicated that musical long-term recognition and short-term recognition were impaired in Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, musical deficits were of the same magnitude as those found in the verbal domain. A positive correlation was however observed between musical and verbal short-term recognition, whereas it was not the case in long-term recognition. These data thus partially support the presence of domain-specific impairments, particularly in long-term recognition, but also suggest that musical and verbal memory could share some mechanisms. The goal of the second study was to evaluate the impact of the novelty and the type of material on recognition processes in normal aging and mild cognitive impairment. The study assessed two processes that contribute to recognition memory: recollection and familiarity. These processes were measured using the remember/know procedure. Recognition tasks were composed of well-known stimuli and novel stimuli in the verbal domain and in the musical domain. Results revealed that recollection was impaired by normal aging and mild cognitive impairment, but only for the recognition of well-known items. This is compatible with the fact that both groups have difficulty encoding information in an elaborate manner. In turn, familiarity was impaired by normal aging, with no additional impact of mild cognitive impairment, and only for the recognition of novel items. This deficit could be associated with impaired perceptual priming effects for novel stimuli that are reported in normal aging. The results reported in this thesis are relevant from a clinical perspective, and could also contribute to theoretical issues.

Keyphrases: Mémoire, Recollection, Remember/know, Alzheimer's disease, Mild cognitive impairment, Normal aging, Memory, Recognition, Music, Recollection, Familiarity, Remember/know
Toward a broader approach to the study of infant attachment : links between maternal autonomy-support, attachment state of mind, maternal sensitivity, and infant security of attachment

In order to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the development of infant attachment patterns, Grossmann and colleagues (1999; 2008) have proposed a broader perspective to the study of infant attachment, addressing parental behaviors related to both sides of the attachment/exploration balance. With this broader approach in mind, this dissertation aimed at exploring the relation between infant security of attachment and two maternal behaviors, maternal sensitivity and autonomy-support, as well as each behavior’s relation to maternal attachment state of mind.  Article 1 argues that Self-Determination theory (SDT), and its empirical work concerning parental exploration-related behaviors, may provide valuable insight in addressing the exploration side of the attachment/exploration balance. The article presents a theoretical and empirical overview of the field of attachment and the field of SDT, as well as drawing conceptual and empirical parallels between the two fields and discussing how they may complement one another. Article 2 explores the links between maternal sensitivity, maternal autonomy-support, and infant security of attachment. Seventy-one dyads participated in two home visits. Maternal sensitivity was assessed when the infants were 12 months old, while maternal autonomy-support and infant attachment were assessed at 15 months. Results indicate that maternal autonomy-support accounted for a significant portion of the variability in security of attachment above and beyond what is accounted for by maternal SES and maternal sensitivity. Article 3 explores the links between two dimensions of maternal attachment state of mind (dismissing and preoccupied/unresolved), maternal sensitivity, and maternal autonomy-support. Seventy-one dyads participated in three home visits. The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) was administered when the infants were 8 months of age, maternal sensitivity was assessed when they were 12 months old, and maternal autonomy-support was assessed at 15 months. The results revealed that, above and beyond SES, maternal sensitivity was negatively related to the dismissing dimension of the AAI, whereas maternal autonomy-support was negatively linked to the preoccupied/unresolved dimension. The results presented in both article 2 and 3 are discussed along with their theoretical and clinical implications. Questions that may guide future research are proposed.

Keyphrases: Maternal sensitivity, Maternal autonomy-support, infant security of attachment, maternal attachment state of mind
Développement d'une méthode de marquage protéique par fluorescence

The fluorescent labelling of proteins is a powerful approach for following the dynamic process of their cellular synthesis and degradation, in addition to determining their localization and protein-protein interactions. We have developed a ‘small molecule’-based labelling technique that is complementary to existing methods. Our fluorogenic approach relies on the use of dimaleimide fluorogens that react with a target peptide sequence that presents appropriately spaced, solvent-exposed Cys residues. The thiol addition reaction between target sequence and dimaleimide fluorogen restores the latent fluorescence of the latter and results in the covalent fluorescent labelling of the protein of interest. Synthesis of new fluorogens and quench efficiency studies are presently taking place in the Keillor group laboratory in order to optimize the specificity and sensitivity of the labelling method.

Keyphrases: Fluorescence, Addition de Michael, Thiol, Labelling, Protein, Fluorogenic, Helix, Maleimide
L'éthique en psychothérapie dans le cadre des processus de transfert et de contre-transfert: l'apport de la médecine narrative et du concept de représentation

Articles on the ethics of mental health often discuss confidentiality or conflicts of interest. However, certain types of therapy give rise to more specific ethical concerns.  This is the case for psychodynamic therapy and the ethical considerations brought up by the processes of transference and countertransference. Due to the paucity of research on the topic, this study uses the critical analysis approach, a qualitative method. This project aims to establish what narrative medicine and more specifically the concept of representation can bring to the reflection about the ethical aspects of transference and countertransference. To this end, these processes are studied in detail and the various strategies suggested to therapists to maintain an ethical relationship with their patients are reviewed.  Narrative medicine and its principal components (including representation), popularized mostly by Rita Charon, are then presented.  As this concept is at the root of representation, Paul Ricœur’s work on mimesis is subsequently discussed. The last chapter of this thesis, the analytical part of the project, is an inductive exercise evaluating the utility of narrative medicine in studying the ethical aspects of transference and countertransference.

Keyphrases: Psychanalyse, Ethics, Psychotherapy
Analysis of the Ethical, Social and Legal Issues Related to the Delivery of the Prenatal Genetic Testing in Argentina

The introduction of new biotechnologies in any health care system is a complex process that is closely tied to economic, political and cultural factors and thus poses a host of challenging social and ethical issues. In the particular situation of Argentina – that is, a country characterised by significant social inequalities  between citizens, a scarcity of resources in health care, limited access to needed services, and a lack of specific health policies – the introduction of new genetic technologies poses serious ethical and policy challenges that need urgent attention by policy-makers. This project examines the case of prenatal genetic tests in the context of the Argentinean health care system with the aim of illustrating how complex their introduction can be in a nation where equal access to health care still needs significant improvements. Attention must also be given to the legal restrictions and religious precepts that strongly shape the use of these technologies. This further highlights the necessity of developing an integrated framework for the process of technology assessment, in order to support coherent and innovative policy recommendations applicable to the particular Argentinean context.

Keyphrases: Genetics, prenatal tests, health technology assessment, bioethics, policy, Argentina, Argentine
Étude de l’impact d’un programme d’activité physique (Amazone) auprès de femmes en traitement pour un cancer du sein

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. They have to live with the negative impacts of the disease on their quality of life. Many studies have shown that exercise benefits women with breast cancer in several ways, including improved quality of life. However, women reduce their physical activity levels following the treatment due to the relative deterioration of their physical condition. To keep the benefits of participation in an exercise program, breast cancer patients need to maintain their physical activity involvement. The first part of this thesis presents a literature review of the physical activity benefits among women with breast cancer, and the second part assesses the impact of a circuit training and counseling program on exercise self-efficacy and physical activity enjoyment as well as the level of physical activity involvement at 3-month follow-up.   Eighteen women undergoing treatment participated in this study. The experimental group followed a 16-week supervised circuit training and counseling program. The control group was offered yoga lessons. The results showed statistically significant improvements on the three patient-rated outcomes.  The results showed that a supervised circuit training program combined with counseling enhances exercise self-efficacy. This suggests that it can be a promising program to maintain physical activity involvement.

Keyphrases: exercice, counseling, breast cancer, physical activity, exercise, self-efficacy, enjoyment of exercise, physical activity program, counseling
La primauté d'honneur du patriarcat de Constantinople au Ve siècle : l'apport de Jean Chrysostome tel que présenté par ses contemporains

Even though it is generally accepted that the Church institutionalization process accelerated in the IVth century, some of its steps are less known. This dissertation tries to assess John Chrysostom’s importance in the emergence of Constantinople’s primacy of honour. After a thorough study of the third canon of the council of Constantinople I and of the opinion of three contemporary authors, namely Palladius of Helenopolis, Socrates of Constantinople and Sozomenos, the results of this works are that John Chrysostom’s episcopate fostered the implementation of this preeminence in the Church. The analysis of the terms of the primacy of honour of Constantinople shows that historically, the bishops of Old and New Rome did not build their primacy with the same arguments. Clarifying these elements is not a way to make a stand in the current ecumenical debate, but rather is a preliminary step to a better understanding of the problem.

Keyphrases: Apostolicity, Council of Constantinople I, Ecclesiology, History, Palladius of Helenopolis, Political accommodation, Socrates of Constantinople, Sozomenos
Identification précoce des nouveau-nés qui auront des problèmes de développement à deux ans: utilité de l'Évaluation neurologique d'Amiel-Tison

Despite the progress in medicine, early prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome for infants born preterm still remains a challenge. Infants born preterm are at risk of mild to severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation, sensory impairments or learning disabilities. To reduce the functional impact of those disabilities, identification of valid early markers of neurodevelopmental disabilities becomes important. As financial and human resources are limited, only those infants with a gestational age (GA) <29 weeks and a birth weight (BW) <1250 are systematically followed, leaving 95% of the preterm population without surveillance. The identification of early markers would allow targeting infants born after 28 weeks of GA the more at risk. The main objective of the present work was to assess the use of the Amiel-Tison Neurological Assessments (ATNA) in the identification and the follow-up of infants with a GA between 29 and 37 weeks who will present neurodevelopmental problems at two years of corrected age (CA). Specifically, the inter-examiner reliability, the stability during the first two years of life and the predictive validity of the ATNA were assessed. The cohort was composed of 173 children born between 290/7 and 370/7 weeks of GA, with a BW<1250g and who stayed at least 24 hours in the neonatal intensive care unit at the CHU Sainte-Justine. The children were assessed with the ATNA at term age and at 4, 8, 12 and 24 months CA. At 24 months CA, their development was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development–II. The results revealed excellent inter-examiners reliability and good stability during the first two years of age of the neurological status and signs. Significant differences according to the neurological status at term age were observed at 24 months CA for developmental performance. Moreover, this status was one of the main predictive variables of developmental performance at two years CA. Results incite the integration of the neurological status as assessed by the ATNA as an early marker for the surveillance of infants the more at risk.

Keyphrases: surveillance, Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II, prematurity, surveillance, screening, neurological status, newborn at risk, measurement, assessment, developmental performances, Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II
Effects of quetiapine on anhedonia induced by withdrawal from chronic amphetamine administration

Background: Anhedonia, a condition in which the capacity of experiencing pleasure is reduced, is observed in patients that are under withdrawal from drugs of abuse. Recent clinical studies show that quetiapine may be beneficial in the treatment of substance abuse by alleviating the withdrawal-negative affect stage of addiction. This study investigated the effects of acute quetiapine on reward in animals under withdrawal from d-amphetamine. Methods: Experiments were performed on male Sprague-Dawley rats trained for intracranial self-stimulation. Measures of reward threshold were determined with the curve-shift method in different groups of rats before, and during four days after treatment with escalating doses (1 to 10 mg/kg, i.p) of d-amphetamine sulphate or its vehicle. At 24h after withdrawal, the effects of two doses of quetiapine (2 and 10 mg/kg ip) were tested in all the animals.  Results: Animals treated with d-amphetamine showed 25% reward attenuation at 24h of withdrawal, an effect that decreased over the next three days. Quetiapine administered acutely at 2mg/kg and 10mg/kg on the first day of withdrawal produced 10% and 25% reward attenuation, respectively, in the vehicle-control animals, an effect also observed in the animals under withdrawal from d-amphetamine but only at the high dose.   Conclusions: These results show that quetiapine produced a mild attenuation of reward in normohedonic and in anhedonic animals. They suggest that quetiapine should be used at low doses for the treatment of substance abusers under withdrawal from psychostimulant drugs to avoid enhancement of the anhedonic state.

Keyphrases: Anhedonia, Amphetamine, Dopamine, Dopamine, Dysphoria, Quetiapine, Reward, Tolerance