NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
L'enseignement des sciences et de la technologie au primaire et les TIC : une analyse didactique des pratiques

The teaching of science and technology is in precarious condition in Quebec’s elementary schools. The information and communication technologies (ICT) can help teachers to promote students’ learning in their science education. This research first describes « Maître- TIC» teacher’s practice in science and technology then concerns itself with the ICT integration in the teaching of sciences in elementary schools. Our work includes an heuristic research with a mixed methodology. Some « Maître-TIC » teachers and fourth-year « Maître- TIC » students respond to an online survey. Then, a teacher was interviewed in order to provide a more detailed picture of her teaching practices. Using the data obtained, we created a list of the advantages and difficulties inherent to ICT integration in the teaching of science. We also made a list of various applications of ICT realised in science education by the teachers of this study. A final list has been set up with all the advantages of the University of Montreal’s « Maître-TIC » formation as cited by the teachers and the students. Finally, we specify some contributions of this research to the original objectives and to the evolution of the « Maître-TIC » formation.

Keyphrases: Science and technology education, Integration of the information and communication technology, Elementary education, Teaching concepts, Teaching practices
Mode d’action moléculaire de la toxine anti-tumorale : PS1Aa2 du bacille de Thuringe

Parasporins are Cry toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis that are active against tumor cells. This work shows that parasporin PS1Aa2 (Cry31Aa2) forms pores in artificial membranes like many Cry toxins. These pores have several levels of conductance; the most frequently seen in 150 mM KCl solutions were of 11, 16 and 21 pS. Our microspectrofluorometric results with the Fura-2 probe showed that the presence of PS1Aa2 can induce changes in intracellular calcium levels, most often in the form of calcium oscillations and sometimes as sustained increases. Such responses were observed in the presence and absence of extracellular calcium, with the tumor cell lines HeLa and HepG2, and with the non-tumorous cell line HEK 293. Calcium oscillations have not been described previously for Cry toxins even though some studies have shown that calcium appears to be involved in their mode of action. Our experiments required the use of much higher concentrations of toxin than suggested from the published cytotoxicity results. Despite the presence of fragments previously identified as active, its low efficacy appears to be related to the presence of DNA in the preparations causing the protein to precipitate. Future work on this toxin would therefore be greatly facilitated by an improvement in its method of preparation.

Keyphrases: Bacillus thuringiensis, Pores, Toxins, Bacillus thuringiensis, Cry proteins, Pores, Parasporins, Intracellular calcium, Electrophysiology, Planar lipid bilayers
Déterminants des choix alimentaires d'athlètes adolescents en période de compétition

This study was part of the project entitled "Food choices of Canadian adolescents and attitudes of coaches involved in organized sports". The objectives were to assess in athletes involved in a provincial sport competition where the food supply is controlled 1) their compliance to dietary recommendations 2) the individual, behavioural, social-environmental factors influencing their food choices. Two observers visited food services and competition sites during the 2011 Quebec Games in Valleyfield. The athletes’ trays were photographed at the table during mealtime with a digital camera. Oral comments were collected. A total of 173 photographs were analyzed and compared to recognized sport nutrition recommendations. In this study, food preferences, food supply and teammates were the factors that influence the most food choices in competition. However, the sex of the athletes observed did not influence their food choices. 85,4% of the trays of the pre-game meal showed an energy value above the recommendations and 66,3% of them showed an inadequate distribution of macronutrients, regardless of gender. An excess of lipids and proteins within the pre-game meal characterized the trays when energy distribution was not optimal (69,5%). Recommendations in the post-competition phase (100%) and during rest days (95,8%) were easily met. The same observation can be made for hydration (99,4%). Chocolate milk is the most popular drink (59,5%). Grain products (99,4%), milk and alternatives (87,3%), vegetables (85,7%), meat and alternatives (83,2%), foods rich in sugar (79,8%), fruits (70,5%) and meals rich in fat (59,4%) are especially appreciated by athletes. Comments from the athletes dividing foods into "good" or "bad" showed a dichotomous view of food. Our study shows that established food policies help to promote healthy eating habits and to encourage consumption of nutritious foods during a major sporting event. However, nutrition education is still required to reach an improved food behaviour of athletes before exercise.

Keyphrases: Alimentation, Adolescents, Determinant, Nutrition, Athletes, Teenagers, Competition
Effet de la mutation du gène lrpprc sur l'activité de l'AMPK dans les fibroblastes des patients atteints du syndrome de Leigh, type canadien français

Leigh syndrome French Canadian type (LSFC) is an orphan infantile disease caused  by mutations in the LRPPRC gene. It is characterized by a tissue-specific cytochrome c  oxidase deficiency (COX), mitochondrial dysfunction and fatal lactic acidosis crises which occur in more than 80% of cases. According to parents, these crises occur during stressful situations. The pathophysiology underlying this disease and the factors that precipitate these crises remain unknown. To better understand the regulation of energy metabolism in LSFC patients, we examined the activity of AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator of energy balance, and its downstream targets (SIRT1/PGC1α and Akt/mTOR) in LSFC and control fibroblasts under basal and stress conditions.  Our results showed that AMPK activity was similar in LSFC and control cells under  basal conditions. On the other hand, Akt/mTOR and SIRT1/PGC1α pathways were up  regulated in LSFC cells compared to controls. We next examined AMPK activity in cells  treated with 10 mM lactate and 1mM palmitate (LP) for 4h, thus mimicking the conditions of “crisis”. Following this treatment, AMPK phosphorylation levels increased significantly (90%, p<0.01) in control cells but not in LSFC cells. Nevertheless, AMPK seems functional in LSFC cells because the enzyme was activated in response to chemical hypoxia induced by 2,4 dinitrophenol. LP also increased the expression of SIRT1 (57%, p<0.05), LRPPRC (23%, p=0.045) and COXIV (19%, p<0.05), in controls cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with ZMP, a pharmacological activator of AMPK, had an additive effect with LP leading to a further increase in the activity of SIRT1 (120%, p<0.05), as well as the expression levels of SIRT1 (75%, p<0.01), LRPPRC (63%, p<0.001) and COXIV (38%, p<0.001). All these effects were abolished in LSFC cells and thus, our data highlight alterations in the regulation of key enzymes of energy metabolism, including the activation of AMPK, in LFSC fibroblasts.

Keyphrases: Lsfc, Lrpprc, Ampk, palmitate, Zmp, Fibroblasts, Mitochondrial dysfunction, Energy metabolism
ApoB et résistance à l'insuline : association avec l'activation du système IL-1β

INTRODUCTION: The number of plasma apolipoprotein B lipoproteins (apoB) is reported to predict the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D); however the underlying mechanism is unknown. Insulin resistance (IR) and compensatory hyperinsulinemia (HI) are believed to promote β-cell exhaustion and progression to T2D. Moreover, the activation of the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) system is implicated in the pathophysiology of T2D. Our aim was thus to investigate whether plasma apoB associates with IR and HI in humans and whether this is mediated through the IL-1β system. METHODOLOGY: 47 non-diabetic overweight and obese postmenopausal women and 28 men, 45-74 years old were recruited. Insulin secretion (IS) and insulin sensitivity were examined by a modified Botnia clamp. 1st and 2nd  phase IS were measured during a 1 hour intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), followed by a 3 hour hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HEIC, insulin infusion rate of 75 mU/m2/min) to measure insulin sensitivity during the last 30 minutes of the clamp (steady state). Insulin sensitivity was expressed as steady state glucose infusion rate (GIR) alone or divided over steady state plasma insulin (M/I). RESULTS: In women, fasting plasma apoB correlated positively with increased 2nd phase and total IS and with total C-peptide secretion (r=0.202; r=0.168; r=0.204 respectively) and negatively with insulin sensitivity (r: GIR= -0.299 and M/I =-0.180) independent of adiposity.  Similar to plasma apoB, fasting plasma IL-Ra (indicator of activated IL-1β system) correlated positively with 2nd phase and total IS and with total C-peptide secretion (r=0.217; r=0.154; r=0.198 respectively) and negatively with insulin sensitivity (GIR r=-0.304; M/I r=-0.214). Fasting plasma IL-Ra also correlated with apoB r=0.352). Once corrected for IL-1Ra, the associations between apoB and the indexes of insulin sensitivity and IS were all lost. Despite similar fasting glucose, plasma apoB did not correlate with any indices of insulin secretion or sensitivity in men. CONCLUSION: ApoB is associated with HI and IR in non-diabetic overweight and obese women, which may be mediated through activation of the IL-1β system. Gender differences may need to be considered in exploring the pathophysiology of T2D in humans.

Keyphrases: IL-1Ra, IL-1β, apoB-lipoproteins, insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity
Rôle de la topoisomérase I dans la stabilité du génome chez Escherichia coli

Type 1A topoisomerases (topos) play a vital role in the maintenance and organization of the genome. However, the mechanisms by which they control genome stability still remain to be explored. In E. coli, the two type IA topoisomerases are topo I (encoded by topA) and topo III (encoded by topB). It has been shown that cells lacking topo I and III form very long filaments in which the chromosomes are not well separated. As the chromosome segregation defects are corrected by inactivation of the RecA protein, that is responsible for homologous recombination, it has been hypothesized that type IA topoisomerases have a role in the resolution of recombination intermediates to allow chromosome segregation. On the other hand, studies in our laboratory have shown that the major role of topoisomerase I is to prevent the formation of R-loops during transcription, especially at the rrn operons. These R-loops have been recently identified as major roadblocks to the progression of replication forks, which can cause genomic instability. We have genetic evidence suggesting similar effects may occur in our topA mutants. More recently, studies have shown the important role of certain helicases in eliminating roadblocks for replication forks that could sometimes be R-loops. In E. coli, these helicases have been identified and they are DinG, Rep and UvrD. The purpose of this project was to study the roles of these helicases in our topA mutant, using a genetic approach. Surprisingly, our results show that deletions of some of these genes have the effect of correcting rather than exacerbating topA mutant phenotypes that are related to the growth and cell and nucleoid morphology. These results are interpreted in the light of new functions assigned to the type IA topoisomerases in genome stability.

Keyphrases: R-loops, Transcription, Collisions réplication-transcription, Topoisomerases type IA, R-loops, Replication, Transcription, DNA supercoiling, Homologous recombination, Transcription-replication collision, DinG, Rep and UvrD helicases
Modélisation de la diffraction des ondes de cisaillement en élastographie dynamique ultrasonore

Ultrasound elastography is an emerging technology derived from the concept of manual palpation and dedicated to the mapping of biological tissue mechanical properties in a diagnostic context. Various elastographic approaches have been applied to the study of organs such as the liver, breast or prostate. All proposed techniques rely on a three-steps procedure: first, the tissue to be studied is mechanically excited, in a static or dynamic way. Induced displacements are then measured and used to estimate qualitatively or quantitatively mechanical properties of the medium. This step is called inversion. While application fields of elastography are constantly broadened, efforts are made to provide robust and accurate inversion algorithms. In this monography, theoretical and experimental works related to the development of new inversion methods dedicated to the study of mechanically inhomogeneous media in dynamic ultrasound elastography are provided. In the context of breast cancer diagnosis, a localized tumour can be assumed as a confined mechanical heterogeneity, also referred as an inclusion, which can disturb the propagation of shear waves (dynamic excitation). The first objective of this thesis is to provide a theoretical model to describe physical interactions occurring between incident shear waves and a tumour, here geometrically assumed as an ellipse. Once the theoretical model is validated, an inverse problem is formulated allowing further quantification of inclusion viscoelastic parameters. Aiming the development of realistic models, the previous work has been extended to the case of three dimensional spherical heterogeneities and adapted to the specific case of an acoustic radiation force excitation. Furthermore, the feasibility of assessing the medium rheological model (i.e., the frequency dependence of mechanical properties) is demonstrated. Finally, in the context of vascular diseases and blood coagulation, an inversion method based on the study of the mechanical resonance phenomenon induced by acoustic radiation force is proposed. The technique, termed ARFIRE (Acoustic Radiation Force Induced Resonance Elastography), is applied to human whole blood samples and the reproducibility of results is assessed.

Keyphrases: dynamic elastography, ultrasound imaging, shear waves, viscoelastic characterization, breast cancer, deep vein thrombosis
Voies de signalisation non-canoniques du récepteur V2 de la vasopressine

Vasopressin V2 receptor is a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) responsible for the homeostatic regulation of water and sodium recapture from the urine to the bloodstream. Akin to numerous GPCRs, this receptor can interact with more than one heterotrimeric G protein subtype, and is still associated with some poorly explored signaling pathways with indefinite mechanisms. These non-canonical pathways are the focus of this project. This work aims at unveiling the characteristics and mechanisms underlying G12 mediated signaling by V2R and ERK 1/2 activation through the transactivation of the tyrosine kinase Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R). Using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) experiments, we reveal V2R’s ability to interact with the Gα12 subunit, as well as the modulation of G12 heterotrimer’s conformation in response to V2R agonist arginine vasopressin (AVP). AVP-induced modulation of Gα12’s interaction with its classical effector RhoA upon stimulation with AVP suggests the engagement of RhoA, and our data also reveals that Gα12 potentiates AVP-induced cAMP production. Using diverse selective inhibition strategies, our results further define the mechanism of transactivation. Our data support a starter position of AVP-induced Src activation and discard IGF1R known agonists as the potential autocrine/paracrine factor responsible for IGF1R activation. Furthermore, our results suggest that the metalloproteinase MMP 3 is a good candidate for IGF1R transactivation. This project sheds light on lesser known signaling pathways involving V2R, which could reveal important on a physiological and pathophysiological scale, besides bringing a better understanding of the principles of GPCR signaling.

Keyphrases: G alpha 12, transactivation, ERK 1/2, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, IGF1R, rein, non-canonical signaling pathways, vasopressin V2 receptor, V2R, G protein coupled receptor, GPCR, cyclic AMP, cAMP, metalloproteinase, kidney
Du modèle du cercle magique à celui de la place du joueur : un apport de l’esthétique de la réception au design de jeux vidéo

This thesis proposes a consideration of models that allow one to better understand  and  develop  the  aesthetic  experience  of  a  video  game.  Such  models  reflect different ideals of the player’s position. Since we approach it through a reflection on the model of the  “magic  circle”,  play  is  often  understood  to  be  a  unilateral  act  of  entering,  via  the imagination a world foreign to the real world - where any penalty or exit marks the end of the game. Looked at this way, the designer’s role is therefore to place and maintain the player in the virtual world, making him feel immersed and present therein. However, as evidenced  by  those critics  who  speak  out  against the  model  of  the  magic  circle,  other strategies  to  put  the  player  in  place  need  to  be  distinguished  and  defined  in  order  to facilitate  the analysis  and  design  of  video  games.  Given  this  model,  deemed  to  be restrictive,  what  we  propose  is  to  use  some  typological  and  methodological  tools  of reception aesthetics in art history in order to build a more inclusive model of the "player's place", the validity of which is tested by analysing the video game God of War III (2010).

Keyphrases: Design, Immersion, Model, Video games, Aesthetic, Player's place
Entre ville complexe et projet urbain durable, l’exemple de l’Agence d’Écologie Urbaine de Barcelone

An urban project is an opportunity to locally and globally revitalize under certain conditions. That is, the project must encompass a sustainable ecosystem outlook, be forward thinking and consider the complex equilibrium and resiliency of social and ecological structures. In practice, the demand for clear and quantitative guidelines leave little room for uncertainty. How, then, can one operationalize urban ecology without applying reductionist simplifications nor feel overwhelmed by the enormity of such a task? In connecting the pieces between sustainable development, complexity, urban ecology and sustainable city, we put into perspective the broader process of a sustainable urban project. Considering a study case of Barcelona’s Urban Ecology Agency, we suggest that an ecosystemic outlook of an urban context can be used as an intentional model. It can also be partitioned into indicators of sustainability and operationalized through an iterative, integrative and multidisciplinary process of a sustainable urban project.

Keyphrases: Espace public, Complexity, Sustainability, Ecosystem, Public space, Indicators, Model, Process, Resilience, Urban ecology, Urban project
Le travail de l’orthopédagogue quant au dépistage, à la référence et à la prise en charge d’un trouble spécifique d’apprentissage en lecture

Difficulties related to reading constitute 80% of reference in special education. Sometimes these difficulties are the precursors of the most common learning disability know as specific reading disorder. This research focuses on the three main milestones related to reading disabilities: (1) the screening, (2) the special education evaluation and the neuropsychological reference and finally (3) its management and its rehabilitation as prescribed per the neuropsychological recommendations. Data collection was conducted through interviews with three special needs teachers (orthopédagogue) working respectively in primary schools and with a student with specific reading disorder. Each of the three special needs teachers presented a case study and described her practice. During the meetings, each participant also gave the student record containing the neuropsychological report confirming the diagnosis to the researcher. The results of this research indicate that the signs observed by the three special needs teachers and their rehabilitative interventions are very similar. However, the assessment tools used differ from one another both in terms of choice and as how to use them. All three special teachers opt for reference in neuropsychology with the ultimate goal to develop a comprehensive picture of their students on their cognitive abilities and deficits that may be due to reading disorder. The report of the neuropsychologist is then used to confirm the diagnostic impression of the special needs teacher. The results of our study show that our participants begin early on with rehabilitative interventions and simultaneously provide adaptive measures to the difficulties observed in the student. With the advent of a specific reading disorder diagnostic and recommendations in the neuropsychological report, the special needs teachers validate and may occasionally improve their interventions or measures. In addition, they formalize them by adding the recommendations, if it is not done already, to the intervention plan for the student. Rehabilitative interventions and appropriate measures put in place by the three special needs teachers are also compared to those proposed by neuropsychologists and analyzed in light of those recognized as being efficient and profitable in the literature.  Our results highlight the great similarity between the interventions applied by thespecial teachers, those proposed by neuropsychologists as well as those listed in the literature.  

Keyphrases: Neuropsychology, Child, Development, Dyslexia, Dyslexie, Learning disability, Learning disorder, Reading, Special teacher, Orthopédagogue, Reading disability, Cognitive
Utilisation d’un modèle de co-culture cellulaire pour l’évaluation in vitro du transport inverse du cholestérol

To assess the ability of HDL particles to remove excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues and to transport it toward the liver for biliary excretion, a process known as reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), new in vitro models, one by transfer and the other by co-culture were developed. An in vitro system by transfer with acetylated LDL loaded lipid-laden-foam cells, J774 cells, labeled with 3H-cholesterol was first established to measure scintillation labelled cholesterol efflux to the culture medium containing cholesterol acceptors. This conditioned medium is transferred to HepG2 cells to study the influx of labeled cholesterol. This allows us to observe a cholesterol transport of 25 % out of J774 cells and an uptake of 39 000 cpm in HepG2 using a medium containing 2 % pooled human serum. Stimulation of J774 cells by cAMP increased cholesterol efflux from J774 and cholesterol influx in HepG2 cells by 45 %. Set up tests were conducted to develop an in vitro co-culture system, using transwells permeable supports, where J774 cells were harvested in wells and HepG2 cells in inserts, and where both share the same medium. It was determined that a cell confluency of 60 000 cells/cm2 in an insert having a polyester membrane with pores of 3.0 μm, without coating allows to notice a serum specific influx around 6 000 cpm associated to HepG2, where 50 % of those cpm are in the cell and the other half, present at the HepG2 cell surface.

Keyphrases: HDL, Co-culture, Reverse cholesterol transport, In vitro cellular models, Atherosclerosis