NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Association of patient to nurse ratio and hand washing stations and infection-related hospitalizations in hemodialysis patients

Background and Objectives: Infection is the second most common cause of death in the hemodialysis population after cardiovascular disease. However, infection rates tend to vary depending on the dialysis facility. The facility-level variables responsible for this variation are unknown. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with a cohort of 6,124 adult chronic hemodialysis patients in 21 participating dialysis facilities using linked data from two administrative databases (RAMQ and Med-Echo). Patients were followed from January 1, 2007 to March 31, 2013. Kidney transplant recipients, peritoneal dialysis patients and home hemodialysis patients were excluded. Facility-level variables were obtained by direct measurement or by interviewing the staff at participating facilities. Facility-level variables measured in this study include: patient to nurse ratio, mean distance of dialysis station to hand-washing station or alcohol-based rub dispenser (ABHRD), hand-washing station ratio and ABHRD ratio. The association between these facility-level variables and infection-related hospitalizations (IRH) was estimated using mixed effects Cox models and Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: A patient to nurse ratio of ≥4 (HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55-0.95) and an ABHRD ratio of ≥1.5 (HR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.60-0.95) were associated with a significantly reduced risk of IRH. A mean distance from the dialysis station to the nearest washing station of <4.75 m (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.03-1.64) and a hand-washing station ratio of <3.15 (HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.08-1.76) were associated with a significantly increased risk of IRH. There was no association between mean distance of dialysis station to ABHRD and risk of IRH. However, these associations disappeared depending on the sensitivity analysis done.    Conclusion: The association between IRH and the facility-level variables analyzed in this study is unclear.

Keyphrases: Hemodialysis, Chronic hemodialysis, Infection, IRH, Hand-washing station, Sink, ABHRD, Alcohol-based hand rub dispenser
Hépatocytes matures dérivés de cellules souches in vitro : améliorer la différenciation des cellules souches pluripotentes induites humaines en copiant l’organogénèse hépatique

Background: There is a high variation in terms of differentiation potential among human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) populations. It has been shown that the quality of iPSC-derived hepatocytes depends on the quality of the iPSC-derived endoderm (DE). What causes such variability and what determines a population’s susceptibility to DE differentiation is currently unknown. Aim: Defining the role of the pluripotency state to determine the potential of iPSCs’ to differentiate to DE. Methods: Three previously-characterized human iPSC populations having shown a good (P01), intermediate (P02) and bad (P03) potential to differentiate into hepatocytes were thoroughly assessed for their pluripotency and compared upon 5-days differentiation to DE.  Results: The expression of pluripotency markers was comparable to embryonic stem cells for the 3 populations, with P03 showing lower NANOG expression, a pluripotency marker. Upon differentiation, transcription factors involved in DE induction were expressed later in P03 than in P01 or P02, with lower SOX17 and CXCR4 expression at day 5. Also, P03 showed a doubling level that was 3-times greater, global DNA hypomethylation as well as lower OTX2 and YAP1 expressions. OTX2 (associated with “primed” state) and YAP1 (marker of more “naïve” populations) expression levels were good, easy-to-measure predictors of the state of pluripotency. The P02 population was an intermediate between P01 and P03. Conclusions: A more naïve state of pluripotency was correlated with delayed expression of transcription factors leading to DE differentiation, with consequent incomplete differentiation and lower maturation of the resulting hepatocytes. On the contrary, more “primed” populations differentiated more effectively to DE and, consequently, to hepatocytes. This suggests that adapting the differentiation protocol to account for the state of pluripotency might allow generating high-quality DE (and all derived somatic cells) from “difficult” IPSC populations, with important repercussion for the future use of patient-derived iPSCs for regenerative medicine.

Keyphrases: Stem Cells, Differenciation, Pluripotency, Potential, Endoderm, Hepatocytes
Impacts à la tête au hockey sur glace : effets du jeu sécuritaire, de l’agressivité et de l’historique de commotions cérébrales chez les adolescents québécois

The use of instrumented hockey helmets to measure head impacts provides valuable information on concussion mechanisms. This study sought to evaluate the potential associations between head impacts and player safe-play knowledge, aggression and concussion history. During this pilot study, 23 Québec school hockey players were followed for 26 games during which accelerometer mounted helmets were used to measure head impact frequency and force. The Safe-Play Questionnaire and the Competitive Aggressiveness and Anger Scale were used to measure levels of safe-play and aggression. Our results showed that players with a greater concussion history suffered impacts with greater rotational velocity peaks (β=0,329, p= 0,038). Furthermore, players higher safe-play knowledge showed a trend towards head impacts with lower Head Injury Criterion (HIC). Player aggression was not found to be linked to frequency or force of head impacts. Further studies and interventions should keep focusing on education and sensitization in order to reduce concussion incidence in ice hockey.

Keyphrases: Hockey, Head impact, Accelerometer, Concussion
Évaluation de l’implantation du Rond-point, un Centre d’expertise périnatal et familial de toxicomanie : fondements de l’action et expériences des familles

The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the implantation of the Rond-point, a perinatal and familial expertise Centre of drug addiction. The center provides integrated services for parents and their children under the age of five. This psychosocial innovation has been implemented since the fall of 2013 in Montreal. The case study uses a qualitative approach for this thesis. To collect the research data, various sources were used. For example, semi-structured individual and group interviews, documentary sources and a socio-demographic fact sheet were used to collect data for the evaluation. These data were collected from various respondents, including promoters, managers and stakeholders involved in the Rond-Point as well as families receiving services. Thematic analyzes of content and triangulations of data are carried out. The first chapter describes the problem for which the intervention was designed and applied, its scope, its consequences, the various interventions and the methodological aspects. The second chapter describes the participatory approach that led to the logic modeling of the Rond-point. Thus, the organizations involved in the Center, the clientele served, the provision of services and the intervention approaches are presented. Moreover, the realization of the logic model is described as well as the elements requiring a clarification. Among these, there are partnerships, human resources, the intervention approach, clientele and offer of services. As for the third chapter, the experience of the first families who have received services from the Center are described in general terms, but also in relation to three profiles that emerge according to the perceived effects of their participation. These profiles are: either the families for whom the Rond-point brings transformation, others for whom it is a holder, but not irreplaceable and finally others for whom it constitutes a gateway to other services. Overall, all families appreciate the Rond-point, although they would like more services, offered on a more regular basis and better structured. At last, the fourth and final chapter discusses the main findings, their implications for both research and clinical practice, and the strengths and limitations of this thesis. In general, the two studies presented are complementary. The main findings indicate that families have support needs related to parenting. In addition, the intensity of the service offer is questioned as well as the plausibility of the links between the activities and the expected effects. Recommendations are proposed to improve the Rond-point.

Keyphrases: Substance-abuse parents, evaluation of implementation, integrated addiction services, logic model
La philosophie stoïcienne des passions : une analyse de l'amour-érôs

This essay is about the Stoic theory of passions. First, it seeks to make sense of the « pathos » through Chrysippus' thesis according to which every passion is a false judgement, an abnormal and perverted activity of reason. In order to understand the Stoic account of passions, a certain number of concepts will be presented such as representation, assent, excessive impulse, value judgment, judgment on convenience and weakness of the soul. Specifically, we will address the problem of akrasia because it reveals the irrationality of the passionate person. The theory of pre-passions (propatheia) will allow us to differentiate full-blown passions from involuntary feelings. Finally, our focus will shift to the Stoic doctrine of legitimate affectivity (eupatheia). We will ask ourselves if the Stoa considered love to be a positive emotional experience.

Keyphrases: Chrysippe, passion, eupathie, philosophy, stoicism, psychology, Chrysippus, passion, emotion, reason, judgement, impulse, eupatheia, love
Rôle de la petite GTPase Rap1 dans les effets proangiogéniques de l’angiopoïétine-1 sur les cellules endothéliales

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), an important angiogenic factor, plays a key role in blood vessel formation. Ang-1 controls, via it’s Tie-2 receptor, the stability of blood vessels and inhibits vascular permeability to macromolecules. These effects of Ang-1 on endothelial cells (ECs) are essential for the maturation of blood vessel during the angiogenic process. Studies have shown that the small GTPase Ras-associated protein-1 (Rap1) is involved in promoting cell adhesion, such as cadherin-mediated adhesion and vessel stability. While many studies establish Rap1 activation as an important signaling event leading to adherens junctions (AJ) reinforcement, Rap1 has never been reported as a signaling target of Tie-2. We determine the contribution of Rap1 to Ang-1/Tie-2 stimulated angiogenic effect on ECs. Using a pull-down assay, we were able to show that Ang-1 rapidly activates Rap1 in ECs. We transfected bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) with siRNA against Rap1 and we found that downregulation of Rap1 attenuated the anti-permeability effects of Ang-1 on ECs. Our results also reveal that Rap1 is necessary for EC sprouting stimulated by Ang-1 in our angiogenic in vitro model, but had no visible effect on EC migration. Although Rap1 and VE-cadherin are both essential in promoting the integrity of the endothelial barrier and cell sprouting, downregulation of VE-cadherin in BAECs transfected with siRNA against VE-cadherin abolished Ang-1 stimulated migration and promoted adhesion of ECs in contrast to Rap1. These results suggest that Ang-1 mostly activates Rap1 at the level of intercellular adhesions in EC whereas Ang-1 also induces VE-cadherin cell adhesion of ECs with the extracellular matrix.

Keyphrases: Rap1, Migration, Angiopoietin-1, Angiogenesis, VE-cadherin, Sprouting, Endothelial cells
Sécurité alimentaire et diversité alimentaire des ménages en Haïti

The levels of food insecurity and diet quality of Haitians during the lean season (a time of the year during which food availability is very low) and post-harvest are poorly documented despite their link to health. To determine levels of food insecurity and dietary diversity, TRANSNUT, the research group on the nutrition transition at the Nutrition Department of the Université de Montréal, carries out regular evaluations under the theme "Research on barriers to breastfeeding, hygiene and food security". These research activities will help evaluate the impact of the project: Prenatal, Perinatal, Postnatal and Nutritional support (A3PN) in Grand'Anse and Southern Haiti. As part of TRANSNUT’s research activities, our study aims to measure the evolution of food insecurity (for households) and dietary diversity for mothers and young children (6 to 23 months) between the lean season and the harvest season. Another objective of the study is to determine the factors contributing to food insecurity and leading to a low level of dietary diversity. Two data collections were carried out in 2017: the first in the spring (lean season) and the second in the summer (harvest season). Data were collected using quantitative interviews with mothers of children under 5 years of age. The tools used to assess food insecurity, the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Children (MDD-C) and the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W), are the Household Hunger Scale (HHS), and the 24-hour non-quantitative food recall, respectively. The results indicate that food insecurity rates are high and dietary diversity is problematic. No significant seasonal differences were found for levels of food insecurity and dietary diversity. Further analyses have identified associations between some sociodemographic variables (study area, maternal education level, livestock ownership) with the level of food insecurity and dietary diversity for both seasons of the year. The results of this study will deepen our understanding of the factors associated with food insecurity, provide relevant lessons on the fight against hunger and help to prepare programming for improving dietary diversity and access to sufficient good quality food.

Keyphrases: Grand’Anse,, Southern Haiti, Food security, Food insecurity, Food diversity, Food quality
Du jugement éthique et esthétique dans «Les misérables de M. V. Hugo» de Barbey d'Aurevilly

As a Catholic writer vehemently opposed to progress, social or otherwise, Barbey d’Aurevilly maintains a paradoxical rapport with literary criticism, which he exercised with exceptional productiveness from 1832 to 1887, albeit often reluctantly. His vigorous expression, cruel epithets and shocking ideas gave him the reputation, not without reason, of being a particularly vicious critic. Amongst all the judgments Barbey has pronounced against great authors, those on Victor Hugo are surely some of his most controversial : his series of six articles on Les Misérables, published in Le Pays from April 19 to July 30, 1862, immediately caused an enormous scandal. Since then, literary commentators have shed light on the rhetorical violence of these articles, sometimes at the expense of their more subtle passages. Our own analysis will focus squarely on Barbey’s critique of Les Misérables. We aim to show that these articles crystallize the broad tendencies as well as the implicit contradictions of Barbey’s literary criticism, which is at once dogmatic and instinctive, and which conjugates the ethical and the aesthetical, occasionally to the point of muddling them. Finally, we intend to develop the idea that the conflict between Barbey and Hugo is, above all, of an ideological nature.

Keyphrases: Victor Hugo, Les Misérables, XIXe siècle, Literary criticism, French literature, 19th century
Voix et images du peuple dans la trilogie policière Morituri et le roman À quoi rêvent les loups de Yasmina Khadra

This thesis is essentially dedicated to studying different manifestations of the people in three detective novels by Yasmina Khadra, as well as in the novel À quoi rêvent les loups. The objective is to analyze the voice of the people in the detective trilogy Morituri, together with the different facets of the image under which the people appear. It is also a question, here, to compare the way such discourse and the image of the people are expressed in Yasmina Khadra’s detective novels on one hand, and when moving to a more classical novel such as À quoi rêvent les loups, on the other hand. We have borrowed the concepts of social discourse and social imagination from sociocriticism in order to better understand the representation of the people, examining in particular the language used by the people and that used to speak about the people.

Keyphrases: Francophone literature, Contemporary Algerian novel, Detective Novel, Popular Literature, Sociocriticism
De Fargo à Fargo (Coen 1996 ; FX 2014—) : la notion d'espace dans un phénomène médiatique complexe, l’adaptation d’un film en série télévisée

This thesis analyzes the relationship between the TV show Fargo (FX, 2014—) and the eponymous film that inspired the series (Coen, 1996), and is a starting point to answering to the lack of studies on this phenomenon – the adaptation of films into TV series. The goal of this research is to examine the modalities of thinking transfictional connections and transformations that emerge from the circulation of contents across distinct media, from a spatial approach. The notion of space conceived as an abstraction or as a material component of the series will add to the existing methods of analysis of TV series. In fact, current methods generally consider time as the main element involved in seriality: this thesis suggest another way to study TV series, dialoguing with the recent reflections based on the notion of space in cinema. Simultaneously, space will act as the methodological cornerstone of an analysis that intends to organize and make the complex mechanisms of a non-linear phenomenon visible. Following a sensation of familiarity experienced during the viewing of the show, this thesis pays particular attention to the ideas of iteration, variation, and continuity, which are essential to Television Studies.

Keyphrases: Adaptation, Univers, Fiction, Transferts, Coen, Fargo, FX, Migration, Fictional worlds, Universe, Television shows, Cult, Space, Transfers, Sensation, Transtextuality
Processus de la retraite et carrière atypique au Canada

Since the mid-20th-century globalization of the economy has lead to a surge in precarious employment (part-time and short-term jobs) leaving many with no stable career. In Canada, about a third of individuals born between 1945 and 1950 never had a spell of employment longer then 11 years. This generation of workers, who had what we could define as « atypical » careers, is now arriving at the age associated with retirement. While many studies on retirement have focused on individuals who have had career jobs, that is a spell of employment of tens years or more, little is known about how people with a history of short terms jobs retire. This may lead to a faulty interpretation of what’s happening to older adults in the labor force, therefore leading to policies that are not well adapted to individuals with atypical careers. This study aims at comparing the process of labor force withdrawals between Canadians with a history of short career with those with career jobs. We focus not only on retirement, but also on bridge employment before and after one has left the labor force. We use a sample of respondents from the General Social Survey (GSS) 2007 that were at least 50 years of age at the time of the survey and had declared to have worked. The sample was stratified according to the type of careers the respondent had before age 50. We find that the process of retirement differs in respect of the type of career. Respondents who had an atypical career had more chances to hold a bridge job before retiring, while respondents that had a stable career were more prone to leave the labor force without any prior transition. Respondents with atypical career were less likely to retire voluntarily but we find no statistical evidence that they are more at risk of involuntary retirement. These findings might suggest that respondents with atypical careers were delaying their retirement at the time of the survey. We find no statistical evidence that the type of careers has an influence on post-retirement employment.

Keyphrases: stable, transition, post-retraite, baby-boomers, retirement, process, bridge employment, post-retirement, labor force, career, aging, older adults
Méthylénation et diazotisation en chimie en flux continu

Diazo compounds are products containing a molecule of nitrogen in their structure. The nitrogen release is thermodynamically favored making diazo compounds highly reactive. As such, diazo compounds are widely used in organic synthesis, in particular for the formation of esters or in transition metal-catalyzed reactions such as cyclopropanations or methylenations. However, the high energy property associated with diazo compounds makes them potentially explosive. In addition, the diazo compounds generally display a high toxicity. Such considerations are even more important on large scale. To avoid handling dangerous reagents, alternatives have been developed by chemists. In situ generation of diazo compounds is one of the most common classical approaches. Continuous flow synthesis is a technology that allows for the safe handling of hazardous products. As a result, continuous flow chemistry has emerged as a safe alternative for the generation, manipulation and use of diazo compounds. A transition metal-catalyzed methylation reaction was developed a few years ago by Prof Lebel's group. The reaction uses a diazo reagent, TMS-diazomethane, which is known to be very toxic. As a result, the methylenation reaction has been transposed into continuous flow chemistry in order to develop a safer process. Different approaches have been explored to improve the continuous flow methylenation process. Subsequently, a new methodology for the synthesis of TMS-diazomethane by diazotization has been developed. After having developed the amine synthesis on a large scale in continuous flow chemistry, the synthesis of TMSCHN2 was investigated. Moreover, the purification of the obtained solution can be carried out in continuous flow. The overall process produces the TMSCHN2 in a fast and efficient manner. Furthermore, the methodology is easily adaptable on a large scale. The development of the in situ generation of TMS-diazomethane in order to perform esterifications has subsequently been investigated. The approach has resulted in a more general methodology for esterification by in situ diazotization of amine. Various esters were synthesized in good yields and with excellent chemoselectivities. Mechanistic studies were performed to define the exact mechanism of the reaction.

Keyphrases: Ester,, Acide, Amine, TMSCHN2, Continuous flow, Methylenation, Diazo, Trimethylsilyl diazomethane, Acid, Esterification