NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Les bénéfices du chant dans la réadaptation de l’aphasie

People with aphasia, an acquired disorder of language caused by brain injury, can temporarily better pronounce words when they sing them as part of familiar songs or in choral singing with a model they can imitate. In this thesis, we examine how singing can lead to lasting benefits on the linguistic and communicative abilities of these people. Two contexts are considered: (1) an aphasia therapy based on singing, the Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT), and (2) a recreational choir activity for people with aphasia. Our first study (Chapter 2) presents a critical review of studies having centered on MIT. We argue that several treatment protocols subsumed under the rubric of MIT do not in fact correspond well to the original MIT specification and that immediate effects of singing studied in cross-sectional studies should not be confused with the lasting effects observed in longitudinal studies. This interpretative framework makes it possible to reconcile the findings of contradictory studies concerning the mechanisms of MIT and highlights yet unresolved research questions, including the relative contribution of rhythm and pitch to the effects of this therapy. This latter question forms the central topic of our third chapter in which we report a study with three chronic Broca's aphasia patients. Three treatments were compared in a Latin square design: a therapy using sung speech (i.e., with both rhythm and pitch) closely resembling that of the original MIT, an equivalent therapy using only rhythmic speech, and a therapy with normal speech. Since only the full singing therapy improved the natural speech of participants, we argue that the rhythm and pitch combination in singing is most effective for MIT. Finally, in the fourth chapter we present the first randomized, controlled, and single-blinded group study aiming to determine if recreational singing can also be beneficial in the rehabilitation of aphasia. We evaluated the progress in functional communication for 17 people with different types of chronic aphasia during six months of weekly activity in either a choir group, a drama group, or a waiting list group that participated in neither of these activities. Our results showed a positive correlation between improvement in functional communication and attendance to any and all social events in which participants were involved, but we did not find any specific effect of choir activity. Thus, the practice of choral singing may have a general therapeutic potential, but not one specific to singing. Further studies are needed to confirm this. Thus, this thesis maintains that in the rehabilitation of aphasia, singing brings specific benefits to language when integrated into a therapy such as MIT and benefits comparable to other social activities when it is practiced as a leisure activity in a choir.

Keyphrases: communication, aphasia, rehabilitation, therapy, speech-language pathology, music-therapy, singing, language, communication
Caractérisation des réponses du PMLS au mouvement de deuxième ordre (modulé par le contraste)

Visual perception is not limited to the perception of the quantity of light that reaches the retina. The natural scene is in fact composed of contrast and texture variations which are classified as second-order information (in opposition to first-order for luminance). Moreover, second-order motion (spatiotemporal variation of contrast or texture) can easily be detected in several different species even though it cannot be explained by motion detection mechanisms such as the energy model (Adelson and Bergen). Indeed, second-order motion does not involve any luminance variation and cannot be detected by a classical receptor field based on an energy model.  Three models are proposed for second-order detection: a filter-rectify-filter circuit, feature-tracking mechanisms or the presence of early non-linearity in the visual system. It was suggested that first- and second-order decoding are performed by distinct pathways. This theory is still debated, but it is generally accepted that they may be partially separated in the early stages of the visual systems. The majority of electrophysiological studies on second-order perception were performed on monkeys and cats. However, even if the cat’s area 17 and 18 responses were greatly studied, the motion dedicated region, the Posteromedial lateral suprasylvian sulcus (PMLS), is still to be evaluated. We performed extracellular recordings in the PMLS to measure the response profiles of its composing neurons to second-order motion. PMLS first- and second-order profiles are similar, but second-order tunings are less selective. Our data suggest that the PMLS performs form-cue invariant processing and accomplishes a more complex decoding of second-order motion.

Keyphrases: Vision, PMLS, form-cue invariant, electrophysiology, second-order, motion
Projet de dépistage du VIH au sein des communautés caribéennes et africaines de Montréal : leçons apprises d’un exercice d’évaluation mettant en exergue des visions contrastées

Despite a significant reduction in new infections, sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean remain strongly affected by the HIV/aids pandemic. Caribbean and African diaspora communities living elsewhere in the West are also strongly impacted. There is an overrepresentation of individuals originating from these countries in the cohorts of people living with HIV. Moreover, individuals in these communities face specific challenges when trying to access voluntary counseling and testing services for HIV. These services are essential in trying to fight the HIV pandemic, thus, getting a better understanding of the issues at stake is crucial. Based on these observations, the “Moi je fais le test” project whose main objective was to increase HIV counseling and testing, was conducted in Montreal in 2010. Few interventions specifically addressing the needs of these communities in accessing voluntary counseling and testing for HIV have been reported, as such, the current evaluation has a double mandate: documenting the project and evaluating its implementation.  The evaluation is conducted as a case study and is structured around two axes:  the theory of change underlying the project and the implementation process.  Key elements in the implementation process as well as the perspectives of the partners demonstrate how complex it is to conduct a project collaboratively, even modest in size. Insofar as combination HIV prevention strategies have been promoted, the evaluation demonstrates the many challenges that could be encountered in developing similar projects in national and international settings.

Keyphrases: marketing social, immigration, HIV, voluntary counseling and testing HIV, social marketing, migrants, evaluation
Transfert et traitement de l’information visuomotrice dans le cerveau autiste : intégrité et hétérogénéité

In addition to the triad of symptoms characterizing autism, this neurodevelopmental condition is characterized by visual and motor atypicalities and, at the cerebral level, by atypical connectivity between the different brain areas. Anatomically, one of the most replicated finding is a reduction of the corpus callosum. However, evidence of a direct effect of the corpus callosum reductions on integrity and efficiency of interhemispheric transfer is lacking. Three different studies were designed to investigate different aspect of visuo-motor processing: interhemispheric transfer between bilateral motor and visual brain areas, perceptual processing speed, visually guided motor performance.   In the first study, the visuo-motor Poffenberger paradigm was used to measure interhemispheric transfer time (IHTT). Structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were also used to study the brain networks involved in the Poffenberger task. Autistics were compared to typically developing individuals. The second study investigates whether perceptual processing speed (Inspection Time task) is atypical in autism. In the third study, two visually-guided motor tasks (the Purdue pegboard and Annett peg moving task) were used to verify the nature and magnitude of motor deficits. The Purdue task includes two bimanual conditions used as additional measures of interhemispheric communication integrity. Moreover, in studies 2 and 3, behavioral differences between autistic and Asperger individuals were investigated in order to see if and how the two subgroups can be distinguished in terms of perceptual processing and motor deficits. No group difference was observed in terms of IHTT. The fMRI results reveal a different pattern of cortical activations associated to the Poffenberger task. In the autism and typical groups, the efficiency of interhemispheric communication was associated with different portions of the corpus callosum (frontal/premotor in typicals, posterior/visual in autistics). These results demonstrate an atypical pattern of interhemispheric visuo-motor information transfer, possibly reflecting a more prominent role of visual mechanisms guiding sensorimotor behavior in autism, related to cerebral reorganizations.  Results of the behavioral studies indicate that autistics have an excellent visual processing speed while Asperger individuals performed like typicals. Motor impairments also differed between the two subgroups; dexterity and bimanual coordination was impaired in Asperger individuals but not in autistics, who presented more difficulties in unimanual conditions. Autism and Asperger subgroups are characterized by different cognitive profiles in which visual processing and motor deficits are important factors.

Keyphrases: Autism, Corpus callosum, Interhemispheric transfer, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Motor skills, Perceptual processing speed, Asperger syndrome
Spatiotemporal regulation of the Greatwall : PP2A axis is required for mitotic progression

Reversible phosphorylation of proteins, triggered by cyclically activated kinases and phosphatases, is a key mechanism to control cell cycle progression. CyclinB-Cdk1 is a crucial kinase phosphorylating a large number of substrates to trigger mitotic entry. However, in metazoans, it is counteracted mainly by a Protein Phosphatase 2A carrying the B55 regulatory subunit (PP2A-B55). On the other hand, the Greatwall (Gwl) kinase is activated by CyclinB-Cdk1 upon mitotic entry and subsequently induces the inhibition of PP2A-B55 by Endos/Arpp19, thus promoting mitotic entry and maintenance. Nonetheless, the regulatory mechanisms of Gwl are less clear.  We demonstrated that in Drosophila syncytial embryos, PP2A-B55 is negatively regulated by Gwl, but collaborates with Polo kinase to ensure both nucleus attachment of centrosome and faithful cell cycle progression.  Later, we discovered that in Drosophila, the subcellular localization of Gwl changes dramatically throughout the cell cycle. Gwl is nuclear in interphase but suddenly becomes mostly cytoplasmic in prophase before nuclear envelope breakdown. Such translocation is important for Gwl’s function and requires the phosphorylation of Gwl by both Polo kinase and Cdk1 in the region containing two Nuclear Localization Signals (NLSs). Phosphorylation of Gwl by Polo likely promotes its association with14-3-3ε thereby promoting Gwl cytoplasmic retention, whereas Cdk1’s role in this translocation remains elusive. Moreover, I found that most cyclin B is imported into the nucleus before Gwl translocates to the cytoplasm. Therefore, Cdk1 can activate Gwl and phosphorylate its nuclear substrates without the perturbation of PP2A-B55 which is largely cytoplasmic. Subsequently, Gwl translocates into cytoplasm to mediate the inhibition of PP2A-B55 so that the phosphorylation events can be synchronized between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Interestingly, similar spatial regulation of Gwl was also uncovered in mammal cells and in yeast, implying a conserved regulatory mechanism across species.

Keyphrases: Greatwall, PP2A-B55, Greatwall, CyclinB-Cdk1, PP2A-B55, Cell cycle, Mitosis
The exploration of mixed-use principle as an ingredient to improve the viability and vitality of town centres in Mauritius

Mixed-use is increasingly considered as a key principle for sustainable development and prosperity of cities and towns by planners, decision-makers, researchers and many others concerned with the quality of life of our citizens. As such, we are witnessing new strategies and mechanisms to enable different uses to cohabit. Our thesis explores the transferability of the mixed-use concept in the context of the town centres in Mauritius, a small island developing state. The main reason explaining this choice is the government’s commitment in introducing a light rail transit system linking the town centres of the urban conurbation of the island. Indeed, the opportunity lies in improving the declining health of town centres through mixed-uses. In this context, we analyse two case study areas, Quatre Bornes and Rose-Hill. Our empirical researches include interviews with eleven planners in Mauritius, in an attempt to better grasp the institutional problematic and contextualise relevant solutions. We find out that the laisser-faire situation, unresponsiveness of policies and government interventions on transport and traffic congestion have favoured urban sprawl and led to the lack of diversity in the town centres. In contemplation, we identify the common challenges and opportunities with respect to mixed-use in the two case study areas and propose strategies in view of improving their viability and vitality.

Keyphrases: conurbation, urban planning, mixed-use, planning mechanisms, town centre, out-of-town development, conurbation, Mauritius
Quelles personnes sont susceptibles de développer une invalidité en raison de la douleur
et comment intervenir en phase initiale? Les principes extraits des résultats de la
recherche sur les facteurs prédisposants à l’invalidité

Disability due to pain is a significant problem owing to its personal, financial and societal costs. Scientific efforts are aimed towards the identification of the risk factors for the development of pain leading to a state which undermines the afflicted person’s ability to attend to his/her basic functions. These efforts highlight the key role that psycho-social factors play in each stage of the progression towards disability due to pain. Among the influencing factors are psychological difficulties (depression, anxiety, somatization, personality disorder, catastrophization and activity avoidance), dissatisfaction at work and the compensation context. In light of this awareness, industrialized countries have instituted policies for the management of acute pain with the aim of reducing costs, both for the patient and for society. Twenty years after the appearance of the first clinical practice guidelines and the subsequent publication of numerous other guides propounding essentially the same information, physicians are still struggling to apply the recommendations. Relying on the evidence from the scientific literature, this study proposes a critical synthesis of the results to provoke thought and to advance the process towards a reduction in the personal, financial and societal costs of pain.

Keyphrases: kinésiophobie, pain, somatization, catastrophization, kinesiophobia, fear-avoidance, pain treatment guidelines, invalidity, risk factors
Inflammation intestinale associée à la fibrose kystique :
rôle du CFTR et propriétés anti-inflammatoires de la vitamine D

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients suffer from various digestive complications including moderate intestinal inflammation which etiology is unknown. Individuals with CF also display malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins; including vitamin D. Vitamin D is a hormone that has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. This project aims to investigate the role of CFTR, the mutated gene in CF, in the etiology of CF-related intestinal inflammation and to study the anti-inflammatory potential of vitamin D at this level. CFTR was genetically depleted by means of short hairpin RNA interference (shRNAi) and/or pharmacologically inhibited by the use of a specific inhibitor (CFTRinh-172). An inflammatory state was induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory role of vitamin D, cells have been pre-treated with the bioactive form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3. The secretion and gene expression of interleukin-8, as well as the activation of the p38MAPK signaling pathway and the NFκB transcription factor were assessed. To explore how vitamin D exerts its anti-inflammatory actions, cells were incubated with the BIRB796 to inhibit the p38MAPK pathway. Finally, gene expression of the vitamin D nuclear receptor and the intestinal hydroxylases involved in vitamin D metabolism were assessed. Our results suggest that CFTR plays a role in the etiology of intestinal inflammation associated with CF and that vitamin D reduces the inflammatory responses of CFTR knockdown cells.

Keyphrases: CFTR, Cystic fibrosis, intestinal inflammation, CFTR, Interleukin-8, vitamin D
The role of transcription factor Nrf2 in osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive cartilage destruction, synovial inflammation, and subchondral bone remodelling with increased inflammatory and catabolic responses. Elevated levels of oxidative stress lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and subsequently the production of lipid-peroxidation products (LPO). The toxic aldehyde 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is a LPO product that was found, at pathological concentrations, strongly related to the release of different catabolic and inflammatory mediators in OA. Transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) acts as a key modulator for the expression of multiple cellular stress-response genes such as glutathione S-transferase A4-4 (GSTA4-4), an important HNE detoxifying enzyme. Protandim®, a commercial product composed of a mixture of natural antioxidant products is reported to activate and increase the levels of Nrf2 in different tissues. Objective: In this study we are evaluating the biological effects of Nrf2 activators such as, Protandim®, A-I, and 6-Gingerol. Results: The activation of Nrf2 can lead to indirect blockage of inflammatory and catabolic responses as well as oxidative stress. Using human OA chondrocytes, we demonstrated that Nrf2 activation by Protandim®, A-I, and 6-Gingerol abolished interleukin-1beta (IL-1β)-induced metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, we showed that Nrf2 activation protects cells against H2O2-induced cell death. Interestingly, the oral administration of Protandim® reduces HNE production via GSTA4-4 activation. We found that Nrf2 protein and mRNA levels decrease in OA cartilage from human and mice and match GSTA4-4 changes. Moreover, the overexpression of this nuclear factor abrogates IL-1β-induced GSTA4-4 inhibition as well as HNE and MMP-13 production. In our experimental mouse model of OA induced by surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM), we found that oral administration of Protandim® at 10 mg/kg/day reduces cartilage damage. Conclusion: This is the first in vitro and in vivo study to demonstrate the pathophysiological role of HNE in OA. In addition, this study indicates that Nrf2 activators abolish HNE production and number of factors known to be involved in OA pathogenesis. These findings render such activators clinically-valuable agents in the prevention of OA.

Keyphrases: Osteoarhritis, Cartilage, Hydroxynonenal, Nrf2, Catabolism, Inflammation
Processus d'acquisition de nouvelles connaissances en urbanisme : le cas de l'îlot de chaleur urbain

In the context of current debates on climate change, heat has become a growing concern since the early 2000s, as it impacts people’s health and quality of life. As an element of urban climatology, the concept of urban heat islands emerged as a standard reference used by a number of Quebec scholars and practitioners in environmental management. However, there appears to be certain discrepancies between our current scientific knowledge and its interpretation by urban planners. The objective of this thesis is to better understand the factors that explain this discrepancy, through a study of knowledge acquisition among Quebec urban planners. Using a series of interviews with key actors in the emerging field of UHI’s in Quebec, it has been possible to identify the elements that caused distortions in knowledge transfer. Generally, the lack of interdisciplinarity in the areas of urban climatology and planning throughout the knowledge acquisition process, as well as a partial understanding of the surface temperature maps, help explain the nature of these discrepancies.

Keyphrases: Urban heat island, Urban planning, Urban climatology, Urban microclimate, Knowledge transfer
Structure de fonctionnement des charrettes en design urbain

This paper rejoins worldwide concerns for the future of cities in the XXlth century. It questions the practices, which contribute to the development of environmental qualities in the living environment. The collective creative efforts deployed in charrettes and workshops are considered to be relevant to the mobilization and reconciliation of values; principles necessary for sustainable development. The specific problematic concerns the adaptation of different operating structures of charrettes from one local context to another in order to insure desired outcomes. A comparative analysis of three case studies reveals that the creative processes of charrettes are adapted to the modes of communication required to advance the project planning process and confirms that their performance relies on their capacity to gather consensus in the actors concerned. Finally we supply a preliminary toolkit to help the future implementation of the charrette’s creative processes locally.

Keyphrases: design urbain, collaboration, concertation, dialogue, communication, analyse structurale, urban design, local project, design process, collaboration, conciliation, structural analysis, case study
Parle-t-on de territoire en aménagement du territoire? : la construction des enjeux en contexte de planification collaborative

A paradox lies at the heart of public debate in territorial planning. Despite a nominal reference, the territory is only broached superficially. This Masters thesis approaches this problem by exploring a public consultation process on an urban revitalization project in Montreal, the Quartier des spectacles – Pôle du Quartier latin special planning program. The analysis is developed in two steps. First, the meaning of the Latin Quarter’s geographical position and its consequences on long term (structural) development patterns are examined. Second, the participants’ discourses in the public debate are studied through a poststructuralist lens. The results show that most participants do not consider the territory as a social construct. On the other hand, those who view the territory as such tend to have a more critical opinion of the project. Those findings question the basis of the intervention as proposed by municipal authorities and, in a larger sense, calls for a reconsideration of the concept of territory in collaborative and post-collaborative contexts.

Keyphrases: Quartier latin, Planification post-collaborative, Montreal, Latin Quarter, Regional planning, Urban planning, Territory, Urban structure, Public participation, Post-collaborative planning