NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Effet de la transmission cholinergique sur la cartographie fonctionnelle du cortex visuel du rongeur

The cholinergic transmission, including the muscarinic receptors, plays a role in the central nervous system modulating neuronal plasticity. ACh is released in the visual cortex during the presentation of visual stimuli. By its action on cortical neuronal transmission, ACh modulates long-term responses to new sensory stimuli. In the present study, the involvement of the cholinergic system in cortical development and inductible plasticity in adults was investigated by optical imaging of intrinsic signals and immunohistochemistry in rodents. These two mapping techniques of cortical activity allowed us to evaluate 1) the modulatory effect of acetylcholine (ACh) and its muscarinic receptors (mAChRs, M1 to M5) on the functional organization of the visual cortex in mice deficient of mAChRs and 2) the impact of ACh release during a visual training on the number, neurochemical nature and location of activated neurons in the cortical layers. The involvement of the cholinergic system on the mapping of the primary visual cortex was studied in mice knockout (KO) for different combinations of mAChRs subtypes. Intrinsic signals imaging, based on fluctuations in cortical light reflectance during oxygen consumption by activated neurons, was used to assess the various properties of neurons in the visual cortex during visual stimulation. The size of the neuronal receptive fields is reduced in the absence of M1 receptor or the combination M1/M3. The apparent visual field is increased in M2/M4-KO mice but decreased in M1-KO. The sharpness of neuronal connectivity (assessed by the measure of the scatter) is reduced in the absence of M2/M4 receptors. Finally, in M1/M3-KO animals, a decrease in visual acuity was observed. The effect of long-term visual training coupled with the stimulation of cholinergic neurons on the distribution and nature of immunoreactive neurons in c-Fos, the activated neurons, was evaluated. Since this combined stimulation is able to produce behavioral changes, especially in terms of visual acuity, it was interesting to focus on neuroanatomical modifications and determine which elements of the excitatory / inhibitory balance were compromised in these animals. The results showed that animals which received a combination of visual and cholinergic training presented an increase in c-Fos labeling compared to animals that received only the cholinergic stimulation. Moreover, in these animals, it is possible to observe changes in the excitatory / inhibitory balance which corresponds to the potential of plasticity in the region. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate an important role of the cholinergic system in the development, maturation and plasticity of the cerebral visual system.

Keyphrases: Cartography, Muscarinic receptors, Cortical activity, Visual cortex
Vulnérabilité à la chaleur dans le contexte des changements climatiques

Climate change is an important public health threat. An increase in temperatures will lead to an increase in mortality attributable to temperature. In addition, some populations and territories are particularly vulnerable to the impact of increases in heat. It is thus necessary to identify these populations and territories as well as examine future heat-related health impacts in order to recommend equity-oriented policies today and in the future. The general objective of this thesis is to document current and future heat-related vulnerability factors in the context of climate change. In order to address this general objective, the thesis involved four components: a) to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis to assess the heterogeneity in the heat-mortality associations with respect to individual and contextual population characteristics; b) to identify whether and how the magnitude of mean temperature effects on all-cause mortality were modified by chronic air pollution exposure, social deprivation, and a combination of these two dimensions; c) to develop a method to quantify the climate change impacts on heat-related mortality using climate modeling; d) to assess historical and future social disparities in years of life lost caused by ambient temperature in Montreal and Paris, and compare these estimates as well as the impact of climate change on social disparities between the two cities. This thesis highlights which populations are more vulnerable to heat and shows that several differences exist with regard to guidelines from international public health institutions for the identification of vulnerable populations. This thesis also identified chronic air pollution exposure as a new vulnerability factor in heat-related mortality and that it has a double interaction with social deprivation. Furthermore, in this thesis a novel method to quantify future heat-related mortality was developed which emphasized the strong evidence of an increase in heat-related mortality under climate change. This method was then applied to estimate the increase in daily years of life lost social disparities in both Montreal and Paris under climate change which showed that this increase would be greater in Montreal compared to Paris in the future. Thus, this thesis which used a variety of epidemiologic methods has clarified which populations are particularly vulnerable to heat impacts and challenges guidelines for the identification of vulnerable populations from international public health institutions. It has also highlighted the climate change impacts on health inequalities and aims to reorient equity-focused policies.

Keyphrases: Meta-analyses, Climate Change, Ambient temperature, Heat waves, Vulnerability, Effect modification, Heterogeneity, Time-series analyses, Social health inequalities, Meta-analyses, Climate modeling, Air pollution
Développement des dimensions du capital culturel dans l'étude des inégalités sociales liées au tabagisme chez les jeunes adultes

Cultural capital theory is increasingly examined in public health and might be useful to study social inequalities in smoking among young adults. This population suffers a high smoking prevalence and many of their social characteristics make them an important target population for research. However, research does not provide a consensual view on the definition and operationalization of cultural capital throughout the literature. We propose here a new conceptual framework using three dimensions – fields, generations and states – and provide an empirical application by examining the associations between selected cultural capital indicators and smoking behaviour in young adults. We used data from the Interdisciplinary Study of Inequalities in Smoking project, which recruited 2,093 young adults from Montreal, Canada in 2011-2012. We used as dependent variables current smoking status and the number of cigarettes smoked daily in smokers. We examined the correlations between cultural capital indicators and the associations with smoking outcomes using hierarchical logistic and linear regression models. We found weak correlations among our indicators. We found associations between indicators and smoking outcomes in both the fields of education and health and in both generations. In light of our framework and results, we found that a multidimensional approach may provide a better understanding of instances and mechanisms promoting social inequalities in smoking among young adults.

Keyphrases: cultural capital, education, smoking, young adults, social inequalities, health behaviour
The Nursing Intensity Critical Care Questionnaire (NICCQ) : Validation Study in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Nurse Managers need today more than ever instruments that can be used to justify the billions of dollars that are invested in the healthcare sector annually. The objective of the study was to establish the validity and reliability of the Nursing Intensity Critical Care Questionnaire (NICCQ) in a cardiac surgery intensive care unit (CSICU) of a tertiary hospital. An expert panel evaluated the questionnaire’s content validity while generalizability theory was used to estimate the G and D coefficients. Decision studies enabled the investigators to determine if the current ward functioning of having one nurse rate one patient is adequate. Also, exploratory factorial analyses (EFA) preceded by principal component analyses (PCA) looked at establishing the factorial structure for the NICCQ. Finally, the NICCQ was correlated with a severity of illness score known as the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) to estimate the correlation between patient illness and nursing intensity of care. The NICCQ was used by nurses using a sample of patients who had undergone cardiac surgery and were hospitalized on a CSICU of a tertiary teaching hospital. A convenience sample of nurses and patients on the CSICU was used to reflect the procedures and usual functioning of the unit. Each item on the questionnaire measured nursing intensity of care using a three point ordinal scale (Light, Moderate, and Severe) for the first 11 items, and a five point ordinal scale for the global assessment item (including the intermediate categories light/moderate and moderate/severe). The questionnaire proved to be both valid and able to be generalized to all nurses working in the CSICU. Overall results showed that 94.4% of the item generalizability coefficients indicated acceptable to excellent reliability, with most (86.1%) being larger than .90. The EFA established a simple 4 factor structure that explained little of the variance (32%). A correlation coefficient of 0.36 indicated that patient’ severity of illness is somewhat correlated with nursing intensity of care. The study showed that the NICCQ is a valid questionnaire with a generalizability coefficient that is large enough to be used by nurses’ managers for administrative purposes. Further research using larger samples would be needed to further test the factor structure of the NICCQ.

Keyphrases: Validation, Analyse factorielle, Questionnaire, Reliability, Intensity of care, Intensive care unit, ICU, Nursing, Intensity of care, Generalizability, Factorial analysis
Stratégies visant à accroître la demande de vaccination infantile dans les pays en
développement : révision systématique et méta-analyse

Vaccination is one of the most cost effective health interventions known. However, inequalities of the vaccination coverage persist between regions and countries. The interventions to improve the vaccination coverage are usually grouped either as interventions to improve the supply or the delivery of health services, or as interventions to stimulate the demand for immunization services. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether demand-side interventions can increase routine immunization of children in developing countries. We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and other types of scientific studies conducted in developing countries. The targeted population consisted of parents and guardians of children under two years of age which are exposed to an intervention designed to increase demand for routine immunization of children. Research studies in different databases were restricted to primary studies published before September 2013 (last update on March 25th, 2014) in 6 languages. Eleven studies were selected and classified into two categories: (1) education and knowledge transfer (7 studies) and (2) incentives (4 studies). The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated a positive impact of demand-side intervention for vaccination of children in developing countries (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.17, 1.44). These positive impacts were found as well in the interventions that include education and knowledge transfer (RR 1.40, 95% CI1.20, 1.63) that in the interventions using incentives (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.12, 1.45). The results suggest that strategies to increase demand are effective in improving uptake of childhood vaccines in developing countries.

Keyphrases: vaccination, Child, vaccination, immunization program, demand for vaccination, developing countries, review, meta-analysis
La contrefaçon de médicaments dans le monde, étude exploratoire

In recent years, a new crime is in full expansion, the counterfeiting of goods. Several studies have demonstrated that drug counterfeiting in particular is very important and worldwide. Consumers are not safe from counterfeiters and several consequences on their health and on the economy of affected populations are noticed. This problem is actually little known and little developed by researchers, so we find relevant and necessary to carry out an exploratory study to learn more about this particular type of crime. We have a unique chance to access counterfeit medicines seizures data analyzed in laboratory by a pharmaceutical enterprise. These counterfeit medicines were seized over a period of 8 years, in 35 different countries, network, spatial and temporal analysis could therefore be performed. This is the first study of this type of crime based on as many seizures, that is to say 391. Network analysis has illustrated a relatively centralized and uncompetitive traffic. By analyzing the different steps of counterfeit drugs production, which are chemical production, galenic production, and finally packaging production, we have come to some conclusions. The chemical production seems to be the most important of the three in the creation of our relations but is the least often analyzed on the seizures. Usually the first two stages enable to observe more intercontinental links, over a longer period of time while the packaging ties were more nationally over a shorter period of time. These findings are supported by previous research and used to bail out the latter, being based on a large number of seizures.

Keyphrases: counterfeiting, counterfeit medicines, fighting counterfeiting, network, network analysis, spatial analysis, temporal analysis, supply chain, chemical profiling
Les politiques en matière de drogue : une question de valeur?

In the domain of the drugs currently considered as illicit, we face a confrontation between two opposit political positions: a movement for repression opposes the frequently called antiprohibitionism. Based on present reality, how do we take such opposite positions? The aim of this paper is to analyse the dominant values on which each of these speaches are based. The privileged methode to reach this objective consists in a confrontation between scientifical works done in the last 20 years. Four databases were consulted: NCJRS, Socio-file, Psyclitt and Current Content. This search allowed the gathering of 200 texts to be analysed. Scientifical texts on repressive politics against drugs consumption and antiprohibitionist position analysis allowed to emphasyse three main values: optimal management of social and human resources; health promotion; and individual freedom versus statal protection. These values are not reciprocally exclusive since some of the ideas used to justify the defended position may be applied to any of the identified values, showing how these are strongly related. Finally, we refer that this set of texts on the studied theme present enormous weaknesses - these are discussed in conclusion.

Keyphrases: Conceptual models, Liberalization, Repression
Drogue et violence : deux mots surchargés d'émotion

In the last decade the research activity focusing on drugs/violence relationships obtained a progressive interest. It is true, that this interest was, partially, kindled by certain “media”, which associated on a large scale drugs and crime. Parallel to the exposure in the media about drugs/violence relationships, a certain number of scientific studies allowed us to improve our knowledge in this field. The goal of this text is to sum up this knowledge. In it, we can see that alcohol is the psychoactive substance more associated to violence. Yet, although statistically alcohol is frequently linked to violence, the nature of this relationship is not yet well explained. Currently, it is generally recognized that alcohol, alone, cannot explain the violent behaviour, we need also to analyse the individual’s (psychological, cognitive, physiological), as well as the context in which he lives. Among others, we believe more and more that the relationship alcohol/violence is due to individual and social expectancies, related with the fact, that the significant drinking of alcohol could encourage such behaviours in certain circumstances. The prohibitionist policies, as well as the punitive measures are, largely, responsible for the violence in the illicit market, out of control, but attractive, due to the opportunity of incommensurable profits. On the other hand, we must have in mind, that the penal system and the socio-sanitary system are also responsible for a type of violence that includes drug users and drug addicts.

Keyphrases: Violence, Alcohol, Drug, Politic
La restriction de l’usage du tabac en prison au Québec : effets sur le climat carcéral

The aim of this paper is to gain perspective on the social climate found in Quebec’s provincial correctional facilities since the introduction of an indoor smoking ban. Data was collected from 113 inmates incarcerated in three provincial correctional facilities, using a mixed methods design. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics, while qualitative data were the object of a thematic analysis. Results from the study show that inmates, for the most part in disagreement with the new regulation banning indoor smoking, believe its implementation has played a role in increasing social tensions and cigarette trafficking, as well as contributing to a rise in the price of cigarettes on the black market. Depending on their position and influence within the prison environment, this situation was perceived to be either profitable or detrimental to the inmates. The initial hypothesis that the implementation of a new regulation on tobacco use would disrupt the prison’s social climate is supported by the results obtained from this study.

Keyphrases: Correctional facilities, Anti-tobacco regulation, Prison social climate, Indoor smoking ban
L’opinion publique canadienne sur les changements climatiques et les politiques de contrôle des émissions de gaz à effet de serre

This note summarizes the results of two national surveys of perceptions and attitudes about climate change and issues and policies related to this phenomenon, taken in the fall of 2014. We highlight differences across regions and political party affiliations, with an emphasis on differences between Québec and Alberta, where opinions on climate change stand at polar opposites. Our surveys explored attitudes on issues related to the reality of climate change and its human origins, on policies to address this phenomenon (including cap-and-trade schemes and a carbon tax), as well as two major pipelineproject, “Energy East” in Canada and “Keystone XL” in the United States. In general, Canadian opinion is more receptive to the scientific consensus on climate change and to policies aimed at limiting greenhouse-gas emissions than its U.S. counterpart. We note sizable variations between Canadian provinces, however. Notably, Québec’s public opinion is significantly more receptive than the Canadian average, and attitudes in Alberta are similar to what we can observe in the United States.  In addition to these regional differences, we also observe significant differences in attitudes across groups defined by political party affiliation. Voters who favor parties of the left tend to be more favorable to the scientific consensus on climate change and more supportive of policies to limit greenhouse-gas emission.

Keyphrases: Canada
Exploration des liens entre les attitudes face à la tristesse, la dépression et le bien-être

Attitudes toward emotions have been linked in theory with psychopathologies, such as depression, and with well-being. Unfortunately, empirical studies on these relations are scarce. We propose that negatives attitudes toward sadness, on the whole, will be positively correlated with depression and negatively with well-being. We also explore the relations between specific attitudes toward sadness, depression and well-being. One hundred and three undergraduate students completed four questionnaires: one for assessing their attitudes toward sadness, another for evaluating the hedonic part of well-being, another for assessing the eudemonic part of well-being and the Brief Symptom Inventory depression scale. Results show that attitudes toward sadness as a whole are correlated coherently with depression and well-being, in concordance with our hypothesis. The individual attitudes toward sadness have specific relations to depression and well-being. The main findings indicate that two non supportive attitudes toward sadness are correlated negatively with well-being and positively with depression (anger against the self if sad and fear of being rejected if sad) and those correlations are reversed for the attitude replacement of sadness with a positive thought. The theoretical and practical implications of this work are double. On the one hand, the findings suggest that attitudes toward sadness can become relevant targets for therapeutic intervention in order to reduce depression and to facilitate well-being. On the other hand, the results justify a closer look at specific attitudes toward sadness because of their possible and differential impact on depression and well-being.

Keyphrases: Psychopathologie, Attitudes toward sadness, Depression, Well-being, Psychopathology, Health, Clinical psychology
Corruption, croissance et démocratie en Afrique : la difficile consolidation

Rather than assuming the existence of democracy in Africa, which has been established and accepted by many scholars, the present study examines the challenges of democratic consolidation in Africa. Using a wide range of countries, this study identifies neopatrimonialism, presidentialism and lack of development as the main problems for democratic consolidation. Consolidating democracy in Africa requires leaders to change their attitudes and adopt the rule of law rather than the rule of money, in addition to citizens accepting that democracy and growth are not synonymous.

Keyphrases: consolidation
Asia-Pacific: a new agenda for the times ahead

The rapid growth of the populous Asian economies provokes profound economic changes and a shift in the balance of power. On the economic front, Asian leaders are confronted with the need to preserve the stability that has underpinned their prosperity, maintain an environment conducive to trade and investments and encourage domestic consumption while avoiding ecological disasters. Internationally, business competition will intensify with the strong presence of Asian manufacturers in global supply chains, growing price competition from Asian firms in domestic markets and global competition for energy, food, minerals and other commodities. Geopolitical concerns stem, in part, from Asia’s global quest for critical resources, conflicting territorial and maritime disputes and increasing military expenditures which affect security dynamics. China’s assertiveness over its periphery prompts an arm’s race in the region and concerns about Sino-American relations even though U.S.-Chinese relations may be less risky than China’s relations with its neighbours. The United States remains a key player in the Asia-Pacific region, with the capacity to alter balances and affect outcomes. Globally, the United States capacity to lead is now diminished and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Since no rising power is capable of exercising global leadership, a return to the "old normal" where no one power in geopolitical or economic terms dominates the world is to be expected.

Keyphrases: Asia, Economy, Trade, Investments, Competition, Asia-Pacific Region