Possibilités d'application de la classification écologique pour l'aménagement forestier dans le canton d'Hébécourt, Abitibi

La classification écologique a été reconnue par le Ministère de l'Énergie et des Ressources comme un champ de recherche prioritaire et un cadre de référence valable pour l'aménagement forestier. Ce rapport présente les résultats d'un projet qui a pour but général d'étudier les applications de la classification écologique pour l'aménagement forestier. Il se subdivise en trois parties: (1) une revue des approches et des applications de la classification écologique au Canada; (2) une série de clefs de terrain, basées sur la classification écologique de Bergeron et al. (1983) pour le canton d'Hébécourt, Abitibi, visant l'identification des unités écologiques (types écologiques et groupes d'aménagement) de cette classification et (3) les résultats d'une étude sur les problèmes de compétition et de régénération après coupe rase, dans le canton d'Hébécourt, utilisant la classification comme cadre de référence. Cette étude met en évidence plusieurs tendances intéressantes. La régénération en résineux et en bouleau blanc (Betula papyrifera) est généralement meilleure sur les dépôts grossiers et très faible sur les dépôts d'argile bien à imparfaitement drainés. En termes de compétition, l'aulne rugueux (Alnus rugosa) et les saules (Salix spp.) dominent sur les dépôts mal drainés. Les Graminées et Cypéracées sont associées aux dépôts argileux et organiques mal drainés ainsi qu'aux argiles bien à imparfaitement drainées. Sur les dépôts grossiers bien drainés, l'érable à épis (Acer spicatum) et le cerisier de Pennsylvanie (Prunus pensylvanica) constituent la source majeure de compétition tandis que sur les dépôts fins bien drainés le framboisier et les herbacées sont dominants. Le projet démontre l'utilité de la classification écologique pour étudier le développement végétal après perturbation et devrait servir comme point de départ pour des études ultérieures sur l'application de la classification écologique

Managing understory light conditions in boreal mixedwoods through variation in the intensity and spatial pattern of harvest: A modelling approach

In the context of partial harvesting, adequately managing post-harvest light conditions are essential to obtain a desired composition of tree species regeneration. The objective of this study was to determine how varying the intensity and spatial pattern of harvest would affect understory light conditions in boreal mixedwood stands of northwestern Quebec using the spatially explicit SORTIE-ND light model. The model was evaluated based on comparisons of observed and predicted light levels in both mapped and un-mapped plots. In mapped plots, reasonably accurate predictions of the overall variation in light levels were obtained, but predictions tended to lack spatial precision. In un-mapped plots, SORTIE-ND accurately predicted stand-level mean GLI (Gap Light Index) under a range of harvest intensities. The model was then used to simulate nine silvicultural treatments based on combinations of three intensities of overstory removal (30%, 45% and 60% of basal area) and three harvest patterns (uniform, narrow strips, large gaps). Simulations showed that increasing overstory removal had less impact on light conditions with uniform harvests, and a more marked effect with more aggregated harvest patterns. Whatever the harvest intensity, uniform cuts almost never created high light conditions (GLI > 50%). Gap cuts, on the other hand, resulted in up to 40% of microsites receiving GLI > 50%. Our results suggest that either a 30% strip or gap cut or a 45–60% uniform partial harvest could be used to accelerate the transition from an aspen dominated composition to a mixedwood stand because both types of cut generate the greatest proportion of moderately low light levels (e.g., 15–40% GLI). These light levels tend to favour an accelerated growth response among shade-tolerant conifers, while preventing excessive recruitment of shade-intolerant species. A better understanding of how spatial patterns of harvest interact with tree removal intensity to affect understory light conditions can provide opportunities for designing silvicultural prescriptions that are tailored to species’ traits and better suited to meet a variety of management objectives

The accuracy of chromosomal microarray testing for identification of embryonic mosaicism in human blastocysts

A dança é uma forma ancestral de magia, invenção dos deuses que a ensinaram aos homens, diz-nos a mitologia hindu. Envolvido no mistério e movimento da dança, o dançarino pode encantar; porém, antes de tudo é preciso que encante a si mesmo. Não seria este também o caminho do professor? Fazer para si para poder fazer ou propor aos educandos, encantar-se para poder encantar; criar para poder seguir com as crianças a aventura da criação; ousar para poder encorajar? Nesta direção, a pergunta que percorre o presente artigo é assim formulada: como contribuir com o processo de encantamento dos professores, como alimentar a sensibilidade, nos percursos da formação universitária? Buscando respostas no processo de pesquisa, identifica-se na experiência com as danças circulares, tradição de diferentes povos, um profícuo caminho pelo qual aquele espaço de encantamento, de inteireza, de educação estética, igualmente, pode ser provocado

Association of C-reactive protein and metabolic risk with cognitive effects of lurasidone in patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence has implicated insulin resistance and inflammation in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairments associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. This post-hoc analysis based on a placebo-controlled trial investigated the effect of inflammation (indexed by CRP) and metabolic risk factors on cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia treated with lurasidone. METHODS: Acutely exacerbated patients with schizophrenia were randomized to lurasidone (80 or 160 mg/day), quetiapine XR 600 mg/day, or placebo. A wide range CRP test and a cognitive assessment using the CogState computerized battery were performed at baseline and week 6 study endpoint. Associations between log-transformed CRP, high density lipoprotein (HDL), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and treatment response were evaluated. RESULTS: CRP combined with HDL, triglyceride-to-HDL (TG/HDL) ratio, or HOMA-IR at study baseline were significant moderators of the improvement in cognitive performance associated with lurasidone 160 mg/day (vs. placebo) treatment (p \u3c .05). Greater placebo-corrected treatment effect size on the CogState composite score was observed for patients in the lurasidone 160 mg/day treatment group who had either low CRP and high HDL (d = 0.43), or low CRP and low HOMA-IR (d = 0.46). Interactive relationships between CRP, HDL, TG/HDL, HOMA-IR and the antipsychotic efficacy of lurasidone or quetiapine XR were not significant. There were no significant associations between antipsychotic treatment and changes in CRP level at study endpoint. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this post-hoc analysis based on a placebo-controlled trial in patients with schizophrenia suggest that baseline CRP level combined with measures of metabolic risk significantly moderated the improvement in cognitive performance associated with lurasidone 160 mg/day (vs. placebo) treatment. Our findings underscore the importance of maintaining a low metabolic risk profile in patients with schizophrenia

Dimensionally Dependent Tensor Identities by Double Antisymmetrisation

Some years ago, Lovelock showed that a number of apparently unrelated familiar tensor identities had a common structure, and could all be considered consequences in n-dimensional space of a pair of fundamental identities involving trace-free (p,p)-forms where 2p >= n$. We generalise Lovelock's results, and by using the fact that associated with any tensor in n-dimensional space there is associated a fundamental tensor identity obtained by antisymmetrising over n+1 indices, we establish a very general 'master' identity for all trace-free (k,l)-forms. We then show how various other special identities are direct and simple consequences of this master identity; in particular we give direct application to Maxwell, Lanczos, Ricci, Bel and Bel-Robinson tensors, and also demonstrate how relationships between scalar invariants of the Riemann tensor can be investigated in a systematic manner.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figure

Congenital bipartite lunate presenting as a misdiagnosed lunate fracture: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>A rare case of congenital bipartite lunate in a child is reported. Carpal variants are very uncommon as independent entities, with only three previous reports of this condition in the English literature.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>An 11-year-old Caucasian boy presented with pain in the left wrist after a fall. Radiographs in the emergency department demonstrated a lunate that was divided into palmar and dorsal parts, causing a misdiagnosis of fractured lunate. Magnetic resonance imaging was then used to differentiate between the two diagnoses.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Very few cases of bipartite lunate have been reported in the literature, and unless awareness is raised about congenital anomalies such as this variant, confusion may arise.</p

Four-Dimensional SCFTs from M5-Branes

We engineer a large new set of four-dimensional N=1 superconformal field theories by wrapping M5-branes on complex curves. We present new supersymmetric AdS_5 M-theory backgrounds which describe these fixed points at large N, and then directly construct the dual four-dimensional CFTs for a certain subset of these solutions. Additionally, we provide a direct check of the central charges of these theories by using the M5-brane anomaly polynomial. This is a companion paper which elaborates upon results reported in arXiv:1112:5487.Comment: 45 pages, 11 figure

Abnormal repetitive behaviors in zebrafish and their relevance to human brain disorders

Abnormal repetitive behaviors (ARBs) are a prominent symptom of numerous human brain disorders and are commonly seen in rodent models as well. While rodent studies of ARBs continue to dominate the field, mounting evidence suggests that zebrafish (Danio rerio) also display ARB-like phenotypes and may therefore be a novel model organism for ARB research. In addition to clear practical research advantages as a model species, zebrafish share high genetic and physiological homology to humans and rodents, including multiple ARB-related genes and robust behaviors relevant to ARB. Here, we discuss a wide spectrum of stereotypic repetitive behaviors in zebrafish, data on their genetic and pharmacological modulation, and the overall translational relevance of fish ARBs to modeling human brain disorders. Overall, the zebrafish is rapidly emerging as a new promising model to study ARBs and their underlying mechanisms. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Silvicultural alternatives to conventional even-aged forest management - what limits global adoption?

Background The development of forestry as a scientific and management discipline over the last two centuries has mainly emphasized intensive management operations focused on increased commodity production, mostly wood. This “conventional” forest management approach has typically favored production of even-aged, single-species stands. While alternative management regimes have generally received less attention, this has been changing over the last three decades, especially in countries with developed economies. Reasons for this change include a combination of new information and concerns about the ecological consequences of intensive forestry practices and a willingness on the part of many forest owners and society to embrace a wider set of management objectives. Alternative silvicultural approaches are characterized by a set of fundamental principles, including avoidance of clearcutting, an emphasis on structural diversity and small-scale variability, deployment of mixed species with natural regeneration, and avoidance of intensive site-preparation methods. Methods Our compilation of the authors’ experiences and perspectives from various parts of the world aims to initiate a larger discussion concerning the constraints to and the potential of adopting alternative silvicultural practices. Results The results suggest that a wider adoption of alternative silvicultural practices is currently hindered by a suite of ecological, economic, logistical, informational, cultural, and historical constraints. Individual contexts display their own unique combinations and relative significance of these constraints, and accordingly, targeted efforts, such as regulations and incentives, may help to overcome specific challenges. Conclusions In a broader context, we propose that less emphases on strict applications of principles and on stand structures might provide additional flexibility and facilitate the adoption of alternative silvicultural regimes in a broader set of circumstances. At the same time, the acceptance of alternative silvicultural systems as the “preferred or default mode of management” will necessitate and benefit from the continued development of the scientific basis and valuation of a variety of ecosystem goods and services. This publication is aimed to further the discussion in this context