Subjectivity in research: Why not ? But…

This article addresses the question of subjectivity in research. In order to facilitate the use of subjectivity in a research context, the author reminds readers of possible procedures as suggested in the literature. Particular attention is given to the idea of peer debriefing. Inspired by psychoanalysis, the author expands on the concept of discussant or debriefer and suggests that by doing so, subjectivity can be better understood. It is suggested that this may actually be fully integrated into a study in order to both better understand the subject under examination as well as the influence of the research mentor and student dyad. The author shares an example of this approach taken from a previously completed study on pedophile sex abusers

Dynamic Assessment Indices

This paper provides a unified framework, which allows, in particular, to study the structure of dynamic monetary risk measures and dynamic acceptability indices. The main mathematical tool, which we use here, and which allows us to significantly generalize existing results is the theory of $L^0$-modules. In the first part of the paper we develop the general theory and provide a robust representation of conditional assessment indices, and in the second part we apply this theory to dynamic acceptability indices acting on stochastic processes.Comment: 39 page

Nouvelles méthodes de synthèse pour la formation de liaisons C(aryl)-hétéroatome et C(aryl)-C par réactions de substitution nucléophile aromatique et vinylique

L’objectif central de notre thèse de doctorat visait l’utilisation d’halogénures d’aryles en tant qu’électrophiles dans des réactions de substitution nucléophile aromatique (SNAr). D’abord, nous avons cherché à former des liaisons C(aryl)-hétéroatome par réaction entre des nucléophiles hétéroatomiques et des halogénures d’aryles substitués par des groupements électro-attracteurs. Les résultats de cette étude ont été comparés à des incohérences relevées dans la littérature et montrent que l’ordre de réactivité d’halogénures d’aryles communément accepté n’est pas toujours respecté. Un effet positif a été observé par l’ajout de 2,2,6,6-tétraméthyl-3,5-heptanedione pour l’arylation de phénols avec des halogénures d’aryles substitués par des groupements électro-donneurs, ce qui en fait la première méthode capable de générer des diaryléthers par cette voie réactionnelle sans ajout de catalyseur métallique. Ensuite, nous avons mis au point une réaction générale d’α-arylation de cétones aromatiques avec des halogénures d’aryles dans des conditions réactionnelles douces. L’utilisation du t-BuOK, une base inorganique capable de transferts mono-électroniques, et de DMF comme additif permet la synthèse d’α-arylcétones avec d’excellents rendements. Cette méthode a été appliquée à la synthèse d’hétérocycles fusionnés et de (Z)-tamoxifène, des molécules montrant une activité biologique. Une étude mécanistique a montré que l’anion carbamoyle du DMF est impliqué dans une étape clé de transfert mono-électronique avec des halogénures d’aryles. Nous avons également appliqué cette méthode à la substitution nucléophile vinylique de β-halostyrènes. Bien que des précédents de la littérature font état de mécanismes ioniques pour les réactions de ces substrats, nos résultats expérimentaux supportent un mécanisme radicalaire. Enfin, nous avons tenté de mettre au point le premier protocole permettant la synthèse de biaryles dissymétriques au départ d’halogénures d’aryles et de triarylbismuths(III) via une catalyse par des sels de cuivre. Malgré le fait que de nombreux ligands bidentates et tétradentates ont été testés, les faibles rendements obtenus font que les conditions réactionnelles demeurent à optimiser. Globalement, nous avons donc apporté une contribution en ce qui concerne la détermination de la frontière expérimentale entre la SNAr et la catalyse métallique, la fonctionnalisation en α de cétones aromatiques et la synthèse de biaryles dissymétriques par réactions de couplages croisés de triarylbismuths catalysées au cuivre.The primary objective of our doctoral research was centered on the use of aryl halides as electrophiles for nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr). Firstly, we tried to create C(aryl)-heteroatom bonds by reacting heteroatom nucleophiles with aryl halides substituted by electron-withdrawing groups. The results of this study were compared with inconsistencies found in the literature and show that the expected order of reactivity of aryl halides is not always observed. A beneficial effect was observed by adding 2,2,6,6 tetramethylheptane-3,5-dione to the reaction of phenols and aryl halides substituted by electron-donating groups in what is the first method allowing the synthesis of diarylethers without added metal catalyst by this pathway. Secondly, we developed a general α-arylation reaction of aryl ketones with aryl halides under mild reaction conditions. Use of KOt-Bu, an inorganic base capable of single-electron transfer, and DMF as additive enables the synthesis of α-arylketones in excellent yields. This method was applied to the synthesis of fused heterocycles and (Z) tamoxifen, molecules possessing biological activity. A mechanistic study showed that the carbamoyl anion of DMF is involved in a single-electron transfer reaction with aryl halides as the key step of the mechanism. We next applied this method to the nucleophilic vinylic substitution of β halostyrenes. While literature precedents suggest ionic mechanisms for reactions involving these substrates, we obtained experimental evidence suggesting a radical mechanism. Thirdly, we tried to develop the first protocol enabling the copper-catalyzed synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls starting from aryl halides and triarylbismuthanes(III). Although many bidentate and tetradentated ligands were tested, further optimization is required in order to develop a general method, as only low yields are obtained. Globally, we have contributed to the determination of the experimental frontier between SNAr and metallic catalysis, to the α-functionnalization of aryl ketones and to the synthesis of biaryls through copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of triarylbismuths

Psychodynamic aspects of communication skills training: a pilot study

Goals of work:: Communication between patients and oncology clinicians is a key element of cancer care. Emotionally charged consultations may trigger clinicians' defense mechanisms, protecting them from painful emotions. Defense mechanisms, however, may also hamper the recognition of patients' suffering. This pilot study aims to explore clinicians' defense mechanisms observed in communication skills training (CST). Patients and methods:: A verbatim transcription of videotaped interviews with simulated patients were evaluated before (N = 10) and after CST (N = 10) with the defense mechanism rating scales (DMRS). Main results:: A wide variety of defense mechanisms were observed such as obsessional (e.g. intellectualisation) or disavowal (e.g. denial or projection). Immature defense mechanisms decreased after CST. Conclusions:: A wide variety of defense mechanisms are operant in oncology clinicians facing challenging interviews with simulated patients. Defense mechanisms may be modified by CS

Transition-Metal-Free α-Vinylation of Enolizable Ketones with β-Bromostyrenes

An a-vinylation of enolizable ketones has been developed by using b-bromostyrenes and a KOtBu/NMP system. β,γ-Unsaturated ketones of E configuration were obtained in excellent yield and selectivity. Further synthetic possibilities are highlighted by one-pot functionalization via trapping of intermediate dienolates with alkyl, allyl, benzyl, and propargyl halidesto generate quaternary centers. The reported transformation is believed to proceed via phenylacetylene and propargylic alcohol intermediates

Therapist interventions and patient outcome: addressing the common versus specific factor debate

While innumerable studies have demonstrated the efficacy of CBT in patients with depression, the mechanisms responsible for depression reduction are not well understood. Aim: This study explored the relationship between therapists' individual techniques and patients' symptoms of depression, cognitive errors, and coping. Of particular interest was the relative importance of techniques specific to CBT and those common to all therapies. Method: CBT therapy sessions of 43 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) were analyzed using observer- rated measures: the Comprehensive Psychotherapeutic Interventions Rating Scale (CPIRS; Trijsburg et al., 2002) for therapist interventions, and the Cognitive Errors Rating Scale (CERS; Drapeau, Perry, & Dunkley, 2008) and Coping Patterns Rating Scale (CPRS; Perry, Drapeau, & Dunkley, 2005) for patients' cognitive errors and coping strategies. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI; Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979) was used to assess symptoms of depression. Results: Results of hierarchical multiple regressions, controlling for pre-treatment depression scores and early cognitive errors and coping scores, showed the common factor intervention 'rapport' as the only intervention that significantly predicted improvement. Among CBT interventions, only the structuring intervention 'scheduling and structuring activities' emerged as a positive predictor of symptoms of depression. Discussion: These results provide further support for the importance of the therapeutic alliance in predicting depression outcome. While the lack of positive results on therapist CBT technique seem to cast doubt on their relative importance, it may also highlight the importance of measurin

Transition-metal-free a-arylation of enolizable aryl ketones and mechanistic evidence for a radical process

The a-arylation of enolizable aryl ketones can be carried out with aryl halides under transition-metal-free conditions using KOtBu in DMF. The a-aryl ketones thus obtained can be used for step- and cost-economic syntheses of fused heterocycles and Tamoxifen. Mechanistic studies demonstrate the synergetic role of base and solvent for the initiation of the radical process

Hindcasting the impacts of land-use changes on bird communities with species distribution models of Bird Atlas data

Habitat loss and degradation induced by human development are among the major threats to biodiversity worldwide. In this study, we tested our ability to predict the response of bird communities (128 species) to land-use changes in southern Quebec (~483,100 km2) over the last 30 yr (between 1984–1989 and 2010–2014) by using species distribution models (299,302 occurrences in 30,408 locations) from a hindcasting perspective. Results were grouped by functional guilds to infer potential impacts on ecosystem services, and to relate model transferability (i.e., ability of our models to be generalized to other times and scales) to specific functional and life-history traits. Overall, our models were able to accurately predict, both in space and time, habitat suitability for 69% of species, especially for granivorous, nonmigrant, tree-nesting species, and species that are tied to agricultural areas under intensive use. These findings indicate that model transferability depends upon specific functional and life-history traits, providing further evidence that species’ ecologies affect the ability of models to accurately predict bird distributions. Declining bird species were mostly short-distance migrants that were associated with open habitats (agricultural and nonproductive forest) with aerial insectivorous or granivorous diets, which may be related to agricultural intensification and land abandonment. Land-use changes were positive for some forest bird species that were mainly associated with mixed and deciduous forests, generalist diets and tree-nesting strategies. Yet cavity-nesting birds have suffered substantial reductions in their distributions, suggesting that cumulative effects of intensive logging and wildfires on mature forests pose a threat for forest-specialist species. Habitat suitability changes predicted by our coarse-scale species distribution models partially agreed with the long-term trends reported by the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Our findings confirm land-use change as a key driving force for shaping bird communities in southern Quebec, together with the need to explicitly incorporate it into global change scenarios that better inform decision-makers on conservation and management

A life-course and time perspective on the construct validity of psychological distress in women and men. Measurement invariance of the K6 across gender

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Psychological distress is a widespread indicator of mental health and mental illness in research and clinical settings. A recurrent finding from epidemiological studies and population surveys is that women report a higher mean level and a higher prevalence of psychological distress than men. These differences may reflect, to some extent, cultural norms associated with the expression of distress in women and men. Assuming that these norms differ across age groups and that they evolve over time, one would expect gender differences in psychological distress to vary over the life-course and over time. The objective of this study was to investigate the construct validity of a psychological distress scale, the K6, across gender in different age groups and over a twelve-year period.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study is based on data from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (C-NPHS). Psychological distress was assessed with the K6, a scale developed by Kessler and his colleagues. Data were examined through multi-group confirmatory factor analyses. Increasing levels of measurement and structural invariance across gender were assessed cross-sectionally with data from cycle 1 (n = 13019) of the C-NPHS and longitudinally with cycles 1 (1994-1995), 4 (2000-2001) and 7 (2006-2007).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Higher levels of measurement and structural invariance across gender were reached only after the constraint of equivalence was relaxed for various parameters of a few items of the K6. Some items had a different pattern of gender non invariance across age groups and over the course of the study. Gender differences in the expression of psychological distress may vary over the lifespan and over a 12-year period without markedly affecting the construct validity of the K6.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study confirms the cross-gender construct validity of psychological distress as assessed with the K6 despite differences in the expression of some symptoms in women and in men over the life-course and over time. Findings suggest that the higher mean level of psychological distress observed in women reflects a true difference in distress and is unlikely to be gender-biased. Gender differences in psychological distress are an important public health and clinical issue and further researches are needed to decipher the factors underlying these differences.</p