Applications de la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité : matériaux hybrides organiques-inorganiques, puits quantiques et fullerènes

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal

Perceptive study of an optimal trumpet using simulated sounds

International audienceDans le cadre de l'´ etude de la qualité des instruments de musique, nous avons optimisé, ` a partir de simulations sonores par modèle physique, la justesse de trompettes en faisant varier des paramètres géométriques de l'embouchure et de la branche d'embouchure. L'objectif de ce travail est de déterminer, par un test d'´ ecoute des sons simulés, dans quelles mesures les différences entre la géométrie optimale et des géométries courantes sont perceptibles. Trois trompettes d'intérêt sontétudiéessontétudiées : la trompette optimale, la trompette de référence (trompette initiale lors de la procédure d'optimisation), et une trompetté elémentaire (trompette admissible, mais dont la valeur de la justesse est faible). L'expérience perceptive est uné epreuve d'´ ecoute par paires de sons (same-different test) impliquant 32 participants (musiciens ou non). DeuxépreuvesDeuxépreuves sont proposées : l'´ evaluation des différences perceptives entre les 3 instrumentsétudiésinstrumentsétudiés, et l'´ evaluation des différences perceptives entre différents sons du même instrument. Les résultats de chaque participant pour chaque famille de sons sont représentés par la matrice de confusion de l'´ epreuve same-different, de laquelle différents indicateurs de performances issus de la théorie de détection du signal sont extraits. Les conclusions montrent que la trompette optimale et la trompette de référence présentent bien des différences perceptibles, les performances de détection des sujets musiciensétant par ailleurs significativement supérieuressupérieuresà celles des sujets non-musiciens

Redirecting splicing with bifunctional oligonucleotides

Abstract: Ectopic modulators of alternative splicing are important tools to study the function of splice variants and for correcting mis-splicing events that cause human diseases. Such modulators can be bifunctional oligonucleotides made of an antisense portion that determines target specificity, and a nonhybridizing tail that recruits proteins or RNA/protein complexes that affect splice site selection (TOSS and TOES, respectively, for targeted oligonucleotide silencer of splicing and targeted oligonucleotide enhancer of splicing). The use of TOSS and TOES has been restricted to a handful of targets. To generalize the applicability and demonstrate the robustness of TOSS, we have tested this approach on more than 50 alternative splicing events. Moreover, we have developed an algorithm that can design active TOSS with a success rate of 80%. To produce bifunctional oligonucleotides capable of stimulating splicing, we built on the observation that binding sites for TDP-43 can stimulate splicing and improve U1 snRNP binding when inserted downstream from 50 splice sites. A TOES designed to recruit TDP-43 improved exon 7 inclusion in SMN2. Overall, our study shows that bifunctional oligonucleotides can redirect splicing on a variety of genes, justifying their inclusion in the molecular arsenal that aims to alter the production of splice variants

Importance of proximity to resources, social support, transportation and neighborhood security for mobility and social participation in older adults: results from a scoping study

Background: Since mobility and social participation are key determinants of health and quality of life, it is important to identify factors associated with them. Although several investigations have been conducted on the neighborhood environment, mobility and social participation, there is no clear integration of the results. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding regarding how the neighborhood environment is associated with mobility and social participation in older adults.Methods: A rigorous methodological scoping study framework was used to search nine databases from different fields with fifty-one keywords. Data were exhaustively analyzed, organized and synthesized according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) by two research assistants following PRISMA guidelines, and results were validated with knowledge users.Results: The majority of the 50 selected articles report results of cross-sectional studies (29; 58 %), mainly conducted in the US (24; 48 %) or Canada (15; 30 %). Studies mostly focused on neighborhood environment associations with mobility (39; 78 %), social participation (19; 38 %), and occasionally both (11; 22 %). Neighborhood attributes considered were mainly 'Pro ducts and technology' (43; 86) and 'Services, systems and policies' (37; 74 %), but also 'Natural and human- made changes' (27; 54 %) and 'Support and relationships' (21; 42 %). Mobility and social participation were both positively associated with Proximity to resources and recreational facilities, Social support, Having a car or driver's license, Public transportation and Neighborhood security, and negatively associated with Poor user-friendliness of the walking environment and Neighborhood insecurity. Attributes of the neighborhood environment not covered by previous research on mobility and social participation mainly concerned 'Attitudes', and 'Services, systems and policies'.Conclusion: Results from this comprehensive synthesis of empirical studies on associations of the neighborhood environment with mobility and social participation will ultimately support best practices, decisions and the development of innovative inclusive public health interventions including clear guidelines for the creation of age-supportive environments. To foster mobility and social participation, these interventions must consider Proximity to resources and to recreational facilities, Social support, Transportation, Neighborhood security and User-friendliness of the walking environment. Future studies should include both mobility and social participation, and investigate how they are associated with 'Attitudes', and 'Services, systems and policies' in older adults, including disadvantaged older adults

Intronic Binding Sites for hnRNP A/B and hnRNP F/H Proteins Stimulate Pre-mRNA Splicing

hnRNP A/B proteins modulate the alternative splicing of several mammalian and viral pre-mRNAs, and are typically viewed as proteins that enforce the activity of splicing silencers. Here we show that intronic hnRNP A/B–binding sites (ABS) can stimulate the in vitro splicing of pre-mRNAs containing artificially enlarged introns. Stimulation of in vitro splicing could also be obtained by providing intronic ABS in trans through the use of antisense oligonucleotides containing a non-hybridizing ABS-carrying tail. ABS-tailed oligonucleotides also improved the in vivo inclusion of an alternative exon flanked by an enlarged intron. Notably, binding sites for hnRNP F/H proteins (FBS) replicate the activity of ABS by improving the splicing of an enlarged intron and by modulating 5′ splice-site selection. One hypothesis formulated to explain these effects is that bound hnRNP proteins self-interact to bring in closer proximity the external pair of splice sites. Consistent with this model, positioning FBS or ABS at both ends of an intron was required to stimulate splicing of some pre-mRNAs. In addition, a computational analysis of the configuration of putative FBS and ABS located at the ends of introns supports the view that these motifs have evolved to support cooperative interactions. Our results document a positive role for the hnRNP A/B and hnRNP F/H proteins in generic splicing, and suggest that these proteins may modulate the conformation of mammalian pre-mRNAs

The Benefits Conferred by Radial Access for Cardiac Catheterization Are Offset by a Paradoxical Increase in the Rate of Vascular Access Site Complications With Femoral Access The Campeau Radial Paradox

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess whether the benefits conferred by radial access (RA) at an individual level are offset by a proportionally greater incidence of vascular access site complications (VASC) at a population level when femoral access (FA) is performed.BackgroundThe recent widespread adoption of RA for cardiac catheterization has been associated with increased rates of VASCs when FA is attempted.MethodsLogistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted VASC rate in a contemporary cohort of consecutive patients (2006 to 2008) where both RA and FA were used, and compared it with the adjusted VASC rate observed in a historical control cohort (1996 to 1998) where only FA was used. We calculated the adjusted attributable risk to estimate the proportion of VASC attributable to the introduction of RA in FA patients of the contemporary cohort.ResultsA total of 17,059 patients were included. At a population level, the VASC rate was higher in the overall contemporary cohort compared with the historical cohort (adjusted rates: 2.91% vs. 1.98%; odds ratio [OR]: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17 to 1.89; p = 0.001). In the contemporary cohort, RA patients experienced fewer VASC than FA patients (adjusted rates: 1.44% vs. 4.19%; OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.48; p < 0.001). We observed a higher VASC rate in FA patients in the contemporary cohort compared with the historical cohort (adjusted rates: 4.19% vs. 1.98%; OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.67 to 2.81; p < 0.001). This finding was consistent for both diagnostic and therapeutic catheterizations separately. The proportion of VASCs attributable to RA in the contemporary FA patients was estimated at 52.7%.ConclusionsIn a contemporary population where both RA and FA were used, the safety benefit associated with RA is offset by a paradoxical increase in VASCs among FA patients. The existence of this radial paradox should be taken into consideration, especially among trainees and default radial operators

A novel antiangiogenic and vascular normalization therapy targeted against human CD160 receptor

A monoclonal anti-CD160 antibody inhibits the growth of new vessels in pathological ocular and tumor neoangiogenesis but not in healthy tissues

Importance of proximity to resources, social support, transportation and neighborhood security for mobility and social participation in older adults: results from a scoping study

ABSTRACT: Background: Since mobility and social participation are key determinants of health and quality of life, it is important to identify factors associated with them. Although several investigations have been conducted on the neighborhood environment, mobility and social participation, there is no clear integration of the results. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding regarding how the neighborhood environment is associated with mobility and social participation in older adults.Methods: A rigorous methodological scoping study framework was used to search nine databases from different fields with fifty-one keywords. Data were exhaustively analyzed, organized and synthesized according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) by two research assistants following PRISMA guidelines, and results were validated with knowledge users.Results: The majority of the 50 selected articles report results of cross-sectional studies (29; 58 %), mainly conducted in the US (24; 48 %) or Canada (15; 30 %). Studies mostly focused on neighborhood environment associations with mobility (39; 78 %), social participation (19; 38 %), and occasionally both (11; 22 %). Neighborhood attributes considered were mainly 'Pro ducts and technology' (43; 86) and 'Services, systems and policies' (37; 74 %), but also 'Natural and human- made changes' (27; 54 %) and 'Support and relationships' (21; 42 %). Mobility and social participation were both positively associated with Proximity to resources and recreational facilities, Social support, Having a car or driver's license, Public transportation and Neighborhood security, and negatively associated with Poor user-friendliness of the walking environment and Neighborhood insecurity. Attributes of the neighborhood environment not covered by previous research on mobility and social participation mainly concerned 'Attitudes', and 'Services, systems and policies'.Conclusion: Results from this comprehensive synthesis of empirical studies on associations of the neighborhood environment with mobility and social participation will ultimately support best practices, decisions and the development of innovative inclusive public health interventions including clear guidelines for the creation of age-supportive environments. To foster mobility and social participation, these interventions must consider Proximity to resources and to recreational facilities, Social support, Transportation, Neighborhood security and User-friendliness of the walking environment. Future studies should include both mobility and social participation, and investigate how they are associated with 'Attitudes', and 'Services, systems and policies' in older adults, including disadvantaged older adults

Hypoventilation alvéolaire et obésité (présentation et étude de faisabilité d'un protocole de recherche diagnostique et thérapeutique multicentrique)

NANCY1-SCD Medecine (545472101) / SudocPARIS-BIUM (751062103) / SudocSudocFranceF