A two-scale thermomechanical computational model for reinforced concrete frame structures

University of Minnesota Master of Science thesis. September 2014. Major: Civil Engineering. Advisor: Jia-Liang Le. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 70 pages.A two-scale numerical model is developed to study the behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures subject to fire loading. In this model, various structural components, such as beams, columns, and beam-column joints, are modeled by elastic elements connected by a set of nonlinear cohesive elements, which represent the potential damage zones. The thermo-dependent constitutive behavior of each cohesive element is determined by nonlinear finite elements (FE) simulations of its corresponding potential damage zone under different loading modes at different temperatures, where the thermo-dependent material properties for the FE simulations are determined based on the existing literature and a set of high-temperature experiments on concrete. The proposed two-scale model is used to simulate the behavior of a RC frame subassemblage under thermomechanical loading and the simulation results are further compared with the prediction by using the conventional finite element model. It is shown that the present model can well capture the nonlinear behavior of RC frame structures under thermomechanical loading, and due to its computational efficiency, the model provides us an efficient means to investigate the global behavior of large-scale RC frame structures under fires

Les jours heureux, scénario de court métrage, suivi de Petite histoire du court métrage au Québec. Des origines à l'an 2000, essai

Le présent mémoire consiste en une étude des caractéristiques du cinéma de court métrage, pratique ayant sa poétique propre, laquelle exige précision, concision, efficacité, rigueur et… créativité. Il se divise en deux volets, soit un scénario de court métrage, intitulé Les jours heureux, suivi d’un essai, Petite histoire du court métrage au Québec. Des origines à l’an 2000. Dans un premier temps, le scénario Les jours heureux explore les possibilités narratives particulières offertes par le court métrage. Outre sa brièveté – et parce que, la plupart du temps, le réalisateur d’un court métrage en est aussi le scénariste – le court métrage s’avère très dense sur le plan symbolique. La luminosité, la colorimétrie, les mouvements de caméra, le cadrage, le montage : tout est prévu avec un soin méticuleux, soin essentiel à la sémantique du film. Si l’intrigue demeure simple (du moins en apparence), la narration, en revanche, se doit d’être élaborée, et réglée telle une horloge. Dans ce scénario, une attention particulière est accordée aux indications de mise en scène, de mise en cadre, de narrativité et de musicalité, lesquelles porteront à un niveau supérieur une histoire simple sur l’altruisme et la poursuite des rêves. En ce qui a trait à la seconde partie, soit l’essai Petite histoire du court métrage québécois. Des origines à l’an 2000, il vise à situer sommairement la naissance et la maturation du court métrage au Québec, tant dans sa version documentaire que dans sa version fictionnelle, les deux étant intimement liées dans notre contexte. Le cinéma québécois se voit abordé dans les grandes étapes de son évolution, ses différentes esthétiques, ses principaux réalisateurs et leurs œuvres marquantes. Mais l’exposé porte surtout sur le court métrage, depuis sa véritable fondation vers la fin des années 1950 jusqu’aux années 2000. Enfin, un retour critique sur le scénario Les jours heureux est effectué, afin de l’inscrire dans un rapport de filiation avec les courts métrages qui l’ont précédé dans l’exploration des possibilités spécifiques à cette pratique filmique

Une étude sur la récurrence de la détresse psychologique en lien avec le travail et le réseau social

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

A Tool for Automatic Correction of Endogenous Concentrations: Application to BHB Analysis by LC–MS-MS and GC-MS

Several substances relevant for forensic toxicology purposes have an endogenous presence in biological matrices: beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), steroids and human insulin, to name only a few. The presence of significant amounts of these endogenous substances in the biological matrix used to prepare calibration standards and quality control samples (QCs) can compromise validation steps and quantitative analyses. Several approaches to overcome this problem have been suggested, including using an analog matrix or analyte, relying entirely on standard addition analyses for these analytes, or simply ignoring the endogenous contribution provided that it is small enough. Although these approaches side-step the issue of endogenous analyte presence in spiked matrix-matched samples, they create serious problems with regards to the accuracy of the analyses or production capacity. We present here a solution that addresses head-on the problem of endogenous concentrations in matrices used for calibration standards and quality control purposes. The endogenous analyte concentration is estimated via a standard-addition type process. This estimated concentration, plus the spiked concentration are then used as the de facto analyte concentration present in the sample. These de facto concentrations are then used in data analysis software (MultiQuant, Mass Hunter, etc.) as the sample’s concentration. This yields an accurate quantification of the analyte, free from interference of the endogenous contribution. This de facto correction has been applied in a production setting on two BHB quantification methods (GC-MS and LC–MS-MS), allowing the rectification of BHB biases of up to 30 μg/mL. The additional error introduced by this correction procedure is minimal, although the exact amount will be highly method-dependent. The endogenous concentration correction process has been automated with an R script. The final procedure is therefore highly efficient, only adding four mouse clicks to the data analysis operations

Qualitative method validation and uncertainty evaluation via the binary output: II - Application to a multi-analyte LC-MS/MS method for oral fluid

A study of impaired driving rates in the province of Québec is currently planned following the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada. Oral fluid (OF) samples are to be collected with a Quantisal device and sent to the laboratory for analysis. In order to prepare for this project, a qualitative decision point analysis method monitoring for the presence of 97 drugs and metabolites in OF was validated according to the guidelines presented in the first part of this paper (I – Validation guidelines and statistical foundations). This high throughput method uses incubation with a precipitation solvent (acetone:acetonitrile 30:70 v:v) to boost drug recovery from the collecting device and improve stability of benzodiazepines (e.g. α-hydroxyalprazolam, clonazepam, 7-aminoclonazepam, flunitrazepam, 7-aminoflunitrazepam, N-desmethylflunitrazepam, nitrazepam). The Quantisal device has polyglycol in its stabilizing buffer but timed use of the mass spectrometer waste valve proved sufficient to avoid the glycol interferences for nearly all analytes. Interferences from OF matrices and 140 potentially interfering compounds, carryover, ion ratios, stability, recovery, reproducibility, robustness, false positive rate, false negative rate, selectivity, sensitivity and reliability rates were tested in the validation process. Five of the targeted analytes (olanzapine, oxazepam, 7-aminoclonazepam, flunitrazepam and nitrazepam) did not meet the set validation criteria but will be monitored for identification purposes (no comparison to a cut-off level). Blind internal proficiency teting was performed, where six OF samples were tested and analytes were classified as “negative”, “likely positive” or “positive” with success. The final validated OF qualitative decision point method covers 92 analytes, and the presence of 5 additional analytes is screened in this high hroughput analysis

A threshold LC–MS/MS method for 92 analytes in oral fluid collected with the Quantisal® device

A study of impaired driving rates in the province of Québec is currently planned following the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada. Oral fluid (OF) samples are to be collected with a Quantisal® device and sent to the laboratory for analysis. In order to prepare for this project, a qualitative decision point analysis method monitoring for the presence of 97 drugs and metabolites in OF was developed and validated. This high throughput method uses incubation with a precipitation solvent (acetone:acetonitrile 30:70 v:v) to boost drug recovery from the collecting device and improve stability of benzodiazepines (e.g., α-hydroxyalprazolam, clonazepam, 7-aminoclonazepam, flunitrazepam, 7-aminoflunitrazepam, N-desmethylflunitrazepam, nitrazepam). The Quantisal® device has polyglycol in its stabilizing buffer, but timed use of the mass spectrometer waste valve proved sufficient to avoid the glycol interferences for nearly all analytes. Interferences from OF matrices and 140 potentially interfering compounds, carryover, ion ratios, stability, recovery, reproducibility, robustness, false positive rate, false negative rate, selectivity, sensitivity and reliability rates were tested in the validation process. Five of the targeted analytes (olanzapine, oxazepam, 7-aminoclonazepam, flunitrazepam and nitrazepam) did not meet the set validation criteria but will be monitored for identification purposes (no comparison to a cut-off level). Blind internal proficiency testing was performed, where six OF samples were tested and analytes were classified as “negative”, “likely positive” or “positive” with success. The final validated OF qualitative decision point method covers 92 analytes, and the presence of 5 additional analytes is screened in this high throughput analysis

Integration of oncology and palliative care : a Lancet Oncology Commission

Full integration of oncology and palliative care relies on the specific knowledge and skills of two modes of care: the tumour-directed approach, the main focus of which is on treating the disease; and the host-directed approach, which focuses on the patient with the disease. This Commission addresses how to combine these two paradigms to achieve the best outcome of patient care. Randomised clinical trials on integration of oncology and palliative care point to health gains: improved survival and symptom control, less anxiety and depression, reduced use of futile chemotherapy at the end of life, improved family satisfaction and quality of life, and improved use of health-care resources. Early delivery of patient-directed care by specialist palliative care teams alongside tumour-directed treatment promotes patient-centred care. Systematic assessment and use of patient-reported outcomes and active patient involvement in the decisions about cancer care result in better symptom control, improved physical and mental health, and better use of health-care resources. The absence of international agreements on the content and standards of the organisation, education, and research of palliative care in oncology are major barriers to successful integration. Other barriers include the common misconception that palliative care is end-of-life care only, stigmatisation of death and dying, and insufficient infrastructure and funding. The absence of established priorities might also hinder integration more widely. This Commission proposes the use of standardised care pathways and multidisciplinary teams to promote integration of oncology and palliative care, and calls for changes at the system level to coordinate the activities of professionals, and for the development and implementation of new and improved education programmes, with the overall goal of improving patient care. Integration raises new research questions, all of which contribute to improved clinical care. When and how should palliative care be delivered? What is the optimal model for integrated care? What is the biological and clinical effect of living with advanced cancer for years after diagnosis? Successful integration must challenge the dualistic perspective of either the tumour or the host, and instead focus on a merged approach that places the patient's perspective at the centre. To succeed, integration must be anchored by management and policy makers at all levels of health care, followed by adequate resource allocation, a willingness to prioritise goals and needs, and sustained enthusiasm to help generate support for better integration. This integrated model must be reflected in international and national cancer plans, and be followed by developments of new care models, education and research programmes, all of which should be adapted to the specific cultural contexts within which they are situated. Patient-centred care should be an integrated part of oncology care independent of patient prognosis and treatment intention. To achieve this goal it must be based on changes in professional cultures and priorities in health care

Caractérisation objective de la demande de transport adapté

Système de transport adapté -- Portrait et composantes -- Qu'est donc le transport adapté? -- Impact du système de valeurs -- Portrait du transport adapté au Québec -- Portrait du transport adapté à Montréal -- Composantes du système de transport adapté -- Positionnement et fondements -- Approches de modélisation -- Systèmes d'information géographique en transport -- Données : contexte et structuration -- État-de -l'art -- Méthodes d'acquisition des données en transport -- Une enquête en totalement désagrégé -- Ensemble de données et structure orientée- objets -- Demande de transport et système d'activité : un couple indissociable -- Procédure de validation du géocodage des extrémités de déplacement -- Procédure de reconstruction des chaînes de déplacements individuelles -- Procédure de dérivation des activités réalisées hors domicile -- Caractérisation objective des comportements de mobilité en transport adapté -- Contributions de sources de données externes -- Profilage socio-économico-démographique -- Consommation spécifique et cycle de vie -- Variabilité comportementale -- Transport adapté : entre rigidité et flexibilité -- Analyse dynamique et comparative totalement désagrégée des lieux d'activité -- Outil de visualisation -- Étude comparative des plus grands lieux d'activité -- Analyse de voisinage spatiotemporelle : impact sur les activités réalisées -- Résultats et contributions -- Limitations et perspectives

Effet de la prise d’antipsychotiques atypiques sur l’intervalle QT des patients du Centre de pédopsychiatrie du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec

RésuméObjectifs : Décrire les variations de l’intervalle QTc et le suivi effectué auprès des patients du Centre de pédopsychiatrie du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec recevant des antipsychotiques atypiques.Méthodologie : Étude descriptive rétrospective longitudinale réalisée au moyen de la revue de 166 dossiers médicaux de patients âgés de 18 ans au maximum, hospitalisés ou fréquentant l’hôpital de jour du Centre de pédopsychiatrie du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec et ayant reçu un antipsychotique atypique entre le 1er janvier 2007 et le 31 décembre 2009.Résultats : On a mesuré en tout 236 QTc, ce qui représente 40 sujets inclus dans l’étude. La moyenne des QTc obtenue en monothérapie est de 417 ± 26 msec. Au total, 11 % des QTc ont été considérés anormaux en termes de valeur absolue et 1 % en termes de différence par rapport à la valeur initiale. Une dose élevée  d’olanzapine  (p  =  0,001)  et de  quétiapine (p = 0,0036) ainsi que la présence d’une interaction pharmacodynamique (p = 0,028) ont été associées de facon statistiquement significative à une augmentation du risque de prolongation de l’intervalle QTc.Conclusion : La prolongation de l’intervalle QTc a été observée dans une faible proportion d’ECG mesurés sur des enfants recevant des antipsychotiques atypiques. Notre étude a permis de déterminer cer- taines associations liées à un risque de prolongation de l’intervalle QTc, telles qu’une dose élevée d’un antipsychotique, une polythérapie ainsi que la présence d’interactions médicamenteuses.Mots-clés : antipsychotique atypique, intervalle QT, torsades de pointes, électrocardiogramme, pédiatrieAbstractObjective: To describe the observed variations in QTc interval and the follow-up that was done for child psychiatry patients of the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec receiving atypical antipsychotics.Methods: The study had a retrospective and lon- gitudinal descriptive design and was done by re- viewing 166 medical records of patients aged at most 18 years. These patients must have been hospitalized or have attended the day hospital of the child psychiatry centre of the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec and have received an atypical antipsychotic between January 1, 2007 and December 31,2009.Results: Two hundred and thirty-six QTc were measured, representing the 40 subjects included in the study. The average QTc obtained under mono- therapy was 417 ± 26 msec. In total, 11% of QTc’s were considered abnormal in terms of absolute value and 1% in terms of difference from the initial value. A high dose of olanzapine (p=0.001) and of quetiapine (p=0.0036) and the presence of a pharmacodynamic interaction (p=0.028) were asso- ciated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of QTc interval prolongation.Conclusion: QTc interval prolongation was observed in a weak proportion of ECGs performed on children receiving atypical antipsychotics. Our study was useful in determining some associations related to the risk of QTc interval prolongation, such as high dose of an antipsychotic and the presence of drug interactions.Key words: atypical antipsychotic, QT interval, torsades de pointes, electrocardiogram, pediatrics