Microwave dielectric study of spin-Peierls and charge ordering transitions in (TMTTF)2_2PF6_6 salts

We report a study of the 16.5 GHz dielectric function of hydrogenated and deuterated organic salts (TMTTF)$_2$PF$_6$. The temperature behavior of the dielectric function is consistent with short-range polar order whose relaxation time decreases rapidly below the charge ordering temperature. If this transition has more a relaxor character in the hydrogenated salt, charge ordering is strengthened in the deuterated one where the transition temperature has increased by more than thirty percent. Anomalies in the dielectric function are also observed in the spin-Peierls ground state revealing some intricate lattice effects in a temperature range where both phases coexist. The variation of the spin-Peierls ordering temperature under magnetic field appears to follow a mean-field prediction despite the presence of spin-Peierls fluctuations over a very wide temperature range in the charge ordered state of these salts.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Accompanying People Affected by Cancer in Their Return to Life After Treatment: A Report on an Experiment Conducted in Canada

This study aims to assess family doctors\u27 perceived needs for improved patient follow-up post-acute treatment in oncology departments, specifically focusing on the Patient Oriented Discharge Summary (PODS) for individuals living with cancer. A cross-sectional quantitative survey targeted family doctors, and a before/after exploratory study was conducted with patients to measure their needs pre- and post-PODS implementation. Twenty-one out of 42 family doctors participated in the survey (50%). Patient data was collected at three points in time: prior to PODS implementation (T1, n = 20/30; 77%), one month later (T2, n = 20/26; 77%), and six months later (T3, n = 21/28; 75%). Descriptive statistics were used for all inquiries. Results revealed that 52.24% of family doctors lacked information from oncology teams about patient treatments and their progress, while 90.48% received no guidance on monitoring patients for symptoms or necessary tests once treatment was completed, despite everyone expressing the desire to perform such monitoring. Family doctors recommended using standardized sheets with patient information (47%), details of side effects (41%), and post-treatment follow-up plans (12%). At T1, 60% of patients received the necessary information, at T2 95% and 81% at T3. Regarding instructions provided to family caregivers, satisfaction levels were 40% at T1, 90% at T2, and 62% at T3. The study underscores the imperative of enhancing communication between oncology specialists and family physicians, facilitating the latter\u27s follow-up of patients completing acute treatment. It also highlights the need for patients to be adequately prepared for the transition through effective use and sustained use of PODS

L’incidence du volet scolaire du projet Ruelle de l’Avenir sur la motivation et la performance d’élèves de milieux défavorisés

L’évolution de la motivation et de la performance d’élèves du primaire ayant profité du volet scolaire du projet Ruelle de l’Avenir (N = 139) a été comparée à celle d’un groupe témoin (N = 164) issu du même milieu défavorisé. Les analyses de variance à mesures répétées (MANOVA) et les analyses complémentaires (ANOVA) indiquent une augmentation significative de la perception de l’utilité de l’école, du français et des mathématiques, de même qu’une amélioration de la performance en écriture et en mathématiques pour le groupe expérimental. L’importance du partenariat et du choix des situations d’apprentissage en milieux défavorisés est discutée

The ESO Distant Cluster Sample: galaxy evolution and environment out to z=1

The ESO Distant Cluster Survey (EDisCS, P.I. Simon D.M. White, LP 166.A-0162) is an ESO large programme aimed at studying clusters and cluster galaxies at z=0.4-1. How different is the evolution of the star formation activity in clusters, in groups and in the field? Does it depend on cluster mass and/or the local galaxy density? How relevant are starburst and post-starburst galaxies in the different environments? Is there an evolution in the galaxies' structures, and if so, is this related to the changes in their star formation activity? These are some of the main questions that have been investigated using the EDisCS dataset.Comment: to appear in The Messenger, issue June 200

A collaborative model to implement flexible, accessible and efficient oncogenetic services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer : the C-MOnGene study

Medical genetic services are facing an unprecedented demand for counseling and testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) in a context of limited resources. To help resolve this issue, a collaborative oncogenetic model was recently developed and implemented at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval; Quebec; Canada. Here, we present the protocol of the C-MOnGene (Collaborative Model in OncoGenetics) study, funded to examine the context in which the model was implemented and document the lessons that can be learned to optimize the delivery of oncogenetic services. Within three years of implementation, the model allowed researchers to double the annual number of patients seen in genetic counseling. The average number of days between genetic counseling and disclosure of test results significantly decreased. Group counseling sessions improved participants' understanding of breast cancer risk and increased knowledge of breast cancer and genetics and a large majority of them reported to be overwhelmingly satisfied with the process. These quality and performance indicators suggest this oncogenetic model offers a flexible, patient-centered and efficient genetic counseling and testing for HBOC. By identifying the critical facilitating factors and barriers, our study will provide an evidence base for organizations interested in transitioning to an oncogenetic model integrated into oncology care; including teams that are not specialized but are trained in genetics

Role of cytoskeletal abnormalities in the neuropathology and pathophysiology of type I lissencephaly

Type I lissencephaly or agyria-pachygyria is a rare developmental disorder which results from a defect of neuronal migration. It is characterized by the absence of gyri and a thickening of the cerebral cortex and can be associated with other brain and visceral anomalies. Since the discovery of the first genetic cause (deletion of chromosome 17p13.3), six additional genes have been found to be responsible for agyria–pachygyria. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge concerning these genetic disorders including clinical, neuropathological and molecular results. Genetic alterations of LIS1, DCX, ARX, TUBA1A, VLDLR, RELN and more recently WDR62 genes cause migrational abnormalities along with more complex and subtle anomalies affecting cell proliferation and differentiation, i.e., neurite outgrowth, axonal pathfinding, axonal transport, connectivity and even myelination. The number and heterogeneity of clinical, neuropathological and radiological defects suggest that type I lissencephaly now includes several forms of cerebral malformations. In vitro experiments and mutant animal studies, along with neuropathological abnormalities in humans are of invaluable interest for the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, highlighting the central role of cytoskeletal dynamics required for a proper achievement of cell proliferation, neuronal migration and differentiation

Le musée, un lieu éducatif

This anthology contains essays on various aspects of museum education, by 35 members of the Special Interest Group on Education and Museums (SIGEM). Originally presented at a conference held in Montreal in 1995, the essays in this book address a wide range of issues related to the educational function of museums. Topics discussed include: educational, scientific and museological research; the value of guided tours and visual arts workshops; the question of evaluation; and relationships between museums and schools. 21 diagrams and 19 charts. 4 texts in English 31 texts in French. Circa 480 bibl. ref

Altimetry for the future: Building on 25 years of progress

In 2018 we celebrated 25 years of development of radar altimetry, and the progress achieved by this methodology in the fields of global and coastal oceanography, hydrology, geodesy and cryospheric sciences. Many symbolic major events have celebrated these developments, e.g., in Venice, Italy, the 15th (2006) and 20th (2012) years of progress and more recently, in 2018, in Ponta Delgada, Portugal, 25 Years of Progress in Radar Altimetry. On this latter occasion it was decided to collect contributions of scientists, engineers and managers involved in the worldwide altimetry community to depict the state of altimetry and propose recommendations for the altimetry of the future. This paper summarizes contributions and recommendations that were collected and provides guidance for future mission design, research activities, and sustainable operational radar altimetry data exploitation. Recommendations provided are fundamental for optimizing further scientific and operational advances of oceanographic observations by altimetry, including requirements for spatial and temporal resolution of altimetric measurements, their accuracy and continuity. There are also new challenges and new openings mentioned in the paper that are particularly crucial for observations at higher latitudes, for coastal oceanography, for cryospheric studies and for hydrology. The paper starts with a general introduction followed by a section on Earth System Science including Ocean Dynamics, Sea Level, the Coastal Ocean, Hydrology, the Cryosphere and Polar Oceans and the ‘‘Green” Ocean, extending the frontier from biogeochemistry to marine ecology. Applications are described in a subsequent section, which covers Operational Oceanography, Weather, Hurricane Wave and Wind Forecasting, Climate projection. Instruments’ development and satellite missions’ evolutions are described in a fourth section. A fifth section covers the key observations that altimeters provide and their potential complements, from other Earth observation measurements to in situ data. Section 6 identifies the data and methods and provides some accuracy and resolution requirements for the wet tropospheric correction, the orbit and other geodetic requirements, the Mean Sea Surface, Geoid and Mean Dynamic Topography, Calibration and Validation, data accuracy, data access and handling (including the DUACS system). Section 7 brings a transversal view on scales, integration, artificial intelligence, and capacity building (education and training). Section 8 reviews the programmatic issues followed by a conclusion