Physique statistique I

Premier cours de physique statistique à l'Université de Sherbrooke (PHQ340). Contenu: Introduction générale, Introduction aux méthodes statistiques, Description statistique des systèmes physiques, Lois de la thermodynamique, Paramètres thermodynamiques et machines thermiques, Applications de la thermodynamique, Méthodes de calcul : ensembles canonique et grand canonique, Applications simples des ensembles canonique et grand canonique

Enjeux théoriques et pratiques du développement régional : 30 Ans de recherche au GRIR

Le trentième anniversaire du GRIR a été souligné au printemps 2013 par un colloque regroupant plusieurs chercheurs dans le domaine du développement local et régional. Cet ouvrage est le produit de leurs réflexions tant sur le plan théorique que pratique. Ce livre est articulé autour de trois axes : 1) la présentation des divers courants en développement régional, 2) des réflexions sur le passé et le présent des Premières Nations et 3) la présentation de cas concrets sur la prise en main du développement par les différents acteurs du territoire. Cet ouvrage est un outil permettant de constater le travail accompli en développement local et régional et de dégager des pistes de réflexion sur les avenues possibles de développement

Canadian goldenrod residues and extracts inhibit the growth of Streptomyces scabiei, the causal agent of potato common scab

Common scab is one of the most important diseases affecting potato crops worldwide. Using fresh residues and/or bio-products of Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) may offer an alternative to harmful conventional fumigants. In this study, we aimed to: (i) conduct a preliminary investigation of the utilization of S. canadensis to reduce common scab severity (Experiment 1), and (ii) determine the allopathic potentials of S. canadensis extracts on Streptomyces scabiei (also known as S. scabies), the most important soil pathogen responsible for causing common scab in North America (Experiment 2). Compared with control plants, preliminary results showed that adding 1.2 kg of fresh S. canadensis residue per m2 reduced scab severity by about 45% (Experiment 1). Furthermore, hexane and dichloromethane extracts of S. canadensis, at a concentration of 200 µg·mL−1, inhibited the growth of S. scabiei by about 97% (Experiment 2). These results were comparable with those using tetracycline (2.5 µg·mL−1), a known inhibitor of S. scabiei. Both experiments suggested that S. canadensis may represent a new approach for controlling potato common scab. More studies are required to better understand the mechanisms involved in S. canadensis induced reduction of common scab in order to standardize the approaches. La gale commune est une maladie tellurique importante chez la pomme de terre et l’utilisation de résidus et/ou extraits de verge d’or du Canada (Solidago canadensis) pourrait représenter une alternative prometteuse aux pesticides (fumigants) utilisés pour combattre la maladie. Les objectifs de cette recherche étaient i) effectuer une expérience préliminaire afin de mesurer les effets de l’incorporation de résidus frais de S. canadensis sur la sévérité de la gale commune (expérience 1) et ii) déterminer les potentiels allélopathiques des extraits de S. canadensis sur Streptomyces scabiei, un important agent pathogène causant la maladie de la gale commune (expérience 2). Nos résultats préliminaires issus de l’expérience 1 montrent qu’ajouter 1.2 kg m−2 de S. canadensis (résidus frais) permet de réduire significativement de 45% la sévérité de la gale commune. Les extraits de S. canadensis effectués avec l’hexane et le dichlorométhane et à des concentrations de 200 µg mL−1 permettent d’inhiber à 97% la croissance de S. scabiei, résultats comparables à la tétracycline (2.5 µg mL−1), un antibiotique connu pour inhiber la croissance de S. scabiei. Les résultats de cette étude montrent clairement et pour une première fois le potentiel d’utilisation de S. canadensis comme moyen de lutte contre la maladie de la gale commune chez la pomme de terre. D’autres recherche seront toutefois nécessaires pour bien comprendre et cibler les mécanismes impliqués afin de standardiser et d’optimiser cette nouvelle et prometteuse approche

The Importance of Leadership and Organizational Capacity in Shaping Health Workers' Motivational Reactions to Performance-Based Financing: A Multiple Case Study in Burkina Faso.

BACKGROUND: Performance-based financing (PBF) is currently tested in many low- and middle-income countries as a health system strengthening strategy. One of the main mechanisms through which PBF is assumed to effect change is by motivating health workers to improve their service delivery performance. This article aims at a better understanding of such motivational effects of PBF. In particular, the study focused on organizational context factors and health workers' perceptions thereof as moderators of the motivational effects of PBF, which to date has been little explored. METHODS: We conducted a multiple case study in 2 district hospitals and 16 primary health facilities across three districts. Health facilities were purposely sampled according to pre-PBF performance levels. Within sampled facilities, 82 clinical skilled healthcare workers were in-depth interviewed one year after the start of the PBF intervention. Data were analyzed using a blended deductive and inductive process, using self-determination theory (SDT) as an analytical framework. RESULTS: Results show that the extent to which PBF contributed to positive, sustainable forms of motivation depended on the "ground upon which PBF fell," beyond health workers' individual personalities and disposition. In particular, health workers described three aspects of the organizational context in which PBF was implemented: the extent to which existing hierarchies fostered as opposed to hindered participation and transparency; managers' handling of the increased performance feedback inherent in PBF; and facility's pre-PBF levels in regards to infrastructure, equipment, and human resources. CONCLUSION: Our results underline the importance of leadership styles and pre-implementation performance levels in shaping health workers' motivational reactions to PBF. Ancillary interventions aimed at fostering participatory as opposed to directional leadership or start-up support to low-performing health facilities will likely boost PBF effects in regards to the development of valuable motivational capacities

Correlates of coronary artery calcification prevalence and severity in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Background Determinants of coronary artery calcification (CAC) prevalence and severity in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) remain understudied. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate correlates of CAC in patients with HeFH. Methods A CAC score was calculated by a noncontrast computed tomography scan in women (n = 68) and men (n = 78) with genetically defined HeFH. We classified CAC prevalence and severity using 3 categories: CAC score = 0 Agatston Unit (AU), CAC score = 1-100 AU, and CAC score > 100 AU. Information on potential correlates of CAC including familial and personal health history, cardiovascular risk factors, lipid-lowering medication, and lifestyle habits was collected. Results A total of 95 patients had prevalent CAC. Independent correlates of CAC prevalence and severity included age (odds ratio [OR] per 10 years: 5.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.19, 7.93, P < 0.0001), family history of premature cardiovascular disease (OR: 3.88, 95% CI: 1.71, 8.81, P = 0.001), male sex (OR: 3.40, 95% CI: 1.49, 7.78, P = 0.004), statin use (OR: 15.5, 95% CI: 1.89, 126, P = 0.01), diet quality assessed with the Alternative Healthy Eating Index score (OR per 1 standard deviation: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.90, P = 0.01), ever smoking (OR: 3.06, 95% CI: 1.20, 7.81, P = 0.02), receptor-negative genotype (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.16, 8.66, P = 0.02), lipoprotein(a) year-score (OR per 1 standard deviation of log-transformed year-score: 1.53, 95% CI: 0.99, 2.36, P = 0.05). Conclusions In individuals with HeFH, age, family history of premature cardiovascular disease, sex, statin use, diet quality, smoking status, the LDLR genotype, and lipoprotein(a) concentrations were independently associated with CAC prevalence and severity.Contexte Les déterminants de la prévalence et de la sévérité de la calcification des artères coronaires (CAC) dans l'hypercholestérolémie familiale hétérozygote (HFHe) demeurent peu étudiés. L’objectif de cette étude transversale était d'identifier les corrélats de la CAC chez des patients atteints d’HFHe. Méthodologie Un score calcique coronarien (SCC) a été calculé par un examen de tomodensitométrie sans contraste chez des femmes (n = 68) et des hommes (n = 78) avec HFHe génétiquement définie. Nous avons classé la prévalence et la gravité de la CAC en trois catégories : SCC = 0 unité d’Agatston (UA), SCC = 1 à 100 UA et SCC > 100 UA. Des renseignements ont été recueillis sur des corrélats potentiels de la CAC, dont les antécédents médicaux familiaux et personnels, les facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire, les médicaments hypolipidémiants et les habitudes de vie. Résultats Au total, 95 patients présentaient une CAC. Les corrélats indépendants de la prévalence et de la gravité de la CAC comprenaient l’âge (rapport de cotes [RC] par tranche de 10 ans : 5,06; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % : 3,19 à 7,93; p < 0,0001), des antécédents familiaux de maladie cardiovasculaire précoce (RC : 3,88; IC à 95 % : 1,71 à 8,81; p = 0,001), le sexe masculin (RC : 3,40; IC à 95 % : 1,49 à 7,78; p = 0,004), l’emploi de statines (RC : 15,5; IC à 95 % : 1,89 à 126; p = 0,01), la qualité du régime alimentaire évaluée selon le score AHEI (Alternative Healthy Eating Index) (RC par écart-type : 0,59; IC à 95 % : 0,39 à 0,90; p = 0,01), le tabagisme (RC : 3,06; IC à 95 % : 1,20 à 7,81; p = 0,02), le génotype récepteur-négatif (RC : 3,17; IC à 95 % : 1,16 à 8,66; p = 0,02) et le score lipoprotéine(a)-année (RC par écart-type du score-année transformé en logarithme : 1,53; IC à 95 % : 0,99 à 2,36; p = 0,05). Conclusions Chez les personnes atteintes d’HFHe, l’âge, les antécédents familiaux de maladie cardiovasculaire précoce, le sexe, l’emploi de statines, la qualité du régime alimentaire, le statut de tabagisme, le génotype du LDLR et les concentrations de lipoprotéine(a) ont été associés de façon indépendante à la prévalence et à la gravité de la CAC

Une formation complémentaire et appliquée : un besoin pour la relève en recherche interventionnelle en santé des populations

La recherche interventionnelle en santé des populations (RISP) est un champ de recherche émergeant et distinct, qui appelle à la rencontre des milieux scientifiques et de pratique de santé publique. Or, la formation académique traditionnelle universitaire, qui repose sur des ancrages disciplinaires spécifiques, est insuffisante pour outiller adéquatement les nouveaux chercheurs en RISP. Dans ce commentaire, nous soutenons l’idée que la RISP nécessite la mise en œuvre d’un éventail de compétences et de connaissances distinctes, qui sont plus aisément acquises et développées à travers une formation complémentaire et appliquée. En nous appuyant sur notre expérience comme boursiers du Programme stratégique de formation 4P, nous avons identifié les éléments qui ont contribué à préparer notre carrière de futurs et nouveaux chercheurs en RISP. Nous croyons que les programmes de formation complémentaires et appliqués, tels que le Programme 4P, représentent une stratégie prometteuse pour former et soutenir la relève en RISP dans son rôle d’amélioration de la santé des populations.Population Health Intervention Research (PHIR) is an emerging and distinct field that combines scientific research and public health practice. However, traditional academic training in research, which is founded on specific disciplinary orientations, does not sufficiently inform and prepare new PHIR researchers. In this commentary, we advance the idea that PHIR requires a broader range of competencies and knowledge that must be developed through a complementary and applied training program. Drawing on our experience as 4P Strategic Training Program fellows, we identified key elements of the program that have helped prepare us in our careers as future and new PHIR researchers. We believe that complementary and applied training programs such as the 4P Program are a promising strategy in training and supporting the next generation of PHIR researchers in their efforts to improve population health

The Importance of Leadership and Organizational Capacity in Shaping Health Workers’ Motivational Reactions to Performance-Based Financing: A Multiple Case Study in Burkina Faso

Background: Performance-based financing (PBF) is currently tested in many low- and middle-income countries as a health system strengthening strategy. One of the main mechanisms through which PBF is assumed to effect change is by motivating health workers to improve their service delivery performance. This article aims at a better understanding of such motivational effects of PBF. In particular, the study focused on organizational context factors and health workers’ perceptions thereof as moderators of the motivational effects of PBF, which to date has been little explored.Methods: We conducted a multiple case study in 2 district hospitals and 16 primary health facilities across three districts. Health facilities were purposely sampled according to pre-PBF performance levels. Within sampled facilities, 82 clinical skilled healthcare workers were in-depth interviewed one year after the start of the PBF intervention. Data were analyzed using a blended deductive and inductive process, using self-determination theory (SDT) as an analytical framework.Results: Results show that the extent to which PBF contributed to positive, sustainable forms of motivation depended on the “ground upon which PBF fell,” beyond health workers’ individual personalities and disposition. In particular, health workers described three aspects of the organizational context in which PBF was implemented: the extent to which existing hierarchies fostered as opposed to hindered participation and transparency; managers’ handling of the increased performance feedback inherent in PBF; and facility’s pre-PBF levels in regards to infrastructure, equipment, and human resources. Conclusion: Our results underline the importance of leadership styles and pre-implementation performance levels in shaping health workers’ motivational reactions to PBF. Ancillary interventions aimed at fostering participatory as opposed to directional leadership or start-up support to low-performing health facilities will likely boost PBF effects in regards to the development of valuable motivational capacities

Approaches to considering sex and gender in continuous professional development for health and social care professionals : an emerging paradigm

Consideration of sex and gender in research and clinical practice is necessary to redress health inequities and reduce knowledge gaps. As all health professionals must maintain and update their skills throughout their career, developing innovative continuing professional education programs that integrate sex and gender issues holds great promise for reducing these gaps. This article proposes new approaches to partnership, team development, pedagogical theory, content development, evaluation and data management that will advance the integration of sex and gender in continuing professional development (CPD). Our perspectives build on an intersectoral and interprofessional research team that includes several perspectives, including those of CPD, health systems, knowledge translation and sex and gender