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While there is a considerable body of literature on sexual aggression, we know much less about the violation of sexual boundaries within professional relationships. To address this knowledge gap, the characteristics of cases of sexual misconduct in the province of Quebec were extracted, based on a search of published disciplinary decisions between 1998 and 2020, using the legal databases CANLII and SOQUIJ. The search yielded 296 decisions including 249 male and 47 female members from 22 professional orders, and involving 470 victims. Results indicate that male professionals approaching mid-career accounted for a greater proportion of cases of sexual misconduct. Moreover, physical and mental health professionals were overrepresented in cases, as were female adult victims. Acts of sexual misconduct concerned mostly sexual touching and intercourse and occurred during consultations. Female professionals were more inclined to establish romantic and sexual relationships with clients than their male counterparts. Of the 92.0% of professionals found guilty of at least one count of sexual misconduct, two thirds eventually returned to practice. Following the guilty verdict, few faced rehabilitative measures. Recommendations are provided for the prevention of sexual recidivism and the accompaniment of victims of sexual misconduct throughout the disciplinary process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has overturned daily routines across the entire planet. And newly arrived college students in the fall of 2019 were no exception. In addition to adjusting to the college transition, they had to cope with the multiple consequences of the pandemic's first wave (e.g., confinement, quarantine, physical distancing, remote learning, job loss). To date, it is unknown how this experience has affected students, and particularly the most vulnerable. The main objective of this study was to examine, from a stress and coping perspective, how college students with and without disability experienced the first COVID-19 wave. A longitudinal study using online surveys was conducted in a sample of 1,465 students (mean age = 18.2) attending college in the province of Québec (Canada), of whom 42% disclosed a disability (i.e., ADHD, mental health disorder, or learning problem) at college entry. Exposure to COVID-19 varied according to disability type, study region, and study program. After controlling for exposure, students' initial adjustment to college, and high school GPA, students with a disability, and particularly those presenting a mental health disorder, experienced greater stress and had greater difficulty coping with the situation compared to students without a disability. Generally, girls and students attending a college in an urban area were more affected by the pandemic. Results are discussed with a view to designing preventive measures for at-risk students who enter college during a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroalgae are a new food source in the Western world. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of harvest months and food processing on cultivated Saccharina latissima (S. latissima) from Quebec. Seaweeds were harvested in May and June 2019 and processed by blanching, steaming, and drying with a frozen control condition. The chemical (lipids, proteins, ash, carbohydrates, fibers) and mineral (I, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe) compositions, the potential bioactive compounds (alginates, fucoidans, laminarans, carotenoids, polyphenols) and in vitro antioxidant potential were investigated. The results showed that May specimens were significantly the richest in proteins, ash, I, Fe, and carotenoids, while June macroalgae contained more carbohydrates. The antioxidant potential of water-soluble extracts (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity [ORAC] analysis–625 µg/mL) showed the highest potential in June samples. Interactions between harvested months and processing were demonstrated. The drying process applied in May specimens appeared to preserve more S. latissima quality, whereas blanching and steaming resulted in a leaching of minerals. Losses of carotenoids and polyphenols were observed with heating treatments. Water-soluble extracts of dried May samples showed the highest antioxidant potential (ORAC analysis) compared to other methods. Thus, the drying process used to treat S. latissima harvested in May seems to be the best that should be selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study described the distribution of unintentional injuries among Inuit youth in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada, and examined the relationship between socio-demographic factors, substance use and unintentional injuries. A cross-sectional study design was used on data collected for the Nunavik Child Development Study (2013–2015) among eligible youth aged 16 to 21 years old. Unintentional injury occurrence and causes (last 12 months) were assessed through individual interviews. A multivariate logistic regression model tested the relationship between socio-demographic, substance use variables and unintentional injury occurrence. Among the 199 youth who participated (94% response rate), thirty youth reported being unintentionally injured in the past 12 months, of which 50% were female. All-terrain vehicle collisions were the most frequent injuries reported (23%). The odds of being injured decreased by 62% for youth who were currently employed compared to those who were unemployed, adjusting for other socio-demographic variables (p-value = 0.04). Heavy alcohol drinking in the past 12 months was not significantly associated with unintentional injury. This study highlights the burden of unintentional injuries among Nunavik youth and the need for future work to explore additional and diverse variables that may prevent or contribute to injuries in order to inform culturally and developmentally-appropriate injury prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The susceptibility of commonly grown grapevine cultivars in the province of Quebec to Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Berl. & De Toni clades riparia and aestivalis was compared. The relationship between anatomic (density and size of stomata and type of leaf hairs) and genetic composition (percentages of Vitis vinifera L., Vitis riparia Michx. and Vitis aestivalis Michx.) factors of the grapevine cultivars and their susceptibility to the two clades was investigated. The grapevine cultivars were classified according to their susceptibility to each clade. The aggressiveness of the clade riparia was positively correlated with stomata size and negatively correlated with type of leaf hairs. However, the aggressiveness of clade aestivalis was positively correlated with stomata size and density, estimated percentage of V. vinifera ancestry, and the published downy mildew susceptibility of grapevine cultivars; and negatively correlated with estimated percentage of V. riparia ancestry. Furthermore, the grapevine cultivar classification showed that, for P. viticola clade riparia, 44.4%, 44.4%, and 11.1% of the grapevine cultivars were classified as minimally susceptible, moderately susceptible, and highly susceptible, respectively. Alternatively, for P. viticola clade aestivalis, 11.1%, 22.2%, and 66.7% of the grapevine cultivars were classified as minimally susceptible, moderately susceptible, and highly susceptible, respectively. Although some grapevine cultivars fell in the same susceptibility groups for both clades, 78% of grapevine cultivars were classified in different susceptibility groups. The findings of this study provide new information on grapevine and P. viticola interactions, and highlight the importance of knowing which clade of P. viticola is present so that downy mildew control measures can be adapted accordingly. La sensibilité des cépages de vigne couramment cultivés au Québec à Plasmopara viticola (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Berl. & De Toni clades riparia et aestivalis a été déterminée sur disques de feuilles et sur feuilles entières sur plants. Par la suite, la relation entre les caractéristiques anatomiques (taille et densité des stomates, et poils foliaires) et génétiques (pourcentages de l'héritage génétique de Vitis vinifera L., Vitis riparia Michx. et Vitis aestivalis Michx.) des cépages et leur sensibilité aux deux clades a été étudiées, et les cépages classés en fonction de leur sensibilité à chacun des clades. L'agressivité du clade riparia était positivement corrélée à la taille des stomates et négativement corrélée aux poils foliaires. Tandis que l'agressivité du clade aestivalis était positivement corrélée à la taille et la densité des stomates, au pourcentage estimé de l'ascendance de V. vinifera, et aux données publiées de sensibilité des cépages, et était négativement corrélée au pourcentage estimé de l'ascendance de V. riparia. Par ailleurs, les résultats issus de la classification des cépages ont montré pour ce qui est du clade riparia que 44,4%, 44,4% et 11,1% des cépages étaient respectivement classés peu sensibles, moyennement sensibles et très sensibles. Cependant, pour ce qui est du clade aestivalis, 11,1%, 22,2% et 66,7% des cépages étaient respectivement classés peu sensibles, moyennement sensibles et très sensibles. Bien que certains cépages aient été classés dans les mêmes groupes de sensibilité aux deux clades, 78% des cépages étaient classés dans des groupes de sensibilité différents. Les résultats issus de cette étude apportent des informations essentielles pour une meilleure compréhension de l'interaction entre la vigne et P. viticola, et pour une gestion raisonnée et durable du mildiou de la vigne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial production of high-quality lumber for Nordic conifers is negatively impacted by long rotation age and adverse negative correlations between growth and wood quality traits. A prospective solution to ensure sufficient fibre quality from future plantations is to identify key wood traits for desired applications and to consider them in tree breeding programs. In this study, we used the widespread and largely reforested white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) in Canada to investigate the genetic control of wood flexural properties such as stiffness, i.e. modulus of elasticity (MOE), and strength, i.e. modulus of rupture (MOR). We also looked at their phenotypic and genetic correlations with other wood quality and growth traits to assess the efficiency of indirect methods of selection to improve wood flexural properties in the context of multi-trait selection in tree breeding programs. To achieve this, standardized solid wood samples, growth records and standing tree wood quality traits were collected from 289 trees belonging to 38 white spruce families from a polycross genetic trial established on two different sites in the province of Quebec, Canada. Flexural stiffness and strength, height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and wood density showed moderate to high heritability. Flexural stiffness was also positively correlated at the genetic level with flexural strength, average wood density and acoustic velocity as an indirect measure of dynamic MOE (⁠|${r}_{\mathrm{G}}$|  = 0.99, |${r}_{\mathrm{G}}$|  = 0.78 and |${r}_{\mathrm{G}}$| = 0.78, respectively). When selecting the top 5 per cent of the trees, the expected genetic gains varied from 3.6 per cent for acoustic velocity to 16.5 per cent for MOE. Selection based on wood density and acoustic velocity would result in considerable genetic gains in flexural stiffness. Several multi-trait selection scenarios were tested to investigate the genetic gains obtained from selecting with different combinations of growth and wood quality traits. The results showed that indirect selection for wood flexural properties by means of acoustic velocity and wood density are efficient methods that can be combined in operational white spruce breeding programs to increase simultaneously genetic gains for growth and wood flexural properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming is predicted to extend the growing season of trees and plants, and advance spring phenology. However, intensification of extreme climate events in midlatitude forests, from weakening of the jet stream and atmospheric blockings, may expose trees to increased risk associated with more frequent late-spring frosts. Still, little is known regarding the intraspecific variation in frost tolerance and how it may be shaped by local adaptation to the climate of seed origin. As part of an assisted migration trial located in different bioclimatic zones in the province of Quebec, Canada, and following an extensive late-spring frost that occurred at the end of May 2021, we evaluated the frost damages on various white spruce (Picea glauca) seed sources tested on three sites (south, central, and north). The severity of frost damages was assessed on 5,376 trees after the cold spell and an early spring warming which advanced bud flush by approximately 10 days on average. The frost damage rate was similar among sites and seed sources and averaged 99.8%. Frost damage severity was unrelated to the latitude of seed origin but was variable among sites. The proportion of severely damaged trees was higher in the northern site, followed by central and southern sites. The proportion of severely damaged trees was linearly and inversely related to tree height before the frost event. Apical growth cancelation was not significantly different among seed sources including local ones, and averaged 74, 46, and 22%, respectively, in central, northern, and southern plantation sites. This study provides recommendations to limit the loss of plantation productivity associated with such a succession of spring climate anomalies. Implications for seed transfer models in the context of climate change and productivity of spruce plantations are discussed in the light of lack of local adaptation to such pronounced climate instability and ensuing large-scale maladaptation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the attitudes of long-time residents of Quebec City towards French Lx economic immigrants settling into their community. We evaluated the speech of four linguistic groups (English, Spanish, Mandarin and Farsi) using the verbal-guise methodology. Listeners were presented with 10 audio-only stimuli (1 male and 1 female speakers from each group and 2 distractors) and 10 combined audio-visual stimuli (1 male and 1 female Quebec French speakers associated with photographs from our target language groups). After hearing each excerpt, listeners rated the speakers on their perceived characteristics. Results showed that the combined stimuli were evaluated more favorably than the audio-only stimuli. We also found that female voices were significantly better evaluated than those of men. Last, listeners showed preferences towards Spanish and Farsi groups over English and Mandarin, and specifically towards female voices. The evaluations thus seem to reflect past and present stereotypes circulating in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language training programs for adult immigrants are an integral part of the political and educational landscape for many immigrant-receiving countries. However, little empirical research has addressed how language skills develop within these programs. To fill this gap, this exploratory and descriptive study documents, the oral skills of immigrants completing a language training program funded by a local government. We examined the global oral proficiency, perceived fluency and comprehensibility of adult immigrants (N = 31) enrolled in the highest level of Québec's French language training program: le Programme d'intégration linguistique pour les immigrants (PILI). Global proficiency was measured using an oral imitation task (EIT, Tracy-Ventura et al., 2014). Two monological tasks that imposed different linguistic and cognitive constraints were used to assess participants' fluency and comprehensibility. The speech samples were rated by 13 expert French-speaking judges, using a 9-point Likert scale. The results showed that the oral skills of PILI graduates are heterogeneous, and that participants who had studied French for several years before immigrating demonstrated better results across all three constructs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very few studies have focused on the role pornography plays in influencing and modelling sexual desire on the basis of race and ethnicity. Using sexual script theory as an analytic tool, the purpose of this empirical study was to explore indicators of the racialisation of desire based on a sample of gay male pornography users in Québec (Canada) (n = 974). Because gay male pornography use is widespread, and because it is not simply used for the purposes of education and validation but also influences sexual norms and cultural scripts in a social context where sexual racism seems prevalent, this study offers a new perspective on a timely phenomenon. Based on our findings, the final nested linear regression model demonstrates that higher levels of racialised desire attributed to gay male pornography use were associated with the following: being at least 55 years old; having a yearly income of less than $45,000 CAD; using interracial gay male pornography; not primarily using gender-diverse gay male pornographic content (heterosexual, bisexual, transsexual); having higher levels of perceived pressure to conform; having a higher preference for bareback pornography; and having higher levels of acquired sexual knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces the HYPERSCINT research platform (HYPERSCINT-RP100, Medscint Inc., Quebec, Canada), the first commercially available scintillation dosimetry platform capable of multi-point dosimetry through the hyperspectral approach. Optic and dosimetric performances of the system were investigated through comparison with another commercially available solution, the Ocean Optics QE65Pro spectrometer. The optical characterization was accomplished by measuring the linearity of the signal as a function of integration time, photon detection efficiency and spectral resolution for both systems under the same conditions. Dosimetric performances were then evaluated with a 3-point plastic scintillator detector (mPSD) in terms of signal to noise ratio (SNR) and signal to background ratio (SBR) associated with each scintillator. The latter were subsequently compared with those found in the literature for the Exradin W1, a single-point plastic scintillator detector. Finally, various beam measurements were realized with the HYPERSCINT platform to evaluate its ability to perform clinical photon beam dosimetry. Both systems were found to be comparable in terms of linearity of the signal as a function of the intensity. Although the QE65Pro possesses a higher spectral resolution, the detection efficiency of the HYPERSCINT is up to 1000 time greater. Dosimetric measurements shows that the latter also offers a better SNR and SBR, surpassing even the SNR of the Exradin W1 single-point PSD. While doses ranging from 1 to 600 cGy were accurately measured within 2.1% of the predicted dose using the HYPERSCINT platform coupled to the mPSD, the Ocean optics spectrometer shows discrepancies up to 86% under 50cGy. Similarly, depth dose, full width at half maximum region of the beam profile and output factors were all accurately measured within 2.3% of the predicted dose using the HYPERSCINT platform and exhibit an average difference of 0.5%, 1.6% and 0.6%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic was an opportunity to grasp the strategic importance of logistics activities within health institutions. Although the theme of healthcare logistics has been studied for more than 20 years, the issues and challenges of logistics activities are just beginning to receive the necessary attention within the organization. In this sense, the development of the logistics function within hospitals in the province of Quebec (Canada) is emblematic of the trend observed in other healthcare institutions around the world. This article is an opportunity to review the evolution of healthcare logistics and to try to trace development paths that are essential to the sustainable performance of healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Despite evidence of efficacious psychological and pharmacologic therapies for insomnia, there is little information about what first-line treatment should be and how best to proceed when initial treatment fails.Objective: To evaluate the comparative efficacy of 4 treatment sequences involving psychological and medication therapies for insomnia and examine the moderating effect of psychiatric disorders on insomnia outcomes.Design, Setting, and Participants: In a sequential multiple-assignment randomized trial, patients were assigned to first-stage therapy involving either behavioral therapy (BT; n = 104) or zolpidem (zolpidem; n = 107), and patients who did not remit received a second treatment involving either medication (zolpidem or trazodone) or psychological therapy (BT or cognitive therapy [CT]). The study took place at Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada, and at National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, and enrollment of patients took place from August 2012 through July 2017.Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end points were the treatment response and remission rates, defined by the Insomnia Severity Index total score.Results: Patients included 211 adults (132 women; mean [SD] age, 45.6 [14.9] years) with a chronic insomnia disorder, including 74 patients with a comorbid anxiety or mood disorder. First-stage therapy with BT or zolpidem produced equivalent weighted percentages of responders (BT, 45.5%; zolpidem, 49.7%; OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.60-2.33) and remitters (BT, 38.03%; zolpidem, 30.3%; OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.75-2.65). Second-stage therapy produced significant increases in responders for the 2 conditions, starting with BT (BT to zolpidem, 40.6% to 62.7%; OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.14-5.30; BT to CT, 50.1% to 68.2%; OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.01-4.35) but no significant change following zolpidem treatment. Significant increase in percentage of remitters was observed in 2 of 4 therapy sequences (BT to zolpidem, 38.1% to 55.9%; OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.04-4.11; zolpidem to trazodone, 31.4% to 49.4%; OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 0.91-5.00). Although response/remission rates were lower among patients with psychiatric comorbidity, treatment sequences that involved BT followed by CT or zolpidem followed by trazodone yielded better outcomes for patients with comorbid insomnia. Response and remission rates were well sustained through the 12-month follow-up.Conclusions and Relevance: Behavioral therapy and zolpidem medication produced equivalent response and remission rates. Adding a second treatment produced an added value for those whose insomnia failed to remit with initial therapies.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01651442. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify correlates and underlying beliefs regarding the adolescents' intention to abstain from consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and the consumption of ≤1 daily portion of SSB.Design: Correlational study.Setting: Region of Chaudière-Appalaches in the province of Quebec, Canada.Participants: 311 adolescents aged 13-18 years completed a self-administrated online questionnaire based on the Reasoned Action Approach. Frequency and quantity of different types of SSB within the past month were measured.Results: Total mean SSB intake was 882·6 ml/d (654·0 kJ/d ). Only 11·3 % abstained from SSB within the last month. Intention to abstain from SSB was explained by identification as SSB abstainers (β = 0·47), perceived norm (β = 0·32), attitude (β = 0·30), age 13-14 years (β = -0·27) and perception of the school environment (β = 0·14), which explained 66 % of the variance. Consumption of ≤1 daily portion of SSB was explained by the intention to abstain (OR = 1·55; 95 % CI 1·14, 2·11), perceived behavioural control to abstain (OR = 1·80; 95 % CI 1·29, 2·52), sex (girls v. boys: OR = 2·34; 95 % CI 1·37, 3·98) and socio-economic status (advantaged v. disadvantaged school: OR = 2·08; 95 % CI 1·21, 3·56). Underlying beliefs (i.e. more energy, decreased risk of addiction and friends' approval) associated with intention as well as perceived barriers (e.g. access to SSB, after an activity that makes you thirsty), and facilitating factors (e.g. access to water) linked to SSB consumption were identified.Conclusions: The results can inform public health interventions to decrease SSB consumption and their associated health problems among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fracture liaison services (FLS) have been shown to prevent efficiently subsequent fragility fractures (FF). However, very few studies have examined their implementation in depth. The purpose of this research was to identify factors influencing the implementation of a FLS at three sites in Quebec, Canada. From 2013 to 2015, individual and group interviews focused on experiences of FLS stakeholders, including implementation committee members, coordinators, and orthopaedic surgeons and their teams. Emerging key implementation factors were triangulated with the FLS patients' clinico-administrative data. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research guided the analysis of perceived factors influencing four intervention outputs: investigation of FF risk (using the FRAX score), communication with the participant primary care provider, initiation of anti-osteoporosis medications (when relevant), and referral to organized fall prevention activities (either governmental or community based). Among the 454 FLS patients recruited to the intervention group, 83% were investigated for FF risk, communication with the primary care provider was established for 98% of the participants, 54% initiated medication, and 35% were referred to organized fall prevention activities. Challenges related to restricted rights to prescribe medication and access to organized fall prevention activities were reported. FLS coordinator characteristics to overcome those challenges included self-efficacy beliefs, knowledge of community resources, and professional background. This study highlighted the importance of enabling access to services for subsequent FF prevention, consolidating the coordinator's role to facilitate a more integrated intervention, and involving local leaders to promote the successful implementation of the FLS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive plantation forestry is a potent strategy for forest managers to increase wood production on a smaller forest land acreage, especially with the use of genetically improved reforestation stock. The main drawback with conventional conifer improvement is the several decades it takes before stock deployment, which is particularly acute in the context of climate change and evolving wood markets. Use of genomic selection allows to drastically shorten breeding cycles, resulting in more flexibility and potentially increasing benefits. This study compares the financial performance of five white spruce (Picea glauca) breeding and deployment scenarios, from conventional breeding to genomic selection in conjunction with top-grafting or the use of somatic embryogenesis, in the context of plantations established by the Quebec government on public lands with banned herbicide use. We estimated the land expectation value (LEV) for the five scenarios applied to eight site productivity indices, and considered costs and revenues from breeding, plantation establishment, silviculture, and harvest. LEVs at 4% discount rate were positive for all scenarios on all site indices, and varied from $197 to $2015 ha−1 assuming mechanical brushing of the plantations. The scenarios integrating genomic selection resulted in the highest LEVs, which increased with site index. We also conducted sensitivity analyses with 3% and 5% discount rates, with a range of costs and benefits, and with herbicide control of competing vegetation. These results should help orientate public investment decisions regarding the integration of genomic selection at the operational level in tree breeding and reforestation programs on public lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The Advanced Access (AA) model was developed 20 years ago by Murray et al. and has been implemented in several countries. Over the last two decades, primary healthcare practice has evolved to increase interdisciplinarity in clinical teams. Thus, the need for a model that incorporates new professionals has necessitated development of a revised AA model. Objective. We aim to revise the pillars and sub-pillars of the AA model based on its contemporary practice by professionals in primary healthcare as well as their operationalization. Study Design. This s sequential multi-method consultation process was informed by a literature synthesis of 41 articles followed by a three-phase consultation with 45 AA experts: 1) a deliberative face-to-face meeting; 2) an e-survey; and 3) two final virtual validation meetings Setting. AA Experts from across the province of Quebec, Canada. Population studied. The panel of experts represented provincial and local decision-makers, primary healthcare clinic members (family physicians, nurses and administrative staff), patients and researchers Outcome Measures: Throughout the consultation process, participants were asked to develop a common vision of the pillars and sub-pillars that make up the revised AA model and react to suggested definitions or content. Instrument. The final consensual AA model pillars and their operational definitions. Results. The revised AA model is defined by five pillars: two were updated from the original model ("Appointment system" and "Interprofessional practice"), one was merged with a revised pillar ("Develop contingency plans" with "Planning of needs and supply"), and another one underwent major changes (from "Backlog reduction" to "Continuous adjustment"); finally, An emerging new pillar concerns the communication process. Subsequent steps for operationalizing definitions of sub-pillars confirmed the nature of the revised AA pillars and stabilized their content. Conclusion. The revised contemporary AA model that obtained strong consensus among participating experts and reflects contemporary practice in Canada. The revised model will be used to develop a reflective tool for primary healthcare professionals to evaluate their AA practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial leaf spot of lettuce, caused by Xanthomonas hortorum pv. vitians, is an economically important disease worldwide. For instance, it caused around 4 million CAD in losses in only a few months during the winter of 1992 in Florida. Because only one pesticide is registered to control this disease in Canada, the development of lettuce cultivars tolerant to bacterial leaf spot remains the most promising approach to reduce the incidence and severity of the disease in lettuce fields. The lack of information about the genetic diversity of the pathogen, however, impairs breeding programs, especially when disease resistance is tested on newly developed lettuce germplasm lines. To evaluate the diversity of X. hortorum pv. vitians, a multilocus sequence analysis was performed on 694 isolates collected in Eastern Canada through the summers of 2014 to 2017 and two isolates in 1996 and 2007. All isolates tested were clustered into five phylogroups. Six pathotypes were identified following pathogenicity tests conducted in greenhouses, but when phylogroups were compared with pathotypes, no correlation could be drawn. However, in vitro production of xanthan and xanthomonadins was investigated, and isolates with higher production of xanthomonadins were generally causing less severe symptoms on the tolerant cultivar Little Gem. Whole-genome sequencing was undertaken for 95 isolates belonging to the pathotypes identified, and de novo assembly made with reads unmapped to the reference strain's genome sequence resulted in 694 contigs ranging from 128 to 120,795 bp. Variant calling was performed prior to genome-wide association studies computed with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), copy-number variants and gaps. Polymorphisms with significant p-values were only found on the cultivar Little Gem. Our results allowed molecular identification of isolates likely to cause bacterial leaf spot of lettuce, using two SNPs identified through genome-wide association study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quebec is the third-largest wine grape producing province in Canada, and the industry is constantly expanding. Traditionally, 90% of the grapevine cultivars grown in Quebec were winter hardy and largely dominated by interspecific hybrid Vitis sp. cultivars. Over the years, the winter protection techniques adopted by growers and climate changes have offered an opportunity to establish V. vinifera L. cultivars (e.g., Pinot noir). We characterized the virome of leafroll-infected interspecific hybrid cultivar and compared it to the virome of V. vinifera cultivar to support and facilitate the transition of the industry. A dsRNA sequencing method was used to sequence symptomatic and asymptomatic grapevine leaves of different cultivars. The results suggested a complex virome in terms of composition, abundance, richness, and phylogenetic diversity. Three viruses, grapevine Rupestris stem pitting-associated virus, grapevine leafroll-associated virus (GLRaV) 3 and 2 and hop stunt viroid (HSVd) largely dominated the virome. However, their presence and abundance varied among grapevine cultivars. The symptomless grapevine cultivar Vidal was frequently infected by multiple virus and viroid species and different strains of the same virus, including GLRaV-3 and 2. Our data show that viruses and viroids associated with the highest number of grapevines expressing symptoms included HSVd, GLRaV-3 and GLRaV-2, in gradient order. However, co-occurrence analysis revealed that the presence of GLRaV species was randomly associated with the development of virus-like symptoms. These findings and their implications for grapevine leafroll disease management are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare workers (HCWs) on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic exhibit a high prevalence of depression and psychological distress. Moral injury (MI) can lead to such mental health problems. MI occurs when perpetrating, failing to prevent, or bearing witness to acts that transgress deeply held moral beliefs and expectations. Since the start of the pandemic, psychosocial stressors at work (PSWs) might have been exacerbated, which might in turn have led to an increased risk of MI in HCWs. However, research into the associations between PSWs and MI is lacking. Considering these stressors are frequent and most of them are modifiable occupational risk factors, they may constitute promising prevention targets. This study aims to evaluate the associations between a set of PSWs and MI in HCWs during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec, Canada. Furthermore, our study aims to explore potential differences between urban and non-urban regions. The sample of this study consisted of 572 HCWs and leaders from the Quebec province. Prevalence ratios (PR) of MI and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were modelled using robust Poisson regressions. Several covariates were considered, including age, sex, gender, socio-economic indicators, and lifestyle factors. Results indicated HCWs exposed to PSWs were 2.22–5.58 times more likely to experience MI. Low ethical culture had the strongest association (PR: 5.58, 95% CI: 1.34–23.27), followed by low reward (PR: 4.43, 95% CI: 2.14–9.16) and high emotional demands (PR: 4.32, 95% CI: 1.89–9.88). Identifying predictors of MI could contribute to the reduction of mental health problems and the implementation of targeted interventions in urban and non-urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Culinary workshop improved seaweed cooking skills more than access to recipes & products. • Exposing participants to seaweed products has increased their consumption. • The culinary workshop is a promising strategy to develop seaweed consumption in Quebec. Quebec's seaweeds are an abundant resource and are considered a healthy food with multiple gastronomic qualities but remained largely unconsumed by Quebecers. To increase seaweed consumption, culinary interventions could be developed. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a seaweed-focused culinary workshop on changes in Seaweeds Cooking Skills (SCS), Seaweeds Attitude (SAT), Seaweeds Self-Efficacy (SSE), Seaweeds Acceptance (SAC) and Seaweeds Introduction Into Food Habits (SIIFH). For that purpose, n = 98 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to a Control Group (CG), who received seaweed products and recipes, and a Culinary Workshop Group (CWG), who took part in a three-hour, chef-supervised culinary workshop in addition to receiving seaweed products and recipes. A series of online self-administered questionnaires were completed by participants at the beginning of the study (T 1) and approximately one month after the culinary workshops ended (T 2). Statistical analyses were performed to assess changes in outcomes between groups and at the level of all participants over time. Findings revealed that SCS, SAT and SSE increased significantly more (p-value < 0.05) for the CWG than for the CG. However, some significant improvements were observed in SSE (p-value = < 0.001) for the CG. SAC, which was very high at T 1 , did not change at T 2 for either group, but SIIFH increased (p-value = 0.001) in both groups, probably due to exposure to seaweed. In conclusion, with only one culinary workshop, the CWG produced encouraging results, suggesting that this is a promising intervention to further develop seaweed consumption by Quebec consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]