Université du Québec en Outaouais

In a photovoltaic (PV) system, shading caused by weather and environmental factors can significantly impact electricity production. For over a decade, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have been applied to enhance energy production efficiency in the solar energy sector. This paper demonstrates how AI-based control systems can improve energy output in a solar power plant under shading conditions. The findings highlight that AI contributes to the sustainable development of the solar power sector. Specifically, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control systems, utilizing metaheuristic and computer-based algorithms, enable PV arrays to mitigate the impacts of shading effectively. The effect of shading on a PV module is also simulated using MATLAB R2018b. Using actual PV data from a solar power plant, power outputs are compared in two scenarios: (I) PV systems without a control system and (II) PV arrays equipped with MPPT boards. The System Advisor Model (SAM) is employed to calculate the monthly energy output of the case study. The results confirm that PV systems using MPPT technology generate significantly more monthly energy compared to those without MPPTs.

The Canadian Armed Forces employ 68,000 military members, categorized into two distinctive groups: the officers, who hold university degrees, and the technicians, who are qualified for one of 65 trades. Upon recruitment, these technicians complete basic military training and vocational training to perform common tasks and specialized roles. Then, they engage in professional development activities to assume increasing leadership responsibilities based on their potential for career progression. As such, the intermediate, advanced, and senior leadership programs offered by one of the three military colleges in Canada aim to develop knowledge and competencies for the technicians to attain the highest standards of the Profession of Arms. Among the topics covered in these programs is the Military Ethos with its six values that all military personnel are expected to exhibit on and off duty: loyalty, integrity, courage, excellence, inclusion, and accountability. This chapter will present a reflection on the value of integrity from an academic perspective, when military technicians take part in vocational training and professional development programs. We will first discuss how academic integrity is addressed by military institutions delivering vocational training and professional development programs. Next, we will compare the definitions of integrity developed by the Canadian Armed Forces and the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI). Finally, we will explore future considerations for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on academic integrity in the Canadian Armed Forces education and training framework.

Maple trees repair cold‐induced embolism by generating positive stem pressure during their leafless state, altering sap transport in ways that remain poorly understood. This xylem pressure also drives sap exudation, enabling maple sap harvest for syrup production. This study investigates water source dynamics in leafless maples in early spring and its impact on sap yields. We used heavy water (D2O) as a tracer, injected into the soil for root uptake or directly into the stem at various heights of 55 tapped maple trees. Sap isotopic composition was monitored over time and analyzed in relation to weather, sap volume, and sugar content. Our findings show that maple trees absorb soil water gradually in early spring, even when leafless and still under snow cover, with limited sap transport and significant water mixing within the stem. Root‐derived water first appeared around the sixth freeze–thaw event, marking a key rehydration phase coinciding with peak sap yields. Optimal daily maple sap yields also depended on cold nights to enhance sugar concentration, followed by extended thaws at moderate temperatures (3–5°C) to increase sap volume. These results highlight the combined influence of xylem physiology and weather conditions on spring stem rehydration and maple sap yields.

Understanding carbon dynamics in managed forest ecosystems is increasingly crucial for formulating informed recommendations in the context of climate change. Silviculture significantly impacts forest carbon pools, though these effects can vary depending on the type of treatment applied. In recent decades, partial cuttings have been proposed as an alternative to more intensive treatments like clearcutting to mitigate negative impacts on forest function and enhance carbon sequestration. In this study, we conducted a meta‐analysis comparing the effects of clearcutting and partial cuttings across North America on six forest carbon pools: live trees, snags, understory vegetation, coarse woody debris, forest floor, and soil mineral horizons. The analysis was based on a database of 558 carbon observations from temperate and boreal forests in eastern North America. Our findings indicate a −30% difference in total carbon post‐harvesting, predominantly influenced by changes in the overstory carbon pool. Only the live tree carbon pool was significantly affected by cutting intensity, with clearcutting resulting in lower total carbon values (−78% relative to the reference) compared to partial cuttings (−45%). However, after 30–40 years, live tree carbon levels were similar between clearcutting and partial cuttings. The primary factor influencing differences in deadwood carbon pools was the time since treatment, while soil carbon pools showed minimal variation with no significant differences compared to unmanaged forests. This meta‐analysis suggests that using partial cuttings instead of clearcutting to mitigate the effects of forest management on carbon pools may be more complex than previously thought and will depend on site conditions and allowing sufficient time for the forest to recover. Further studies are needed to identify suitable forest stands for partial cuttings and evaluate tree selection strategies that optimize forest productivity and carbon sequestration.

This work presents the design of a microstrip low-pass filter based on Complementary Split Ring Resonator (CSRR) structure, optimized for association with a rectenna circuit. Efficient filtering is essential for Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) to suppress harmonics and maximize the RF-to-DC conversion efficiency. The proposed filter is mounted on an FR4 substrate ((ε r = 4.4), thickness = 1.6 mm) and optimized using the Moment Method (MoM) and the Finite Integration Technique (FIT).The overall dimensions of the structure are (37.18 mm × 11.3 mm), it ensures low insertion loss and strong harmonic suppression. The simulation results confirm good impedance matching and filtering performance, making this design suitable for rectenna systems that can be inserted into IoT, wireless sensors and remote sensing applications.

Recurrent drought threatens high‐latitude deciduous forests in eastern North America. The decline of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) at its northern limits under additional stress imposed by changing climate regimes and its replacement by American beech (Fagus grandifolia) cannot maintain the ecosystem services that the former provides, including its nutrient‐rich leaf litter. In 2022, we incubated litter bags in three maple stands (Kenauk Reserve, Quebec) where beech saplings proliferated (Proliferation = Yes) versus three beech‐free ones (Proliferation = No), in which paired plots were established with rainfall excluders versus rainfall accessibility in summer 2021 and 2022. Moisture was two‐fold higher in rainfall‐accessible soils (Rainfall exclusion, No), but half as spatially variable (CV%) as excluder plot soils (Exclusion, Yes). Mesh bags (mm apertures: 50, Large; 20, Medium; 0.1, Small) that were filled with maple or beech leaves, or their 50:50 mixtures (Species), were deployed in June 2022 within the 12 plots, with 30‐, 60‐, and 90‐day removals. Mass loss did not change with mesh size in a consistent manner over 90 days (initial prediction: L > M > S). We estimated k‐values (year⁻¹) by extending the linearized exponential decay model to 12 Proliferation‐Exclusion‐Species combinations. Maple decayed 16%–30% faster than beech when soil moisture was not limited. Mass loss rates were 2.7–4.13 (beech saplings, Yes) and 2.3–2.9 (beech, No) times higher under rainfall than under moisture deficiency, and ordered: maple ≥ mixed > beech. Separate k‐values for mixed‐bag species were higher than their monospecific counterparts, suggesting synergistic behavior. Early leaching is drought‐sensitive; mass losses were 2.5–2.9 times higher under accessible rainfall versus rainfall exclusion. Furthermore, moisture and maple decay may be increased under slowly decaying beech “mulch.” Indeed, slightly higher maple loss rates were observed beneath beech understories, despite possible negative effects of leaf and litter leachates produced by the latter. Recurring drought and shifting stand composition through continued beech‐maple competition may threaten the persistence and productivity of northern hardwood communities, thereby affecting ecosystem functioning, including decomposition and associated biogeochemical transformations.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant potential to transform small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), yet its adoption is often hindered by challenges such as limited financial and human resources. This study addresses this issue by investigating the core AI technologies adopted by SMEs, their broad range of applications across business functions, and the strategies required for successful implementation. Through a systematic literature review of 50 studies published between 2016 and 2025, we identify prominent AI technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI, and their applications in enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and innovation across sales and marketing, operations and logistics, finance and other business functions. The findings emphasize the importance of workforce training, robust technological infrastructure, data-driven cultures, and strategic partnerships for SMEs. Furthermore, the review highlights methods for measuring and optimizing AI’s value, such as tracking key performance indicators and improving customer satisfaction. While acknowledging challenges like financial constraints and ethical considerations, this research provides practical guidance for SMEs to effectively leverage AI for sustainable growth and provides a foundation for future studies to explore customized AI strategies for diverse SME contexts.

In this work, a precursor-driven tailoring of strontium aluminate phosphors doped with Eu²⁺ and Dy³⁺ to generate unique, batch-specific luminescent signatures suitable for smartphone-detectable anti-counterfeiting tags was developed. A microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis approach was employed to explore the impact of a wide range of alkaline hydroxide and carbonate precursors on the structure of strontium aluminate. The resulting materials exhibited distinct differences in crystalline phase composition, morphology, and trap depth distribution. A smartphone-based detection system was developed, enabling rapid identification of spectral fingerprints. This study demonstrates a viable strategy for embedding unique luminescent identifiers, offering a scalable solution for robust, low-cost anti-counterfeiting applications in both the spectral and the time domain.

Background Intervention adaptation, the deliberate modification of the design or delivery of interventions to a new context, is more resource efficient than de novo development. However, adaptation must be approached methodically, as some modifications, such as those to the core components, may compromise the intervention’s initial efficacy. While adaptation frameworks have been published, none have been identified as more likely to result in successful adaptations. Further, frameworks lack the step-by-step details needed for operationalization. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to share our experience in addressing these methodological limitations in intervention adaptation. The objectives were to describe: 1) our development of a step-by-step, theoretically and empirically driven approach to intervention adaptation labelled the ConsoLidated AppRoach to Intervention adaptatiON (CLARION), 2) the application of CLARION in adapting a depression self-management intervention, 3) the facilitators and challenges encountered when using CLARION. Methods The development of CLARION was informed by the Medical Research Council guidance, the Method for Program Adaptation through Community Engagement (M-PACE), and a published scoping review identifying the key steps in existing adaptation frameworks. M-PACE was selected for its patient-oriented research principles, its application to a similar complex intervention, and for offering some of the specificity needed for execution. However, the scoping review indicated that M-PACE lacked three critical steps: selecting a candidate intervention, understanding its core components, and pre-testing the adapted intervention. These were added to form CLARION, which was structured in two stages: the first involves selecting an intervention, identifying core components, and deciding on modifications; the second stage solicits interest stakeholder feedback to assess the acceptability of the preliminary adapted intervention (pre-test). Results Once CLARION was developed, it was put into action to adapt a depression self-management intervention. CLARION demonstrated several strengths: 1) clearly articulating core components before deciding on modifications, 2) mobilizing a diverse steering committee of experts, including patient partners and developers of the original intervention, which balanced input and efficiency, and 3) establishing committee decision-making rules prior to adjudication (specific criteria and 75% supermajority). Key challenges included defining the types of modifications requiring committee input, determining the extent of the committee’s involvement, and prioritizing the presence of all committee members at meetings to avoid difficulties integrating incongruent feedback. Conclusions The development of CLARION contributes to best practices for intervention adaptation by identifying step-by-step guidance as well as facilitators and barriers to its application.

Motivation Here, we make available a second version of the BioTIME database, which compiles records of abundance estimates for species in sample events of ecological assemblages through time. The updated version expands version 1.0 of the database by doubling the number of studies and includes substantial additional curation to the taxonomic accuracy of the records, as well as the metadata. Moreover, we now provide an R package (BioTIMEr) to facilitate use of the database. Main Types of Variables Included The database is composed of one main data table containing the abundance records and 11 metadata tables. The data are organised in a hierarchy of scales where 11,989,233 records are nested in 1,603,067 sample events, from 553,253 sampling locations, which are nested in 708 studies. A study is defined as a sampling methodology applied to an assemblage for a minimum of 2 years. Spatial Location and Grain Sampling locations in BioTIME are distributed across the planet, including marine, terrestrial and freshwater realms. Spatial grain size and extent vary across studies depending on sampling methodology. We recommend gridding of sampling locations into areas of consistent size. Time Period and Grain The earliest time series in BioTIME start in 1874, and the most recent records are from 2023. Temporal grain and duration vary across studies. We recommend doing sample-level rarefaction to ensure consistent sampling effort through time before calculating any diversity metric. Major Taxa and Level of Measurement The database includes any eukaryotic taxa, with a combined total of 56,400 taxa. Software Format csv and. SQL.

Although several studies have shown that one person’s trauma is associated with romantic relationship difficulties for both partners in adulthood, most have overlooked the particularity of dual-trauma couples, in which both partners have experienced traumatic experiences. This rapid review investigated the dynamics and challenges within dual-trauma couples. A rapid review methodology was employed to consolidate and evaluate existing knowledge in this field. Fifteen empirical research studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified through a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including CINAHL, Family Studies Abstracts, PsycInfo, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Dissertations and Theses Global. Studies included encompassed different methodological approaches. The review focused on studies explicitly addressing dual-trauma couples, excluding those examining secondary trauma or broader impacts of trauma on couples without a specific analysis of dual-trauma dynamics. Key findings revealed a comprehensive understanding of the complexities faced by these couples, including relationship dynamics, communication patterns, psychological impacts of trauma, and factors influencing relationship satisfaction. The review showed that despite facing significant challenges, dual-trauma couples demonstrate remarkable strengths and resilience, emphasizing the importance of open communication and mutual support in coping with past traumas. The review underscored the need for tailored interventions and trauma-informed care to address the unique needs of dual-trauma couples. Through a focused exploration of existing literature, this review provides valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and professionals working in the field of trauma and relationships, aiming to enhance understanding and support for these vulnerable couples.

Background Teleconsultation has expanded rapidly in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has become standard practice among physicians. The benefits of teleconsultation, namely, improving access to care, ensuring continuity and quality of care, increasing patient satisfaction, and reducing costs and wait times, are well documented. However, its use in nursing practice, especially in long-term care settings, remains underresearched despite its significant transformative potential, particularly in resource-limited and rural settings, where it could address major challenges such as nursing shortages and access to care. Objective This study aimed to identify barriers to and facilitators of implementing overnight nursing teleconsultation in rural residential and long-term care centers in Quebec, Canada (centres d’hébergement et de soins de longue durée [CHSLDs]), with ≤50 beds. Methods A 6-month pilot project was rolled out sequentially in 3 rural CHSLDs in 2 administrative regions of Quebec between July 2022 and March 2023. A total of 38 semistructured interviews were conducted with managers (n=27, 71%), nursing staff members (n=9, 24%), and resident committee presidents (n=2, 5%) between February 2023 and July 2023. Results The study identified several barriers to the implementation of teleconsultation. The main barriers reported included union opposition (managers: 23/27, 85%), network instability (resident committee presidents: 2/2, 100%), limited technology skills (nursing staff members: 7/9, 78%), a perceived increase in workload (nursing staff members: 8/9, 89%; resident committee presidents: 2/2, 100%), and a low volume of teleconsultations (nursing staff members: 8/9, 89%). Despite the barriers, participants also identified key facilitators. These included the care setting (nursing staff members: 9/9, 100%; managers: 21/27, 78%), buy-in from senior management and managers (managers: 27/27, 100%; resident committee presidents: 2/2, 100%), collaboration between the departments (nursing staff members: 9/9, 100%), nursing staff motivation (nursing staff members: 9/9, 100%), and improvements in professional practices (nursing staff members: 8/9, 89%). Finally, the relative benefits of teleconsultation, such as enhanced mutual vision, faster assessment of clinical situations, improved resident care management quality, and greater flexibility and safety, were unanimously recognized (38/38, 100%) as contributing to its acceptability and potential for success. Conclusions This study provides an in-depth understanding of the barriers to and facilitators of implementing overnight nursing teleconsultation in small rural CHSLDs. This constitutes a sound basis for developing tailored strategies aimed at overcoming identified barriers and optimizing facilitators. The results also provide practical guidelines for decision makers, highlighting the need to adapt implementation approaches to the unique context of each facility. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of further research to broaden our knowledge on the dissemination and scale-up of health care innovations. This includes the development of learning health systems capable of responding in an agile and effective way to the needs of rural and vulnerable populations both in Quebec and elsewhere.

Teaching assertive sexual consent has been emphasized to combat gender-based and sexual violence in higher education (GBSVHE). However, the relationship between sexual consent and GBSVHE is complex, and teaching “say no” seems insufficient to eradicate these issues. This article examines 52 accounts of individuals who were victims of GBSVHE. The qualitative analysis revealed that power dynamics significantly hindered the acknowledgment of nonconsent in university settings, especially through gendered dynamics, social norms, and authority relationships. These findings support the need to raise awareness of the influence of power dynamics, foster ethical conduct, and promote respectful and egalitarian relationships.

Tropical dry forests remain vital to rural communities but are often degraded and require restoration. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem functioning and resilience and in providing essential services in these ecosystems. In many cases, restoration involves planting monospecific plantations of robust exotic species; however, detailed ecological studies are required to understand how native species mixtures could become successful for restoration purposes. To address this knowledge gap, a tree diversity experiment (IDENT-Ethiopia) was conducted to examine the impact of species diversity and shading on the growth of nine native tree species in tropical dry forests. The experiment followed a block design with 270 plots, which included a gradient in native tree species richness (1-, 2-, and 4-species mixtures) and a second gradient based on the functional diversity of species traits, including plots of low, medium, and high functional diversity. A shading treatment (shaded and unshaded) was also replicated in triplicate. The stem volume growth of seedlings was measured 1 and 2 years after planting. The results revealed that seedling growth was significantly boosted by increased species richness and shading: stem volume growth increased by 50.9% in shaded environments and 30.5% in mixed plots. The study also demonstrated a positive diversity productivity relationship in 57% of all mixtures. Variance partitioning showed that this overyielding was a result of competitive dominance. In the shaded environment, these productive dominant species were Cordia africana, followed by Dodonaea angustifolia and Dovyalis abyssinica. Overall, the findings suggest that shading and species mixing are crucial factors for promoting seedling growth of native dryland species and ensuring the successful restoration of drylands.

In comparison with conventional agriculture, agroforestry systems improve the delivery of multiple ecosystem services and support greater biodiversity. Yet, the effects of agroforestry on various ecosystem services and biodiversity vary worldwide between climatic regions and system types, and studies often focus on measuring a small number of services or biodiversity indicators. We conducted a quantitative summary of multiple large‐scale meta‐analyses comparing service delivery or biodiversity between agroforestry systems and conventional agricultural systems to capture the global effect of agroforestry on agroecosystem multifunctionality. Data were aggregated from 20 meta‐analyses, many of them global, and response ratios were calculated to assess relative effects of agroforestry systems worldwide on multiple categories of biodiversity indicators and production, regulation, and support services. By combining different datasets that addressed specific ecosystem services or biodiversity indicators and analyzing 3075 comparisons between agroforestry systems and their conventional counterparts, we found that agroforestry enhanced ecosystem service delivery and biodiversity globally by an average of 23%. The effects were more pronounced on supporting and regulating services and biodiversity than on production services. The vast majority of analyzed services and biodiversity indicators were enhanced in agroforestry systems, while few were either not affected or affected negatively. Among ecosystem services analyzed along an aridity gradient, only soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and forage production varied significantly. The positive effects of agroforestry on SOC stocks were stronger in drier conditions, while those on forage production followed a quadratic trend, with maximal benefits in arid conditions. Our results suggest that broad‐scale adoption of agroforestry in conventional agriculture could benefit agroecosystem multifunctionality globally without sacrificing productivity and would help support sustainable food production.

Aims To verify the efficacy of virtual reality compared to tablet games for pain and anxiety management in children undergoing percutaneous bone pin and/or suture removal procedures. Design Randomised clinical trial using two parallel groups: (1) virtual reality or (2) tablet game. Methods Three‐center, randomised pragmatic clinical trial, using a parallel design with two groups (experimental group: immersive virtual reality; active comparator: tablet games). Children aged 6–17 requiring percutaneous pins and/or sutures were recruited between 2020 and 2022 from three outpatient orthopaedic clinics in paediatric hospitals. Pain was measured with the Numerical Rating Scale and anxiety with the Child Fear Scale before and immediately after the procedure. Results A total of 188 participants were assigned to either the virtual reality group (96 participants) or the tablet group (92 participants). At the first assessment, there was no noticeable difference between the two groups in terms of pain or anxiety levels. However, further analysis revealed that participants aged 13 and older in the virtual reality group experienced significantly lower anxiety. Conclusion Virtual reality was not more efficacious than games on a tablet for pain and anxiety of children undergoing removal of bone pins or sutures. However, virtual reality demonstrated a benefit in reducing anxiety for teenagers, particularly those aged 13‐older. Implication for the Professional and/or Patient Care Virtual reality games provide an immersive, non‐pharmacological alternative of for anxiety management of teenagers during pins and/or sutures removal. Impact This study showed that a virtual reality game may help reduce anxiety during pins and/or sutures removal procedures in patients aged 13 years and older. Reporting Method We adhered to the CONSORT checklist for reporting results. Patient or Public Contribution A patient partner reviewed the study design, methods and final manuscript. Trial Registration NCT03680625

This work proposes a numerical technique for the analysis of Doppler radar systems, which are used in many applications, including but not limited to aircraft detection, vital signs monitoring, and hand gesture control. The proposed approach consists of using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method with the implementation of moving objects, where the order of magnitude of the speed of light is considered for the numerical movements. This ensures that nonprohibitive computational time is required. The dynamic interactions between electromagnetic waves and moving targets are precisely captured. Medically accurate videos are used for heartbeat and respiration detections. Postprocessing is applied to obtain realistic radar responses, enabling the simulation results to closely mimic those measured by Doppler radars. Several problems are investigated and the numerical results are compared with experimental data reported in the literature. Additionally, an experimental setup is introduced for the analysis of the proposed numerical method, by using a Doppler radar and an object in motion that is video-recorded. The video is then inserted in the FDTD code to compare the simulated and experimental results. Two scenarios are studied: an oscillating metronome and hand gestures. The obtained results further validate the proposed method.