McGill University Thèses et mémoires par auteur commençant par B

Red clover has always occupied an important position anong the forage legumes grown in Canada and the United States. However, the acreage devoted to red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) has declined due to weaknesses in some important agronomic characteristics. A main weakness is its survival two or more winters. The winter survival of red clover depends, of course, on many different factors. Common objectives in breeding are (1) greater winter hardiness, (2) better disease resistance, and (3) a more perennial growth habit. [...]  Read more

The unprecedented levels of mental health difficulties reported by university students make it difficult for university mental health services to keep up with the increasing demand. As a result, leading organizations have indicated a need for preventative programs aimed at enhancing mental health resilience. Thus, the overarching goal of this thesis was to evaluate the Stress and Coping: Online Outreach Program (SCOOP), an online mental health outreach program for university students. The current thesis consists of two manuscripts. The main objective of Manuscript 1 was to explore the acceptability, satisfaction with, and effectiveness of SCOOP as well as to evaluate …  Read more

University students are reporting high levels of stress that may hinder daily functioning and academic success. In response, leading organizations advocate for instructional stress management resources as complementary to therapeutic supports, with growing evidence demonstrating their effectiveness in supporting student wellness. Accordingly, universities are increasingly mobilizing evidence-based resources through different self-guided (e.g., infographics, mobile apps, videos) and guided (e.g., workshops, peer support groups) modalities. Despite increasing dissemination of these resources, universities lack a clear understanding of which approaches are most acceptable and effective for university students. Strategy use has been suggested as a key factor influencing resource effectiveness, yet investigation …  Read more

The kinematics, temporal and sequential organization of the lower limb joints were assessed during jump downs at a constant height (45 cm) in seven practised subjects under four conditions: (SS) stiff takeoff and landing, (SC) stiff takeoff and compliant landing, (CS) compliant takeoff and stiff landing, and (CC) compliant takeoff and landing surfaces. The timing and sequencing of joint motions were unaffected by the compliance of the takeoff or landing surfaces. During takeoff ankle adjustments may have been influenced by proprioceptive inputs about the takeoff surface compliance, whereas knee adjustments could mean that the landing program interferes with the takeoff. …  Read more

Efficient allocation of scarce resources to health programs involves measuring the economic benefits of life saving and/or improvement in health status. While several attempts have been made to quantify individual preferences for life, only a few, if any, have attempted to measure individual preferences for quality of life. In this thesis, we develop a methodology based on the estimation of individual preference functions to arrive at monetary measures of the value of marginal improvements in health status. The first chapter reviews conventional methodologies for estimating the value of human life, and points out many theoretical and empirical propositions related to …  Read more

This work intends to show the extent of the influence of Voltaire's religion-related writings on Pigault-Lebrun, a famous 19$ rm sp{th}$ writer scarcely remembered today. The subject is divided in two separate parts. The first part will demonstrate how the different clergy members described by Voltaire are rendered quite faithfully as the characters of the secular and the regular clergy found in the author's novels. In the second part, we will find out the extent to which Pigault-Lebrun has used the 18$ rm sp{th}$ century philosopher's writings in order to write Le Citateur, an anti-clerical essay used by Napoleon as …  Read more

Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN) est un revêtement industriel important puisqu'il améliore la dureté et la résistance à la corrosion. L'objectif de ce travail est de développer des techniques chimiques qui enlèvent de façon sé¬lective des revêtements de TiAlN déposés sur des substrats de Titane. La solution chimique sélection¬née consiste de peroxyde d'hydrogène (H2O2) et d'oxalate de potassium (K2C2O4). Des échantillons de Ti-6-4 couverts d'une couche de TiAlN d'une épaisseur notionnelle de 10 micromètres ont été exposés à plusieurs solutions chimiques avec des températures et concentrations variées. De façon générale, nous avons trouvé que si on augmentait la température de la …  Read more

The calibration of a microphone consists of finding the ratio of electrical output to incident sound pressure as a function of frequency and angle of incidence. The amount of non-linear distortion and the effect of temperature and static pressure may also be required. The calibration may be given in terms of the sound pressure actually acting on the microphone diaphragm (“pressure” calibration), or in terms of the sound pressure that would be present in a plane progressive wave if the microphone were not there. It is this latter quantity, termed the “field” calibration, that is of most interest in microphones …  Read more

Judith, Marcoux, (Supervisor1)  Read more

AbstractProtein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) family members are essential for proper folding of proteins entering the secretory pathway. Studies of these remarkable enzymes have shown that PDIs catalyze the oxidation, reduction and isomeration of disulfide bonds in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). PDIs are found and conserved in a wide range of species and are ubiquitously expressed.In all eukaryotes, the ER redox potential must be tightly controlled since a large fraction of proteins within the cell require disulfide-bond formation. How PDIA1 maintains a balance between oxidation and reduction remains an important open question. Previous studies have revealed the tendency of PDIA1 to …  Read more

The primary purpose of this paper is to test the hypotheses developed by Dr. Kanungo on job involvement attitudes in a cross-cultural context. This paper attempts to show that prior socialization determines the saliency of needs in an individual; and, as long as these salient needs are perceived to be satisfied on the job, the person would be highly involved in his work, irrespective of his cultural background. The secondary purpose of the paper is to test whether organizations act as vehicles for the satisfaction of the various salient needs of the individual.  Read more

Mercury (Hg) is a toxicant of global concern, but few strategies exist to evaluate its biological effects on the ecosystem. Piscivorous wildlife, such as mink (Mustela vison), are particularly at risk because they can bioaccumulate Hg to concentrations known to impair neurological systems. Given that biochemical changes in the brain precede functional and structural impairments, I evaluated the use of neurochemicals as early-warning biomarkers of Hg toxicity in mink. Initial studies demonstrated that neurochemical biomarkers could be measured from mink carcasses collected from the field, as long as factors such as storage temperature and freeze thaw cycles were accounted for. …  Read more

Paidoussis, Michael P.  Read more

Les protéinopathies du système nerveux central (SNC) englobent une large gamme de troubles (maladie d'Alzheimer, Parkinson, Huntington et maladie à prions) qui conduisent invariablement à une neurodégénérescence humaine. De telles maladies ont un lourd poids financier pour les soins de santé et augmentent les coûts socioéconomiques, et continueront à faire à mesure que la population générale vieillira. Dans notre situation actuelle, il y a un manque de traitements étiologiques pour de telles maladies, les rendant incurables et inévitables. Le consensus établi par le domaine de la recherche translationnelle attribue la pathologie au repli et à l'agrégation de certaines protéines. Ce …  Read more

La prise de décision clinique est intrinsèquement séquentielle et dynamique, ce qui fait de l’apprentissage par renforcement (RL) un outil naturel pour soutenir une santé personnalisée. En interagissant avec les données des patients et en optimisant les décisions pour des résultats à long terme, le RL offre la possibilité de dépasser les limites des approches thérapeutiques uniformes. Cette thèse explore le potentiel des algorithmes actuels de RL pour les applications médicales, ainsi que les adaptations nécessaires pour relever les défis propres au domaine. Nous nous concentrons sur trois applications majeures. Premièrement, nous formalisons l’acquisition en imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) …  Read more

Precup, Doina (Internal/Supervisor)  Read more

Le développement d'un procédé combiné d'ultrasons et de vapeur pour la décontamination microbienne de surface, l'inactivation enzymatique, l'amélioration du transfert de chaleur et la pasteurisation des aliments très acides et aliments acidifiés représente une avancée significative d’une la nouvelle technologie de transformation des aliments.Cette étude visait à évaluer l'efficacité et la faisabilité de l'utilisation d'un processus combiné d'ultrasons et de vapeur pour atteindre ces objectifs dans des études distinctes.L'étude consistait à soumettre des légumes frais à un traitement combiné par ultrasons et vapeur et en les comparant au mode de chauffage traditionnel (vapeur seule) dans différentes conditions de fonctionnement (en …  Read more

In 1716 Montesquieu judged an essay contest on the subject "What is the Use of the Adrenal Glands". Some of the theories advanced were such as "to hold up the stomach, to dilute the urine, to collect the humidities which leak out of the great vessels surrounding them", and so on. Montesquieu decided none of the essays deserved a prize, awarded none.  Read more

Using a de/colonizing approach, this dissertation auto/ethnographically explores the perspectives and lived experiences of Filipino-identified settlement, social and community workers and service providers working with Filipino populations in Canada in order to understand how their migration journeys connect to their labour experiences; involvement in Filipino groups, organizations, and communities; and engagement with the Canadian nation state via settlement and social services. This project utilized exploratory methods from Sikolohiyang Pilipino (or Filipino psychology) with one main objective: to center the diverse knowledges of these Filipino workers who have chosen to work with the Filipino community. I draw on the personal narratives …  Read more

Competition policy is an important tool for assurance of the efficient allocation of resources in functioning market economies. Applicability of modern competition policy to situations in former planned economies, however, raises doubts because of fundamentally different states of competition in such markets. This study analyses development of competition policy in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Particular attention is given to the influence of the EU competition policy in the framework of negotiations for final membership in the EU. This study proposes reassessment of the competition policy of the three countries in order to better tackle the economic complexities of …  Read more

Although numerous scholars claim that identity is an integral aspect of engaging in work and family, the extant literature falls short of explaining how women's identities evolve over time through the significant transitions involved in pursuing professional careers and raising families. In fact, much of the literature is grounded in the assumption that work and family represent competing identities for women. Missing from this body of literature is a conceptualization of pursuing a professional/managerial career and having a family as a complex set of transitions that provoke the questions, "Who am I?" and "Who/what do I want to be?" Through …  Read more

Rahul Gawri (Supervisor2)  Read more

Receveur, Olivier (Supervisor)  Read more

Apolipoproteins play a central role in controlling the plasma metabolism of cholesterol- and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and in regulating their levels. Plasma concentrations of apolipoproteins, as well as their relative distribution on different lipoprotein fractions are determined by their rates of production and catabolism. In order to investigate the plasma kinetics of these proteins in normolipidemic and dyslipidemic individuals, an endogenous labeling procedure was set up, in which a primed constant (12 h) infusion of deuterium-labeled leucine is administered to fasted study subjects. Fractional rate of appearance of newly-synthesized, stable isotope-enriched, apolipoprotein in plasma pools is determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry …  Read more

We are interested in studying the RNA and protein binding activities of the measles virus (MV) NP. MV is one of the members of Paramyxoviridae, a family of non-segmented negative-stranded RNA viruses family. We have expressed the MV NP in procaryotic systems and by in vitro translation. We have created a number of carboxy-terminal deletions of NP to use in mapping the domains involved in RNA and protein binding. We have transcribed the 5$ sp prime$ end antigenome sequences (positive leader) in vitro. We have metabolically labeled viral and MV-infected cellular proteins. We have applied different RNA-protein and protein-protein binding …  Read more

Les événements de gel printanier et automnal augmenteront d'ici le milieu du 21ème siècle en raison aux changements climatiques, impactant négativement la production céréalière. Les plantes expriment différemment les gènes de réponse aux stress abiotiques, permettant l'adaptation à leurs environnements. Les données recueillis jusqu’à présent suggèrent que l'adaptation aux basses températures est partiellement régulée par des mécanismes épigénétiques tels que la modification des histones et la méthylation de l'ADN, mais leurs impacts sur la réponse au froid restent flous. Les protéines CHROMOMETHYLASE (CMT) sont un groupe conservé de protéines responsables du maintien des marques de méthylation de l'ADN chez les …  Read more

Les programmes écrits pour l'exécution d'ordinateur seront toujours susceptibles au vol d'information. Cette information peut inclure des algorithmes de marque de commerce, des données incluses dans le programme, ou même des données concernant les accès de programme. Suivant les avancées technologiques, les informaticiens construisent des outils de plus en plus puissants pour l'ingénierie inverse telle que le décompilateur. Le langage de programmation de Java est particulièrement ouvert aux attaques de l'ingénierie inverse en raison de son format binaire bien défini, ouvert, et portatif. Nous recherches portent sur un domaine permettant de mieux sécuriser fixer la propriété intellectuelle des programmes en …  Read more

The concept of using gaseous detonation waves to generate high-pressure propellant for a single-stage gas gun is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The advantage of this approach (in contrast to conventional light gas guns) is that the resulting launcher is inexpensive to construct and simple to operate, yet is capable of achieving velocities in excess of 3 km/s. Theoretical internal ballistics methods have been developed for the optimization of gas gun systems. A prototype detonation driven gas gun system has been developed. Performance of the gun system is optimized by formulating the detonable mixture to use as propellant, with fuel rich …  Read more

Sexual dimorphism between males and females of a given species ranges from gross phenotypes to gene expression and DNA methylation. Both gonadal sex and sex-chromosome complement contribute to sexual dimorphism in DNA methylation in somatic cells. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the establishment of sexually dimorphic DNA methylation levels in somatic cells are still poorly understood. Hence, this study focused on one of the factors that potentially contribute to sex bias in DNA methylation, the influence of the Y chromosome, using mice with different combinations of gonadal sex and sex-chromosome complement. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) methylation data from …  Read more

Alternative splicing generates variety in the exonic content of mature RNA. Exonic content has been shown to vary over the course of the maturation of the human brain. Current methods for the detection of these isoforms are limited by compounded uncertainty in the case of isoform reconstruction or limited dimensionality in the case of analysis of variant studies. Here we present a parameterized approach to summarize as trajectories the changing expression of exonic content over the course of the development of the human brain. We apply our methods to the Brainspan dataset and present several analyses of the exonic trajectories …  Read more

CEGEPs (Colleges d'enseignement general et professionnel) were designed with the aim of developing intellectual abilities in young adults. The purpose of this study was to describe the cognitive and affective abilities of CEGEP students at the beginning and end of CEGEP and to measure the change in these abilities. Comparing student cognitive and affective abilities at the beginning of, during and at the end of CEGEP, according to known measures of student development, would establish what changes occur during the college years, and would thereby promote a more thorough understanding of the students which CEGEPs serve. The cognitive development of …  Read more

This thesis analyzes Australian and Canadian approaches to rights conflict focusing on challenges between freedom of religion and equality in public life. The first section involves an historical and doctrinal analysis of rights frameworks in Australia and Canada and a comparative analysis of cases that test public boundaries of freedom of religion and equality. This section concludes that the Australian framework is an imperfect mechanism for resolving disputes about freedom of religion. A comparison to the Canadian framework demonstrates that principles of reconciliation and limitation of rights provide a more satisfying answer to challenges between religious freedom and equality rights. …  Read more

This thesis considers the tensions that lesbian or gay ("L/G") religious people experience between their sexual and religious identities and how they negotiate these tensions. Specifically, it analyzes the challenges of evangelical Christian men who identify as 'ex-gay' and Orthodox Jewish women who identify as lesbian. Most of the people who are the focus of this research live within religious communities—situated within a more secular state framework (the USA)—that disavow same-sex attraction as a matter of religious principle and law. This dissertation is informed by a feminist methodology and a legal pluralism and critical legal pluralism theoretical framework. A legal …  Read more

Magnetically retrievable nanocatalysts have represented an emerging class of heterogeneous catalysts which offer both ease of separation and low-leaching with the high catalytic activity. These features were attractive not only in typical organic reactions but also in reactions of biologically relevant molecules, where removal of catalyst and leaching were important considerations. Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC) also called “click” reactions, have been well studied since its discovery in 2002. The remarkable regioselectivity, high tolerance for a wide range of reaction conditions and bioorthogonality make CuAAC an excellent choice for use in biological systems. However, the toxicity of Cu(I) has been problematic …  Read more

Maki, Brian (Supervisor)  Read more

Eve, A. (Supervisors)  Read more

La dystrophie musculaire de Duchenne (DMD) est une maladie génétique caracterisée par un manque de dystrophine dans la membrane des cellules musculaires, les rendant susceptibles au dommage mécanique. La mort survient suite à l'insuffisance des muscles cardiaques ou respiratoires. Notre hypothèse est que des altérations au niveau des protéines contractiles jouent un rôle dans la faiblesse musculaire de la DMD. Dans cette étude, nous avons mesuré le stress généré par des faisceaux musculaires, la composition des isoformes de la chaîne lourde de myosine (MHC), la vélocité (υmax) de propulsion de l'actine par la myosine, et la force relative de la …  Read more

La plage de champs magnétiques appliqués pour lesquels un ensemble de nanostructures magnétiques renverse la direction de leur magnétisation est connue sous le nom de distribution du champ de renversement (switching field distribution, SFD). Plusieurs facteurs influencent la SFD des nano aimants, tels que la rugosité des bords, le rapport d'aspect, l'orientation cristallographique, les interactions avec les nano aimants avoisinants et la température. Certaines applications potentielles des nano aimants, notamment la mémoire vive magnétique et les automates cellulaires quantiques magnétiques, nécessitent une SFD qui soit étroite et contrôlée pour assurer une opération fiable. Pour atteindre ce contrôle, les facteurs dominants …  Read more

[...] The purpose of this study was to identify a compound which could be attached selectively to tumour cells. sélective staining of such tumours by innocuous dyes should assist the surgeon to recognize the limits of an infiltrating neoplasm of the brain. Such dyes if rendered radioactive could be used as an effective diagnostic and therapeutic agent for brain tumours in man.[...]  Read more

Around the world, scholars and politicians are engaged in a passionate debate concerning the universality of Human Rights. The problem of inequality between men and women concerning property rights is also part of this dispute. The transposition of human rights in another cultural context may create conflicts with new fundamental values. In a cultural context that differs from the western one, those rights don't always have their place or they may be reinterpreted accordingly with different cultural visions of what is a just society. In order to get a better understanding of this problem, this research is proposing an analysis …  Read more

In India, the Hindu Succession Rights Act of 1956 allows the widow, the daughters, alongside the sons of the deceased senior male, to claim an equal share in familial property. By giving inheritance rights to daughters and widows, and not exclusively to sons, this Act proposes a radically different organization of the ideal patrilineal household, commonly referred to as "the Hindu joint family". The Act initiates a transformation of Hindu women's status through their rights to property, which implies the transformation of women's rights and duties in India. Drawing on the analysis made during an extensive fieldwork period in a …  Read more

Surgical simulation platforms offer an environment where clinicians can learn, practice or develop techniques and procedures without the possibility of harming the patient. With limited time available in the operating room, surgical simulation enables surgical residents, as well as more established surgeons, to gather more experience with anatomically correct and patient-specific geometries. In this thesis, a low-cost cardiovascular simulation platform was designed, and endovascular surgical planning using 3D-printing was explored. The usefulness of the platform was illustrated using three case studies. The first case study examined a 3D printed aneurysmal aorta reconstructed from medical imaging that was connected to the …  Read more

Long-fibre reinforced thermoplastics are one of the fastest growing segments in the composites industry. Thermoplastic pultrusion compounding is one of the techniques used to manufacture this injection mouldable material. The pultrusion compounding process used in this research consists of pulling a continuous glass roving over a series of staggered cylindrical pins immersed in a molten thermoplastic bath. This research reports on the effect of several key pultrusion compounding parameters (roving pulling speed, number and diameter of pins, melt temperature and initial roving tension) on the impregnation of nylon 6.6 melt into glass roving. The interlaminar shear strength of pultruded strands …  Read more

A pultrusion process using staggered cylindrical pins in a molten polymer reservoir is one method of pre-compounding long glass fibre-reinforced thermoplastic materials. This material, if well impregnated with resin, will maintain much of its aspect ratio during subsequent moulding. The longer fiber length translates into improved mechanical properties versus conventional extrusion compounded material. This research studies the effect of a novel pin shape and configuration on the wetting of glass roving during thermoplastic pultrusion compounding. Experimental pultrusion studies using polypropylene indicate that alternating concave (collecting) and convex (spreading) contoured pins promote superior resin impregnation compared to conventional cylindrically shaped pins. …  Read more

On Sentimentality" describes sentimentality as a space-biased mode of perception. Set in a theory of modes, it is argued that, much less than being a manifestation of emotion, sentimentality is a rational conceptualization of experience and meaning. The expression and experience of meaning is considered by tracing the relationship of time and space dimensions from the mythic and rhetorical modes which emphasize the time dimension, to the balance achieved in the formal mode, to the dominance of the space dimension in the descriptive and sentimental modes. It is suggested that where the descriptive mode analyzes the entities and conditions of …  Read more

We investigate the phenomenon of phase organization in charge density waves. Coppersmith and Littlewood [87] have argued that charge density waves become organized into a "minimally stable" state when subject to a pulsed driving force. They have also proposed that the pulse duration memory effect, observed by Fleming and Schneemeyer [86], is evidence for this self organizing behaviour. We review the microscopic origins of charge density waves, experimental results, and theoretical models of charge density waves. We also review theories of complex systems, and, in particular, the phase organization theory proposed by Tang et al. [87]. We focus on how …  Read more