McGill University Thèses et mémoires par auteur commençant par B

This thesis is part of a more extended study of the life of John Neilson which I hope to complete later for the degree of Ph.D. It is restricted to the period 1818-1828 and deals with Ne11son's activities in the Assembly of Lower Canada and his representations in England in 1822, on the matter of the Union Bill, and in 1828 before the Canada Committee. Its scope has been further limited to those issues arising out of the constitution, organization and functioning of the government. This involves the question of administration and the struggle between Assembly and Executive for its …  Read more

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, (ADHD), is one of the most common behavioral disorders in children. The role of culture on ADHD symptoms has received little attention in the literature. As a result, trying to determine the extent of which our current knowledge on ADHD is externally valid for other western as well as non-western societies including developing countries remains the challenge. The purpose of this research was to examine the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in Lebanon, a developing Middle Eastern country. The present study provides the first epidemiological data on ADHD symptoms in Lebanese children and is the first to …  Read more

Society's changing norms and cultural values are often reflected in children's play activities and their choice of toys and games. Empirical findings have revealed that children's game preferences are influenced by several factors including the child's sex and age. The main aim of this study was to examine the game/toy preferences of children living in two distinct societies. The game/toy preferences of 336 (162 females, 174 males) children living in a non-western society, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), were examined and compared with the preferences of 366 children living in Canada. Developmental trends and sex differences were noted. This study also …  Read more

Brown, E. (Supervisors)  Read more

Un modèle d'optimisation de laitier est le premier objectif de cette thèse. L'importance de laitier dans la qualité et la rentabilité de l'acier a été très bien comprise par l'industrie sidérurgique. En effet, la phase de laitier est devenue une partie essentielle du processus de production d'acier. La composition et les propriétés du laitier jouent un rôle important dans la protection des réfractaires de four. La recherche s'est portée sur le développement d'un modèle de laitier afin d'avoir le laitier optimal, saturé en MgO, pour allonger la vie de réfractaire. Un modèle informatique a été développé pour calculer la quantité …  Read more

Lamarre, T. (Supervisor)  Read more

Scott Andrew Weichenthal (Supervisor1)  Read more

The present study attempted to characterize laxity in cruciate deficient knees using the Genucom System comparing the neutral to the resting position of the tibia. A quadriceps active technique was compared to a passive protocol at four knee flexion angles: 60, 70, 80 and 90 degrees. Eight ACL and eight PCL injured subjects performed active and passive anterior-posterior knee drawer tests. These tests were performed during two sessions to verify their reliability. Posterior and anterior laxity were recorded for the PCL and the ACL injured subjects, respectively. Laxity was measured at forces of 60, 90 and 130 Newtons. A feedback …  Read more

Moore, Lynne (Supervisor2)  Read more

Despite having disability rights and the benefit of legislation, students with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) receive insufficient special education and inclusive support. A Guide for Ensuring Inclusion and Equity in Education (UNESCO, 2017) regards learner variability and identification of the barriers to learning as foundational concepts to making progress in inclusive practices that align with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach initiated by Rose and Meyer (2002). This qualitative study explores the perspectives of general education teachers (Ged) from leading expatriate schools in the Kingdom on these core concepts and how they address these issues …  Read more

While the co-morbidity between metabolic and psychiatric disorders is well-established, the mechanisms are poorly understood, and exposure to early life adversity (ELA) is a common developmental risk factor. ELA is associated with altered insulin sensitivity and poor behavioral inhibition throughout life, which seems to contribute to the development of metabolic and psychiatric disturbances in the long term. Here, we demonstrate that individual differences in insulin functioning interact with ELA to modulate mesocorticolimbic dopaminergic-related executive functioning behavior in children and adults. First, we showed that the genetic background linked to fasting insulin (FI) interacts with postnatal adversity to predict impulsivity in …  Read more

Linear predictive coding (LPC) is employed in many low bit rate speech coders. LPC models the short-term spectral information for a block of speech using an all-pole response. Line spectral frequencies (LSF) have been found to be an effective parametric representation for the all-pole response. Vector quantization (VQ) is often used to code the coefficients of the response. VQ performs poorly whenever it is coding coefficient vectors which are not well matched to the distribution of its codebooks. A shift in the distribution can be caused by filtering (microphones, filters in communication equipment, etc.), speaker or environmental variability (male, female, …  Read more

This study explores the literary representations of the post-colonial margin, and develops this site as a place of possibility to transform self identity and acquire power. This exploration of Caribbean-Canadian literature, from writers born in the Caribbean who emigrated to Canada indicates the potential for power in the margins without idealizing this space. Close readings of fiction by Neil Bissoondath, Dionne Brand and Marlene Nourbese Philip illustrate various struggles within the margin based on race, gender, economics, and education. Despite vast ideological differences regarding identity, all three authors concur in their characterizations of the margin. In each work, the margin …  Read more

Brackett, David (Supervisor2)  Read more

Mobile robots are taking an important role in society. They are being used in many industries from entertainment to space exploration. McGill University's Ambulatory Robotics Laboratory recently introduced a new class of quadruped robot---the SCOUT series. These robots feature only one actuated degree of freedom per leg. By keeping the degrees of freedom to a minimum, this class of robots is simpler, less expensive and more reliable than most legged robots built to date. The design and development of the second of these robots, SCOUT II, is the topic of this thesis. Unlike its predecessor SCOUT I, SCOUT II has …  Read more

Traduttore, Traditore est une œuvre de 14 minutes pour ensemble de neuf musiciens, incluant trois claviers électroniques. Elle est la première pièce qui utilise le système micro-tonal pour plusieurs claviers électroniques que j’ai développé dans le cadre de ma maîtrise. Ce système fait un usage personnel de l’intonation pythagoricienne et de l’intonation juste. Il combine différentes Échelles pythagoriciennes utilisées simultanément par plusieurs claviers, où chaque Échelle possède une fondamentale différente. Deux types de relations entre les Échelles sont explorées, la relation verticale et la relation horizontale. Afin de comprendre les rouages de ce système aux multiples configurations, une typologie des …  Read more

Mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a maternally inherited, multi-copy, small circular genome approximately 16 kb in size that codes for 13 polypeptides of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Typically, mtDNA is present as only one genotype in a cell, a state known as homoplasmy. In rare circumstances, two or more mtDNA sequence variants can be present in a cell, a state known as heteroplasmy, and these sequence variants can segregate during mitosis and meiosis. In this thesis, I have investigated the basis for a novel tissue-specific segregation of mtDNA in a heteroplasmic mouse model that had been previously constructed from two …  Read more

Malenfant, Jayne (Supervisor1)  Read more

Dans un monde confronté à des crises globales – de l’inégalité d’accès aux vaccins en pleine pandémie mondiale, aux violations généralisées de droits humains et la crise climatique – le besoin d’une vision morale renouvelée de la solidarité mondiale se fait plus pressante que jamais. Le cosmopolitisme moral offre une telle vision, fondée sur l’idée que tous les êtres humains appartiennent à une même communauté morale. Pourtant, un écart persiste entre l’adhésion intellectuelle aux idéaux cosmopolites et leur mise en pratique. Une grande partie de la théorie cosmopolite met l’accent sur les principes et les institutions, mais néglige les ressources …  Read more

Walking is undergoing a resurgence in transportation planning as a means to manage demand for single-occupant vehicles, improve public health and environmental outcomes, and recreate the vibrant human-scale communities which characterized urban life in North America until the mid-twentieth century. Pedestrian planning currently prioritizes land use and infrastructural interventions empirically proven to increase the choice to walk: dense forms which connect residents to amenities; street and intersection designs protecting pedestrians from other modes; environmental designs conducive to crime prevention; and aesthetic and functional features which offer comfort to passersby. While these features reliably predict travel behaviour for society as a …  Read more

The retina of a newborn rabbit is not fully mature in terms of morphology, chemical composition or capabilities. Taurine is the predominant component of the free amino acid pool of vertebrate retinas. In the rabbit it is present at birth and increases four-fold by maturity reaching levels close to 50 mM in the adult. However, until the present studies its cellular localization was unknown. This study confirmed the postnatal (PN) increase in retinal taurine levels and examined PN changes in the immunocytochemical localization of retinal and optic nerve taurine. I have localized taurine immunoreactivity (taurine-IR) of developing and adult retinas …  Read more

Sharf, Inna (Internal/Supervisor)  Read more

Seguin, Philippe (Supervisor1)  Read more

Cette thèse explore l’incarnation et le genre au sein de la communauté de danse swing contemporaine de Montréal. En m’appuyant sur la savoir dans les domaines de musicologie, études de la danse, études de jazz, et études de genre, je cherche à illuminer la relation entre les danseurs et les musiciens/DJ. J’explore les nombreuses facettes de cette conversation chorographique et musicale, retraçant cette relation dialogique et collaborative sur le plancher de danse sociale. La communauté actuelle est le produit d’un renouveau du swing, et les questions d’authenticité deviennent donc des considérations importantes pour les danseurs, les musiciens, et les DJ. …  Read more

This thesis deals with the rise of mystical movements (Aliran Kebatinan) in post-independence Indonesia, focusing on Susila Budhi Dharma (Subud), founded in 1925 by Muhammad Subuh. Despite that Subuh had been raised as a Javanese man and was heavily influenced by Javanese culture, he also learned from a Ṣufi master who introduced him to certain fundamental concepts of Islamic mysticism. The aim of this thesis is therefore to observe the possible influences on Subud doctrine from both Javanese and Islamic mystical traditions. The major themes of this thesis are three in number: first, to discuss the historical background of the …  Read more

Nalbantoglu, Josephine (Supervisor)  Read more

The importance of atoms and free radicals as intermediates in many chemical reactions is now becoming increasingly apparent. The transitory nature of the intermediates, ie, their comparatively short lifetimes, and their relatively low steady state concentrations, have in the past complicated the identification and elucidation of the elementary reactions in which they are involved.  Read more

The Gladiatorial combats and fictitious hunts presented within the Roman arena were quite famous. However, they did not just happen in the metropolis. This study examines de role of the munera in a Gallic provincial context. Far away from Rome, this institution in many ways stays Roman, but many processes which permit its presentation are adapted to local context. The games seem to have been popular in Gaul, which permits the elite to use them for political gains, as vessels to highlight the societal hierarchy, and the importance of following Roman sets of values. The hunts (venationes), for their part, …  Read more

Interactions entre paiements pour services hydrologiques et transitions forestières: étude de cas du bassin hydrographique du Rio Cuale, Mexique. La conversion de forêts en terrains agricoles est actuellement considérée comme la cause principale de déforestation dans les tropiques. Malgré les tendances à la déforestation tropicale, certaines régions présentent maintenant un revirement du couvert forestier. Ce revirement de zones forestières a été appelé transition forestière et est basé sur le regain d'arbres en zones agricoles. L'objectif de cette étude est d'analyser les changements dans le paysage du bassin versant du Rio Cuale, une région où un mécanisme de compensation nommé 'paiement …  Read more

Gregory-Eaves, Irene (Supervisor1)  Read more

Les avancées scientifiques des dernières années en matière de reproduction de l'être humain ont changé notre conception traditionnelle de la maternité et de la famille. La loi sur les activités cliniques et de recherche en matière de procréation assistée adoptée par le gouvernement du Québec en 2010 offre à ses citoyens un accès étendu aux techniques de reproduction comme si ceux si avaient un droit subjectif et absolu de s'en prévaloir. Etant perçu comme un véritable service public, la procréation assistée appartient désormais au domaine de la santé publique et intéresse la société toute entière parce qu'elle devient un enjeu …  Read more

Osteopetrosis is a disease characterized by the failure of osteoclasts (OCs) to resorb bone. As a consequence, bone mass is increased and bone marrow space is reduced; leading to premature death. The grey-lethal (gl/gl), Ostm1 null mouse model mimics severe human forms of osteopetrosis, and, although the exact function of OSTM1 in osteoclasts is not fully understood, OSTM1 is implicit in OC ruffled border (RB) formation. The RB is a platform for proton/protease excretion as well as bone material uptake and is formed through fusion of secretory lysosomes with RB membrane. Previous results have suggested that OSTM1 has a role …  Read more

Cinq essais de sections de poutres à treillis triangulaires en profils creux de construction ont été effectués afin d'observer le comportement des assemblages des quatres membrures des deux âmes à l'unique entrait du bas. Deux de ces essais font partie d'une série de sept essais de sections ayant les membrures des âmes et les entraits en profils creux carres (voir la thèse de M. Glebe*). Les trois autres sections ont les membrures des âmes en profils creux carres et les entraits du bas en profils creux hexagonaux. On donne une description détaillée du comportement de chaque section durant l'essai, c'est-à-dire …  Read more

This thesis deals with the behaviour and design of triangular trusses fabricated from Hollow Structural Sections (HSS), with two Warren-type web planes and a single tension chord. Experimental programs are described in which triangular truss segments and simplified joints were tested in order to investigate the behaviour of compression web members and tension-chord welded joints. The mechanics of joint deformations are analysed in relation to the yield line theory, and simple models are shown to give a good prediction of the joint stiffnesses and strengths. Complex yield line models are investigated, but are slightly or not superior to the simple …  Read more

Criteria for genetic studies in medicine. Allergy, which was the original subject for the author's thesis, is not a single nosological entity. For that reason it was abandoned after months of study in 1939- 40, in favor of the congenital form of heterotaxy known as situs inversus viscerum (to be defined below), a condit~on which more nearly approaches the characteristics of a Mendelian unit character.[...]  Read more

La présente étude vise à élucider davantage les besoins et les attentes linguistiques des diplômés d'-immersion. Pour ce faire, un questionnaire a été distribué à trois groupes d'étudiants, issus d'un pr-Ogramme immersif au niveau -CPO, de différentes écoles secondaires en Ontario. Le questionnaire sollicitait -des infermatieflS portant sur 4 domaines principaux chez les étudiants: la formation particulière de l'étudiant; leurs sentiments par rapport à l'expérience en immersion; leurs attitudes envers le français, et leur désir de poursuivre des études en langue seconde (français) au niveau universitaire. En conjonction avec ce questionnaire, les résultats d'une enquête non publiée menée en 1988 …  Read more

The primary objective of this M.A. Thesis is to provide an in-depth comparison of Heidi and Anne of Green Gables by: (1) revealing through a literary and social analysis, the more somber aspects of these novels. (2) examining the multi-dimensionality of the characters found therein and (3) investigating the possible reasons for the mythical and legendary proportions of these tales. In doing so, I hope to clarify the misconception that these novels, as children's books, are based solely on idealistic and light-hearted themes. Further, I would like to answer, in part, why these two orphan tales have remained so universally …  Read more

Treatment for the respiratory disease tuberculosis (TB) and latent TB infection (LTBI) can be long and complex with potential for negative side effects. Canada has a low incidence of active TB disease (4.8 cases per 100,000 persons reported in 2012), with foreign-born persons representing the majority of reported cases. Immigrants and refugees may face considerable barriers to accessing consistent health care required for treatment. It is not clear that the aggregate health burden incurred by treating many people with LTBI is less than aggregate health gains of preventing relatively few cases of active TB disease. Patient-reported health utility and health-related …  Read more

La dépendance à la méthionine est l'incapacité de nombreuses lignées cellulaires dérivées de tumeurs à proliférer dans un milieu dans lequel la méthionine est remplacée par son précurseur l'homocystéine (milieu Met-Hcy+), tout en conservant la capacité de se développer dans un milieu contenant de la méthionine (Met+Hcy-). L'indépendance de la méthionine, la capacité à proliférer dans l'un ou l'autre milieu, est typique des lignées cellulaires non dérivées de tumeurs. Il a été démontré que la lignée cellulaire de mélanome humain MeWo et son dérivé hautement malin MeWoLC1 sont respectivement indépendants et dépendants de la méthionine. MMACHC est un gène impliqué …  Read more

Understanding how sex differences in gene expression arise and how regulators of gene expression, such as DNA methylation, contribute to these differences is an important step to furthering comprehension of sexual dimorphism. Three groups of factors, X-linked genes, Y-linked genes, and gonadal sex hormones are the major contributors to sexual dimorphism in gene regulation. However, the extent of their contribution to sex bias in gene regulation in different tissues and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Recently, our lab used mice with different combinations of sex-phenotype and sex-chromosome complement to catalog sex-biased differentially expressed genes (sDEGs) and sex-biased differentially methylated …  Read more

Following anesthesia by intraperitoneal injection of Nembutal (60 mg. per ml.; 0.1 cc. per 100 g. body weight) and a 0.1 cc. subcutaneous injection of Atropine Sulphate (0.6 mg. per ml.) to counteract respiratory congestion, the animal's neck and chest areas were shaved, and he was placed on his back under a binocular dissecting microscope. [...]  Read more

Most elderly persons with dementia are cared for at home, usually by a spouse or adult child. The objective of the present study was to determine whether there is an excess of psychological and physical health problems among family caregivers of elderly persons with dementia. Data were obtained by interview from close family members of dementia patients, and from a comparison group made up of close family members of patients undergoing cataract surgery. Caregivers had significantly higher levels of depression and physical symptoms than noncaregivers. The association between caregiving and the outcome variables was stronger among subjects who were married …  Read more

The problem indicated in the preceding quotation bas accompanied the process of economic development throughout the Western world. The specialization of labour and the large-scale use of capital have not only led to a manifold increase in labour productivity, but they have also raised the problem of maintaining price stability and avoiding severe depressions and inflations. In contrast, the economics of underdeveloped countries are characterized by stability. We may say, therefore, that economic equilibrium and stability are not synonymous with prosperity. On the contrary, economic expansion is a pre-requisite for a high and increasing level of living.  Read more