McGill University Thèses et mémoires par auteur commençant par T

Altered metabolism has recently re-emerged as a hallmark of cancer. New evidence from preclinical models and from epidemiological studies suggests that targeting cancer metabolism is possible and practical. A promising aspect is the near universality of certain defining characteristics of this altered metabolism. Notably cancer cells sustain elevated rates of aerobic glycolysis and express pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) to optimise and increase the biosynthesis of precursors to macromolecules, thereby allowing survival and proliferation in the setting of variable nutrient supply. In a recent report, deficiency in the amino acid serine caused PKM2 inhibition, exerted negative influence on aerobic glycolysis and …  Read more

Cylindrical shafts are often used as earth retaining structures for different geotechnical engineering applications (e.g. underground tunnels, pumping stations and hydroelectric projects). Due to their simplicity, classical earth pressure theories are usually used for shaft design. These theories were developed for two-dimensional plane strain problems. Several theoretical methods have been proposed to estimate the axisymmetric active earth pressure on cylindrical shafts, however there is no general agreement on the radial earth pressure distribution along the shaft. In addition, the wall movement needed to reach the calculated pressures is not completely understood. In this thesis, an experimental investigation has been conducted …  Read more

This study of 124 community adults (82 female, 42 males) examined the moderating role of SC perfectionism on mindfulness and self-compassion predicting depressive and anxiety symptoms over two years. At baseline (Time 1), participants completed measures of self-critical (SC) and personal standards (PS) higher-order dimensions of perfectionism. Participants completed mindfulness and self-compassion measures one year later (Time 2), and depressive and anxious symptom measures at Time 1, Time 2, and two years after baseline (Time 3). In contrast to PS, SC perfectionism was moderately to strongly associated with lower levels of mindfulness and self-compassion domains and facets. Hierarchical regression analyses …  Read more

The existing monetary limitations of liability in international private air law are reviewed and compared with limits in other branches of transport law. The reasons submitted to justify monetary limitations of liability in air law are summarized and criticised. A comparison of the level of limits with statistics and the social requirement to provide full recovery of damages lead to the conclusion that the limits are inadequate and unrealistically low. The problem of the unit of account in which limits are expressed (gold, SDR) and the idea of freezing the amount of damages recoverable in conventions without self-regulatory clauses are …  Read more

Although the problem of shock is an ever-present clinical one, its study has, for obvious reasons, received great impetus during time of war. The term shock is in itself a controversial one, mainly because the condition which it describes is not capable of concise definition but rather of description of its unmistakable attributes. Since one of the main features is a circulatory deficiency, Cannon suggested the use of the term “exemia” rather than shock. Latta, in 1795, is reported to have first used the term shock, and other early workers made general reference to the condition, describing it in such …  Read more

Since the turn of the century chemical kinetics, the study of the rate of chemical reactions, has become one of the major divisions of physical chemistry. In the course of study many reactions it became apparent that the order of the reaction could not always be predicted from the Stoichiometric equation. This was due to the fact that reactions often occur in stages, although the stages may succeed one another so rapidly that it appears that a simple process is taking place.  Read more

La reconnaissance et la mémoire sociale sont essentielles pour le comportement social; les membres de groupes, les concurrents, la progéniture, et les partenaires doivent tous se distinguer des étrangers et des uns des autres afin de maintenir les groupes sociaux. Cette thèse combine des études visant à qui évaluer les corrélations comportementales de la formation des mémoires sociales et à enquêter des manipulations de cette formation chez le Capucin bistré, Lonchura striata var. domestica. Je présente aussi une revue préliminaire des régions cérébrales d'intérêt qui pourraient participer à cette formation de souvenir social. Nous examinons l'effet d'expositions répétées à des …  Read more

Background: Despite the rapidly emerging evidence on the contributions of physical activity to improving cancer-related health outcomes, adherence to physical activity guidelines among young adults (YAs) with lymphoma remains suboptimal. Lack of motivation is a frequently reported psychological barrier to physical activity engagement in this population. This warrants the development of interventions that can enhance exercise motivation and physical activity levels sufficient to improve cancer outcomes. Guided by the self-determination theory (SDT), a macro-theory of human motivation, the virtual exercise intervention named Lymfit (a 12-week individualized exercise program supplemented with bi-weekly kinesiologist support and activity tracking) was developed to enhance …  Read more

The proteins and sequence elements necessary to initiate mammalian DNA replication have been, to date, poorly characterized. Here, we have further defined the minimal sequence elements required to support autonomous DNA replication of a mammalian early replicating DNA sequence, ors8. In addition, we have identified a protein, CBP, which binds specifically to DNA cruciforms, a DNA secondary structure that can form at inverted repents which are commonly found within origins of DNA replication. Cloned fragments from a known mammalian origin from the DHFR locus, oribeta, have been shown to replicate autonomously following transient transfection into mammalian cells and when used …  Read more

A variety of iron precipitates formed in the electrolytic zinc industry were studied to estimate the possibility of magnetic filtration to augment conventional thickening/filtering systems. The precipitates included K,NH(,4),Na jarosites, (alpha) and (beta) goethite, (alpha) hematite and an industrially produced NH(,4) jarosite. The wet Frantz Isodynamic Separator was used to generate magnetic susceptibility data. Susceptibilities ranged from (kappa) = 6.9 x 10('-5) (--->) 15.5 x 10('-5) emu/cm('3)0e. Particle size of the precipitates ranged from 25 (mu)m to < 1 (mu)m. Magnetic filtration breakthrough curves were produced using a high gradient magnetic filtration technique. The role of fluid viscosity and velocity …  Read more

The angular anisotropy, $ omega$, of individual fission products produced from the $ sp{238} rm U( sp{12}$C, f) 119.9 MeV incident heavy-ion induced fission reaction, was modelled in terms of the angular momentum, l, conferred upon the intermediate nucleus. Evidence of incomplete momentum transfer led to a model treating fission products as being the result of two fission inducing processes: complete fusion resulting in compound nucleus formation, and an $ alpha$-transfer incomplete fusion process. The average angular anisotropies for each of the two processes were calculated to be, $ omega sb{ rm CF}$ = 2.57, and $ omega sb alpha$ …  Read more

The following work is based on a study of the trematodes collected from the fishes of Lake Hertel. It deals with the taxonomy of the trematodes and with some of the relationships between the host and the parasite. Lake Hertel is situated at an elevation of 570 feet on Mont St. Hilaire one of the Monteregion Hills in the St. Lawrence Lowlands. The lake measures about 2,000 feet in length and in width. It has a surface area of between 75 and 80 acres and a maximum depth of between 24 and 30 feet depending on the season of the …  Read more

Entertainer or agent provocateur? The modern Canadian political cartoonist, historically speaking, possesses a split identity. The Gazette cartoonist Terry Mosher---a.k.a. Aislin---in his experience, career and involvement in the fall 1988 fight against free trade, illustrates the tension inherent in the identity of the modern Canadian political cartoonist. Mosher's experience offers a theory as to what circumstances might compel a cartoonist to break the cartoonist's compromise---an informal promise not to use their powerful platform to advance a coherent, systematic and specific political agenda or aim in exchange for editorial independence, journalistic "status," and proper financial remuneration---a state of affairs modern cartoonists …  Read more

Stemming from the dialectical concepts of critical epistemology developed by feminism and Critical Theory (specifically, the Frankfurt School), this thesis attempts to articulate the political dimension of knowledge and to demonstrate how this dimension is incorporated into the liberatory pedagogical theory of Paulo Freire, Henry Giroux and various feminist authors. Hence the epistemological significance of domination and oppression is explored in relation to the concepts of subjectivity and objectivity held by critical epistemology. In ultimately aiming at liberation from social oppression, both Critical Theory and feminist epistemology provide theoretical insights into the social construction of knowledge, the intersubjective character of …  Read more

Despite the important benefits of physical activity, many people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulty participating long enough to reap the rewards. Poor motor skills, difficulty planning movements, problems functioning in open environments, and low motivation combine to make sustained participation a challenge. This dissertation is a series of three studies designed to develop and assess intervention, based on self-determination theory, which promotes sustained physical activity for adolescents and young adults with ASD functioning at the low end of the spectrum. The studies were carried out at a high school for students with intellectual disabilities over three consecutive years. …  Read more

The overexpression of several receptors and dysfunction of signal transduction pathways characterize the heterogeneity of many solid tumours. Targeted therapies against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-overexpressing tumours involve well tolerated EGFR inhibitors. However, the potency of these inhibitors is mitigated by several factors including mutations in signaling pathways and receptor heterogeneity. To circumvent this problem, we recently designed a novel strategy that seeks to synthesize molecules "programmed" to release an EGFR inhibitor and a cytotoxic DNA-damaging agent. This led to mixed EGFR-DNA targeting agents, termed "type I combi-molecules". Previous work demonstrated that these compounds: (1) inhibited EGFR and (2) damaged …  Read more

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Radiation therapy (RT) either Conventional Fractionated Radiotherapy (CFRT) or image-guided Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) represent the main lines of treatment of lung cancer. RT-induced pneumonitis and lung fibrosis occur in patients treated with SBRT and CFRT. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is upregulated following lung irradiation, mediating type II cytokine response, activation and proliferation of fibroblasts, and increased expression of collagen type I. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) has a robust pro-fibrotic mechanism in the skin, lungs and kidneys. The effect of RT …  Read more

The liability for damage caused by aircraft to third parties on the ground is regulated very differently by the various national laws. Some laws are based solely on the principle of fault liability, whereas, others on that of absolute liability. In some states the operator's liability is limited to a certain amount of damage, in others, the operator may be held liable for unlimited damage. There are also considerable differences in the national laws regarding the securities required in respect of the operator's liability.  Read more

In this thesis, we present a general, non-subjective method of selecting informative feature points for the task of image correspondence, the entropy-of-likelihood (EOL). Feature point selection requires identifying the points in one image that can be most reliably identified and matched in a second image. Most feature point selection methods identify points that are interesting according to subjective notions as to which points are best for matching, such as points with a high degree of edge density, nostrils in face images, etc. The EOL method differentiates itself from the majority of feature point selection methods in that points are chosen …  Read more

This thesis presents a new, probabilistic model for describing image patterns arising from classes of visually similar objects, such as faces or brains. The model describes patterns in terms of a high level geometrical structure referred to as an object class invariant (OCI), which is invariant to nuisance parameters arising from the imaging process. The OCI itself is not directly observed from images, but can be inferred via a probabilistic model based on generic, spatially localized image features. The OCI model can be learned from a large set of natural images containing pattern instances with minimal manual supervision, in the …  Read more

The classical theory of poroelasticity focuses on the coupled response of fluid flow and elastic deformation of porous media saturated with either an incompressible or a compressible pore fluid. The Theory of poroelasticity has been successfully applied to examine time-dependent transient phenomena in a variety of natural and synthetic materials, including geomaterials and biomaterials. The assumption of elastic behaviour of the porous skeleton in these developments is a significant limitation in the application of this theory to brittle geomaterials; which could exhibit non-elastic phenomena either in the form of initiation and extension of discrete fractures, or in the form of …  Read more

Smith, B. Stratford (Supervisor)  Read more

Metalloproteinases (MPs) include the families of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and metalloproteinase-disintegrins (ADAMS). MPs are implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. Both MS and EAE involve central nervous system (CNS) infiltration, microglial activation, and expression of chemokines and cytokines including CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and interferon-gamma (IFNgamma). MPs mediate cellular infiltration of the CNS parenchyma and regulate activity of chemokines and cytokines. This thesis describes studies of MPs in EAE and other animal models of neuroinflammation. Gene expression of the majority of MPs was upregulated in the CNS of mice with …  Read more

Initial investigation using a range of farnesyl methyl ether (juvenile hormone mimic) concentrations on Hymenolepis diminuta in vitro established that a major effect was a marked inhibition of weight increase of the worms over the six day experimental period. The proglottid number and degree of maturity were the same in control and treated worms ·, and carbohydrate, protein and lipid ratios remained constant throughout in relation to wet weight. The dry to fresh weight ratio of worms was not altered by FME treatment. An examination was made of the neurosecretory cells in the rostellum and their state of fuchsinophilia strongly …  Read more

This study considers the phenomenon of the sudden and brief appearance of clay figurines in west-central Kyushu towards the end of the Jomon Period (13,000-2,300 14C years BP). The baked clay figurines representing humans were made throughout the Jomon Period, but mostly in central and northern Honshu. Following a review of previous interpretations of the Jomon clay figurines in general, the study focuses on the case of the numerous figurines recovered at the Kaminabe (ca. 2,800 14C years BP) site in Kyushu. Data on lithic assemblages and plant remains at Kaminabe and the sites in the surrounding area during the …  Read more

La quantification des concentrations d’aérosols dans les environnements intérieurs est essentielle pour réduire la transmission aérienne des agents pathogènes respiratoires. Les particules fines générées par des activités telles que la parole et la respiration peuvent rester en suspension pendant de longues périodes et contribuer à l’exposition à la fois à courte portée et à longue portée. Étant donné que les individus passent la majeure partie de leur temps en intérieur, il est crucial de comprendre les mécanismes d’accumulation, de distribution granulométrique et de persistance des aérosols afin d’évaluer les risques d’exposition et de développer des stratégies d’atténuation efficaces. Cette thèse …  Read more

La progranuline est une glycoprotéine qui a initialement été identifiée et décrite dans notre laboratoire. Elle est impliquée dans le cancer, l'immunomodulation, la réparation des tissus et les maladies neurodégénératives et agit comme un facteur de croissance; de plus, elle stimule la prolifération et la migration cellulaires et atténue l'apoptose. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que l'un des rôles importants de la progranuline est en tant que protéine de stimulation et réglementation lors du remodelage de tissus. Dans cette thèse nous démontrons dans un contexte physiologique lors de la guérison des plaies, characterisee par l'induction rapide de la progranuline dans la …  Read more

The recent case of Ktunaxa Nation v British Columbia (Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations) (“Ktunaxa case”) represents the failure of section 2(a) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (“s. 2(a)”) in protecting the religious freedom of Indigenous communities. This project seeks to analyze the outcome of the Ktunaxa case to challenge the idea that the Canadian courts can maintain neutrality when adjudicating freedom of religion cases under s. 2(a). This study discloses a particular view of three core aspects of religion— (1) sacred things, (2) religious beliefs, and (3) rites— that underlies the religious freedom framework and …  Read more

Following slavery, capital punishment is slowly finding its way toward abolition. This trend is manifested both in international criminal law norms and international human rights norms. In the international criminal law field, capital punishment, accepted under the Nuremberg and Tokyo Charters, was rejected half a century later in the Statute of the International Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia, then in the Statute of the International Tribunal for Rwanda, and most recently in the Rome Statute. Parallel to developments in the international criminal law field, a similar evolution was experienced in the area of international human rights. The trend towards abolition in …  Read more

This study focused on the challenges facing the Ukrainian community in Montreal, within the parameters of their support and mutual aid services. Key informants from the community were interviewed. A mail-in questionnaire was administered to a sample of Ukrainians (N = 145), from the community at large. Key findings: (a) a high level of interest in community planning, (b) for women, social policy and health and social services were more important, (c) 18% were uncertain about remaining in Quebec, and (d) internal conflicts within community infrastructures. Areas of concentration for community development: (a) health and social services for independent elderly …  Read more

At the close of the sixteenth century, the Roman architect Domenico Fontana choreographed the transformation of the Vatican Obelisk from its antique position on the circus of Nero, to its present location facing St. Peter's. Fontana's treatise Della trasportatione dell'obelisco Vaticano (1590), records this event in a detailed narrative, and a series of remarkable etchings. Architect to Pope Sixtus V, Fontana is often cited as a founder of city planning due to his seminal reorganization of Rome's topography, and as an early proponent of civil engineering owing to his calculated mechanics. Yet neither of these appellations do justice to Fontana's …  Read more

Les diverticules de la vessie (BD; formation d’une poche qui dépasse d’un point faible dans la musculature de la vessie) et le reflux vésicourétèral (VUR; flux rétrograde anormal d'urine vers les reins), sont des pathologies phénotypiquement et génétiquement hétérogènes découvertes chez les patients présentant des infections des voies urinaires récurrentes et/ou le dysfonctionnement de mictions. Le BD et le VUR peuvent se produire dans le cadre de syndromes multi-systémiques causés par des anomalies génétiques dans la matrice extracellulaire (ECM), et ont été observés chez des individus atteints de syndrome d'Ehlers Danlos d'hyper-mobilité articulaire (HEDS). Nous avons utilisé trois modèles de …  Read more

Fried, Gerald M. (Supervisor1)  Read more

Les légumes peu acides (pH> 4,6) sont généralement soumis à des traitements thermiques relativement intensifs. Jusqu'ici, divers procédures ont été développé pour améliorer la qualité des aliments en conserve, soit par modification des méthodes classiques ou par l'application de technologies novatrices. Ces deux approches présentent des avantages mais aussi leurs propres limites. Un nouveau concept dans ce domaine est la modification d'une propriété du produit et ce combiné avec des traitements alternatifs pour améliorer le processus ainsi que la qualité des légumes en conserve.Le point central de le première partie de cette étude été l'évaluation des nouveaux mécanismes de l'infusion …  Read more

Mazer, B. (Supervisor)  Read more

Anctil, Pierre (Supervisor)  Read more

Contexte: Pour faire avancer la mise en œuvre de l'intelligence artificielle (IA) dans la pratique clinique, les médecins doivent avoir une meilleure compréhension de l'IA et de son utilisation dans la pratique clinique. Par conséquent, l'éducation médicale devrait introduire des sujets et des concepts d'IA dans le programme d'études. Les cadres de curriculum sont des cartes routières éducatives pour l'enseignement et l'apprentissage. Par conséquent, tous les cadres de curriculum existants sur l'IA doivent être examinés et, s'il n'y en a pas, un tel cadre doit être développé. Comme les outils d'IA peuvent varier entre les spécialités, un cadre doit être …  Read more