McGill University Thèses et mémoires par auteur commençant par A

This thesis discusses the first language acquisition of three morphosyntactic mechanisms of transitivity alternation in arctic Quebec Inuktitut. Data derive from naturalistic longitudinal spontaneous speech samples collected over a nine-month period from four Inuit children aged 2;0 through 2;10 at outset. Both basic and advanced forms of passive structures are shown to be used productively by Inuktitut-speaking children at an early age relative to English-speaking children, but consistent in age with speakers of non-Indo-European languages reported on in the literature; potential explanations of this difference include frequency of caregiver input and details of language structure. Morphological causatives appear slightly later …  Lire la suite

Paul Brassard (Internal/Cosupervisor2)  Lire la suite

Cette thèse examine comment la présence d’articles cosmétiques et de japonaiseries dans Young Woman Powdering Herself (1877) par Berthe Morisot et Nana (1877) par Édouard Manet reflète la visualisation et la marchandisation de l’industrie de la beauté au France. Ce sujet est abordé en deux chapitres, chacun centré sur une seule œuvre d’art : Nana de Manet est le sujet du premier chapitre et Young Woman Powdering Herself de Morisot est le sujet du deuxième. Dans le premier chapitre, je soutiens que Manet s’est inspiré des discours contemporains qui associaient la consommation excessive de cosmétiques et de japonaiseries des femmes …  Lire la suite

From an investigation of the reduction of α-bromoisobutyrophenone with aluminum isopropoxide, products have been isolated which indicate extensive debromination and rearrangement as well as reduction of the parent substance. [...]  Lire la suite

During mammalian skeletal development, endochondral ossification is preceded by the establishment of a cartilage template through a process termed chondrogenesis. Disruptions in chondrogenesis result in chondrodysplasia, a disorder of the appendicular skeleton which is characterized by disproportionately shortened limbs. A severe chondrodysplasia phenotype is observed when site-1 protease (S1P) is disrupted in both the zebrafish and the mouse, indicating that S1P is essential for normal skeletal development. To investigate the role of S1P during chondrogenesis, ATDC5 cells were used as an in vitro model. Inhibition of S1P activity in these cells decreases the expression of collagens type II and X, …  Lire la suite

Intellect is the great binder of mind with itself and of minds with one another. In art it is intellect, implicit or explicit, that raises the work from fineness or virtuosity to what posterity calls depth or greatness. In society it is the conversions of intellect that permit debate instead of battle; reciprocity instead of childish self will and tradition instead of perpetual recommendation.l The thoughts expressed above, besides telling about the aim of the pursuit of excellence, draw our attention to how much needs to be done. Progress has been slow, though now one sees changes come with dramatic …  Lire la suite

Studies of upright stance commonly model its biomechanics as an inverted pendulum, defining an overall postural stiffness, generated by the ankle joints, needed to overcome gravity's destabilizing effects. This model assumes symmetric left and right ankle stiffness, fixed throughout upright stance. However, the relative contributions of the intrinsic and reflex components of dynamic stiffness and how lower limbs interact during upright standing is not well understood. This thesis estimated the dynamic stiffness in both ankles simultaneously during upright standing and examined coordination between the two limbs. During bilateral perturbation trials, where angular position perturbations were applied to both ankles simultaneously, …  Lire la suite

In this thesis, I describe how interactive journal writing was used to improve the understanding of mathematics, and to foster communication with two groups of remedial grade ten students. Mathematics is a gatekeeper course in high school, and students who are not successful with this subject are at a distinct disadvantage, both in terms of their education and in their future careers. A persistent source of difficulty for these students is related to language; students often struggle both to understand what is being taught, and how to explain concepts or problem solutions in their own words. Interactive journal writing was …  Lire la suite

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a phenomena whereby photons are made to couple energy to a surface electron density wave traveling on a metal-dielectric interface. The coupling occurs at a specific energy and momentum, collectively referred to as the resonance condition, causing a dip in the reflected light. The characteristics of the dip are a function of the material properties at the interface; therefore monitoring the dip provides information about the local surface environment. Recent years have seen a push in SPR technology towards miniaturization, increased sensitivity, high throughput and multimodal approaches. This thesis focuses on two methods for improving …  Lire la suite

Miniature diffractive lenses are an integral part of many modern optical systems; from optical disc pick-up heads to optical interconnects. Large feature size diffractive lenses are easily modeled using simple scalar diffraction theory. However, as the feature size of diffractive lenses becomes smaller the theoretical modeling of the systems becomes more complex; a rigorous diffractive theory becomes necessary. This thesis will determine the difference in analyzing a diffractive minilens with either a scalar or rigorous diffraction theory for a free-space optical interconnect with fast Fresnel lenses. The analysis is done for minilenses with f/# of 2.9 to 8. The results …  Lire la suite

Distributed discrete event simulations can be used to solve many real world problems. The obvious benefit in solving large complex problems using parallel versus serial techniques is speed. In this thesis, I will examine a solution to the problem of channel allocation with specific applications to cellular communication or mobile computing. The distributed simulation, based on conservative simulation techniques, utilizes a deadlock avoidance approach. The distributed simulation is performed on a BBN multiprocessor computer. The simulation utilizes seven independent processors which tessellate into the geometric shape of a hexagon. The simulation is a true distributed message passing application whereby a …  Lire la suite

An approach for input data compaction in the testing of circuits using scan and partial scan has recently been developed based on the reseeding of multi-polynomial Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs). This thesis explores further compression of test data through the grouping of closely related vectors into clusters and extracting both common information, in a form compatible with the reseeding method, and individual information for the component vectors. Two greedy algorithms for finding these clusters are described, the first trying to form the largest groupings while the second trying to make the most advantageous mergers at each step. In addition, …  Lire la suite

Marta Cerruti (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

Ces dernières années, un certain nombre de technologies nano-activées ont été développées pour le traitement d’eau. Parmi celles-ci, les hydrogels (éponges) d’oxyde de graphène (OG) sont parmi les plus importantes. Ces macrostructures poreuses à base de graphène combinent les propriétés uniques du nanomatériau - une surface superficielle exceptionnelle, une chimie de surface amphiphile et une résistance mécanique élevée – avec une aise de manipulation d'un matériau macroscopique. Bien que la capacité d'adsorption de ces adsorbants pour une multitude de composés organiques et inorganiques ait été déterminée dans des conditions de laboratoire contrôlées, l'effet des co-contaminants organiques et de la chimie …  Lire la suite

Nicolau, Belinda Farias (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

Tran, Simon (Supervisor2)  Lire la suite

Proteins were isolated from acidic extracts and alkaline extracts of white kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and baby lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus). The proteins were examined under a light microscope and a Scanning Electron Microscope. The isolated proteins had different microscopic structures; the structures depended on the conditions (pH and normality of extractant) of extraction. The various protein preparations were analysed for phytic acid, carbohydrates and citric acid. The nature of the protein-phytic acid reaction which takes place during the isolation of the proteins was investigated. The proteins that were isolated from the citric acid extracts and …  Lire la suite

Les protéines de deux variétés de Phaseolus vulgaris (feves blanches et feves bleues marine) et d'une variété de Phaseolus lunatus (feves de lima) ont été isolées. Dans la méthode d'extraction utilisée, l'extracteur était compose d'une solution acide et organique diluée. Les protéines ont été récupérées en refroidissant les solutions a 5°c. Les effets de pH (2.5 à 5.5) et de normalité (0.0N à 0.8N) des extracteurs (solution d'acide citrique et solution d'acide DL-malique) ont été étudies quant à leur rendement en protéines. De plus, les effets de température (27°C à 50°C.}, de dimension des particules alimentaires (0.25 mm. à 2.00 …  Lire la suite

This thesis focuses on the design of a low power ultra wideband (UWB) transceiver and a low power sensor interface architecture, both for use in wireless sensor networks.Pulse-based UWB radios communicate using short broadband pulses, which allow the transceiver to be duty cycled such that power is only consumed when a pulse is being transmitted or received. This enables increased power savings when compared to traditional narrowband transceivers. The receiver designed here is based on peak detection, and it is shown that this type of non-coherent receiver can perform better than a more complex energy detection receiver in interference dominated …  Lire la suite

Ce résumé est basé sur la caractérisation de nanoparticules et les nanomatériaux aux cristaux liquides. Deux types de nanoparticules ont été préparés: les nanoparticules de zircone avec différents ratio d'acides dodécyle- et phényle- phosphoniques ont été synthétisées comme un système modèle pour développer une méthode de caractérisation RMN pour déterminer la distribution spatiale des ligands. Deuxièmement, des nanoparticules d'or fonctionnalisés avec des polymères ont été testées comme une plus facilement alternative aux coquilles de ligands mixtes de faible masse molaire des ligands mésogènes pour obtenir des dispersions stables dans un cristal liquide nématique. Les expériences de diffusion de spin RMN …  Lire la suite

The material presented in this thesis is drawn from investigations made during a three month field season at the McGill Subarctic Research Laboratory. During May, June and September, 1957, a study of the bogs in the Knoh Lake area was made. The primary objective was to make a field check on a classification which had been made from air photographs during the winter of 1956-57. It is not intended as a Botanical study, but is a consideration of the physical characteristics and surface features, in an attempt to explain their mode of occurrence. It is hoped that the study may …  Lire la suite

Dimitrakopoulos, Roussos (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Locker, David  Lire la suite

Martin Amis remains on the outer fringes of the modern literary canon because his novels have not been appreciated in the context within which they were written. This is, basically, a postmodernist experimental mode which self-consciously tests (but does not abandon) the boundaries of form and content in the traditional English novel. The principal contention here is that Amis "challenges" but does not "change" the human subject as it exists in literature. Hyper-self-consciousness, the signature mark of postmodernism, does not mean simply that Amis's characters are just one-dimensional pawns of literary gamesmanship, even though this is a valid point of …  Lire la suite

La schizophrénie est un trouble mental complexe et dévastateur, considérée comme le résultat des facteurs environnementaux stressant et des troubles du système dopamine (DA). À la recherche de facteurs génétiques, les chercheurs utilisent des phénotypes intermédiaires, des différences cachées dans le fonctionnement de cerveau. La thèse suivante présente trois études examinant la transmission de DA ainsi que les phénotypes intermédiaires putatifs de la schizophrénie.Premièrement, l'effet de la dextroamphétamine (D-amp), un agoniste de DA, sur les tâches des mouvements oculaires a été étudié chez les participants sains. D-amp a réduit de la proportion des erreurs sur la tâche antisaccade mais n'a …  Lire la suite

Cette recherche faite en connaissance des arts utilise l'auto-photographie, la rephotographie, des entrevues et un travail de mémoire et d'écrit sur la photo en tant qu'outil permettant de soutirer des archives une compréhension du soi dans l'espace. Je porte attention à la mémoire et à la photographie d'une manière auto-topographique (selon Heddon), tout en explorant l'intimité topographique liée aux paysages de l'enfance et de la vie actuelle, aux espaces connus et inconnus. Utilisant le lieu comme cadre conceptuel commun, j'ai interviewé ma sœur et mes frères afin de fouiller nos mémoires partagées des lieux communs à notre enfance. J'ai par …  Lire la suite

In this research, I explore the body life history of six women, interweaving my own, focusing in particular on the "crossroads" between preadolescence and adolescence. 'My' participants and I do a form of memorywork, looking for an understanding of the meaning of body in the construction of girls' and women's subjectivity. Using photographs, the writing of a third person narrative and in-depth interviews, 'my' participants and I generate a biography of the body. I focus on two emerging themes, body commentary and movement or physical activity, and their impact on the lives of adolescent girls. I emphasize the importance of …  Lire la suite

An Obscure Man by Marguerite Yourcenar is the novelist's heritage to posterity. By Yourcenar's own admission, it constitutes her spiritual and literary testament. In this novel, her poetics of self-effacement reaches its culminating point, where Nathanael is portrayed as a protagonist free of any constraints because he exhibits no desire or ambition. The author paints a character who incarnates a constant passive state. But by doing so, one could argue that it is the work of fiction itself that is put into question, as Nathanael's triviality and insignificance --- hence his exemplary conduct --- represents a great threat to the …  Lire la suite

Food animal medicine uses many of the same antimicrobials as human medicine in order to control the spread of disease and treat infections. Presently, there is no conclusive evidence that antimicrobial use in animal agriculture is directly responsible for antimicrobial resistance in human medicine. Despite this, many public and private agencies recommend reducing and restricting the use of antimicrobials in food animals out of an abundance of caution. This thesis aims to describe the ethical concerns for both humans and animals that arise out of such restrictions. Drawing extensively from the literature, I identify three key themes that encapsulate the …  Lire la suite

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a cytosolic transcription factor that can be activated by endogenous (e.g., 6-formylindolo(3,2-b) carbazole (FICZ)) or xenobiotic (e.g., dioxin and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)) ligands. Once the AhR is activated, it translocates into the nucleus, dimerizes with the AhR nuclear translator (ARNT), and binds to specific DNA sequences called xenobiotic response elements (XRE) to promote the target gene transcription, including cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1). The AhR not only mediates the toxic effects of dioxin, but also has physiological functions such as suppressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. We have previously shown that AhR-dependent regulation of endogenous miR-196a expression …  Lire la suite

Engert, James (Supervisor2)  Lire la suite

Horrobin, D. F. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Antoniou, John (Internal/Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Conventional power generation, primarily from fossil fuels, is a major contributor to climate change and environmental degradation. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are increasingly seen as viable alternatives to reduce carbon emissions. However, their reliance on batteries for energy storage introduces challenges, including fire risks and limited storage capacity (energy density). As a promising solution, green hydrogen produced through water electrolysis offers a sustainable method to store excess electricity. This thesis focused on the synthesis and characterization of a new carbon-based support, hollow multicavity carbon spheres (HMCS), for nickel-based cathode electrocatalyst to be used as cathodes …  Lire la suite

INTRODUCTION: La maladie de Dupuytren (DD) est une affection fibroproliférative courante du fascia digito-palmaire qui peut entraîner des contractures débilitantes et une perte complète de la fonction de la main, et un facteur de croissance transformant aberrant (TGF) - β on pense que la signalisation β joue un rôle critique dans sa pathogenèse. Malgré sa prévalence élevée, un traitement efficace de la DD n'a pas encore été identifié et la signalisation du ciblage (TGF) - β peut être une approche prometteuse. Facteur de croissance transformant (TGF) - β est une cytokine pléiotrope qui régule un large éventail de processus biologiques, …  Lire la suite

Constraint propagation by means of an Algebraic Constraint System (ACS) can be used to assist the designer to explore a design space. Network transformation has been used for two purposes: first to find implicit constraints that can then be used to avoid the Missing Propagation Path problem (MPP). These new constraints can allow local propagation to succeed. Secondly, network transformation has been used to help verify the algebraic integrity of the model. ACS has the ability to solve a set of equations. Also, it is able to answer user queries and reveal the reasoning process used in obtaining a solution. …  Lire la suite

We present a system architecture and a set of control techniques that allow heterogeneous software design tools to collaborate intelligently and automatically. One of their distinguishing features is the ability to perform concurrent processing. Systems based on this architecture are able to effectively solve large electromagnetic analysis problems, particularly those that involve loose coupling between several areas of physics. The architecture can accept any existing software analysis tool, without requiring any modification or customization of the tool. This characteristic is produced in part by our use of a neutral virtual representation for storing problem data, including geometry and material definitions. …  Lire la suite

Dans cette thèse, nous abordons le problème de recommandation dans les domaines où les éléments ont des fortes contraintes de dépendance. Nous appliquons notre travail sur le domaine des cours académiques où les dépendances entre les éléments sont présentes comme contraintes de condition préalable explicites, pattern de l'arrangement implicite, et restrictions générale de la consomption de cours. Nous proposons une nouvelle approche au problème de recommandation qui combine l'arrangement des articles appris à partir des données et les intérêts de l'utilisateur, estimés pour fournir une séquence personnalisée des recommandations, qui prend en compte les interdépendances des éléments. Notre approche est …  Lire la suite

This thesis examines the colonial-era postcard in Egypt as a popular cultural artifact, through specific examples of portraiture claiming to represent Egyptian womanhood. In this thesis, I collect fourteen postcards, featuring various images with Egyptian women subjects, and I analyse these images-as-artifacts in relation to colonial cultural mythologies, through the identification of several recurring motifs, most notably the instrumentalization of nudity and veiling. Arab, African, and Black feminist frameworks are foundational to my methodology and theoretical approach, most notably Amira Jarmakani’s aesthetic critique in Imagining Arab Womanhood (2008) and Saidiya Hartman’s critical fabulation framework from “Venus in Two Acts” (2008). …  Lire la suite

In recent years, management strategies for diverticulitis have evolved in response to increasingevidence to support more conservative treatment approaches. Due to this shift in increased nonoperativemanagement, recurrent diverticulitis has become a significant problem. Though not allpatients will develop a recurrence, up to 35% may experience at least one more episode of thedisease. There is uncertainty and inconsistency regarding the predictors of recurrentdiverticulitis, which has led to challenges in clinical decision making. Several retrospectiveanalyses reported on the predictors of recurrence of acute diverticulitis but only one studyreported on the impact of family history on the risk of recurrence. To address this …  Lire la suite

Barnett, Tracie (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

IntroductionSubpial corticectomy involving complete lesion resection while preserving pial membranes and avoiding injury to adjacent normal tissues is an essential bimanual task necessary for neurosurgical trainees to master. We sought to develop an ex vivo calf brain corticectomy simulation model that enables assessment of continuous surgical instrument movement during the simulation, carried out a case series study of skilled participants to assess face and content validity to gain insights on the utility of this training platform, along with determining if skilled and less skilled participants had statistical differences in validity assessment. HypothesisThe ex vivo calf brain simulation model will reach …  Lire la suite

This thesis presents a study of the alignment and the energy response to pions of a combined electromagnetic and hadronic calorimeter system using two calorimeter prototypes from the CALICE international collaboration: the Digital Hadron Calorimeter (DHCAL) and the Silicon-Tungsten Electromagnetic Calorimeter (Si-W ECAL). The data was taken in April 2011 at the Fermilab test beam facilities. The experimental setup was exposed to a range of beam energies from 4 to 120 GeV. A first study and correction of the misalignment between detectors was performed using muon tracks. The linearity of DHCAL for hadronic and electromagnetic showers was next investigated. The …  Lire la suite

Les émissions anthropogènes de gaz à effet de serre sont la cause principale de l'augmentation globale des températures. Les changements climatiques vont affecter la production agricole au Canada, et en retour, l'agriculture pourrait limiter les changements climatiques. L'analyse de données historiques du climat et des rendements de maïs, combinés avec des expériences de serre et en champ ont été entreprises pour étudier l'effet de la variabilité et des changements de climat sur le rendement de maïs, l'adaptabilité des systèmes agricoles aux changements climatiques, l'effet du travail du sol sur les émissions de gaz à effet de serre (C02 et N20) …  Lire la suite

Neurons in the marginal layer (lamina I) of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord play a major role in the transmission and integration of pain-related sensory information that is relayed to the brain. Alteration in excitability of these cells greatly influences pain perception. Among these, alterations of the substance P (SP) system play a major role because of its known involvement in spinal cord nociceptive mechanisms. In this thesis, our main focus was on the characterization of the cell populations in lamina I of the spinal cord which express the SP receptor (NK-1r) and project to the parabrachial nucleus …  Lire la suite