McGill University Thèses et mémoires par auteur commençant par A

Les méga-développements urbains ont proliféré à travers le Sud global au cours des deux dernières décennies, considérés par les acteurs des secteurs privé et public comme des véhicules stratégiques pour la réalisation de profits, le développement des technologies vertes, la diversification de l’économie, et l’attraction des investissements internationaux. Des tendances lourdes à l’échelle mondiale, telles que la financiarisation du logement et la croissance spectaculaire des investissements étrangers chinois, sont imbriquées dans la genèse des méga-développements urbains dans de nombreux endroits du monde, notamment en Malaisie. Dans la zone économique spéciale d’Iskandar Malaysia dans l’État de Johor, il existe au moins …  Lire la suite

Cette thèse porte sur l’auteure-compositrice-interprète américaine Laura Nyro (1947-1997), s’attardant à la manière dont elle a mené sa carrière et considérant sa musique en fonction de la théorie des genres et de l’esthétique queer. Même si des reprises de ses premières chansons ont atteint les palmarès, Nyro a obtenu peu de visibilité. Certes, des musiciens comme Elton John et Rickie Lee Jones la citent parmi leurs influences, et ses albums ont obtenu la faveur de la critique, mais cette appréciation a toujours été accompagnée de réticences à propos d’excès présumés dans son esthétique et de sa vaste gamme d’influences stylistiques, …  Lire la suite

Tandis que la périodisation courante considère que la musique folk était un genre peu dynamique dans les années 1970, cette thèse documente et analyse la scène effervescente de musique folk du sud de l'Ontario durant cette décennie. Les diverses composantes de cette scène et les idées qui s'y rattachent sont examinées à l'aide d'entrevues effectuées auprès de vingt-cinq participants issus de ce milieu. La majorité des musicien-ne-s deviennent à cette époque des auteurs-compositeurs-interprètes plutôt que des interprètes de musique traditionnelle. Par conséquent, les concepts qui définissent la musique folk et les notions d'authenticité qui la caractérise se transforment. Par l'activité …  Lire la suite

The consistent isolation and accurate classification of the pathogenic anerobic Actinomyces from clinically and histopathologically diagnosed cases of “true” Actinomyces is not always possible. This, it is felt is due primarily to the lack of known differentiating characteristics of the so-called Smooth form of the etiological agent.  Lire la suite

The consistent isolation and accurate classification of the pathogenic anaerobic Actinomyces from clinically and histopathologically diagnosed cases of actinomycosis is not always possible. This, it is felt, is due primarily to the lack of known differentiating characteristics of the smooth, A. bovis, Harz 1877 form of the etiological agent. A method which facilitates the isolation of the anaerobic organisms from heavily contaminated specimens is discussed. [...]  Lire la suite

In this work, we study the effects of disorder on quantum Hall systems. We introduce controlled disorder by developing several ion implantation techniques in the context of two-dimensional electron systems. While the transport lifetime depends linearly on the implantation density, the quantum lifetime remains unchanged until the disorder produced by the implantation exceeds a certain critical dose. We fully characterise the defects (size and shape) created by the implantation, by essentially using the two-dimensional electron gas as an in-situ detector. We subsequently study the effect of disorder on various properties of quantum Hall systems, particularly in relation with the interplay …  Lire la suite

In France, the introduction of class actions has been a topical issue for about twenty years. Although many politicians and lawyers consider these procedures as essential, company lobbies and conservatism have prevented the evolution of French law. Any thoughts on the introduction of this procedure in France collided, on the one hand, with a fear to see French law being permeated by mechanisms coming from the American culture, and, on the other hand, a fear to leave companies under the power of a "legalised bribery". Even though the debate has not ended yet, it is unlikely that an umpteenth report …  Lire la suite

Climate change amplifies water quality and quantity crises through the shifting of precipitation patterns around the planet, causing an increasing number of extreme weather events with every passing year. This link has sparked growing interest over the past decade in how water and energy are connected throughout nature as well as in the design of industrial production, commonly referred to as the water-energy nexus. However, most of the academic discussion on the nexus has been confined to environmental sciences and has not been broached by management researchers to date. My dissertation constitutes a pioneering effort to examine the nexus from …  Lire la suite

Metabolism of fatty acids in mammalian tissues has attracted active interest since the early days of biochemistry. Studies of biological oxidation of fatty acids originated with the work of Knoop, who fed 0-phenyl derivatives of several fatty acids to dogs and isolated the breakdown products of these substances. The animals excreted conjugated phenyl-acatic acid if an acid with an even number of carbons in the aliphatic chain was used and conjugated benzoic acid if the acid fed had an odd number of carbon atoms in the aliphatic chain. [...]  Lire la suite

E-government services are rapidly becoming a permanent part of the governing process the world over. These services involve the use of the latest information and communication technologies to facilitate and enhance access to government information and services. E-government represents an entirely new mode of service delivery that promises some of the most important advances in the area of government accessibility since the advent of the modern welfare state. These resources have a number of unexplored social service applications that are examined in this study. E-government principles and practices are reviewed at the local and international levels, with particular attention paid …  Lire la suite

L'étude du cerveau humain peut être globalement divisée en deux domaines : l'étude du cerveau sain et celle du cerveau malade. Les deux offrent une compréhension différente de la façon dont le cerveau fonctionne. L'électrophysiologie nous permet d'explorer l'activité neuronale avec une résolution temporelle et spatiale élevée. Les mesures électrophysiologiques sont généralement caractérisées par leurs composantes oscillatoires. On suggère que ces différentes composantes oscillatoires sous-tendent divers processus cérébraux dans différents états. L'objectif de cette thèse est d'étudier les oscillations rapides (FOs) supérieures à 30 Hz dans des conditions à la fois physiologiques et pathologiques, en prenant le sommeil comme modèle …  Lire la suite

Sensory neurons respond to a stimulus, such as light or sound with temporal sequences of electric pulses known as action potentials. Action potentials carry information about a stimulus in temporal sequences. Little is known, however, about how groups of neurons convey information, in part because of the complexity of natural stimuli and also because of neurons' complex dynamics that make them respond with spike patterns. Spike patterns, a tightly packed group of action potentials followed by a quiet period, are also known as a burst. Another kind of pattern is alternating time intervals between action potentials: a long interval followed …  Lire la suite

To understand the origin of biodiversity, it is fundamental to understand the evolutionary processes that give rise to new species. Genomic approaches have enhanced our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that contribute to speciation and divergence. This thesis presents three case-studies examining speciation, hybridization and divergence of crocodile populations using a genomic approach to understand the evolution and ecology of Neotropical crocodiles. Chapter one reassesses the phylogeny of Crocodylus and focuses on the global events may have driven the radiation and diversity of the genus Crocodylus worldwide, with emphasis on possible migrations from Africa to the Neotropics. I used only …  Lire la suite

This dissertation consists of a defence of scientific realism and a critique of empiricist antirealism. Strict empiricism is discussed in Chapter 1, in which it is argued that this variety of empiricism adequately describes only the initial stages of scientific research. Bas van Frassen's empiricist antirealism is then discussed in Chapter 2. Here, it is argued that this new position, although more sophisticated than earlier forms of empiricist antirealism, fails to constitute a genuinely acceptable alternative to scientific realism. The two main constituents of scientific realism--scientism and critical realism--are then defended in Chapters 3 and 4. Lastly, the superempirical virtues …  Lire la suite

Beaudet, Alain (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Since geologists first observed deformed rocks, they have attempted to reproduce the structures they saw by using models. The purpose of the models was to achieve an understanding of the cause of the structures, of the way in which they were produced and the stages through which they passed during their formation.  Lire la suite

Within a hundred years after the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, dating from the accession of George III in 1760, England had completely changed from the dominantly agricultural country it had been for centuries before. [...] Wretchedness and misery was the lot of the labouring classes in the crowded industrial centres. Fluctuating prices and inadequate wages marked the period. The labour of women and children was on the increase. [...] So striking was the contrast that protest was inevitable. [...] In the social and political field John Ruskin was both a protest and a portent. Reacting vigorously against the individualist …  Lire la suite

This dissertation analyzes melodrama as a common mode of mid-nineteenth century cultural expression. The dissertation centres on the melodrama in Bulwer Lytton's novels, emphasizing Lytton's use of melodrama as a form of radical social criticism. The first novels expose contemporary social inequities, but employ melodramatic techniques sparingly. Later, Lytton shows complete understanding of the melodramatic method and the 'political' basis of melodrama, resulting in novels such as Paul Clifford and Night and Morning. Other novels, though, display, uneasiness with the one-sided analysis of life presented in melodrama, while Zanoni attacks the naivety of melodramatic social criticism. Most of the last …  Lire la suite

The freshwater shrimp Hemimysis anomala is a recent Ponto-Caspian invader of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River basin. Based on its invasion history, high predation rate and the naiveté of the ecosystems in which it has been introduced, it has the potential to exert strong impacts on native food webs. Risk assessment and effective monitoring of the spread of this invader require information about the environmental factors that limit its local abundance and distribution. A literature review suggests that H. anomala has broad environmental tolerances but may be limited by low water conductivity levels, high local flow, and low …  Lire la suite

Cette thèse traite du concept de justice sociale en urbanisme, sur la manière dont la justice sociale est négociée dans les projets de réaménagement urbain et sur les acteurs, stratégies et facteurs qui contribuent à la création de réaménagements plus justes. Les études de cas portent sur des réaménagements de sites riverains, des lieux où agissent d’importantes forces économiques, sociales, culturelles et environnementales. Les réaménagements de sites riverains peuvent favoriser la justice sociale et environnementale en intégrant des espaces publics de haute qualité et en offrant une plus grande proximité à la nature. Mais ils accueillent souvent des aménagements urbains …  Lire la suite

Generalized spike and wave (SW) activity of feline generalized penicillin epilepsy (FGPE), an experimental model of epilepsy exhibiting a sufficient degree of similarity with human generalized 3 Hz SW discharge, depends upon both cortical and thalamic mechanisms. Cortical neurons under the influence of systemic penicillin become more excitable and respond more vigorously to thalamocortical volleys normally inducing spindles or recruiting responses. This increased response of cortical neurons activates phasic recurrent inhibition which remains intact during FGPE as is shown by the preservation of antidromically evoked recurrent inhibition of pyramidal tract cells. Thus, an oscillation between periods of increased and decreased …  Lire la suite

My research investigates the aesthetic and perceptual dimensions of Augmented Reality (AR), one of the most fertile fields of technological innovation and artistic exploration within post-desktop philosophy and practice. Although AR has seen rapid expansion and development, it remains largely undertheorized in the humanities. In this sense, my study contributes to the definition of AR, the identification of the most relevant artworks, and the systematization of a theoretical framework for the field. AR is defined as a set of visualization and interaction systems that permit the perceptual overlay of virtual information (including photos, videos, 3D graphics, texts, sounds) on top …  Lire la suite

In this research, the feasibility of using parallel discrete-event simulation techniques to run logic-level circuit simulations on general purpose distributed memory architectures is investigated. After studying the characteristics of VLSI models, we introduce Clustered Time Warp (CTW), a novel approach to parallel discrete event simulation. In CTW, the logical gates of a circuit are partitioned into clusters and the synchronization algorithm makes use of an optimistic approach between the clusters and a sequential approach within the clusters. We also present a new family of three space-based checkpointing algorithms for use with CTW. Results show that each checkpointing algorithm developed for …  Lire la suite

Recent brain imaging studies have shed light on the effects of nicotine on human cognition. However, few efforts have investigated how changes in brain connectivity may engender nicotine-induced cognitive modulation. Recent studies have also examined the effects of drug cues in addicts; however, little has been established about the influence of perceived drug availability on these responses and the resulting changes in brain connectivity. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated the effects of nicotine on brain connectivity during a verbal and visual working memory (WM) task. We have shown that nicotine modulates connectivity in a cortico-striatal-thalamic loop during …  Lire la suite

Le gène troponin I rapide (TnIfast) est un member d'une famille de gènes multiple don't les members s'expriment d'une façons differente celon le type de fibre du muscle squelettique. La spécificité pour le type de tissue et le type de fibre du gène TnIfast est due a un "intronic regulatory element" (IRE) situé dans le premier intron. Le IRE est un enhancer de 148 bp qui contient quatre éléments-cis connus; E-box, MEF2, CCAC et le CAGG elements. Une étude précédente dans notre laboratoire a suggeré que la spécificité du gène troponin I rapide pour le type de fibre est due …  Lire la suite

Using mandibular 2-Implant overdentures is an alternative therapy for edentulous patients. Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment modality compared to conventional dentures. However, most of these studies have emphasized the evaluation of the clinical aspects of the prostheses or did not use standardized specific patient based-outcomes. Therefore, the main objectives of this research was to investigate the effect of using mandibular 2-implant supported prostheses and conventional dentures on oral health related quality of life, using a randomised controlled clinical trial design. The secondary objectives were to assess the factors that explained patients' satisfaction with …  Lire la suite

The goal of this research is to show that the Scottish reformer, John Knox, while seen by many as a political figure, was religiously motivated in his thought, writings, and ministry. Knox saw himself as an Old Testament style prophet who sought to blow his Master's trumpet by proclaiming an unpopular message to the realms of both Scotland and England. Knox was deeply rooted in the Old Testament theology of the covenant. He believed that following an idolatrous path, most notably in the continuing practice of the Catholic Mass, meant the breaking of the covenant with God, as with the …  Lire la suite

The idea of exploring the topic of the thesis has been promoted by the revival of Islam as a legal system in a number of Islamic nation states, as an assertion and part of their identity. This development is regarded by some as adversely affecting non-Muslim citizens in such states when looked at in the light of international principles. Sudan, a multireligious state, declared the application of Sharia laws in 1983. The thesis addresses the impact of the application of Sharia law on non-Muslims within the historical, political and legal context of Sudan. This is examined in the light of …  Lire la suite

In humans, vision represents the dominant source of sensory information about the external world, with more than half of the brain dedicated to the processing of visual information. Vision loss can thus be extremely devastating, with major impacts on quality of life. One of the most prevalent causes for visual deficit is stroke. Indeed, around 15 million people suffer a stroke every year with 30-50% of the cases associated with visual deficits. While two-thirds of stroke patients survive, the majority require months, or even years, of rehabilitation. However, to date, no clinically validated strategies exist to recover vision after stroke. …  Lire la suite

Increasing penetration of renewable energy in the power grid is creating new challenges formarket clearing and operational planning studies in power systems. The computationalperformance of the optimization problems that are required for the daily operation of real-world power systems is a critical issue given the short clearing time in most electricitymarkets. However, the main challenge in solving these optimization problems such as unitcommitment and optimal power flow is that for existing formulations the problem sizes scaledramatically as the network sizes increase, leading to prohibitively high computational costs.This has spurred interest in investigating the constraint screening problem in power systemsusing optimization-based …  Lire la suite

Chahal, D. S. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

In this thesis, we evaluate a multi-objective-moving-horizon-optimization (MO-MHO) approach as an instrument for improvement of economic dispatch in microgrids. In particular, we investigate the effect of adaptation of the multi-objective optimization strategy used in a moving horizon framework on the end result of the economic dispatch. Power dispatch in microgrids is inherently a high-dimensional problem often cast as a mixed-integer stochastic program with conflicting objectives. Implied is the fact that exhaustive exploration of the whole Pareto front in a related multi-objective approach is not a computationally tractable decision tool. It is thus proposed to represent the problem as a bi-objective …  Lire la suite

Through the study of the effects of Virtual Reality (VR) on human subjects, scientists have determined that the main cause of discomfort while experiencing VR is the time lag between the head movements and its corresponding scene changes. The main purpose of this thesis is to study and to propose solutions to reduce VR effects. The proposed solution is an alternative controller based on a Proportional Derivative (PD) model. Compared with a simple Proportional Controller, the PD Controller offers several enhancements: namely, a larger bandwidth and a faster and more stable reaction time. The proposed controller will also reduce the …  Lire la suite

The thesis delves into the curious phenomena of institutional inertia concerning action on climate change. An acknowledged fact and issue of devastating proportions, the swift, coordinated global response to Covid-19 stands in stark contrast to the comparatively sluggish action on Climate Change. It explores the underlying mechanisms behind this disparity via human psychology, behavioural economics and the framework of securitization. By analyzing the discursive and institutional securitization of both crises, the thesis aims to provide valuable insights to lawmakers, activists, and stakeholders in addressing the global challenge of climate change more effectively  Lire la suite

Africa is blessed with vast natural and human resources. However, Africa’s socio-economic development remains limited due to various lingering challenges such as agriculture: food scarcity and food security, disaster management, climate change, and insecurity. In addressing these lingering challenges, space programs and space technologies could be excellent tools to enhance Africa’s socio-economic development. Thus, this research examines legal considerations for African states to harness space technologies in propelling Africa’s socio-economic development, focusing on the domestic legal framework for implementing international programs and commitments in these selected African States - Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia.This research is divided into two aspects …  Lire la suite

Wonsley, Keith (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

This thesis addresses the financing gap created by the exponential growth in aerospace innovation, particularly within the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and NewSpace technologies, whose unique characteristics preclude effective security perfection under the established Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and its Protocols (CTC). While it is true that multilateral conventions constitute the most ambitious form of unification, the political stagnation and failure of CTC non-aircraft Protocols (Space, Rail, MAC), demonstrate that further treaty-making is neither realistic nor timely as a response to the immediate financing needs of these emerging industries. The central claim of this thesis is that …  Lire la suite

Fluid-to-particle heat transfer coefficients (h$ rm sb{fp}$) associated with food and model particles under simulated aseptic processing conditions were experimentally evaluated, and verified using measured inactivation kinetic parameters of the enzyme trypsin. Convective heat transfer coefficients were determined initially using two methods: a rate method based on evaluated heating/cooling rate indices (f$ rm sb c$/f$ rm sb h$) and a ratio method based on the ratio of temperature difference between the medium and particle locations. Carrot and potato tissue in the form of finite cylinders of different lengths (0.02-0.04 m) and diameters (0.016-0.023 m) were used for evaluating h$ rm …  Lire la suite

Al-Jazeera asserted itself in the global media scene shortly after the attacks of September 11th, 2001 in the United States. The station's regional prominence had already been entrenched in the new Arab media environment before it was overshadowed by the station's newfound global fame. Subsequently, al-Jazeera was considered an Arab media ambassador and the "voice of the Arab world." This dissertation provides an analysis of al-Jazeera's programming in Arabic that is lacking in the burgeoning English language academic literature. The dissertation furthermore highlights the way treatment of global current affairs informs a sense of Arab identification on a regional level. …  Lire la suite

Endemic goiter is such a conspicuous disease, so definitely limited to certain geographic areas, and human beings are so much more comfortable when they have an "explanation" for a phenomenon (even a wrong one) than when they have none that it is not surprising that there have been so many hypotheses to account for this condition. St. Lager in 1867 (R-7) collected 40 causes of goiter, of which 4 had to do with the diet. Coindet, the man who first showed that iodine could cure goiter, himself believed that one of the reasons for the high incidence of this disease …  Lire la suite

Foulkes, William (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

Les efforts de modernisation des réseaux électriques en cours visent à développer des architectures de réseau, des outils de gestion et d’analyse et des technologies pour fournir une infrastructure électrique propre, résiliente, abordable et flexible. Ce travail de recherche vise à exploiter la notion de flexibilité des systèmes électriques modernes à plusieurs niveaux afin de mieux gérer l’incertitude et la complexité croissantes des réseaux électriques. Nous adoptons ici une définition plus large de la flexibilité comme la capacité du système à réagir à l’incertitude et aux changements. Nous visons donc à étudier quatre formes de flexibilité : la flexibilité de …  Lire la suite

Kennasha, Selim (Supervisor)  Lire la suite