McGill University Thèses et mémoires par auteur commençant par B

Smeared crack analysis models, based on nonlinear fracture mechanics concepts, have been developed to investigate the fracture behaviour of concrete gravity dams. The proposed constitutive models have been implemented in a finite element analysis computer program for nonlinear static and seismic analyses of plain concrete structures. Extensive verifications of the computational models have been carried out by studying the nonlinear static response of notched concrete beams, a model concrete dam, and a full scale concrete gravity dam: all experimentally or numerically investigated in the past. Seismic fracture and energy response of Koyna Dam, a classic example of seismic induced cracking …  Lire la suite

In this thesis it is shown that several pattern recognition problems can be solved efficiently by exploiting the geometrical structure of the problems. The problems considered are in the area of clustering and classification. These problems are: (i) computing the diameter of a finite planar set, (ii) computing the maximum and minimum distance between two finite planar sets of points, (iii) testing for point inclusion in a convex polyhedron in d-dimensional space, and (iv) exact and inexact reference set thinning for the nearest neighbor decision rule. Algorithms to solve the above problems are presented and analyzed for worst-case and average-case …  Lire la suite

Video over the web is gaining a lot of popularity nowadays. Video is used as an information sharing mechanism in a number of spheres like communication, entertainment, and education. Video essentially transfers the visual and auditory information captured by the camera from a scene to a viewer. When videos are rendered over web browsers many opportunities emerge to provide additional information channels over the video.The Reality over Web (RoW) is an attempt at loading the video with additional information. RoW overlays a two way channel on top of the video which can transfer information between viewers of the video and …  Lire la suite

Patrick Kenny (Supervisor2)  Lire la suite

Matching Pursuit (MP) is a greedy algorithm that iteratively builds a sparse signal representation. This work presents an analysis of MP in the context of audio denoising. By interpreting the algorithm as a simple shrinkage approach, we identify the factors critical to its success, and propose several approaches to improve its performance and robustness. We also develop several model enhancements and introduce an audio denoising approach called Greedy Time-Frequency Shrinkage (GTFS). Numerical experiments are performed on a wide range of audio signals, and we demonstrate that GTFS denoising is able to yield results that are competitive with state-of-the-art audio denoising …  Lire la suite

This thesis explores how and why international relations among India, China and Pakistan are shaped by three major wars in South Asia: the India China war of 1962, the India Pakistan War of 1965 and the India Pakistan war of 1971. Drawing upon postcolonial theories of geo-body and the anxiety concerning border among newly emerging states of Asia, this thesis focuses on three factors that played a pivotal role in contributing towards tensions: the troubled inheritance of colonial border making process, crisis of nation formation and cold war distrusts among communist and non-communist states. Problems concerning border in Himalayan region …  Lire la suite

Prostaglandin E2 is thought to act via G protein-coupled plasma membrane EP receptors. For the first time, studies reported in this thesis provide several lines of evidence suggesting the presence of functional nuclear membrane EP receptors in a variety of cells and tissues, in both newborn and adult animals. Radioligand binding studies revealed that the kinetics of PGE 2 binding to plasma membrane and nuclear membrane fractions isolated from pig newborn brain, adult uterus and adult rat liver were similar; these tissues are known to express high levels of PGE2 receptors. However in each tissue, the relative distribution of EP …  Lire la suite

FKBP65 est une protéine de 65kDa formée de quatre domaines peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomérases, de deux domaines interagissant avec du calcium et d'une séquence présumée de rétention du réticulum endoplasmique HEEL dans le C-terminus. Cette protéine est encodée par le gène Fkbp10. Notre laboratoire a précédemment observé l'association de FKBP65 avec tropoélastine dans la voie de sécrétion des chondrocytes bovins fœtaux. D'autres études ont démontré l'expression de FKBP10 dans de nombreux tissus en développement. Puisque l'expression tissulaire de FKBP10 et de tropoélastine ne correspondent pas, d'autres ligands doivent interagir avec FKBP65. Comme FKBP65 interagit intracellulairement avec collagène de type I, …  Lire la suite

Private entities, investing billions of dollars, as a matter of reasonable commercial corporate expectations, want to be protected against undue use, exploitation and copying of their technology and inventions which they have put into their space ventures (often termed as 'theft') by any third party. States, to secure an environment friendly to such generation, use and transfer of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in outer space, have initiated applying and/or extending their national IP laws into outer space either in form of a statute or a multilateral agreement. This may have both commercial and political significance. This thesis deals with IP …  Lire la suite

Contexte: Le stress prénatal maternel (SPM) peut influencer le développement cognitif des enfants. Cependant, il est très difficile d’examiner cette variable, car le tempérament de l’enfant, qui peut également être affecté par le SPM, empêche souvent l’enfant de livrer sa meilleure performance. Ce lien entre le SPM et le développement cognitif a été observé dans une étude de Laplante et al. (2007) ayant suivi le protocole de jeu de 15 minutes de Zelazo et Kearsely (1980) pour tester la maturité de jeu chez les enfants de 2 ans dont les mères avaient été touchées par la tempête de verglas au …  Lire la suite

Avec l'augmentation du nombre de véhicules électriques dans le domaine de l'automobile, les onduleurs électroniques de traction utilisés doivent être évalués de façon critique, l'emphase étant mise sur l'augmentation de l'efficacité de l'onduleur, de sa fiabilité, et la réduction du volume du condensateur du bus continu. Différentes topologies d'onduleurs ont déjà été proposées et étudiées. Parmi ces variantes, les topologies à deux onduleurs branchés au même bus continu représentent une nouvelle tendance et leur utilisation est en croissance. Cette thèse étudie les stratégies de modulation et de contrôle des topologies à deux onduleurs utilisant des convertisseurs classiques à deux niveaux …  Lire la suite

L'un des défis auquel doivent faire face les entrepreneurs lors des premiers instants de leurs entreprise est le processus de mobilisation de ressource. Les réseaux sociaux sont critiques pour les entrepreneurs, particulièrement dans des économies émergentes car ils servent de moyen pour acquérir d'essentiel ressources des fournisseurs. Certains écrits sur les genres et l'entrepreneuriat ont mis l'emphase sur les différences de caractéristiques et de composition des réseaux sociaux des hommes et des femmes. Par contre, on en sait moins sur l'impact que ces différences de réseaux sociaux ont sur la prise de décision et les opérations pour les entreprises des …  Lire la suite

Specularities and shadows often confound algorithms designed to solve computer vision tasks such as image segmentation, object detection and tracking. In this thesis, an illumination compensation technique that detects and removes both specularities and shadows is proposed. The method requires no camera calibration or other a priori information regarding the scene. This thesis also introduces two new illumination invariant representations based on the Retinex: the R ⌢ image and the R ⌢EDGE image. Potential specularities are initially detected and a wavefront grown outwards from the center of the specularity. This continues until the specularity boundary or a material boundary is …  Lire la suite

The Soviet-U.S. rapprochement in the late 1980s ended one of the bitterest rivalries of modern history. Before this landmark event, the study of accommodation as a security strategy hardly received its fair share of attention in international relations theories. This thesis attempts to add to the growing body of work on the dynamics of accommodation. Specifically, it analyzes accommodative moves of Pakistan vis-a-vis India, thereby studying the dynamics of accommodation in the context of developing states. Four cases are studied in depth: first, the Indus Waters Treaty (1960); second, the Tashkent Declaration (1966); third, Post-Brasstacks Accommodative Moves (1987); and finally, …  Lire la suite

Deux facteurs thymiques du veau, ayant une activité lymphopoeitique et la capacité de donner aux cellules de la moelle les caractéristiques des cellules-T, ont été isolés. le composé actif "CM I" de l'une des deux fractions a été purifié davantage par chromatographies successives. En plus des activités mentionnées ci-dessus, "CM 1", peut aussi inverser l'insensibilité des cellules de rate de souris adultes thymectomisées formant spontanément des rosettes envers des dilutions non cytolytiques de sérum anti-theta. CM I a été prouvé homogène par électrophorèse sur gel de polyacrylamide. Il contient des protéines, des lipides et des hydrates de carbone, et a …  Lire la suite

Somatostatin (SOM) is a neuropeptide fulfilling numerous physiological and neuro-modulatory functions throughout the body and brain. Its actions are mediated through a family of G Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), designated sst1-5, which are differentially regulated. While in vitro studies have previously demonstrated that the co-expression of several SOM receptor subtypes in cell lines has influence over receptor regulation and trafficking, this has yet to be confirmed in situ. Moreover, SOM receptors carry on their C-terminal ends, PDZ-binding motifs that mediate dynamic interactions between the receptors and various scaffolding and accessory proteins that also contain PDZ-binding motifs. For example, the "Protein Interacting …  Lire la suite

Boron trifluoride-ammonia, BF3• NH3, the first complex of boron trifluoride with a nitrogen pontaining base, was prepared by Gay Lussac (1). Since then many complexes of boron trifluoride with amines, amides, nitriles and nitrogen containing heterocyclics have been prepared (2,3). [...]  Lire la suite

Bourbeau, Jean (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

Contexte : La marche en communauté requiert la capacité d’éviter des piétons et d'effectuer plusieurs tâches simultanément. La vision joue un rôle clé dans le contrôle de la marche mais il reste à déterminer quelles informations spécifiques concernant les piétons en approche guident les stratégies d'évitement de collision. De plus, l’impact d’une charge attentionnelle supplémentaire engendrée par une situation de double tâche sur l'acquisition de ces informations visuelles demeure inconnu. Cette étude visait donc à analyser le comportement du regard et les stratégies d'évitement de collision lorsqu’exposé à des piétons approchant de différentes directions, dans des conditions de simple et …  Lire la suite

Silva, Alfredo Ribeiro Da (Supervisor2)  Lire la suite

This thesis studies project management issues which are applicable to organizations which partake in complex engineered-to-order projects. Traditional approaches to management methods for planning and control of projects are examined, and potential problem areas are identified. An alternative approach, continuous approval methods, is developed. The potential for improved productivity is demonstrated. The acquisition of defence systems in the Department of National Defence (DND) is used to provide examples of complex engineered-to-order projects. The DND study showed how continuous approval methods improved DND's existing engineered-to-order processes with a reduction in both delivery time and cost. Although the study focused on one …  Lire la suite

Gerwin, Donald (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Le rapport solide-eau (SWR) des revêtements de pâte est négativement corrélé à l’adhérence de la pâte, la capacité de rétention d'eau, le rendement de cuisson (CY), l'épaisseur et la densité de la croûte des aliments frits. Le SWR est positivement corrélé avec la perte de friture (FL), la teneur en graisse, la dureté, la fragilité, le croustillant et la température de transition vitreuse (Tg) de la croûte. Le temps de friture (FT) a eu un impact positif sur la FL, l'épaisseur de la croûte, la teneur en graisse, la Tg et la texture; tandis que l'impact était négatif sur CY, …  Lire la suite

Le poème épique de George Elliott Clarke, Canticles I: (MMXVII), et le roman de Marlon James, A Brief History of Seven Killings, explorent la manière dont l’héritage de violence de la traite transatlantique des esclaves a façonné les formations de masculinités dans les périphéries. La logique impériale a opéré sur la déshumanisation systématique des hommes et femmes Noirs – les deux auteurs prétendent que les abus de l’esclavage ont rendu les hommes Noirs hypersexualisés et émasculés. Cependant, en raison de la nature genrée des hiérarchies raciales importées, les femmes Noires pendant et après l’esclavage en Amérique du Nord et en …  Lire la suite

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have several advantages over conventionalisotropic materials used in land, marine and aerospace applications. Most importantly,they provide the flexibility to tailor their material properties, and changingthe fiber orientations in the material is one of the ways to do so. However, this makesthe design of laminated composite structures more complex and tedious due to thelarge number of design variables (fiber orientation angles). This offers an opportunityto use optimization techniques to design the best suited structure as per requirementsof the specific application. Different optimization methods have been used in the pastto optimize the stacking sequence of laminated composites, and …  Lire la suite

Background: Age of first extubation is an important step in respiratory care of extremely preterm infants since prolonged use of mechanical ventilation is associated with lung injury. However, extubation practices vary and early disconnection from the ventilator is not always achievable for all patients, especially for more immature and fragile preterm infants. Once extubated, these infants require respiratory support and the two main choices are nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or non-synchronized nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (ns-NIPPV). The benefits of both modes have already been well established but evidence on which one to use as the primary choice …  Lire la suite

This thesis examines the life of Chökyi Wangchuk, the Sixth Shamarpa (zhwa mar pa chos kyi dbang phyug, 1584–1630). A prominent monk-scholar and prolific writer of his era, he exerted considerable influence in the religious, social, and possibly also in the political milieu of Tibet. Drawing on his own works, and those of his disciples and later scholars, this study is the first thorough analysis solely devoted to the life of Chökyi Wangchuk. The thesis is divided into three chapters. The first provides a detailed biography, primarily based on the biography written by Belo Tsewang Künkhyap (’be lo tshe dbang …  Lire la suite

The metabolism of several anabolic 17$ alpha$-methyl steroids, namely formebolone, mestanolone, methandienone, methyltestosterone, oxandrolone, oxymetholone and stanozolol, were investigated. The identification of metabolites was based on GC/MS analysis of different derivatives, and chemical synthesis of corresponding reference steroids. Common metabolic reactions have been studied and structure-metabolism relationships were discussed. New biotransformation routes, such as oxidative pathways of 2-formyl and 2-hydroxymethylene steroids, have been unveiled. The mechanism of 17-epimerization of these 17$ beta$-hydroxy-17$ alpha$-methyl steroids in vivo has also been clarified. A simple and convenient method for the preparation of 17$ beta$-tertiary sulfate derivatives of these steroids has been developed. A …  Lire la suite

Heat transfer enhancement under a single semi-confined turbulent slot jet for planar and non-planar surfaces was studied experimentally by modification of flow region using several configurations of nozzles and turbulence generators (turbulators). The results show both positive and negative effects of heat transfer compared with those for a smooth slot nozzle with the same equivalent width (and length) under the same experimental conditions. The experimental results show that the heat transfer rate for the narrower nozzle of 5 mm width is much higher than that for the wider nozzle of 7.5 mm width at same jet Reynolds number. For planar …  Lire la suite

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is North America's leading killer for both men and women among all racial and ethnic groups. Almost 1 million North Americans die of CVD each year, which adds up to 42% of all deaths. Numerous investigations point out that normal blood flow (hemodynamics) is essential to good health and many studies found that there is a relationship between the genesis and the progression of CVD with the locally irregular blood flow occurring in the diseased zones. The study of hemodynamics in the cardiovascular system is therefore key to the understanding of CVD; its genesis and progression. The …  Lire la suite

Hamed, Bekerat, (Supervisor2)  Lire la suite

Martin-Brûlé, Sarah-Myriam (Supervisor2)  Lire la suite

Altounian, Zaven (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The shortage of donor blood gives rise to demand for blood substitute. The most successful blood substitute, polymerized hemoglobin (PolyHb), has been approved for routine clinical use in South African and Russia. However, PolyHb is only an oxygen carrier but not a complete red blood cells (RBCs) substitute. RBCs have three main functions: 1) Oxygen transport; 2) anti-oxidant enzyme activities; 3) Carbonic dioxide transport. Thus, transfusion of PolyHb in severe ischemia conditions could give rise to ischemia reperfusion injuries. This is due to the lack of anti-oxidant enzyme activities in the PolyHb. In addition, recently researches show that elevation …  Lire la suite

Bhatnagar, Sahir (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

Cantin, Marc (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

A wealth of recent scholarship has focused on interreligious dialogue as a resource for the transformation of religious conflicts. Such studies often mention the importance of discoveries or 'insights' as key factors in successful dialogue processes. However, few authors have devoted sustained attention to understanding how insights contribute to transforming conflict dynamics during interfaith dialogues. The present study draws on the cognitional theory of Canadian philosopher Bernard Lonergan as a framework for exploring the significance of insights in interreligious dialogue processes. The study begins with an overview of representative perspectives on learning in interfaith dialogue and conflict transformation. Following this, …  Lire la suite

Le C-3α épimère (C-3 épimère) de l'hydroxyvitamine D3 (25(OH)D3) compte pour un pourcentage important de la concentration totale de 25(OH)D3 et pourtant, son origine et ses effets sont inconnus. In vitro, le C-3 épimère produit moins d'effet sur le métabolisme des cellules osseuses que sa forme originelle 25(OH)D3.Étude 1 : L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la réponse en C-3 épimère à une supplémentation de 2000 IU de vitamine D (VD) chez une population âgée, et d'étudier ses effets sur le métabolisme des cellules osseuses. Pendant 8 semaines, 40 hommes âgés ont reçu 2000 IU/jour de VD3. Au début …  Lire la suite

Lauzon, Anne-Marie (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

The object of this problem was to study the ovule development of selected species of Impatiens. Special emphasis was placed on the occurrence, origin, and nature of the haustoria in these species. The genus, Impatiens, is of embryological interest for two reasons. The conflicting statements concerning the types of embryo sacs in certain of the species must be reconciled (Maheshwari, 1955). The synergid, embryo sac and endosperm haustoria present interesting research material which may aid in the clarification of this family’s phylogenetic position.  Lire la suite

Post-mortem alteration of bivalve shells on arctic ice-scoured shelves helps illucidate the fidelity of death and fossil assemblages in these settings. Degradation rates and processes were constrained by (1) characterizing the taphonomic signature of death assemblages, (2) evaluating the live-dead fidelity of the benthos, and (3) net changes in experimentally deployed shells. Results revealed an extremely harsh taphonomic mill controlled by bioerosion, fragmentation and dissolution. Only select species accumulated in death assemblages, resulting in low taxonomic fidelity; at the habitat level 50% of the live species are found dead. 100% of the dead species are found alive, suggesting no temporal …  Lire la suite

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is essential for oligodendrocyte (OL) development, promoting their survival, proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, IGF-1 null mutant mice have a decrease in CNS myelination and in the number of OL progenitors (OLPs). IGF-1 interacts with the Type I IGF receptor to activate two main downstream signalling pathways, the PI3K/Akt and the Ras-Raf-MEK/ERK cascades, which mediate survival or proliferation of OLPs. The objective of this study is to elucidate the transduction pathways involved in IGF-I-stimulated protein synthesis, important for growth and differentiation of OLs. In other cellular systems, the PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in protein translation. mTOR and …  Lire la suite

L’auto-compassion consiste à une approache compréhensive et bienveillante envers soi-même face aux difficultés. L’auto-compassion a suscité un intérêt croissant ces deux dernières décennies, avec des études montrant qu’elle favorise une meilleure santé mentale. L’auto-compassion a aussi été identifiée comme un facteur protecteur contre des troubles des conduites alimentaires. Cependant, les processus par lesquels l’auto-compassion protège contre les symptômes des troubles alimentaires restent largement méconnus. Cette thèse comprend trois études explorant les mécanismes sous-jacents à la relation entre l’auto-compassion et les troubles alimentaires.La première étude a examiné les mécanismes expliquant le lien entre l’auto-compassion et les accès hyperphagiques à l’aide d’une …  Lire la suite

Background: Phase 2 trials bridge a clinical strategy that shows promise in preclinical studies to late phase trials that confirm its value. However, high failure rates of these trials necessitate robust evidence evaluation. While major ethics policies advocate for a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of clinical trial protocols, current standards for reviewing phase 2 trial proposals lack clarity. In this thesis, we describe the types of evidence used to support phase 2 cancer trials, and the information provided in protocols that would enable an assessment of the strength of such evidence.Methods: We developed a typology for evidence that might be …  Lire la suite