McGill University Thèses et mémoires par auteur commençant par F

During the past twenty years the extension of knowledge relating to the ehem1stry of high molecular weight substances has become increasingly important. The pronounced industrial advances in the realm of plastics and artificial fibres within recent years has given impetus to the search for fundamental information concerning the mechanism of polymerisation and the structure and properties of polymers either as such or in the form of co- and mixed polymers. [...]  Lire la suite

Douglas, W. J. M. (Supervisor)  Lire la suite

Avocado Fruit (Persea americana Mill. Var. Hass) is one of the most perishable commodities available in the market. It has a very high rate of postharvest respiration, limited shelf life and has special unique characteristics of ripening. In the first part of this study, a silicon membrane system was used for the storage of ‘Hass’ avocado fruits. The silicone membrane system is an efficient method for attaining and maintaining modified atmosphere (MA) in experimental storage chambers. The storage was performed in small sealed experimental chambers fitted with silicon membrane windows. The areas of the windows were calculated in order to …  Lire la suite

The potatoes, grown for use as a vegetable are not sold on the basis of their composition, and more or less definite values are commonly assigned for their chemical content and nutritive value. Yet experimental evidence conclusively proves that this crop does vary in composition, quality and yield. The evidence is fairly convincing that there are inherent differences in yield, composition and quality ratings among varieties, as well as variations due to climatic factors, date of planting, and maturity; and while there is some ground for the belief that these variations in potato may be related to soil fertility or …  Lire la suite

This thesis focused on the conversion period from conventional to organic agriculture for a Quebec dairy farm. The crucial problem resided in developing an economic framework to evaluate alternative crop rotations that would provide farmers in transition an optimal rotation plan compatible with organic farming practices. Two multi-period linear programming models were developed for that purpose, both models having different assumptions concerning effects that the transition might have on crop yield. In both transitional models, two crop rotations were selected in the optimal solution. In addition, the establishment of crop rotations was comparable for both models, and this showed that …  Lire la suite

This thesis attempts to study the question of education in three novels by writer Gerard Bessette, La Bagarre (1958), Le Libraire (1960) and Les Pedagogues (1961). Those novels were published in the midst of a debate on a possible reform of the educational system of Quebec. This debate is summarized in the introduction. The author's critiques can be divided into three main themes: the deficiencies of the school system, the difficult teachers' condition and the questioning of the authorities. It will be shown, in the conclusion, that the question of education is one of the main elements in a vast …  Lire la suite

Les bras robotisés sont utilisés dans des domaines variés pour accomplir des tâches dangereuses ou fastidieuses pour les humains. Une tâche populaire pour les robots est l'insertion d'une pièce dans une autre -- aussi connu sous le nom de tâche ``peg-in-hole''. Souvent, le robot peut être ralenti par les forces de contact et il peut être difficile de manœuvrer manuellement le robot pour insérer la pièce correctement. L'apprentissage par renforcement (RL) est un outil utile dans ce cas, car le bras peut utiliser des essais et erreurs pour ajuster sa trajectoire et insérer la pièce plus facilement. Les récompenses sont …  Lire la suite

Kennedy, Timothy E. (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

With an aging population, the negative impact of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) will only grow. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly and there are no cures nor preventative treatments. AD has an extended pre-symptomatic stage spanning decades which offers a promising therapeutic window. However, it is presently impossible to unquestionably diagnose AD during this early stage in the general population. Consequently, basic science research on pathological mechanisms that initiate and exacerbate disease progression during the earliest, pre-plaque stage would be insightful for biomarker development and disease-modifying therapies. Studies from our laboratory …  Lire la suite

The flow properties of a liquid containing particles in suspension differ from those of the pure liquid in a number of ways which depend principally on the characteristics and concentration of the particles. In the presence of velocity gradients the particles undergo translational and rotational motions, and cause disturbances of the field of flow. In laminar shear flow, the disturbances cause local increases in the velocity gradient; these result in an increase in the rate of dissipation of energy and are manifested in an increase in the viscosity of the suspension over that of the pure suspending liquid (without particles).  Lire la suite

The questions to be answered by an examination of the results of these experiments are as follows: (1) Will an empirical baseline of repetition (as determined by control group results) be greater than that expected by chance? (2) Will the informative word "right" (symbolic reward) increase the number of repetitions to the item to which it is applied above an empirical baseline? (3) Will the informative word "wrong" (symbolic punishment) reduce the number of repetitions to the item to which it is applied below an empirical baseline.  Lire la suite

Historically, there have been two main approaches to the analysis of cerebral function. From one point of view, it has been maintained that different psychological attributes or functions reside in different parts of the cerebrum. In contrast to this, the position has been held by many that there is no such localization of function. It is now quite clear that many functions can be localized, in the sense that a loss of a limited region of cerebral tissue results in a qualitatively limited, or restricted, loss of function, and a loss of much cerebral tissue elsewhere in the brain does …  Lire la suite

At the turn of the millennium, the shifting racial makeup in Britain created social tensions between its white and nonwhite members. This period coincided with the emergence of a “post-racial” discourse, which contends that social and democratic progress will eventually end these tensions by dissolving racial categories altogether. In the 1990s, this idea gained traction in the Western cultural imagination, and mixed-race people became symbols for a utopian “post-racial” future in Western nations. Although “post-race” discourse is propounded as the solution to growing racial tensions, this multicultural model has given way to more insidious forms of racialized violence. This phenomenon …  Lire la suite

This thesis contains a critical review of the most important approaches to reported speech or those pertinent to it in the linguistic literature. Several problems concerning quotation parentheticals and presuppositions have been discussed and some solutions are proposed. The main issue, referred to as "the point of view", is worked out as an extension of the classical notion of transparency and opacity applied to NP, to several other elements of sentence structures. As a result, a set of interpretive rules are formulated which specify whether certain linguistic configurations promote a transparent or opaque interpretation of the sentence or part of …  Lire la suite

The apportionment of revenue sources between the federal government and the provinces in accordance with the responsibilities of each level of government is the central problem in federal-provincial relations today. [...]  Lire la suite

This thesis examines critically the most important restrictions placed on the right to peaceful demonstration in Canada. Protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as a matter of constitutional law, the right is limited by a network of civil and penal sanctions in such a way that, in practice, its exercise is considerably restricted. Firstly, the protection afforded to owners of land under the law of property excludes all peaceful demonstration on private property without permission of the owner. Tossed as it is into the street and onto the sidewalks, the activity may also be seen to disturb …  Lire la suite

The ground (ice) reaction force and the plantar foot pressure variables were measured during an explosive transitional maneuver, stop and go, skating task on ice using: 1) regular hockey skate and 2) a modified skate with an altered tendon guard and eyelet configuration which allows for increased dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. The objective of this study was to describe the differences in skating mechanics and kinetics between high and low caliber skaters and between the two different skate models during the specific explosive transitional, stop and go, skating task. Both the left and right skates were instrumented with a calibrated strain …  Lire la suite

The goal of this project is to identify QTL involved in Salmonella -susceptibility in the chicken. Salmonellosis is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in humans and is frequently caused by the ingestion of Salmonella-contaminated poultry products. Identification of QTL responsible for Salmonella-susceptibility may lead to more efficient control strategies, and selection against genes that may lead to increased risk of transmission. The genome scan was performed on a selection of 425 backcross progeny, (W1 x C) F1 x C, derived from C Salmonella-susceptible and W1 Salmonella-resistant chickens. The 425 backcross birds were phenotyped for their susceptibility …  Lire la suite

Bioinformatics is a crucial component of genomics research because it enables the analyses of large and complex data sets. Conventionally, these analyses involve the use of sophisticated software, and are largely performed by those with prior experience in bioinformatics using adequate computational resources.Massively parallel DNA sequencing (MPS) platforms have democratized genome sequencing, making it affordable to the biologist. For many biologists this will be their first venture into bioinformatics and genomics. Consequently, they may be unfamiliar with bioinformatics or lack the necessary computer resources. For these biologists, the potential of using MPS platforms for genome analysis is half fulfilled; providing …  Lire la suite

Galiana, Henrietta L. (Internal/Cosupervisor2)  Lire la suite

Quand les humains interagissent avec le monde en utilisant leurs mains des interactions impliquent des forces sur le bras qui non seulement perturbent la tâche à effectuer mais peuvent également déstabiliser l’équilibre. L’étude présentée ici fournit une investigation complète sur la réponse posturale aux perturbations sur le bras dans un spectre de conditions réalistes. Les participants étaient debout et tenaient la poignée d’un robot, lequel était programmé pour appliquer des perturbations de force multidirectionnelles sur la main droite. Les signaux électromyographiques, cinématiques et cinétiques ont été enregistrés.En réponse aux perturbations imprévisibles, les muscles posturaux se sont activés à des latences …  Lire la suite

Bacteriophage Mu is an ideal system to study DNA transposition. The 70-KDa protein product of the phage early gene A, termed transposase, is absolutely required for transposition. Transposase binds specifically at sites located at both ends of the phage genome, termed attL and attR, and at an enhancer-like element at the left end of the genome, called IAS (internal activation sequence). It then nicks at these ends, and nicks a random target DNA sequence in a 5 base pair staggered fashion with 5$ sp prime$ extensions and promotes strand transfer between the Mu ends and the target DNA. The transposase …  Lire la suite

Myelination of large caliber axons is an essential step in the development of the vertebrate nervous system. In peripheral nerves, axons instruct ensheathing Schwann cells to elaborate and maintain myelin sheaths, and this is achieved in part through the coordinate up-regulation of genes encoding myelin structural proteins. In order to gain insight into the transcriptional regulation of one such gene, Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), I have investigated MBP 5 ' flanking sequence using a combination of sequence analysis, in vitro DNA-protein interaction assays, and functional analysis in transgenic mice including a high-resolution preparation in which a single copy of a …  Lire la suite

Les systèmes de dialogue sont de plus en plus fréquemment déployés pour des applications autant personnelles que commerciales, et ce, dans une grande variété de domaines. Ces systèmes impliquent généralement des modules de compréhension du langage naturel implémentant des méthodes statistiques entrainées sur des données de dialogue annotées. Puisque ces annotations sont spécifiques à un domaine en particulier, le développement de chaque nouveau système de dialogue nécessite la collecte et l'annotation d'un nouvel ensemble de données. Afin de raccourcir le processus de collecte de données pouvant être à la fois long et coûteux, cette thèse explore des méthodes exploitant des …  Lire la suite

Research suggests that community-based reforestation can play an important role in climate change mitigation while providing environmental and livelihood benefits. However, there lacks direct comparison between different reforestation design’s carbon uptake potential and their relevance to community reforestation. By evaluating the carbon-capture of four reforestation designs in a community context, this study bridges a gap between theory and action consequently facilitating informed project implementation. In a 14 years-old project in Panama, I compare native timber mixtures and monocultures, agroforestry, and natural regeneration with enrichment planting. I use Linear Mixed Models to compare carbon capture and survival rate of five native …  Lire la suite

Ever since Neisser (31) first used the term "perseveration" in psychiatry in 1894 and Müller and Schumann (30) used this concept to explain the results they obtained on a psychophysical experiment involving weight discrimination, psychologists have been interested in studying the negative effects of experience. [...]  Lire la suite

La capacité du nématode Caenhorabditis elegans à apprendre de façon associative et être conditionné fut démontré dans la littérature. Dans ces deux cas, afin d’induire un comportement spécifique aux nématodes deux stimuli sont utilisés : l’un permettant le conditionnement et l’autre étant non conditionné (contrôle). L’intégration de ces stimuli est permis par l’activation de circuits neuronaux spécifiques. De nos jours, la compréhension de leur implication dans la réponse au conditionnement est étudiée intensivement en utilisant des conditions (e.g. choc de température, le manque de nourriture, l’infection à des pathogènes) menant à un stress systémique ayant de vastes répercussions sur l’organisme. …  Lire la suite

Racine, Eric (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

The thesis suggests a way in which the peace movement can make itself attractive to citizens. It begins with the assumption that the movement should satisfy some of their personal needs. One such need is that of relief from the pains of anxiety. Drawing upon Heidegger, the thesis outlines two of these pains--impotence and unheimlichkeit--and shows why we experience them. Then, using Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, it explains why true friendship is a positive response to the pains. True friends further each other's courage, a virtue whose possession helps them to weather impotence. True friends are, in fundamental ways, the same …  Lire la suite

This dissertation considers the evolution of Rap music and Hip Hop culture from the perspective of two spatial modalities. It first introduces theoretical concepts of geographic scale and the inscription of socio-spatial values in order to examine Rap and Hip Hop's geo-cultural expansions from their primary enclaves of urban black America. The dynamics between race, social space, and youth are assessed both individually and in tandem as crucial elements in the expression and practices of Hip Hop. The dissertation challenges and extends research in the prevailing Rap "canon" by analysing the processes and structuring logics through which Rap has been …  Lire la suite

This thesis takes a critical approach to examine recent developments in European asylum and migration policy. Specifically, this research is interested in addressing the emerging paradigm of "migration management" and its impact on the nature of refugee protection and asylum in an integrated Europe. Two approaches are used in this analysis. First, from a functionalist perspective, this work considers how migration management has responded to contemporary realities of international migration. Secondly, from a critical theory perspective, the thesis analyzes how refugee protection becomes subsumed within the broader goals of migration management. This thesis will argue that the paradigm of migration …  Lire la suite

RNA b is the most abundant member of a family of autonomously replicating single- and double-stranded RNA plasmids found in mitochondria of several maize races. The extent to which this molecule associates in vivo with proteins was investigated by both rate zonal and CsCl equilibrium density gradient centrifugations of clarified lysate of mitochondria from maize plants with the S-type cytoplasm. A soluble endogenous complex of RNA b, responsible for synthesis of the more abundant (+) RNA b strand in in vitro conditions (in mitochondrial lysate), was identified. The complex had a density of 1.49 g/cm$ sp3$ but a surprisingly low …  Lire la suite

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is used to generate subatomic physics processes at the energy frontier to challenge our understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics. The particle collision rate at the LHC will be increased up to seven times its design value in 2025-2027 by an extensive upgrade program. The innermost endcaps of the ATLAS muon spectrometer consist of two wheels of muon detectors that must be replaced to maintain the muon momentum resolution in the high-rate environment. The so-called New Small Wheels (NSWs) are made of two detector technologies: micromegas and small-strip thin gap chambers (sTGCs). The …  Lire la suite

Darmon, Henri (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

Les baisses de performance sont des périodes prolongées et inexpliquées de sous-performance qui dépassent les fluctuations typiques de la performance et qui affecteraient plus de 50 % des athlètes. Elles sont souvent associées à un stress accru, à une frustration et à une diminution du bien-être. Bien que l'expression des baisses de performance puisse varier en fonction de facteurs individuels et contextuels, la façon dont les athlètes y font face, et comment ces facteurs influencent les mécanismes d’adaptation, n’est pas bien comprise. Cette étude a examiné les relations entre le type de sport, les facteurs personnels (personnalité et trait d'autocompassion) …  Lire la suite

The study of flow of water through porous medium is important in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. For determining the in situ hydraulic conductivity characteristics of porous media, one of the most convenient and popular methods is the cased borehole technique. In this method, water is allowed to enter the excavated region of the cased borehole inserted into the ground. The rate of rise of water in the casing is then used to estimate the hydraulic conductivity characteristics of the porous medium in the vicinity of the entry point. When the porous medium has isotropic hydraulic conductivity characteristics, the "intake shape …  Lire la suite

Nemes, James (Supervisor1)  Lire la suite

The protein concentration of cereal grains is low and the production of cereal crops with increased grain protein concentrations is desirable. This work investigates the physiological aspects of protein accumulation potential in barley grain. A recently developed perfusion system was used in four experiments conducted in 1993 and 1994. In the field experiment, plants were allowed to take up urea at 15 or 30 mM N, or ethephon at 15 $ mu$ M. Abscisic acid and 2,4-D decreased total seed weight spike$ sp{-1}$. Gibberellic acid and 2,4-D increased seed protein concentration and content, while ABA decreased both of these. Kinetin …  Lire la suite

The above-ground part of a plant has an important contribution to plant development and yield production. Physiological activities of a plant canopy highly correlate to morphology of plant vegetation. Obviously, leaf area index is a good indicator for leaf area, but does not provide any information about the spatial architecture of plant canopy. With the development of fractal theory, a quantitative toot is now available for the investigation of complex objects and shapes such as plant structure. Vegetation structure of corn ( Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max. (L.) Merr.] plants might be affected by the plant population density …  Lire la suite

Dialogue between courts and legislatures can occur where legislatures reverse, modify or avoid judicial decisions. With two exceptions, however, legislatures have only reversed the Supreme Court on three occasions. Defiant legislative responses enacted without the notwithstanding clause undermine the Charter and the courts, and are an inappropriate means of expressing institutional disagreement. However, based on a model of coordinate constitutionalism, recourse to the override constitutes a legitimate means for legislatures to advance alternate interpretations of Charter rights. Furthermore, section 33's value lies in the opportunity it creates for public deliberation regarding issues of national importance. Its relative disuse can be …  Lire la suite

Beauchemin, Nicole (Internal/Supervisor)  Lire la suite