McGill University Thèses et mémoires par auteur commençant par Y

Atherosclerosis is one of the most prevalent diseases over the world and it becoming one of leading cause of death across nationals. Even though many studies on the immunological aspects of atherosclerosis have been focused on foam cells, which are derived from lipid containing macrophages, relatively fewer studies have investigated the role of dendritic cells in atherosclerosis. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are one of the dendritic cells subsets. PDCs develop from the bone marrow and are found in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues through blood circulation. A unique function of pDCs is the secretion of large amounts of type I interferons …  Lire la suite

The stress state at the boundary of any underground mine opening is that of plane stress. This planar state of stress can be simulated in laboratory by subjecting a cubic rock specimen to a biaxial loading condition. Thus, research on the behaviour of biaxially loaded rock is important for better understanding of the stability of mining fronts such as crown pillar skin, drift face or shaft floor. The objective of this research is to study the geomechanical behaviour of biaxially loaded rock. Three rock types were selected, namely limestone, granite and sandstone. The laboratory work was conducted using a newly …  Lire la suite

Contexte: Le syndrome métabolique augmente le risque de maladies cardiovasculaires. Ces perturbations ont souvent une morbidité associée aux troubles de l'humeur, comme la dépression (MDD) et le trouble bipolaire (BP). Elles sont associées à un moins bon pronostic psychiatrique et une dépréciation fonctionnelle plus importante. L'hypothèse a été émise que l'adversité durant l'enfance est un facteur de risque commun pour les troubles métaboliques et les troubles de l'humeur. Cependant l'association précise entre l'adversité durant l'enfance, les troubles métaboliques et les troubles de l'humeur est encore inconnue.Objectifs: (1) Pour examiner l'association entre l'adversité durant l'enfance et les troubles métaboliques de l'hypertension …  Lire la suite

Nuclear magnetic resonance has been used to study the association of atropine and eserine with acetylchol inesterase extracted from squid head ganglia and synaptosome membranes from rat brain cortex. Line width changes of the N-methyl and phenyl groups of atropine and the N-methyl and C-methyl groups of eserine resulting from association with the enzyme and the synaptosome membranes have been used to study the interactions. The results show that whereas eserine binds at the active site of the enzyme, atropine binds at a site distinct from the active center. Further proof that the binding sites of the two ligands are …  Lire la suite

This thesis investigates the mystical elements in Mikha'il Nu`aymah's literary works and their affinity to Islamic mysticism, elaborating in particular on the notions of oneness of being and the transmigration of soul. These two themes are the more prevalent ones in Nu`aymah's mystical thought when compared to such other themes as love and asceticism, which can also be found in his works. However, the notion of oneness of being seems to be the basis of his mystical concepts as well as the goal to which other themes are directed. The notion of the transmigration of soul is therefore developed by …  Lire la suite

This thesis is a study of one aspect of the Twelver-Shi'i doctrine of imamah.  Lire la suite

Cette thèse se propose d'étudier un aspect de la doctrine de l'imamah de Shi'isme duodécimain. Selon le dogme shi'ite, l'imamah a une fonction importante car il est une expression de la Grace (lutf) de Dieu envers sa création. Selon le principe de la Justice ('adl) de Dieu, les théologiens du Shi'isme duodécimain ont developpé des arguments religieux afin ge soutenir ce dogme. Un aspect de la justice divine est que Dieu ne commet pas d'injustice et ne punit son serviteur sans raison valable. Par consequent, ce principe rend necessaire pour Lui d'imposer des obligation religieuses (taklifs) afin que son serviteur …  Lire la suite

At present there is neither a general scheme nor are there even well defined criteria which may be followed in placing an organism within the genus corynebacterium. Morphological and physiological studies to date have not provided a satisfactory solution. The literature is indicative of extensive serological investigations but is, on the whole, concerned with the type species C. diphtheriae. [...]  Lire la suite

At present there is no general scheme or well defined criteria which may be followed in placing an organism within the genus corynebacterium. Morphological and physiological studies to date, have not provided a satisfactory solution. A rather extensive amount of serological investigations has been reported, but is mainly concerned with the type species, G. diphtheriae. The majority of workers has been occupied with typing studies on the 3 cultural groups of c. diphtheriae.  Lire la suite

Throughout history the concept of a "mall" has manifested itself in various forms. Malls provided once and continue to provide an opportunity for ostentation and observation in a constructed environment. Ranelagh Gardens is an example of such an environment. It is an Eighteenth Century London pleasure garden devoted exclusively to the acts of exhibiting one's self and beholding others, a sort of celebratory act of mutual affirmation. These gardens were frequented by various elements of London society, from royalty to the middle class. All sorts of boundaries were further blurred through the ritual of the masquerade, which flourished at Ranelagh. …  Lire la suite

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss and is strongly associated with dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE is uniquely vulnerable to cumulative oxidative stress due to its high metabolic demand, constant light exposure, and role in photoreceptor outer segment turnover. While oxidative stress has long been implicated in AMD pathogenesis, experimental models often emphasize acute injury or cell death, overlooking sublethal stress responses that may precede overt degeneration. Cellular senescence represents one such response, characterized by stable growth arrest and functional remodeling that may contribute to age-related retinal decline. The objective …  Lire la suite

La manipulation robotique requiert une intégration étroite de la perception, de la planification et du contrôle. Une manipulation efficace doit raisonner à bas niveau sur la géométrie des objets et de l’environnement, en tenant compte des contraintes cinématiques et dynamiques, ainsi que le conact physique, tout en planifiant à haut niveau des actions guidées par la perception sémantique. Cette exigence est encore plus cruciale dans le contexte de la manipulation bimanuelle, où la coordination de deux bras robotiques est essentielle.Cette thèse explore la planification de haut niveau pour la manipulation bimanuelle par le biais de la perception profonde. Nous proposons …  Lire la suite

The problem of radiation losses from high frequency parallel-wire transmission lines was first realized as early as 1900, and has become a matter of controversy ever since. Many writers have investigated the problem from a theoretical standpoint, but very little has been done in the way of measuring these losses experimentally. At low frequencies radiation losses are negligible, but they become appreciable at high frequencies thus affecting the design of parallel-wire lines for use in the higher portion of the frequency spectrum. In order that the controversy may be wholly or at least partially settled, and to correct existing data, …  Lire la suite

What is the strength of incumbency advantage in a non-partisan electoral system? More specifically, does incumbency advantage in non-partisan electoral systems align with or contradict what we expect in a partisan electoral system? Little to no work has examined whether the conclusions of the standard incumbency advantage literature travel to non-partisan systems. This thesis uses Canada’s three Northern territories as a case study to compare incumbency advantage partisan versus non-partisan political systems. The thesis uses a regression discontinuity design and logistic regression models to measure incumbency advantage in the territories. The thesis finds mixed results on incumbency advantage. On one …  Lire la suite

Fertilizer applications of urea and triple superphosphate (TSP) may affect availability of plant nutrients in the soil through alteration of soil pH and sorption-displacement effects. The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate urea and TSP effects on nutrient availability to soybean (Glycine max L.). Field experiments were carried out on three Quebec soils; a Chicot sandy clay loam (Gleyed Melanic Brunisol), an Ormstown silty clay loam (Luvic Gleysol) and a Ste. Rosalie clay (Humic Gleysol). Three levels of TSP (0, 40, 80 kg $ rm P sb2O sb5 ha sp{-1}),$ and three levels of urea (0, 25, 50 kg …  Lire la suite

La fatigue, un symptôme fréquent de la sclérose en plaques (SP), est un concept multidimensionnel qui englobe un manque subjectif d'énergie et de la fatigabilité, soit une baisse centrale et périphérique de la capacité motrice. L'inhibition intracorticale réduite est en corrélation avec une plus grande fatigue rapportée chez les patients SP, mais le fait de savoir si cela se rapporte à la fatigabilité centrale et périphérique est inconnu. Le but du projet était de déterminer la contribution de l'inhibition intracorticale réduite aux différentes dimensions de la fatigue chez les patients atteints de SP. Le projet a également exploré si les …  Lire la suite

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a life-long neurobiological developmental condition characterized by impairments in social skills and communication, and repetitive behaviour. Biomarker discovery is a major priority in ASD research to improve the lives of affected individuals and their families. Stakeholder engagement in biomarker discovery has been proposed as a solution to overcome challenges in integrating biomarker discovery into the care pathways. Yet there is little consensus on the concepts and methodology needed to effectively engage stakeholders in biomarker discovery, including the target groups, process, and timing of engagement.The overarching aim of this thesis was to develop and implement a …  Lire la suite

This thesis is a study of Ibn Sin a's concept of the Perfect Man, which is studied here with reference to the role of the faculties of the soul. Chapter I is a brief introduction to Ibn Sina's life and his intellectual background. Chapter II studies Ibn Sin a's views on human existence, the human body and the human soul. In the section dealing with the the human soul, the faculties of the soul are elaborated at length. Chapter III discusses Ibn Sin a's concept of the Perfect Man, a person who has reached the highest position which corresponds to …  Lire la suite

Having been influenced by the Muslim reformist ideas championed by Muhammad 'Abduh and his colleagues, Hamka attempted to disseminate and ameliorate the reform ideas in his country, Indonesia, through the means available to him; that is by preaching and writing. He was among the most prolific contemporary authors, having written 113 books including his monumental Tafsir al-Azhar. In this commentary, Hamka has probably included the sum of his ideas particularly those pertaining to religious aspects. With regards to the religious aspects, he mostly discusses the problems of theology, sufism and law. Hamka's conception of the law portrays his challenge and …  Lire la suite

Introduction: Concussions sustained during sport are a growing public health concern, associated with physical, psychological, cognitive and sleep-related sequelae, including risk of depression, dementia and potentially chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Pediatric populations are especially vulnerable due to their developing brains and lower tolerance to biomechanical forces. Although previous studies suggest that a a previous concussion increases the risk of subsequent concussion, these findings may be confounded by inherent individual risk factors such as player position or style of play, rather than a true causal effect of the previous concussion. Prior work in adult circus artists using causal inference methods suggested …  Lire la suite

The miscibility of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) PVP with copolymers of vinyl butyral and vinyl alcohol, containing 11% and 19% by weight of vinyl alcohol, has been investigated. To examine how the state of miscibility of these blends varies with the vinyl alcohol content of the copolymers, differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and solid-state NMR methods were employed. PVP was found to form miscible blends with poly(vinyl butyral) PVB, containing 11wt% of vinyl alcohol, up to a weight ratio of 40/60(PVP/PVB11). At higher PVP loading, phase separated blends were obtained. In contrast, poly(vinyl butyral) containing 19wt% vinyl alcohol units was found to be miscible …  Lire la suite

Cell transplantation to the brain and spinal cord is a well-established tool for studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in development and plasticity. Experimental data from animals has suggested that restoration or preservation of function through cell transplantation has potential as a useful therapeutic approach in neurodegenerative disorders. Experimental evidence of graft-induced behavioral ameliorations has raised the question of the applicability of this technique to the cognitive neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease (AD). This present study is based on previous work from our lab that has indicated a potential for cortical grafts of chromaffin cells of the adrenal medula to …  Lire la suite

This thesis presents the framework used in our research group---the Shared Reality Environment Lab---for use in our spatially immersive setups. Our main interest is the application of virtual reality techniques in the context of computer-mediated human to human communication and collaboration. The purpose of this architecture is to allow users to quickly develop remote collaborative applications without the need to manage low level operations. The framework is comprised of multiple independent components: the Qave graphics engine, user trackers, sound spatializer, coherence server, communication library and overlapping projectors interface. Some components were already implemented when this work started and the contributions …  Lire la suite

Istihsan(juristic preference) deviates from and sometimes contradicts well-established general precepts of law. It calls for a considerable amount of personal judgment on the part of the jurist who applies it. In the early period of Islam, istihsan was identified with ra'y (personal opinion) which frequently lacked systematic guide-lines. Abu Hanifah (d. 150/767) does not consider istihsan as a merely arbitrary opinion. He believes that it is a procedure of setting aside an apparently strict ruling of analogy in the interest of fairness and justice. On the other hand, Shafi'i (d. 204/819) adopts a text-oriented approach; he believes that a Muslim …  Lire la suite