NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
La relation entre la stratégie de navigation spontanée et la prise de décision et les fonctions exécutives

When people navigate, they use one of two strategies. The hippocampus-based spatial strategy consists of using multiple landmarks in order to create a mental map of the environment. In contrast, caudate nucleus-based response strategy is based on the memorization of a rigid series of turns. Importantly, response learners display more grey matter and functional activity in the caudate and less grey matter in the hippocampus. The caudate is a structure central to the reward circuit, while the hippocampus supports spatial and episodic memory. The goal of the present thesis was to better understand the implications of spontaneous navigational strategies over cognitive functioning. To this end, we recruited 53 young adults, separated in two groups based on the strategy used in the 4 on 8 virtual maze. We compared both groups over decision-making (Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and Columbia Card Task (CCT)), task-switching, working memory (digit span test) and cognitive flexibility (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-64 (WCST-64)) task performances. This thesis shows that response learners display enhanced executive functioning in the WCST-64, task-switching test and digit span test through reduced perseveration errors, reduces switch cost and increased digit span length respectively. Increased risk-taking behaviour was observed in the IGT. These results support the theory that caudate nucleus mediates much of the executive functioning through mesocortical dopamine pathways. They also allow us to better understand the impact of spontaneous navigational strategies on the cognitive health of young adults, allowing for the developement of interventions aiming at strengthening certain cognitive functions.

Keyphrases: Iowa Gambling Task, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Navigation, Caudate nucleus, Executive functions, Cognitive flexibility, Decision-making, Caudate nucleus, Hippocampus, Risk-taking
Direct detection of dark matter with the PICO Experiment and the PICO-0.1 calibration chamber

Dark matter detection remains one of the main unresolved problems in physics. Accounting for almost 85% of all the matter density in the Universe, it was inferred through many astronomical observations, but no dark matter particle has been detected yet. The PICO experiment has this objective as its purpose, using the bubble chamber in order to do so. PICO can detect extremely low-energy interactions in its superheated liquid detectors, located in the SNOLAB underground laboratory in Sudbury, Ontario. PICO has and has had multiple dark matter search detectors, as well as small detectors used to perform calibrations and tests. PICO-0.1 is a calibration chamber located at the University of Montreal and was used for the studies presented in this thesis. In this thesis, data and analysis of measurements made with PICO-0.1 are presented. A study of the Seitz threshold - theoretical energy threshold for an event to occur in a bubble chamber - is made, with the monoenergetic reaction 35Cl(nth,p)35S in C2ClF5; the study of the monoenergetic 35S recoil, directly inside the detector, is presented. Furthermore, the detection of proton recoils in PICO-0.1 is detailed; first through the analysis of the acoustic signal of the proton produced by 35Cl(nth,p)35S, and second through elastic scattering of neutrons and high energy gamma rays on hydrogen in C2H2F4.

Keyphrases: WIMPs, PICO, Dark matter, Bubble chamber, Seitz threshold, Direct detection, Proton recoils
Long-term solar variability in a hybrid Babcock-Leighton solar dynamo model

The purpose of this study is to shed some light on the long-term behavior of the solar magnetic activity cycle, in particular the physical origins of the extended episodes of strongly suppressed or enhanced activity (so-called Grand Minima and Maxima). The primary questions that are tackled in this thesis are as follows: Is the occurrence of Grand Minima/Maxima a stochastic process? Are they associated with distinct dynamo modes? Is their triggering due to a Poisson-like processes? What are the physical mechanisms that cause these irregular events? How does the dynamo enter and exit from these extreme modes? What is the underlining mechanism that makes Grand Minima cluster? What is the mechanism which is responsible from parity change during these extreme events? Answers to these questions are sought via a modelling approach based on a hybrid Babcock Leighton solar dynamo model. The resulting simulated solar activity time series and the statistics of Grand Minima and Maxima are compared to their counterparts inferred from reconstructions of the past solar activity based on cosmogenic radionuclides. With different combination parameter values within a reasonable range, it is possible to reproduce solar-like long-term behavior in agreement with radionuclide data.

Keyphrases: Solar activity, Solar dynamo, Climat spatial, Space climate, Grand Minimum/Maximum
Prédiction du cycle solaire en utilisant un modèle dynamo de type Babcock-Leighton

The first chapter of this work presents the solar cycle in aspects going from the observation of the solar surface activity to the evolution of the magnetic field. The second chapter is a summary of the different classes of methods used to predict the solar cycle with a focus on the methods involving numerical dynamo models and surface flux transport models. The third chapter presents the model used in this work to make a prediction of the maximum amplitude of solar cycle 25. It also presents the dataset used to force the model into the observed magnetic field configuration of the sun and exposes certain aspects of the model that needed recalibration. The fourth chapter presents the recalibration of the model on solar cycle 24 and the results of the prediction of the maximum of the upcoming solar cycle 25. We forecast a peak International Sunspot Number version 2 of 89+29-14 by the year 2025+0.89-1.05. We predict a 6 months delayed northern hemisphere but of amplitude 20\% higher than the south.

Keyphrases: Solar cycle prediction, Solar cycle 25, Numerical dynamo model, Surface flux transport model
Impact d’un traumatisme craniocérébral modéré-grave sur la personnalité et ses composantes : une scoping study

Problem. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by traumatic insult and can result in localised or diffused cerebral damage. Theses damages lead to cognitive deficits in all cognitive domains. Results from several studies suggest that TBI can also change personality, but this assertion does not yet reach consensus. The present study aim to explore the nature of personality changes in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, according to literature. Method. The study was conducted with a Scoping Study, which is a type of literature review (Arksey et O'Malley, 2005). A keyword search was done in several databases [Medline (EBCSO), Cinahl, Embase, psyInfo (including PsycNET, PsycArticle, et PsycINFO), Scopus, Web of Sciences and Dissertation and Thesis (proquest)]. At the end of the process, 1192 scientific articles were first selected. From these, 16 studies, which contained specific results were analysed: case studies (n=5), descriptive studies (n=2), correlational study (n=9), including several temporal studies (containing retrospective and prospective studies). Results. The present study reveals that it is still difficult to conclude about personality change existence after TBI, to estimate its prevalence or to precise its nature. Discussion. At the end of the present research, it emerges that conclusions of the studies may be influenced by psychometric tools and procedures selected to assess personality and changes. There are also results suggesting that some personality dimensions could be more stable and resist TBI influence as other dimensions could be more sensitive to cerebral damages. Some psychometric tools seem sensitive to mood disorders and this can introduce measurement bias. Results support the relevance to rely on a theoretical model as Mayer’s Personality Framework (2001, 2005, 2015), which takes into consideration neuroanatomical  vi substrates for personality and dynamic processes. This could contribute to the development of adapted psychometric tools to measure personality, after TBI, and help to develop a better understanding of the existence and nature of personality change.

Keyphrases: Changements., Traumatic brain injury, Personality, Personality traits, Personality structure, Personality disorders, Dynamic process, Changes
Les vertus utopiques de l’encylopédisme

According to numerous journalists and scholars Diderot and D’Alembert’s Encyclopédie (1751-1772) «was the Wikipedia of its day». The online encyclopaedia launched by Larry Sanger and Jimmy Wales on January 15, 2001 is said to share many characteristics with that Enlightenment masterpiece. What are they? What do they tell us about the conception of knowledge then and now? About its transmission? Can we go beyond this convenient comparison and understand what profoundly unites both enterprises?

Keyphrases: Encyclopédie, Diderot, D’Alembert, Censure, Citation, Censorship, Politics, Utopia, Book history, Citation, Enlightenment, Encyclopaedias
Implantation d’un CT sur rails en radio-oncologie au nouveau CHUM

A new in-room imaging system is installed in radio-oncology at the new CHUM called the CT-Linac system. It combines a CT mounted on rails and a linear accelerator (linac) using a unique treatment table that rotates on his axis to align with each device separately. CT images show good contrast for soft tissues, which makes it easier to visualize certain tumors, thus facilitate patient alignment for the treatment. By improving the accuracy of the treatment, it is theoretically possible to increase the dose administered to the tumor and reduce the toxicity of healthy tissues. On the other hand, the CT-Linac system does not allow the same alignment procedure used for the other linac-mounted CBCT imaging devices since there is no correspondence between an imaging isocenter and the treatment isocenter. Thus, a new positioning procedure must be designed. Therefore, we have created an image registration software that calculates the displacements to apply to correct the position of the patient before treatment. The displacements are based on the location of radiopaque markers placed on the patient’s skin, which identify the treatment isocenter. The registration method compares multiple sets of parameters, associated with the transformation matrix, using a similarity metric based on mutual information to find the best match between the two images. Browsing each set of parameters is done using an evolution algorithm and an optimization strategy in order to reduce the computation time while keeping a clinically acceptable registration quality. To test the software, we simulated the positioning procedure in the treatment room with a QUASAR phantom. The displacement corrections calculated by the software were compared with the actual known displacement corrections values. For an acceptable registration quality, we notice that the number of iterations of the algorithm, the images resolution, the number of resolution levels and the use of a mask applied to our images influence the time required to perform the registration. Thus, the software allows the user to change the value of these parameters before starting the image registration. There are no fixed optimal values for these parameters, but they vary according to the specificities of each image. For a humanoid phantom, we notice that three resolution levels, a decrease by three in voxel resolution in each dimension, a maximum number of iterations of 250 and the use of a mask gives the best results in the pelvic region according to every metrics (DICE, True Positive Rate (TPR), True Negative Rate (TNR), Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Mutual Information (IM)).

Keyphrases: Computed tomography on rails, radiotherapy, volumetric images registration, new CHUM
Agency, participation, and self-determination for indigenous peoples in Canada : foundational, structural, and epistemic injustices

In this paper, I discuss accounts of agency, participation, and self-determination by David Crocker and Stacy Kosko because they acknowledge that relationships of power can determine who gets to participate and when. Kosko usefully applies the concept of agency vulnerability to the case of the self-determination of indigenous peoples. I examine the specific context of Canada’s history as a settler nation, a history that reflects attempts to denigrate, dismiss and erase Indigenous laws, practices, languages, and traditions. I argue that this history displays epistemic injustice in that the dominant collective interpretative resources of non-Indigenous Canadians have allowed the dismissal of the collective interpretative resources of Canada’s Indigenous peoples. This gap in collective interpretative resources can explain that Canada’s constitution, institutions, laws, and structures reflect the dominant collective interpretative resources of a colonizing nation, ones that have delineated and restricted the agency, participation, and self-determination of Indigenous Canadians. One important outcome of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and of its National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls is bringing the rich history of Indigenous collective interpretative resources and the networks of relationships shaped by them to light. By discussing examples from these reports, I give substance to the argument that foundational and structural injustices in settler nations are at bottom epistemic injustices, ones that have implications for accounts of agency, participation, and self-determination.

Keyphrases: Philosophy, Ethics, Economics, Auto-détermination, Commission vérité et réconciliation Canada, Agency, Self-determination, Epistemic injustice, Canada’s truth and reconciliation commission, Canada’s national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, Canada’s national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls
La continuité psychologique selon Derek Parfit : examen critique d'un critère d'identité

The goal of this thesis is to have a critical overview of Derek Parfit’s vision of personal identity. While he tries to defend the thesis of the unimportance of personal identity instead of a particular positive thesis about identity, he admits the necessity, in his later writings, of having a minimal conception of identity since judging of its importance supposes having a certain conception of it. He will propose that the neo-lockean conception of identity, constituted by a psychological continuity embodied in enough of a brain to maintain it, is the best criterion that we have although it sometimes fails to determine the identity of a person over time, warranting his analysis of the unimportance of identity. If it happens that better thesis could replace the neo-lockean conception, perhaps we would have to rethink the unimportance thesis. Accordingly, we will consider the body thesis of Judith Jarvis Thomson, the animalist conception of Eric Olson and the narrativist thesis of Paul Ricoeur, Daniel Dennett and Charles Taylor to see if their critics against Parfit can be maintained and if you would have to replace the neo-lockean thesis. We will have to extend our analysis from time to time to explain and block certain critics such as when we will call on the supervenience thesis of Catherine Sutton to explain away the too-many-thinkers problem shown by Olson. We hope to show that the neo-lockean thesis is effectively the best that we have if we join it to a narrativist conception of the Self and that Parfit can maintain at each step his thesis of the unimportance of identity.

Keyphrases: Parfit, Olson, Dennet, Thomson, identity, person, supervenience, self
L'origine de la vie chez Maupertuis et Diderot

In this research, we analyze the theoretical difference between Maupertuis and Diderot in their analysis of the living. Even though their theories seem similar on many aspects and are opposed to preformationism, they have, however, different theoretical foundations that we will explore through a debate they had. In the first chapter, we will explore preformationism. The purpose is to show the theoretical framework and its problems to understand what Maupertuis and Diderot were facing. In the second chapter, we will examine Maupertuis’ positions and his theory of living beings. We will discuss his criticisms against preformationism, his transformism and his epigenesis. Finally, we will discuss in the third chapter Diderot’s living theory and the debate he had with Maupertuis. The purpose of this paper is to show the theoretical differences between Maupertuis and Diderot concerning the living beings.

Keyphrases: Maupertuis, Diderot, Philosophy, Preformationism, Transformism, Epigenesis, Materialism
Linnik's theorem : a comparison of the classical and the pretentious approach

The goal of this master's thesis is to understand Linnik's theorem, which gives us an upper bound for the first prime number in an arithmetic progression. We will analyze and compare two distinct methods: the classical approach and the pretentious approach. The first one relies on zeros of Dirichlet L-functions. The second one is based on Halász's theorem and distance functions. It was developped by Granville annd Soundarajan.

Keyphrases: Linnik, Zeros of Dirichlet L-functions, Pretentiousness, Halasz's theorem
Exploring the roles of atypical MAP kinases ERK3 and ERK4 during inflammation

Acute kidney injury is a complex event marked by renal tissue injury after ischemia or exposure to nephrotoxins. It is followed by the activation of intrarenal cells that trigger a stress response causing the infiltration of leukocytes that together help clear damaged tissue and later play a role in the healing process of the kidney. The mechanisms in which the immune system regulates events in AKI are not fully understood. Recent work has unveiled the key role of the atypical MAP kinases ERK3 and ERK4 in promoting inflammation, in part through regulating the synthesis of chemokines like CCL2 and CCL5 and playing a role in migration/invasion capabilities of immune cells to inflamed/damaged tissues. It is hypothesised that ERK3 and ERK4 activity promotes immune cell migration through intrinsic mechanisms and by fostering an inflammatory cascade. It is also believed that ERK3 and ERK4 promote immune cell maturation and activation and that blocking ERK3 and ERK4 activity can inhibit these processes. Using murine tubule epithelial kidney cells and bone marrow derived macrophages; we demonstrate that ERK3 deficiency attenuates the production of CCL2 and CCL5 in tubule cells stimulated with TNFα and TWEAK. Additionally, ERK3 loss does not impair bone marrow to mature into macrophages or polarize into pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory phenotypes. However, the absence of ERK3 in BMDMs inhibits their basal migration abilities in a scratch assay. Taken together, we provide evidence that TNFSF members may regulate ERK3 expression and play a role in the production of macrophage chemoattractant, which help foster the inflammatory cascade needed for macrophage infiltration. Moreover, we demonstrate that ERK3 plays a role in inherent ability for macrophages to migrate. All suggesting that ERK3 has multiple biological functions during inflammation.

Keyphrases: ERK3, ERK4, inflammation, CCL2, CCL5, macrophages, migration, atypical MAPK, acute kidney injury
The implication of cell-derived microvesicles in retinal pigment epithelium degeneration

In industrialized countries, degeneration of the macula is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss after 65 years of age and is termed age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This multifactorial disease comprises two types according to the stage of progress: dry AMD (70% of AMD cases) and wet AMD (30% of AMD cases). Dry AMD causes alterations in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) whose role in retina homeostasis is critical. These functional and structural alterations are manifested by accumulation of metabolic and cellular waste products in the form of drusen, which appear as lipid-enriched deposits between the RPE and Bruch’s membrane. Oxidative stress is the main contributing factor, which can derive RPE cell blebbing activity and senescence. Despite extensive research; there is still no cure for dry AMD. Our laboratory has long been focusing on the effects of microparticles originating from different cells, such as RPE-derived microparticles (RMPs). Microparticles (MPs) are membrane fragments that are released into environment upon cell activation or apoptosis and are responsible for various biological functions. microRNAs are selectively enriched in microparticles. According to our RNA sequencing profile analysis, let-7f is one of the most abundant microRNA (miRNA) in RMPs, and it may mediate oxidative stress-induced retinal cell dysfunction. The principal objective of this work was to explore the molecular events responsible for RMP-induced RPE cell dysfunction, emphasizing the disruptive signal of let-7f. Our findings strongly indicate that RMPs released by RPE cells under oxidative stress accelerate RPE degeneration and cause subretinal deposits. Given the results regarding let-7f function, this miRNA seems to be the main suspect exerting the detrimental effect of microparticles in RPE cells. In conclusion, verification of the role of RMPs and downstream players such as let-7f in retinal degeneration should inspire the development of therapeutic targets against AMD.

Keyphrases: RPE-derived microparticles (RMPs), Oxidative stress, RPE cell dysfunction, Senescence, Phagocytosis, MiRNA let-7f, Dry-AMD, Phagocytose, MiARN let-7f
Modelling and Reasoning with Software Product Lines with Design Choices

Software product lines (SPLs) allow managing the variability that arises in families of related software models due to varying customer needs.  While designing changes to them, engineers need to consider many alternative SPL designs.   However, without complete information about the desired quality requirements of the final SPL, engineers face uncertainty about how to make the appropriate design choices.   Existing formalisms and techniques are not well suited to modelling and reasoning about the two dimensional space defined by variability and design choices. We propose an approach for modelling design uncertainty in SPLs and for analyzing and understanding the impact of design choices in the quality of SPLs, expressed as properties. We formally define Software Product Lines with Design Choices (SPLDCs) and outline a procedure for analyzing them and providing appropriate feedback to engineers, based on the partial order of SPLDC property categories. We illustrate the applicability of our approach using a  fully worked out example, that shows the kind of nuanced feedback necessary for meaningful analysis of SPLs in the presence of design choices. To evaluate the scalability of our approach we use our approach over many SPLDCs and record runtimes.

Keyphrases: Product Line Engineering, Modeling, Design Choices, Uncertainty