NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
The autotelic experience : a design approach to user experience

If usability guides the formal organisation of interactive systems as it pertains to being usable, useful and efficient, what principle(s) guide(s) the formal organisation of interactive systems when it comes to give form to the subjective dimension of the user experience? This question came from two perceived gaps in our understanding of UX: (1) the UX theoretical framework appears incomplete to this day. Going beyond experiencing, what is at play during Dewey’s an experience? (2) The process and abilities of designers are underused in the current theoretical and practical UX framework; what would provide a more designerly approach? We propose that the autotelic experience could bridge these gaps and be the UX counterpart to usability. The autotelic experience is an internal dimension at the heart of the optimal experience—Flow—(Csikszentmihalyi, 1975) and covering the whole of the aesthetic experience (Schaeffer, 2000). The autotelic experience is a shift in awareness occurring during the interaction. This awareness is accompanied by an imperceptible tension of wanting to make this moment last in order to continue enjoying the pleasure it generates (a circular motivation to stay in the interaction for the sake of the interaction itself) (Schaeffer, 2000). Our results suggest the key to the autotelic experience sits with visuospatial reasoning or more specifically to right hemisphere (RH) activation. Three exploratory studies were conducted, using a three-part theoretical framework where Flow, signs of nonverbal / spatial activity (physical gestures) and of verbal activity (discourse) were assessed for their various associations.  The main contribution of this research is a model of autotelic experience made of three interlocking elements (high positive pressure, low mental demand and an openness to unexpected events) contextualised by either an active or a receptive engagement on the part of the user. One of the findings is that the pragmatic experience and the autotelic experience (which we have associated to Dewey’s an experience, 1934), are based on one and the same content, the only difference is the shift in attention on the participant’s part.  All the elements of the model are known, but one, to design the experience in a way to keep the user open to the unexpected. This one element supports the occurrence of the shift from ordinary to autotelic attention. The new model opens the door to a better appreciation of designers’ skills and processes within multidisciplinary team in UX design.

Keyphrases: Design, Flow, User experience, Autotelic experience, Aesthetic experience, Verbal and spatial processes
L'horizon et la colonne, réflexions sur la relation intérieur-extérieur chez Le Corbusier

This work explores the interior-exterior relationships as defined by Le Corbusier, questioning the way in which he incorporates the idea of spatial interpenetration - a major postulate of modern architecture -. By studying sketches, photographs, and notes taken during his Voyage d’Orient, as well as certain architectural notions put forward in his emblematic theoretical works from the 1920’s, we will discover in Le Corbusier a thought that goes beyond the architectural object, revealing a special interest towards the place and the horizontal-vertical dialectics. Some architectural devices like the colonnade and the column will be seen through the master’s point of view –when placed at the transition between the inside and the outside-to bear a mediating role between man and his environment, using the right angel as a measuring tool. This research intends to contribute to the understanding of Le Corbusier’s architectural thoughts, in particular with regards to the relation between architecture and landscape as a phenomenal experience.

Keyphrases: Le Corbusier, horizon, architecture, interior, exterior, horizontal-vertical, right angle, architecture, place, landscape
Conséquences d’une restriction de croissance intra-utérine et du sexe biologique sur le métabolisme des acides gras dans les cardiomyocytes de rats foetaux

It is widely accepted that an adverse fetal environment predisposes to chronic diseases that occur in adulthood. In our laboratory, it has been shown that a decrease in placental perfusion induced blood flow redistribution to the heart in fetus as well as an intrauterine growth restriction. Furthermore, remodeling and decreased contractility of cardiomyocytes were observed in adult offspring females. In perinatal period, the use of fatty acids as an energy substrate becomes more important than glucose in cardiomyocytes. Whereas a mechanism is in place in utero, we proposed the hypothesis that the transfer from the use of glucose as fuel towards fatty acids occurs earlier in intrauterine growth restriction fetuses. The objective of this study is to measure, in fetal hearts, the components of fatty acid metabolism, the main carrier of fatty acids, carnitine palmitoyltransférase‒1α, and its associated proteins namely acyl‒coenzymeA synthase‒1 and voltage‒dependant anion channel 1. We will measure the cytochrome c oxidase activity and the number of mitochondria. Influence of sex and fetal condition (intrauterine growth restriction vs control) will be compared. We observed that protein expression of carnitine palmitoyltranferase-1α and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain 1 is significantly increased, but not that of the voltage-dependant anion channel 1, in hearts of female fetus IUGR. The number and the activity of mitochondria are similar in all the groups. These results suggest that fetal condition and sex alter the quantity of the acid transporter carnitine palmitoyltranferase-1α has at the translation level without affecting the activity of the cytochrome c oxidase and the number of mitochondria.

Keyphrases: Low-sodium diet, Pregnancy, Mitochondria, Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1-alpha
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) in acute coronary syndrome

Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a biomarker of several inflammatory diseases and syndromes. An elevated Lp-PLA2 level is associated with unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Bound to plasma lipoproteins (LDL and HDL), Lp-PLA2 prevents the formation of biologically active oxidized phospholipids on their surface such as oxidized phosphatidylcholine (oxPC). Nevertheless, the products of Lp-PLA2 action, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) are both known to aggravate inflammation. Thus, understanding the metabolism of Lp-PLA2 could help us better understand its role in plaque formation, as studies have shown high expression of Lp-PLA2 and LPCs in unstable plaques. Moreover, studies showed correlation between increased Lp-PLA2 mass and activity and increased risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and death. The inhibition of Lp-PLA2 with a small molecule, Darapladib, has not demonstrated benefit in reduction of cardiovascular events in two clinical studies. Here, the first chapter will focus on Lp-PLA2 and cardiovascular disease in man, highlighting the latest updates in the literature. The second and third chapters will introduce experimental work on Lp-PLA2 in the setting of acute coronary syndrome.

Keyphrases: Lp-PLA2, Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, platelet activating factor acetyl hydrolase, acute coronary syndrome, ACS, cardiovascular diseases, HDL, LDL, acyl hydrolase
Contribution pulmonaire à l’élimination systémique du propofol chez le patient sous anesthésie générale

Several clinical studies have demonstrated the existence of propofol extrahepatic metabolism. The exact nature and site of this metabolism is not fully elucidated in man, however, the lung may possibly contribute to propofol total clearance as suggested by animal findings. In the present study, pulmonary contribution to total body elimination of propofol was investigated in patients during cardio-surgical anesthesia. Following informed consent and research ethic board approval, fourteen patients-ASA category I or II, between 35 and 70 years of age and scheduled for routine cardiac surgery were included in the present study. Patients were recruited at Royal-Victoria Hospital. At induction, propofol was administered as an intravenous bolus followed by a continuous infusion rate of 50 g/kg/min.  Arterial and mixed-venous blood samples were drawn simultaneously from the radial artery and pulmonary artery catheters from patients under controlled ventilation or apneic conditions, for measurement of plasma propofol concentrations. Arterio-venous gradient was assessed under steady-state conditions to evaluate a potential contribution of the lung to the overall elimination of propofol. No statistically significant differences were found between both sampling sites, either under controlled ventilation or after a short period of apnea.  We were unable to demonstrate the existence of propofol pulmonary extraction in the lungs in  humans. This might be explained by methodological factors

Keyphrases: Propofol, Patient, Propofol, Pulmonary extraction, Lung, Drug interaction, Patient, General anesthesia
Greffage irréversible de polyélectrolytes  sur des substrats de silice et de mica et étude des propriétés de surface et de gonflement

A protocol for irreversibly grafting of amphiphilic copolymer polystyrene-b-poly (sodium acrylate) PS-b-PANa onto hydrophobized mica and silica was developed, using the grafting to approach. Surface properties of charge block were evaluated. The swelling of chains and force ionic effect were studied by ellipsometry. The interaction forces and frictional forces were evaluated by SFA technique. Forces profiles were stable and clearly repulsive in loading and receding, indicating an irreversible grafting. High friction forces onto PANa brushes were determinate without evidence of damage at the surface. The comparison between solution behavior of polyacrylic acid, PAA and PANa brushes, obtained via different grafting methods, was equally investigated.

Keyphrases: Surfaces intelligentes, PS-b-PANa, SFA, Smart surfaces, Surface properties, Irreversible grafted, Amphiphilic, Copolymer, PS-b-PAA, Ionic strength, Swelling, Friction
Des animaux pour humaniser les soins : Éthique des soins et récits de zoothérapie canine auprès de résidents de centres d’hébergement de soins de longue durée

In animal assisted therapy, people can both benefit from interactions and relationships with a human and an animal. This text presents some anecdotal experiences to illustrate how pet therapy can contribute to the social and emotional well-being of patients. This text emphasizes that our social nature makes an ethics of care possible for caregivers and necessary for patients, all while drawing a parallel between the skills of my dogs and my own. I also plead for us not neglect the socio-emotional needs of patients.

Keyphrases: animal assisted therapy, ethics of care, canine, gerontology, emotions, touch
La force de réaction au sol verticale maximale comme témoin d'effets fonctionnels et structuraux chez des modèles canins d'arthrose : potentiel  envers le développement thérapeutique

Animal models of osteoarthritis are useful to evaluate the potential of osteoarthritis therapeutics at the preclinical stage of development. In this thesis, the dog is used as a model of naturally-occurring (i.e. companion animal) and experimentally induced (i.e. by surgical transection of the cranial cruciate ligament) osteoarthritis. The peak of the vertically-oriented ground reaction force, which is measured during kinetic gait analysis, is proposed to be an indicator of structural and functional benefits in these models of osteoarthritis.  In a canine model of naturally-occurring osteoarthritis, the threshold of the minimal detectable change in peak vertical force was determined. An improvement in the locomotor disability can now be identified according to the measurement error (noise) of the peak vertical force. This allows the identification of responders when the peak vertical force is used as an outcome measure of functional benefits. A retrospective analysis later determined that current therapeutic approaches provided a responder rate of 62.8% with an effect size of 0.7 in dogs with naturally-occurring osteoarthritis. This analysis also determined that the therapeutic response is favored in cases of severe locomotor disability.   In a canine model of osteoarthritis induced by surgical transection of the cranial cruciate ligament, the peak vertical force demonstrated an inverse relationship with different types of structural changes, as evaluated upon magnetic resonance imaging. The sensitivity of the peak vertical force to detect structural benefits on the subchondral bone was also shown in this model using an antiresorptive agent (i.e. tiludronate).  The experiments conducted in dogs with naturally-occurring osteoarthritis further validate findings from clinical trials in which the peak vertical force is used as an outcome measure of functional benefits. The practice of an evidence-based medicine is then expected. The experiments conducted in dogs with surgically-induced osteoarthritis support the recording of the locomotor disability, being in line with the level of the structural changes. By performing gait analysis in addition to structural evaluations, it is expected to establish the impact of structural benefits on joint discomfort   This thesis suggests that a platform for preclinical investigations, which combines the canine model of osteoarthritis induced by surgical transection of the cranial cruciate ligament and a clinical trial in dogs with naturally-occurring osteoarthritis, offers the opportunity to discern structural benefits having functional impacts. A better prediction of outcomes for human clinical trials is expected by using the peak vertical force.

Keyphrases: Kinetic gait analysis, Cinical trials, Drugs, Preclinical research, Pain, Lameness
What is editorialization?

This paper is the result of eight years of work on the concept of editorialization that was done in the context of the international seminar “Écritures numériques et éditorialisation”, which I have been co-organizing with Nicolas Sauret since 2008. I propose a definition of editorialization as the set of dynamics that produce and structure digital space. These dynamics can be understood as the interactions of individual and collective actions within a particular digital environment. Starting from this definition I try to describe how authority works in digital space.

Keyphrases: Éditorialisation, Editorialization, Digital space, Authority, Content curation, Digital edition
L’impact des principes éthiques sur le marché d’assurance en présence de tests génétiques

According to certain authors, the genetic tests entail the exclusion of agents from the insurance market. For that reason, several individuals advocate in the name of ethical principles to ban the use of genetic tests on the market. However if for the ethical reasons, the information remains private, the contract of solidarity which insures a complete mutualization of the risk and an access equal to all to the insurance market can be threatened. The agents themselves can use this information either to lower their premium if they are low risk agents either to increase their insurance demand if they are high risk agents. This situation can induce an adverse selection phenomenon. In this article, we look for the consequences of ethical principles on the insurance market. We show that sometimes it is rational to let genetic information as public information.

Keyphrases: philosophy, ethics, economics, Genetic testing, insurance, ethics, justice, philosophy, ethics, economics, justice
La qualité au détriment de l’équité ?
Du commerce équitable à une nouvelle définition de la qualité

To go out of charity, fair trade increasingly focuses on the superior quality of its products. We show in this paper that this strategy carries more threats than solutions for fair trade, unless a broader definition of the quality of goods is envisaged. We observe finally that quality and equity can be antithetical: the exhortation of the consumers to be more concerned with quality of goods may surpass the exhortation to exchange in a jut way.

Keyphrases: philosophy, ethics, economics, Quality, equity, justice, trade, price, philosophy, ethics, economics, justice
Profils des toxicomanes judiciarisés en traitement dans deux centres de réadaptation publics au Québec

The aim of this study is to acquire a better understanding of the offenders admitted to an addiction treatment facility. The sample is Two hundred and sixteen client admitted to two public addiction treatment facilities of Province of Québec. These subjects answered to the French form of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI-IGT), the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), the Jesness Inventory Personality Scales, and the University of Rhodes Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA). These psychometric tools are used to describe our sample. The analysis leads to two main discussion themes. First, the multiple problematics observed in our sample confront the clinicians with the difficulty to offer treatment services that will adequately answer to these various needs. Second, the low level of addiction of some clients referred by the justice system challenges the relevance to refer these clients to an addiction treatment facility.

Keyphrases: Abus, Test
Video-based analysis of Gait pathologies

Gait analysis has emerged as one of the most important medical field recently due to its wide range of applications. Marker-based systems are the most favoured methods of human motion assessment and gait analysis, however, these systems require specific equipment and expertise, and are cumbersome, costly and difficult to use. Many re- cent computer-vision-based approaches have been developed to reduce the cost of the expensive motion capture systems while ensuring high accuracy result. In this thesis, we introduce our new low-cost gait analysis system that is composed of two low-cost monocular cameras (camcorders) placed on the left and right sides of a treadmill. Each 2D left or right human skeleton model is reconstructed from each view based on dy- namic color segmentation, the gait analysis is then performed on these two models. The validation with one state-of-the-art vision-based motion capture system (using the Mi- crosoft Kinect v.1) and one ground-truth (with markers) was done to demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of our system. The average error in human skeleton model estimation compared to ground-truth between our method vs. Kinect are very promis- ing: the joints angles of upper legs (6.29◦ vs. 9.68◦), lower legs (7.68◦ vs. 11.47◦), feet (6.14◦ vs. 13.63◦), stride lengths (6.14cm vs. 13.63cm) were better and more stable than those from the Kinect, while the system could maintain a reasonably close accu- racy to the Kinect for upper arms (7.29◦ vs. 6.12◦), lower arms (8.33◦ vs. 8.04◦), and torso (8.69◦ vs. 6.47◦). Based on the skeleton model obtained by each method, we per- formed a symmetry study on various joints (elbow, knee and ankle) using each method on two different subjects to see which method can distinguish more efficiently the sym- metry/asymmetry characteristic of gaits. In our test, our system reported a maximum knee angle of 8.97◦ and 13.86◦ for normal and asymmetric walks respectively, while the Kinect gave 10.58◦ and 11.94◦. Compared to the ground-truth, 7.64◦ and 14.34◦, our system showed more accuracy and discriminative power between the two cases.

Keyphrases: Pose estimation, Video-based gait analysis
Les processus de la mise en scène : polyphonie et complexité dans la création scénique

A complex human reality, based on dialogues as well as power relations which are permanently being redefined, is at the heart of the process of performance creation. So as to theorize such processes, several studies have been building a corpus compiling the documents which are produced during meetings or rehearsals. However, such a transfer has proven questionable : as it is made of incomplete traces, such material is necessarily too incomplete to bespeak of the organic and polyphonic life of a performance in gestation. A first solution is to elect a decidedly intermedial approach of a performance’s archives : since various artistic disciplines interact in the process of a performance’s production, one may analyze it by actively comparing and contrasting the different media which are generated during its elaboration. As a complement to the first proposal, a second approach will lead the researcher to get involved into an in vivo observation of meetings and rehearsals so as to have at his disposal a more comprehensive research material. This epistemological clarification paves the way for an attempt to theorize the processes of stage creation. First, it appears that the stage or work space is as much of a physical receptacle for the artists’ research as it is a catalyst : it is in the course of getting to own this space collectively that a group of collaborators gives substance to the production. The creative space thus reveals a polyphonic dimension which is also true regarding time : since it involves an ensemble of artists, a creative process has no uniform chronological linearity ; it comprises a whole array of relations to time which are specific to each of the participants, and one has to bring these temporalities together to give birth to a performance that belongs to all. There is therefore a fundamentally social dimension to any staging process. As it is gathered in a given space and time, the small society which is formed around the stage director has to follow a creative process based on dialogue, where the suggestions of the different individuals coalesce to produce a prolific discourse whose strength and unity are guaranteed by the presence of the director.

Keyphrases: dialogisme, process, genetics, performance, rehearsals, genesis, polyphony, dialogism
La nouvelle immigration chinoise au Canada et au Québec dans le cadre de la mondialisation

Based on the analysis of official data, this research proposes a study on the relationship between the trend of new international migration flows from China after the 2000s and the economic and social performances of Chinese immigrants in Canada and Quebec. The purpose of this research is to observe the quantity and the quality of new Chinese immigrants as well as their performances after immigration. These new flows of people are different from the previous ones, because the rich and elites become the majority of the recent immigrants. The new immigration tide from China is also accompanied by a strong growth of the number of Chinese students who study abroad and by a significant flow of returnees. However, the results we got don’t show any improvement of their performance despite their more skilled and younger profiles. Indeed, the recent Chinese immigrants brought many influences to Canada and Quebec. Due to big changes in the internal economic and social conditions, the trend of these flows from China will not stop in the near future. Thus, the policymakers of the host country and region need to pay more attention and better react in front of this tendency.

Keyphrases: immigration, Canada, Chinese, globalization