NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Les traductions du Daode jing (道德經) de Julien (1842), Duyvendak (1953) et Mathieu (2008) : intentions, interventions, fonctionnalité

The theoretical framework of this study is Nord’s "skopos plus loyalty" approach ([1997] 2007 : 123). It exemplifies its heuristic and didactic potential when applied to philological translations, following Nord’s saying that "Comparing translations of various texts in various situations at various moments in history we find that different purposes can very often explain why translators have chosen different techniques or procedures to solve similar or analogous problems." (ibid. : 115 116) Three translations were selected for their functionality; their translation brief (Nord ibid. : 30) has been inferred, and the deliberate (Bastin 2007) translation shifts (Chesterman 1997; Gagnon 2006) which contributed to their functionality were identified. The "distribution" of the "translator’s threefold loyalty" has been evaluated, and those shifts which proved to be "unfortunate" were explained in terms of Ke's cultural presuppositions and misreadings (1999).

Keyphrases: Nord, Skopos, Tao-Tö-King, Daodejing, Functionality, Loyalty, Shifts, Presuppositions, Misreadings, Philological
Traduction statistique vers une langue à morphologie riche : combinaison d’algorithmes de segmentation morphologique et de modèles statistiques de traduction automatique

Statistical Machine Translation systems have been designed to translate text from a source language into a target one. In most of the benchmark translation systems, the basic unit considered in the textual analysis is the observed textual form of a word. While such a design provides good performance when it comes to translation between two morphologically poor languages, this is not the case when translating into or from a morphologically rich (or complex) language. The purpose of our work is to develop a Statistical Machine Translation (SMT) system as an alternative solution to the many challenges raised by morphological complexity. Our system has the potentials to capture the morphological diversity and hence, to produce efficient translation from a morphologically poor language to a rich one. Several methods have been designed to accomplish such a task. Pre-processing and Post-processing techniques have been built-in to these methods to allow for morphological information to improve translation quality. In this thesis, we first examine several methods of extending traditional SMT models and assess their power of producing better output by comparing them on English-Inuktitut and English-Finnish translation tasks. In a second step we develop a new morphologically aware segmentation algorithm that takes into account information coming from both languages to segment the morphologically rich language. This is done in order to enhance the quality of alignments and consequently the translation itself. This bilingual segmentation algorithm is then incorporated into the phrase-based translation model “PBM” to form our segmentation-based system. Finally we combine the segmentation-based system thus obtained with post-processing algorithms to procure our complete translation system. Our experiments show that the proposed segmentation-based system slightly outperforms the baseline translation system which doesn’t use any preprocessing techniques. It turns out also that our segmentation approach significantly surpasses the preprocessing baseline techniques used in this thesis.

Keyphrases: Segmentation, Statistical machine translation, Statistical machine learning, Natural language processing, Morphological complexity, Morphology generation, Word segmentation
Loquit, ridet, et vincit : l’intégration du toscan dans la commedeja pe ‘mmuseca et sa mise en musique : une forme de résistance contre la domination étrangère

The commedeja pe ‘mmuseca, a comic operatic genre in Neapolitan, flourished in early eighteenth-century Naples. Gradually, it began integrating Tuscan-speaking characters into its plots, accompanied by a dramma per musica inspired musical style. This inclusion of the literary language of the Peninsula and of a seria musical style has been interpreted as an attempt to ennoble the genre, and has led to the theorization of a dichotomy between Tuscan serious characters and Neapolitan comic ones. This view of Tuscan is based on the mistaken premise that Neapolitan is the language of the people and Tuscan, that of the aristocracy. I argue that, caused by a misunderstanding of the political and linguistic context of eighteenth-century Naples, it not only overlooks the reality of the music and libretti, but also neglects the political and nationalistic dimensions of the genre’s multilingualism. In fact, Neapolitan was spoken by all Neapolitans, whereas Tuscan was the language of foreigners and of the Austrian ruling power. This leads me to suggest a new interpretation to the commedeja’s multilingualism: accompanied by regional characterization, it is actually a form of local resistance against foreign domination. The analysis of sixty-six libretti, dating from 1721 to 1749, and of Lo frate ‘nnamorato (1732) by Gennaro Antonio Federico and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, confirm this hypothesis.

Keyphrases: Opera, Federico, Pergolesi, Tuscan, Neapolitan, Language, Dialect, Naples, History, Resistance
Défense et illustration de l'infinitisme épistémique

This dissertation focuses on the problem of epistemic regression which questions the possibility of justification. For this reason we’ll take interest in the details of epistemic regression and in the solutions that different critics offer to solve the problem. Generally, two positions oppose each other : foundationalism and coherentism. The first one proposes to stop the regression at a foundation, as the second one takes concern about the coherence shared amongst the beliefs. However the purpose of this dissertation is to present and defend a third position : infinitism. Introduced in the 1990’s by Peter Klein, infinitism is one of the most recent theories of justification. Although it is quite appealing, Klein’s theory is not very popular and few people defend this position. Infinitism offers to solve the problem of regression by basing the justification of the beliefs on series of infinite and non repetitive reasons. Consequently, infinitism reverses the initial problem because infinite regression is often perceived as an issue for knowledge and a source for scepticism. Our goal is to demonstrate that infinitism is the best way to solve the problem of epistemic regression. Therefore, we’ll synthesize the arguments in favor of infinitism and that will mark out three types of infinitism from which we’ll retain one, an impure form of infinitism, as best suited to answer the problem of regression. Finally we’ll respond to the main oppositions to infinitism in order to demonstrate that it is in fact a viable theory of justification.

Keyphrases: philosophy, epistemology, epistemic regress, epistemic justification, infinitism
The distribution of k-tuples of reduced residues

In 1940 Paul Erdos made a conjecture about the distribution of reduced residues. Here, in this thesis we studied the distribution of k-tuples of reduced residues, and proved extension of Erdos's conjecture for them.

Keyphrases: distribution, prime k-tuples, Erdos's conjecture, reduced residues
Oxfam-Québec : une Organisation Non Gouvernementale d'aide au développement ou l'expression d'un pouvoir politique transnational

Influenced by postmodern critique and postcolonial studies, this exploratory research invites to think the role and place of NGOs as actors in the development of “countries of the South”, in a more global world. Empirical data were collected through an ethnographic research conducted in one of the most influential NGOs in Montreal, Oxfam-Quebec, and from interdisciplinary theoretical data, both sources leading a two phase approach. First, the thesis highlights the need to understand the internal mechanisms of those powerful NGOs and their link with State and markets. The second part will be dedicated to the analysis of the development mission together with their growing importance on the international political level.

Keyphrases: NGO, development, southern countries, globalization, global social anthropology, political anthropology
A class of bivariate Erlang distributions and ruin probabilities in multivariate risk models

In this contribution, we introduce a new class of bivariate distributions of Marshall-Olkin type, called bivariate Erlang distributions. The Laplace transform, product moments and conditional densities are derived. Potential applications of bivariate Erlang distributions in life insurance and finance are considered. Further, our research project is devoted to the study of multivariate risk processes, which may be useful in analyzing ruin problems for insurance companies with a portfolio of dependent classes of business. We apply results from the theory of piecewise deterministic Markov processes in order to derive exponential martingales needed to establish computable upper bounds of the ruin probabilities, as their exact expressions are intractable.

Keyphrases: Copules, Erlang distribution, Expectation-Maximization algorithm, Piecewise deterministic Markov processes, Multivariate risk model, Ruin probability, Poisson model with common shocks, Renewal processes, Copulas
On some Density Theorems in Number Theory and Group Theory

Gowers in his paper on quasirandom groups studies a question of Babai and Sos asking whether there exists a constant $c > 0$ such that every finite group $G$ has a product-free subset of size at least $c|G|$.  Answering the question negatively, he proves that for sufficiently large prime $p$, the group $\mathrm{PSL}_2(\mathbb{F}_p)$ has no product-free subset of size $\geq cn^{8/9}$, where $n$ is the order of $\mathrm{PSL}_2(\mathbb{F}_p)$.   We will consider the problem for compact groups and in particular for the profinite groups $\SL_k(\mathh{Z}_p)$ and $\Sp_{2k}(\mathbb{Z}_p)$.  In Part I of this thesis, we obtain lower and upper exponential bounds for the supremal measure of the product-free sets. The proof involves establishing a lower bound for the dimension of non-trivial representations of the finite groups $\SL_k(\mathbb{Z}/(p^n\mathbb{Z}))$ and $\Sp_{2k}(\mathbb{Z}/(p^n\mathbb{Z}))$.  Indeed, our theorem extends and simplifies previous work of Landazuri and Seitz, where they consider the minimal degree of representations for Chevalley groups over a finite field.    In Part II of this thesis, we move to algebraic number theory. A monogenic polynomial $f$ is a monic irreducible polynomial with integer coefficients which produces a monogenic number field. For a given prime $q$, using the Chebotarev density theorem, we will show the density of primes $p$, such that $t^q-p$ is monogenic, is greater than or equal to $(q-1)/q$. We will also prove that, when $q=3$, the density of primes $p$, which $\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[3]{p})$ is non-monogenic, is at least $1/9$.

Keyphrases: Profinite group, Complex representation, Hilbert-Schmidt operator, Singular value decomposition, Chebotarev density theorem, Monogenic field, Thue equation
La construction sociale du statut juridique de l’eau : le cas du Québec et du Mexique

Water has been considered for a long time as a common good not susceptible to appropriation and accessible to all. Nowadays, however, in front of the uneven distribution of water on the planet, the constant increase of the population and the increase of water uses which pulls the overexploitation and the pollution of water resources, water takes a new value. Indeed, it becomes more and more a strategic, political and commercial issue. Consequently, the redefining of legal status of water becomes an important object of debate. This is above all a rhetoric debate and an ideological "battle" between groups who support different approaches. Indeed, these ideologies are the fruit of different speeches conceived by social actors who have contrary interests and ideologies and that aim at having the monopoly of the new reality and creating the new law.  There are two important approaches which are in confrontation. The first one, conceive water as an economic good, and considers that to avoid problems of wasting and pollution, water must be subjected to the laws of supply and demand. The second conceive water as a common good and supports that the value of a resource so vital as water cannot be established by the laws of the market, because this alternative does not allow to assure access to water to the most deprived of the society. This approach advocates the recognition of water as a human right.  Our thesis aims at finding how the choice of the legal status of water is made in Quebec and in Mexico. This question will be treated according to a constructivist perspective according to which the legal status of water would be a "constructed" reality and, thus, the new law would be the result of fights, oppositions and also, compromises between the involved social actors.  Our analysis covers Quebec and Mexico. In fact, those are territories economically integrated by NAFTA where we observe important variations in terms of resources, uses and consumption of water. In Quebec, we analyze the representations of different actors during the Consultation on Water Management held in 1999, and more particularly the speeches concerning the status of water, the privatization of water services and the bulk water exports. In Mexico, we analyze the representations of social actors surrounding the adoption of the National Water Law of 1992, and more particularly the questions concerning the symbolism of water. Now, we found that the result of these constructions within these territories is completely different. In Quebec, the status of water as a common good has been confirmed, whereas in Mexico, it is rather the symbolism of water as an economic good which was adopted in the new Mexican legislation.

Keyphrases: Water law, Water management in Mexico, Constructivism, Water management in Quebec, Environment, Common good, Economic good, Water management, Water status, Water exports
Exposition à la violence conjugale et adaptation de l’enfant : analyse des variables médiatrices et examen des profils individuels

Exposure to domestic violence is a common form of psychological maltreatment that has well-known serious negative effects on children. But children are not all affected in the same way by domestic violence and may present different patterns of adjustment. An increasing number of studies suggest mediating variables play an important role in the association between domestic violence and children’s adjustment. However, few studies have yet identified the relations between these variables or investigated the potential of these variables to discriminate patterns of adjusment of children exposed to domestic violence. The purpose of the present thesis was twofold.  The aim of the first study was to investigate the relation between children’s appraisals of domestic violence and of family relationships, two factors known as mediators between domestic violence and children’s adjustment. It was expected that children’s appraisals of domestic violence, measured by children’s self-blame, perception of threat and fear of abandonment would predict their appraisals of their family relationships as defined by parentification and loyalty conflicts. This first study was carried out with 79 8- to 12-years-old chidren recruited in shelter for battered women. Results revealed that children’s self-blame and fear of abandonment predicted their parentification. In addition, fear of abandonment predicted loyalty conflicts. The objective of the second study was to identify specific patterns of adjustment among children exposed to domestic violence and to identify factors associated with these profiles. These factors include children’s experience of violence, children’s appraisal of domestic violence, quality of the mother-child relationship and parentification. This second study was carried out with 116 8- to 12-years-old children and their mother recruited in shelter for battered women and other agencies providing services to families living in the context of domestic violence. Results revealed four patterns of adjustment : 1) Externalized problems only, 2) Internalized problems only, 3) Both externalized and internalized problems, and 4) No apparent problems. These four patterns are distinguishable on the basis of the presence of physical abuse toward the child, the quality of the mother-child relationship, the child’s appraisal of domestic violence and their level of parentification.  These results are discussed in terms of the child’s and parents’ respective contribution to the development of parentification and loyalty conflicts among children exposed to domestic violence. The discussion also highlights the variability in the manifestations of children’s distress when exposed to domestic violence. The factors associated with the different patterns of adjustment suggest the existence of specific needs among children who exhibit a specific pattern and may suggest associations between these factors.

Keyphrases: Exposure to domestic violence, Child, Patterns of adjustment
Découverte d'inhibiteurs de la dihydrofolate réductase R67 impliquée dans la résistance au triméthoprime

Trimethoprim (TMP) is a common antibiotic which is used since the 60's. TMP is an inhibitor of the bacterial chromosomal dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). This enzyme catalyses the reduction of the dihydrofolate (DHF) to tetrahydrofolate (THF) which is essential to the biosynthesis of purines thus to cellular proliferation. Bacterial TMP resistance is documented since about 30 years. One of the cause of this resistance comes from the fact that certain bacteria express a plasmidic DHFR, the R67 DHFR, which confers TMP resistance. The R67 DHFR is not inhibited by TMP and can replace the chromosomal DHFR when the latter is inhibited by TMP. The discovery of R67 DHFR inhibitors would allow to break the trimethoprim resistance granted by R67 DHFR. In order to discover R67 DHFR inhibitors, fragment based design and virtual screening approaches were selected. By fragment based design, seven simple compounds with a low molecular mass which inhibited weakly R67 DHFR (fragments) were identified. From these fragments, more complex and symmetrical compounds inhibiting R67 DHFR in the micromolar range were identified. Kinetic studies showed these inhibitors were competitive and at least two molecules bind simultaneously to the active site of the R67 DHFR. Test of the micromolar inhibitors analog showed that the presence of carboxylate, benzimidazole and the length of the molecule all have an effect on the potency of the inhibitors. Molecular docking of the inhibitors, supported by in vitro data, were used to develop a model which suggest that residue like Lys32, Gln67 and Ile68 would be involved in the binding of the inhibitors to the R67 DHFR. Virtual screening of the 80 000 compound Maybridge library with Moldock software, followed by in vitro test of the best candidate, identified four micromolar inhibitors which are chemically distinct from the inhibitor beforehand identified. A second virtual screening of a 6 million compounds bank identified three micromolar inhibitors which are also distinct from the inhibitor beforehand identified. vi These results offer a basis which will allow further development of more potent inhibitors with more acceptable pharmacologic properties in order to develop an antibiotic which would break the TMP resistance granted by the R67 DHFR.

Keyphrases: Inhibition enzymatique, Fragment based design, Virtual screening, Molecular docking, Drug discovery, R67 dihydrofolate reductase, Bacterial resistance, Trimethoprim, Enzymatic inhibition
L’influence de l’apprentissage des arts sur le développement de l’intelligence émotionnelle d’élèves du primaire

In Quebec’s elementary schools, arts education is compulsory. As a matter of fact, study programs with an artistic concentration are present in many schools. However, some individuals still consider that arts education is a less important field of study. As a result, the effects learning arts has on young students remain unclear. The objective of this study is to determine if students from grades 4, 5 and 6 who study in a school with an artistic program develop more abilities linked to their emotional intelligence (EI), compared to students who study in a school with a regular program. A quasi-experimental research design with a non equivalent control group was used. EI scores were measured with questionnaires completed by students, their teachers and their parents. Using three different types of respondents made it possible to triangulate the data. Results first show that, according to teachers’ perception, students who followed arts courses in extracurricular activities have a higher EI than students who did not follow those kinds of courses. However, participation in an artistic program does not appear to have an effect on the development of EI, because our results indicate that students who attend a school that offers an artistic program have lower EI than students from regular schools. Outcomes are discussed in light of the current literature, and according to the strengths and the weaknesses of the current study.

Keyphrases: Arts, Emtional intelligence (EI), Elementary school, Artistic program
Épidémie de l’infection à VIH/Sida au Bénin : implication en évaluation des ONG locales et efficacité de leurs interventions

While the role of HIV/AIDS' local NGOs is appreciated in Africa, their actions are perceived as inefficient because of a lack of monitoring and evaluation capacity. Moreover, NGOs’ involvement in evaluation can be useful for continuously improving programs. The main goal of this thesis is to analyze the influence of local NGOs’ involvement in evaluation on the effectiveness of their interventions. It used mixed (quantitative and qualitative) methods of analysis of data gathered from Benin NGOs' clients, officers and financiers. It is written as four articles format. The first's goal is to analyze descriptively the local HIV/AIDS NGOs’ involvement in evaluation and the characteristics influencing this involvement. The second aims to analyze by a quantitative method the influence this involvement in evaluation can have on the effectiveness of their interventions. The third's goal is to explore with qualitative method, actors’ perceptions and problems related to the involvement of NGOs in evaluations and to explain mechanisms by which that involvement can lead to increase interventions effectiveness. The last aims to analyze dimensions and the explanatory factors of NGOs' clients’ satisfaction. Recommendations are formulated in order to optimize the use of evaluations' methods by these organizations to improve the effectiveness of their actions.

Keyphrases: Non-government organization, Involvement in evaluation, effectiveness