NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
L’invariance au point de vue dans la représentation de l’organisation spatiale des composantes de formes complexes

Tree experiments were conducted to determine which codes underlie the representation of the spatial organisation of the components of complex shapes. The tree experiments used a simultaneous matching task of complex objects. For the negative trials, the objects could have categorical differences of configuration, metric differences of configuration, metric difference along with differences in the role of parts, and differences in the role of parts only. The 2D or 3D angular distance between the stimuli could vary. In experiment 1, the stimuli were presented with stereopsis and had a surface with high contrast texture. Experiment 2 replicates the condition of experiment 1, except that the contrast of the stimuli was reduced. The goal of this manipulation was to verify if the results of experiment 1 were replicated if task difficulty is increased. In experiment 3, the stimuli were presented without stereopsis and without texture. The tree experiments showed that a categorical code, and a code relevant to the role of the parts contribute to the discrimination of complex objects and that these codes are dependent to 2D and 3D orientation, independently of depth cues. The results also show a greater sensitivity to categorical than to metric configuration differences. Finally, a metric code also contributes to complex shapes discrimination. However, the contribution of this code disappears when the quantity of depth cues is reduced.

Keyphrases: Complex shape, Configuration difference, Orientation invariance, Depth cues
Projets des logements à la suite des désastres : analyse du système organisationnel et évaluation de la satisfaction des usagers 
dans un projet de reconstruction dans la région du Maghreb

Construction projects are temporary endeavors with a defined beginning and end, conducted by a temporary and multi-disciplinary team called a Temporary Multi-Organization (TMO).   In the hostile environment of post-disaster reconstruction, participants of the TMO must confront high levels of uncertainty which increases project risks. The non-acceptability of project outcomes is one of the most frequent risks reported in literature (UNDRO, 1982; Barenstein, 2008; Dikmen, 2006). Acceptability is related with users’ satisfaction. However, according to the theory of bounded rationality, actors of the TMO - confronted with limited information and resources - cannot achieve an optimal solution. Instead, both project actors and end-users accept a «satisficing» [SIC] solution (Simon, 2004).  This study hypothesizes that two organizational factors have an important influence on user satisfaction in post-disaster housing projects: (i) centralized decision making (coupled with lack of information); and (ii) the capacity of the structure of the Temporary Multi-Organization (TMO) to take into account the active participation of users in project planning, management, financing and design.  A case study of a post-disaster housing project in the Maghreb region helps us validate this hypothesis. Building up on this hypothesis, indicators of technology transfer (as proposed by the Logical Framework Analysis) serve as a basis to assess users’ satisfaction. The research does not establish a cause-effect relationship between the two variables of the study. However, the analysis of the structure of the TMO and users’ satisfaction highlight several principles, related with the project initiation and management, that can be implemented to improve reconstruction practices in developing countries.

Keyphrases: Reconstruction, Participation, Temporary multi-organization, Post-disaster reconstruction, Participation, Users’ satisfaction, Organizational design, Centralization, Bounded rationality
Politics in extraordinary times : a study of the reaction of political parties and elites to terrorism

This thesis focuses on the behaviour of political elites during periods of national crisis  and particularly on their reactions to acts of terrorism. It demonstrates that terrorist crises,  much like military and diplomatic conflicts, represent a fertile ground for rallies around  the flag.   The statistical analysis of terrorist events that occurred in five democracies  (France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America) from  1990 to 2006 indicates that the magnitude of the attack in terms of fatalities and the  repetition of attacks influence in large measures the reaction of the political elite. The  higher the magnitude is, the more likely the rally. However, the repetition of attacks  increases the likelihood of dissention between opposition and government. Moreover, the  opposition is more likely to support the government when the attack is perpetrated by  terrorists originating from abroad. The quantitative analysis also indicates that the  existence of a formal antiterrorist pact between government and opposition increases the  likelihood of a rally. Finally, the data suggest that elites are more likely to rally around  the flag since the events of 9/11.   A qualitative analysis focusing solely on France and examining cases from the  period 1980-2006 confirms the validity of the variables identified in the quantitative part  but suggests that elites react to the total number of victims (including wounded) and that  the repetition has less impact during waves of attacks. Furthermore, the case studies  confirm that French political elites are particularly prone to rally when high-ranking  representatives of the state fall victim to the terrorists. In addition, it appears that political  rivalries and resentment (in particular following the Left’s return to power in 1981) have on occasion thwarted the rallying of elites. Finally, this analysis indicates that whereas  the far-left generally supports the government (left-wing or right-wing), the far-right uses  almost every opportunity to criticize the government and the parties of the establishment.   The thesis is divided into seven chapters. Chapter one suggests that during intense  foreign policy crises (military and diplomatic) the behaviour of the political elite is often  influenced by the national interest, rather than the electoral interest that predominates in  quieter periods. Chapter two discusses the terrorist phenomenon and the corresponding  literature. Chapter three analyses the rally-around-the-flag phenomenon, lays out a  framework for analysing the reaction of elites, and presents a series of hypotheses.  Chapter four details the methodology used. Chapters five and six present respectively the  results of the quantitative and qualitative analyses. Finally, chapter seven concludes with  a summary of the author’s contribution and suggests avenues of research.

Keyphrases: Political parties, Elite behaviour, Terrorism, Rally around the flag
Synthèse d'une librairie d'analogues monomériques et dimériques du sLe X

This work describes the synthesis of novel sialyl Lewis X (sLex) analogues. To this end, we have prepared a library of analogues by implementing a strategy that makes use of an Acyclic Tether which allows for defined Conformational Bias (ATCB strategy). We have previously shown that analogues bearing a benzoate group at both positions C-2 and C-4 of the galactose exert an activity 50-fold greater than that of sLex. Indeed, removing the benzoate at position C-4 while keeping the one at C-2 led to a three fold decrease in potency. We are currently preparing the corresponding analogues that have the benzoate only at position C-4 in order to fully evaluate its impact on the potency of the analogue. We have also previously elucidated the role of esters on the activity of analogues that have acyclic tether as part of the ATC-B strategy. Variations have been made at the level of the ester and their impact has been evaluated. Lastly, we have prepared a novel family of analogues consisting of two identical monomeric subunits linked together. Synthesis of these dimers was performed via «Click Chemistry». This study describes the synthesis of the compounds and the methodology employed.

Keyphrases: Sialyl Lewis X, Anchimeric assistance, Carbohydrate, Inflammatory response, Selectin, Sialyl Lewis X, participating group, anomeric carbon
Étude d'un variant de la toxine STb produite par Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are a major cause of post-weaning diarrhea.  STb is one of two heat-stable toxins produced by ETEC and is mostly associated with pathogenic porcine isolates. For the first time, a variant of the toxin was observed in a study in 2003. Our hypothesis is that STb variants are present in ETEC strains from Quebec. To screen for alterations at the gene level, a collection of 100 STb+ ETEC strains isolated from diseased pigs was randomly selected and analyzed. A total of 23 strains had a change from His12 to Asn. An association between the presence of the variant and virulence factors present in those strains was done. These strains were also positive for STa. Since this variant seems to be widely distributed in Quebec, we hypothesize that the variant has different biological properties compared to the wild-type STb.  First, the secondary structure of the variant and wild-type toxin and their thermal stability was determined by circular dichroism. Both show similar structures and thermal stability. In addition, the binding affinity with the toxin receptor, the sulfatide, was determined by surface plasmon resonance. The affinity of the wild-type for the sulfatide is slightly superior to the variant. Finally, the internalization inside IPEC-J2 cells of the variant was compared to the wild-type. The variant is able to internalize more cells than the wild-type. Altogether, these results suggest that both the variant and the wild-type toxin are biochemically and structurally similar.

Keyphrases: variant, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, STb enterotoxin, post-weaning diarrhea, virulence factor, variant
Eyes Of Darwin : une fenêtre ouverte sur l'évolution du logiciel

Software must continuously evolve and integrate more functionalities to remain useful. Consequently, more than 60% of a software system's cost is related to maintenance. To reduce this cost, programming must performed faster, witch leads to a decrease of the system code's quality. Therefore, understanding software evolution is becoming a necessity to prevent code decay and to increase the system life span. To ease software understanding, we perform a cross analysis of the historical data extracted from a version control system, with quantitative data that we obtain from the source code. However, the significant amount of data generated by this kind of analysis makes it necessary to have tools to support the maintainer’s analysis. First, tools help because examining them manually is impossible. Second, they help because automatics methods are not accurate enough. We present a new semiautomatic approach to help analysis. Our 3D visualization system, Eyes Of Darwin, uses a cityscape metaphor to show software's evolution on a single view. It integrates an occlusion reduction system, witch turns the screen to an open window on the 3D world. We conclude, with an exploratory study in order to validate our approach.

Keyphrases: occlusion, software visualization, software evolution, quality, metric, occlusion, stereoscopy
Une esthétique hyperréaliste en littérature? : narrativité picturale et langage visuel dans l'œuvre romanesque de Suzanne Jacob (1991-2005)

This Master's thesis studies the concept of hyperrealism in the context of contemporary literature. It focuses more specifically on the ways it is expressed in three novels written by Suzanne Jacob : L'Obéissance (1991), Rouge mère et fils (2001) and Fugueuses (2005). An overview of the history and theoretical aspects of pictural art is essential to understand hyperrealism for the latter is intertwined with this art form. When taking a closer look at the hyperrealistic novel, one will notice the abundance of media references (i.e. pictural art, photography, cinema, music, television, sculpture, architecture and literature). This occurrence of multiple medias and the depiction of the real through mediated representations are essential components of hyperrealistic works. Style and narrative are intimately related to these medias and art forms. The Hyperrealist novel hence will feature complex and particular narrative structures characterized by juxtaposed focalizations, narrative fragments and importance given to fine detail. Finally, the hyperrealist novel employs continuity and fragmentation. It features characters and author composing with these complex representations wich will eventually lead them to demonstrate skepticism and doubt when apprehending the real.

Keyphrases: Suzanne Jacob, Roman contemporain, Hyperrealism, Contemporary novel
Iphigénie de Rotrou à Racine : paradoxe d'un héroïsme chrétien au féminin

In the French Ancien Régime, the representations of the condition of women justify the values of male chauvinism. Nevertheless, in its economy of Salvation, Christianity gives women an important place. In the social context of Counter-Reformation, this situation defines the terms of a mystical experience of God exemplified, in literature, by a model of feminine heroism, as Christian ethics set up a feminine figure transcending her human condition through sacrifice and death. In the seventeenth century, however, the concept of abnegation and pride eradicates the short-lasting triumph of feminine heroism. Through Rotrou and Racine’s theatrical reorganization of Euripides’ Iphigenia in Aulis, we will see how both authors convey its end.  In our first chapter, we will consider the space defered to women by Christianity through the cult of virginity and the transfiguration of celestial bodies. Reinstating these theological data, the mystics will mark the rise of a feminine charisma which will be deconstructed by the notion of pride in the late seventeenth century. In the second chapter, we will see how the development of heroism favours the expansion of a feminine heroic figure. In the last chapter we will analyse the failure of a mythical heroine who, by taking advantage of the Christian dogma, dangerously compromises the patriarcal order. While critics often assert the truthfull virtue of Iphigenia in Rotrou and Racine’s plays, we will intend to prove that she is, on the contrary, tragically convicted of pride by both authors.

Keyphrases: Rotrou, Racine, Seventeenth century, Heroism, Women, Christianity, Pride, Iphigenia, Rotrou, Racine
Adopter Tchekhov : étude sociolinguistique de trois traductions québécoises d'Oncle Vania (1983-2001)

Since the beginning of the 1980’s, Quebec's theatrical milieu interest for Chekhov plays is growing. However, the translated plays do not reflect the tendency  which, in the 1970’s and the 1980’s, consisted in adapting the foreign classics of theater in an ethnocentric way, especially by translating them into québécois French. For Chekhov, the translators and the practitioners seemed more worried about the dramaturgic aspects of the language than by the sociolinguistic adaptation of the plays to the context of reception. Intrigued by this phenomenon, we tried to verify and understand it by analyzing three Uncle Vania plays translated and produced in Quebec between 1983 and 2001. Our work is at the crossroads of two disciplines : traductology and dramaturgical analysis. It tries to demonstrate the strictly dramaturgic roots of the various translations strategies for Uncle Vania by studying the series of their concretizations, from the source text to the target mise en jeu. The corpus consists of two mimetic translations and a rewriting. The first play is Oncle Vania, translated by Michel Tremblay (1983), where the idiolect of Marina, one of the characters, was translated in joual in order to recreate the dramaturgic effect of the source text. In the second translation, Uncle Vanya, played in English at the Centaur Theater (1993), the lines of professor Serebryakov were translated into French by Jean-Louis Roux, the character's interpreter, and emphasize several of his characteristics. The third play of the corpus is a rewriting of Chekhov's, (Uncle) Vanya by Howard Barker, translated in Quebec by Paul Lefebvre (2001). The vulgarity of the language of this last play was translated in a semantic way, in order to recreate the show/spectator relation particular to the Barker’s Theatre of Catastrophe. These Uncle Vania’s versions are very different from one another and demonstrate that translation, as a process of dramaturgic analysis, can contribute to the criticism and the reflection on the work of Chekhov. In fact, these translations seem to participate more in the global history of the interpretation of Chekhov’s theater in French, than in a sociopolitical reading of theatrical translation in Quebec. In contributing top translation studies by the mean of dramaturgical analysis, this work also sheds new light on the history of theatrical translation in Quebec.

Keyphrases: Quebec drama, Translation, Sociolinguistic, Dramaturgy, Anton Tchekhov, Anton Chekhov, Howard Barker, Howard Barker
Faith lost and regained : the evolution of Anne Rice's critique of christianity in The Vampire Chronicles

This thesis brings together three of Anne Rice's novels from The Vampire Chronicles series – The Vampire Lestat, Memnoch the Devil and Blood Canticle – in order to study the evolution of her critique of religion in her writing. A precise and complete examination of Lestat de Lioncourt, the series' main protagonist, allows the reader to better understand the impact of his spiritual transformation on Rice's literary career as a whole. In The Vampire Lestat, Lestat's rejection of religious beliefs as well as the deconstruction and eroticization of traditional religious rituals hint at the influence of atheism. Memnoch the Devil represents the transition between Lestat's refusal to believe in religion and his subsequent return to the Catholic faith. Finally, Blood Canticle symbolizes both the protagonist's and the writer's return to the faith, in addition to the conclusion of Rice's Vampire Chronicles. The analysis uses elements from Rice's biography to indicate religion's importance in her works without considering these novels as autobiographies.

Keyphrases: Anne Rice, religion, American literature, XXe siècle, 20th century
Guerre défensive provoquée ou duel pour la prépondérance ? : nouveau regard sur les origines de la guerre franco-prussienne de 1870-71

The Franco-Prussian War (or Franco-German War) of 1870-71 was a major conflict, where the outcome dramatically changed the balance of power in Europe, including the emergence of the German Empire. However, it has been forgotten. Although since the late nineteenth century it was widely discussed by historians, the issue of liability with respect to its outbreak remains a matter of debate. While some historians believe that this war was deliberately provoked by Bismarck in order to complete the unification of Germany, others believe that the responsibility was shared and that this conflict was simply inevitable in the context of the worsening of Franco-German relations, since the Austrian defeat at Königgrätz (Sadowa), in 1866. This thesis aims to dissociate itself from these interpretations by providing new insight regarding the role played by Bismarck during the “preliminaries” (Vorgeschichte) of 1870. Through the use of primary sources and German, French and Anglo-Saxon historiography, it will be shown first that the Hohenzollern candidature for the Spanish throne was not “made” voluntarily by the chief of the Prussian diplomacy to complement the German unification, but was promoted first and foremost for reasons of political prestige. Secondly, the famous Ems telegram amended by Bismarck cannot be seen as the trigger of this conflict, as the decision to go to war was taken in Paris before the negative effects of the message were felt. Finally, through its need of a political and diplomatic success that would have consolidated the Second Empire by forgetting earlier setbacks, through its refusal to show full satisfaction with the withdrawal of the Hohenzollern candidature and through the misconduct of its foreign policy in general, France adopted a bellicose position and found itself alone in a war it could neither prevent nor prepare. The issue in Paris was ultimately not the peaceful settlement of disputes with Prussia, but the perpetuation of French dominance on the European continent.

Keyphrases: France, Bismarck, Franco-Prussian War, Prussia, Germany, Hohenzollern candidature, Ems dispatch, Franco-German relations
Caractérisation clinique et génétique des myotonies congénitales classiques et atypiques au Saguenay Lac St-Jean

Congenital myotonic syndromes due to mutations of the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.4 differ from those due to mutations of the chloride channel CLC-1 as they tend to present atypical traits including painful myotonias and aggravation of symptoms with cold and potassium ingestion. Indeed, after completing the clinical and molecular characterization of a large cohort of patients affected with these rare conditions in the Saguenay Lac-St-Jean area, we were able to describe a new founder SCN4A mutation presenting with painful cold-induced myotonias and occasional dystrophic and paralytic episodes. Our study illustrates the wide phenotypic variability and the typical traits of SCN4A mutations. In addition, we were able to speculate on the probable physiological consequences of such mutations. Finally, we conclude by stressing the importance of familial screening in order to reduce the incidence of anesthetic complications associated with these conditions.

Keyphrases: SCN4A, CLCN1, congenital myotonia, periodic paralysis, potassium-aggravated myotonia, voltage-gated channels, SCN4A, CLCN1
Interaction de Tau avec la petite GTPase Rab5

Tau protein plays an essential role in neurons, in particular in its interactions with cytoskeletal elements. Recent studies have shown that Tau was also regulating organelles motility along axonal microtubules. In this work, using far-western blot, we have shown a new in vitro interaction for Tau with the small GTPase Rab5, a protein implicated in early endocytosis. Furthermore, we have shown that Tau and Rab5 were immuno-precipited on a same pool of vesicles in vivo. Over-expression of Tau in primary hippocampal neurons have shown that Tau and Rab5 have a similar distribution in axons, suggesting that Tau plays a role as an anchor protein for early endosomes onto microtubules. In contrast to what has been shown earlier in other studies, Tau did not blocked axonal transport of early endosomes. Finally, we have shown that Tau was interacting preferentially with the active form of Rab5 bound to GTP and preliminary results suggest that Tau would be an effector or a GAP for Rab5. In tauopathies, Tau become hyperphosphorylated, loose its affinity with axonal microtubules and form aggregates in the cell body of the neuron. This biochemicals modifications and relocalisation of Tau protein might be responsible for a loss of interaction between Tau and Rab5 and consequently of some of the neuropathological symptoms observed in tauopathies.

Keyphrases: Rab5, Tau, Microtubules, GAP, Early endosomes, Anchor, Axon, Motility