NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
La Métamorphose, un opéra en trois actes
Genèse, analyse et formalisation d’une démarche compositionnelle

Composed between 2007 and 2009, the opera La Métamorphose is ambitious by its size, but also by its first intention to get closer to the ideal of a total artwork. To do so, efforts have been multiplied to assure a professional production that would not only allow a correct performance of the work, but also give out the necessary funding to work as a team during the conceptualization process.   Although the professional production of this work has not taken place as planned, due to a last minute disengagement of the main producer, the creative team still managed to work together one whole year, which greatly helped to synthesize artistic decisions linked to this piece.  More than being a be-all and end-all, this opera project has become a vehicle allowing a further deepening and appropriation of many new compositional techniques with the help, amongst others, of Computer Assisted Composition: morphing, spectral analysis based harmony, resonance model based harmony, melodic profiling etc.  The first chapter of this thesis approaches the genesis of La Métamorphose including all of the research preceding the composition of the work: mastering visual programming tools (MaxMSP, Openmusic), writing of the libretto, first drafts, conceptualization work as a team (composer, librettist, stage director, producer).  The second chapter presents an analysis of La Métamorphose, putting the emphasis on compositional techniques isnpired by the universal theme of transformation.  The last chapter demonstrates the gradual formalization of my musical reasoning and proposes a synthesis of the new knowledge acquired during the composition of La Métamorphose.

Keyphrases: Kafka, Composition, Collaboration, Acadie, Kafka, Opera, Composition, Collaboration, Technology, Acadie
Enjeux éthiques, défis dans les soins de santé et prise de décisions pour les patients souffrant de troubles neurologiques de la conscience

Coma, the vegetative state and the minimally conscious state are classified as “disorders of consciousness”. The common characteristic of these diagnoses is an altered state of consciousness. Technological advances now allow us to keep people afflicted with these diagnoses alive. The very nature of their condition and the type of care available to them has lead to important medical and ethical dilemmas.  First, this thesis proposes a literature review of the ethical and social issues related to disorders of consciousness. Certain issues have persisted for years and others have emerged more recently as that relating to the use of neuroimaging.  The second part proposes a qualitative study examining the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals dealing with ethical issues in the management of these patients; these aspects are so far poorly documented. We conducted this study using a short questionnaire and semi-directed interviews. The interviews were taped and analyzed using qualitative analysis software Nvivo.  Our study showed that our participants experienced a high degree of certainty about the diagnosis, although the latter is often reported as a major challenge in the literature. The prognosis is a critical challenge, including its disclosure to relatives. Finally, the relationship with the family is a key element in the care of patients and it is influenced by multiple factors.

Keyphrases: Neuroethics, Disorders of consciousness, Vegetative state, Minimally conscious state, Coma, Coma, Ethics
Comparaison de la force d'adhésion de deux types de résines de collage appliquées sur des surfaces métalliques traitées de différentes façons : une étude in vitro

The objective of this study was to assess and compare the shear bond strength of two types of resin cements: ClearfilTM Esthetic Cement & DC Bond Kit (C) and RelyXTM Unicem (R) when these resins cements were applied to three different surfaces: enamel, non precious metal alloy (Np) and semi-precious metal alloy (Sp). Both types of alloy surfaces were treated differently. On both enamel (n=15) and alloy plates Np and Sp (n=15) surfaces, cylinder shaped resin cements were bonded and lightpolymerized. After the adhesion process, all samples were placed into an incubator at 37°C for 24 hours and 500 thermal cycles were accomplished. Shear bond strength tests followed by electron microscopy analysis were performed. Statistical analysis was done using a T-test comparison followed by a post hoc multiple comparisons (p 0.05). The results on enamel showed that the C resin cement had a statistically significant higher bond strength (33.97±17.18 MPa) than the R resin cement (10.48±11.23 MPa) (p 0.05). The type of alloy did not influence the bond strength regardless the type of resin cement (p 0.05). For the Sp group, the bond strength was statistically higher for the C resin than for the R resin and those results are valuable for all treated surfaces (p 0.05). To conclude, the C resin cement showed a statistically significant higher bond strength than the R resin cement with enamel and most of the metal alloy treated.

Keyphrases: resin-bonded fixed partial denture, etching system, self-etching cement resins, metal alloy, alloy pre-treatment
Les enjeux éthiques de l’ambiguïté du terme "communauté" dans les documents officiels de santé publique au Québec sous une perspective de justice distributive

To reduce social health inequalities, the Quebec government has introduced a strategy to support community development. However, official Quebec government documents in the public health sector are ambiguous in their use of the term “community”, which raises issues of fairness and justice. First, the ambiguity of this concept points to a lack of effort to make community development functional, which suggests a lack of seriousness with regards to reducing associated health inequalities. There is also an issue of fairness, because the rationale for the selection of communities that can expect support in community development cannot be justified if  we do not know what “community” means. In the first chapter, this thesis employs a content analysis of Quebec public health documents to confirm the hypothesis that  these official documents do not make sufficiently clear the concept of “community”. The second chapter explores understandings of this term in the social sciences.  Vibert’s typology is proposed to account for the socio-historical richness of the term “community”, the issues that this term raises and a possible means for enabling health professionals to make better-informed choices about the communities they support in their practice. Finally, if multiple uses or understanding of the term “community” are acceptable in Quebec public health, then by what criteria are communities selected for support? The third chapter examines the model of procedural justice developed by Daniels and Sabin to respond fairly to disagreements related to rationing in health.

Keyphrases: Justice distributive, Ethics, Public health, Community, Community development, Distributive justice, Procedural justice, Opportunity, Fairness
Comparaison du profil de santé périnatale des femmes immigrantes haïtiennes à celui des femmes nées au Canada, pour la période 1981-2006, au Québec

Objective: This study aimed to examine birth outcomes among Haitian-born mothers specifically prematurity, low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) births and their trends over time in Quebec. Method: Analysing for a 25 years period a cohort of 2 193 637 singleton live births from the Quebec birth file. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine adverse birth outcomes for Haitian-born relative to Canadian-born mothers. Results: Haitian-born mothers had higher proportions of preterm birth, LBW and SGA (8.5%, 7.5% and 12.6% respectively) outcomes than Canadian-born mothers (5.8%, 5.1% and 11.5% respectively). In models accounting for maternal age, education, marital status, gravidity, infant sex and period, Haitian-born had a greater odds of premature births, LBW and SGA (OR 1.44 CI 95% [1,36-1,52]; OR 1.40 95% [1,32-148]; OR 1.09 95% [1,04-1,14] respectively) relative to Canadian-born mothers. When examined over time the odds of premature birth, LBW and SGA increased with time among Haitian-born mothers in Québec. Conclusion: Haitian-born mothers have a greater likelihood of adverse birth outcomes relative to Canadian-born mothers. Research on the factors underlying these associations and interventions to improve prenatal health and reduce health disparity among Haitian-born minority are needed in Quebec.

Keyphrases: Prematurity, Birth weight, Fetal growth, Haiti, Health, Trends
Regulation of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein/5-lipoxygenase by 4-hydroxynonenal in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes

4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a lipid peroxidation end-product, is produced abundantly in osteoarthritic (OA) articular tissues. Recently, we reported that HNE-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) decreased gradually in human OA chondrocytes after 8 h of incubation. This study aimed to investigate whether COX-2 down-regulation is attributed to HNE depletion and is responsible for the switch from COX-2 to 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP)/5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). Treatment of chondrocytes with 10 µM HNE induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release as well as COX-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1) expression at the protein and mRNA levels, with a plateau reached at 8-16 h of incubation, followed by a subsequent decline. However, 8 repeated treatments with 10 µM HNE prevented the reduction of COX-2 and mPGES-1 expression. We demonstrated that HNE induced mPGES-1 promoter activity mainly through transcription factor Egr-1 activation. On the other hand, when COX-2 expression decreased, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) level rose after a long period of stimulation (48 and 72 h). At the mRNA level, HNE induced FLAP and 5-LOX expression after 24 and 48 h of stimulation, respectively. The addition of a nonspecific COX-2 inhibitor (naproxen) to cultured chondrocytes revealed that FLAP and 5-LOX regulation by HNE required PGE2 production. Furthermore, our data showed that 10 µM HNE significantly induced transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) production. The addition of anti-TGF-β antibody to culture medium reduced HNE-induced 5-LOX/FLAP expression by 40%, indicating the involvement of a TGF-β1-dependent mechanism. Our data demonstrate that the shunt to the FLAP/5-LOX pathway in HNE-induced human OA chondrocytes is attributed to COX-2 inhibition, probably due to HNE depletion. PGE2 and TGF-β1 are suggested to be involved in this regulation. Further experiments are in progress to determine other molecular mechanisms underlying this switch in OA chondrocytes.

Keyphrases: Chondrocytes, Osteoarthritis, Chondrocytes, Lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxynonenal, Cyclooxygenase-2, Microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1, Prostaglandin E2, 5-lipoxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, Leukotriene B4
L'association entre l'utilisation du transport actif et l'état de santé auto-rapporté chez des adultes montréalais

Background: A majority of Canadians are physically inactive and have a sedentary lifestyle, which is an important risk factor for a variety of diseases. Recently, public health interventions have focused on active transport as means of increasing the level of activity in the population. Objective: This study’s aim is to quantify the direction and size of the association between self-rated health and active transport practices, i.e. utilitarian cycling and walking, among adult Montrealers.  Methods: Data on physical activity and utilitarian practices were collected from 4503 adult residents of the Island of Montreal (≥ 18 years old), from one of two telephone surveys conducted in the spring and in the fall of 2009. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between self-rated health and utilitarian cycling (N=4386) and walking (N=4350). Results: Reporting a good and a fair/bad self-rated health was associated with a lower likelihood of practicing utilitarian walking (OR = 0,740; p < 0,05 and OR = 0,552; p < 0,01) than reporting an excellent health, but no significant association was found between self-rated health and utilitarian cycling in our study. Conclusions: Even though all results were not statistically significant, active transport practices appear to be less likely among persons reporting a poorer health in comparison to those reporting excellent health.

Keyphrases: Active transport, Physical activity, Health, Public health, Utilitarian cycling, Utilitarian walking, Self-rated health
Metabolic requirements of boxing exercises

In view of contradictory data in the literature on VO2 requirements of boxing exercises (sparring, pad work, punching bag), particularly for “true” sparring with punches to the face, a new method based on “post-exercise” VO2 measurements was developed, validated (Annex 1) and used to reassess the energy cost of these boxing exercises.  Nine experienced male boxers of 22.0±3.5 years old and 71.4±10.9 kg with a VO2peak of 62.2±4.1 ml·kg-1·min-1 (mean ± standard deviation) were measured during 1) a maximal multistage treadmill test in the laboratory 2) a standardized boxing training in the gymnasium and 3) standardized boxing exercises in the laboratory.  VO2 requirements of 43.4±5.9, 41.1±5.1, 24.7±6.1, 30.4±5.8 and 38.3±6.5 ml·kg-1·min-1, respectively obtained for sparring, pad work and punching bag at 60, 120 and 180 b·min-1, situate the intensity of those exercises around ~70 %VO2peak.

Keyphrases: Lactate, EPE, Combat sports, Physiological demand, Heart rate, Lactate, RPE, Methodology
Champ d'application de la Convention des Nations Unies sur les contrats de vente internationale de marchandises

The scope of application of the 1980 Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is a very delicate issue. Indeed, its abstract and supplementary nature has given rise to markedly divergent judgements and rarely agreeing doctrine. The difficulties arising from the application of the CISG clearly exemplfy its limited ability to adap to novel international sale of goods contracts. Are these difficulties attributable to faulty interpretations of the provisions of the CISG?  Would it be opportune to compensate for the CISG's shortcomings by resorting to other instruments, such as the UNIDROIT rules or the principles of European contract law? Is it necessary to look beyond the Vienna Convention? All these questions must be considered in order to properly analyse the scope of application of the CISG.

Keyphrases: Contrats complexes, International, Divergence, Complex contracts, Sale, International, Goods, Will of the parties, Divergence, Difficulty of application, Interpretation
Identification et caractérisation de facteurs impliqués dans la réplication et la stabilité des génomes des organelles de plantes

Compared to the nuclear genome, very little is known about the genomes of the two plant cytoplasmic organelles, the plastid and the mitochondria. Indeed, very few factors involved in either the replication or the repair of these genomes have been identified. Here we show the implication of the Whirly protein family in the maintenance of organellar DNA. Indeed, mutations in Whirly genes lead to DNA rearrangements in both Arabidopsis thaliana and Zea mays plastids. These rearrangements are the product of microhomology-mediated break-induced replication that rarely occurs in wild-type plants but increases in absence of Whirly proteins. In a mutant plant devoid of plastidial Whirly proteins, these new DNA molecules can be amplified up to fifty times the normal DNA level and cause a variegated phenotype. In the course of the study of the Whirly mutant plants, we developed a strategy, based on the use of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, to induce DNA double-strand breaks specifically in plant organelles. The Arabidopsis mutant plants without Whirly proteins in the plastids are more sensitive to the antibiotic ciprofloxacin than wild-type plants. Accordingly, there is a much larger increase in the number of rearranged DNA molecules in the plastids of the mutant plants than in the control plants. Surprisingly, while the mutant plants devoid of Whirly proteins in the mitochondria do not show increased sensitivity to the drug, they do accumulate more rearrangements in their mitochondrial DNA compared to wild-type plants. These results suggest that the Whirly proteins are involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks in the plant organelle genomes. Our study of the plant organelle genome stability has lead us to a family of proteins homologous to the DNA polymerase I in bacteria. This family has been proposed to be responsible for most of the DNA-synthesis activity in the plant organelles. We bring genetic proof to support this hypothesis using mutants of the two PolI genes of Arabidopsis. The combined mutation of both genes is lethal and the single mutations cause a decrease in the relative DNA levels in the organelles, thus confirming the involvement of both genes in DNA replication. Interestingly, mutants of the PolIB but not PolIA gene shows increase sensitivity to ciprofloxacin suggesting a function in DNA repair. In line with these results, a cross between a PolIB mutant and the mutant of plastid Whirly genes resulted in plants with severe growth defects and numerous rearrangements in the plastid DNA. In conclusion, we have identified two factors involved in the metabolism of organelle DNA and proposed a simple model of how these genomes are maintained in the plant cell.

Keyphrases: Plant biology, maintenance of the genome, DNA replication, DNA repair, plastid, mitochondria, Whirly proteins, DNA polymerase
Synthesis of new zirconium complexes

The present study describes the synthesis of ligands nacnacxylH, nacnacBnH, nacnacR,RH and nacnacCyH, using a general method of synthesis which affords high yields at affordable costs, the complexation of these ligands to Zr, the characterization of these complexes and the investigation of their reactivities. Zirconium complexes were obtained using two major synthetic routes: The first one consists of treatment of the previously prepared lithium salt of the ligand with ZrCl4. The second is the reaction of the neutral ligand with alkyl-Zr(IV) complexes by protonation of the coordinated alkyl(s).  The nacnac ligand adopts two coordination modes with the Zr metal. 2-Coordination is observed in octahedral complexes containing one or two nacnac ligands. In the presence of another 5-coordinated ligand, such as Cp or Ind, the nacnac ligand is found to be 4/5-coordinated to the Zr center. The obtained complexes (nacnac)2ZrX2 showed a fluxional behavior in solution via a Bailar Twist and the activation parameters of this isomerisation were obtained. The cis octahedral dichloride complex (nacnacBn)2ZrCl2, 2c,  showed no reactivity in carbozirconation and its alkylation was not possible by exchange of chlorides with alkyls. The dimethyl analogue (nacnacBn)2ZrMe2, 2d, could be prepared by alkylation of ZrCl4 prior to ligand complexation, but proved as well to be unreactive in carbozirconation.

Keyphrases: Zirconium, Complexes -diketiminate, Hydrozirconation, Carbozirconation, Zirconium, Nacnac complexes, Complexes -diketiminate, Hydrozirconation, Carbozirconation
La biotechnologie dans l’agriculture : une étude du contenu de la presse
écrite argentine des années 1999 à 2006

In Argentina, agricultural biotechnology – especially transgenic soya – has been widely adopted causing a strong impact on the national economy and society. Today, because of its important impact, the media and the written press in particular have published substantial material on this phenomenon of agricultural biotechnology. The overall objective of this study is to analyze the social debate on this phenomenon in the Argentinean written press. To this end, three specific objectives were retained: to provide an overview of the discourse; to understand the political and economic context that permitted the inclusion of agricultural biotechnology in Argentina; and to analyze the socio-ethical issues underlying the integration of biotechnology into Argentinean agriculture. To meet these objectives, I conducted a content analysis of social discourse in the Argentinean press during the years 1999-2006. I classified articles using keywords and constructed thematic categories using computer-assisted text analysis techniques. The results of this study show a wide coverage of agricultural biotechnology with a generally positive presentation. The number of articles increases over time and shows a major shift from a discussion of economic to political issues. The debate over the environmental, social and ethical consequences of the implementation of this new agricultural model is poorly represented and has a late appearance in the press. However, this could be explained by a change in the focus of discussion from biotechnology to sojisation, which includes many of these issues and which has become the focus of debate about agriculture.

Keyphrases: sojisation, discours, socio-ethical issues, discourse, transgenics, genetically modified organisms, media
Les heures de travail chez les concepteurs de jeux vidéo : de la passion pour les jeux aux pratiques de mobilisation

Inspired by the reflection made on the new forms of work organization system brought by the new economy, this M. Sc. Thesis is interested in unlimited overtime informally compensated for, among a highly skilled group of workers: video game developers. Innovative from employer’s standpoint, these types of organization system, in particular the project-based system does generate problems for the workers.    Like the knowledge workers who are willing to invest long hours of work, the video game developers frequently work overtime. Not only is this overtime unpaid, but also it is long and frequent. How does management come to make the developers consent to such a demand, without requiring them to work overtime? To explore this question, we analyzed the interviews done with 53 designers from the Montreal’s video game industry.   Indeed, interviews revealed that a majority of game developers make unlimited unpaid overtime on a regular basis. The results of this research offer an explanation based on an informal system of rewards and punishments.

Keyphrases: Knowledge economy, Project-based system, Video game developers, Unlimited unpaid overtime