NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Les modes de conceptualisation métaphorique en neuroanatomie : étude de la description anatomique du cervelet et de la moelle spinale

The present study falls within a line of research projects in Translation Studies, which draws upon cognitive semantics and whose aim is to determine the modes of metaphorical conceptualisation in specialized fields, namely in the biomedical sciences. Our study focuses on the modes of metaphorical conceptualization used in neuroanatomy in French, English and German from a translation perspective. Specifically, we concentrate on the anatomical description of two structures of the central nervous system: the spinal cord and the cerebellum.  Our objective is to identify and characterize the Metaphorical Conceptualization Indices (MCI). The method relies on a trilingual corpus composed of reference texts dealing with these structures and on a semantic annotation of MCIs using the XML language, which allows a downstream interrogation of the corpus with the XQuery language. We demonstrate that MCIs play a central role in shaping the phraseology and denominations typical to the anatomical description of the central nervous system. Previous works had shown that it was also the case in cellular biology and anatomy of muscles, peripheral nerves, and blood vessels. From a lexical perspective, MCIs can fall into one of three categories, namely predicates, non-predicates or quasi predicates. Among the modes of metaphorical conceptualization previously identified in cellular biology and anatomy, the majority are also found in the narrower field of neuroanatomy. However, some MCIs and modes of metaphorical conceptualisation are specific to certain elements of the anatomical regions under investigation. Moreover, the modes of metaphorical conceptualization found in French, English, and German are similar, but they are expressed by lexical networks of varying richness. Furthermore, as nominal composition is characteristic of German, the linguistic form of German MCIs presents certain features that must be taken into account. Our results, which are coherent with those of previous studies, highlight the metaphorical richness of neuroanatomy. Yet, they also enrich the MCI typology, and underline the complexity, at the lexical and cognitive levels, of conceptual metaphors.

Keyphrases: corpus, annotation, translation, translation studies, conceptual metaphor, mode of metaphorical conceptualisation, metaphorical conceptualisation indice, corpus, annotation, cerebellum, spinal cord, terminology
Hessian-based occlusion-aware radiance caching

Efficiently simulating global illumination is one of the most important open problems in computer graphics. Accurately computing the effects of indirect illumination, caused by secondary bounces of light off surfaces in a 3D scene, is generally an expensive process and often solved using algorithms such as path tracing or photon mapping. These approaches numerically solve the rendering equation using stochastic Monte Carlo ray tracing.  Ward et al. proposed irradiance caching to accelerate these techniques when computing the indirect illumination component on diffuse surfaces. Krivanek extended the approach of Ward and Heckbert to handle the more complex case of glossy surfaces, introducing an approach referred to as radiance caching. Jarosz et al. and Schwarzhaupt et al. proposed a more accurate visibility-aware Hessian-based model to greatly improve the placement of records in the scene for use in an irradiance caching context, significantly increasing the quality and performance of the baseline approach.  In this thesis, we extended similar approaches introduced in these aforementioned work to the problem of radiance caching to improve the placement of records. We also discovered a crucial problem overlooked in the previous work due to the choice of test scenes. We did a preliminary study of this problem, and found several potential solutions worth further investigation.

Keyphrases: global illumination, irradiance caching, radiance caching, image synthesis, ray tracing, photo-realistic rendering
Video-based postural sway analysis in a controlled environment

As the senior population in developed countries increases, so will the resources dedicated to maintaining a high standard of life for the elderly. Statistics show that falls are one of the main causes of senior citizens being hospitalized. Furthermore, it has been shown that the risk of an elderly person falling is correlated to their ability to maintain their balance during standing position. It is then of interest to develop an automated system to evaluate a subject’s balance, or postural sway, as a means of objective evaluation. In this study we have proposed the implementation of such a system. Based on a simple setup of one camera on a tripod, we have developed an algorithm using the Viola-Jones implementation, as well as template matching, to track both lateral and anterior-posterior postural sway. We have obtained good results for both types of tracking, however, the tracking algorithm is sensitive to lighting conditions and any kind of noise in the images. It would be of interest, as a future development, to integrate both types of tracking, so as to obtain only one easily-interpretable dataset as a result.

Keyphrases: image processing, balance, feature detection, tracking
Leveraging noisy side information for disentangling of factors of variation in a supervised setting

The thesis is composed of three articles and presents the results of research done in order to improve the current methods for improving a neural network's performance on a given task by taking advantage of data from other tasks.  The two first articles present new datasets created to allow better evaluation of this type of machine learning methods. The first article introduces a dataset suite for the task of handwritten digit recognition. This dataset suite was created from the existing dataset MNIST to which new factors of variation have been added. The second article introduces a new dataset for the task of facial expression recognition. It is composed of images of faces that were automatically collected from the Web and then labelled.  The third and last article presents two new approaches to improving performance on a task of interest by leveraging labels from another task in the context of multi-task learning. The first approach is a generalization of the recently introduced Maxout Networks designed for multi-task learning. The second approach consists in the application in a fully-supervised setting of the previously introduced Contractive Discriminant Analysis penalty, originally used in the semi-supervised setting to make groups of neurons learn features orthogonal to each other.

Keyphrases: invariance, neural networks, deep learning, supervised learning, convolutional networks, computer vision, handwritten digit recognition, facial expression recognition, multi-task learning, invariance, disentangling
Charles Saatchi, prototype du nouveau collectionneur : une analyse de l’influence du méga-collectionneur sur la production et la consommation des biens symboliques

This thesis proposes an analysis of the role exerted by the new art collector, an agent with an increased capacity to act on an important part of the art world. The ability of collectors to act as patrons for artists, to purchase their works, to sell and expose them, are all actions that have a direct impact on the careers of artists. The more a collector is recognized as an authority able to legitimize the work of an artist, the more he can see its sphere of influence grow. To adequately perceive the effects of these actions on the art world, we have selected a particular figure that exemplifies the new supercollector, Charles Saatchi. By assuming several roles in the art world, he is perceived as an agent capable of recognizing the legitimacy of an artistic proposal. The first part of this thesis will observe the development of a tradition of collecting and the key agents behind it. Subsequently, this research presents the theories that explain the advent of the all encompassing power of the supercollector. Therefore, the theory of cooperation, specific to the « art worlds », and the phenomena of mediation are observed. Finally, we study, describe and define the actions and interactions of the various agents involved in the network of Saatchi. This will allow us to identify his place in the cultural field, so his own legitimacy and ability to recognize and bestow legitimacy to other actors.

Keyphrases: Charles Saatchi, Médiations, Branding, Sociology of art, Art Worlds, Supercollector, Mediations
Nature et paysage dans la littérature artistique et dévotionnelle à l'époque de la Contre-Réforme

Examining the writings of Christian humanists, who exercised control over the practice of the arts after the Council of Trent, this paper seeks to understand the development of landscape painting in the Early Modern period.  Cardinal Federico Borromeo, the Jesuit Louis Richeome and Jean Calvin, are among those theologians who contributed to this influential Christian literature. We will mainly use the recent historiography to demonstrate the essential role played by Christian thought in the rise of the representation of nature into art. Building on some important studies, we will analyze both pictorial and architectural examples that reflect this Christian influence on the perception of nature. First, we will try to paint a picture of the religious and cultural environment in which the Christian humanists lived and developed their thinking. Our goal is to prove that Christian humanism played an important role in the development of landscape representations during  the Counter-Reformation. Contemporary sources as well as their interpretation by modern historians and art historians will help us to better understand the role of Christian thought in this artistic development.

Keyphrases: nature, art, protestant, Landscape, Counter-Reformation, artistic theory, literature, christian humanism, devotional, catholic
Henry C. Carey et le système américain d’économie contre l’impérialisme du libre-échange britannique : son passage au New York Tribune

During the19th century in the United States, economic debates, far from being limited to the academic world, were one of the main subjects of dispute among political parties, finding echo in the public sphere. At the time, newspapers were the primary way of circulating the opinions of the different political parties. The aim of the present study is to contextualize and understand the writings of Henry Charles Carey (1793-1879), the most important American economist of his age, recognized as such by J.S. Mill and Karl Marx, during the 1850s in the most influential newspaper of that period, the New York Tribune. To do so, it was first necessary to locate the unsigned articles written by Carey in this newspaper; something which to date had never been done.  At the time that Carey wrote in this paper, the main American organ defending protection so as to industrialize the country, he was the most eminent representative of the American System of economy. Founded on the writings of Alexander Hamilton, it advocated industrialization and defend the role of the state to promote the general welfare and was thus opposed to the English liberal school based on Adam Smith’s writings. Conceptually, Carey’s economic thought followed the tradition of the Other Canon, based on production and innovation. This led him to vigorously oppose Malthusianism and the international division of labor, theoretically justified by Ricardo’s thesis of comparative advantage. Indeed, in his analysis, England’s desire to become the workshop of the world in the mid-19th century and to transform the rest of the world into producers of raw materials under a free-trade regime, was nothing more than the continuation of colonial policy by other means. For Carey, specialization in raw materials exports, notably supported by the southern planters in the United States, far from been beneficial to the country, was the surest path to poverty as demonstrated by the Irish and Indian cases.

Keyphrases: protectionism, free trade, imperialism, economic growth, United States, British Empire, newspaper
La Commission administrative et la modernisation des structures politiques et administratives de Montréal, 1918-1921

This thesis is related to the first supervision of the City of Montreal enforced by the Provincial government from 1918 to 1921. The City was put under the strict control of five overseers appointed by the Quebec Lieutenant Governor. Few historians analyzed the Administrative Commission and it is largely unknown by the public even if it brought up profound changes in the political and administrative structures of the City. Since the overseers were not accountable to the people, they implemented unpopular reforms in order to balance city budget. At the same time, they took advantage of their power to modernize the administration since it was becoming incompatible with the needs of a growing population that requires all kinds of public services. Four chapters highlight the improvements raised by the Administrative Commission from three perspectives: taxation, organization of municipal services and public by-laws. The City of Montreal is stimulated by administrative reforms carried out in American cities at the same time. In order to reduce the deficit they tried to dictate a management model based on large private companies. Particular attention is given to the transition between the Administrative Commission and the new regime of the Executive Committee that followed.

Keyphrases: Taxation, XXe siècle, Municipal administration, Local politics, Administrative Commission, Executive Committee, Tax, Progressivism
Le Plan Nord du gouvernement du Québec : analyse du design, du positionnement et de la planification stratégique des projets d'infrastructures de transport

This thesis contains a situation report about the transportation projects proposed within the Quebec Government’s Plan Nord. The objective is to verify if the planned transport infrastructures are coherent with the historical territorial development of Quebec, specifically design, positioning and planning. Firstly, we conduct a literature review on the Plan Nord, Quebec’s northern development, and methodological practices. Secondly, an analysis of the design behind the infrastructure projects is done with the various development plans produced by Quebec’s counties and regions. Thirdly, we verify the positioning of the projects relative to the answers given by multiple stakeholders during interviews. Lastly, the transport projects of the Plan Nord are analysed through a hybrid SWOT-PESTEL strategic planning method. The results unveil that while some transport projects fit with the patterns obtained, others doesn’t fit and should not be put forward.

Keyphrases: Plan Nord, transport, infrastructures, SWOT, strategic planning, Northern Quebec
Représentations de la maladie d'Alzheimer dans trois récits contemporains ; suivi de La césure

The study of the Alzheimer's disease representation in Mordecai Richler's Barney's Version, Victor-Lévy Beaulieu's Trois-Pistoles et les Basques, le pays de mon père and Annie Ernaux's "Je ne suis pas sortie de ma nuit" allows us to outline the disease's literary specifics, beyond the theme of cognitive degeneration is to evacuate its dimension as a literature material which influences the structure of a text as well as its style. The analysis of three contemporary stories contributes to the identification of rhetorical methods as well as narrative and style strategies which help us to delimit the Alzheimer's disease literary mark. We will see that when a third party takes charge of the story, it explains the filiation theme which helps to see the disease from the inside as well as from the outside. It also shows an archiving work. The creation part of the essay fits into the archiving process of the family's memory. A grand-daughter talks indirectly to her grand-mother who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. We follow the evolution of the disease and we witness the erosion of the grand-mother's memories and speech.

Keyphrases: Alzheimer, Filiation, Alzheimer's disease, Fragment, Language, Memory, Palimpsest, Filiation, Mnestic trace
Une Fantasy roubaldienne, ou, Nouvelle exploration ludique des potentialités littéraires : essai ; suivi de La Quête du Vortex (création littéraire)

The game, a hard-to-define phenomenon, expresses itself in literature by different means. This  study considers two of them: the constrained writing, as the Oulipo uses it, and the writing of  imaginary, French Fantasy novels in particular. The first part of this work is an essay  presenting the origins and goals of the two groups of writers, and showing their similarities  despite their apparent differences. While the Oulipo searches for constraints able to generate  an infinite number of texts and explore the language by this mean, Fantasy wants to create  imaginary worlds by drawing at Tolkien’s source and roleplaying games. It follows that, in  both cases, the game shows itself to be a powerful engine for creation, the story calls for a  reader-explorer and this process creates an infinity of possible worlds. Nonetheless,  divergences remain about their critics, their relationship with the game and with non-literary  domains, and their goals. Considering that fact, I propose to combine the two writing styles by  using Jacques Roubaud’s Hortense cycle (structure by the “sextine”) and Mathieu Gaborit’s  Chronique des Crépusculaires (which is a leading figure in “pure” fantasy). This project aim  to bridge the remaining gap between the two groups.  The second part of this work is then a first attempt to reunite the two writing technics  (constrained and of imaginary). Six heroes (three adventurers and three mercenaries) are going  on a quest, looking for a magical object stolen from the Desert’s Queen and able to disrupt the  world order. The story, divide in six chapters, tells the adventures of this group from the start  to their final battle with the Queen’s sworn enemy, a powerful dark elf sorcerer. Each chapter  is composed of six smaller sections where six roleplaying distinctive elements are permutated  in a “sextine-like” movement: 1-A DM’s description; 2-A battle; 3-A puzzle to resolve or a  trap to disarm; 4-A discussion between the players over their avatar; 5-The gain of a new item;  6-An interaction with a NPC (Non-Player Character). Throughout the story, references to  Mathieu Gaborit’ Chronique des Crépusculaires appear, following the “sextine” order. Other  references, to Tolkien, Queneau, Perec or Roubaud adorned the novel.

Keyphrases: Oulipo, Writing games, Roleplay, French fantasy, Poetic
Derniers instants ; suivi de Modèle familial et filiations dans le roman Fugueuses de Suzanne Jacob

« Derniers instants » is a novel about a lady in her eighties, born in a family with traditional values, who refuses to conform to the rules of a Patriarchal Society. A creative approach inspired by the restitution of women’s contribution to History. It proposes a kind of a look back, like a reviewed version of feminine experience. The essay « Modèle familial et filiations dans Fugueuses de Suzanne Jacob » analyses the fonction that the author attributes to writers. According to her, each individual is able to bring new meanings to social hegemonies. The dialogical relation that she establishes between them and literature is relevant of her scripture, in which writing is the result of a unique interpretation of the obvious and the evidences.

Keyphrases: Modèle familial, Filiation, Transmission, Fiction dominante, Suzanne Jacob, Fugueuses, Domestic family model, Family, Social hegemonies
Social rejection of minority groups and its impacts on the individual's identity and perception of the self : exploring homosexual and racial identities in James Baldwin's Giovanni's room and Just above my head

The present thesis examines the construction of identity as a complex process in which many factors interact. A person's identity comprises both the personal self and the collective self. Having an aspect of identity that is judged as deviant or devalued will lead to the individual's confusion between maintaining an image that fits social prototypes or embracing his personal identity. My work demonstrates that the exclusion or repression of certain aspects of identity may lead to disconnection from one's inner self. Yet, it is only through self-acceptance and the embracing of all elements of the self that one manages to resist hostility and gain the liberation of the soul and body. In the first chapter, a social psychological approach is employed in order to explain group functioning and the role that group interaction plays in shaping one's identity. External factors like social ideals influence people's behaviors and choices. Therefore, they represent a threat to personal differences and unique traits. The second chapter examines the implications of having an identity that transgresses social norms by exploring David's quest for the self in James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room. David's insecure identity because of his homosexuality fills him with destructive feelings of shame and guilt. I maintain that sacrificing aspects of the self to satisfy social paradigms may cause the loss of the individual's integrated self. David fails in freeing the self which remains imprisoned in fixed internalized perceptions of manhood and male sexuality. I analyse theoretical views about sex and gender that vary from rigid and traditional opinions to more tolerant and universalizing ones that accept possibilities of diversity in human identity. iv In the last chapter, I will examine Baldwin's depiction of male's bonding in Just Above My Head. The characters confront their emotions. Homosexuality is portrayed as a sacred way of expressing love. The characters' feelings are revealed both in gospel singing and in bodily connection. In this novel, Baldwin demonstrates that it is only through sincerity, disclosure and love that one can attain the liberation of the self.

Keyphrases: Identity, Self-integrity, Social norms, Homosexuality, Masculinity, James Baldwin
Una mirada ‘auténtica’ : el ‘indígena’ cuzqueño en la producción fotográfica de Martín Chambi, la película Kukuli y la publicidad turística

This thesis aims to show the construction of the visual representation of "indigenous people" of the Cuzco region and its relation to the discourse of "authenticity" as defined by indigenismo, anthropology and tourism. We are interested in the role of visual and audiovisual media in creating an image of indigenous person perceived as "authentic" and a shared discourse about the Andes. The visual documents we are studying, all produced by Peruvians, include: a selection of photographs taken between 1920-1945 by Martin Chambi, the movie Kukuli (1961) co-directed by cuzqueños Luis Figueroa, Eulogio Nishiyama and César Villanueva and the tourism advertising by PromPerú entitled "Peru: Live the Legend" (2008). Our analysis highlights the documents’ mainly folkloric and anthropological representation of “indigenous people”, who are associated with origins, tradition and the pre-Columbian past. Our study also examines how the same images are an alternative to the representational strategy of lettered indigenismo, offering another view of reality. Technological images 1) show details not consistent with cultural stereotypes and reveal a more modulated world of identities; 2) create a space for collaboration –between photographer/filmmaker and models– that allows marginalized social actors to participate in their own representation. Finally, we establish the link between this image of Andean Indians and the tourism promotion of Peru.

Keyphrases: Visual culture, Authenticity, Peru, Photography, Documentary cinema, Cultural heritage, Tourism, Staged authenticity