NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Sur l’utilisation du langage de programmation Scheme pour le développement de jeux vidéo

This master's thesis aims at pinpointing the pros and cons of using the dynamic functionnal language Scheme for developing video games. The method used is first based on a theoretical approach. Indeed, the specific requirements for video game programming and a detailed description of relevant Scheme features are presented. Then, a practical approach is taken by presenting two video games developed using the Scheme language: Space Invaders and Lode Runner. Their development resulted in the creation of various domain-specific languages and libraries, such as an objec- oriented system and a coroutine system. Each of these are presented separately in their respective chapter. Finally, the experience achieved in this process is compared to the experience acquired by some video game companies that also used Scheme for the developpement of their titles. The use of Scheme allowed us to perform various high-level abstractions that improved the modularity of the video games developed, without affecting their performance.

Keyphrases: Scheme, Functional programming languages, Scheme, Video games, Object-oriented programming
Les polymorphismes des gènes encodant les protéines apoptotiques Bim et Bax : leur rôle dans la réponse thérapeutique chez les enfants ayant la leucémie lymphoblastique aiguë

INTRODUCTION Variable therapeutic responses to glucocorticoids (GCs) are observed for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients. Proteins Bax and Bim have already shown to play a major role in mediating GC-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells. Bax expression was lower in drug-resistant leukemia samples; likewise lower sensitivity to GC was associated with reduced Bim expression. The difference in the expression can be due to polymorphisms in these genes and therefore associated to GC resistance. METHOD Eighteen polymorphisms in the regulatory region, two exonic polymorphisms and seven polymorphisms in 3’UTR of these genes were analysed in controls (n=50) and have permitted to determine a minimal number of polymorphisms sufficient to define haplotypes (tagSNPs). These 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were then genotyped in 286 LLA children and were tested for disease outcome by survival analysis. RESULTS A diminished event free survival and a diminished relapse free survival were observed for haplotype 3 (p=0,03 and p=0,02). A diminished overall survival was associated with the exonic T298C>T allele (p=0,03) and with haplotypes 1 and 4 (p=004 and p=0,02) of Bim gene. CONCLUSION Bax and Bim were associated with a diminished survival in LLA children. We still have to test other polymorphisms located in these genes and to define their functions in order to understand their roles in GC response.

Keyphrases: Bim, Bax, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Pharmacogenetic, Glucocorticoid, Polymorphism, SNP, Apoptosis
Le discours organisationnel et la construction de la responsabilité sociale d’entreprise : une comparaison d’entreprises chiliennes et canadiennes

This research’s objective is to study, from an ethnomethodological perspective, how firms of two countries (Chile and Canada) and three productive areas (Bank, telecommunications and forestry) construct their social responsibility from their discourse, that is, the way they position themselves in relation to this topic. Even we do not want to generalize, this comparison between Canadian and Chilean firms aims to know to what extent firms established in countries representing different degrees of development construct different or similar discourses in relation with the question of their social responsibility. In order to address this question, we will study this subject by analyzing the CEOs’ messages or letters introducing their social responsibility reports, which will allow us to understand how firms construct and position themselves in relation with the question of their social responsibility. Based on these analyses, we discuss the similarities and differences identified and clarify so to what extent social responsibility is constructed on global references, or on the contingencies that appear from the various contexts in which these discourses are produced.

Keyphrases: Discours, Corporate social responsibility, ethnomethodology, Discourse, Social responsibility report
Long-term effects of sports concussion

Question: This thesis aimed to address two fundamental issues: 1) Are there long-lasting effects of sports-related concussion on cognitive and motor functions? and 2) Are the adverse effects of recurrent concussions cumulative? Experimental Design: The cross-sectional thesis design included a group of active university-level athletes as well as a group of former athletes recruited more than three decades after their university years who were tested on neurophysiological measures of both cognitive and motor system functions. Methods: Event-Related potentials and neuropsychological tests were used to assess cognitive functions while transcranial magnetic paradigms were used to assess motor cortex excitability, a force platform was used to assess postural stability and a 3-dimensional recording device was used to track hand position when performing a rapid alternating movement task. Results: This thesis disclosed persistent and cumulative alterations of both cognitive and motor functions after sports concussions. Furthermore, subclinical, neurophysiological alterations found in young concussed athletes were exacerbated in former athletes with concussions who displayed quantifiable cognitive and motor functions decline more than three decades post-concussion. Discussion: These results suggest that sports concussions induce cognitive and motor functions abnormalities that worsen as a function of the number of concussions sustained.   Moreover, findings from the present thesis indicate that the deleterious effects of sports concussion on cognitive and motor system functions combined to those associated with the aging process lead to quantifiable decline on both cognition and motor functions.

Keyphrases: Sports concussion, Long-term effects, Neuropsychology, Neurophysiology, Event-related Potentials, Transcranial magnetic stimulation, Cognitive decline, Motor functions, Motor cortex excitability, Rapid alternating movements, Postural stability, Neurophysiologie
Pharmacogénétique du DHFR chez les enfants leucémiques

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is the major target of methotrexate, a key component in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. We recently reported an association of DHFR promoter polymorphisms with ALL outcome. Lower event free survival (EFS) correlated with the alleles A -317 and C -1610, and with haplotype *1, defined by these alleles. Haplotype*1 was also associated higher DHFR expression. Here we extended the analysis to adjacent 400bp regulatory region corresponding to non-coding minor DHFR transcript which plays an essential role in the regulation of transcription from the major promoter. Six polymorphisms were identified, of which 5 were SNPs and one length polymorphism composed of variable number of 9bp elements and 9bp insertion/deletion. Haplotype analysis including all promoter polymorphisms revealed diversification of haplotype *1 into 5 subtypes (*1a to *1e). Major promoter variations and haplotype *1 subtypes were subsequently analyzed for the association with ALL outcome. Lower EFS correlated with an A allele of G308A polymorphism (p=0.02) and with *1b haplotype (p=0.01). Higher mRNA levels were found in the carriers of *1b haplotype (p=0.005) and not for remaining haplotype *1 subtypes. So, the worse ALL outcome associated with haplotype *1 is actually determined by the subtype *1b. The study provides a new insight into DHFR regulatory polymorphisms defining more precisely event–predisposing DHFR variations.

Keyphrases: Pharmacogenetics, Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Methotrexate (MTX), Polymorphisms, Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), Event free survival (EFS)
Association between independence in daily activities and social roles in older adults with stroke

Stroke rehabilitation emphasizes the remediation of capabilities and independence in daily activities during intensive rehabilitation.  Older adults thereafter return to live in the community to pursue their social roles.  The purpose of this work was to clarify the relationship between the level of independence in daily activities at rehabilitation discharge and the return to social roles 6 months later in older adults with stroke.    A total of 111 participants were followed over a 6 month period following intensive rehabilitation.  Daily activities were measured using portions of the Functional Measurement of Autonomy System (SMAF).  Social roles were measured using the Life-H (social roles subsection) which provides a total score and 4 subscale scores for civic responsibilities, community life, interpersonal relationships and leisure.  Hierarchical statistical regression models were used to verify the association between daily activities (independent variable) and social roles (dependent variables) by controlling for the effect of capabilities (control variables).  Significant (p < .001) associations between daily activities and social roles (Life–H total score), civic responsibilities, and community life subscale scores were found, but none for interpersonal relationships nor for leisure.  Leisure had the poorest performance score on the Life-H.  Results suggest that a “second phase” of rehabilitation may be warranted upon return home to ensure the maintenance of daily activities and more specifically for accomplishment of leisure activities.

Keyphrases: Daily activities, Social roles, Rehabilitation, Older adults, Social participation, Leisure
Effets de la purification d’alginate et de la co-encapsulation avec des cellules canaliculaires sur la survie et fonction d’îlots de Langerhans microencapsulés

Islets transplantation can normalize glycaemia in diabetic patients but only with the use of immunosuppressive drugs. The elaboration of an alginate microcapsule to immunoprotect the islets has been developed to overcome the use of those harmful drugs. However, one problem still subsists: the limited survival of the transplant. Two different aspects to overcome this problem will be discussed in this thesis:  the use of purified alginate and the co-encapsulation of islets with pancreatic duct cells.  The first study investigated a new proposition: the direct effects of non-purified alginate, compared to the purified one, on the survival of encapsulated islets. This was demonstrated by in vitro studies on the islets long-term viability, function and the incidence of their death by apoptosis and necrosis. These investigations helped us to conclude that purified alginate can maintain a better long-term survival and function of encapsulated islets. This investigation also demonstrated that alginate contaminants have a direct influence on encapsulated cells besides their role in immune cell activation; which have an indirect implication in the encapsulated islets death.  The second study investigated the possible effects of pancreatic duct cells when co-encapsulated with islets of Langerhans. The results showed no significant effects on the viability of co-encapsulated islets, by viability and cellular death assays, and neither on their function in vivo tested with implantations in a mouse immmunodeficient model.   To conclude, alginate purification appeared to improve the survival of encapsulated islets while pancreatic duct cells failed to do the same.

Keyphrases: Type 1 diabetes, Islets encapsulation, Survival, Biocompatibility, Function
L'esprit de corps à l'oeuvre dans les équipes de football universitaire

On the basis of a study of college football teams, the current Master’s thesis seeks to highlight the elements of “esprit de corps” present within the teams and how they can affect the teams’ performances. In other words, this thesis investigates the accession, consciously or not, of people to a group’s values who, as an integrated corps, possess common features that reinforce the integration and the solidarity between its members, as applied to college football teams. Combining field notes from exploratory observations as well as semi-directed interviews done with college football players or formers college football players, this thesis aims to lead to a better understanding of how “esprit de corps” amongst a team can have an influence on its performances. On the basis of the collected data, it appears that football teams that present a strong “esprit de corps” tend to perform better. When the “esprit de corps” components are fulfilled, shared and followed by all the players, football teams offer great performances compared to other teams where these components are considered less important. Key

Keyphrases: Sport, Performances, Football player, Sports, Team, Performances, College/University, Values, Collective identity, Unity, Rules
Peptides vasoactifs endogènes dans la prolifération accrue des cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires de rats spontanément hypertendus: rôle des facteurs de croissance

Vascular remodelling that contributes to the pathophysiology of vascular diseases, including hypertension, is associated with alteration in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth, hypertrophy, etc. We have recently shown that vasoactive peptides such as angiotensin II (AngII) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) increased the proliferation of VSMC. Since the levels of AngII, ET-1 and growth factors are increased in hypertension, the present studies were undertaken to examine if these endogenous vasoactive peptides and growth factors contribute to the enhanced proliferation of VSMC in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for enhanced proliferation. A10 VSMC and aortic VSMC from 12 week old SHR and age-matched WKY rats were used for these studies. Cell proliferation was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation and ERK ½ and growth factor receptor phosphorylation was determined by Western blotting. VSMC from SHR exhibited enhanced cell proliferation as compared to WKY as determined by enhanced [3H]thymidine incorporation which was attenuated by AngII AT1 receptor antagonist losartan, as well as by endothelin receptor  ETA and ETB antagonists BQ-123 and BQ-788, respectively. The inhibitors of platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R); AG-1295, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R); AG-1478, and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-R); AG-1024 also attenuated the enhanced proliferation of VSMC from SHR to WKY control levels. In addition, VSMC from SHR exhibited enhanced phosphorylation of EGF-R as compared to WKY, which was attenuated by losartan, BQ-123, BQ-788 and AG-1478, and not by AG-1295 and AG-1024. Furthermore, the enhanced phosphorylation of ERK ½ in VSMC from SHR was also attenuated by losartan, BQ-123 and BQ-788 as well as by growth factor receptor inhibitors, AG-1478, AG-1024 and AG-1295. The implication of growth factor receptor transactivation in AngII and ET-1 induced enhanced cell proliferation was also examined in A10 VSMC. Ang II or ET-1 induced enhanced proliferation of A-10 VSMC and enhanced ERK ½ phosphorylation was also restored to control levels by EGF-R inhibitor. These data suggest that vasoactive peptide-induced growth factor receptor transactivation through MAP kinase signaling may contribute to the enhanced proliferation of VSMC from SHR.

Keyphrases: hypertension, AngII, ET-1, EGF-R, transactivation, VSMC, SHR, WKY
La réinvention de la maternité dans l'oeuvre de Nancy Huston

The main purpose of this master’s paper is the study of the theme of maternity in Nancy Huston’s novels L’empreinte de l’ange, La virevolte and Prodige. The three aforesaid novels constitute the basic corpus of our study. Nevertheless, allusions to the other essays by the author, in particular to Journal de la création, will give a major depth to the analysis, because we cannot push aside the traces of the theme of maternity in her other writings nor underestimate the influence of the experience of the author on her work. Influenced by the ideas of the contemporary feminist reflexion to redefine the maternal experience and recurring, according to the needs, to the New History’s and the psychoanalysis’s theories, to enlighten the sociohistorical context and the unspoken of the texts, we shall try to find the peculiarity of Nancy Huston’s writing regarding maternity. In fact, Nancy Huston, by sketching through her novels a multiplicity of feminine experiences more or less influenced by social values, joins the lineage of women writers which have contributed to redefine the feminine identity in contemporary fiction.  We approach our analysis by an historical, cultural, and ethical contextualization of the ideas surrounding maternity. As the subject of maternity is present in the past and contemporary social discourse, it is interesting to see how Nancy Huston composes with stereotypes traditionally attributed to mothers by following the consequences and the variations of maternity in her novels. The study of the novels follows this contextualization. The second chapter concerns L’empreinte de l’ange and reveals the perplexities which arise from a  maternity that is unwanted and shaded by the after effects of a tragic past. The third chapter, dedicated to the analysis of La virevolte is articulated around the tension between creation and procreation. Finally, the fourth and last chapter studies the theme of maternity in Prodigy, a novel that reveals the link between maternal influence and the construction of the daughter’s identity. Through this entire study, we shall see how Nancy Huston deconstructs the common idea wanting that the mother is an idealized being, deprived of professional passions and artistic drives, dedicated only to the protection and to the care of the child. On the contrary, the author represents mothers animated by contradictory feelings, mothers who position themselves as women without inhibiting their passions nor their agonies.

Keyphrases: Nancy Huston, Nancy Huston, Women's writing, Maternity, Mother-daughter relationship, Feminism, Psychoanalysis
Don d'organes et groupes ethniques à Montréal : Le rôle des infirmières dans un contexte de décès neurologique

Organ donation and transplantation have been performed in many countries for more than forty years, however there still is some skepticism about this procedure. In her nursing practice, the author has also noticed that health care professionals are reluctant to offer organ donation to families of an ethnic origin other than quebecker. In order to understand the phenomenon, this work is first presenting a historical perspective and the contribution of the social sciences to this field. A critical review of the scientific literature follows, and allows identifying links between ethnic groups and opinions on organ donation. Finally, inspired by Leininger’s transcultural caring theory and given the shortcomings in published data, recommendations for nursing practice are proposed.

Keyphrases: Leininger
La thérapie conjugale en milieu naturel: Étude du lien entre attachement amoureux, satisfaction conjugale, mandat thérapeutique et résultat de la consultation

The aim of this thesis was to elucidate the link between adult romantic attachment, relationship satisfaction, therapeutic mandates and couple therapy outcome. Couples seeking therapy in a natural setting completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (Spanier, 1976) and the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998) at intake. Therapists classified the therapeutic mandate pursued in each case (i.e., alleviation of couple distress or ambivalence resolution) according to the Classification of Therapeutic Mandates Questionnaire (Poitras-Wright & St-Père, 2004). When treatment ceased, couples were classified as dropouts or completers according to therapists’ judgment, and completers were further assessed using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale.  In the first of two articles, the association between adult romantic attachment and pre-treatment marital satisfaction was investigated in a sample of 172 distressed couples seeking therapy, as well as in a comparison sample of 56 nondistressed couples seeking therapy. Results showed that attachment avoidance was a distinctive characteristic of distressed couples and that it was a strong predictor of marital dissatisfaction among distressed couples seeking therapy. Based on a series of 141 couple therapy cases, the second article examined therapeutic mandates, romantic attachment orientations, and pre-treatment marital satisfaction as predictors of premature disengagement from couple therapy. The most striking result was that an ambivalence resolution mandate was strongly associated with increased chances of treatment discontinuation. Predictors of couple therapy outcome were also examined: actor-partner analyses revealed that the strongest predictor of post-treatment marital satisfaction was pre-treatment marital satisfaction, despite the inclusion of romantic attachment among the predictor variables. Overall, these results indicate that attachment insecurity is strongly related to distressed couples’ marital dissatisfaction, but that it might not impede the attainment of a positive outcome in couple therapy. In sum, this thesis contributed to the field of couple therapy by investigating the pertinence of attachment theory in couple treatment, and highlighting the need for further study of therapeutic mandates in couple therapy. Clinical implications for couple therapy are discussed, and recommendations for clinical research offered.

Keyphrases: Couple therapy, Dyadic adjustment, Marital satisfaction, Adult attachment, Romantic attachment, Therapeutic mandate, Dropout, Outcome, Prediction, Clinical representativeness