NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Évaluation de l'équilibre chez la population lésée médullaire: validation de l'échelle de Berg et étude des interrelations avec les données cliniques

The evolution of medical practices for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) has changed their functional profile with the result that a significant proportion recovers their ability to stand and walk.  Implementing a validated scale to evaluate these aspects is therefore crucial during rehabilitation.  Various walking scales have been developed specific to the SCI population, such as the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI) and the Spinal Cord Injury Functional Ambulation Inventory (SCI-FAI).  However, no known balance evaluation has been recommended for this population.  The Berg Balance Scale has been developed and validated for various populations presenting neurological disorders.  An association has been shown between the Berg score and the level of independence as well as the walking assistive devices used.  The purpose of this project was therefore to validate the Berg Balance Scale for the SCI population and to explore the relationship between the Berg score and the walking assistive devices used.  Thirty-two subjects were recruited from the SCI population of the Institut de réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay de Montréal.  Walking evaluation was performed using the WISCI, the SCI-FAI, the walking speed on 10m and the Timed Up and Go.  The balance evaluation was carried out using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) as well as the static, dynamic and limits-of-stability tests of the Balance Master.  Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed on the sample.  The results showed a strong correlation between the BBS and all walking evaluations (0.714<Rs<0.816; p<0.01).  The BBS was also strongly related to the limits-of-stability test (-0.752<Rs<-0.463; p<0.01). The static tests of the Balance Master were weakly correlated with the various clinical evaluations (-0.444<Rs<-0.414; p<0.01) while the dynamic tests resulted in equivocal associations with BBS, being better for the anteroposterior test (3 and 1s conditions; -0.590<Rs<-0.524; p<0.01).  A significant ceiling effect was present ion the BBS, the WISCI and the SCI-FAI scales.  The results also showed that paraplegic and tetraplegic subjects differ in their performance in the various items of the BBS.  Descriptive analysis reveals that the BBS score can help to discriminate between walker, crutches and cane users and individuals walking independently, especially in the case of people with paraplegia.  This study revealed that the BBS is a valid balance evaluation for people with incomplete (ASIA D) spinal cord injury.  Its use for evaluating standing balance in the clinical and laboratory setting is therefore recommended.

Keyphrases: réadaptation, spinal cord injury, balance, ambulatory assistive devices, walking evaluation, rehabilitation, validity
Étude critique de la densité électronique et des températures (excitation et ionisation) d'un plasma d'aluminium induit par laser

Interest in the characterization of materials by laser induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS) is growing with new applications emerging at an ever increasing pace.  The purpose of this thesis is to verify the influence of the selection of spectral lines according to measured parameters of the plasma: electron density and excitation (neutral and singly ionized atoms) and ionization temperatures. Our measurements are conducted under typical operating conditions of LIPS: spatially integrated and temporally resolved. We used two binary aluminum targets containing trace elements (Al-Fe and Al-Mg).  First, we measured the electron density using Stark broadening of lines from several species (Al II, Fe II, Mg II, Fe I, Mg I, Hα). We observed that the absolute density had a different temporal behavior depending on the species.  The ionic lines giving electron densities systematically higher (up to 50 % at 200 ns after plasma ignition), and decreasing faster than densities derived from neutral lines. Densities obtained from trace elements Mg and Fe are lower than densities obtained from the commonly used line Al II at 281.618 nm.  In parallel, we studied the space-integrated electron density evolution found from hydrogen Hα line and observed that it has a temporal behavior similar to the density obtained by the Al II line at 281.618 nm. Thus the two species probably share the same spatial distribution within the plasma.  Finally, we measured the excitation temperature of iron (neutral and ionized, in trace amount in our targets), and the ionization temperature, using Boltzmann and Saha-Boltzmann plots, respectively. As previously described by Barthélémy et al. (2005), it appears that the different temperatures converge to a single value (considering error bars) after 2-3 microseconds. The different temperatures measured from 0 to 2 microseconds do not overlap, which could be explained by a departure from local thermodynamic equilibrium (Barthélémy et al., 2005), or by considering an inhomogeneous plasma where spatial distribution differs from one species to another, so that high energy species are found from within the plasma’s centre, which is hotter, while the lower energy species are found mainly in the periphery.

Keyphrases: Laser-Induced Plasma Spectroscopy, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
La critique de la raison pure, une œuvre inachevée

 According to Kant, the Critique must be made more comprehensible. This entails increasing the degree of lucidity (Helligkeit) of the exposition, i.e., by combining discursive clarity with intuitive clarity. In order to accomplish this task, the lines of force of the discursive structure of the Critique are represented here in the form of a model borrowed from Kant’s description of the formation of moral character in the Anthropology. Thus, reason is at first ruled by its “knowledge-instinct” (Wißbegierde, Erkenntnistrieb), which, however, plunges it into a state of vacillation (Schwankender Zustand). Reason eventually reacts with disgust (Überdruß), and this rejection opens the way to a properly critical introspection (Selbsterkenntnis). Finally, reason undergoes a revolution of its speculative mode of thinking (Revolution der Denkungsart), i.e., a transition, under the aegis of moral duty (Pflicht), from dishonesty to honesty, towards itself and towards others: in a word, a moral “rebirth” (Wiedergeburt).

Keyphrases: Kant, Kant, Moral Character, Revolution of the Mode of Thinking, Duty, Model, Analogy, Metaphor, Ethics, Hermeneutics, Logic
Autocrine loop in the purinergic control of airway surface liquid volume : monitoring with a novel side-view imaging technique

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients suffer from respiratory problems associated with pulmonary infections and exacerbations, due to improper mucociliary clearance (MCC). The airway surface liquid (ASL) covering pulmonary epithelial cells plays a pivotal role in MCC and infection control. Extracellular nucleotides control MCC in airway epithelia by modulating ASL volume, ciliary beating and mucin secretion. The mechanism(s) of their release and dispersal within the ASL remain incompletely understood. Studies with A549 cells, a human alveolar type II cell model, have shown that mechanosensitive, Ca2+-dependent ATP secretion is strongly amplified by the synergistic autocrine/paracrine actions of released nucleotides. The aim of this study was to examine whether the autocrine purinergic loop operates in different lung epithelial cell models and to develop an imaging system allowing the direct monitoring of ASL height during purinergic stimulation. We demonstrated that the signaling loop is functional in all epithelial cells tested, with the exception of Calu-3 epithelial cells. With different purinergic signaling modulators, we demonstrated that ATP release and [Ca2+]i elevations evoked by hypotonic stress were strongly amplified by autocrine/paracrine effects in cells expressing the P2Y receptor family. To monitor ASL volume changes in real time, we developed a novel epi-fluorescence, side-view microscopy system to observe ASL height. During experiments, cell cultures grown on permeable filters were mounted in a custom-designed chamber that allows control of the temperature, humidity and air flow above the cell monolayer, mimicking the pulmonary environment. This system detects even small changes in ASL volume following purinergic stimulation.

Keyphrases: ATP, Cystic Fibrosis, Extracellular nucleotides, Ionic transport, Pulmonary epithelial cells, Purinergic stimulation, Microscopy
The role of NHL-2 in regulating C.elegans P granule function

Asymmetric cell division is a process that enables stem cells to simultaneously self-renew and generate progeny committed to differentiation. For instance the totipotent and immortal germ lineage in C. elegans is a stem cell lineage that contains ribonucleoprotein organelles called P granules. P granules are present specifically in germ cells and have been proposed to function as germ line determinants. Interestingly, various RNP granules, such as P bodies that regulate post-transcriptional control have been also observed in all organisms. Nevertheless, the precise function of C. elegans P granules remains elusive. Recently our lab showed that NHL-2, a C. elegans homologue of Drosophila Mei-P26, localizes to P granules in early embryos and plays a role in asymmetric cell division and cell polarity. All P granules contain NHL-2, raising the possibility that NHL-2 plays a role in regulating P granule biogenesis and function. We investigated this possibility by imaging and quantifying the intensity of PGL-1, a core component of P granules, in fixed embryos. This analysis revealed that there is a reduction in: 1) the number of P granules and 2) the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and total fluorescence intensity (TFI) of PGL-1 staining in nhl-2 null mutant embryos compared to wild type. Our further analysis of nhl-2 loss of function demonstrates that NHL-2, similar to P granule core components such as DEPS-1, GLH-1 and PGL-1, is required for proper germ cell proliferation and fertility at elevated temperature. One aspect of the nhl-2 loss of function phenotype is that nhl-2 mutants are distributed in different groups based on both their P granules number and PGL-1 intensity: one population has wild type PGL-1 intensity while the second group has severely reduced amounts of PGL-1. Strikingly, such variability is observed even in the sterility phenotype of nhl-2 mutants at elevated temperatures. Taken together, our results suggests that NHL-2 loss of function disrupts germ cell proliferation as well as P granule formation or stability during early stages of germ cell precursor development and that NHL-2 function may be partially redundant with other regulators of P granule stability. Keywords : P granules, NHL-2, Germline.

Keyphrases: P granules, NHL-2, Germline, NHL-2
Ontologie de la présence absente et (dé)construction du personnage dans le théâtre d'Eugène Ionesco

In his book « Notes et contre-notes », Ionesco announces his project to give substance to absence, to the invisible, which is portrayed in most of his theatrical creations. For the playwright this is not a matter of creating new techniques to sustain the theater of the absurd, but rather a procedure that exposes the irrational side of human existence. The characters’ identities troubles are thus presented as a result as their being haunted by death – a haunting similar to sinking or falling into a deep chasm.  In a universe in which the character has no clues for establishing his position or for articulating his identity, there is an absence or lack of presence. The haunted character manifests himself as a paradoxical lack of presence or a personification of death. Victim and aggressor become conscious of one another and their meeting will serve solely to accomplish the act of aggression.

Keyphrases: Ionesco, Ionesco, Character, Space, Theater, Death, Absurd
Le roman sentimental antillais : appropriation du canon et didactisme

The sentimental novel is one of the most read, translated and accessible literary genres. Considering its sales rating, its frivolous reputation seems to be a misleading one. Indeed, in the Caribbean, the overall presence and reception of the novels is an indicator of its phenomenal popularity. We consider that the following aspects of the Caribbean sentimental novel are the most significant ones. Firstly, we underline that the specificity of the narrative patterns of these novels is due to its singularity vis-à-vis the canonical sentimental novel. Secondly, these novels tend to create a very strong sense of nationhood for the readers which are generated by a careful depiction of the everyday life. These previous aspects allow us to underscore the fact that the studied novels interact with the Caribbean social-cultural discourse while insisting on the topic of the female condition. This research brings to light the fact that the appropriation of the novelistic schemes as well as the didactic within allows to consider the Caribbean sentimental novel as a part of the institutionally recognized literary productions. Finally, our essay demonstrates that the novels of these “female writers” contribute to the consolidation of the national identity.

Keyphrases: Caribbean literature, Sentimental novel, Women writings, Didacticism, Poetic genres
Une philosophie de l’expérience : Pierre Hadot et les chapitres intérieurs du Zhuangzi

Pierre Hadot, in Qu’est-ce que la philosophie antique? and Exercices spirituels et philosophie antique, suggests a new interpretation of texts from ancient philosophers which show that originally, the goal of those philosophers was not only to elaborate a rational systematization of the world, but also to change concretely their way of life. Today, this conception of philosophy is no longer promoted: the intellectual aspect has overcome the experiential aspect, which results in the general conception that philosophy is mainly a rational and objective discourse.             Thus, for some, the metaphorical and poetical writings of Zhuangzi cannot be considered truly philosophical because they do not search for a systematic conception of reality. They rather suggest approaches for new experiences of reality, made possible by certain exercises, and show how to gain more wisdom. This work will try to rehabilitate the experiential aspect of philosophy, in order to show the philosophical value of the Zhuangzi.

Keyphrases: Philosophie, Zhuangzi, Hadot, Sagesse, Philosophy, China, Taoism, Antiquity, language, Experience, Wisdom
Quelques théorèmes de points critiques basés sur une nouvelle notion d'enlacement

A new notion of linking for pairs of sets $A\subset B$, $P\subset Q$ in a Hilbert space of the form $X=Y\oplus Y^{\perp}$ with $Y$ separable, called $\tau$-linking, is defined. The model for this definition is the generalization of homotopical linking and linking in the sense of Benci-Rabinowitz made by Frigon. Using the degree theory developped in an article of Kryszewski and Szulkin, many examples of $\tau$-linking pairs are given. A deformation lemma is established and used jointly with the notion of $\tau$-linking to prove an existence theorem for critical points of a certain class of functionals defined on $X$. Moreover, a characterization of a minimax nature for the corresponding critical value is given. As a corollary of this theorem, conditions are stated under which the existence of two distinct critical points is guaranteed. Two other critical point theorems are demonstrated, one of which generalizes the main theorem of the article of A new notion of linking for pairs of sets $A\subset B$, $P\subset Q$ in a Hilbert space of the form $X=Y\oplus Y^{\perp}$ with $Y$ separable, called $\tau$-linking, is defined. The model for this definition is the generalization of homotopical linking and linking in the sense of Benci-Rabinowitz made by Frigon~\cite{frigon:1}. Using the degree theory developped in~\cite{szulkin:1}, many examples of $\tau$-linking pairs are given. A deformation lemma is established and used jointly with the notion of $\tau$-linking to prove an existence theorem for critical points of a certain class of functionals defined on $X$. Moreover, a characterization of a minimax nature for the corresponding critical value is given. As a corollary of this theorem, conditions are stated under which the existence of two distinct critical points is guaranteed. Two other critical point theorems are demonstrated, one of which generalizes the main theorem of the article by Kryszewski and Szulkin cited above.

Keyphrases: Nonlinear analysis, Critical point theory, Kryszewski and Szulkin degree theory, Linking
Expression des nétrines dans la rétine de souris adulte

The netrins are a small family of axonal guidance proteins that can attract or repulse growing axons during neural development. During development of the retina, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) axons are attracted by a netrin source at the optic disc that permits them to exit the retina and form the optic nerve. To characterise the role of netrins in the adult visual system, we investigated the expression of netrins and their receptors in the adult mouse retina. While expression of netrin-1 has not been detected in the adult retina, netrin- 3 has been abundantly found in RGCs amacrine cells. We also demonstrate that netrin receptors are expressed in the adult retina. DCC was found to be restricted in RGCs axons and neogenin in dendrites of RGCs and horizontal cells. UNC5B proteins were detected at RGC soma and UNC5C proteins in the Müller cells. The finding that netrin-3 and its receptors are abundantly expressed in many cell types of the adult retina suggests a funtional role for them in the mature visual system.

Keyphrases: Dcc, retina, adult, netrin, neogenin
Partager le savoir du lexicographe: extraction et modélisation ontologique des savoirs lexicographiques

This research is about lexicology, lexicography and vocabulary teaching/learning. It is part of a project called Ontologization of lexicographic abilites for use in the ﬁelds of applied linguistics, nicknamed Lexitation, which is, to our knowledge, the ﬁrst attempt at extracting lexicographic abilities using experimental techniques. The project relies on the assumption that lexicographic abilities play a role in teaching and acquisition  of lexical knowledge, and not only in lexicography per se. We will describe the methods and results of our initial set of experiments, that are based on the use of so-called  Think Aloud Protocol (Ericsson et Simon, 1993). We will explain how experiments have been set up and how we are currently proceeding with the extraction and modeling of various types of knowledge and strategies used by lexicographers while performing lexicographic tasks. Finally, we will present possible applications of our work in the ﬁeld of language teaching, more speciﬁcally, teachers’ training.

Keyphrases: Lexicography, explanatory Combinatorial Lexicology (ECL), ontology, experimental knowledge extraction, language teaching
Étude empirique de distributions associées à la Fonction de Pénalité Escomptée

We discuss a simulation approach for the joint density function of the surplus prior to ruin and deficit at ruin for risk models driven by Lévy subordinators. This approach is inspired by the Ladder Height decomposition for the probability of ruin of such models. The Classical Risk Model driven by a Compound Poisson process is a particular case of this more generalized one. The Expected Discounted Penalty Function, also referred to as the Gerber-Shiu Function (GS Function), was introduced as a unifying approach to deal with different quantities related to the event of ruin. The probability of ruin and the joint density function of surplus prior to ruin and deficit at ruin are particular cases of this function. Expressions for those two quantities have been derived from the GS Function, but those are not easily evaluated nor handled as they are infinite series of convolutions with no analytical closed form. However they share a similar structure, thus allowing to use the Ladder Height decomposition of the Probability of Ruin as a guiding method to generate simulated values for this joint density function. We present an introduction to risk models driven by subordinators, and describe those models for which it is possible to process the simulation. To motivate this work, we also present an application for this distribution, in order to calculate different risk measures for those risk models. An brief introduction to the vast field of Risk Measures is conducted where we present selected measures calculated in this empirical study. This work contributes to better understanding the behavior of subordinators driven risk models, as it offers a numerical point of view, which is absent in the literature.

Keyphrases: Risk Theory, Expected Discounted Penalty Function, Lévy Processes, Subordinators, Renewal Equations, Simulation, Simulation, Risk Measures
Simulation numérique de feux de forêt avec
réinitialisation et contournement d’obstacles

This work presents a forest fire simulation model which uses the Level-Set method. We use a partial differential equation to deform a surface on which our flame front is inscribed. The mathematical foundations of the Level-set method are presented. We then explain a reinitialization method that allows us to treat in a robust way real data and to reduce the calculation time. The effect of the presence of barriers in the fire propagation domain is also studied. Finally, we make an attempt to find the ignition point of a forest fire.

Keyphrases: Level-set method, Partial differential equations, Forest fire, Simulation, Simulation