NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Étude du rôle de la tyrosine kinase Src dans la régulation de la signalisation des récepteurs opioïdes delta (∆OR)

Opioids are the most effective analgesics available but their use is limited by  tolerance. Tolerance is related, at least in part, to receptor desensitization. Hence, the  role of the present study was to better characterize the desensitization process, in  particular concerning the role of the tyrosine kinase Src on regulation of delta opioid  receptor signalling. Our results show that pharmacological inhibition with PP2  (administered at low concentration: 20-40µM) or molecular inhibition of the kinase  with low expression levels of a dominant negative mutant of Src (0,2µg of DNA)  potentiate the magnitude and duration of agonist-dependent (DPDPE; 1µM; 5 min)  activation of the ERK pathway. We also showed that higher concentrations of Src  inhibitors (80 and 100µM of PP2 or 1µg/ml of dominant negative mutant DNA)  block the MAPK cascade following DOR stimulation by DPDPE. These  observations indicate that Src has a biphasic effect on ERK activity, respectively  potentiating or inhibiting agonist stimulation of the MAPK cascade at low and high  levels of Src inhibition. We reasoned that high levels of Src blockers were interfering  with ERK activation mechanism while low levels of inhibition were interfering with  receptor desensitization. This possibility was tested by using cAMP accumulation  assays to evaluate the effect of Src blockers (PP2, 20 µM; 1h) on agonist-induced  desensitization. DOR stimulation by DPDPE inhibited forskolin stimulated cAMP  production in a dose dependent manner with a maximal reduction of 61%. This  inhibitory response was reduced by 72% following pre-exposure to DPDPE (1 µM,  30 min), an effect that was blocked by pre-treating cells with PP2 (PP2, 20 µM; 1 h)  before desensitization. The protective effect of Src blockers did not involve changes  in DOR internalization but interfering with internalization by using an  internalization-deficient DOR mutant or hypertonic medium (0.4M sucrose) reduced  this protection, indicating the need for optimal internalization in order for the  protective effect of Src blockers to take place. Based on the latter observation it was  possible to conclude that Src contribution to DOR desensitization is post-endocytic.

Keyphrases: Desensitization, truncated mutant delta opioid receptor (DOR344T), Src, PP2, DPDPE, Internalization, Tolerance, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Extracellular Signal-Regulated Protein Kinase (ERK), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
L’influence du réseau de chimiokines sur les lymphocytes T dans le contexte de l’infection à virus de l’immunodéficience humaine de type 1 (VIH-1)

The chemokines and their counter receptors play an important role in regulating innate and adaptive immunity. The chemokine receptors serve as markers for distinct CD4+ T cell subsets with specific tissue homing potential, antigenic specificity, and polarization profile. There is limited knowledge on the identity of primary CD4+ T cell subsets selectively targeted by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The recruitment in the intestinal mucosa of excess effector (CD8+ T) versus target (CD4+ T) cells predicts a good outcome for the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, while the depletion of Th17 cells in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) represents a marker for HIV disease progression. The regulatory role of chemokines on cellular activation and on HIV replication in different CD4+ T cell subsets remains poorly investigated. This M.Sc. project is dived in 3 parts: (1) the identification of chemokine receptors CCR4, CXCR3 and CCR6 as surface markers of CD4+ T cell subsets, with susceptibility to HIV replication (2); the phenotypic and functional characterization of HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in HIV-infected long-term-non progressor (LTNP) individuals and (3) the effect of chemokine ligands of CCR4, CXCR3 and CCR6 on cellular activation and viral replication in vitro. Our results reveal that CD4+ CCR4+CCR6+ T (Th17 cytokine profile) and CD4+ CXCR3+CCR6+ (Th1/Th17 cytokine profile) T cells are highly permissive to HIV replication. Also, our results suggest new correlates of immune protection against HIV in LTNP subjects: (i) the co-localization potential of HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the intestinal mucosa via the integrin β7, (ii) the high ratio between effector (CD8+) versus target (CD4+) T cells, (iii) the Th17 cytokine profile and (iv) the ability of HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to produce CCR5 ligands blocking viral entry. Finally, our results on the co-stimulatory effect of chemokines on T cell activation and their opposite impact on HIV replication in CD4+ T cells demonstrate the role played by the chemokine network during HIV pathogenesis.

Keyphrases: HIV, chemokines, chemokine receptors, CD4+ T cells, cellules T CD8+, CD8+ T cells, LTNP, LTNP
La Guerre civile espagnole : l'influence du Québec sur les politiques du gouvernement fédéral

The Canadian foreign policy in view of the Spanish Civil War was adopted on July 31th.  The shilly-shallying of Ottawa related to his politic is questionable in regard of the motivations that guided the federal gouvernement.  The Canada adopted a neutrality position, similar to the one of Great Britain, decided by the Non-intervention Committee.  Like London, Ottawa voted a weapons embargo on both sides of the belligerants.  Also, with the Foreign Enlistement Act, it was criminally forbidden to go to fight in Spain. The law applied on both sides, but was aimed especially to prevent the making of the Mackenzie-Papineau Batallion, the Canadian branch of the International Brigades.  These acts dedicated the neutrality of Canada.    In Quebec, this war was deeply felt.  The traditional elites and the catholic clergy assimilated the Spanish governement to Soviet communism and showed solidarity with the Spanish Catholic Church.  According to Ernest Lapointe, the main minister in Quebec, Ottawa should deeply take into account the conservative movement in Quebec to prevent a domestic crisis that could endanger the national unity.  But the foreign policy of Canada was only partially influenced by the clerico-nationalist reaction in Quebec; it was much more dictated by the following  of the British foreign policy.

Keyphrases: Canada, Canada, Quebec, Spanish Civil War, Foreign Policy, Anticommunism, Conservatism, Nationalism, Britannism
La Quatrième Croisade : analyse du traité de Venise

This master’s thesis is about the Treaty of Venice, made in 1201 between the Fourth Crusade’s barons and the Republic of Venice, regarding the transportation and provisioning of a fleet bound for the Levant. The importance of this study stems from the Crusaders’ default on their obligation, which had a decisive impact on the course of events, thus placing it at the heart of the Crusade’s deviation to Constantinople. First, this study analyses the nature and scale of Venice’s undertaking, attempting to quantify and measure in economic terms the number of ships and passengers onboard, as well as the supplies’ weight and cost, for both men and horses. This analysis, based on analoguous contracts, proves the agreed sum of 85 000 silver marks was in no way exaggerated. Also, the analysis weighs the importance of such a sum in the economic context of the times, and tries to identify the reasons of the crusaders’ shortcomings. Despite a certain traditional historiography, this analysis demonstrates that Venice cannot bear the brunt of the responsibility for the Crusade’s deviation, and that blaming their uncompromisingness, their greed, or even their duplicity, is wrong. The sheer effort provided by the Republic, indicates it took every measure to warrant the venture’s success. The interruption of far-away trade, the construction of numerous ships, the requisition of thousands of sailors to man them, and the logistics needed to supply tens of thousands, display well the Venetians’ dedication. It is the crusaders’ failure to pay which triggered doge Enrico Dandolo to commit further, thus irremediably joining his city’s fortunes to those of the expedition.

Keyphrases: Fourth Crusade, Financing of the Crusades, Treaty of Venice (1201), Enrico Dandolo, History of Venice
Principes de conception et d’utilisation des e-portfolios de présentation en milieu universitaire

Based on the human-machine ergonomics methodology, this study deals with how e-portfolios of presentation could be implemented in the University. An e-portfolio can be defined as a structured amount of information displaying the education, learning and working experience of a person in relation to a selection of outstanding results. It also includes personal reflections on the learner on those accomplishments, on his career plan, on his working experience or simply on his resume. With a focused needs’ analysis, we try to understand how learners could put forward a reflexive thinking throughout their career. Also, we try to figure out how e-portfolios could become an effective investment tool for students as well as for employers. To answer these questions, we have made many interviews with employers and students in order to assess and understand their expectations. The sum of collected information has helped us to design a primary model on which they will be able to interact each other. After that phase, and according to all the usability tests conducted on that model, we developed the final model for an e-portfolio.

Keyphrases: e-portfolio, recrutement, certification, e-portfolio, usability, layout, recruitment, student, reflexive, presentation, outcomes, employability, certification
Design pédagogique et jeux vidéo : recherche exploratoire pour le développement d’un modèle soutenant le design pédagogique dans les jeux vidéo non éducatifs

Instructional design for non-educational video games is an ill-defined discipline that lacks established methods. Contrarily to the one used in schools or other education or formation institutions, video game instructional design is done by video game designers who often have no teaching training. An instructional design model for non-educational games is developed, in this paper, based on video game content analysis and educational science theories. Considering the limited resources available for the development of this model, it lays grounds for the establishment of a more elaborate model on instructional video game design, offers insights on education through games and can help video game designers plan the instructional design for their games.

Keyphrases: design, instructional, video games, model, taxonomy of educational objectives, behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism
Le visage de la douleur : informations efficientes pour la reconnaissance et impacts sur l’observateur

Facial expression plays a central role in pain communication including when judging on others’ pain intensity. Facial expression characteristics have been investigated mainly with descriptive methods (e.g. FACS). The thesis introduction summarizes current knowledge on behavioral and cerebral processes involved in pain facial expression and pain communication. Moreover, a better understanding of the processes subtending the recognition of pain in others appears essential to address clinical issues such as the classical under-estimation effect. The article 1 uses a direct method (Bubbles) to identify the visual information efficiently used by the observer to correctly discriminate pain among basic emotions facial expressions. Results show that, among all the facial movement typically found in pain facial expressions, the observers use few information. Moreover, the visual regions highly correlated with correct identification of pain have previously been described as encoding the affective-motivational of the pain experience of the sufferer. It is known that the pain experience can be increased by visual stimuli with a negative affective valence, including pain facial expressions, through spinal and supra-spinal (perceptual) processes. The article 2 aims to study if the facial regions important for pain identification are sufficient to modulate the observer’s pain experience. Results showed that looking at the diagnostic visual information for pain identification enhanced the perception of pain) of the observer when compared to viewing regions not correlated with correct identification. A post-experimental exploration of the characteristics of our stimuli suggests that this effect is not attributable to an induction of negative emotions, thereby supporting a predominant role for pain communication in the vicarious facilitation of pain in the observer. However, spinal measures were not modulated by our visual stimuli, suggesting that the neural system underlying the modulation does not involve cerebro-spinal processes.

Keyphrases: Bubbles, modulation, facial expression, pain, nociceptive reflex
Dialogue sur l'avenir de la démocratie libérale : John Rawls, Richard Rorty et Leo Strauss

Our study stems from the awareness that three twentieth-century political philosophies emanating from the United States have not partaken in any serious dialogue, even though this country should be a leader and model of openness regarding the topic of liberal democracy. The three political philosophies in question are those of John Rawls, Richard Rorty and Leo Strauss. Consequently, we have initiated a dialogue by confronting the ideas of these three thinkers on matters concerning truth, history, the dimensions of man, and democratic principles, having furthered this effort by highlighting the opinion of each on eleven classical dualisms related to these four matters. These dualisms are binary oppositions, generally venerable, which classify and divide two orders of reality. Using the common language of classical dualisms allowed us to overcome the obstacles due to the particular language game or vocabulary of each. In the first place, we show that if no real victor emerges from our confrontation, it is possible to judge each of the thinkers according to non contentious criteria (consistency, complexity or subtlety, capacity to refute the other positions). Then we illustrate that the direct confrontation through dialogue allows each of the three positions to express itself on the same issues and leads one to conclusions regarding matters beyond simple exegetic analysis. These conclusions show what kind of compromise is possible between the principles of truth and history. They support the project of resolving the tensions in our understanding of man, in particular, between the public and private spheres. Finally, they remind us of the importance of the ancient view of democratic principles (freedom, equality, justice), if only to counterbalance the current overwhelming trend. Ultimately, we explain how this confrontation can lead to a program for a political philosophy which balances the claims of (premodern) criticism and (modern) confidence, as well as restates the importance of continuing the dialogue in order that our thought be worthy of the idea of liberal democracy.

Keyphrases: Political philosophy, John Rawls, Richard Rorty, Leo Strauss, Liberal democracy, Classical dualisms, Truth, History, Dimensions of man, Democratic principles
L'interdiction de fumer en établissement de détention canadien : le vécu des hommes incarcérés

The present study aims to understand how inmates have adjusted to a total ban on smoking in Canadian prisons. From qualitative interviews conducted with seventeen men detained in various detention facilities in Canada, we analyzed the experiences of inmates subject to the new regulations. It appears from our analyzes that tobacco allows inmates to lessen the suffering associated with imprisonment, which leads the individual and collective adaptation to circumvent the smoking policy. In addition, the tobacco regulation has a significant impact on the total character of penal institutions. The loss of a right that was acquired over several decades has created an increase in control measures, deprivation and tensions within the prison.

Keyphrases: Prison, Adaptation, Univers total, Privation, Violence, Detained, Tobacco policy, Health fitness, Total world, Right, Deprivation, Violence, Control, Social relationship
Difficultés d’ordre grammatical rencontrées chez les immigrants adultes allophones dans l’apprentissage du français langue seconde

The current research is to identify and classify grammatical difficulties facing by adult English speaking immigrants in their French as a second language (FSL) study.  On one side, we have analyzed exams of 98 students from French learning course in Université de Montréal in order to describe their common grammar mistakes. We have described in detail common grammar mistakes produced by learners of each level of French learning course so that they can effectively prevent themselves from using common errors and develop language skill in studying FSL. On the other side, we have also collected personal opinions of five senior teachers of French as a second language course in terms of the importance of teaching grammar in FSL course, the treatment of grammar errors, and the persistence of errors throughout various level, etc. By specifying grammar points to study in each level of FSL course and merging the results of learners and teachers, we can provide adult English speaking learners simple tables of grammar points and grammar errors corresponding to each level. They could use them to improve their language skills and to better integrate themselves into Quebec society.

Keyphrases: immigrants, French second language, French grammar, immigrants, adults, grammatical difficulties, grammatical errors
Dynamo Magnétohydrodynamique en champ moyen

It is generally agreed upon that the 11-year magnetic cycle of the Sun arises through the action of an internal dynamo operating in the convective zone, and perhaps also immediately beneath it. Although the computing power of current supercomputers is sufficient to allow fairly realistic magnetohydrodynamical simulations of this dynamo process, to study the temporal and spatial evolution of the large-scale solar magnetic field over long timescales, it remains advantageous to work with simpler models. Thus, to better understand the physical mechanisms at the origin and maintenance of the solar dynamo, we used a simplified formulation, known as a mean-field model.  By using a complete alpha-tensor extracted from a global MHD model of solar convection [Ghizaru et al., 2010] as input to a kinematic axisymmetric mean-field dynamo model [Charbonneau & MacGregor, 1997], it becomes possible to study the effect of the electromotive force on the magnetic cycles produced by the global model. In this way, we are able to reproduce some of the observed characteristics of the Ghizaru et al., 2010 simulation, in particular magnetic cycles. The axisymmetric magnetic field produced by the mean-field dynamo model exhibits two distincts dynamo modes. These modes, with similar periods, are present and peak at substantially at the same radii and latitudes as the sonlly-averaged magnetic fields extracted from the global model. Thanks to the spatial complexity of the alpha-tensor, we can reproduce these two dynamo modes. In contrast, the ratio of the periods of the two modes present in the mean field model differs significantly from that found in the global model. In addition, the accumulation of strong magnetic fields at the base of the convective zone disappears in a model where differential rotation has been removed. This suggests that differential rotation plays a significant role in the accumulation of magnetic fields in this region. Furthermore, removing the turbulent pumping component of the alpha-tensor produces a very different magnetic field cycle. Therefore, turbulent pumping plays a crucial role in the spatial distribution of the magnetic field. It is important to underline that the models without differential rotation, with or without turbulent pumping, both succeed in producing an oscillatory dynamo using only the turbulent electromotive force. However, the dynamos materializing in these modified models are significantly different from that using the full alpha-tensor. Finally, both the intensity and form of meridional circulation profiles are significant factors affecting the dynamo modes.

Keyphrases: alpha effect, Soleil: dynamo, Turbulent pumping, Mean-field model, Sun: magnetic field, Global model, Magnetohydrodynamic
L’implantation des Cultural Studies dans les
curricula francophones de sociologie :
Étude comparée de deux départements québécois

This research analyzes the penetration of cultural studies in the curricula of two French departments of sociology, one at the UdeM and in the other one at the UQAM. From interviews conducted with teachers, but also from the analysis of curricula inspired by the theory developed by B. Bernstein, this research examines all issues related to the introduction of a new course or a new way of thinking in a department. The purpose is not to conclude on the high–or low–presence of cultural studies in the programs, but rather to explain these variations of presence from the social, political, economic and even geographic characteristics that are specific to each department. The conducted analysis goes even further by noting that cultural studies, even if they have not been developed at a large scale in Quebec, have had an impact on how the objects are sociologically discussed.

Keyphrases: Curriculum, Cultural Studies, Basil Bernstein, UdeM, UQAM, Department of sociology