NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Ni hypersexualisées ni voilées ! Tensions et enjeux croisés dans les discours sur l’hypersexualisation et le port du voile «islamique» au Québec

This dissertation identifies a co-occurrence between the discourses about girl’s ‘hypersexualization’ and those regarding the ‘Islamic’ practice of veiling, which have been generating similar concerns, discourses and anxieties in Quebec as well as in most Western societies for the past years. More specifically, I propose a ‘general economy of discourses’ (Foucault, 1976) about hypersexualization and headscarf-wearing, from a conjunctural perspective, and by means of three contexts of analysis: feminist, media, and public. I demonstrate how hypersexualization and headscarf-wearing are problematized (Foucault, 2001/1984), that is to say, how they are produced as concomitant social problems. The dissertation consists of three main chapters that each takes on one of the contexts of problematization. The chapter entitled ‘Feminism(s) and Gender Equality’, argues that gender equality is invoked as the modern value par excellence within the feminist movement as in Quebec society. As such, gender equality is constitutive of the problems of hypersexualization and headscarf-wearing. The next chapter, ‘Media Diversity and (Hyper) Visibility’, focuses on the media and popular culture as both subjects and objects of discourse, which produce and define adolescence and Muslim religion/culture as worlds apart, while exposing them to the public. Finally, the chapter entitled ‘Secularism, Sexuality, and Neutrality’ analyzes the public discourses about hypersexualization and headscarf-wearing and highlights the ways in which these problems are constitutive of charters, codes of conduct and other forms of regulations, in the name of the common good and state’s neutrality. In conclusion, I provide a ‘look back’ on the conjuncture, stressing some issues that crosses the main chapters of the dissertation, such as the questions of consensus and extreme.

Keyphrases: Discours, Hypersexualization, Islamic Veil, Discourse, Power, Equality, Secularism, Feminism, Sexuality, Neutrality, Tolerance
Narrativité et temporalité dans la construction identitaire 
en contexte organisationnel

This dissertation makes theoretical and methodological contributions to questions of identity construction in organizations. It does so by developing an original conceptualization of the problem of temporal dimensions of identity, made visible through the dialectical tension between stability and change. In the organizational communication literature, identity is either seen as something that evolves or as something that is stable through time. For instance, many authors adopt a performative stance to study identity, which makes it difficult to take into consideration fixity of identity. I postulate that these two dimensions of identity are in a dialectical tension and that the process of configuration and interpretation of narratives makes their mediation possible. Moreover, I demonstrate that keeping in tension temporal dimensions of identity through narratives makes it possible to study the concomitant construction of individual, collective and organizational identities. Using an analytical method drawn from Ricoeur’s theory of narrative identity (Ricoeur, 1995) as well as inspired by conversation analysis, I analyzed data drawn from group interviews with employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police conducted in 2007 and 2008. This method allowed me to simultaneously analyze textual and contextual aspects of identity narratives

Keyphrases: identification, narrative identity, identification, interpretation, temporality, organization, police organization
Analyse de l'implantation d'une innovation en prévention du VIH: le dépistage rapide en milieu communautaire gai

In 2009, a multidisciplinary and intersectoral team implemented an innovative research-intervention project: Spot, a community-based rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men in Montreal. A case study was undertaken to describe the implementation process of Spot and the contextual factors that affected it. Grounded theory analysis of interviews, participant-observer, and a document analysis allowed the identification of a multistage dynamic implementation process. These stages were influenced by stakeholders’ motivations, the complexity of partnership dynamics, the challenges surrounding coordination and organization of staff members, as well as factors influencing staff members’ daily practices. Motivations like the unique opportunity to contribute to the implementation of an innovative and relevant prevention project, had a constant and positive influence, which united stakeholders in the project and maintained their involvement despite the difficulties. In terms of partnership dynamics, vague definitions of roles and tasks delayed the implementation of the project, although once clarified, everyone felt legitimate and actively participated in the success of the implantation. The management of interinstitutional funds was mentioned as one of the difficulties of coordinating the project and a factor that caused delays in the implementation process. This study allowed learning about the implementation and sustainability of a gay community-based rapid HIV testing service.

Keyphrases: HRSH, Analyse qualitative, MSM, Rapid HIV testing, Community-based intervention, Implementation analysis, Case study, Qualitative analysis
Distribution spatiale des racines fines, disponibilité de la lumière et rendement dans un système de culture intercalaire avec arbres feuillus en zone tempérée

Spatial distributions of fine roots were studied in a tree-based intercrop system (TBI) with Quercus rubra L. (CHR), Populus deltoides x nigra (DN3570) (PEH) and pasture species (FOUR) in southern Québec (Canada). Results didn’t show deeper root profiles for trees in TBI. Profiles were superficial as commonly found for tree species grown in conventional plantations or in natural ecosystems. More than 95 % of fine roots were found in 25 cm and 45 cm depth for CHR and PEH, and in 35 cm for pasture. However, spatial separation exists between CHR and pasture fine roots systems as CHR allocate less fine roots in the top 10 cm of soil, and more between 10 cm et 30 cm. PEH fine roots didn’t show any adaption when intercropped with pasture and a high value fine root length density (FRLD) in top soil layer near tree trunk reduces pasture FRLD by 45 %, suggesting strong competition interaction for resources. Pasture yield analysis revealed biomass reduction near trees, particularly near PEH. However results of a principal component analysis indicates stronger negative effect of light reduction on pasture yield than the presence of tree fines roots. PEH, a fast growing species, have stronger impact than CHR on pasture yield but they will be harvested sooner and larger alleys should benefit the intercrop. This dynamic aspect of TBI systems is close to natural ecosystems and should be further investigated for future success.

Keyphrases: Tree based intercrop systems, fine root lenght density, spatial distribution, light reduction, spatial separation, competition, yields
Chert Nastapoka : caractérisation chimique et exploitation au Paléoesquimau, baie d’Hudson, Nunavik

The dominant cultural material on Nunavik’s archaeological sites is lithics. As a result they constitute an important source of information on prehistoric lifeways. The lack of lithic raw materials resarchs carried out on the east coast of Hudson Bay gave us the opportunity to focus on a source in this area. The objective of this thesis research was to characterize one component of the geological formation: Nastapoka chert.  In order to do this, X-ray fluorescence was chosen. The results demonstrate that it is difficult to construct a unique geochemical pattern for the source because of its variability. To complete the portrait, we take into account the technological use of Nastapoka chert by the Paleoeskimo groups by comparing three site’s studies (GhGk-4, GhGk-63 and IcGm-5). This analysis of the exploitation of this material reveals a developement from Predorset to Dorset that supports the idea of cultural continuum between the two periods.

Keyphrases: Chemical characterization, Dorset, Hudson Bay, Lithic raw material, Lithic technology, Nastapoka chert, Paleoeskimo, Predorset, Quarry, X-ray fluorescence
Analyse des agents de chimiothérapie 
par extraction sur phase solide automatisée couplée à la chromatographie liquide et la spectrométrie de masse en tandem (SPE-LC-ESI-MS/MS)

The last few decades have been marked by an increase in the number of cancer cases, which subsequently led to an increase in the consumption of chemotherapeutic agents. The toxicity and the carcinogenicity of these molecules justify the increased interest. Few studies have been conducted to detect and quantify chemotherapeutic agents in environmental matrices.  In this project, a method using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) preceded by an online solid-phase extraction (SPE) has been developed for the detection and quantification of a group of six chemotherapeutic agents, which are among the most commonly used in Quebec (gemcitabine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, irinotecan, epirubicin) and having different physico-chemical properties and different chemical structures. The developed method was validated in a real water matrix representing the influent of a sewage treatment plant in the Montreal area. Two of the six studied cytotoxic agents (cyclophosphamide and methotrexate) were detected in eight samples of the nine taken mainly at the influent and effluent of some treatment plants in the Montreal area. The results of the analysis of real samples showed that there was no significant difference in concentration between the influent and effluent. This also demonstrates the inadequacy of the current wastewater treatment approaches to remove those compounds.

Keyphrases: Chemotherapeutic agents, Emergent contaminants, wastewater, LC-MS/MS, online SPE
Sensibilité des cellules leucémiques aux immunoconjugués anti-CD33

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer where hematopoietic precursors are arrested in an early stage of development, is associated with a poor survival rate of 20 to 30% over five years, despite intensive chemotherapy treatments. In approximately 90% of AML cases the malignant cells express CD33 antigen, which makes it a target of choice for development of immunotoxin based therapy. Three immunoconjugates (IC) composed of anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody coupled with maytansine derivative, which prevent tubulin polymerization and thus formation of mitotic spindle, were designed. These three IC were tested for their activity against several AML cell lines and primary AML patient cells and we investigate mechanisms responsible for variation in sensitivity to IC treatment. In this report, we show that differences in number of CD33 molecules on AML cell surface does not explain the observed differences in IC sensitivity. We demonstrate that binding of huMy9-6 antibody to CD33 induces rapid internalization and that it is first process through endosome. We confirm that lysosomal processing is essential for the antimitotic effect induced by IC treatment. Also, we provide evidence that SOCS3 protein may play a role in resistance of AML cells to anti-CD33 therapy by directing IC-CD33-SOCS3 complex to the proteasome and therefore affecting lysosomal decoupling of IC-CD33 and intracellular release of maytansine derivatives. Finally, the linkers and maytansine derivative modifications were not sufficient to increase sufficiently the efficacy of conjugates to eliminate higher numbers of AML cells. The identification of mechanisms responsible for increased resistance of AML cell lines and primary AMLs may allow us to identify IC responsive AML cells and also identify strategies to improve the efficacy of IC treatment.

Keyphrases: CD33, SOCS3, maytansine, cute myeloid leukemia, mmunoconjugate
Rôle du facteur de transcription PITX1 dans la pathogenèse de l'arthrose

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common age-related chronic disorders. The multiplicity of loci identified in OA linkage studies and the large number of associated SNPs suggests that many molecular pathways are involved in OA pathogenesis. Most of these pathways share common features with the process of endochondral ossification, normally occuring during embryogenesis. Cartilage degradation and the presence of osteophytes, hallmarks of OA, could be attributable to the reinitiation of this process. One gene that has surfaced both in OA and in musculoskeletal development is PITX1. Contrary to its original moniker, PITX1 is expressed in many tissues beyond the pituitary gland, including bone, cartilage, muscle and fibroblast cells. Pitx1 is considered as a master regulator of hindlimb identity and its complete inactivation in mice leads to a forelimb-like phenotype. Less severe, its partial inactivation results in early OA symptoms in aging mice. In humans, loss of PITX1 expression is observed in OA cartilage concomitantly with the upregulation of EXTL3, REG1 and PARP1. The association between these proteins and tissue regeneration is consistent with the biosynthesis phase initially taking place in OA cartilage. The dose-dependent relationship between PITX1 and cell proliferation supports the view that low PITX1 expression levels are necessary for chondrocytes to proliferate. Conversely, high levels of PITX1 would prevent proliferation and be required to maintain a differentiated state in normal articular chondrocytes. The regulation of PITX1 gene is of particular interest since it could help to better understand its role in osteoarthritis pathogenesis and in the process of endochondral ossification. Search for mechanisms responsible for the downregulation of PITX1 in OA led to the identification of prohibitin (PHB1) bound to its distal promoter region. PHB1 is a mitochondrial marker but its presence in chondrocytes nuclei seems to correlate with the initiation stage of OA. This discovery could impact diagnosis as well as possible treatments for osteoarthritis.

Keyphrases: PITX1, Cartilage, PHB1, Osteoarthritis, Pituitary homebox transcription factor, Endochondral ossification, Prohibitin
Importance des protéines cellulaires incorporées dans les virions matures d’HSV-1

To complete their life cycle viruses interact with many factors of the host cell. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is no exception. A recent proteomic study of the virus carried by our laboratory has identified up to 49 cellular proteins potentially incorporated into the mature virions of HSV-1[1]. Since some of these proteins may play important roles during the viral life cycle, they are interesting targets for identification and characterization of new host-pathogen interactions in the context of HSV-1. To target the proteins that are relevant to the viral life cycle of Herpes, the laboratory performed a screening with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which showed that at least 15 incorporated proteins are involved in the replication cycle of HSV- 1 in cell culture (Appendix 1). Numerous studies report the incorporation of host proteins in mature virions but few addresses the importance for the viral infectivity of the fractions of cellular proteins incorporated into the virions. To verify this, we depleted these proteins from the mature extracellular virions using siRNAs. Subsequently, we used these viruses to re-infect depleted or normal cells. This method allowed us to identify for the first time eight proteins (DDX3X, HSPA8, KRT10, MIF, Rab5A, Rab6A, Rab10 and 14-3-3ζ) whose absence in virions reduced viral production by at least 50%. As part of understanding at what stage of the life cycle these proteins are necessary for HSV-1, we tested the infectivity of intracellular depleted viruses. Thus, we found at least seven cellular proteins (DDX3X, HSPA8, KRT10, MIF, Rab5A, Rab6A and Rab10) to have a pronounced effect on the replication of herpes virus, which has stimulated us to begin a series of more in-depth tests of the entry of HSV-1. Preliminary results demonstrate the involvement in the entry of HSV-1 of at least three to four proteins (HSPA8, KRT10, Rab5A and Rab10).

Keyphrases: HSV-1, Cell proteins, RNA interference, Reinfection, Depleted viruses, Incorporated proteins, Viral entry
La tension narrative au cinéma : articulations et mécanismes du suspense

This thesis focuses on the mecanisms and narrative tools used in suspense and thriller films. The first chapter analyzes the function of the synecdoche and metonymy and their role in filmic time-space. The presence of danger triggers incertainties for the viewers that are bound to the endangered character. Then, following larger definitions and numerous films such as Jaws and The Matrix, the second chapter tries to find recurring thematic and aesthetic elements. The purpose of this approach is to legitimate a genre that might not be one. Finally, the third and last chapter, introduces the creative part of this work. A screenplay, The Perfect Seasons (Les saisons parfaites), a psychological suspense, is inspired by Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan and Claude Chabrol’s L’enfer.  This thesis asks how does work narrative tension in films and how is it possible to define suspense as a genre? Does this genre exists? If so, why is it important to study it?

Keyphrases: Suspense, Tension, Synecdoche, Metonymy, Genre, Screenplay, Narration, Cinema
Développement et mise à l'essai d'un outil pour analyser des albums jeunesse afin d'élaborer un répertoire d'oeuvres québécoises propices au travail interprétatif

This research paper examines literary reading in the context of primary education and focuses specifically on picturebooks that foster the development of interpretive skills. It gives an account of research and development in which we pursued three objectives. The first objective was to develop a tool to analyse the narrative processes of picturebooks and identify elements conducive to interpretive work; the second aimed to test the analysis tool in order to measure its reliability and validity; and the final objective was to use the tool we developed to put together a collection of Quebec children’s books that favour the development of interpretive skills in primary students. To achieve these three objectives, we adopted a methodology that enabled us to first analyse the needs, namely the users and purposes of the analysis tool, and then to design and develop an initial version. This version was tested with experts to determine its validity. A second version was then produced and its reliability was evaluated using encoders. Lastly, a third and forth version was produced to assemble a collection of Quebec picturebooks conducive to interpretive work. Although our test did not allow us to draw an altogether satisfactory conclusion about the objectivity of the indicators of our analysis tool, an analysis of comments by the experts confirms that the indicators of our analysis tool are highly relevant, which suggests that the tool we developed and the collection of 15 Quebec picturebooks that favour the development of interpretive skills in primary students we assembled may be important and useful tools within a school environment.

Keyphrases: Literary reading, Interpretive skills, Children's books, Quebec picturebooks, Narrative processes, Analysis tool, Research and development
Rôle de l’axe CD40L/CD40 dans les cellules endothéliales progénitrices

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are endothelial precursors which possess a considerable therapeutic potential in vascular repair and regeneration. In the context of cardiovascular diseases, the understanding of the role of EPCs in the regulation of thrombogenesis and endothelial repair is relevant and necessary to the understanding of their therapeutic potential. We have shown that EPCs interact with platelets via P-selectin and inhibit the adhesion, activation and aggregation of platelets as well as thrombus formation. Recently, we have shown that EPCs express the inflammatory receptor CD40 and it is well known that platelets are the main source of the soluble form of its agonist CD40L («soluble CD40 ligand», sCD40L). Hence, we have hypothesized that the CD40L/CD40 axis in EPCs influences the anti-thrombotic and pro-angiogenic functions of EPCs. To verify this hypothesis, we have successfully generated early and late EPCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture. We have demonstrated the existence of the CD40L/CD40 axis in EPCs by showing the expression of adaptor proteins, named tumor necrosis factor associated factors (TRAFs). In our first study, we investigated the effect of sCD40L on the function of early EPCs in platelet aggregation. Indeed, we have shown that sCD40L reverses their inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation without having an effect on prostacyclin (PGI2) and nitric oxide (NO) secretion by these cells. Moreover, no effect of sCD40L has been noted on the apoptosis and viability of these cells. However, we have shown a significant increase in oxidative stress in early EPCs following sCD40L stimulation. The inhibition of oxidative stress reverses the effect of sCD40L on early EPCs in platelet aggregation. These results could partially explain the decreased function of EPCs in individuals displaying higher levels of sCD40L in circulation. In our second study, we have studied the effect of sCD40L on the function of early EPCs in relation to angiogenesis. First, we have identified the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which are secreted by these cells. We have found that early EPCs mainly release MMP-9 and that this release is increased by sCD40L. The sCD40L also induces the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK which contributes to increase the secretion of MMP-9. In functional studies, we have shown that pretreatment of early EPCs with sCD40L can potentialize HUVEC endothelial repair. In conclusion, our work in the context of this doctoral research project has allowed us to study the mechanisms involved in the role of sCD40L in the inhibitory and angiogenic function of early EPCs in platelet aggregation and angiogenesis, respectively. These results add new insights to the role of EPCs and could constitute the basis for future studies allowing for the correlation between high levels of sCD40L and the incidence of cardiovascular disease, particularly atherothrombosis.

Keyphrases: CD40L, TRAF, MMP, endothelial progenitor cells, platelets, CD40L, TRAF, MMP, thrombosis, angiogenesis