NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Faulkner revisited : narrating property, race, gender and history in William Faulkner's Go Down, Moses, Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon and Gloria Naylor's Mama Day

My thesis explores the formation of the subject in the novels of Faulkner’s Go Down, Moses, Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, and Gloria Naylor’s Mama Day. I attach the concept of property in terms of how male protagonists are obsessed with materialistic ownership and with the subordination of women who, as properties, consolidate their manhood. The three novelists despite their racial, gendered, and literary differences share the view that identity and truth are mere social and cultural constructs. I incorporate the work of Judith Butler and other poststructuralist figures, who see identity as a matter of performance rather than a natural entity.  My thesis explores the theme of freedom, which I attached to the ways characters use their bodies either to confine or to emancipate themselves from the restricting world of race, class, and gender. The three novelists deconstruct any system of belief that promulgates the objectivity of truth in historical documents. History in the three novels, as with the protagonists, perception of identity, remains a social construct laden with distortions to serve particular political or ideological agendas. My thesis gives voice to African American female characters who are associated with love and racial and gender resistance. They become the reservoirs of the African American legacy in terms of their association with the oral and intuitionist mode of knowing, which subverts the male characters’ obsession with property and with the mainstream empiricist world. In this dissertation, I use the concept of hybridity as a literary and theoretical devise that African-American writers employ. In effect, I embark on the postcolonial studies of Henry Louise Gates, Paul Gilroy, W. E. B Du Bois, James Clifford, and Arjun Appadurai in order to reflect upon the fluidity of Morrison’s and Naylor’s works. I show how these two novelists subvert Faulkner’s essentialist perception of truth, and of racial and gendered identity. They associate the myth of the Flying African with the notion of hybridity by making their male protagonists criss-cross Northern and Southern regions.  I refer to Mae Gwendolyn  Henderson’s article on “Speaking in Tongues” in my analysis of how Naylor subverts the patriarchal text of both Faulkner and Morrison in embarking on a more feminine version of the flying African, which she relates to an ex-slave, Sapphira Wade, a volatile female character who resists fixed claim over her story and identity. In dealing with the concept of hybridity, I show that Naylor rewrites both authors’ South by making Willow Springs a more fluid space, an assumption that unsettles the scores of critics who associate the island with authenticity and exclusive rootedness.

Keyphrases: Subjectivity, History, Race, Construction, Genre, Gender, Hybridity
Pratiquer l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes au sein des organisations : étude de cas des ONG au Mali

This thesis analyzes practices with regard to equality between women and men within eight Malian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have received Canadian funding. Official development assistance has been radically transformed since the 1950s, and one of these transformations has been the important role played by NGOs since the beginning of 1990s, following the implementation of structural adjustment policies and the end of the state’s monopoly on public aid for development projects. The changed role of NGOs in official development assistance has created dependency and these donors impose conditions. Our results show that the donors require efforts to foster gender equality for the beneficiaries of the programs, but paradoxically do not require that NGOs do the same in their personnel practices. By analyzing the composition of the staff of eight Malian NGOs, our results show that 34 % of the staff are women, while 66 % are men. These results demonstrate that there is a significant gender imbalance. However a closer analysis shows that equality between women and men in the organization and management of staff differs from one NGO to another. The practices are highly dependent on the willingness as well as the values of the managers. Our research brought out several explanations for this disparity in the level of women’s employment. The reasons often mentioned were: 1) the need for competent staff; 2) family-work balance; 3) the sociocultural context; 4) the interpretation of the Muslim religion about the place of women in society. In fact, our results showed that under the influence of donors, NGOs have become professionalized; our analyses also show that the impact of professionalization is different on women and men and it has been made at the expense of women. Some managers, both male and female, prefer to recruit men because they believe the men are more competent. Our results confirm the theory of the glass ceiling which highlights the fact that women have difficulty accessing positions of responsibility. Our results also showed that in Mali both the sociocultural context and religion play major roles in social relationships, and especially in women’s place in society.

Keyphrases: ACDI, Mali, International development aid, CIDA, NGO, gender equality, glass ceiling, Mali
Exploration génétique de l'hypothyroïdie congénitale par dysgénésie thyroïdienne

Congenital hypothyroidism by thyroid dysgenesis (CHTD) is a common disorder with prevalence at birth of 1 in 4000 live births. CHTD is the consequence of a failure of embryonic thyroid to differentiate or to migrate to its anatomical location (front of the neck), which leads to a total lack of thyroid (athyreosis) or an ectopic thyroid (lingual or sublingual). The most common category is ectopic thyroid diagnosis (up 85%). Most cases of CHTD have no known cause, but are associated with severe deficiency of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism). The clinical diagnosis of hypothyroidism is usually possible only when permanent brain damage is already present. On the other hand, biochemical screening on the second day of life allows initiating replacement therapy from the second week of life, pre-empting severe intellectual deficit associated with the congenital hypothyroidism. Even with early treatment (an average of 9 days), loss of IQ, which is not exclusively due to the severity of hypothyroidism, can still be observed. Molecular markers may identify patients at risk for intellectual deficit (by e.g., genes involved in neuronal migration and the thyroid during development). These patients might benefit from early intervention to stimulate their neurocognitive development. Cases of CHTD are mainly non-syndromic and sporadic (in 98% of cases, there is no other affected in the family), have a discordant rate of 92% in monozygotic twins, and a female and ethnic (Caucasian) dominance. Germline mutations in thyroid-related transcription factors have been identified in only 3% of patients with sporadic CHTD, and linkage analysis has excluded these genes in rare multiplex families with CHTD. In addition, non-penetrating mutations among close relatives (for Nkx2.5 gene) suggest that modifying genes as germline variants de novo copy number (CNV) and / or somatic mutations are associated with CHTD. To respond to this research questions, we used two different approaches: 1) a candidate gene approach studying FOXE1, the only gene involved in ectopic thyroid in the mouse model and, 2) an approach using next generation sequencing techniques (NGS) to find genetic variants that could explain this pathology using a cohort of mostly sporadic CHTD. Variants and genes discovered by these two different approaches have been validated and their functional impact on the thyroid gland was evaluated by several experiments.

Keyphrases: Migration, FOXE1, Congenital hypothyroidism, Ectopic thyroid, Next generation sequencing, Exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, Migration, FOXE1
Les contrats et les droits fondamentaux : perspective franco-québécoise

The meeting of contract law with fundamental rights is at the center of numerous contemporary legal debates, notably with regard to the place of the religious in society, the commodification of the body, or respect for human dignity. This encounter has prodded a reflection from numerous jurists. The aim of this study is to bring a modest contribution to the discussion, through a comparison of French and Québec law. The exigencies of respect for fundamental rights is evolving in the two legal systems. Because fundamental rights instruments play a larger role in our laws, their authority in contractual matters is becoming ineludible. Indeed, it should be noted that fundamental rights have not reached their full extent in this field. They emerge within contracts, because from revisiting to re-writing, Québec and French contract law are increasingly influenced by the obligation to comply with fundamental rights.  However, this evolution in France and in Quebec is accompanied by a requirement that fundamental rights be allowed social admission. From that point on, we can see power over fundamental rights being asserted within contacts, that power evolving from medical contracts to work contracts towards becoming inescapable for their enforcement. Yet, the danger inherent in such power over fundamental rights calls for serious deliberations on the limits that must be set upon it, both with regard to the dignity of the human person, and in relation to its legitimacy.

Keyphrases: contracts, fundamentals rights, French Civil Code, Civil Code of Quebec, European Convention on Human Rights, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, Canadian Charter of rights and freedoms, Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, Dignity of the human Person
The carrier’s exemption from liability in the Hague, Hamburg and Rotterdam Rules : an examination from the perspectives of fairness and clarity

The international trade is usually connected with the carriage of goods by sea. The campaign in pursuit of uniform rules governing such carriage was launched in the late nineteenth century and has led to the emergence of the Hague Rules, the Hamburg Rules and the Rotterdam Rules. The carrier’s entitlement to exemption from liability, which triggered much controversy contributing to the development of the international shipping rules, has been regulated in three different ways in the aforementioned three Rules. The principal question addressed in the present thesis is whether they are sufficiently satisfactory. Another question, which is to be dealt with if none of them proves to be the case, is what a better way could be like. Two criteria, namely fairness and clarity, have been chosen in answer to the aforesaid questions. The research contained in the present thesis aims to give a thorough evaluation of the existing regimes regarding the carrier’s exemption from liability and some improvement suggestions in this respect.

Keyphrases: carrier’s exemption from liability, the Hague Rules, the Hamburg Rules, the Rotterdam Rules, fairness, clarity
La spiritualité dans le cinéma transnational. Une théologie pour le 21e siècle autour des philosophies du cinéma de Gilles Deleuze et de Stanley Cavell

This research is based upon two fields of interest. For spirituality, a concept very much to the fore in this troubled 21st century in search of fresh yardsticks. And for cinema, aka the 7th Art, a beacon on the cultural scene, with its insights in today’s issues and questionings. In this era of cultural homogenization, itself the result of economic globalization, this thesis probes “transnational cinema” for fresh answers. Transnational films cross the global space while keeping their local roots and own artistic identity. Very often one will find these works featured in the big film festivals, such as Cannes, Berlin or Venice. Focusing on today’s questionings and issues, many of these movies appear to be bearing a spiritual imprint, with non-discursive methods. They promote openness to others. The goal of this thesis is to describe, through an analysis of a dozen transnational films, how new concepts defining ways to live a spiritual life today can be found. Further the thesis will underline why this spirituality is linked with ethics. To reach that goal, the thesis relies strongly on the works of philosophers Gilles Deleuze (France) and Stanley Cavell (USA). Both have been judged to have complementary approaches for this research, and have made a strong mark on cinematographic studies in the last decades. Deleuze has developed his philosophy on what distinguishes cinema from the other arts. Cavell has focused his thoughts on the importance of cinema for its viewers. Finally, this thesis is in the form of a theology, or theologic-philosophic thought, not linked to a religious tradition and in synchronicity with its times.

Keyphrases: Film, Gilles Deleuze, Stanley Cavell, Spirituality, Transnational cinema, Theology, Philosophy, World cinema, Ethics, Nomadic subject
L'image principale de profil, symbole de l'individu connecté

Since the beginning of the century, a new type of images is becoming more and more common in the public space built on the Internet : the profile’s main picture, these images network sites’ users are using to symbolize their self. It’s generally a picture of the Internet user’s body, which leads to a practice already existing. The first step of this essay is a sociohistorical perspective allowed by noticing that profile’s main picture are often self-portraits. It is then possible to establish a continuity between the practices of past centuries and what is visible on the Internet nowadays. The study of self-produced body images shows a gradual spread of their use from the wealthy to the lower strata of society until the mid-twentieth century. They were used mainly to show social status. After falling into disuse, this type of image is now used by one out of three persons worldwide. The observation of a particular Internet web site has allowed the collection of hundreds of main profile’s pictures. Their analysis has the following conclusions: If the main use of these images is to symbolize a presence in areas not accessible to sensitive body, these images still show elements that can be used to infer a social position and are substantially identical to the images produced before the Internet. Then, the study of these images shows that there is a real continuum in the way someone’s intimacy is revealed proving that the border between the public and the private does not exist on the Internet. Finally, these images show a lack of canon on their production and a multiplicity of ways of staging that suggest they have become meaningful symbols in the communication that can be established between strangers on the Internet.

Keyphrases: Selfie, Internet, Profile's main picture, Self-portrait, Social network site, Public/private continuum
Augmentation de l’absorption intestinale à l’aide de promédicaments se liant aux gangliosides GM1

In order to increase the bioavailability of poorly permeable drugs, a biomimetic approach was investigated. This approach replicated the internalisation of the cholera toxin using GM1 ganglioside receptor on the intestinal cells. The proposed technology was to synthesize a prodrug consisting of a low permeability therapeutic molecule and a GM1-binding peptide. The hypothesis of this work was that the peptide part of the prodrug will enhance the intestinal absorption of the therapeutic molecule and that the complex will be metabolised rapidly after absorption. Prodrugs were synthesized and stability, affinity and permeability tests were developed and performed.  The results of this study demonstrated the possibility of synthesizing prodrugs from a GM1-binding peptide and a drug demonstrating poor bioavailability. Stability, affinity and permeability tests were successfully optimized and implemented. The initial in vitro study highlighted promising binding properties of the peptide and one of the prodrugs. However, stability tests showed partial metabolism of the prodrugs in plasma and instability of the stock solutions. Moreover, results of permeability tests were inconclusive. Future studies will involve the preparation of other prodrugs using the same approach and the investigation of the peptide's internalisation mechanism.

Keyphrases: Ganglioside GM1, Absorption, Endocytose, Prodrug, Cholera toxin, GM1 ganglioside, Affinity, Stability, Intestinal permeability, Bioavailability, Endocytosis
Évaluation d’un programme de formation en matière d’agression sexuelle envers les enfants pour les communautés autochtones du Québec

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major issue affecting the well-being of indigenous communities. For this reason, the Marie-Vincent Centre of Expertise, in partnership with indigenous stakeholders, has created a training program on the topic of CSA specifically tailored to the needs of Québec’s indigenous communities. From 2013 to 2015, 161 professionals took the training. In order to evaluate this training, two distinct data collection phases were conducted. As part of the first data collection phase, participants completed a reaction questionnaire and a knowledge assessment questionnaire. Interviews with four subgroups of participants were conducted in the second phase of collection. The overall satisfaction with the training was high and the participants’ knowledge level significantly increased from 54% to 87% (t(125) = 16.4, p < 0.001, ηp2= 0.68). Furthermore, interview results show an integration of training contents in the participants’ professional practice. Participants mentioned that the training influenced the way they interrogate children. Being more aware of potential signs and symptoms of CSA was credited to the training. Changes in attitudes were also found, particularly in the importance of reporting abuses. Finally, an improved inter-sectoral collaboration was attributed to the program in at least one community.

Keyphrases: Child sexual abuse, Indigenous communities, Training program, Program evaluation, Mixed method, Knowledge translation
Music'Oriente : appréhender l'expérience d'un stage de musiques cubaines à Santiago de Cuba

This thesis aims to identify the parameters of the experience of a group of tourists who participated in the 2014 edition of the Music’Oriente workshop, which focused on learning Cuban music in Santiago de Cuba. Our research is specifically concerned with the various strategies used by the participants to optimize their experience. The music-tourism relationship in this field requires a different perspective than that for a classic performance pattern which places the tourists in the audience and leaves most of the musical practice to natives. When considering the tourists’ experiences in the musical workshop, our perspective reveals that not only is the tourists’ appreciation of the musical performance important but also their attribution of meaning to their own music-learning approach in the context of travel abroad. By putting the tools of ethnomusicology, philosophy, social psychology and anthropology of tourism into action, and by using the concepts of experience (Dewey c2005) and flow (Csikszentmihalyi 1990), this thesis aims to highlight that the process of optimization requires participants to constantly negotiate their relationship to the known and the unknown to achieve the highest number of benefits of immersion in a foreign context. Through this research, we hope that our theoretical contribution, focused on the tourists' agency and process of constructing meaning, will lead to a deeper understanding of the experiential dimension of musical practice in a tourism context.

Keyphrases: Cuba, Flow, Ethnomusicology, Tourism, Experience, Learning, Cuban Music
Expérience précaire du monde et représentation de la poésie dans La fissure de la fiction et Désâmé de Patrice Desbiens

Diverse pieces of modern and contemporary poetry offer representations of a lyrical subject’s attitude towards the act of writing. Studying such an issue in the works of Patrice Desbiens offers a distinctively interesting perspective, especially in the case of some of his publications from the 1990s and the 2000s wherein such representations appear quite clearly. Yet the treatment of the act of writing in his work has received very little research attention. The aim of this Master’s thesis is to shed further light on how Patrice Desbiens’s works deal with representations of writing and poetry. The thesis focusses on two of his published works, La fissure de la fiction (1997) and Désâmé, (2005), with greater emphasis placed on the former, as it is in my own perspective a key piece in his poetic legacy. To begin, my work puts forth the concept that the protagonists in La fissure de la fiction and Désâmé are both characterized by precariousness, but in different ways. In La fissure de la fiction, the character of the poet is understood from the perspective of an ironic revival of the literary curse myth. The meaning this myth confers to the main character of this poetical story is also discussed. Secondly, the thesis argues that the coherence and the plausibility of the universes of La fissure de la fiction and Desâmé are undermined. In light of these analyses, one can envision the role of a poetry which, ultimately and despite everything, bears a consolatory character. It does so in spite of, or perhaps precisely because of, its grotesque aesthetic, sometimes comic, sometimes tragic, in which it is written.

Keyphrases: Patrice Desbiens, grotesque, poetry, poet, precariousness
Catherine Tekakwitha et la peinture missionnaire : stratégies de conversion en Nouvelle-France au 17e siècle

This thesis concerns the art developed by Jesuits living with the Mohawk people in the 17th century. By the analysis of the works of two painters, Father Jean Pierron and Father Claude Chauchetière, we define the sociocultural and political environment that influenced their artistic production. These artists share in common the experience of working exclusively with the Mohawk indigenous community, in two consecutive decades. Pierron’s art can be characterized by didactic illustrations aimed towards a secular indigenous audience. We have determined that this painter indicates an ideological transition, in particular by the representation of eschatological theme, the utilisation of imagery in didactical purposes, and by the integration of a few elements of writing into his illustrations. We think that this heralds the apostolic and artistic practices of the generation to follow. The art of Chauchetière reflects the continuation of Jesuit perceptual change by placing the Aboriginal as the hero of the narrative, but also by the introduction of a new character to the heart of hagiographic literature, the character of Catherine Tekakwitha. We can nevertheless observe that a transition takes place with respect to the use of the image, which transforms from a didactical status to that of worship.

Keyphrases: Jean Pierron, Claude Chauchetière, Catherine Tekakwitha, Jesuit art, missionary painting, Jean Pierron, conversion art, hagiography, mohawk
Dear DTCA, Please Don’t Deceive Me, Don’t Play on My Fantasy

In the face of drugs advertising, what can we do? Is Direct- to-Consumer Advertising (DTCA) designed to be beneficial by objectively presenting a product or are they rather seeking to convince us that their product is patently good? Through this song, the goal is to live the experience of a patient who is subject to drug advertising, by integrating into the stanzas the main ethical issues raised by advertising.

Keyphrases: information, advertising, art-based knowledge transfer, direct-to-consumer, drug familiarization, marketing campaign, pharmaceutical industry, prescription drugs, song, therapeutic misconception