NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Fidélité et validité de la mesure clinique du déjettement du tronc auprès d’enfants et d’adolescents présentant une scoliose idiopathique

Measurement of trunk list is an important component of an evaluation of posture in idiopathic scoliosis.  However, there is little information regarding its measurement and  the associations between trunk list and other relevant indicators or factors.  The objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate the validity and test-retest reliability of the plumbline to measure trunk list from C7 - S1 in persons with idiopathic scoliosis and 2) to explore the  association between trunk list and the following factors: pain, Cobb angle, type of scoliosis, mental health and self-image, in persons with idiopathic scoliosis.      We recruited 55 participants aged from 10 to 21 years old with idiopathic scoliosis (Cobb angle: 15º to 60º) from the scoliosis clinic at a tertiary care pediatric hospital.  Trunk list was measured directly on participants on two occasions by the same physiotherapist and also on radiographs taken that day. Two measurements were taken each time: with feet together (FT) and feet apart (FA). The participants answered the Scoliosis Research Society-22 patient questionnaire, which addresses pain, self-image and mental health. Type of scoliosis and Cobb angle were measured on radiographs taken that day. We used generalizability theory to calculate test-retest reliability for FT and FA, reporting Dependability Coefficients (f) and Standard Errors of Measurement (SEM).   Validity of the plumbline measurement was calculated by comparing to measurements taken directly on radiographs using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Pearson correlations were calculated between trunk list and pain, Cobb angle, self-image and mental health. Spearman correlations were calculated between trunk list and type of scoliosis.  We then used multiple linear regression models to determine associations between these variables.   Our results indicated that the plumbline measurements of trunk list correlated highly (r=0.87) with the measure obtained via radiograph. Plumbline measurements of  trunk list demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (f: 0.98 for FT and 0.99 for FA) and SEMs were 2.0 mm for FT and 1.8mm for FA.  Trunk list was positively correlated with Cobb angle (r=0.32, p=0.02) but it was not correlated with pain, mental health, self-image,  or type of scoliosis.   The conclusions of our study were that the clinical measurement of trunk list using a plumbline is both reliable and valid and that trunk list was associated with Cobb angle.  A longitudinal study is needed to determine whether trunk list is a prognostic indicator of scoliosis progression.    Keywords: idiopathic scoliosis, trunk list, plumbline, posture, lateral trunk shift

Keyphrases: posture, idiopathic scoliosis, trunk list, plumbline, posture, lateral trunk shift
Le traitement de l’espace dans Badlands et 
Days of Heaven, de Terrence Malick

This Master’s thesis studies the treatment of space in Terrence Malick’s films Badlands (1973) and Days of Heaven (1978). First I apply myself to show how the treatment of space in these films distinguishes itself from classical cinematographic conventions, developing on the multitude of strategies used by Malick to make space (both visual and sound) sensitive and reflexive in the two films. Space here is created to be literally «inhabited» by the characters as well as the spectators. I then observe and comment on the implications (esthetical, narrative, iconological, philosophical, poetical, etc.) of this peculiar treatment of film space by showing how the filmmaker creates different types of sensations and constructs his discourse with and through space of his films. The thesis pays special attention to the concept of «film landscape» and structures itself in three chapters, which respectively study space in Malick’s work in terms of «sensation» (space sensitivity, «mise en vue» of the landscape in both films studied), of «relationship» (relationships between the different spaces and relationships between characters and space), and of «memory» («iconological» density of the landscape). In the project I also touch other important questions, coming back several times on the «poetical» dimension of Malick’s cinema and on the «space reflexivity» of his films (reflexivity and «attractional» aspect of the landscape, reflexivity of the voice-over, reflexivity of the organization and space structure of the story, iconological reflexivity). Finally, throughout the thesis I try to show that through filmmaking, and therefore through space and landscape, Malick creates a true space of thoughts that goes «beyond» his films.

Keyphrases: Terrence Malick, Badlands, Days of Heaven, cinema, space and cinema, landscape and cinema, landscape and iconology, cinema and reflexivity, cinema and poetry
Vers une politique de conciliation travail- famille au Québec : des enjeux complexes et en évolution

In recent decades, the topic of balancing work and family has earned an important place in popular discourse, media and politics in Québec, as well as in industrialized countries and in international organizations. The term refers to the challenges for individuals, couples, families, workplaces and society in general, and the new relationship that has developed between these two spheres of life with the transition from an industrial to a post-industrial society. These perceived challenges, identified and defined differently by each of these players have resulted in the inclusion of this issue on the political agenda of governments, both here and abroad.  The purpose of this research is to understand the dynamics surrounding the development of actions by the Québec government on the issue of reconciling work and family. The research focuses on the actors (Interests) who participated in the process of developing measures to reconcile work and family and the Institutional environment in which they interact with policy makers. As such, research to verify whether the development of Québec's family policy can be located in what was designated the "Québec model of development." The variable "Idea" completes the theoretical analysis of the development policy of balancing work and family in Québec.

Keyphrases: Work family balance, Public policy, Welfare state
Les Signaux Post Mortem (SPM) de l’apoptose endothéliale : des acteurs du remodelage vasculaire

Immunosuppression regiments improved steadily the incidence of acute rejection with minimal positive effects on chronic rejection.  The latter is characterized by a transplant vasculopathy (TV) similar to native atherosclerosis, accompanied with fibrosis throughout the vascular wall of the allograft.  The pathophysiology associated to TV arose from pionnering work of Russell Ross in 1977.  He proposed the 'Response to Injury' hypothesis revealing that endothelium injury initiated by immunological and non immunological factors favors a vascular repair response through neo-intima thickening at the sites of cellular injury.  However, when endothelial insult is maintained, apoptosis ensues and the vascular repair process perpetuates.  Since inhibition of endothelial apoptosis prevents TV development in vivo, we hypothesized that endothelial apoptosis regulates the vascular repair process through a paracrine program active on the cellular components of the vessel wall.  We have generated an in vitro experimental system to induce endothelial apoptosis in absence of necrosis.  Using a multifunctional and comparative proteomic approach, we have identified 27 post mortem signals (PMS) specifically exported by apoptotic endothelial cells. Some of these PMS display anti-apoptotic function (TCTP and EGF), whereas CTGF was identified as a fibrogenic factor, recapitulating the cellular events associated to the development of TV.  Interestingly, 16 of these SPM did not contain a peptide signal, suggesting that non conventional secretion mechanisms could be favored during the effector phase of apoptosis.  We demonstrated that activated caspase-3 regulates the exosomal secretion pathway associated to the export of nanovesicles TCTP +ve, anti-apoptotic and biochemically different from apoptotic blebs.  Finally, the overall proteomic data  generated a new hypothesis suggesting that in response to apoptotic stress, the cell exports different mediators (soluble and vesicular) by non conventional mechanism through the fusion of endocytic organelles and autophagic vacuoles with the plasma membrane, releasing their content into the extracellular milieu.  This mechanism should be regulated during the effector phase of apoptosis favoring a vascular repair response only when cell’s demise reaches a point of no return.  Therefore, these PMS could be used both as biomarkers of apoptosis or as biopharmaceutical targets to decrease the incidence of chronic vascular repair.

Keyphrases: TCTP, Transplant vaculopathy, apoptosis, proteomic, nanovesicles, non conventional secretion
Écologie de la besnoitiose chez les populations de caribous (Rangifer tarandus) des régions subarctiques

Although Besnoitia tarandi has been described in Rangifer sp. for over 80 years, understanding of its ecology and distribution is still relatively limited. The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the anatomical sampling site that enhances detection of Besnoitia tarandi infections in caribou populations; (ii) to evaluate the relative sensitivity and specificity of the in situ macroscopic assessment for diagnosis of besnoitiosis compared to the microscopic evaluation; and (iii) to identify potential risks factors associated with the prevalence and intensity of B. tarandi cysts and compare these across different populations. Our results suggest that calculating the number of cysts present in the superficial dermis of a skin section of the anterior mid-third of the metatarsus region by microscopic examination should be favored in order to monitor the presence and intensity of B. tarandi infections. Macroscopic assessment of B. tarandi cysts was not a sensitive method compared to that of a microscopic analysis. Besnoitia tarandi seems to be absent from Greenland but has been encountered in approximately one third of North-American caribou. A seasonal effect was noticed in the prevalence and intensity of B. tarandi infections; the parasite being more abundant in caribou sampled during the fall/winter period compared to the spring/summer period. This effect could reflect the increase abundance of B. tarandi following the end of the insect season (i.e. summer), supporting the role of arthropods as vectors of transmission. Reduction of the parasite burden by the immune system and/or a lower winter survival rate of severely infected caribou could explain the seasonal difference. The slightly higher prevalence in males suggests lower mortality rate, higher exposure and/or higher susceptibility to the parasite in infected males when compared to infected females. The apparent higher density of infection by B. tarandi in the Rivière-aux-Feuilles herd (Nunavik, Québec) suggests either higher exposure to the parasite or reduced resistance of caribou from this herd. The findings of this study suggest that infection by B. tarandi might reduce survival of individual animals; hence, the dynamic between this parasite and its hosts is worth further investigation, especially in these days of changing Arctic environment.

Keyphrases: Besnoitia tarandi, Caribou, Parasite, Rangifer tarandus, Disease, Protozoon, Cervids
Analyse spectroscopique d'étoiles naines blanches riches en hydrogène(DA) : vers des modèles d'atmosphère améliorés sans paramètres libres

The goal of this thesis is to refine and to understand better the spectroscopic method, which compares optical spectra of hydrogen-atmosphere white dwarfs (DA) with synthetic spectra to determine the atmospheric parameters (effective temperature and surface gravity). Our approach rests mainly on the development of improved model spectra, which come themselves from DA model atmospheres. We present a new grid of DA synthetic spectra with the first consistent implementation of the non-ideal gas theory of Hummer & Mihalas and the unified theory of Stark broadening from Vidal, Cooper & Smith. This allows for an adequate treatment of the quenching effects in Balmer lines, without the need of a free parameter. We show that these improved spectra predict surface gravities that are much more stable as a function of the effective temperature. We then study the long-standing problem that surface gravities in cool DA stars are significantly higher than those found in hotter DA white dwarfs. The hypothesis of Bergeron et al., according to which the atmospheres are contaminated by small amounts of helium, is constrained with observations. Using high-resolution spectra collected at the Keck in Hawaii, we find superior limits on the helium abundances in the atmospheres that are nearly 10 times lower than those required to sustain the Bergeron et al. scenario. The grid of spectra calculated in this work is then applied to a new spectroscopic analysis of the DA in the SDSS. Our careful analysis allows us to define a cleaner sample and to identify a large number of double degenerates. We find that a cutoff at a signal-to-noise ratio S/N > 15 optimizes the size and quality of the sample for computing the average mass, for which we find a value of 0.613 solar mass. Finally, eight new 3D white dwarf models with a radiative-hydrodynamics treatment of the convection are presented. We also calculated models with the same physics, except for a treatment of the convection with the standard mixing-length theory. A differential analysis between these two sets of models shows that the 3D models predict considerably lower surface gravities. We conclude that the high-log g problem in cool DA white dwarfs is caused by a weakness in the mixing-length theory.

Keyphrases: Convection, Stars: atmospheres, Stars: structure and evolution, White dwarfs, Line profiles
Modèle de la compatibilité fondé sur l’attachement et la personnalité chez des couples en détresse

The first goal of this thesis is to propose a new model of compatibility. Partner’s compatibility is conceptualized from two attachment dimensions (avoidance and anxiety) as well as personality trait (neurotism). The second goal was to test this model on a sample of couples seeking marital therapy. A critical literature review on the role of compatibility in the understanding of couples’ dynamics is completed, underlining the relevance of improving this concept’s definition by taking attachment and neurotism into account. Methodological and statistical issues to consider are also discussed.  To evaluate the predictive validity of the model, 365 couples completed the Dyadic adjustment scale (Spanier, 1976), the NEO-FFI (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and the Experiences in close relationships questionnaire (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998) at intake. The association between personality, attachment and marital satisfaction is first examined with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Kashy & Snyder, 1995). Results show that attachment avoidance is negatively associated with marital satisfaction for spouses themselves as well as for their partners. Analysis of similarities and differences is then performed, revealing that differences between partners on the combination of avoidance and neurotism are correlated with marital insatisfaction. To examine the patterns of natural groupings between partners in the sample, clusters analyses were conducted. Seven different types of couples exhibiting significant differences in their marital satisfaction were found. Three main groups of couples were identified within these types, the first one regrouping mostly satisfied couples, a second one including very dissatisfied partners and a last one presenting a difference between the man’s and the women’s satisfaction. These results could be considered as provinding preliminary confirmation of our compatibility model based on attachment and neurotism, but these propositions must be validated.  Some elements of the present findings suggest that it is the combination of attachment anxiety, avoidance and neurotism between partners that is linked to severity of marital distress. However, many challenges, conceptual, theoretical, as well as methodological, are then discussed and future scientific contributions are proposed in order to consolidate the conceptual base of compatibility.

Keyphrases: Couples, Satisfaction conjugale, Compatibility, Couples, Adult attachment, Personality, Marital satisfaction, Marital distress, Cluster analysis
Évaluation in vitro de la stérilisation au peroxyde d'hydrogène sur les propriétés biologiques de prothèses utilisées lors de stabilisation du genou chez le chien

Objective—To compare the effects of hydrogen peroxide gas plasma (HPGP), ethylene oxide (EO) and steam (ST) sterilizations on the physicochemical and bioadhesive properties of nylon and polyethylene lines used for stabilization of the canine stifle joint. Study Design—In vitro study. Samples—Non-sterilized, HPGP-, EO- and ST- sterilized samples of 36.3-kg test nylon leader line (NLL), 57.8-kg test nylon fishing line (NFL) and 2-mm Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMPE) were used. Methods—Surface analysis of NLL, NFL and UHMPE non-sterilized and HPGP-, EO- and ST-sterilized samples was carried out by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle (CA) measurement, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Staphylococcus intermedius and Escherichia Coli bacterial adherence were also tested. Results—Surface oxidation was observed on all samples sterilized with HPGP, EO or ST process. All sterilization methods significantly increased the CA for the NLL, NFL and UHMPE. The roughness was not significantly affected by the method of sterilization for NLL, NFL and UHMPE. Bacterial adherence was significantly affected by the method of sterilization for NLL, NFL and UHMPE. UHMPE had significantly higher CA, roughness and bacterial adherence compared to NLL and NFL, no matter which sterilization method was used. Conclusion—The effects of HPGP on the chemico-physical and bioadhesive properties of nylon and polyethylene lines compared positively to EO or ST, making HPGP an attractive alternative. UHMPE may not be a suitable material for suture prostheses regarding bacterial adherence properties. Future studies are required to determine the clinical significance of these findings.

Keyphrases: Nylon, Sterilization, Suture, Ethylene, Polyethylene, Surface Analysis
Le pessimisme dans trois romans de Catulle Mendès : Le roi vierge, Méphistophéla et Le chercheur de tares

This thesis tries to make sense of the ambiguity of pessimism in three of Catulle Mendès’s novels. On the one hand, the construction of the hero indicates a criticism of pessimism based on psychopathology, typical of late nineteenth-century moralism as it denies the doctrine any speculative value. On the other hand, the representation of a society full of liars against which the hero leads a struggle bestows upon him a power of revelation. This tension is condensed in the concept of monster which is submitted here to both a pathological and an hermeneutic reading. The hero’s conscience conforms to the type of decadent conscience as defined by Jankélévitch: the system of thought produced by it cannot be considered other than monstous. In addition, the primary feature of the pessimistic monster lies in the inhuman nature of the truth, as search and as revelation. Only a monster can profess the truth because it is made to his measure that is: intolerable. The truth reflects the supremacy of instinct and negates all ideals. Based on a thoroughly pessimistic conception, Mendès’point lies in an idealistic morals which advocates the universal lying against universal vice.

Keyphrases: Catulle Mendès, Décadence, Dissimulation, Pessimism, Nihilism, Moralism, Monster, Decadence, Truth
La mise à l’agenda du « problème » de la sous-représentation des Autochtones dans l’enseignement de l’histoire nationale au Québec, 1960-2010

With the emergence of a territorially-based Quebec identity in the 1960s intellectuals and pressure groups began to construct the “problem” of aboriginal under-representation in Quebec’s national history program. We compare the importance of this “problem” on the agenda of the designers of the last two high school national history teaching programs in Quebec: History of Quebec and Canada (1982-2008) and History and Education Citizenship (2007/2008-). We show that this “problem” only gained prominence on the agenda of the second program’s designers.  To explain this difference between the agenda of the two programs’ designers, we use John Kingdon’s Multiple Streams approach.  We show that in the 1990s and 2000s, all the elements favouring the agenda setting of this “problem” were present: the problem stream, the policy stream, the politics stream, the political entrepreneur and the policy window. In contrast, we argue that in the late 1970s, one element was missing: the politics stream, more specifically the national mood. To make the concept of national mood less a-historical, we use Sabatier and Jenkins-Smith’s typology (1993) and distinguish three levels of beliefs constitutive of the national mood.  We assert that a change occurred at the deepest and most unalterable level of beliefs held by Quebec’s intellectual and political élite between the late 1970s and the 1990s in favour of the recognition of aboriginal peoples.

Keyphrases: Agenda setting, John W. Kingdon, John W. Kingdon, Hierarchy of beliefs, Teaching of national history, Aboriginal peoples, Quebec identity
La réception d’un nouveau produit écoconçu durant la commercialisation dans un contexte de PME québécoise par les détaillants : le cas d’un meuble de salle de bain

There are still very few new eco-designed products (NEP) commercialized by SMEs and commercial successes are even more rare in Quebec. In this context, this study examines how the eco-design process could be integrated more easily with people working in SMEs in Quebec, specifically studying the retailer’s reception of NEP during the commercialization. Therefore, a major question from this dissertation in learning research is: how a product designed according to the life cycle approach is received by the SMEs’ network of retailers? Also, our research explores how the role of designer, which normally ends at the beginning of the commercialization, could evolve during this phase to help receive a NEP.  This case study, examines the first phase of the commercialization of bathroom furniture eco-designed by a Quebec manufacturing SME in 2010 and 2011. The researcher observed the reception of a NEP, which in summary translates in the perception and appreciation of NEP. These observations were lead with people working in an SME manufacturing bathroom furniture and with people working in his network of retailers. It was observed that the understanding of the notion of eco-design is an important issue in the reception of a NEP. For this reason, the training of the retailers and the education of the consumers are an essential part for the positive reception of a NEP. Also, because of his/her knowledge of eco-design, the designer could become a major contributor during the phase of commercialization.

Keyphrases: Design industriel, Perception, Communication, Industrial design, Eco-design, Furniture, Commercialization, Reception, Perception, Appreciation, Communication, SME