Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 12 janvier 2024) / Cette étude aborde des aspects essentiels du Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.), une plante historiquement significative et culturellement importante pour l'humain. La culture du Cannabis a été confrontée à des défis considérables en raison de décennies de prohibition et de production clandestine, entraînant un manque de connaissances et de pratiques établies dans cette industrie. Cette étude visait à libérer le plein potentiel de cette plante en exploitant sa diversité importante et en caractérisant un germoplasme fondateur pour mettre les bases d'un programme d'amélioration génétique chez le Cannabis. D'une part, nous avons exploré l'important débat taxonomique du genre Cannabis, suggérant que le genre Cannabis est en réalité composé d'une espèce monotypique hautement diversifiée. Ensuite, nous avons caractérisé un panel diversifié de 176 lignées de Cannabis représentant le marché légal canadien, où une riche diversité phénotypique a été observée au sein de traits agronomiques, morphologiques et biochimiques. Une méthode optimale de germination dans un essai en serre a été déterminé comme étant le semis direct (SD). Cette étude a mis en évidence une diversité remarquable parmi les 176 lignées de Cannabis analysées. L'analyse des traits agronomiques essentiels tels que le temps de maturation sexuelle (dtsm), le temps d'atteinte aux premières fleurs (dtf), le temps de maturation à partir du semis/bouturage (dtmp) et la biomasse fraîche (fb) a révélé des variations significatives. De plus, les traits morphologiques clés tels que l'index de croissance de hauteur (gih), l'index de croissance des entre-nœuds (giinl) et le nombre de nœuds à la récolte (nodeNH) ont également montré des différences notables. Il a été constaté que les traits giinl, dtsm, dtf et dtmp influencent de manière significative le potentiel en cannabinoïdes. Enfin, la source et l'origine des plantes ont eu un impact majeur sur les phénotypes de différents traits clés, suggérant que la sélection précise de ces facteurs joue un rôle crucial dans la définition du phénotype. Cette étude souligne l'importance de comprendre la diversité du Cannabis pour propulser sa culture de l'avant sur le marché légal. / This study addresses a crucial aspect of Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) phenotypic diversity, a historically significant and culturally important plant. The cultivation of Cannabis has faced considerable challenges due to decades of prohibition and clandestine production, resulting in a lack of established knowledge and practices within this industry. This study aimed to unlock the full potential of this plant by harnessing its significant diversity and characterizing foundational germplasm to establish the basis for a genetic improvement program in Cannabis. On one hand, we delved into the pivotal taxonomic debate surrounding the Cannabis genus, suggesting that it is actually comprised of a highly diverse monotypic species. Subsequently, we characterized a diverse panel of 176 Cannabis accessions representing the Canadian legal market, where rich phenotypic diversity was observed across agronomic, morphological, and biochemical traits. An optimal germination method for greenhouse cultivation was determined as the direct sowing approach. This study highlighted remarkable diversity among the 176 Cannabis accessions that were analyzed. Analysis of important agronomic traits such as days to sexual maturity (dtsm), days to first flower (dtf), days to maturity from planting/cutting (dtmp), and fresh biomass (fb) unveiled significant variation. Moreover, key morphological traits including growth index of height (gih), growth index of inter-node (giinl), and node count at harvest (nodeNH) also exhibited notable differences. Traits giinl, dtsm, dtf, and dtmp were found to significantly influence cannabinoid profile. Finally, the source and origin of plants had a major impact on phenotypic value of various key traits, suggesting that precise selection of these factors plays a crucial role in defining the phenotype. This study underscores the importance of understanding Cannabis diversity to propel its cultivation forward in the legal market.

Undervisningsmodellen bianshi med ursprung i Shanghai anses vara en möjlig förklaring till kinesiska elevers goda matematikprestationer. Variationsteorin, en annan undervisningsmodell med ursprung i väst beskrivs ha flera likheter med bianshi. I forskning benämns bianshi och variationsteorin även som teoretiska ramverk. I Learning Study, en studie för undervisningsutveckling är det vanligt förekommande att variationsteorin används som teoretiskt ramverk. Antaganden om att bianshi är en framgångsrik undervisningsmodell skapade ett intresse att undersöka möjligheterna att använda bianshi som teoretiskt ramverk i en interventionsstudie som hämtat komponenter från Learning Study.Syftet med denna studie är att utforska bianshi som teoretiskt ramverk i en interventionsstudie. Det gjordes i jämförelse med variationsteorin. Tal som bråk var studiens undervisningsinnehåll. Studien grundar sig i två interventionsstudier. En med bianshi och en med variationsteorin som teoretiskt ramverk. Genomförandet av respektive modell hämtade delar av processen för en Learning Study. Urvalet bestod av två klasser i årskurs 4 som delades i fyra mindre grupper. Förtest, eftertest och lektionsobservationer stod för datainsamlingen.Studiens resultat visar en förbättring av elevgruppernas förståelse för tal som bråk, oberoende av vilken modell som var det teoretiska ramverket. Lektionsinnehållet relaterat till begreppsförståelse resulterade i större utveckling för de elever som undervisades med bianshi. Elevgrupperna med variationsteorin som undervisningsmodell visade en större förbättring kopplat till metoder. Därmed visade bianshi i jämförelse med variationsteorin både högre och lägre utveckling av bråk som tal. Resultatet i vår studie antyder att bianshi går att använda som teoretiskt ramverk i en interventionsstudie. Antagandet styrks av den positiva lärandeutvecklingen och möjligheten att implementera bianshi i samtliga steg av processen. / The teaching model bianshi, originating from Shanghai, is considered as a possible explanation for the exceptional mathematical performances by Chinese students. Variation theory of learning, another teaching model originating from the Western tradition is assumed to share several similarities with bianshi. In research, bianshi and the variation theory of learning are also referred as theoretical frameworks. In a Learning Study, an intervention study focused on educational development, variation theory of learning is common to be used as a theoretical framework. The assumption that bianshi is a successful teaching model created an interest in exploring the possibilities of using bianshi as a theoretical framework in an intervention study that incorporates components from Learning Study.The aim of the study is to explore bianshi as a theoretical framework in an intervention study. This was done in comparison with the variation theory of learning. The teaching content of the study was numbers as fractions. The study is based on two intervention studies. One using bianshi and the other using the variation theory of learning as a theoretical framework. The implementation of each model incorporated elements from the Learning Study process. The sample consisted of two fourth-grade classes, which were divided into four smaller groups. Data collection included pre-tests, post-tests and lesson observations.The results of the study present an improvement of the students’ understanding of numbers as fractions, regardless of which model was used as a theoretical framework. The lesson content related to conceptual understanding resulted in greater development for the students taught by bianshi. Student groups taught with the variation theory of learning as the teaching model showed greater improvement related to methods. Thus, compared to the variation theory of learning, bianshi showed both higher and lower development of fractions as numbers. Our study suggests that bianshi can be used as a theoretical framework in an intervention study. This is supported by the positive learning development and the opportunity of implementing bianshi in all steps of the process.

Master of Science / Department of Human Nutrition / Kadri Koppel / Understanding the physiological activation and genetic variation of the sweet taste receptor (T1R) can improve formula optimization for products intended for a population of genetically diverse people. Computer modeling and cell culture techniques have thoroughly described the structure and binding sites of the T1R. The structure contains two subunits (T1R2 and T1R3) with multiple domains where sweet molecules can interact. The interaction takes place between individual molecules and amino acid residues of the T1R. The residues with which individual molecules interact differs between sweeteners. Person-to-person differences in the residue sequence of the T1R can arise from variation in the genes that encode the T1R (TAS1R), potentially effecting the function of the receptor. As a result of the specificity of binding interactions, genetic variation may affect sensitivity to some sweeteners, while sensitivity to other sweeteners remains normal. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that the level of person-to-person sweetness sensitivity variation may differ for each sweetener depending on the binding site of the molecule and site of T1R variation. The T1R structure, binding sites, and genetic variation will be reviewed, as well as potential parameters to predict the degree of sensitivity variation and formulation strategies to minimize the effects of sensitivity variation.

As we scale down each process generation the degree of control we have on device parameters decreases. We are left to contend with a great deal of variability in process and environmental parameters. Process variation impacts dopant concentration, channel length, oxide thickness and other device parameters. Temperature variation too affects several parameters, amongst them are the threshold voltage and carrier mobility. All of these variations can either be margined for during design or compensated for dynamically. In this paper the technique of adaptive body bias is successfully applied to compensate for the variation in design so that the circuit operates at no more than 10 percent of the optimal pvt (process voltage temperature) point while minimizing leakage. / text

<p>Syftet med den här rapporten är att se om elever som har svårigheter inom ett specifikt matematiskt område får den undervisning de behöver för att nå upp till målen. En diagnos gjordes med elever i år fyra inom området geometri. De har därefter haft en lektion där en pedagog blivit filmad. Därefter gjordes ytterligare en diagnos med eleverna för att se om resultatet är bättre, sämre eller är oförändrat. Det insamlade materialet analyserades ur ett variationsteoretiskt perspektiv. Resultatet visar på att eleverna har haft möjlighet att överstiga vissa kritiska aspekter med hjälp av undervisningen. Exempelvis lärde de flesta av eleverna de två kritiska aspekterna som framkom, nämligen hörn och sida.</p> / <p>The purpose of this examination paper was to investigate if the pupils that have explicit difficulties with mathematics acquire the help they need to reach the goals they need to achieve. Pupils in grade four got diagnosed within the area of geometry and later they were filmed by an educator in their classroom. Shortly after, another diagnostic test was made to see if the pupils had improved or not. The material that was collected was analysed through the theory of variation. The effect of this showed that the pupils have had the opportunity to overcome certain critical aspects with help of the lectures. For example most pupils learned the two critical aspects that were exposed, and that was corner and side.</p>

Dans le contexte du changement climatique global, il apparaît essentiel de prendre en compte l?adaptabilité des variétés cultivées à la modification de l?environnement. Dans le cas du peuplier, la sélection de ressources génétiques capables de produire du bois à moindre coût en eau devient alors un critère de choix qui peut être apprécié par l?efficience d?utilisation de l?eau (WUE). De façon à évaluer l?intérêt de développer un programme de sélection sur WUE, il convenait de juger si les variations génétiques de WUE observées sur de jeunes boutures, s?exprimaient encore sur des arbres cultivés en peupleraie sur des sols contrastés. Par ailleurs, afin d?initier une étude du déterminisme moléculaire de WUE, nous avons évalué le degré de variation génétique des protéomes foliaires de huit génotypes de peupliers contrastés pour leur WUE et cultivés dans des conditions d?alimentation en eau variées. Nos travaux ont permis de valider l?existence d?importantes variations génétiques de WUE chez des peupliers cultivés en peupleraie. Toutefois, le type de sol modifiait considérablement le classement des génotypes alors que celui établi sur les sols les plus propices à la populiculture était comparable au classement décrit précédemment en serre. Nos expériences ont également validé la possibilité de distinguer des génotypes contrastés pour WUE à partir de leur protéome foliaire. Nous avons montré que le protéome foliaire de huit génotypes différant par leur WUE présentait d?importantes variations génétiques en réponse à la sécheresse et qu?il existait des liens entre abondances de protéines foliaires et variations génétiques de WUE. / In the actual climate change context, the cultivated varieties will have to cope with the expected environmental modifications. In poplar, the breeding of genetic ressources able to grow with lower water costs becomes therefore, an essential criterion that can be evaluated from water-use efficiency (WUE). In order to assess the interest to develop a breeding program based on WUE, it was agreed to judge if the genetic variation of WUE observed on young cuttings, were still expressed on trees cultivated in poplar plantation on contrasted soils. In addition, in order to initiate a study of the molecular determinism of WUE, we evaluated the degree of genetic variation in the leaf proteome of eight poplar genotypes contrasted for their WUE and cultivated under varied water supply. Our work evidenced consistent genetic variations of WUE in poplars cultivated in a commercial plantation. However, the type of cultivated soil modified considerably the genotypic ranking, whereas ranking established on the most favourable soils for poplar growth, remained comparable with the one described previously in greenhouse. Our experiments also validated the possibility of distinguishing genotypes contrasted for WUE from their leaf proteome. We showed that leaf proteome of eight poplar genotypes differing by their WUE displayed consistent genetic variations in their drought response and that there were relationships between leaf protein abundances and genetic variations of WUE.

Thesis advisor: Gabor T. Marth / Structural variations (SVs), like single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and short insertion-deletion polymorphisms (INDELs), are a ubiquitous feature of genomic sequences and are major contributors to human genetic diversity and disease. Due to technical difficulties, i.e. the high data-acquisition cost and/or low detection resolution of previous genome-scanning technologies, this source of genetic variation has not been well studied until the completion of the Human Genome Project and the emergence of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. The assembly of the human genome and economical high-throughput sequencing technologies enable the development of numerous new SV detection algorithms with unprecedented accuracy, sensitivity and precision. Although a number of SV detection programs have been developed for various SV types, such as copy number variations, deletions, tandem duplications, inversions and translocations, some types of SVs, e.g. copy number variations (CNVs) in capture sequencing data and mobile element insertions (MEIs) have undergone limited study. This is a result of the lack of suitable statistical models and computational approaches, e.g. efficient mapping method to handle multiple aligned reads from mobile element (ME) sequences. The focus of my dissertation was to identify and characterize CNVs in capture sequencing data and MEI from large-scale whole-genome sequencing data. This was achieved by building sophisticated statistical models and developing efficient algorithms and analysis methods for NGS data. In Chapter 2, I present a novel algorithm that uses the read depth (RD) signal to detect CNVs in deep-coverage exon capture sequencing data that are originally designed for SNPs discovery. We were one of the early pioneers to tackle this problem. In Chapter 3, I present a fast, convenient and memory-efficient program, Tangram, that integrates read-pair (RP) and split-read (SR) signals to detect and genotype MEI events. Based on the results from both simulated and experimental data, Tangram has superior sensitivity, specificity, breakpoint resolution and genotyping accuracy, when compared to other recently published MEI detection methods. Lastly, Chapter 4 summarizes my work for SV detection in human genomes during my PhD study and describes the future direction of genetic variant researches. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2013. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Biology.

In modern urban Singapore, the variety of English spoken evolves through a continual negotiation of adhering to traditionally standard models and creating local norms in the environment of myriad social and substratum language influences. Singapore English (SgE) speakers constantly navigate a multilingual situation which requires them to simultaneously handle the language systems of the society’s main working language, English, and at least one other language while being immersed in a linguistic environment where interactions in countless other languages and varieties take place. Variation, thus, inevitably exists within SgE as depicted in models of variation developed throughout the years. While this variation manifests itself in many forms, this study focuses particularly on the sociophonetic variation of /r/ realisations, an area of SgE in which the little research done previously provides only impressionistic or preliminary descriptions. Here, /r/ variation is studied through an auditory and acoustic investigation of both read and conversational speech data collected from male and female SgE speakers of Singapore’s major ethnic groups (i.e. Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian). Through the use of an auditory perceptual strength index and a combination of fixed- and mixed- effects statistical modelling methods, this study reveals /r/ variation in SgE on several levels. Results show that SgE speakers produce a range of /r/ variants, both within and between speakers, and also highlight the intertwined roles of language-internal factors (e.g. phonological contexts, word class) and language-external factors (e.g. speech style, ethnicity, speaker sex) in determining variation in both the realisation and distribution of /r/ in SgE. Finer auditory and acoustic distinctions are found in approximant /r/, reflecting both the phonetic complexity of /r/ and the multifaceted nature of SgE. Additionally, supportive evidence for the presence of innovative trends in SgE /r/ realisation (i.e. labiodental /r/) and of fading ones (i.e. taps/trills) is also found. Taken together, these results provide the basis for discussions of a potential situation of natural /r/-weakening and the impacts of speech styles, cross-linguistic influences, and language dominance on /r/ variation. They also postulate trends of change in /r/ realisations in SgE affected by age, ethnicity and speaker sex. Besides contributing to the general on-going discussions of synchronic variation and diachronic change in the story of /r/, this study shares insights into the intricacies of studying linguistic patterns in multilingual urban communities and provides empirical evidence for the need of a multidimensional approach in researching multicultural varieties and/or ‘New Englishes’ like SgE.

Syftet med den här rapporten är att se om elever som har svårigheter inom ett specifikt matematiskt område får den undervisning de behöver för att nå upp till målen. En diagnos gjordes med elever i år fyra inom området geometri. De har därefter haft en lektion där en pedagog blivit filmad. Därefter gjordes ytterligare en diagnos med eleverna för att se om resultatet är bättre, sämre eller är oförändrat. Det insamlade materialet analyserades ur ett variationsteoretiskt perspektiv. Resultatet visar på att eleverna har haft möjlighet att överstiga vissa kritiska aspekter med hjälp av undervisningen. Exempelvis lärde de flesta av eleverna de två kritiska aspekterna som framkom, nämligen hörn och sida. / The purpose of this examination paper was to investigate if the pupils that have explicit difficulties with mathematics acquire the help they need to reach the goals they need to achieve. Pupils in grade four got diagnosed within the area of geometry and later they were filmed by an educator in their classroom. Shortly after, another diagnostic test was made to see if the pupils had improved or not. The material that was collected was analysed through the theory of variation. The effect of this showed that the pupils have had the opportunity to overcome certain critical aspects with help of the lectures. For example most pupils learned the two critical aspects that were exposed, and that was corner and side.

This dissertation investigates subject expression patterns in Dominican Spanish (DS). In this variety, the null subject constructions associated with Non-Caribbean Spanish co-exist with the widespread use of overt subjects, which are found in specific constructions that are either rare or unattested in other Spanish varieties. Interestingly, these structures co-exist in the Dominican grammar with the null subject constructions associated with Non-Caribbean Spanish. While subject expression has been studied in a number of Spanish dialects within the generative and the variationist paradigms, monolingual Dominican Spanish, to the best of my knowledge, has not been investigated in previous variationist work. This study covers this gap by examining a large corpus of spontaneous speech (N=6005) gathered in the capital city of Santo Domingo and a rural area in the northwestern Cibao region. Furthermore, in line with the cohesive approach to syntactic variation developed in recent work (Adger and Smith 2005), theoretical implications are drawn from quantitative results. The results obtained in this study show that null and overt subject patterns in DS are regulated by the same constraints that have been found relevant in previous variationist work, i.e. discourse-related factor groups and Person (Otheguy, Zentella and Livert, 2007). These results depart from previous work in that evidence for language change in progress has been found in subject position patterns, rather than in null and overt subject distribution. When this phenomenon is examined, urban, young, high-middle class and female speakers arise as the social groups leading grammatical restructuring. Quantitative and qualitative evidence is taken into account for testing previous syntactic-theoretical proposals on DS. Taking the cartographic approach to syntactic structure (Rizzi 1997) as a point of departure, it will proposed that multiple specifier positions are available within the TP and CP fields to host strong and weak subjects. This proposal, in turn, makes it possible to account for the Null Subject Parameter profile displayed by synchronic DS without resorting to competing grammars in the minds of the speakers.