Tannins represent a heterogeneous group of high-molecular-weight polyphenols that are ubiquitous among plant families, especially in cereals, as well as in many fruits and vegetables. Hydrolysable and condensed tannins, in addition to phlorotannins from marine algae, are the main classes of these bioactive compounds. Despite their low bioavailability, tannins have many beneficial pharmacological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. Microbiota-mediated hydrolysis of tannins produces highly bioaccessible metabolites, which have been extensively studied and account for most of the health effects attributed to tannins. This review article summarises the effect of the human microbiota on the metabolism of different tannin groups and the expected health benefits that may be induced by such mutual interactions. Microbial metabolism of tannins yields highly bioaccessible microbial metabolites that account for most of the systemic effects of tannins. This article also uses explainable artificial intelligence to define the molecular signatures of gut-biotransformed tannin metabolites that are correlated with chemical and biological activity. An understanding of microbiota–tannin interactions, tannin metabolism-related phenotypes (metabotypes) and chemical tannin-metabolites motifs is of great importance for harnessing the biological effects of tannins for drug discovery and other health benefits.

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This dissertation investigates algorithmic techniques for temporal process discovery in many domains. Many different formalisms have been proposed for modeling temporal processes such as motifs, dynamic Bayesian networks and partial orders, but the direct inference of such models from data has been computationally intensive or even intractable. In this work, we propose the mining of frequent episodes as a bridge to inferring more formal models of temporal processes. This enables us to combine the advantages of frequent episode mining, which conducts level wise search over constrained spaces, with the formal basis of process representations, such as probabilistic graphical models and partial orders. We also investigate the mining of frequent episodes in infinite data streams which further expands their applicability into many modern data mining contexts. To demonstrate the usefulness of our methods, we apply them in different problem contexts such as: sensor networks in data centers, multi-neuronal spike train analysis in neuroscience, and electronic medical records in medical informatics. / Ph. D.

Chronic exposure to the ubiqutious airborne fungus, Alternaria alternata, has long been implicated in the development and exacerbation of human allergy and asthma. Alt a 1 was identified previously by several groups as the major allergen secreted by A. alternata, due to its IgE-specific reactivity with sera from atopic patients. Despite the well-documented clinical importance of Alternaria and its major allergen, little knowledge exists regarding their role and interaction with the innate immune system. Here for the first time we characterize the innate immune response to A.alternata and verify the significance of Alt a 1 in contributing to this response in human airway cells and murine models. Our studies establish a baseline response for both a chronic and single-challenge murine inhalation model with Alternaria spores. Both models demonstrate live conidia induce a robust response, arguably more pathologically relevant compared to studies employing Alternaria extracts. We also elucidate the overall importance of Alt a 1 by utilizing recombinant Alt a 1 protein, A. alternata (Δalt a 1) deletion mutants, and an A.alternata (Alt a 1+) overexpression mutant. Both Alt a 1 protein and A. alternata conidia stimulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in mice after a single intranasal challenge. Infiltration of effector cells (macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes) into the lungs along with other hallmarks of airway inflammation was observed. In addition, Alt a 1 protein and conidia evoked secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in treated human airway epithelial cells while the Alt a 1+ overxpression mutant induced a significantly higher response. In contrast, spores of Δalt a 1 caused an attenuated response in both human cells and murine lungs suggesting that this single protein may play a major role in inducing the innate immune response in airway epithelium at the organismal level. Finally, we identified key biochemical properties of the Alt a 1 protein including a single histidine required for esterase activity and a unique RXLR-like motif which controls Alt a 1's ability to bind external lipids and enter human airway cells. Overall, these results improve our understanding of how Alternaria induces innate immunity and identifies possible therapeutic targets within allergenic proteins. / Ph. D.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal. / Bien que l'impartition des ressources humaines gagne en popularité, peu de réflexions théoriques et de recherches empiriques se sont jusqu'à maintenant attardées à ce sujet. Eu égard à cette situation, il nous apparaissait opportun de s'arrêter à la compréhension des tenants et aboutissants de cette pratique organisationnelle. Notre étude a donc un double objectif. Tout d'abord, enrichir la compréhension théorique des rouages de l'impartition telle qu'utilisée en ressources humaines. Ensuite, documenter quantativement les raisons évoquées par les gestionnaires (réduction des coûts, compétences cruciales et accès aux services d'experts) afin de justifier l'impartition des activités de ressources humaines ainsi que la satisfaction relative face à l'utilisation de cette dernière. 750 questionnaires ont donc été postés aux vice-présidents, directeurs ou responsables de la gestîon des ressources humaines oeuvrant dans les organisations échantillonnées. 173 organisations ont répondu à l'appel et ont dûment complété le questionnaire, représentant un taux de réponse de 23,1%. Nos résultats démontrent que l'impartition des activités de ressources humaines est un phénomène assez répandu puisqu'on constate que 21,7% des activités de ce service sont imparties. Principalement, c'est l'activité de la formation qui est de loin la plus impartie (43,6%). Quant aux autres activités, les pourcentages obtenus sont sensiblement similaires. En ordre décroissant, on retrouve la rémunération (17, 1 % ), non loin derrière, la dotation ( 14,9%) et la santé et sécurité au travail (14,7%) et finalement, les relations de travail (12,2%). Quels sont les motifs à l'origine de l'impartition de ces activités de ressources humaines? Le motif de l'accès aux services d'experts est celui qui incite fo plus les gestionnaires à impartir. En effet, ce motif figure au premier rang pour chacune des cinq activités. Bien que le désir de s'attarder aux compétences cruciales et la réduction des coûts soient des motifs moins populaires, ils demeurent des facteurs explicatifs significatifs dans l'explication d'impartir des activités. L'influence de ces deux motifs est fort similaire et ceci pour l'ensemble des activités imparties. En ce qui concerne la satisfaction issue de l'impartition, on constate que la grande majorité (96,6%) des gestionnaires interrogés s'accordent pour affirmer que l'impartition contribue à l'augmentation de l'efficacité du service de ressources humaines et qu'ils sont, en ce sens, fortement ou très fortement satisfaits (49,9%). De ceux-ci, 32.1 % considèrent que l'impartition des activités permet significativement (fortement et très fortement) d'améliorer ou de maintenir la satisfaction des clients. Somme toute, notre étude permet de dresser un premier portrait complet du phénomène d'impartition dans les organisations québécoises. Elle offre ainsi des balises permettant d'orienter les gestionnaires dans l'analyse de la planification stratégique des activités de ressources humaines.

No / The minerals involved in the formation of metazoan skeletons principally comprise glassy silica, calcium phosphate or carbonate. Because of their ancient heritage, glass sponges (Hexactinellida) may shed light on fundamental questions such as molecular evolution, the unique chemistry and formation of the first skeletal silica-based structures, and the origin of multicellular animals. We have studied anchoring spicules from the metre-long stalk of the glass rope sponge (Hyalonema sieboldi; Porifera, Class Hexactinellida), which are remarkable for their size, durability, flexibility and optical properties. Using slow-alkali etching of biosilica, we isolated the organic fraction, which was revealed to be dominated by a hydroxylated fibrillar collagen that contains an unusual [Gly-3Hyp-4Hyp] motif. We speculate that this motif is predisposed for silica precipitation, and provides a novel template for biosilicification in nature.

This thesis examines the kimono motifs based on Japanese place names that evolved into poetical landscape terms called utamakura. In this study, three of the utamakura kimonomotifs were analysed to create dictionary entries for an English-speaking user. The investigated terms were Musashino, Yoshinoyama and Tatsutagawa. To create the dictionary entries, Japanese kimono motif dictionaries were used with further analysis of each of the utamakura. This has been done by inspecting early examples of those terms in Japanese poetry, art and historical kimono. Based on the information gathered, with the use of lexicographical functions, each entry was crafted to best suit the potential user of an English language kimono dictionary. This research is an attempt to create a building block for further research on kimono motifs within the sartorial studies as currently there is very little research done within this field in the English language sphere.

This project explored the transformation of unconventional materials, such as sewing tools, into metal ornaments inspired by Hazara cultural motifs. By utilising metal forming and linking techniques, the goal was to create contemporary designs that blend traditional motives of Hazara culture with modern garment silhouettes of Western culture.

Une des applications des équations de réaction-diffusion est leur utilisation pour la génération de motifs, analogues en particulier à ceux sur le pelage de certains animaux. L'utilisation à cette fin de ce type d'équations remontent aux travaux d'Alan Turing dans les années 50. Dans ce mémoire nous considérons un système simple d'équations de réaction-diffusion pour étudier la formation de motifs. Nous approchons ces solutions en utilisant une discrétisation spatiale par éléments finis. Nous montrons comment choisir les paramètres pour atteindre un motif choisi sur un domaine rectangulaire fixe. Après avoir validé les méthodes numériques utilisées dans nos simulations, nous nous intéressons à l'évolution de motifs sur des domaines qui croissent dans le temps. En particulier, nous examinons l'influence de la condition initiale et de la vitesse de croissance du domaine sur les motifs apparaissant au terme de la croissance.