Asthma affects nearly two and a half million people in Canada. In Saskatchewan, the prevalence of asthma has increased across all age groups since 1981. Current literature indicates that the purchase of all asthma medications increased in the last 20 years both province and nationwide. Since the early 1990s, the Canadian Consensus Guidelines (CCG) for the treatment of asthma recommended increasing the use of inhaled corticosteroids as a mainstay for controlling asthma symptoms. The CCG have also encouraged decreasing the use of short-acting, inhaled beta2-agonist medication. <p>The objective of this descriptive epidemiological study was to investigate asthma medication prescribing at the individual level among physician-diagnosed asthma patients, aged 0 to 64 years, in Saskatchewan from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2000. Saskatchewan residents covered under the provincial health insurance plan who received a physicians diagnosis of asthma, identified each calendar year, were included in the study (296,430 asthma patients in total). <p> Nearly 80.0% of this asthma population purchased at least one asthma medication in each calendar year. From 1991 to 2000, users and the mean number of prescriptions of short-acting beta2-agonists decreased slightly. The proportion of users and mean number prescriptions per year of inhaled corticosteroids increased. The highest mean numbers of prescriptions and users of inhaled corticosteroids were among the 0-4 year olds. <p>Short-acting beta2-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, and oral corticosteroids were the most popular medications. Users of theophyllines and cromoglycates decreased. The 15-34 year old males showed the greatest "inappropriate" use as high users of short-acting beta2-agonists and low users of inhaled corticosteroids. <p>There was increasing compliance with the CCG over the ten years. The combination of beta2-agonists with inhaled corticosteroids usurped beta2-agonist monotherapy as the most popular form of asthma therapy by the year 2000. Users of combination therapy increased from 19% to 38.7%, while users of beta2-agonists alone decreased from 34.5% to 23.1%. <p>From 1996 to 2000, the monthly number of both short-acting beta2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids prescriptions decreased for all users in July and August. Peak increases in the number of short-acting beta2-agonist prescriptions, for children under 15, occurred in September. For adults, peak increases occurred in December for both medications. <p>These study results will enhance the understanding of asthma medication use among children and adults and will help healthcare professionals develop new treatment programs for the management of asthma.

The study sheds light on the interrelations between interlanguage pragmatics and the use of a popular acting method, the Stanislavsky System, for second language (L2) acquisition. The theoretical investigation explores various uses of acting in second language education. The empirical enquiry represents an exploratory case-study of two adult EFL learners attending a theatre course in English. Through teacher journals, interviews, and the analysis of the students’ pragmatic performance as captured by a video camera, the researcher hypothesizes that the pragmatic development of the students involved in drama comes from three main sources: the script, the acting exercises, and the necessity to communicate in English during the theatre course. In all three cases, the zone of proximal development in relation to pragmatic competence emerged as a result of a teacher-generated impetus to use L2, numerous opportunities for imitation and repetition, continuous peer-support, and the collaborative spirit created in the classroom.

The study sheds light on the interrelations between interlanguage pragmatics and the use of a popular acting method, the Stanislavsky System, for second language (L2) acquisition. The theoretical investigation explores various uses of acting in second language education. The empirical enquiry represents an exploratory case-study of two adult EFL learners attending a theatre course in English. Through teacher journals, interviews, and the analysis of the students’ pragmatic performance as captured by a video camera, the researcher hypothesizes that the pragmatic development of the students involved in drama comes from three main sources: the script, the acting exercises, and the necessity to communicate in English during the theatre course. In all three cases, the zone of proximal development in relation to pragmatic competence emerged as a result of a teacher-generated impetus to use L2, numerous opportunities for imitation and repetition, continuous peer-support, and the collaborative spirit created in the classroom.

This thesis explores the major works of Neil LaBute's career as a playwright and screenwriter, including the criticism he has received on theatrical and literary levels. The themes most prevalent in the thesis are the use of power and manipulation in the relationships between LaBute's characters and the ongoing maturation of his characters that coincides with the maturation of his work. The second section of the thesis follows the production, directing, and acting in LaBute's play Some Girl(s).

En Chile existe todavía el canto popular campesino, tanto en la versión a lo humano como a lo divino. Su existencia está documentada por lingüistas y estudiosos de las manifestaciones artísticas desde hace ya bastantes años. Este arte tiene una versión "de repertorio" y otra de improvisación. Este canto popular usa preferentemente la estrofa denominada décima espinela (en verso octosílabo). Hay múltiples formas poéticas que se cultivan, y mucha variedad en el aspecto musical, ya sea referido a lo melódico, a lo instrumental y también en lo que se refiere a otros asuntos, como, por ejemplo, la forma de cantar. Durante mucho tiempo, la mayoría de las investigaciones realizadas en Chile han tenido el afán recopilador; es decir, se ha considerado al cultor como un depositario de versos y el investigador ha ido en una "misión de rescate" de esos versos que son parte de la memoria colectiva. Otras investigaciones han puesto el conocimiento lingüístico del investigador en función de lo que el cultor realiza. En estos casos, el académico se convierte en un interpretador o explicador, que pone en lenguaje técnico o teórico, de las élites, lo que el cultor realiza de manera absolutamente natural. Pocas investigaciones han existido en Chile que traten a este poeta como una persona con conocimientos técnicos, teóricos, históricos, incluso pedagógicos referidos a su propio quehacer. Esta investigación consiste en la presentación del saber que los poetas y cantores campesinos tienen respecto de su propia actividad poética y fue realizada mediante entrevistas en profundidad realizadas a cultores naturales. Entre los entrevistados hay algunos que son "más profesionales" que otros (más naturales, "menos de escenarios"), así calificados por sus propios pares. En esas conversaciones se trató de compartir el conocimiento técnico sobre cómo se hace una composición, qué características tiene una buena obra, qué defectos puede tener y muchos otros aspectos referidos a la historia, a la relación con los académicos, a la pedagogía campesina, etc. El resultado del análisis de esas conversaciones es lo que aquí se presenta. En otras palabras, se ha tratado de poner las palabras que los artistas campesinos utilizan para exponer esas representaciones compartidas por el grupo de poetas populares campesinos chilenos. Se concluye finalmente que existe ese conocimiento (o poética, para los efectos más académicos) y que tiene múltiples componentes. También se muestra que tiene cierta homogeneidad y también ciertos grados de inestabilidad entre una persona y otra, lo que es bastante natural si se considera que se refiere una actividad esencialmente oral e improvisada.

Asthma affects nearly two and a half million people in Canada. In Saskatchewan, the prevalence of asthma has increased across all age groups since 1981. Current literature indicates that the purchase of all asthma medications increased in the last 20 years both province and nationwide. Since the early 1990s, the Canadian Consensus Guidelines (CCG) for the treatment of asthma recommended increasing the use of inhaled corticosteroids as a mainstay for controlling asthma symptoms. The CCG have also encouraged decreasing the use of short-acting, inhaled beta2-agonist medication. <p>The objective of this descriptive epidemiological study was to investigate asthma medication prescribing at the individual level among physician-diagnosed asthma patients, aged 0 to 64 years, in Saskatchewan from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2000. Saskatchewan residents covered under the provincial health insurance plan who received a physicians diagnosis of asthma, identified each calendar year, were included in the study (296,430 asthma patients in total). <p> Nearly 80.0% of this asthma population purchased at least one asthma medication in each calendar year. From 1991 to 2000, users and the mean number of prescriptions of short-acting beta2-agonists decreased slightly. The proportion of users and mean number prescriptions per year of inhaled corticosteroids increased. The highest mean numbers of prescriptions and users of inhaled corticosteroids were among the 0-4 year olds. <p>Short-acting beta2-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, and oral corticosteroids were the most popular medications. Users of theophyllines and cromoglycates decreased. The 15-34 year old males showed the greatest "inappropriate" use as high users of short-acting beta2-agonists and low users of inhaled corticosteroids. <p>There was increasing compliance with the CCG over the ten years. The combination of beta2-agonists with inhaled corticosteroids usurped beta2-agonist monotherapy as the most popular form of asthma therapy by the year 2000. Users of combination therapy increased from 19% to 38.7%, while users of beta2-agonists alone decreased from 34.5% to 23.1%. <p>From 1996 to 2000, the monthly number of both short-acting beta2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids prescriptions decreased for all users in July and August. Peak increases in the number of short-acting beta2-agonist prescriptions, for children under 15, occurred in September. For adults, peak increases occurred in December for both medications. <p>These study results will enhance the understanding of asthma medication use among children and adults and will help healthcare professionals develop new treatment programs for the management of asthma.

Cellular response to various stress conditions involves regulation of gene expression by different mechanisms. Translation is the final step in the flow of genetic information and regulation at this level allows an early response to changes in physiological conditions. Initiation of translation is the rate-limiting step of protein synthesis and hence is tightly regulated. Translation initiation in mammalian cells is mainly by “cap dependent pathway” wherein the 5’methyl guanosine “cap” structure is recognized by certain canonical initiation factors along with 40S ribosomal subunit and the complex scans the 5’UTR till it recognizes initiator AUG. This leads to the joining of the 60S ribosomal subunit and the initiation of translation. In an alternate mode of translation initiation called as the Internal ribosome entry site mediated translation (IRES), the ribosomes are recruited closer to the initiator AUG in a 5’ cap independent manner. Efficient translation by IRES mode requires some canonical initiation factors like eIF2 and eIF3 and other non-canonical IRES-trans-acting factors (ITAFs), which include human La antigen, polypyrimidine-tract binding protein (PTB),Upstream of N-Ras (Unr), Poly (rC) binding protein (PCBP2) etc. Various types of stress conditions, such as starvation of growth factors, heat shock, hypoxia, viral infection lead to down regulation of protein synthesis. However, translation of a subset of mRNAs continues or is up-regulated. Many of these mRNA may be translated by an IRES mode. It is believed that cellular IRESs become active during such conditions that abrogate the cap-dependent mode of translation so that the pool of vital proteins is maintained in the cell. In this thesis, presence of ‘IRES’ element has been investigated in the 5’UTR of Interferon regulatory factor -2 (IRF2) mRNA and the possible physiological significance has been studied. Further, it has been shown that polypyrimidine tract binding protein or PTB is important for the IRES activity. The probable mechanism of action of PTB has also been investigated which suggests that PTB interaction alters the IRF2 IRES conformation thus facilitating translation initiation. In the first part of the thesis, mRNAs that continue to be translated under heat-shocked condition, which is known to abrogate cap-dependent translation initiation, has been investigated by cDNA micro-array hybridization analysis of the ribosome bound RNA. The global protein synthesis was severely impaired under heat shock; however a number of mRNAs continued translation under this condition. Some of these mRNAs encode proteins that are likely to be involved in the heat shock response. Few of these genes are also reported to contain IRES element. Since the micro-array was performed from the RNA extracted from ribosome bound mRNA fraction in a condition when cap-dependent translation is impaired, it was hypothesized that some of the genes, which are up regulated under such condition, might operate via cap-independent mode of translation initiation. Based on this study, one candidate gene, the ‘interferon regulatory factor 2 (IRF2)’ was selected from the pool of up regulated genes and presence of an IRES element was investigated. Interferon regulatory factors are DNA-binding proteins that control interferon (IFN) gene expression. IRF2 has been shown to function as repressor of IFN and IFN-inducible genes. Real–Time and semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays were performed which validated the micro-array data. In the second part of the thesis, the presence of IRES element in the 5’UTR of IRF2 was investigated. Bicistronic assay showed comparable IRES activity with a known representative IRES, BiP, thus suggesting the presence of an IRES element in the IRF2 5’UTR. Stringent assays were then performed to rule out cryptic promoter activity, re-initiation/scanning or alternative splicing in the 5’UTR of the IRF2. RNA transfections using in vitro synthesized bicistronic RNAs further validated the presence of the IRES element. To understand the physiological significance of an IRES element in IRF2 mRNA, the cells were subjected to various stress conditions and IRES activity was studied. It seems IRF2 IRES function might not be sensitive to eIF4G cleavage, since its activity was only marginally affected in presence of Coxsackievirus 2A protease, which is known to cleave eIF 4G and thus inhibit the cap-dependent translation. Incidentally, Hepatitis A virus IRES was affected under such condition. Additionally, it was observed that compared to HCV or Bip IRES, the effect of Interferon α treatment was not so pronounced on the IRF2 IRES. This was further evidenced by its unchanged protein level post-treatment with interferon α. Furthermore, in cells treated with tunicamycin (a known agent causing ER stress), the IRF2 IRES activity and the protein levels were unaffected, although the cap dependent translation was severely impaired. The observations so far suggested that the IRF2 protein level is practically unchanged under conditions of ER stress and interferon treatment. Metabolic labeling followed by immunoprecipitation of IRF2 in cells treated with either tunicamycin or interferon suggested that de novo synthesis of the protein is continued under the above conditions thus validating our earlier data. In the third part of the thesis, the role of an IRES trans acting factor, PTB, in modulating the IRF2 IRES activity has been investigated. Analysis of the cellular protein binding with the IRF2 IRES suggested that certain cellular factors might influence its function under stress conditions. The IRF2 IRES was found to interact with a known trans-acting factor or PTB. To study the possible role of this trans acting factor, the PTB gene was partially silenced by PTB specific siRNA. This led to a decrease in the IRF2 IRES activity, suggesting that PTB is probably essential for the IRES activity. Interestingly, when Hela cells (with partially silenced PTB) were treated with tunicamycin (inducer of ER stress) the level of IRF2 protein was also found to be less thus pointing to an important role of PTB in IRF2 protein synthesis under such conditions. Western blot analysis and immunofluoroscence assay suggested that there was no significant nuclear-cytoplasmic relocalization of PTB under the condition studied. Primer extension inhibition assay or Toe-printing analysis was performed to detect the contact points of PTB on the IRF2 5’UTR. Many toe-prints were found on the 3’ end of the 5’UTR RNA. A 3’ deletion mutant was generated that showed reduced PTB binding. Incidentally the IRES activity of the mutant was also found to be less than the wt IRF2 RNA. Subsequently, structural analysis of the RNA was performed using enzymatic (CV1, RNase T1) and chemical modification (DMS) agents. Footprinting assay in presence of PTB suggested that there is change in the structure when PTB interacts with the RNA. To investigate this further, CD spectrum analysis of the IRF2 RNA in the presence of PTB was performed which indicated that there was a conformational change under such condition thus validating our earlier observation. The thesis reveals a novel cellular IRES element in the 5’UTR of IRF2 mRNA. The characterization of the IRES and possible role played by PTB protein in modulating its activity suggests that the regulated expression of IRF2 protein by its IRES element under various stress conditions would have major implications on the cellular response. Incidentally, this study constitutes the first report on translational control of interferon regulatory factors by internal initiation. The results might have far reaching implications on the possible role of IRF2 in controlling the intricate balance of cellular gene expression under stress conditions in general.

Šio tyrimo tikslas – atskleisti dramos aktorių scenos judesio ugdymo ypatumus, aptariant dramos aktorių ugdymo istorinius aspektus, apžvelgiant Europos ir Lietuvos dramos aktorių ugdymo raidą, žymiausių teatro pedagogų dramos aktorių ugdymo metodus bei dramos aktorių scenos judesio ugdymo programas. Tam atlikta teatro istorijos ir žymiausių teatro pedagogų literatūros analizė. Empiriniu tyrimu siekta atskleisti Lietuvos muzikos ir teatro akademijos, kaip seniausios ir giliausias tradicijas turinčios dramos aktorių ugdymo aukštosios mokyklos, scenos judesio dėstymo ypatumus, pasitelkiant 4 scenos judesio dėstytojų interviu ir paskaitų stebėjimo duomenų analizę. Teoriniame tyrime išryškėjo du pagrindiniai aspektai. Pirma, kad judesinės aktoriaus raiškos ir aktorių ugdymo poreikio atsiradimas buvo pagrindinis profesionalaus teatro atsiradimo XX a. pr. veiksnys. Antra, kad profesionalus Lietuvos teatras ir vaidybos ugdymo mokyklos formavosi rusų teatro kultūros įtakoje, todėl aktorių ugdyme iki šių dienų remiamasi rusų mokyklos aktorių ugdymo tradicija. Rusų ir lietuvių aktorių rengimo panašumą atskleidė ir Lietuvos ir Rusijos scenos judesio ugdymo programų palyginimas. Tiriant Lietuvos muzikos ir teatro akademijos scenos judesio dėstymo ypatumus, taip pat išryškėjo rusų mokyklos bruožai, vyraujantys ir aktorių ugdymo praktikoje. Pabrėžtas scenos judesio programų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The purpose of the paper is to reveal the features of stage movement education for actors. Considering the importance of the theatre education development in the historical perspective, the paper reveals and analyses the specific features of the stage movement education for actors, by providing comprehensive historical-based analysis of the literature of theatre history, particularly focusing on the theatre education development in Lithuania and Europe, treating the methods for educating actors that the worldwide theatre educationalists apply and considering different syllabuses of stage movement education. The paper also treats the empirical research by interviewing four lecturers of the subject of stage movement and analyzing the data collected during the observation of the actual lectures. It reveals the specific features of stage movement education in the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre having the name of the theatrical school with the oldest and deepest traditions in education of actors in Lithuania. Two main aspects were revealed in the theorical research. Firstly, the need for education of actor’s movement expression was the major factor for the professional theatre to arise in the beginning of XX century. Secondly, the professional theatre in Lithuania and schools of theatrical education were developed under the influence of Russian theatre... [to full text]

Dans ce mémoire, les contes de trois conteurs contemporains du Québec – Jos Gallant d’André Lemelin, Ti Pinge de Joujou Turenne et L’entrain à vapeur, de Fred Pellerin – font avant tout l’objet d’une lecture pragmatique afin de mieux comprendre comment le conteur, qui emploie le canevas en spectacle, transmet une fiction à un auditoire ou à un lectorat. L’étude présente d’abord une analyse comparative de chacune des prestations avec la version publiée d’un même récit et met ainsi en relief leurs points de convergence et de divergence. Selon l’hypothèse avancée, l’analyse de la prestation des conteurs qui suivent un canevas révèlerait comment s’y manifestent les dimensions performatives et les articulations du discours fictionnel. Corrélativement, l’examen des rapports entre le conteur et son public permet ensuite de s’interroger sur le statut du narrateur et de voir en quoi et comment, durant la performance, la fiction est partagée avec l’auditoire. L’analyse des énoncés performatifs, inspirés des travaux de Kerbrat-Orechionni et la dynamique de vectorisation proposée par Pavis pour l’étude de la gestuelle, des mimiques et de la voix, sont mises à contribution et visent également à dégager les outils pouvant servir à l’analyse des spectacles de contes. Au terme de cette recherche, l’auteure démontre les avantages liés au canevas, notamment en ce qui concerne les interactions qu’il favorise avec le public et dans la liberté qu’il procure, en permettant de modifier ou d’adapter le discours et les ressources expressives du conteur à chacune de ses représentations. / In this thesis, the three tales written by contemporary Quebec storytellers – Jos Gallant by Andre Lemelin, Ti Pinge by Joujou Turenne and L’entrain à vapeur by Fred Pellerin – are for the most part subjected to a pragmatic reading, where the objective is to develop a better understanding of how these storytellers employ structure in storytelling to transmit fiction to their audiences or readers. The study begins with an analysis of each story, a comparison of the storytelling and published versions, and finally their various points of convergence and divergence are highlighted. In accordance with this hypothesis, the analysis of each storyteller’s performance structure will reveal how the performative and fictional discourse dimensions are expressed. Correspondingly, through examining the relationships between the storyteller and the audience, we question the narrator’s status and discover by what means and how the fiction is shared with the audience during the performance. The analysis of performative statements, inspired by the work of Kerbrat-Orechionni and by dynamic vectorization put forward by Pavis for the study of gestures, facial expressions and voice, which are all made to contribution, also targets the identification of any tools useful for storytelling analysis. Once having completed this research, the author demonstrates how structure, especially that used to encourage audience interaction and the overall freedom generally procured can be beneficial in modifying or adapting expressive speech and other resources available to storytellers in each of their performances.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a disease characterized by bone loss and increased risk of fracture, and represents a significant burden on the Canadian health care system. Current treatments lack the ability to simultaneously address the therapeutic needs for promoting bone formation and inhibiting resorption. Our approach employs a novel conjugate drug in which an anabolic agent (EP4 receptor agonist) is reversibly joined with an anti-resorptive agent (alendronate) through a linker. This allows the bone-targeting ability of alendronate to deliver the EP4 agonist to bone sites, thereby mitigating the side effects associated with systemic administration of the EP4 agonist. This study investigated the in vivo efficacy of this drug in a curative experiment to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis using an ovariectomized rat model. Results showed that conjugate treatment dose-dependently stimulated bone formation and restored ovariectomy-induced bone loss, and conjugation between alendronate and the EP4 agonist was crucial to the drug’s anabolic effect.