Étude descriptive des perceptions de soutien, d’habilitation et de reconnaissance favorisant la mobilisation organisationnelle au Ministère de l’éducation nationale et de l’alphabétisation du Burkina Faso

Cette thèse de doctorat se situe dans le contexte des préoccupations des autorités nationales et des organisations internationales relatives à l’efficacité des organisations publiques dans les pays en développement, dans le cadre des Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement (OMD) et du programme Éducation pour tous (ÉPT). L’argument du manque de ressources est de plus en plus remis en cause par le constat que certaines organisations disposant de ressources moindres que d’autres de même nature, obtiennent de meilleurs résultats (Barney, 1991; Durand, 1996; Isckia, 2008). Autrement dit, la quantité de ressources n’explique pas tout; il faut considérer d’autres éléments, dont la mobilisation organisationnelle, c’est-à-dire le mouvement obtenu d’une masse critique d’employés qui adoptent des actions positives dans le sens de l’atteinte des objectifs de leur organisation. Cette mobilisation suppose un climat positif auquel contribue la présence de certains états psychologiques ressentis par les employés, notamment les perceptions de soutien et de reconnaissance de la part de l’organisation de même qu’un sentiment d’habilitation psychologique (Tremblay et Simard, 2005). Ces perceptions et ce sentiment constituent les points focaux de la recherche que nous avons menée au sein du Ministère de l’éducation nationale et de l’alphabétisation (MÉNA) du Burkina Faso. L’objectif principal de notre recherche est de décrire ces trois états psychologiques. Le soutien organisationnel perçu (SOP), l’habilitation psychologique (HP) et la reconnaissance perçue ont été explorés à partir des travaux de Eisenberger et al. (1986), de Spreitzer (1995) et de Brun et Dugas (2005) respectivement. Nous avons délibérément choisi la perspective des employés plutôt que celle des pratiques de gestion observées ou déclarées de leurs supérieurs et avons entrepris de connaître leurs perceptions. Ces dernières méritent que l’on s’en préoccupe car aucune politique, mesure ou pratique visant à instaurer un climat organisationnel mobilisant ne peut être efficace si elle n’est pas perçue comme telle par les employés. Utilisant une méthodologie mixte, nous avons recueilli auprès de cadres et de directions d’école, des données sur les trois états psychologiques retenus, à l’aide d’un questionnaire comportant 37 énoncés (65 répondants); d’entrevues individuelles visant à enrichir, compléter, expliciter ou illustrer les informations obtenues par le questionnaire (18 participants); et de deux groupes de discussion autour des résultats de l’analyse préliminaire des réponses au questionnaire (7 participants). Au total, les données ont été recueillies auprès de 73 personnes, certaines d’entre elles ayant à la fois répondu au questionnaire et participé à une entrevue individuelle. Les données ont été traitées par état psychologique à l’aide des logiciels SPSS Statistics 20 (pour les questionnaires) et QDA Miner 4.0.11 (pour les entretiens individuels). Pour chaque énoncé, chaque variable créée et chacune des caractéristiques (fonction, genre et milieu de travail), nous avons d’abord obtenu des mesures de tendances centrales; nous avons poursuivi en ajoutant un second niveau de traitement en combinant les caractéristiques, par exemple : la fonction (cadre ou direction d’école) et le genre (femme ou homme). Nous avons ensuite procédé au codage des verbatims des entretiens en vue d’en extraire des éléments qui corroborent, précisent ou nuancent les résultats de l’analyse des données obtenues par le questionnaire pour chaque état psychologique. L’exploitation des données d’entretiens visait également à identifier des éléments portant sur le thème de la mobilisation au MÉNA. Les résultats des analyses des données issues des questionnaires indiquent globalement que le soutien organisationnel est perçu de façon négative au sein du MÉNA, seule la valorisation du travail réalisé recueillant un sentiment un peu moins négatif. Les répondants se perçoivent habilités psychologiquement; des quatre composantes de l’habilitation psychologique, c’est l’autonomie qui recueille la perception la plus négative. En ce qui concerne la reconnaissance, on observe une perception positive des éléments reliés à la communication et négative lorsqu’il s’agit de l’appréciation du système d’attribution des récompenses. En complément à ces résultats obtenus de l’analyse des données issues du questionnaire, les entretiens ont permis de mettre en lumière le fait que des pratiques efficaces de gestion (par exemple la rapidité des réponses aux demandes, l’application des normes de ponctualité et d’assiduité, la réception régulière du salaire) sont considérées comme des marques de soutien organisationnel. Ces entretiens ont également permis de découvrir un fort potentiel d’implication personnelle et professionnelle des participants rencontrés qui affichaient une disposition favorable à l’augmentation de leur contribution tout en souhaitant une plus grande reconnaissance de leur potentiel. La prise en compte de la fonction, du genre et du milieu de travail a permis de raffiner les analyses. À titre d’exemple: le soutien organisationnel est perçu plus positivement en milieu urbain qu’en milieu rural; les cadres perçoivent positivement la valorisation que le ministère accorde à leur contribution; alors que les directrices d’école ont une appréciation négative de cette valorisation. Le sentiment de compétence est éprouvé de façon plus positive chez les cadres alors que le sentiment d’autonomie est plus positif chez les directions d’école. En milieu urbain, la transmission de l’information, les rencontres avec les supérieurs et les témoignages d’appréciation sont plus présents qu’en milieu rural. Dans cette recherche, qui s’est déroulée dans un contexte subsaharien, nous avons affiché un parti pris pour une approche universaliste plutôt que culturaliste. Tout en reconnaissant que les traditions et la culture font partie de l’environnement organisationnel, nous pensons qu’elles ne sont pas les principaux facteurs explicatifs des comportements des employés dans une organisation. Les propos tenus par certains des participants que nous avons rencontrés renforcent notre conviction que les pratiques de gestion généralement perçues positivement par les employés le sont également dans ce contexte.

Nonlinear Analysis of an Electroencephalogram (ECG) During Epileptic Seizure

A mathematical analysis of an electroencephalogram of a human Brain during an epileptic seizure shows that the K2 entropy decreases as compared to a clinically normal brain while the dimension of the attractor does not show significant deviation.

Corticosteroides vs dosis bajas de adrenocorticotropina en el tratamiento de espasmos infantiles. Revisión sistemática de la literatura

Antecedentes: El tratamiento de los espasmos infantiles generalmente se realiza con ACTH a pesar de perfil de efectos secundarios y el alto costo financiero. Se ha propuesto el uso de los corticoides como primera línea de tratamiento para la enfermedad, no obstante no existe certeza sobre la eficacia de este esquema. Objetivos: Evaluar la eficacia del uso de los corticoides comparados con la ACTH como primera línea de tratamiento en el manejo de pacientes con espasmos infantiles. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura. La búsqueda se efectuó en las bases de datos Pubmed, Embase, Ovid, LiLaCs y en el registro de ensayos clínicos de Estados Unidos. Se incluyeron estudios en portugués, ingles y español, no se fijo límite de tiempo para la publicación. Se realizó un análisis de riesgo de sesgo y de calidad de la evidencia utilizando el programa GRADEPRO. Se estimaron OR y sus respectivos intervalos de confianza al 95%. Resultados: Se incluyeron 4 estudios, un ensayo clínico y tres estudios de cohorte retrospectiva. Dos estudios aportaron evidencia de calidad moderada y alta. No se encontraron diferencias en la eficacia a corto plazo entre el uso de los corticoides y la ACTH sobre desenlaces clínicos o electroencefalográficos. No se encontraron estudios de seguridad a largo plazo. La seguridad a corto plazo no mostró diferencias. Conclusiones: Es muy probable que el uso de los corticoides como primera línea de tratamiento puedan reemplazar el uso de la ACTH, se requiere estudios de seguridad a largo plazo. La decisión de su uso rutinario debería estar basada en un análisis de costo efectividad y bajo la mirada del balance riesgo/beneficio.

Caracterización de pacientes adultos mayores con epilepsia en dos hospitales de Bogotá (Colombia)

La prevalencia global de la epilepsia en Colombia es del 1,13% y en pacientes mayores de 65 años puede estar cercana al 1,5%. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido el de describir las características demográficasy clínicas de la población mayor de 65 años que presenta epilepsia. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal en dos hospitales en Bogotá (Colombia), durante los años 2005-2008. Se revisaron las bases de datos y se seleccionaron las historias clínicas de los pacientes mayores de 65 años con epilepsia. Resultados: se revisaron 211 historias clínicas y se seleccionaron 179. La edad media fue de 75 años (65-98) y el inicio de la epilepsia fue a los 67,5 (7-93); el 64,4% inició la enfermedad después de los 65 años. El 84% de las crisis fueron clasificadas como focales. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue epilepsia focal sintomática (94,4%). 61 pacientes tuvieron como etiología una enfermedad cerebro-vascular. Los antiepilépticos de primera generación, especialmente fenitoína, fueron los más utilizados (99%), aunque 81 de 104 pacientes tratados no estaban libres de crisis. Conclusiones: la mayoría de las crisis son resultado de una epilepsia focal sintomática como consecuencia de una lesión vascular, por lo que se debe considerar el tratamiento farmacológico desde la primera crisis. Es recomendable iniciar el tratamiento con antiepilépticos de segunda generación como lamotrigina, gabapentin, levetiracetam, para minimizar efectos secundarios, y mantener el principio de inicio con dosis bajas y mantenimiento con dosis bajas. Si las condiciones económicas no lo permiten, se puede usar fenitoína o carbamacepina con precaución.

Advances in the indirect, descriptive, and experimental approaches to the functional analysis of problem behaviour

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n

A descriptive study of six children diagnosed aphasic with respect to the implications for their education

This paper studies six children with congenital aphasia and discusses various methods of instruction.

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin suppresses in vitro epileptiform and in vivo seizure activity in adult rat

Purpose: We assessed the anticonvulsant potential of the phytocannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THCV) by investigating its effects in an in vitro piriform cortex (PC) brain slice model of epileptiform activity, on cannabinoid CB1 receptor radioligand-binding assays and in a generalized seizure model in rats. Methods: Δ9-THCV was applied before (10 μmΔ9-THCV) or during (10–50 μmΔ9-THCV) epileptiform activity induced by Mg2+-free extracellular media in adult rat PC slices and measured using multielectrode array (MEA) extracellular electrophysiologic techniques. The actions of Δ9-THCV on CB1 receptors were examined using [3H]SR141716A competition binding and [35S]GTPS assays in rat cortical membranes. Effects of Δ9-THCV (0.025–2.5 mg/kg) on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)–induced seizures in adult rats were also assessed. Results: After induction of stable spontaneous epileptiform activity, acute Δ9-THCV application (≥20 μm) significantly reduced burst complex incidence and the amplitude and frequency of paroxysmal depolarizing shifts (PDSs). Furthermore, slices pretreated with 10 μmΔ9-THCV prior to induction of epileptiform activity exhibited significantly reduced burst complex incidence and PDS peak amplitude. In radioligand-binding experiments, Δ9-THCV acted as a CB1 receptor ligand, displacing 0.5 nm [3H]SR141716A with a Ki∼290 nm, but exerted no agonist stimulation of [35S]GTPS binding. In PTZ-induced seizures in vivo, 0.25 mg/kg Δ9-THCV significantly reduced seizure incidence. Discussion: These data demonstrate that Δ9-THCV exerts antiepileptiform and anticonvulsant properties, actions that are consistent with a CB1 receptor–mediated mechanism and suggest possible therapeutic application in the treatment of pathophysiologic hyperexcitability states.

Are normative properties descriptive properties?

Some philosophers think that normative properties are identical to descriptive properties. In this paper, I argue that this entails that it is possible to say which descriptive properties normative properties are identical to. I argue that Frank Jackson’s argument to show that this is possible fails, and that the objections to this argument show that it is impossible to say which descriptive properties normative properties are identical to. I conclude that normative properties are not identical to descriptive properties. I then show that if we combine this conclusion with the conclusion of a different argument that Jackson has given to show that there are no irreducibly normative properties, it follows that there are no normative properties at all.

Cannabidivarin is anticonvulsant in mouse and rat in vitro and in seizure models

Summary Background and purpose: Phytocannabinoids in Cannabis sativa have diverse pharmacological targets extending beyond cannabinoid receptors and several exert notable anticonvulsant effects. For the first time, we investigated the anticonvulsant profile of the phytocannabinoid cannabidivarin (CBDV) in vitro and in in vivo seizure models. Experimental approach: The effect of CBDV (1-100μM) on epileptiform local field potentials (LFPs) induced in rat hippocampal brain slices by 4-AP application or Mg2+-free conditions was assessed by in vitro multi-electrode array recordings. Additionally, the anticonvulsant profile of CBDV (50-200 mg kg-1) in vivo was investigated in four rodent seizure models: maximal electroshock (mES) and audiogenic seizures in mice, and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and pilocarpine-induced seizures in rat. CBDV effects in combination with commonly-used antiepileptic drugs were investigated in rat seizures. Finally, the motor side effect profile of CBDV was investigated using static beam and gripstrength assays. Key results: CDBV significantly attenuated status epilepticus-like epileptiform LFPs induced by 4-AP and Mg2+-free conditions. CBDV had significant anticonvulsant effects in mES (≥100 mg kg-1), audiogenic (≥50 mg kg-1) and PTZ-induced seizures (≥100 mg kg-1). CBDV alone had no effect against pilocarpine-induced seizures, but significantly attenuated these seizures when administered with valproate or phenobarbital at 200 mg kg-1 CBDV. CBDV had no effect on motor function. Conclusions and Implications: These results indicate that CBDV is an effective anticonvulsant across a broad range of seizure models, does not significantly affect normal motor function and therefore merits further investigation in chronic epilepsy models to justify human trials.

Understanding the transition to seizure by modeling the epileptiform activity of general anesthetic agents

A central difficulty in modeling epileptogenesis using biologically plausible computational and mathematical models is not the production of activity characteristic of a seizure, but rather producing it in response to specific and quantifiable physiologic change or pathologic abnormality. This is particularly problematic when it is considered that the pathophysiological genesis of most epilepsies is largely unknown. However, several volatile general anesthetic agents, whose principle targets of action are quantifiably well characterized, are also known to be proconvulsant. The authors describe recent approaches to theoretically describing the electroencephalographic effects of volatile general anesthetic agents that may be able to provide important insights into the physiologic mechanisms that underpin seizure initiation.

Descriptive Sensory Analysis and Acceptance of Stingless Bee Honey

Stingless bee honey samples were evaluated by sensory descriptive analysis using free choice profile methodology. Appearance, flavor, and aroma were described and the data were treated with Generalized Procrustes Analysis. Individual descriptive terms ranged from 8 to 20. Plotting the samples in a bidimensional plan indicated that appearance attributes (color and viscosity) and sweet, sour and acid flavor were strongly correlated with x axis (Dimension 1) while coconut, wood, acid, sour, and sweet flavor aroma attributes were correlated with y axis (Dimension 2). The affective test was also performed and with the exception of the Melipona scutellaris honey, all the other samples showed good acceptance. Honeys that were described as sweeter and less acid were preferred by nontrained assessors, indicating that the regular consumer recognizes honey produced by Apis mellifera bee as a standard.

Maternal health care professionals perspective on the provision and use of antenatal and delivery care : a qualitative descriptive study in rural Vietnam

Background. High quality maternal health care is an important tool to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. Services offered should be evidence based and adapted to the local setting. This qualitative descriptive study explored the perspectives and experiences of midwives, assistant physicians and medical doctors on the content and quality of maternal health care in rural Vietnam. Method. The study was performed in a rural district in northern Vietnam. Four focus group discussions with health care professionals at primary health care level were conducted. The data was analysed using qualitative manifest and latent content analysis. Result. Two main themes emerged: "Contextual conditions for maternal health care" and "Balancing between possibilities and constraints". Contextual conditions influenced both pregnant women's use of maternal health care and health care professionals' performance. The study participants stated that women's uses of maternal health care were influenced by economical constraints and cultural norms that impeded their autonomy in relation to childbearing. Structural constraints within the health care system included inadequate financing of the primary health care, resulting in lack of human resources, professional re-training and adequate equipment. Conclusion. Contextual conditions strongly influenced the performance and interaction between pregnant women and health care professionals within antenatal care and delivery care in a rural district of Vietnam. Although Vietnam is performing comparatively well in terms of low maternal and child mortality figures, this study revealed midwives' and other health care professionals' perceived difficulties in their daily work. It seemed maternal health care was under-resourced in terms of staff, equipment and continuing education activities. The cultural setting in Vietnam constituting a strong patriarchal society and prevailing Confucian norms limits women's autonomy and reduce their possibility to make independent decisions about their own reproductive health. This issue should be further addressed by policy-makers. Strategies to reduce inequities in maternal health care for pregnant women are needed. The quality of client-provider interaction and management of pregnancy may be strengthened by education, human resources, re-training and provision of essential equipment.

Electrophysiological effects of guanosine and MK-801 in a quinolinic acid-induced seizure model

TORRES, F ; FILHO, M.S. ; ANTUNES, C. ; KALININE, E. ; ANTONIOLLI, E. ; PORTELA, Luis Valmor ; SOUZA, Diogo Onofre ; TORT, A. B. L. . Electrophysiological effects of guanosine and MK-801 in a quinolinic acid-induced seizure model. Experimental Neurology , v. 221, p. 296-306, 2010

ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA DO CONHECIMENTO, ATITUDES E PRECONCEITOS DE UNIVERSITÁRIOS DOS CURSOS DE PEDAGOGIA, EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA E MEDICINA EM RELAÇÃO À EPILEPSIA

Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system, most frequently characterized by abnormal electrical impulses in the brain. It is the oldest recorded neurological disease and has been surrounded by myths, mistaken beliefs and preconceptions. Three professionals work with epileptic patients on a daily basis: teachers, physical educators and physicians . This study aimed to analyze and compare the level of knowledge, preconceptions and attitudes of undergraduate students in the courses of Pedagogy, Physical Education and Medicine, future professionals who will deal with epileptic patients. This descriptive observational study was conducted with 286 university undergraduates of both sexes (women 99/34.6% and men 187/65.4%) from the first to fourth year of Pedagogy, Physical Education and Medicine courses at the Universidade Estadual Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), with mean age of 23 years. A validated and adapted 17-question questionnaire, divided into nine knowledge-based questions, five related to preconceptions and three on attitudes, was applied. Results allowed elaboration of a manuscript entitled Comparative Analysis of Knowledge, Attitude and Preconceptions in University Undergraduates of Pedagogy, Physical Education and Medicine Courses in Relation to Epilepsy. The findings of this article show that knowledge of epilepsy in the three groups is very satisfactory. The low level of preconception indicates that educational or clarifying information is being transmitted, albeit by television, a layman s information vehicle, which has undoubtedly contributed to reducing the stigma of epilepsy through educational information. Results also suggest a lack of knowledge on how to act during a seizure, especially in education professionals. Although there are limitations in our sample, the relevance and contribution of this study is to call attention to the importance and need for these future professionals to be informed and learn correct attitudes with respect to epilepsy during their academic formation. This is essential at a time when the disease is being brought out of the shadows. This research was supported by the Office of the Dean of Teaching, and Deans of Pedagogy, Physical Education and Medicine at UERN. The research was made possible by the multidisciplinary interaction among a physical educator, child neurologist and statistician, all contributing to achieving the aims set out here