Description du cheminement de trois enseignantes du primaire qui enseignent à un élève TDAH lors de leur participation à un processus de consultation individuelle

L'étude présentée est de type descriptif et exploratoire. Elle provient du fait que les enseignants ont des besoins en terme de formation et de soutien pour enseigner aux élèves qui ont un trouble déficitaire de l'attention et/ou de l'hyperactivité (TDAH). L'objectif général de l'étude consiste donc à décrire le cheminement de trois enseignants ayant participé a un processus de consultation individuelle de type collaboratif (volet enseignant) du programme «Ces années incroyables» (en préparation) sur le plan (1) de leurs connaissances sur le TDAH, (2) des stratégies éducatives utilisées auprès des élèves et (3) du niveau de stress ressenti par l'enseignant lorsqu'il enseigne à un élève avec un TDAH. Nous décrivons également les facteurs propres aux enseignants qui peuvent avoir influencé leur cheminement (satisfaction et implication). Les outils utilisés sont des questionnaires auto-rapportés: l'Index of teaching stress (ITS) (Greene, Besztercuey, Park et Going 2002), Satisfaction face à une intervention (BIRS) (Elliot et Van Brock Treuting, 1991), Questionnaire sur les connaissances en lien avec le TDAH (Jérome, Gordon et Hustler, 1994) l'Attitude questionnaire (ADD-AQ) (Bos, Urbam et Nahmias, 1993) et les grilles descriptives construites pour les fins de cette étude. Globalement, l'étude du cheminement des enseignants relève plusieurs éléments qui suggèrent une évolution de leurs connaissances et pratiques auprès des élèves avec un TDAH. On note une amélioration des stratégies éducatives utilisées et choisies par les enseignants après le processus de consultation individuelle. On observe que les enseignants montre de meilleures connaissances sur le TDAH après le processus de consultation qu'avant celui-ci. Par contre, on peut observer une augmentation du stress chez deux des trois enseignants à la fin du processus de consultation

Mindfulness and psychoeducation to manage stress in amnestic mild cognitive impairment : a pilot study

Objectives: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) often corresponds to the prodromal stage of Alzheimer disease (AD). The aMCI stage represents a crucial time window to apply preventive interventions in an attempt to delay cognitive decline. Stress, one of AD’s modifiable risk factors frequently co-occurring with aMCI, stands out as a key intervention target. The goal of this study was to assess the impacts of two nonpharmacological interventions, mindfulness and psychoeducation, on stress at the psychological and physiological levels among aMCI older adults. Methods: Forty-eight aMCI participants were randomized between a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) and a psychoeducation-based intervention (PBI) for eight weekly sessions. Anxiety symptoms, perceived stress levels, cortisol awakening response (CAR), and coping strategies were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Mindfulness attitudes and time dedicated to at-home meditative practices were evaluated in the MBI group. Results: The main results revealed a slight reduction of the CAR among MBI participants who practiced meditation at home the most and a decrease in perceived stress levels in the PBI group. Both interventions enhanced problem-focused coping strategies. Conclusion: In sum, this pilot study supports the potential of MBI and PBI to reduce stress at the physiological and psychological level, respectively, and increase coping strategies in older adults at risk for AD

Deep Convolutional Variational Autoencoder as a 2D-Visualization Tool for Partial Discharge Source Classification in Hydrogenerators

International audienceHydrogenerators are strategic assets for power utilities. Their reliability and availability can lead to significant benefits. For decades, monitoring and diagnosis of hydrogenerators have been at the core of maintenance strategies. A significant part of generator diagnosis relies on Partial Discharge (PD) measurements, because the main cause of hydrogenerator breakdown comes from failure of its high voltage stator, which is a major component of hydrogenerators. A study of all stator failure mechanisms reveals that more than 85 % of them involve the presence of PD activity. PD signal can be detected from the lead of the hydrogenerator while it is running, thus allowing for on-line diagnosis. Hydro-Québec has been collecting more than 33 000 unlabeled PD measurement files over the last decades. Up to now, this diagnostic technique has been quantified based on global PD amplitudes and integrated PD energy irrespective of the source of the PD signal. Several PD sources exist and they all have different relative risk, but in order to recognize the nature of the PD, or its source, the judgement of experts is required. In this paper, we propose a new method based on visual data analysis to build a PD source classifier with a minimum of labeled data. A convolutional variational autoencoder has been used to help experts to visually select the best training data set in order to improve the performances of the PD source classifier

Experimental investigation of the spatial and temporal evolution of the tangential and normal E-Field components along the stress grading system of a real stator bar

This paper presents results based on direct experimental measurements of tangential (Et) and normal (En) E-field components along the stress grading system (SGS) of a real stator bar (Roebel type) for different AC 60 Hz applied voltages. These measurements were made with a new electro-optic system allowing for the study of both spatial distributions of two E-field components along the bar and their temporal evolution at critical points. The results obtained allowed us to calculate the correlation between the distribution of En and Et along the SGS. In particular, it was demonstrated that the En distribution presents a characteristic minimum, which can be used to identify the zone of partial discharge inception. Moreover, it was possible to observe an enlargement of the Et component distribution followed by a saturation in magnitude with the applied voltage increase. Moreover, the results have demonstrated that the waveform of the En component is mostly affected by the SG material used, producing a greater distortion in its waveform than those obtained for the Et component. The more significant distortion was obtained at the end of the outer corona protection (OCP) material, corresponding to the first maximum of the En component and characterized by the appearance of a third harmonic of large amplitude

Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on circulating cytokine levels in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment : a pilot study

Peripheral inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dysregulations in circulating levels of different inflammatory mediators are detectable as early as the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage towards AD. Depressive symptoms, another risk factor of AD, are often found in individuals with MCI and associated with heightened levels of peripheral inflammatory mediators. Diminution in depressive symptoms and alterations of peripheral inflammation profiles have been observed following Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). In this pilot randomized-control trial, the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) was compared to that of a psychoeducation-based intervention (PBI) on the peripheral inflammation profile and depressive symptomatology of participants with MCI. Plasma samples and scores on the Geriatric Depression scale (GDS) were obtained from 12 participants per group before and after the 8-week interventions. Flow cytometry allowed for inter-group comparisons of the pro-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL)-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α levels. Post-MBI, two tendencies stand out regarding inflammation profiles: 1) a decrease of TNF-α for participants having higher initial levels of this cytokine, and 2) an increase of IL-6 levels for all participants. In the PBI group, the cytokine levels remained unchanged post-intervention. Regarding depressive symptomatology, no significant variations were noted for both groups. Moreover, variations on depressive symptoms and peripheral levels of cytokines were not correlated. MBI could exert a physiological effect on an important feature of AD, namely inflammation. Furthermore, action mechanisms behind physiological and psychological effects of MBIs could stem from independent sources. This remains to be demonstrated with more robust data

Priority interventions to improve the management of chronic non-cancer pain in primary care: a participatory research of the ACCORD program

Purpose: There is evidence that the management of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) in primary care is far from being optimal. A 1-day workshop was held to explore the perceptions of key actors regarding the challenges and priority interventions to improve CNCP management in primary care. Methods: Using the Chronic Care Model as a conceptual framework, physicians (n=6), pharmacists (n=6), nurses (n=6), physiotherapists (n=6), psychologists (n=6), pain specialists (n=6), patients (n=3), family members (n=3), decision makers and managers (n=4), and pain researchers (n=7) took part in seven focus groups and five nominal groups. Results: Challenges identified in focus group discussions were related to five dimensions: knowledge gap, “work in silos”, lack of awareness that CNCP represents an important clinical problem, difficulties in access to health professionals and services, and patient empowerment needs. Based on the nominal group discussions, the following priority interventions were identified: interdisciplinary continuing education, interdisciplinary treatment approach, regional expert leadership, creation and definition of care paths, and patient education programs. Conclusion: Barriers to optimal management of CNCP in primary care are numerous. Improving its management cannot be envisioned without considering multifaceted interventions targeting several dimensions of the Chronic Care Model and focusing on both clinicians and patients

Description du cheminement de trois enseignantes du primaire qui enseignent à un élève TDAH lors de leur participation à un processus de consultation individuelle

L'étude présentée est de type descriptif et exploratoire. Elle provient du fait que les enseignants ont des besoins en terme de formation et de soutien pour enseigner aux élèves qui ont un trouble déficitaire de l'attention et/ou de l'hyperactivité (TDAH). L'objectif général de l'étude consiste donc à décrire le cheminement de trois enseignants ayant participé a un processus de consultation individuelle de type collaboratif (volet enseignant) du programme «Ces années incroyables» (en préparation) sur le plan (1) de leurs connaissances sur le TDAH, (2) des stratégies éducatives utilisées auprès des élèves et (3) du niveau de stress ressenti par l'enseignant lorsqu'il enseigne à un élève avec un TDAH. Nous décrivons également les facteurs propres aux enseignants qui peuvent avoir influencé leur cheminement (satisfaction et implication). Les outils utilisés sont des questionnaires auto-rapportés: l'Index of teaching stress (ITS) (Greene, Besztercuey, Park et Going 2002), Satisfaction face à une intervention (BIRS) (Elliot et Van Brock Treuting, 1991), Questionnaire sur les connaissances en lien avec le TDAH (Jérome, Gordon et Hustler, 1994) l'Attitude questionnaire (ADD-AQ) (Bos, Urbam et Nahmias, 1993) et les grilles descriptives construites pour les fins de cette étude. Globalement, l'étude du cheminement des enseignants relève plusieurs éléments qui suggèrent une évolution de leurs connaissances et pratiques auprès des élèves avec un TDAH. On note une amélioration des stratégies éducatives utilisées et choisies par les enseignants après le processus de consultation individuelle. On observe que les enseignants montre de meilleures connaissances sur le TDAH après le processus de consultation qu'avant celui-ci. Par contre, on peut observer une augmentation du stress chez deux des trois enseignants à la fin du processus de consultation

CFD analysis of ventilation flow for a scale model hydro-generator

In 2006, the first Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the ventilation of specific hydro-generator components were performed at the Hydro-Que´bec Research Institute (IREQ) and lately the entire ventilation circuit is being investigated. Due to the complexity of flow calculations, a validation process is necessary and for this reason a 1:4 scale model of a hydro-generator has been built at IREQ to get experimental data by means of particle image velocimetry (PIV). This paper presents 2D and 3D simulation results for the scale model obtained with a commercial CFD code and addresses the challenges associated with the application of CFD to hydro-generators. In particular, the effect of rotor-stator interface (RSI) types and configuration is analyzed to determine the approach that best suits this application. Two-dimensional calculations show that the steady state multiple frames of reference (MFR) solution is highly sensitive to the type (frozen rotor (FR) vs. mixing plane (MP)) and location of the RSI. A parametric study is performed where each interface configuration is compared to the transient case results. The MFR-FR interface model produces results that may vary significantly depending on the relative rotor position and the radial location of the RSI in the air gap. The MFR-MP interface model appears to be more coherent with reference values obtained from a transient case, since the radial velocity profiles in the stator are similar. Furthermore with an appropriate radial positioning of the interface, the windage losses are within 20%. Simulations of the complete 3D ventilation circuit revealed a maximum variation of 10% in both total ventilation flow rate and total windage losses, between the RSI configurations studied. However, the relative flow distributions, normalized with respect to the total flow rate, are unaffected by changes in RSI configuration. This paper focuses mainly on sensitivity studies to numerical settings, but this comparison still requires experimental validation before any final conclusions can be made.</jats:p