NCube/papyrus huggingface dataset:
Effets des fluctuations de débit sur la réponse au stress des poissons : étude intégrative de la physiologie et du comportement chez le grand brochet (Esox lucius L.)

Flow is an important determinant of physicochemical characteristics of rivers. Fish communities in rivers are strongly dependant of their habitat, which is directly dictated by this set of characteristics. The loss of the natural flow regime, through regulation by hydroelectric facilities, for example, has the potential to directly affect the fish communities. Numerous studies have shown that the loss of natural flow regimes negatively impact fish populations and communities, but not much is known about the mechanisms that underlie such a relationship. Physiological processes determine the way that fish select their habitat. The stress response has been proposed as a mechanism that guides fish throughout the environmental changes happening in their habitat. Indicators of the fish stress response comprise behaviour, plasma cortisol, and blood glucose and lactate. First, northern pike Esox lucius L. movements were assessed in two rivers with contrasting flow regimes: a hydropeaking regulated river and an unregulated free-flowing river. Using manual tracking by radio-telemetry, we found that pike moved at a higher rate in the regulated river than in the unregulated river. Results also show that the direction of the relationship between movement of pike and flow can vary between rivers. Second, the effect of a water velocity increase on plasma cortisol, blood glucose and blood lactate levels in wild pike originating from the two rivers with contrasting flow regimes were assessed. Our results show that blood glucose and lactate concentrations are significantly diminished for fish originating from the regulated river, in comparison to fish originating from the unregulated river, following an increase in water velocity. Third, a novel analytical framework was developed that allow one to quantify the effect of the flow on fish selection of the physical conditions of their habitat (e.g. water velocity). Results obtained in the previous chapters suggest that pike living in the regulated river might be subjected to higher water velocities than fish living in the unregulated river. This novel tool will allow us to validate this hypothesis. Lastly, basal and maximum acute stress-induced concentrations in plasma cortisol, and blood glucose and lactate were quantified in pike living in both the regulated and the unregulated rivers. These physiological parameters can give an indication of the fish habitat quality. Our results suggest that fish from the regulated river are able to modulate their plasma cortisol to dampen their HPI-axis responsiveness and avoid chronic stress. This thesis assesses the effects of flow fluctuations on fish using novel approaches, situated at the intersection between the fields of physiology and ecology. It significantly contributes to broaden our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying fish habitat selection in rivers.

Keyphrases: cortisol, glucose, lactate, physiologie, Esox lucius L., stress response, river, fish, habitat selection, physiology, movement
Transmission intergénérationnelle de l’agression sexuelle : implications pour les enfants des mères survivantes

Few researches have studied the intergenerational transmission of sexual abuse, especially in the case of the sexual abuse of children whose mothers were themselves victimized in childhood. To examine the question, a review of current studies has been produced on the impact on children firstly of their mothers’ sexual abuse in childhood on them, secondly of their own sexual abuse, and thirdly of intergenerational transmission. The review of studies concerning mechanisms which may contribute to the sexual victimization of children by their mothers is presented, attempting to identify the risk factors for this type of victimization. A qualitative approach by case study was used to illustrate the studies reviewed. Several risk factors associated with child sexual abuse in mothers of sexually put their children at greater risks of undergoing the same type of victimization. Knowledge gained from this study may allow for a better understanding of issues related to the intergenerational transmission of sexual abuse, which might better prepare practitioners in the field, notably of those working in Youth protection agencies.

Keyphrases: Intergenerational patterns, Child sexual abuse, Parent sexually abused, Child protection, Clinical case
Rôle des MKKK19, 20 et 21 dans le développement d’Arabidopsis thaliana

Protein phosphorylation is the major post-translational molecular mechanism through which many eukaryotic proteins are regulated. Phosphorylation is involved in several biological processes and is carried out by kinase enzymes. The very large family of kinases is divided into many subgroups including MAPKs which function as a canonical module of three stepwise phosphorylation events (MAPKKK-MAPKK-MAPK). In this project, we aimed to study the function of three MAPKKK, MKKK19, 20 and 21 in Arabidopsis thaliana, as it has been shown that two of their potential orthologues, FRK1 and 2 in Solanum chacoense are involved in male (pollen) and female (embryo sac) gametophyte development. We found that the MKKK19-21 were highly expressed in reproductive organs, more specifically inside pollen grains. MKKK19-21 single mutants showed WT phenotype under normal conditions, suggesting a possible functional redundancy from these genes. To overcome this, down-regulation of endogenous MKKK19-21 expression via transformation of WT A. thaliana with an artificial microRNA (amiRNA) construct was made. This led to the production of plants exhibiting a high number of dead pollen grains, as well as with defects in pollen tube growth for the viable ones. Microscopic observations of microsporogenesis showed that pollen developmental defects occurred at the tricellular stage. Consequently, the three MKKK19-21 are functionally important for the late stage of pollen development in A. thaliana. In order to find proteins acting both upstream and downstream of MKKK20, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed against an Arabidopsis cDNA library. This led to the identification of a large number of interacting proteins. These proteins belong to several functional categories with some that could act in signaling pathways with MKKK19-21. Among them, MAPK18 that was demonstrated to regulate cortical microtubules (CMT) and that was found to interact specifically with MKKK20. The results of MKKK20 mutant plants analyses and kinase assays indicate that MKKK20 would act upstream of MPK18 in regulating CMT. The MKK3 was also found from a directed Y2H screen, and was shown to specifically interact with MKKK20 among the 10 Arabidopsis MKKs. MKK3 mutant analysis showed that both kinases could form a MAPK signaling pathway functionally linked to CMT. Furthermore, double mutants (mkkk20/mpk18 and mkk3/mpk18) analysis and kinase assays as well as microscopic observations of microtubule polymers allowed us to postulate that two different signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of CMT. The first one, considered as non-canonical MAPK pathway consists of MKK20 and MPK18, bypassing the need of an MKK, while the second one is a canonical pathway that comprises MKKK20, MKK3 and possibly other MPK(s). We concluded from these results that the two pathways are independent and do not work synergistically in MT dynamic instability in Arabidopsis cells.

Keyphrases: Arabidopsis,, phosphorylation, MAPK, microtubules, racine, pollen, microsporogenesis, root
Évolution des syndromes de pollinisation et des niches bioclimatiques au sein des genres antillais gesneria et rhytidophyllum (gesneriaceae)

Background: Gesneria and Rhytidophyllum (Gesneriaceae) are two genera endemic to the Antilles that underwent an important diversification and that present a great vari- ability in pollination modes with regard to specific floral traits. Hummingbird specialists harbour red tubular flowers while bat specialists and generalists have campanulate (i.e., bell shaped) flowers with pale colours. Bat pollination (excluding or not hummingbirds) evolved multiple times independently in this group. These plants are thus a good model to study the relationship between the evolution of pollination mode and ecological and species diversification. To understand these relationships, we studied the genetic basis of pollination mode transition and the link between pollination mode and bioclimatic niches diversification. Methods: We performed a QTL analysis to detect genomic regions underlying the floral traits involved in the pollination syndrome transition between Rhytidophyllum auriculatum (a generalist species) and Rhytidophyllum rupincola (a hummingbird specialist). Also, we analysed the consequence of pollination mode transitions (which represent the biotic part of ecological niches) on bioclimatic niches evolution in Gesneria and Rhytidophyllum. Then, we tested whether environmental changes can result in patterns of phylogenetic bioclimatic niche conservatism through time. Results: The QTLs analysis showed that corolla colour and nectar volume are both based on one major QTL, while corolla shape is determined by a more complex genetic architecture involving several unlinked QTLs. These Antillean Gesneriaceae were found to have a pattern of phylogenetic (bioclimatic) niche conservatism (PNC) and their niche evolution was found to be independent from pollination strategies. Overall, the plants were found to have relatively widespread bioclimatic niches. Finally, we partially confirmed the hypothesis that adapting to temporally variable environment might cause both species generalization and PNC pattern. Conclusion: Genetic independence of floral traits might have facilitated pollination syn- dromes evolution by reducing genetic constraints. However, the overlapping distribution of hummingbirds and bats do not represent an ecological opportunity that could explain re- peated evolutions toward bat pollination. However, environmental perturbations causing regular pollinator populations collapses could explain the advantage for plants to favour generalist strategies.

Keyphrases: Gesneria, Rhytidophyllum, QTL, Ornstein-Uhlenbeck, pollination syndromes, bioclimatic niche, Brownian Motion model, environmental variation
Déterminants motivationnels de la résilience chez les enseignants pour une meilleure compréhension de la santé psychologique des résilients

This thesis takes its place in the lineage of research on resilience among adults and particularly teachers. The aim is to better understand the lived experience of the persons identified as resilient. The concept of resilience lends itself well to the individual’s issues with stress at work and the attempt to find what succeeds in helping teachers remain on the job versus what does not succeed, leaving the teachers helpless. However, in terms of psychological well-being, questions and doubts remain because resilience could be a surface social adaptation where the interior aspect of the individual is not sufficiently considered. This results in persons who are resilient but in poor psychological health.  On this last point, self-determined motivation and the satisfaction of the three basic needs which it underlies are concepts which receive strong support in the attempt to explain psychological health. Moreover, the description of resilient persons suggests characteristics of the order of self-determined motivation. This motivation will serve as a pivot allowing us to propose that, because of it, resilience should be accompanied by an adequate psychological health. It will be linked with the internal adaptation of resilience which could be seen in terms of inter- and intrapersonal resources. In fact, we propose the hypothesis of a mediation of the motivations and of the three basic needs in the relation between resilience and psychological health. We also propose that there are distinct profiles of resilient persons in regard to the variables of psychological health and that, on this basis, differences in motivation and in the satisfaction of the basic needs can be observed among the defined groups.  Analyses of mediation and the creation of clusters among teachers from large school commissions in the Montreal and Saguenay regions (N = 534) show partial mediations of the autonomous motivations and of the three basic needs. Distinct profiles as well as differences in motivation and in the satisfaction of the basic needs can be identified among the groups. The persons who are resilient at work are not all equal. The autonomous motivations are important in the process of resilience, as is the satisfaction of the basic needs. The differences in intrapersonal resources confirm the importance of taking into account the interior life of the resilient person. Recommendations are proposed at the end of this study to utilize certain levers in order to promote the resources of resilience for teachers.

Keyphrases: ressources inter personnelles, motivation autonomes, resilience, interpersonal ressources, intrapersonal ressources, well-being, distress, autonomous motivations, mediation, clusters
Plaidoyer pour une reconnaissance de l’enfant comme agent moral : Une réponse à Verpaelst et Couture

Although a vulnerable human being, a child can be considered as a moral agent in certain circumstances. Thus, a child can and should be more involved in medical decisions about him/herself.

Keyphrases: vulnérabilité, child, vulnerability, moral agent, medical decisions
Antecedents of Leader Empowering Behaviour : a Leader Self-Concept Perspective

Interest in employee empowerment persists given the wide range of positive individual and organizational outcomes associated with an empowered workforce. Psychologically empowered employees perform better (Ahearne et al., 2005), undertake extra-role behaviour (Den Hartog & De Hoogh, 2009; Raub & Robert, 2010), are more satisfied (Vecchio et al., 2010), are more intrinsically motivated (Chen et al., 2011; Zhang & Bartol, 2010), are more committed (Hassan et al., 2012; Konczak et al., 2000; Mare, 2007), and are more engaged (Tuckey et al., 2012). Despite these positive outcomes communicated to leaders, interventions fail to reach the expected results. Yet, existing research rarely examine empowerment from the view of the leader. This study attempts to fill this gap by elucidating on factors that contribute to our understanding of why certain leaders empower whereas others don’t. To that end, relational, personality and situational variables and their relationship with leader empowering behaviour were examined on a sample of leaders within seven ministries of a Canadian provincial government. It was found that the more inclusive the leader self-defines in his/her relationships at work, the more likely he/she is to empower subordinates. The personality attributes of honesty-humility (positively), moral identity (positively), and desire for dominance (negatively) were also found to be associated to leader empowering behaviour. Positional insecurity was found to negatively predict leader empowering behaviour. Furthermore, results reveal that leaders with a higher sense of power are more likely to empower, in divergence with the literature on power as a corrupting force (Kipnis, 1972; Maner & Mead, 2007). Also, contrary to expectation, the involvement trait of organizational culture was found to be unrelated to leader empowering behaviour. This finding is consistent with the research on power and it’s suppressing of contextual influences in favour of more internal traits to the leader (Galinsky et al., 2003).  Leader sense of power and collective self-concept emerged as the two most important variables predicting leader empowering behaviour. This study has significant implications for the field of leadership. For a more empowering organization, it is recommended that leadership programs work to develop a more inclusive self-concept in their leaders, following which, they can be entrusted with more power.

Keyphrases: Empowering leadership, Self-concept, Honesty-humility, Moral identity, Desire for dominance, Organizational culture, Sense of power, Positional insecurity, Leadership development
La mémoire de travail visuelle chez l'enfant avec une épilepsie bénigne à pointes centro-temporales et chez l'enfant sain

Attentional and visual working memory (vWM) capacities increase a lot from childhood to adulthood, and this development is crucial for everyday and academic learning. Most past studies have investigated these cognitive functions, but independently, without taking into account the reciprocal influence of the attention on the WM. The objective of the first article was to study the normal development of vWM and visual attention, and their reciprocal influences, on children, adolescents and adults. As expected, we observed an increments of vWM capacity with age and the presence of distractors significantly reduced more vWM capacity for children. This reduction occurred to the same extent than for the teenagers and adults. Attentional selection or sensibility to interference of distractors was more important for children compared to teenagers and adults. Several recent studies have shown that children suffering from benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS), the most common pediatric epilepsy, also experience learning disabilities and academic difficulties, executive function and vWM deficits. The goal of the second study was to identify specific cognitive profiles depending on the location of the epileptic focus (left, right, bilateral) in children with BECTS in the active phase or in remission. Finally, the purpose of the third research was to study vWM on children suffering from BECTS in active phase or in remission, compared to matched young controls (age and sex), using neuropsychological and electrophysiological measures. We also aimed to find out if there could be less begnine aspects, particularly in the psycho-affective and cognitive aspects, in children affected by this neurologic pathology.

Keyphrases: Attention, SPCN, BECTS, Visual working memory, Development, Electrophysiology, Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes, Lateralization, Epileptic focus
Les joueurs de hasard et d’argent au Québec : trajectoires et exploration des facteurs explicatifs du changement

Moderate risk and problem gamblers in the Province of Quebec represent 1.4% and 0.4% of the population, respectively (Kairouz et al., 2015). Albeit prolific, the research on gamblers’ trajectories has been hampered by several methodological shortcomings leading to heterogeneity in results. Moreover, few have empirically investigated factors that were associated with change. However, it is known that life events or significant changes in people's life have an impact on the development of psychopathology (Brown & Harris, 1989). The purpose of this thesis is to explore the ways in which gamblers evolve over time depending on the severity of their gambling behaviors and harmful consequences, and to examine prospectively associations between life events and problem gambling severity. Using a two-year follow-up prospective design including three measurement waves, 179 gamblers selected from a representative survey divided into the four categories (non-problem, low-risk, moderate-risk, and problem gamblers) of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (Ferris et al., 2001) were examined. Occurrence of life events was also assessed annually. Our analyses reveal that the moderate-risk gamblers are highly heterogeneous, both in their composition and their evolution. Problem gamblers remain vulnerable and are at-risk of experiencing chronic problems over time. Cross-lagged analyses showed that some specific life events related to work, financial, social and lifestyle arenas, as well as the cumulative number of life events, were prospectively associated with an increase in severity of problem gambling 12-months later. Thus, this dissertation shows the significance of addressing sub-group specificities in secondary prevention programs, and the necessity for continuity of cares and relapse prevention in treatment programs. Moreover, social circumstances and stress affect gambling trajectories and need to be taken into account in secondary prevention and treatment.

Keyphrases: moderate-risk gamblers, problem gamblers, life events, Prevention, Prospective
L’utilisation de tablettes tactiles comme outils d’enseignement auprès d’enfants ayant un trouble du spectre de l’autisme

Considering the increased prevalence of with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) coupled with unfavorable teacher: student ratio in school settings; researchers and educators alike have been increasingly turning to technology as an instructional tool for children with ASD. Despite this increased interest for technology as a teaching tool targeting a variety of skills, the limitations of previous studies prevent us from drawing firm conclusions regarding its effectiveness. Among those limitations is the inclusion of a human component to the intervention (important level of support offered by the therapist while teaching with the tablet), the lack of generalisation probes of concepts taught to 2D (e.g., image of a cat) and 3D objects (e.g., toy representing a cat) as well as the lack of maintenance probes conducted over an extended period of time following the withdrawal of the intervention. Based on the previous research, the present doctoral thesis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tablets as assessment and teaching tools for children with ASD. In the first experiment, we evaluated the effectiveness of tablets as preference assessment tools for videos in five children with ASD. The results of the experiment highlight the effectiveness of tablets to assess preference for videos children with ASD. The second experiment relies on the same preference assessment procedure in order to teach concepts to five children with ASD. The results of the study also confirm the effectiveness of tablets as teaching tools for children with ASD. Lastly, the third and final experiment build on the results of the second in order to compare the effectiveness of teaching concepts with a tablet to that of an instructor to seven children with ASD. The results obtained suggest that teaching delivered by an instructor seems to be more efficient than the one delivered with a tablet. Even though most children were learning more slowly from the tablet, the vast majority still acquired and generalized concepts taught with it. In sum, the results obtained from the three experiments indicate that tablets could represent an efficient preference assessment tool as well as a teaching tool for children with ASD. A more thorough description of this thesis' contribution to the advancement of knowledge as well as its implications and the recommendations offered to future researchers is further disseminated in this thesis.

Keyphrases: Autism, Tablet, Discrete trial training, Instructor, Video, Preference, Generalization