The BNP and the FN: Between islamophobia and the defense of democratic values

Conference (2012)

Investigation of liquid flow pattern inside a structured packing using X-ray tomography

in Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Process Tomography, Cape Town, South Africa (2012)

This work focuses on the analysis of X-ray tomographic images of liquid flow distribution within a 1 m high packed column of 10 cm diameter, filled with four Mellapak Plus 752Y elements. Tomographic ... [more ▼]

This work focuses on the analysis of X-ray tomographic images of liquid flow distribution within a 1 m high packed column of 10 cm diameter, filled with four Mellapak Plus 752Y elements. Tomographic measurements are performed at various column heights for different liquid flowrates. Water and aqueous glycerine solutions are successively used as working liquids in order to quantify the influence of liquid viscosity on the spatial distribution of hydrodynamic quantities such as liquid holdup and gas-liquid interfacial area. Logically, both liquid holdup and gas-liquid interfacial area increase with liquid flow rate. An increase of liquid viscosity has also a positive impact on liquid holdup and on gas-liquid interfacial area. In all cases, the measured quantities are not constant along the bed height, leading to fluctuating axial profiles. Depending on the liquid viscosity and flowrate, different liquid flow patterns (films, rivulets, flooded channels) are observed in the irrigated cross section images. A method based on morphological techniques is proposed to quantify the fraction of liquid flow which belongs to each flow pattern. [less ▲]

Flux-based Risk Assessement of the impact of Contaminants on Water resources and ECOsystems

Report (2012)

Control of Allergen-Induced Inflammation and Hyperresponsiveness by the Metalloproteinase ADAMTS-12

in Journal of Immunology (2012), 189

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) constitute a family of endopeptidases related to matrix metalloproteinases. These proteinases have been largely implicated in tissue ... [more ▼]

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) constitute a family of endopeptidases related to matrix metalloproteinases. These proteinases have been largely implicated in tissue remodeling associated with pathological processes. Among them, ADAMTS12 was identified as an asthma-associated gene in a human genome screening program. However, its functional implication in asthma is not yet documented. The present study aims at investigating potential ADAMTS-12 functions in experimental models of allergic airways disease. Two different in vivo protocols of allergen-induced airways disease were applied to the recently generated Adamts12-deficient mice and corresponding wild-type mice. In this study, we provide evidence for a protective effect of ADAMTS-12 against bronchial inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. In the absence of Adamts12, challenge with different allergens (OVA and house dust mite) led to exacerbated eosinophilic inflammation in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in lung tissue, along with airway dysfunction assessed by increased airway responsiveness following methacholine exposure. Furthermore, mast cell counts and ST2 receptor and IL-33 levels were higher in the lungs of allergen-challenged Adamts12-deficient mice. The present study provides, to our knowledge, the first experimental evidence for a contribution of ADAMTS-12 as a key mediator in airways disease, interfering with immunological processes leading to inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. [less ▲]

L'esthétique de Husserl. Présentation d'une table ronde

Conference (2012)

A national cohort of HIV-infected patients in Belgium: design and main characteristics.

in Acta Clinica Belgica (2012), 67(5), 333-7

In Belgium, individual laboratory and treatment data of all HIV-infected patients seen in the 9 AIDS Reference Centres and 7 AIDS Reference Laboratories are collected prospectively since 2006. We present ... [more ▼]

In Belgium, individual laboratory and treatment data of all HIV-infected patients seen in the 9 AIDS Reference Centres and 7 AIDS Reference Laboratories are collected prospectively since 2006. We present here an analysis of patients recorded in the cohort database between 1st of January 2006 and 31st of December 2008. During that period, 11982 patients were under medical follow-up in Belgium. Sixty-one percent of the patients were male and the median age was 39.8 at the time of first recorded viral load. Among the patients whose nationality or probable mode of transmission was recorded, nearly half (48.0%) were Belgian and 38.3% originated from Sub-Saharan Africa; heterosexual contacts were reported in the majority of cases (56.0%) followed by homosexual contacts (35.3%). A total of 145 deaths were reported. Around three quarters of the patients were on ART. The median CD4 cell count rose from 470 cells/mm3 in 2006 to 501 cells/mm3 in 2008. This cohort enabled us to obtain comprehensive information on the numbers and characteristics of HIV-infected patients currently being followed up in Belgium, and on trends in antiretroviral therapy and biological results. This will serve for planning purposes, evaluation of access to care and as a source of information for further studies. [less ▲]

An investigation on thermal performance of a low cost apartment in hot humid climate of Danang

in Energy and Buildings (2012), 47

Low cost apartment has recently become one of the essential state policies to deal with rapid urbanisation and population boom in Vietnam. Thermal performance of a low cost apartment in Danang was ... [more ▼]

Low cost apartment has recently become one of the essential state policies to deal with rapid urbanisation and population boom in Vietnam. Thermal performance of a low cost apartment in Danang was examined using building simulation approach. The simulated results created by COMFIE were first calibrated by comparing them with measured data. The statistical indicators CV(RMSE) and NMBE as well as linear regression analysis were applied to assess the calibration. The calibrated model was then used to perform whole year simulations in which various ventilation and design strategies were applied. Thermal comfort potentials of these strategies were graphically defined by Brager’s adaptive comfort model from which the efficiency of each strategy was quantitatively determined. In the present paper, details of the calibration approach, assessment of simulated results and comparison of the findings were discussed. Results of these analyses revealed many notable findings which are in good agreement with those obtained from other publications. The limitation and recommendations for further study are also outlined. [less ▲]

Brève comparaison entre le fonctionnement des établissements chargés de la gestion du temporel du culte et celui des ASBL

in Dossiers d'ASBL Actualités (Les) (2012), 13

Cet article compare sur 20 points (missions, organes, budget, compte, subsides, tutelle, marchés publics,...) les ASBL et les établissements chargés du temporel des cultes. L'attention porte ... [more ▼]

Cet article compare sur 20 points (missions, organes, budget, compte, subsides, tutelle, marchés publics,...) les ASBL et les établissements chargés du temporel des cultes. L'attention porte principalement sur les fabriques d'église mais les établissements des autres cultes, ainsi que les établissements d'assistance morale laïque, sont également abordés. [less ▲]

Chapiter 10: Identification of mechanosensitive genes in chondrocytes and osteoblasts and their role in OA pathogenesis

in Kamklin, Andre; Kiseleva, Irina (Eds.) Mechanical stretch and cytokines (2012)

Impact of formic/acetic acid and ammonia pre-treatments on chemical structure and physico-chemical properties of Miscanthus x giganteus lignins

in Polymer Degradation & Stability (2012), 96(10), 1761-1770

Miscanthus x giganteus was treated with formic acid/acetic acid/water (30/50/20 v/v) for 3 h at 107 C and 80° C, and soaking in aqueous ammonia (25% w/w) for 6 h at 60 C. The effects of these ... [more ▼]

Miscanthus x giganteus was treated with formic acid/acetic acid/water (30/50/20 v/v) for 3 h at 107 C and 80° C, and soaking in aqueous ammonia (25% w/w) for 6 h at 60 C. The effects of these fractionation processes on chemical structure, physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of extracted lignins were investigated. Lignins were characterized by their purity, carbohydrate composition, thermal stability, molecular weight and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H and quantitative 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), adiabatic broadband {13C-1H} 2D heteronuclear (multiplicity edited) single quantum coherence (g-HSQCAD). The radical scavenging activity towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was also investigated. Formic/acetic acid pretreatment performed in milder conditions (80° C for 3 h) gave a delignification percentage of 44.7% and soaking in aqueous ammonia 36.3%. Formic/acetic acid pretreatment performed in harsh conditions (107°C for 3 h) was more effective for extensive delignification (86.5%) and delivered the most pure lignin (80%). The three lignin fractions contained carbohydrate in different extent: 3% for the lignin obtained after the formic/acetic acid pretreatment performed at 107 C (FAL-107), 5.8% for the formic/acetic acid performed at 80°C (FAL-80) and 13.7% for the ammonia lignin (AL). The acid pretreatment in harsh conditions (FAL-107) resulted in cleavage of b-O-4' bonds and aromatic C-C. Repolymerisation was thought to originate from formation of new aromatic C-O linkages. Under milder conditions (FAL-80) less b-O-4' linkages were broken and repolymerisation took place to a lesser extent. Ammonia lignin was not degraded to a significant extent and resulted in the highest weight average 3140 g mol -1. Despite the fact of FAL-107 repolymerisation, significant phenolic hydroxyls remained free, explaining the greater antioxidant activity. [less ▲]