Vous croyez que ça existe une famille recomposée?

Conference given outside the academic context (2012)

Etude de la régénération médullaire spontanée après irradiation corporelle totale à dose sublétale : importance de la balance ostéoblastes-adipocytes

Doctoral thesis (2012)

Etude des mécanismes responsables du comportement agrégatif d’Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera : Coccinellidae)

Doctoral thesis (2012)

The negative impacts linked to the introductions of the multicolored Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), progressively increasing in Europe and in North America, it is urgent to find a way to ... [more ▼]

The negative impacts linked to the introductions of the multicolored Asian ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), progressively increasing in Europe and in North America, it is urgent to find a way to manage its populations. The social interactions involved in its aggregative behavior remain misunderstood although a better understanding of the semiochemicals the ladybeetles use during this phenomenon could lead to the development of new control methods. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis was to improve the understanding of the mechanisms set up by H. axyridis during its aggregative stage. Firstly, we have demonstrated the use of two different area markings by this species during its overwintering. The first one, laid by the ladybeetles while walking, lead conspecifics towards aggregation sites whereas the second one, deposited inside these sites, ensures the cohesion of the cluster. These markings are made up of saturated, mono- and diunsaturated hydrocarbons. Among these chemicals, it seems that the unsaturated hydrocarbons, and in particular the ones containing two double bonds, present a greater biological activity. However, the response of H. axyridis towards these chemicals depends on the insect physiological state. In the second instance, we have showed for the first time that H. axyridis presents a permanent aggregative behavior. The hydrocarbons laid by the ladybeetles during their displacements do not play any role in this behavior during summer conditions. On the other hand, conspecific elytral compounds and, in a lesser extent, physical contact, are well involved. Moreover, all our experiments have pointed out that visual elements play a major role in this social behavior and so, have also to be taken into account in the design of traps to control the populations of this invasive species. [less ▲]

La voix juste: la science au service du chant

Scientific conference (2012, December 12)

Le chant est une activité largement répandue et partagée. Afin de déterminer si une performance vocale est « juste » ou « fausse », de mieux comprendre les causes d’un trouble de justesse ou encore de ... [more ▼]

Le chant est une activité largement répandue et partagée. Afin de déterminer si une performance vocale est « juste » ou « fausse », de mieux comprendre les causes d’un trouble de justesse ou encore de porter un jugement sur la qualité d’un chanteur, des outils d’évaluation sont nécessaires. Quatre études réalisées dans le cadre d’une thèse de Doctorat permettent de valider une méthode objective d’analyse de la justesse mais aussi d’observer les effets à prendre en compte pour une évaluation pertinente de la justesse vocale. Dans un premier temps, l’analyse de mélodies chantées par des chanteurs entraînés et non entraînés nous a permis de mettre au point une méthode d’évaluation objective de la justesse vocale sur base d’analyses acoustiques. La confrontation de cette méthode objective avec le jugement d’experts en voix ou en musique nous a permis d’affiner les critères à prendre en compte dans l’évaluation objective de la justesse. Dans un second temps, nous avons observé les effets du contexte d’évaluation et de la technique vocale sur l’évaluation de la justesse vocale. Les différents résultats mettent en évidence la possibilité d’analyser objectivement une performance vocale chantée mais également la complexité du processus de jugement. Les perspectives expérimentales, artistiques et pédagogiques seront discutées à la lumière des conclusions de ces études. [less ▲]

Time delays in gravitationally lensed quasars

Doctoral thesis (2012)

Starting with a concise introduction on gravitational lensing, time delays between lensed quasars and its importance as a cosmological probe to estimate the Hubble constant, we present our contribution to ... [more ▼]

Starting with a concise introduction on gravitational lensing, time delays between lensed quasars and its importance as a cosmological probe to estimate the Hubble constant, we present our contribution to this domain. In a first part, we explain the details of the Numerical Model Fit, a method to estimate time delays between two or more lensed quasar images. We apply this technique to the light curves of 11 lensed quasars with known time delays in order to analyse these published delays in a more homogeneous way. Some results can be confirmed, but others prove to be unreliable. The second part is devoted to the most recent results of our contribution to the COSMOGRAIL collaboration. We briefly summarize the data reduction and analysis tools before the presentation of the photometry and time delay analysis of 6 lensed quasars. On top of the confirmation of time delays in two objects, SDSS J1206+4332 and SDSS J1650+4251, we are the first to measure the time delay in three doubly lensed quasar systems: HS 2209+1914, SDSS J0903+5028, and SDSS J1155+6346. The time delay analysis of the well-known quadruply lensed quasar PG 1115+080 reveals interesting elements, and asks for further investigation of longer light curves. [less ▲]

DEVELOPMENT OF FROZEN-FRIED YAM SLICES: OPTIMIZATION OF THE PROCESSING CONDITIONS

in African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (2012), 12(7), 7055-7071

The research performed on yam processing mainly concerns the production of crisps and flour. However, its transformation into deep-frozen French fries does not necessitate any other equipment than those ... [more ▼]

The research performed on yam processing mainly concerns the production of crisps and flour. However, its transformation into deep-frozen French fries does not necessitate any other equipment than those used for potatoes. The industrial process of production of frozen French fries traditionally includes a pre-frying step. These steps contribute to the development of color and crispness, and the oil partially absorbed inhibits dehydration during the freezing step. The aim of this study was to optimize frying conditions of deep-frozen fried yam (Dioscorea cayenensis var Kponan) slices. The effect of pre-frying time and temperature, final frying time and temperature on the oil uptake, texture, dry matter and colour of the fried yam slices has been studied. Frying conditions optimized with Box-Behnken experimental design were short pre-frying and frying conditions at high temperature characterized by pre-frying temperature at 157-170°C during 5-9s and frying temperature at 181-188°C for 2min 15s-2min 30s; or long pre-frying and frying conditions at low temperature characterized by pre-frying temperature at 150-158°C during 10-15s and frying temperature 170-177°C for 3-3min 15s. An adiabatic system was also developed by means of an insulator in which the core temperature of fried yam slices can be maintained constant at about 55°C after 15min of cooling, facilitating texture measurements at constant temperature. The present results may help in choosing the yam slices frying condition to be applied in order to achieve the desirable fried yam slices quality, required for protection against certain diseases like obesity. These models may also provide guidance as to how to control these quality parameters by altering four key environmental factors, pre-frying temperature and time and, final frying temperature and time. This process can also be commercialized and does not necessitate any other cost for equipment than those used for potatoes French fries and might be an interesting way of added value processing for this highly perishable yam tuber. [less ▲]

Hommage à Hubert Nyssen (1925-2011)

Conference given outside the academic context (2012)

Débat public en compagnie de Josyane Savigneau, critique littéraire au Monde, et l'écrivain Alberto Manguel, à l'invitation de la Bibliothèque Nationale de France, en hommage à l'écrivain et éditeur ... [more ▼]

Débat public en compagnie de Josyane Savigneau, critique littéraire au Monde, et l'écrivain Alberto Manguel, à l'invitation de la Bibliothèque Nationale de France, en hommage à l'écrivain et éditeur Hubert Nyssen, un an après sa disparition. Lectures par le comédien Gérard Desarthe. [less ▲]

Esprit sociologique et corps professionnel : réflexion sur la formation des sociologues

Conference (2012, December 11)

Extending Donor Pool with Donation after Cardiac Death in Kidney and Liver Transplantation:What is the Price to Pay?

Doctoral thesis (2012)

Through a series of clinical studies, this thesis aims to clarify the contribution of donation after cardiac death (DCD) to the deceased donor (DD) pool and results of kidney and liver transplantation ... [more ▼]

Through a series of clinical studies, this thesis aims to clarify the contribution of donation after cardiac death (DCD) to the deceased donor (DD) pool and results of kidney and liver transplantation coming from this donor source in Liège and Belgium. Additionally, an adapted DCD Maastricht classification is also discussed. Chapters 2.1 and 2.2 summarize the DCD procurement and transplant activity in Liège and Belgium from 2000 to 2009 with an update on data up to 2011. In Liège, DCD really contributes to the DD pool and boosts the transplant activity of the center in both kidneys and livers by on average 30%. By contrast, the steady rise in DCD activity in Belgium does not lead to major increase in the DD donation and transplantation. In other words, some kind of donor-type redistribution within the DD pool might occur. Chapters 2.2, 3.1, and 3.2 discuss the results of kidney transplantation (KT) from DCD. We demonstrate that Liège‟s experience is comparable to the national level in Belgium and does not differ from the general results in the world with regard to early graft dysfunction, medium-term graft function, graft and patient survival. The excellent results of DCD-KT are attributed to the relatively short warm and cold ischemia, favorable donor factors, and the role of hypothermic machine perfusion (in Belgian series). Chapters 4.1, and 4.2 discuss the results of liver transplantation (LT) from DCD. Liège‟s results are encouraging and apparently as good as those from donation-after-brain-death LT because of short warm and cold ischemia times. Belgian results show an increased incidence of primary non-function and ischemic cholangiopathy which is in agreement with previously published data. Chapter 5 proposes an adapted DCD Maastricht classification which maintains the original categories 1 to 4 that are now well-known and widely accepted, and adds a fifth category, so-called „DCD after euthanasia‟. Each category is divided into two or three sub-categories: sub-category A is linked to longer warm ischemia (and worse results) than sub-category B; and B versus C, respectively. In addition, sub-categories A (2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A) are mostly linked to DCD processes occurring in the ICU, which helps to understand and memorize this classification. By keeping the original skeleton of the 1995 Maastricht classification, room is left to add new sub-categories in the future, if deemed clinically relevant. [less ▲]

The cause of atypical myopathy in grazing European horses revealed

Scientific conference (2012, December 11)