Evaluation of the Energy Performance of an Organic Rankine Cycle-Based Micro Combined Heat and Power System Involving a Hermetic Scroll Expander

in Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines & Power (2013), 135(4),

Migrant labour Culture in Post-Mao China

in Books and Ideas (2013)

Against a backdrop of economic growth and growing spate of collective actions, rural migrant workers have developed narratives of migrant labour. This essay studies articles, diaries, poems and online ... [more ▼]

Against a backdrop of economic growth and growing spate of collective actions, rural migrant workers have developed narratives of migrant labour. This essay studies articles, diaries, poems and online songs asserting their collective subaltern identity and specific norms and values. [less ▲]

Non-invasive monitoring of soil water dynamics in mixed cropping systems: A case-study in Ratchaburi province, Thailand

in Vadose Zone Journal (2013)

Agriculture on shallow or steep soils in the humid tropics often leads to low resource use efficiency. Contour hedgerow intercropping systems have been proposed to reduce run-off and control soil erosion ... [more ▼]

Agriculture on shallow or steep soils in the humid tropics often leads to low resource use efficiency. Contour hedgerow intercropping systems have been proposed to reduce run-off and control soil erosion. However, competition for water and nutrients between crops and associated hedgerows may reduce the overall performance of contour hedgerow systems. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a valuable technique used to assess the distribution and dynamics of soil moisture noninvasively. In this study, we demonstrated its potential to measure soil water depletion in the field in distinct cropping patterns in Ratchaburi province, Thailand. The measurements showed that the soils of our experimental plots were very heterogeneous both along the slope as with depth. This observation highlighted some constraints of the ERT method for soil moisture monitoring in the field, such as the difficulty of defining a relationship between electrical conductivity and soil moisture in very heterogeneous soils. Nevertheless, spatial analysis of the data revealed contrasting water depletion patterns under monocropping and intercropping systems. In this way, ERT provides access to information about the vadose zone moisture dynamics that would be unavailable with classical soil moisture measurements. [less ▲]

Effect on bone turnover markers of once-yearly intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid versus daily oral risedronate in patients treated with glucocorticoids.

in Rheumatology (Oxford, England) (2013)

Objective. Long-term glucocorticoid use is accompanied by rapid bone loss; however, early treatment with bisphosphonates prevents bone loss and reduces fracture risk. The aim of this study was to examine ... [more ▼]

Objective. Long-term glucocorticoid use is accompanied by rapid bone loss; however, early treatment with bisphosphonates prevents bone loss and reduces fracture risk. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two bisphosphonates, i.v. zoledronic acid (ZOL) versus oral risedronate (RIS), on bone turnover markers (BTMs) in subjects with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO).Methods. Patients were randomly stratified according to the duration of pre-study glucocorticoid therapy [prevention subpopulation (ZOL, n = 144; RIS, n = 144) </=3 months, treatment subpopulation (ZOL, n = 272; RIS, n = 273) >3 months]. Changes in beta-C-terminal telopeptides of type 1 collagen (beta-CTx), N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) from baseline were measured on day 10 and months 3, 6 and 12.Results. At most time points, there were significantly greater reductions (P < 0.05) in the concentrations of serum beta-CTx, P1NP and BSAP and urine NTx in subjects on ZOL compared with RIS in both males and females of the treatment and prevention subpopulations. In pre- and post-menopausal women, there were significantly greater reductions in the concentrations of BTMs with ZOL compared with RIS. At 12 months, ZOL had significantly greater reductions compared with RIS (P < 0.05) for beta-CTx, P1NP, BSAP and NTx levels, independent of glucocorticoid dose.Conclusions. Once-yearly i.v. infusion of ZOL 5 mg was well tolerated in different subgroups of GIO patients. ZOL was non-inferior to RIS and even superior to RIS in the response of BTMs in GIO patients.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, http://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00100620. [less ▲]

WASP-54b, WASP-56b and WASP-57b: Three new sub-Jupiter mass planets from SuperWASP

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2013), 551

We present three newly discovered sub-Jupiter mass planets from the SuperWASP survey: WASP-54b is a heavily bloated planet of mass 0.636+0.025-0.024RJ. It orbits a F9 star, evolving off the main sequence ... [more ▼]

We present three newly discovered sub-Jupiter mass planets from the SuperWASP survey: WASP-54b is a heavily bloated planet of mass 0.636+0.025-0.024RJ. It orbits a F9 star, evolving off the main sequence, every 3.69 days. Our MCMC fit of the system yields a slightly eccentric orbit (e = 0.067+0.033-0.025) for WASP-54b. We investigated further the veracity of our detection of the eccentric orbit for WASP-54b, and we find that it could be real. However, given the brightness of WASP-54 V = 10.42 mag, we encourage observations of a secondary eclipse to draw robust conclusions on both the orbital eccentricity and the thermal structure of the planet. WASP-56b and WASP-57b have masses of 0.571+0.034-0.035MJ and 0.672+0.049-0.046MJ, respectively; and radii of 1.092+0.035-0.033RJ for WASP-56b and 0.916+0.017-0.014RJ for WASP-57b. They orbit main sequence stars of spectral type G6 every 4.67 and 2.84 days, respectively. WASP-56b and WASP-57b show no radius anomaly and a high density possibly implying a large core of heavy elements; possibly as high as ~50 M⊕ in the case of WASP-57b. However,the composition of the deep interior of exoplanets remains still undetermined. Thus, more exoplanet discoveries such as the ones presented in this paper, are needed to understand and constrain giant planets' physical properties. [less ▲]

A detailed X-ray investigation of ζ Puppis. III. Spectral analysis of the whole RGS spectrum

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2013), 551

Context. ζ Pup is the X-ray brightest O-type star of the sky. This object was regularly observed with the RGS instrument onboard XMM-Newton for calibration purposes, which led to an unprecedented set of ... [more ▼]

Context. ζ Pup is the X-ray brightest O-type star of the sky. This object was regularly observed with the RGS instrument onboard XMM-Newton for calibration purposes, which led to an unprecedented set of high-quality spectra. <BR /> Aims: We have previously reduced and extracted this data set and integrated it into the most detailed high-resolution X-ray spectrum of any early-type star so far. Here we present the analysis of this spectrum, taking into account for the presence of structures in the stellar wind. <BR /> Methods: For this purpose, we used our new modeling tool that allows fitting the entire spectrum with a multi-temperature plasma. We illustrate the impact of a proper treatment of the radial dependence of the X-ray opacity of the cool wind on the best-fit radial distribution of the temperature of the X-ray plasma. <BR /> Results: The best-fit of the RGS spectrum of ζ Pup is obtained assuming no porosity. Four plasma components at temperatures between 0.10 and 0.69 keV are needed to adequately represent the observed spectrum. Whilst the hardest emission is concentrated between ~3 and 4 R[SUB]∗[/SUB], the softer emission starts already at 1.5 R[SUB]∗[/SUB] and extends to the outer regions of the wind. <BR /> Conclusions: The inferred radial distribution of the plasma temperatures agrees rather well with theoretical expectations. The mass-loss rate and CNO abundances corresponding to our best-fit model also agree quite well with the results of recent studies of ζ Pup in the UV and optical domain. Based on observations collected with XMM-Newton, an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and the USA (NASA). [less ▲]

The CORALIE survey for southern extrasolar planets XVII. New and updated long period and massive planets

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2013), 551

Context. Since 1998, a planet-search program around main sequence stars within 50 pc in the southern hemisphere has been carried out with the CORALIE echelle spectrograph at La Silla Observatory. Aims ... [more ▼]

Context. Since 1998, a planet-search program around main sequence stars within 50 pc in the southern hemisphere has been carried out with the CORALIE echelle spectrograph at La Silla Observatory. Aims: With an observing time span of more than 14 years, the CORALIE survey is now able to unveil Jovian planets on Jupiter's period domain. This growing period-interval coverage is important for building formation and migration models since observational constraints are still weak for periods beyond the ice line. Methods: Long-term precise Doppler measurements with the CORALIE echelle spectrograph, together with a few additional observations made with the HARPS spectrograph on the ESO 3.6 m telescope, reveal radial velocity signatures of massive planetary companions on long-period orbits. Results: In this paper we present seven new planets orbiting HD 27631, HD 98649, HD 106515A, HD 166724, HD 196067, HD 219077, and HD 220689, together with the CORALIE orbital parameters for three already known planets around HD 10647, HD 30562, and HD 86226. The period range of the new planetary companions goes from 2200 to 5500 days and covers a mass domain between 1 and 10.5 MJup. Surprisingly, five of them present very high eccentricities above e > 0.57. A pumping scenario by Kozai mechanism may be invoked for HD 106515Ab and HD 196067b, which are both orbiting stars in multiple systems. Since the presence of a third massive body cannot be inferred from the data of HD 98649b, HD 166724b, and HD 219077b, the origin of the eccentricity of these systems remains unknown. Except for HD 10647b, no constraint on the upper mass of the planets is provided by Hipparcos astrometric data. Finally, the hosts of these long period planets show no metallicity excess. [less ▲]

Late Holocene changes in cyanobacterial community structure in maritime Antarctic lakes

in Journal of Paleolimnology (2013), 50

Despite the dominance of cyanobacteria in polar freshwater aquatic ecosystems, little is known about their past biodiversity and response to climate and environmental changes. We explored the use of light ... [more ▼]

Despite the dominance of cyanobacteria in polar freshwater aquatic ecosystems, little is known about their past biodiversity and response to climate and environmental changes. We explored the use of light microscopy of microfossils, high performance liquid chromatography of the fossil pigment composition and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of fossil 16S rRNA genes to study past and present-day differences in cyanobacterial community structure in response to climate changes in two adjacent maritime Antarctic lakes with contrasting depths (4 and 26 m) and light climates. Light microscopy was of limited use because of degradation of cell structures. Fossil cyanobacterial pigment concentrations were below the detection limits of our method in several sediment samples in the deep lake, but abundant and diverse inthe sediment core from the shallow pond, probably as a consequence of increased light availability and/or a more diverse and abundant benthic cyanobacterial flora. Total carotenoid and chlorophyll concentrations were highest in both lakes between ca. 2,950 and 1,800 cal yr BP, which coincides with the late Holocene climate optimum recognised elsewhere in maritime Antarctica. Cyanobacterial molecular diversity was higher in the top few centimeters of the sediments in both lakes. In deeper sediments, the taxonomic turnover of cyanobacteria appeared to be relatively small in response to past climate anomalies in both lakes, underscoring the broad tolerance of cyanobacteria to environmental variability. This, however, may in part be explained by the low taxonomic resolution obtained with the relatively conserved 16S rRNA gene and/or the preferential preservation of particular taxa. Our results highlight the potential of fossil DNA in lake sediments to study colonization and succession dynamics of lacustrine cyanobacteria and warrant further investigation of the factors that affect preservation of cyanobacterial DNA. [less ▲]

Kein Ey gleicht dem anderen. Rezension zu "Im Bergwerk der Sprache"

in ReLü: Rezensionszeitschrift zur Literaturübersetzung (2013)

Opérations arithmétiques et symbolisations variées. Partir des démarches informelles des élèves pour donner du sens aux apprentissages

in Education et Formation (2013), e-298(01), 23-38

Tout en s’appuyant sur certains apports de la psychologie cognitive, le présent article se situe dans la lignée des courants socioculturels qui défendent l’idée d’une co-construction des concepts et des ... [more ▼]

Tout en s’appuyant sur certains apports de la psychologie cognitive, le présent article se situe dans la lignée des courants socioculturels qui défendent l’idée d’une co-construction des concepts et des symboles. Il s’intéresse à différents types de symbolisations informelles (comme l’utilisation de matériel manipulable, des doigts ou de représentations dessinées) ou plus formelles (comme le diagramme de Venn, le graphe fléché ou les calculs). Les résultats de deux études empiriques menées en 1ère primaire en Communauté française de Belgique montrent que l’utilisation de matériel manipulable permet aux élèves de résoudre une variété de problèmes mais qu’ils éprouvent d’importantes difficultés à utiliser un symbolisme mathématique conventionnel et à produire un calcul en lien avec les démarches de résolution développées ; l’utilisation de ces symbolisations « mal comprises » pouvant conduire au développement de stratégies superficielles de résolution de problèmes. Par ailleurs, une étude exploratoire indique qu’il est possible de travailler au départ des symbolisations informelles produites par les élèves pour les aider à développer une meilleure compréhension des concepts impliqués et pour tendre progressivement vers des symbolisations mathématiques plus conventionnelles qu’ils devraient ainsi mieux intégrer. [less ▲]

Egg Production Performance of the Local Kabyle Hen and its Crossbreeds with ISA-Brown Strain in Semi-Intensive Conditions

in International Journal of Poultry Sciences (2013), 12(3), 148-152

A cross between the ISA-Brown industrial strain and an Algerian local (Kabyle) breed was compared with the Algerian local (Kabyle) hen. The comparison during the egg production period was done in ... [more ▼]

A cross between the ISA-Brown industrial strain and an Algerian local (Kabyle) breed was compared with the Algerian local (Kabyle) hen. The comparison during the egg production period was done in individual cages, in a ventilated henhouse without any particular isolation. The same commercial diet has been provided over three time periods (35 to 36 weeks, 50 to 51 weeks and 65 to 66 weeks of age). Egg number and body weight at first egg was significantly lower in the Kabyle local breed. Mortality was almost equal during the breeding period and the egg production periods for the two genotypes. The Kabyle hen eggs, in spite of a weight which was lower (43.70 to 53.37 g according to the age), gave yolk to albumen ratio similar to the ISAKAB cross (0.52 to 0.58 according to age). Finally, the ISAKAB cross was better in terms of egg production and egg quality than the local hen, in test conditions. [less ▲]

Diet composition of young and adult Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus and adult Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix in Burundi

in Malimbus (2013), 35(1), 1-10

We studied the diet composition of Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus and Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix in four localities of the Rusizi Plain, northwest Burundi. We analyzed crop contents ... [more ▼]

We studied the diet composition of Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus and Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix in four localities of the Rusizi Plain, northwest Burundi. We analyzed crop contents of 100 adults from each of the two species and the composition of food brought by parents to nestlings of the sparrow at ten nests. In all four sites, the sparrow’s diet consisted primarily of rice. The bishop also fed mostly on rice grains but also ate Lepidoptera caterpillars, some other insects and wild grass seeds such as Panicum sp. and Brachiaria sp. For adults of both bird species, there was no significant variation in diet throughout the year. However, the diet of young sparrows was much more diverse and changed from the day of hatching until fledging. On the day of hatching, chicks ate mainly caterpillars but by the tenth day, food items comprised one third caterpillars, one third Orthoptera and the rest of other insects including Odonata, Dictyoptera, Isoptera and adult Lepidoptera. After this and until fledging, the chicks were fed increasingly on rice seeds. Simultaneously, the proportion of caterpillars taken gradually decreased until none was fed to the nestlings at the end of the nestling period. The items brought by parents also varied with time of day, with caterpillars and grasshoppers in higher proportions in the morning, decreasing around mid-day and then increasing in the evening. [less ▲]

Fifty years of contrasted residue management of an agricultural crop: impacts on the soil carbon budget and on heterotrophic respiration.

in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment (2013), 167

Crop management exerts a strong influence on the soil carbon (C) balance. This study investigated a long-term experiment initiated in 1959 at a site in the Hesbaye region of Belgium and focused on three ... [more ▼]

Crop management exerts a strong influence on the soil carbon (C) balance. This study investigated a long-term experiment initiated in 1959 at a site in the Hesbaye region of Belgium and focused on three contrasted treatments: residue export (RE), farmyard manure (FYM) addition and residue restitution (RR) after harvest. The objectives were to quantify the components of the C budget of croplands from a 50-year perspective and to identify the impact of the treatments on this budget and soil C sequestration, given the relatively low levels of esidue application. The soil C budget was calculated for each treatment on the basis of total soil organic C (SOC) content measurements and C input data collected since the experiment had begun and drawn from the literature. To evaluate the robustness of this approach, the budget-based output estimates were compared with annual heterotrophic respiration (HR) averages extrapolated from seasonal field HR measurements carried out at the same experimental site in 2010. The soil C budgetbased output estimates accorded well with field-based HR measurements and with most HR estimates in the literature, suggesting that, despite the many uncertainties affecting the soil C budget, these results were robust. The three treatments investigated in this study had different impacts on SOC stocks, mainly during the first 20 years of the experiment. RE and FYM caused significant SOC decreases (on average, −7 ± 5 g C m−2 year−1 over the 50 years) and increases (10 ± 5 g C m−2 year−1), espectively, whereas RR had no significant impact on the SOC stocks. The study also showed (i) the very large part (about twothirds of the total input) that represented the below-ground input, weeds and other left-over residues in the C budget, (ii) the important role probably played by residue quality in C sequestration and (iii) the large proportion of C lost annually rom the soil (which represents 93–98, 100 and 102–107% of the amounts of fresh residue rought to the soil each year in the FYM, RR and RE treatments, respectively). [less ▲]

Role of KOPAKAMA in promoting socio-economic development of coffee farmers

in International NGO Journal (2013), 8(3), 61-67

Coffee is the main source of income for a large number of households and provides major foreign currencies for the national economy. Although it covers only 6.3% of cultivated areas, coffee is produced by ... [more ▼]

Coffee is the main source of income for a large number of households and provides major foreign currencies for the national economy. Although it covers only 6.3% of cultivated areas, coffee is produced by 500,000 households in Rwanda. Since its introduction in the country in 1904, coffee has always been operated by individual producers. However, after the liberalization of the coffee sector in 1998, the quantity and quality produced are steadily decreasing which affects the price and the income of coffee growers. To search for a solution, the Rwandan government has striven to consolidate coffee growing cooperatives in different parts of the country by building coffee washing stations (CWS). These stations were mainly meant to help coffee growing cooperatives produce high quality coffee which is competitive on the international markets. The goal is to produce a fully washed coffee, exportable and better valued on the international market, which can provide better income for peasant producers. Coffee washing stations are then seen as tools to produce quality coffee and are mainly run by cooperatives, which are structural elements in the rural world. Through these facilities and structures put in place, jobs are created for coffee producers, loans are granted, farmers are motivated due to the increase of income, the market is guaranteed and the prices become attractive for the members. Thus, the socio-economic welfare of coffee growers is improved, which reduces poverty among coffee growers’ households. This study focuses on the analysis of the role resulting from the structuring action of the peasants through CWS and coffee cooperative KOPAKAMA Rutsiro District, Western Province of Rwanda on the socio-economic development and technical assistance of members and the surrounding world. [less ▲]

Composition chimique et test d’efficacité in vitro des huiles essentielles extraites de feuilles fraîches du basilic commun (Ocimum basilicum) et du basilic tropical (Ocimum gratissimum) sur Salmonella enterica sérotype Oakland et Salmonella enterica sérotype Legon

in Journal de société Ouest-Africaine de Chimie (2013)

Présence des Congolais à Bruxelles et postcolonialismes

in Agir par la culture (2013), 33(printemps),

Evaluation de la diversité de l’entomofaune en cultures maraîchères dans l’est de la Chine

in Entomologie Faunistique = Faunistic Entomology (2013), 66

Within the framework of research aimed at developing biological control in vegetable crops in Shandong province in China, a pest and associated auxiliary entomophagous insects monitoring was conducted to ... [more ▼]

Within the framework of research aimed at developing biological control in vegetable crops in Shandong province in China, a pest and associated auxiliary entomophagous insects monitoring was conducted to determine entomological groups of agricultural interest and compare them to the situation in Belgium. The diversity and abundance of the entomofauna were assessed in potato and zucchini fields between May 9th and June 13th, 2011, using yellow traps and in situ observations on host plants. A total of 36 466 and 34 806 insects were trapped or observed on the plants in zucchini and potato fields, respectively. Ten orders and more than sixty families in each crop were identified. Aphids widely predominated in the traps and exerted a strong pressure on both crops early in the season. Other families of pests have been identified but no specific pest of these two crops and the investigated region is among the collections. [less ▲]

Exploring the origin of magnetic fields in massive stars: II. New magnetic field measurements in cluster and field stars

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2013), 551

Theories on the origin of magnetic fields in massive stars remain poorly developed, because the properties of their magnetic field as function of stellar parameters could not yet be investigated. To ... [more ▼]

Theories on the origin of magnetic fields in massive stars remain poorly developed, because the properties of their magnetic field as function of stellar parameters could not yet be investigated. To investigate whether magnetic fields in massive stars are ubiquitous or appear only in stars with a specific spectral classification, certain ages, or in a special environment, we acquired 67 new spectropolarimetric observations for 30 massive stars. Among the observed sample, roughly one third of the stars are probable members of clusters at different ages, whereas the remaining stars are field stars not known to belong to any cluster or association. Spectropolarimetric observations were obtained during four different nights using the low-resolution spectropolarimetric mode of FORS2 (FOcal Reducer low dispersion Spectrograph) mounted on the 8-m Antu telescope of the VLT. Furthermore, we present a number of follow-up observations carried out with the high-resolution spectropolarimeters SOFIN mounted at the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) and HARPS mounted at the ESO 3.6m between 2008 and 2011. To assess the membership in open clusters and associations, we used astrometric catalogues with the highest quality kinematic and photometric data currently available. The presence of a magnetic field is confirmed in nine stars previously observed with FORS1/2: HD36879, HD47839, CPD-282561, CPD-472963, HD93843, HD148937, HD149757, HD328856, and HD164794. New magnetic field detections at a significance level of at least 3sigma were achieved in five stars: HD92206c, HD93521, HD93632, CPD-468221, and HD157857. Among the stars with a detected magnetic field, five stars belong to open clusters with high membership probability. According to previous kinematic studies, five magnetic O-type stars in our sample are candidate runaway stars. [less ▲]

Evaluation of Heat Stress Effects on Production Traits and Somatic Cell Score of Holsteins in a Temperate Environment

in Journal of Dairy Science (2013), 96(3), 1844-1855

This study was aimed to evaluate the degree of thermal stress exhibited by Holsteins under a continental temperate climate. Milk, fat, protein, and somatic cell count test-day records collected between ... [more ▼]

This study was aimed to evaluate the degree of thermal stress exhibited by Holsteins under a continental temperate climate. Milk, fat, protein, and somatic cell count test-day records collected between 2000 and 2011 from 23,963 cows in 604 herds were combined with meteorological data from 14 public weather stations in Luxembourg. Daily values of six different thermal indices (TI) weighted in term of temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed were calculated by averaging hourly TI over 24 hours. Heat stress thresholds were firstly identified by a broken-line regression model. Regression models were thereafter applied to quantify milk production losses due to heat stress. The tipping points at which milk and protein yields declined were effectively identified. For fat yield, no valid threshold was identified for any of the studied TI. Daily fat yields tended to decrease steadily with increasing values of TI. Daily somatic cell scores (SCS) pattern was marked by increased values at both lowest and highest TI ranges with a more pronounced reaction to cold stress for apparent temperature indices. Thresholds differed between TI and traits. For production traits, they ranged from 62 (TI1) to 80 (TI3) for temperature-humidity indices (THI) and from 16 (TI5) to 20 (TI6) for apparent temperature indices. Corresponding SCS thresholds were higher and ranged from 66 (TI1) to 82 (TI3) and from 20 (TI5) to 23 (TI6), respectively. The largest milk decline per unit of mild, moderate, and extreme heat stress levels of 0.164, 0.356, and 0.955 kg, respectively, was observed when using the conventional THI (TI1). The highest yearly milk, fat, and protein losses of 54, 5.7, and 4.2 kg respectively were detected by TI2, the THI index that is adjusted for wind speed and solar radiation. The latter index could be considered as the best indicator of heat stress to be used for forecast and herd management in a first step in temperate regions under anticipated climate changes. [less ▲]

Leptospira spp. prevalence in small mammal populations in Cotonou, Benin

in ISRN Epidemiology (2013)

The aim of this study was to assess the Leptospira prevalence in small animals in Cotonou, the capital of Benin. Rodents and shrews were captured in urban and periurban settings and determined as species ... [more ▼]

The aim of this study was to assess the Leptospira prevalence in small animals in Cotonou, the capital of Benin. Rodents and shrews were captured in urban and periurban settings and determined as species of the genera Rattus, Mastomys, and Crocidura. Kidney specimens of 90 animals were examined using a real-time PCR assay specific for leptospires that belong to pathogenic species. Leptospiral DNA was amplified from kidney tissues ranging from 13.3% (8/60) in Rattus rattus to 100.0% (1/1) in Crocidura spp. with an average of 18.9% (17/90) of the animals caught at 15 locations. Clade-specific Taqman PCR on 10 samples placed six of these within clade 1 comprising the species L. kirschneri, L. interrogans, L. meyeri, and L. noguchii and four within clade 2 consisting of species L. weilii, L. alexanderi, L. borgpetersenii, and L. santarosai. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences of the amplicons of seven samples of these 10 samples revealed that four of the clade 1 samples could equally be assigned to L. interrogans and L. kirschneri and three samples fromclade 2 belonged to L. borgpetersenii. Results presented in the paper indicate that small mammals present a major public health risk for acquiring leptospirosis in Cotonou, Benin and will contribute to a raised awareness amongst health care workers and decision makers and hence promote appropriate clinical management of cases. [less ▲]

Lateral inhibition in visual cortex of migraine patients between attacks

in Journal of Headache & Pain (2013), 14

Enhanced ALE Data Transfer Strategy for Explicit and Implicit Thermomechanical Simulations of High-Speed Processes

in International Journal of Impact Engineering (2013), 53

The Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formalism, which allows the computational grid to move regardless of thematerial deformation, is a convenient way to avoid distortedmeshes in finite element ... [more ▼]

The Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formalism, which allows the computational grid to move regardless of thematerial deformation, is a convenient way to avoid distortedmeshes in finite element simulations. One crucial step of the ALE algorithm is the data transfer between the Lagrangian and the Eulerian meshes. In this paper, an enhanced transfer method is presented. It can handle complex finite elements which are integrated with more than one Gauss point. This method can thus be used either with an explicit or with an implicit time integration scheme. Choosing the adequate order of accuracy and the most appropriate number of physical fields to be transferred is always a compromise between the speed and the precision of the model. For example, some variables may be sometimes ignored during the transfer in order to decrease the CPU time. Therefore, the most effective way to use such an algorithm is demonstrated in this work by revisiting a classical ALE benchmark, the Taylor impact. An implicit thermomechanical ALE simulation of a high-speed tensile test is also presented and is compared to experimental results from the literature. [less ▲]

Influence of particle shape on size distribution measurements by 3D and 2D image analyses and laser diffraction

in Powder Technology (2013), 237

This paper highlights the fact that particle size distribution (PSD) is not unique for the same product, and is dependent on the chosen measurement technique, especially for asymmetric shapes. Laser ... [more ▼]

This paper highlights the fact that particle size distribution (PSD) is not unique for the same product, and is dependent on the chosen measurement technique, especially for asymmetric shapes. Laser diffraction and 2D image analysis are commonly used PSD measurement techniques. However, the resultsmay not be representative of the true physical dimensions of the particles. The influence of particle shape on PSD results obtained from 2D/3D image analysis and laser diffraction was investigated. Two metallic powders presenting extreme shape properties (round and elongated particles) were analyzed, as well as a blend of the two pure products. 2D image analysis and laser diffraction results were compared to 3D image analysis (measuring the true particle size). This paper compares the PSD results obtained from the three methods. Some commonly used size parameters in image analysis software did not give meaningful results in regard of the true physical dimensions of the particles. The existence of the two populations (products with extremely different shape and size characteristics) could not be identified with such size parameters, and laser diffraction also performed poorly. The PSD obtained from more precise size parameters (image analysis) better corresponded to the true dimensions of the particles. This study highlights the strengths and weaknesses of particle size analysis techniques when studying products presenting diverse particle shapes, and points out that caution is required in the choice of the size parameters, and in the interpretation of PSD results. [less ▲]

Schmallenberg virus circulation in Belgium in 2012

in Veterinary Record : Journal of the British Veterinary Association (2013), 172

Field and laboratory observations suggest that Schmallenberg virus was circulating in Belgium during the summer 2012 despite a very high herd immunity. Further studies will be conducted to determine ... [more ▼]

Field and laboratory observations suggest that Schmallenberg virus was circulating in Belgium during the summer 2012 despite a very high herd immunity. Further studies will be conducted to determine whether we are observing the last cases of this epizootic or if the above calves announce a transition to endemicity. [less ▲]

Neuartige Management Tools für Milchviehbetrieb mittels Spektralanalytik

in de lëtzebuerger ziichter (2013), 30

In den letzten Jahrzenten wurde die Milch- und Fleischproduktion mehr und mehr mit generellen Nachhaltigkeitsfragen in Verbindung gebracht. Sehr oft wird eine bessere Produktionsnachhaltigkeit auch mit ... [more ▼]

In den letzten Jahrzenten wurde die Milch- und Fleischproduktion mehr und mehr mit generellen Nachhaltigkeitsfragen in Verbindung gebracht. Sehr oft wird eine bessere Produktionsnachhaltigkeit auch mit ökonomischen Aspekten verbunden. In der Tat liegt die Kunst der modernen Milchproduktion scheinbar vor allem darin, die Produktion (egal ob tier- oder betriebsindividuell) stetig bei möglichst gleichbleibenden oder gar noch geringeren Kosten zu erhöhen. Daneben ist zu bedenken, dass Konsumenten heutzutage neben preislichen Aspekten sehr oft zusätzlich Gesundheitsaspekte ins Spiel bringen, so dass es für Milchbetriebe nicht unwesentlich ist, die Produktion in gewisser Weise diesen Ansprüchen nach zu gestalten. Glücklicherweise können entscheidende Inhaltsstoffe wie der Milchfettgehalt oder das Fettsäuremuster der Milch durch Managementfaktoren wie Zucht, Selektion, Fütterung und Haltungsbedingungen zum Positiven beeinflusst werden und den Anforderungen der Nachfrageseite besser angepasst werden. Genau bei dieser Problematik liegen die Ansatzpunkte der verschiedenen CONVIS Projekte (QuaM, ManageMILK und OptiMIR) im Bereich Spektralanalysen der Milch. [less ▲]

A dual strategy to cope with high light in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

in Plant Cell (2013), 25(2), 545-557

Absorption of light in excess of the capacity for photosynthetic electron transport is damaging to photosynthetic organisms. Several mechanisms exist to avoid photodamage, which are collectively referred ... [more ▼]

Absorption of light in excess of the capacity for photosynthetic electron transport is damaging to photosynthetic organisms. Several mechanisms exist to avoid photodamage, which are collectively referred to as nonphotochemical quenching. This term comprises at least two major processes. State transitions (qT) represent changes in the relative antenna sizes of photosystems II and I. High energy quenching (qE) is the increased thermal dissipation of light energy triggered by lumen acidification. To investigate the respective roles of qE and qT in photoprotection, a mutant (npq4 stt7-9) was generated in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by crossing the state transition–deficient mutant (stt7-9) with a strain having a largely reduced qE capacity (npq4). The comparative phenotypic analysis of the wild type, single mutants, and double mutants reveals that both state transitions and qE are induced by high light. Moreover, the double mutant exhibits an increased photosensitivity with respect to the single mutants and the wild type. Therefore, we suggest that besides qE, state transitions also play a photoprotective role during high light acclimation of the cells, most likely by decreasing hydrogen peroxide production. These results are discussed in terms of the relative photoprotective benefit related to thermal dissipation of excess light and/or to the physical displacement of antennas from photosystem II. [less ▲]

Impact of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells on experimental xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease

in Cytotherapy (2013), 15(3), 267-279

Background aims. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation caused by donor T cells reacting against host tissues. Previous ... [more ▼]

Background aims. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation caused by donor T cells reacting against host tissues. Previous studies have suggested that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) could exert potent immunosuppressive effects. Methods. The ability of human bone marrow derived MSCs to prevent xenogeneic GVHD in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice and in NOD/SCID/interleukin-2Rg(null) (NSG) mice transplanted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was assessed. Results. Injection of 200 106 human PBMCs intraperitoneally (IP) into sub-lethally (3.0 Gy) irradiated NOD/SCID mice also given anti-asialo GM1 antibodies IP 1 day prior and 8 days after transplantation induced lethal xenogeneic GVHD in all tested mice. Co-injection of 2 106 MSCs IP on day 0 did not prevent lethal xenogeneic GVHD induced by injection of human PBMCs. Similarly, injection of 30 106 human PBMCs IP into sub-lethally (2.5 Gy) irradiated NSG mice induced a lethal xenogeneic GVHD in all tested mice. Injection of 3 106 MSCs IP on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 did not prevent lethal xenogeneic GVHD induced by injection of human PBMCs. Conclusions. Injection of MSCs did not prevent xenogeneic GVHD in these two humanized mice models. [less ▲]

High-precision CoRoT space photometry and fundamental parameter determination of the B2.5V star HD 48977

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2013), 551

We present the CoRoT light curve of the bright B2.5V star HD 48977 observed during a short run of the mission in 2008, as well as a high-resolution spectrum gathered with the HERMES spectrograph at the ... [more ▼]

We present the CoRoT light curve of the bright B2.5V star HD 48977 observed during a short run of the mission in 2008, as well as a high-resolution spectrum gathered with the HERMES spectrograph at the Mercator telescope. We use several time series analysis tools to explore the nature of the variations present in the light curve. We perform a detailed analysis of the spectrum of the star to determine its fundamental parameters and its element abundances. We find a large number of high-order g-modes, and one rotationally induced frequency. We find stable low-amplitude frequencies in the p-mode regime as well. We conclude that HD 48977 is a new Slowly Pulsating B star with fundamental parameters found to be Teff = 20000 $\pm$ 1000 K and log(g)=4.2 $/pm$ 0.1. The element abundances are similar to those found for other B stars in the solar neighbourhood. HD 48977 was observed during a short run of the CoRoT satellite implying that the frequency precision is insufficient to perform asteroseismic modelling of the star. Nevertheless, we show that a longer time series of this star would be promising for such modelling. Our present study contributes to a detailed mapping of the instability strips of B stars in view of the dominance of g-mode pulsations in the star, several of which occur in the gravito-inertial regime. [less ▲]

New Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Platforms: Composite Calcium Carbonate Microspheres Coated with Astralen and Silver Nanoparticles

in Langmuir (2013)

Effect of uncertainty in surface mass balance–elevation feedback on projections of the future sea level contribution of the Greenland ice sheet – Part 1: Parameterisation

in Cryosphere Discussions (The) (2013), 7

We present a new parameterisation that relates surface mass balance (SMB: the sum of surface accumulation and surface ablation) to changes in surface elevation of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) for the ... [more ▼]

We present a new parameterisation that relates surface mass balance (SMB: the sum of surface accumulation and surface ablation) to changes in surface elevation of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) for the MAR regional climate model. The motivation is to dynamically adjust SMB as the GrIS evolves, allowing us to force ice sheet models with SMB simulated by MAR while incorporating the SMB–elevation feedback, without the substantial technical challenges of coupling the two models. This also allows us to assess the effect of elevation feedback uncertainty on the GrIS contribution to sea level, using multiple global climate and ice sheet models, without the need for additional, expensive MAR simulations. We estimate this relationship separately below and above the equilibrium line altitude (ELA, separating negative and positive SMB) and for regions north and south of 77° N, from a set of MAR simulations in which we alter the ice sheet surface elevation. These give four "SMB lapse rates", gradients that relate SMB changes to elevation changes. We assess uncertainties within a Bayesian framework, estimating probability distributions for each gradient from which we present best estimates and credibility intervals (CIs) that bound 95% of the probability. Below the ELA our gradient estimates are mostly positive, because SMB usually increases with elevation: 0.54 (95% CI: −0.22 to 1.34) kg m−3 a−1 for the north, and 1.89 (1.03 to 2.61) kg m−3 a−1 for the south. Above the ELA the gradients are much smaller: 0.09 (−0.03 to 0.22) kg m−3 a−1 in the north, and 0.06 (−0.07 to 0.56) kg m−3 a−1 in the south, because SMB can either increase or decrease in response to increased elevation. Our statistically based approach allows us to make probabilistic assessments for the effect of elevation feedback uncertainty on sea level projections. In a companion paper we use the best estimates and upper and lower CI bounds in five ice sheet models, and the full probability distributions in another, to adjust simulated SMB from MAR forced by two global climate models for the SRES A1B scenario (Edwards et al., 2013). [less ▲]

Collisions entre véhicules et animaux en liberté : état des lieux à partir d'une enquête au sein de la police

in Forêt Wallonne (2013), 122

Les accidents de la route impliquant des animaux sauvages sont de plus en plus nombreux. En se basant sur les données recueillies par les zones de police en Wallonie, il est possible d’avoir une vision ... [more ▼]

Les accidents de la route impliquant des animaux sauvages sont de plus en plus nombreux. En se basant sur les données recueillies par les zones de police en Wallonie, il est possible d’avoir une vision plus claire de la problématique. Dans le cas du cerf et du sanglier, il apparaît clairement que la hausse des accidents est liée à l’augmentation de leurs populations. [less ▲]

Le droit à l'assistance d'un avocat est-il un principe général énoncé par la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme ?

in Revue de Jurisprudence de Liège, Mons et Bruxelles (2013), (2013/7), 465-471

L'article envisage, sous l'angle de l'article 5 de la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme, si l'équité de la procédure pénale est affectée par l'impossibilité légale, pour une personne privée de ... [more ▼]

L'article envisage, sous l'angle de l'article 5 de la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme, si l'équité de la procédure pénale est affectée par l'impossibilité légale, pour une personne privée de liberté, d'être assisté d'un avocat. [less ▲]

A cross-sectional study to assess knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention measures in company workers in Ecuador

in BMC Public Health (2013), 13

Background: HIV/AIDS was first reported in Ecuador in 1984 and its prevalence has been increasing ever since. In 2009, the National AIDS Program reported 21,810 HIV/AIDS cases and confirmed that the ... [more ▼]

Background: HIV/AIDS was first reported in Ecuador in 1984 and its prevalence has been increasing ever since. In 2009, the National AIDS Program reported 21,810 HIV/AIDS cases and confirmed that the worker population was amongst the most affected groups. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention measures in company workers in Ecuador. Methods: A cross-sectional survey based on a random sample of 115 companies (1,732 workers), stratified by three large provinces and working sectors (commerce, manufacturing and real estate) was conducted. A validated instrument developed by Family Health International was used to evaluate HIV prevention knowledge and common local misconceptions about HIV transmission. Descriptive statistics, chi square test and logistic regression analysis were performed using SAS. Results: Incorrect knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission were found in 49.1% (95% CI: 46.6-51.6) of subjects. Incorrect knowledge was higher among males (OR=1.73 [1.39 –2.15]), older subjects (OR=1.35 [1.02 – 1.77]), subjects with lower education (OR=3.72 [2.44 – 5.65]), manual labor workers (OR=2.93 [1.82 – 4.73]) and subjects without previous exposure to HIV intervention programs (OR=2.26 [1.79 – 2.86]). Incorrect knowledge about preventive measures was found among 32.9% (95%CI: 30.6-35.2) of respondents. This proportion was higher among subjects with lower education (OR=2.28 [1.52 – 3.43]), married subjects (OR=1.34 [1.07 – 1.68]), manual labor workers (OR=1.80 [1.34 – 2.42]), and subjects not previously exposed to HIV intervention programs (OR=1.44 [1.14 – 1.83]). Conclusions: HIV intervention programs targeting company workers are urgently needed to improve knowledge and reduce HIV transmission in Ecuador. [less ▲]

Development of an analytical method to detect metabolites of nitrofurans. Application to the study of furazolidone elimination in Vietnamese black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

in Aquaculture (2013), 376-379

Nitrofurans, banned antibiotics in European Union (EU), have often been found in imported aquaculture products in the past and are still found nowadays according to the Rapid Alert System for Feed and ... [more ▼]

Nitrofurans, banned antibiotics in European Union (EU), have often been found in imported aquaculture products in the past and are still found nowadays according to the Rapid Alert System for Feed and Food (RASFF) of the European Commission. A quantitative method based on liquid chromatography coupled to isotopic dilution tandem mass spectrometry (LC–IDMS/MS) was developed for the determination of the residues of four nitrofuran antibiotic residues in shrimps. The experimental protocol consisted of an acid-catalysed release of protein-bound metabolites, followed by derivatisation with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (NBA). Then, a double liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate was performed before LC–IDMS/MS analysis by positive electrospray ionisation (ES+) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of two transitions per compound. An “in-house” validation of the method for shrimp analysis was conducted according to the EU criteria for the analysis of veterinary drug residues in foods. The decision limits (CCalpha) were 0.08–0.36 µg kg -1 and the detection capabilities (CCbeta) were 0.12–0.61 µg kg-1, which are both below the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) set at 1 µg kg -1 by the EU. The developed method was applied to evaluate the elimination of furazolidone residues in shrimp muscles after a contamination experiment. After 28 days of decontamination, a concentration of 115 µg kg-1 of furazolidone metabolite 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) was still measured in shrimp muscle. [less ▲]

Light absorption in conical silicon particles

in Optics Express (2013), 21(3), 3891

The problem of the absorption of light by a nanoscale dielectric cone is discussed. A simplified solution based on the analytical Mie theory of scattering and absorption by cylindrical objects is proposed ... [more ▼]

The problem of the absorption of light by a nanoscale dielectric cone is discussed. A simplified solution based on the analytical Mie theory of scattering and absorption by cylindrical objects is proposed and supported by the experimental observation of sharply localized holes in conical silicon tips after high-fluence irradiation. This study reveals that light couples with tapered objects dominantly at specific locations, where the local radius corresponds to one of the resonant radii of a cylindrical object, as predicted by Mie theory. [less ▲]

Important role of the mid-tropospheric atmospheric circulation in the recent surface melt increase over the Greenland ice sheet

in Cryosphere (The) (2013), 7

Since 2007, there has been a series of surface melt records over the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS), continuing the trend towards increased melt observed since the end of the 1990's. The last two decades are ... [more ▼]

Since 2007, there has been a series of surface melt records over the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS), continuing the trend towards increased melt observed since the end of the 1990's. The last two decades are characterized by an increase of negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) favouring warmer and drier summers than normal over GrIS. In this context, we use a circulation type classification based on daily 500 hPa geopotential height to evaluate the role of atmospheric dynamics in this surface melt acceleration for the last two decades. Due to the lack of direct observations, the interannual melt variability is gauged here by the summer (June–July–August) mean temperature from reanalyses at 700 hPa over Greenland; analogous atmospheric circulations in the past show that ~70% of the 1993–2012 warming at 700 hPa over Greenland has been driven by changes in the atmospheric flow frequencies. Indeed, the occurrence of anticyclones centred over the GrIS at the surface and at 500 hPa has doubled since the end of 1990's, which induces more frequent southerly warm air advection along the western Greenland coast and over the neighbouring Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA). These changes in the NAO modes explain also why no significant warming has been observed these last summers over Svalbard, where northerly atmospheric flows are twice as frequent as before. Therefore, the recent warmer summers over GrIS and CAA cannot be considered as a long-term climate warming but are more a consequence of NAO variability affecting atmospheric heat transport. Although no global model from the CMIP5 database projects subsequent significant changes in NAO through this century, we cannot exclude the possibility that the observed NAO changes are due to global warming. [less ▲]

Current crowding effects in superconducting corner-shaped Al microstrips

in Applied Physics Letters (2013)

The superconducting critical current of corner-shaped Al superconducting microstrips has been investigated. We demonstrate that the sharp turns lead to asymmetric vortex dynamics, allowing for easier ... [more ▼]

The superconducting critical current of corner-shaped Al superconducting microstrips has been investigated. We demonstrate that the sharp turns lead to asymmetric vortex dynamics, allowing for easier penetration from the inner concave angle than from the outer convex angle. This effect is evidenced by a rectification of the voltage signal otherwise absent in straight superconducting strips. At low magnetic fields, an enhancement of the critical current with increasing magnetic field is observed for a particular combination of field and current polarity, confirming a theoretically predicted competing interplay of superconducting screening currents and applied currents at the inner side of the turn. [less ▲]

TIC et innovation dans les pratiques enseignantes au Cameroun

in Frantice.net (2013), (6), 5-21

Cet article étudie l’innovation technologique dans les pratiques enseignantes au Cameroun. Il rend ainsi compte des pratiques techno-pédagogiques, à partir de l’examen d’une série de 84 entrevues menées ... [more ▼]

Cet article étudie l’innovation technologique dans les pratiques enseignantes au Cameroun. Il rend ainsi compte des pratiques techno-pédagogiques, à partir de l’examen d’une série de 84 entrevues menées avec des enseignants issus de sept établissements pilotes d’intégration pédagogique des TIC. Dans ce contexte, l’innovation s’intègre davantage dans la recherche documentaire et la préparation des cours. Les autres tâches techno-pédagogiques apparaissent alors minoritaires. De façon générale, considérées comme outils pédagogiques, les TIC n’occupent pas encore une place centrale en enseignement-apprentissage dans ce contexte. Cela pose alors la question de l’équipement technologique des écoles et de la formation techno-pédagogique des enseignants dans une perspective qui allie à la fois diffusion, adoption et appropriation des technologies. [less ▲]

Cost-effectiveness of strontium ranelate in the treatment of male osteoporosis.

in Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA (2013)

The results of this study suggest that, under the assumption of same relative risk reduction of fractures in men as for women, strontium ranelate could be considered a cost-effective strategy compared ... [more ▼]

The results of this study suggest that, under the assumption of same relative risk reduction of fractures in men as for women, strontium ranelate could be considered a cost-effective strategy compared with no treatment for the treatment of osteoporotic men from a Belgian healthcare payer perspective. INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to estimate the cost-effectiveness of strontium ranelate in the treatment of osteoporotic men. METHODS: A previously validated Markov microsimulation model was adapted to estimate the cost (<euro>2,010) per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained of strontium ranelate compared with no treatment. Similar efficacy data on lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) between men with osteoporosis at high risk of fracture (MALEO Trial) and postmenopausal osteoporotic women (pivotal SOTI, TROPOS trials) supports the assumption, in the base-case analysis, of the same relative risk reduction of fractures in men as for women. Analyses were conducted, from a Belgian healthcare payer perspective, in the population from the MALEO Trial who is a men population with a mean age of 73 years, and BMD T-score </=-2.5 or prevalent vertebral fracture (PVF). RESULTS: In the MALEO population, strontium ranelate compared with no treatment was estimated at <euro>49,798 and <euro>25,584 per QALY gained using efficacy data from the intent-to-treat analysis and the per-protocol analysis including only adherent patients, respectively. In men with a BMD T-score </=-2.5 or with PVF, the cost per QALY gained of strontium ranelate fall below thresholds of <euro>45,000 and <euro>25,000 per QALY gained based on efficacy data from the entire population of the clinical trial and from the per-protocol analyses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that, under the assumption of same relative risk reduction of fractures in men as for women, strontium ranelate could be considered cost-effective compared with no treatment for male osteoporosis. [less ▲]

MOA-2010-BLG-523: "Failed Planet" = RS CVn Star

in Astrophysical Journal (2013), 763

The Galactic bulge source MOA-2010-BLG-523S exhibited short-term deviations from a standard microlensing light curve near the peak of an A [SUB]max[/SUB] ~ 265 high-magnification microlensing event. The ... [more ▼]

The Galactic bulge source MOA-2010-BLG-523S exhibited short-term deviations from a standard microlensing light curve near the peak of an A [SUB]max[/SUB] ~ 265 high-magnification microlensing event. The deviations originally seemed consistent with expectations for a planetary companion to the principal lens. We combine long-term photometric monitoring with a previously published high-resolution spectrum taken near peak to demonstrate that this is an RS CVn variable, so that planetary microlensing is not required to explain the light-curve deviations. This is the first spectroscopically confirmed RS CVn star discovered in the Galactic bulge. Based on observations made with the European Southern Observatory telescopes, Program ID 85.B-0399(I). [less ▲]

A Detailed X-Ray Investigation of ζ Puppis. II. The Variability on Short and Long Timescales

in The Astrophysical Journal (2013), 763

Stellar winds are a crucial component of massive stars, but their exact properties still remain uncertain. To shed some light on this subject, we have analyzed an exceptional set of X-ray observations of ... [more ▼]

Stellar winds are a crucial component of massive stars, but their exact properties still remain uncertain. To shed some light on this subject, we have analyzed an exceptional set of X-ray observations of ζ Puppis, one of the closest and brightest massive stars. The sensitive light curves that were derived reveal two major results. On the one hand, a slow modulation of the X-ray flux (with a relative amplitude of up to 15% over 16 hr in the 0.3-4.0 keV band) is detected. Its characteristic timescale cannot be determined with precision, but amounts from one to several days. It could be related to corotating interaction regions, known to exist in ζ Puppis from UV observations. Hour-long changes, linked to flares or to the pulsation activity, are not observed in the last decade covered by the XMM observations; the 17 hr tentative period, previously reported in a ROSAT analysis, is not confirmed either and is thus transient, at best. On the other hand, short-term changes are surprisingly small (<1% relative amplitude for the total energy band). In fact, they are compatible solely with the presence of Poisson noise in the data. This surprisingly low level of short-term variability, in view of the embedded wind-shock origin, requires a very high fragmentation of the stellar wind, for both absorbing and emitting features (>10[SUP]5[/SUP] parcels, comparing with a two-dimensional wind model). This is the first time that constraints have been placed on the number of clumps in an O-type star wind and from X-ray observations. Based on observations collected with XMM-Newton, an ESA Science Mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and the USA (NASA). [less ▲]

Accurate spectroscopic parameters of WASP planet host stars

in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2013), 428(4), 3164-3172

We have made a detailed spectral analysis of eleven Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) planet host stars using high signal-to-noise (S/N) HARPS spectra. Our line list was carefully selected from the ... [more ▼]

We have made a detailed spectral analysis of eleven Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) planet host stars using high signal-to-noise (S/N) HARPS spectra. Our line list was carefully selected from the spectra of the Sun and Procyon, and we made a critical evaluation of the atomic data. The spectral lines were measured using equivalent widths. The procedures were tested on the Sun and Procyon prior to be being used on the WASP stars. The effective temperature, surface gravity, microturbulent velocity and metallicity were determined for all the stars. We show that abundances derived from high S/N spectra are likely to be higher than those obtained from low S/N spectra, as noise can cause the equivalent width to be underestimated. We also show that there is a limit to the accuracy of stellar parameters that can be achieved, despite using high S/N spectra, and the average uncertainty in effective temperature, surface gravity, microturbulent velocity and metallicity is 83 K, 0.11 dex, 0.11 km/s and 0.10 dex respectively. [less ▲]

Naar een ethisch verantwoorde nanotechnologie? Over de plaats van ethiek in het huidige wetenschapsbeleid

in Ethiek & Maatschappij (2013), 14(4),

In this article, the authors describe how transhumanist ideas influence science nanotechnology policy in the United States. Subsequently, they distinguish different ways in which policymakers and ... [more ▼]

In this article, the authors describe how transhumanist ideas influence science nanotechnology policy in the United States. Subsequently, they distinguish different ways in which policymakers and scientists, both in the US and in Europe, address social and ethical implications of nanotechnology research and development. They discern two dominant approaches to responsible technology development: a rationalist approach, which separates scientific issues from ethical questions, and a procedural approach, which adheres to guiding moral principles for responsible technology development. They add to this classification an experimental approach, which directly intervenes in scientific practice. By indicating how concerned actors ethicize nanotechnology in different ways, the authors seek to clarify what is meant by ethics in nanotechnology development and incite reflection on the interconnectedness of ethics and new technologies. [less ▲]

Adolescents' self-control. Which impact os Societal Vulnerability and Violent Values ? A gender comparison.

in Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice (2013), 29(1), 13-31

The present study contributes to the study of self-control among adolescents by testing how self-control is affected by societal vulnerability and violent values and by investigating how (in)variant this ... [more ▼]

The present study contributes to the study of self-control among adolescents by testing how self-control is affected by societal vulnerability and violent values and by investigating how (in)variant this relationship is for boys and girls. The Belgian International Self-Report Delinquency Study (ISRD-2) data were used to assess to what extent positive attitudes toward violence can be seen as mediators in the relationship between societal vulnerability and self-control. The findings suggest that violent values mediate the relationship between societal vulnerability and self-control. Despite results indicating higher self-control among females, when conducting the analyses separately by gender, we found that the relationship between societal vulnerability and self-control was very similar for boys and girls. It is concluded that societally vulnerable boys and girls are equally affected by the intermediate mechanism of violent values. [less ▲]

Observations

in Journal des Juges de Paix = Tijdschrift van de Vrederecters (2013)

PRoNTo: Pattern Recognition for Neuroimaging Toolbox

in Neuroinformatics (2013)

In the past years, mass univariate statistical analyses of neuroimaging data have been complemented by the use of multivariate pattern analyses, especially based on machine learning models. While these ... [more ▼]

In the past years, mass univariate statistical analyses of neuroimaging data have been complemented by the use of multivariate pattern analyses, especially based on machine learning models. While these allow an increased sensitivity for the detection of spatially distributed effects compared to univariate techniques, they lack an established and accessible software framework. The goal of this work was to build a toolbox comprising all the necessary functionalities formultivariate analyses of neuroimaging data, based on machine learning models. The “Pattern Recognition for Neuroimaging Toolbox” (PRoNTo) is open-source, cross-platform, MATLAB-based and SPM compatible, therefore being suitable for both cognitive and clinical neuroscience research. In addition, it is designed to facilitate novel contributions from developers, aiming to improve the interaction between the neuroimaging and machine learning communities. Here, we introduce PRoNTo by presenting examples of possible research questions that can be addressed with the machine learning framework implemented in PRoNTo, and cannot be easily investigated with mass univariate statistical analysis. [less ▲]

Validation methodologies of near infrared spectroscopy methods in pharmaceutical applications

in European Pharmaceutical Review (2013), 18(1), 3-6

As any analytical methods, a mandatory step at the end of the development of a near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method is the validation. This step enables to give enough guarantees that each future ... [more ▼]

As any analytical methods, a mandatory step at the end of the development of a near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method is the validation. This step enables to give enough guarantees that each future results coming from the application of the method in routine will be closed enough to the true value. However, from the literature, a minority of NIRS methods are thoroughly validated despite of the guidelines published by different group and regulatory authorities to help analyst to adequately decide if his method can be considered as valid. In this context, the aim of this review is to offer a critical overview of the different validation methodologies applied to assess the validity of quantitative methods using near infrared spectroscopy used in the field of pharmacy. [less ▲]

Characterization of three new carboxylic ester hydrolases isolated by functional screening of a forest-soil metagenomic library

in Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2013), 40(2), 191-200

Classification performance resulting from of 2-means

in Journal of Statistical Planning & Inference (2013), 143(2), 408-418

The k-means procedure is probably one of the most common nonhierachical clustering techniques. From a theoretical point of view, it is related to the search for the k principal points of the underlying ... [more ▼]

The k-means procedure is probably one of the most common nonhierachical clustering techniques. From a theoretical point of view, it is related to the search for the k principal points of the underlying distribution. In this paper, the classification resulting from that procedure for k=2 is shown to be optimal under a balanced mixture of two spherically symmetric and homoscedastic distributions. Then, the classification efficiency of the 2-means rule is assessed using the second order influence function and compared to the classification efficiencies of the Fisher and logistic discriminations. Influence functions are also considered here to compare the robustness to infinitesimal contamination of the 2-means method w.r.t. the generalized 2-means technique. [less ▲]

Geometric minimization of highly symmetric potentials

in Journal of High Energy Physics [=JHEP] (2013), 2013

In non-minimal Higgs mechanisms, one often needs to minimize highly symmetric Higgs potentials. Here we propose a geometric way of doing it, which, surprisingly, is often much more efficient than the ... [more ▼]

In non-minimal Higgs mechanisms, one often needs to minimize highly symmetric Higgs potentials. Here we propose a geometric way of doing it, which, surprisingly, is often much more efficient than the usual method. By construction, it gives the global minimum for any set of free parameters of the potential, thus offering an intuitive understanding of how they affect the vacuum expectation values. For illustration, we apply this method to the S_4 and A_4-symmetric three-Higgs-doublet models. We find that at least three recent phenomenological analyses of the A_4-symmetric model used a local, not the global minimum. We discuss coexistence of minima of different types, and comment on the mathematical origin of geometrical CP-violation and on a new symmetry linking different minima. [less ▲]