Phonological processing of consonants and vowels in children with specific language impairment

Poster (2012, June)

Mid and late Holocene dust deposition in Western Europe: The Misten peat bog (Hautes Fagnes - Belgium)

Poster (2012, June)

Multi-proxy climate recorded from peatlands have been used to tracer the climate change during the Holocene. The initiation of peatland may be related to a change to colder and or wetter climate, and the ... [more ▼]

Multi-proxy climate recorded from peatlands have been used to tracer the climate change during the Holocene. The initiation of peatland may be related to a change to colder and or wetter climate, and the variations in peat composition reflect changes in precipitation and temperature. Peat has been used as an archive to reconstruct climate change over the Holocene (e.g., Shotyk et al., 1998; Sapkota et al., 2006). To characterize the climate in Belgium, a 570 cm-long core from Misten peat bog was studied. Several radiocarbon ages allow to define an accurate age model, the peat core represents 5500 years of record. The analyses of REE and lithogenic element contents, as well as the Nd isotopes, were performed by HR-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS. Peat humification, C/N ratio, ash content and bulk density were used to evaluate local hydroclimatic conditions. The dust deposition ranges from 0.03 to 4 g m -2 yr -1. As a first observation the highest rates of atmospheric dust deposition correspond to cold periods. The Nd values show large variability, between +1 to –22, identifying three major sources of dusts falling into the peat: local soils, distal volcanic and desert particles. Further studies are in progress to better identify the main forcing factor on the evolution of the atmospheric dust deposition over the Holocene. [less ▲]

Impact of performance anxiety on the accuracy of the singing voice among music students

Poster (2012, May 31)

Performance anxiety causes physical and cognitive symptoms. This emotional state can affect the vocal features thus the fundamental frequency which is the main parameter to evaluate the singing voice ... [more ▼]

Performance anxiety causes physical and cognitive symptoms. This emotional state can affect the vocal features thus the fundamental frequency which is the main parameter to evaluate the singing voice accuracy. The aim of this study is to observe the impact of performance anxiety on the singing voice accuracy. 31 music students from the Royal Conservatories of Belgium sang a melody three times. Twice in quiet situations and one time in a stress situation (the day of the examination). This performance was rated by a panel of teachers. The anxiety level was controlled by measuring the heart frequency. We analyzed errors concerning the interval accuracy and the respect of the tonal center. We observe that the heart frequency is significantly higher in the stress situation (F(2,28)=15,18 ; p<.001), especially for advanced students. The students have difficulty to maintain the tonal center (F(2,12)=7,17 ; p=.03), whereas the accuracy of the intervals is not altered (F(2,12)=1,1 ; p=.56). The rating of the jury correlates with interval accuracy (r=-.411; p=.03) and respect of the tonal center (r=-.452; p=.016), particularly at the beginning of the melody (r=-.516; p=.005). To conclude, performance anxiety leads to an increase of the heart frequency and alters the respect of the tonal center. This is particularly the case for advanced students for whom this situation is a real challenge. [less ▲]

Environmental product declarations of mineral paving, a tool for sustainable product choices

Poster (2012, May 30)

This study performs the environmental product declarations for three Belgian mineral products, two granite and one sandstone paving. Both main goals of this work were to obtain Belgian environmental ... [more ▼]

This study performs the environmental product declarations for three Belgian mineral products, two granite and one sandstone paving. Both main goals of this work were to obtain Belgian environmental product declarations to strengthen existing databases and to get similar information for their Asian counterparts. Indeed, competition with China for bluestone products and with India for sandstone pavement is very important due to very competitive prices despite their foreign origin and possibly higher induced environmental impacts. Environmental product declarations of Belgian bluestone and sandstone products were conducted in accordance with the ISO standards and following the stand-ard NF P 01-010. CML 2001 method was used to obtain environmental impacts for ten categories as climate change, acidification, abiotic resources depletion, etc. Boundaries of the Belgian systems are the same and the life cycle assessment comprises all steps from the extraction of minerals to the implementation on site. Use and end of life steps were neglected due to the low required maintenance and the inert nature of the paving. For Asian products, the analysis is reduced to the transportation of the functional unit, mainly due to the lack of reliable data. This work highlights the negative effect of long distance transportation of heavy and non-energetic products. Indeed, the environmental impacts of the sole transport of Asian products are at least as important as those obtained for the whole life cycle of Belgian products, whatever the category taken into account (climate change, acidification, air pollution, etc.). CML 2001 methodology was successfully applied to these five studies about three Belgian products and two abroad transportation steps. Comparison of the 5 corresponding environmental product declarations permits to highlight the importance of the transport on environment and to promote, supposing equal performance, local prod-ucts in a more environmental-friendly point of view. [less ▲]

Comparaison de la qualité des œufs de deux races de poules Vietnamiennes (Ri et Mia)

Poster (2012, May 27)

Dans le contexte de valorisation de la biodiversité avicole, ce travail se propose de poser les bases d’une réhabilitation des poules locales Vietnamiennes, particulièrement adaptées aux conditions ... [more ▼]

Dans le contexte de valorisation de la biodiversité avicole, ce travail se propose de poser les bases d’une réhabilitation des poules locales Vietnamiennes, particulièrement adaptées aux conditions d’élevage peu intensives de ce pays. La grande importance socioéconomique et culturelle de ces races pourrait être renforcée et exploitée à des fins de développement rural par la promotion de filières de qualités différenciées. De telles évolutions nécessitent de caractériser le potentiel de production de ces races sur le plan qualitatif. Cette étude a pour objectif l’étude de la qualité des œufs des races de poules vietnamiennes Ri et Mia. La première est la poule la plus répandue au Vietnam et la deuxième est une race menacée d’extinction. Dix neuf caractères de qualité externe et interne de 90 œufs de la poule Ri et 60 œufs de la poule Mia ont été mesurés à 40 et à 60 semaines. Le poids entier moyen des œufs de la Mia (44,70g) était significativement (p<0,001) supérieur à celui de la poule Ri (41,68g). Le rapport jaune/blanc n’était pas significativement (p>0,05) différent à l’âge de 40 semaines (Ri : 0,55 ; Mia : 0,58). À l’âge de 60 semaines, ce rapport devient significativement supérieur pour les œufs Mia alors que celui des œufs Ri (0,64 vs. 0,57 ; p<0,05). Aucune différence significative (p>0,05) n’a été enregistrée entre les deux races pour les paramètres de fraîcheur des œufs (unités d’Haugh et pH des blancs et des jaunes) et de résistance des coquilles (force maximale de rupture). Malgré le faible effectif de cette étude, des différences significatives entre les performances de production ont été observées entre ces deux races phénotypiquement et génotypiquement proches. [less ▲]

Comparaison de la qualité des œufs de la race de poule locale Kabyle et de son croisement avec la souche industrielle Isa-Brown

Poster (2012, May 27)

La qualité de l’œuf de poule et les performances de ponte peuvent varier en fonction de la race. Dans les systèmes d’élevage extensifs à semi-intensifs des pays en développement, le croisement entre une ... [more ▼]

La qualité de l’œuf de poule et les performances de ponte peuvent varier en fonction de la race. Dans les systèmes d’élevage extensifs à semi-intensifs des pays en développement, le croisement entre une race de poule locale et une souche industrielle pourrait constituer une opportunité, délivrant un produit commercial alliant rusticité et performances zootechniques. Dans un contexte mondial d’érosion de la biodiversité avicole, ce type de croisement apporte une motivation économique à la conservation de la lignée parentale locale. Le but de cette étude est de comparer le taux de ponte et la qualité des œufs, en termes de composition, de la race de poule locale Kabyle (KAB) et de son croisement (ISAKAB) avec la souche industrielle Isa-Brown (ISA). Les analyses sur la qualité des œufs ont été réalisées durant trois périodes (semaines 35 à 36, 50 à 51 et 65 à 66). L’âge d’entrée en ponte était significativement supérieur pour la poule Kabyle par rapport au croisement ISAKAB (165,96 jours vs. 140,76 ; p<0,0001). Le nombre d’œufs pondus annuellement par la poule ISAKAB est significativement supérieur (194,20 vs. 173,44 ; p<0,05) Le rapport jaune/blanc était identique pour les deux races comparées, avec une moyenne globale de 0,56. Le poids de l’œuf était supérieur chez la poule ISAKAB (53,55 vs. 48,86 ; p<0,0001). Dès lors, les performances de ponte et la qualité des œufs de la poule Kabyle ont été améliorées par le croisement avec la souche Isa-Brown. [less ▲]

Etude de la flore bactérienne de steacks tartares prélevés en boucherie, sandwicherie et restaurant par analyse métagénomique ciblée sur l’ADN ribosomial 16S.

Poster (2012, May 24)

Etude de la flore bactérienne de steacks tartares prélevés en boucheries, sandwicheries et restaurants par analyse métagénomique ciblée sur l’ADN ribosomial 16S. Taminiau B.1, Delhalle L 2, Nezer C.2 ... [more ▼]

Etude de la flore bactérienne de steacks tartares prélevés en boucheries, sandwicheries et restaurants par analyse métagénomique ciblée sur l’ADN ribosomial 16S. Taminiau B.1, Delhalle L 2, Nezer C.2, Daube G 1 1 Université de Liège, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Département des Sciences des Denrées Alimentaires ; Sart Tilman B43 Bis, 4000 Liège, Belgique ; T+32 (0)4 366 40 29 / F+32 (0)4 366 40 44 2 Quality Partner sa, 62 Rue Hayeneux, 4040 Herstal, Belgique ; T+32 (0)4 240 75 00 / F+32 (0)4 240 75 10 Bernard.taminiau@ulg.ac.be Le steak tartare est une préparation à base de viande hachée de boeuf crue assaisonnée et souvent additionnée de condiments. Cette préparation est souvent accompagnée de frites ou étalée dans un sandwich. L’utilisation de viande crue et la composition de cet aliment rend cette préparation très sensible à l’altération d’origine bactérienne. Une meilleure compréhension de la flore bactérienne composant ce produit est indispensable pour contrôler et comprendre les phénomènes d'altération. L'analyse métagénomique ciblée a permis de caractériser les populations bactériennes de plusieurs échantillons de steak tartare achetés dans deux boucheries, deux sandwicheries et deux restaurants et analysés le jour-même. Une analyse classique microbiologique a été réalisée en parallèle. L'analyse métagénomique a été ciblée sur deux régions différentes de l'ADNr 16S bactérien (V&-V3 et V5-V6), afin de comparer l'efficacité d'identification des bactéries présentes. L’analyse métagénomique a permis de collecter un total de 60.500 séquences pour les 6 échantillons analysés par les deux approches et 356 espèces bactériennes différentes ont pu être identifiées via la région V1-V3. Lactobacillus algidus est la principale espèce présente (52% des séquences totales analysées), suivie par Pseudomonas sp. (8,43%) et Photobacterium phosphoreum (7,92%). L'analyse des résultats montre des différences remarquables entre les trois sources commerciales de steak tartare. Les échantillons provenant des deux boucheries et d’un restaurant étaient principalement composés de populations de Lactobacillus et, dans une moindre mesure, de contaminants environnementaux, comme Xanthomonas campestris. Les échantillons provenant de l'un des deux restaurants étaient fortement contaminés par des Leuconostocaceae comme Leuconostoc carnosum ou Weissella sp., ou avec des gamma-protéobactéries comme Pseudomonas sp. ou Psychrobacter sp. Ces derniers échantillons présentaient aussi des signes d’altérations (mauvaise odeur, aspect) qui peuvent ainsi être mis en relation avec la nature et le niveau des populations bactériennes identifiées. Les échantillons provenant des sandwicheries et probablement issues de filières de production industrielles étaient faiblement contaminés mais avec une grande variabilité dans les flores identifiées. Beaucoup d’entre elles ne sont pas classiquement décrites dans les viandes crues et doivent provenir des autres ingrédients. La combinaison du séquençage haut débit couplé à la bioinformatique est désormais un outil puissant pour l’analyse microbiologique des denrées alimentaires. Son application peut être étendue à pratiquement tous les aliments. Enfin, cette technologie ouvre de nouvelles perspectives aux industries agro alimentaires pour améliorer leurs procédés de fabrication, leurs recettes et leurs méthodes de conservation. [less ▲]

Développement d’agents cognitifs agissant par potentialisation des récepteurs AMPA : Design de nouvelles thiénothiadiazine 1,1-dioxydes

Poster (2012, May 24)

Validation d’une activité de psychomotricité adaptée aux grands prématurés

Poster (2012, May 23)

Pendant la petite enfance, les grands prématurés restent fragiles. Une étude récente (de Kieviet et al, 2009) met en évidence un retard psychomoteur de cette population par rapport à la normale. A partir ... [more ▼]

Pendant la petite enfance, les grands prématurés restent fragiles. Une étude récente (de Kieviet et al, 2009) met en évidence un retard psychomoteur de cette population par rapport à la normale. A partir de 3 ans, de nombreuses activités existent pour stimuler leur développement moteur mais avant cet âge, rien n’est organisé. Nous avons donc décidé de mettre sur pied une activité de psychomotricité adaptée à cette population, entre 1,5 et 3 ans. L’objectif de cette étude consistait à valider cette activité de développement originale. Appliquant les principes des recherches-action, nous avons structuré notre démarche en quatre phases : (1) la planification durant laquelle nous avons mené une réflexion sur l’organisation et le contenu de l’activité ; (2) l’intervention au cours de laquelle fut expérimentée l’activité et fut collectée une série d’informations ; (3) l’analyse des données et ; (4) l’aménagement d’un nouveau modèle tenant compte des étapes précédentes. La validation menée lors de l’intervention repose sur la triangulation des données : interview et questionnaires proposés aux parents, questionnaire adressé aux moniteurs et interviews semi-structurées réalisées auprès de 10 experts de la psychomotricité et/ou des prématurés (pédiatres, kinésithérapeutes, logopèdes, psychologues, psychomotriciens). Une analyse de contenu a été réalisée afin de dégager les éléments de sens qui ont été compilés. Les différents acteurs s’accordent sur la majorité des éléments proposés dans les activités (contenu, matériel, espaces, diversité) et sur l’organisation (structuration, jeux libre, binôme kinésithérapeute-éducateur sportif). Des ajustements paraissent nécessaires au niveau de la phase d’accueil et du rituel de fin de séance. La présence des parents durant l’activité fait débat. Le projet a été initialement bien pensé et la majorité du concept a été validée par les experts. De légères adaptations ont été programmées. Cette étude renforce la crédibilité de l’initiative dont l’intérêt a été chaleureusement salué par les parents. [less ▲]

A Promising Perspective for Pathologies Diagnosis by MALDI In-Source Decay Imaging with a FTMS System.

Poster (2012, May 23)

Introduction MALDI imaging mass spectrometry has proven to be effective for the discovery and the monitoring of disease-related proteins. With this technique a molecular diagnosis could be done directly ... [more ▼]

Introduction MALDI imaging mass spectrometry has proven to be effective for the discovery and the monitoring of disease-related proteins. With this technique a molecular diagnosis could be done directly on tissue sections in the environment of the diseased area. The use of in-source decay (ISD), that does allow fast and reliable sequences assignments of proteins termini, is a crucial tool for the identification of known biomarkers during MALDI imaging experiments. Combined with ultra-high mass resolution and high mass measurement accuracy of Fourier transform ion-cyclotron (FTICR) mass spectrometry, it is possible to unambiguously assign sequences of proteins present in tissue slices. In this study, we have shown that FTICR mass spectrometry could be a powerful tool to diagnose pathologies by MALDI-ISD imaging. Methods All measurements were carried out on a SolariX FTMS (9.4 tesla) equipped with a Dual Source including smartbeamTMII laser which includes a robust solid state 1 kHz laser with advanced optics for molecular imaging (Bruker Daltonics). Lysozyme (14.3-kDa) or Human Serum Albumin (66.3-kDa) solution (1 mg/ml in 0.1 % TFA) was mixed with 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) and analyzed by MALDI-ISD and MALDI-ISD imaging. Mouse brain and rabbit eye tissue slices were washed (fixed) to obtain optimal sensitivity and high-quality ion. Before DAN application with an ImagePrep (Bruker Daltonics) and MALDI-ISD imaging analyzes, spots of myelin and crystalline were deposited near mouse brain or rabbit eye tissues, respectively. Results were interpreted using BioToolsTM 3.2 in combination with MascotTM (Matrix Science) for ISD spectra and FlexImagingTM 2.1 for MALDI-ISD imaging experiments. α Preliminary data The studies were carried out by MALDI-ISD and MALDI-ISD imaging analyses to evidence the interest on FTICR mass spectrometer for proteins identification in the field of biomarkers characterization. It is demonstrated that protein ISD leads to the same pattern of fragmentation observed during MALDI-TOF analyzes. Fragmentation generates cn- and zn-series ions of lysozyme and HSA in presence of DAN. Supplementary an-, bn-, xn- and yn-series ions can also be observed. The internal calibration of all the data provides a mass accuracy neighboring 2.5 ppm over the m/z range of interest (300-2500 Da) and a mass resolution of 70000 at m/z 400 Da. It allows the assignment of ISD fragments of proteins, in the low mass range (m/z between 300 and 900), whether from pure solutions or included in tissue slices. Moreover, spots of pure proteins solution (myelin or crystalline) near tissue slices allows to unambiguously validate the proteins identification during MALDI ISD imaging experiments. Novel aspect This study evidences the main input of FTICR mass spectrometer for pathologies diagnosis based on biomarkers localization and identification by MALDI-ISD imaging. [less ▲]

Identification of Pentalonia nigronervosa‘s bacterial endosymbionts and study of their implication on the Banana Bunchy Top Virus transmission efficiency

Poster (2012, May 22)

Perturbations récentes dans le Bassin du Congo : Contribution de l’anthracologie à une restitution paléoenvironnementale

Poster (2012, May 22)

Une nouvelle approche de la microbiologie alimentaire avec l’analyse métagénomique : un exemple avec une analyse de filets de poisson

Poster (2012, May 22)

L’analyse métagénomique est un outil puissant pour étudier la flore bactérienne d’échantillons issus de divers environnements. Cette technologie commence à être appliquée à des aliments mais seulement sur ... [more ▼]

L’analyse métagénomique est un outil puissant pour étudier la flore bactérienne d’échantillons issus de divers environnements. Cette technologie commence à être appliquée à des aliments mais seulement sur l’étude de produits asiatiques fermentés. Ce travail décrit l’application de cette technologie pour étudier la population bactérienne de deux types de filets de poissons : un issu d’un poisson d’eau douce chaude (pangasius) et un de poisson d’eau de mer (églefin). Les échantillons ont été directement analysés le jour de la réception. D’autres échantillons ont été analysés à la fin de leur durée de vie après stockage à 4°C (1/3 de la durée de vie) et 8°C (2/3 de la durée de vie). Ces échantillons ont été conditionnés en barquette de polystyrène et film étirable sous air atmosphérique et en barquette et film PP-EVOH sous atmosphère modifiée (50% N2 / 50% CO2). Des analyses microbiologiques classiques et métagénomiques ciblant l’ADNr 16S ont été réalisés sur tous les échantillons. L’évolution des populations microbiennes des filets de poissons conservés sous différents types de conditionnement et de température a été étudiée. Quarante espèces bactériennes différentes ont été identifiées pour les deux types de poissons. Les bactéries Gram négatives sont majoritaires que ce soit au début ou à la fin de la durée de vie des produits et quel que soit le type de conditionnement. Au début de la conservation, les bactéries Gram négatives présentes sont essentiellement des Moraxellaceae (Acinetobacter spp, Psychrobacter sp.), Pseudomonadaceae (Pseudomonas spp), et Shewanella spp et les bactéries Gram positives sont des Lactobacillaceae (Carnobacterium spp), Brochothrix thermosphacta et Planococcus donghaensis (seulement pour le pangasius). Suivant le type de conditionnement et le type de poisson, des variations importantes de la flore initiale ont été observées. La croissance de certaines espèces Gram négatives pourrait être un indicateur d’altération. Par conséquent, l’analyse métagénomique pourrait être un outil supplémentaire pour fixer adéquatement la date limite de consommation. Pour le pangasius, Planococcus donghaensis est présent uniquement avant le conditionnement et sa présence pourrait être un indicateur de la fraîcheur du poisson. Cette étude a permis d’appliquer l’analyse métagénomique pour identifier et mesurer les proportions relatives des espèces bactériennes dans les filets de poissons au cours du temps. [less ▲]

Ion mobility spectrometry reveals duplex DNA dissociation intermediates

Poster (2012, May 21)

MicroRNA-146a, a downstream effector of 16K prolactin, is a therapeutic target and a specific biomarker for peripartum cardiomyopathy

Poster (2012, May 19)

Implication of the PAI-1/uPA/uPAR signalosome in the antiangiogenic action of 16K prolactin

Poster (2012, May 19)

Development of mini scale-down platform based on the response of GFP microbial biosensors

Poster (2012, May 18)

The basic principle adopted in our studies is to use substrate limitation responsive biosensors in order to detect spatial glucose heterogeneities inside industrial bioreactors (whole-cell biosensor ... [more ▼]

The basic principle adopted in our studies is to use substrate limitation responsive biosensors in order to detect spatial glucose heterogeneities inside industrial bioreactors (whole-cell biosensor). Indeed, such heterogeneities cause a lowering of the biomass yield and an increase of by-products concentration. In our previous works, green fluorescent protein reporters have been used as biosensors of the heterogeneities generated in a two compartment scale-down reactor. As there is a huge variety of available whole cell biosensor to characterize the impact of such heterogeneities at the biological level, there is a need for high-throughput cultivation tools in order to investigate the usefulness of a given microbial biosensor among a library comprising several thousands of clones. This work is based on this statement and aims to investigate the potentialities of a mini scale-down platform. Four green fluorescent protein (GFP) transcriptional reporters have been chosen in Escherichia coli: rpoS::gfp, uspA::gfp, csiE::gfp and yciG::gfp. The promoters rpoS and uspA are induced in response to a variety of stresses whereas the two other promoters, csiE and yciG, are supposed to be more specific in front of a glucose limitation. First, the response of these biosensors has been assessed in chemostat reactors. These kinds of experiments allow easier interpretation of responses of stress gene related to a glucose limitation since the extracellular conditions are constants and cells are renewed. Biosensors carrying the csiE and yciG promoters have exhibited an induction in function of the glucose limitation. Secondly, a scale-down platform has been tested with the same biosensors and two kinds of glucose addition mode. This scale-down platform involves high-throughput cultivation tools, i.e. in our case shake flask, equipped with non-invasive optical sensors for the monitoring of the dissolved oxygen profile in front of the glucose addition mode. The first system is based on a commercial package (Enbase) based on the enzymatic release of glucose in the medium. The Enbase system allows the generation of a very smooth glucose profile without any perturbations. For comparison purpose, we have also used an intermittent feeding that induces strong fluctuation at the level of the glucose and the dissolved oxygen concentration. The intermittent addition of glucose induces a slow down at the level of the GFP synthesis, suggesting that temporal accumulation of glucose inhibits the activity of the yciG and csiE promoters. In conclusion, the scale-down platform is able to reproduce the same kind of glucose fluctuations that encounters the cells in large-scale processes but not allows studying the impact of high-cell density culture on gene expression. [less ▲]

Caractérisation des dépôts argileux de Nanga-Eboko (Centre Cameroun):Aptitude dans la production des briques cuites

Poster (2012, May 14)

Cette étude entre dans le cadre de la valorisation des argiles industrielles du Cameroun avec pour perspective la mise sur pied des unités de production industrielles des matériaux de construction ... [more ▼]

Cette étude entre dans le cadre de la valorisation des argiles industrielles du Cameroun avec pour perspective la mise sur pied des unités de production industrielles des matériaux de construction (Briques et tuiles cuites). Ainsi, dans ce travail, nous avions à estimé à 9-12)x105 m3 la quantité d’argile que regorge la localité Nanga-Eboko (Région du Centre Cameroun). Sur le plan chimique, l’argile contient: ~70% silice, ~ 12% alumine, ~ 7% fer) et sur le plan minéralogique :~ 40-60% kaolinite, ~20-25% quartz et illite ~12% Feldspath et smectite sont présents (9 et 5% resp.). L'observation microscopique et l’IR montrent des formes irrégulières de kaolinite mal cristallisée, caractéristique des argiles d'origine sédimentaire. Les propriétés des briques (800-1100°C) montrent un retrait linéaire élevé (3-11%), un taux d'absorption d'eau faible (17-8%) et des valeurs de compression (11-50 Mpa). Au vu de la plasticité élevée (24%) de ces argiles, de leurs particules fines (<2 µm) >70%, l'ajout de dégraissant (sable ou latérite) est nécessaire pour une bonne optimisation du mélange afin d'avoir un produit fini de qualité pour la construction de bâtiments. [less ▲]

Sexual abuse: is regression in borderline functioning a risk factor for acting out within the interfamilial system?

Poster (2012, May 11)

Child’s expression of a perceived traumatic event: drawings on the 11th September

Poster (2012, May 11)

A new way of predicting everyday life functioning: Validation of a Computerized Meeting Preparation Task with persons diagnosed with schizophrenia

Poster (2012, May 11)

Deficits in everyday life functioning are a core feature of persons diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, functional outcome is usually evaluated with questionnaires and performance-based assessments ... [more ▼]

Deficits in everyday life functioning are a core feature of persons diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, functional outcome is usually evaluated with questionnaires and performance-based assessments, all of which contain a number of limits. We developed a computerized real-life activity task (meeting preparation task) where participants are required to prepare a meeting room. Twenty-one individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and 21 matched healthy controls completed the task. Patients were also evaluated with a cognitive battery and measures of symptomatology and functional outcome. Results showed that performance on the computerized task significantly differentiated patients and controls for a certain number of variables. These variables, combined into a composite score, were significantly correlated with both cognitive functioning and functional outcome. Moreover, this composite score significantly predicted 39% of functional outcome, whereas a cognitive composite score did not reach significance. In addition, when the meeting task composite score was combined with symptomatology and the cognitive composite score, these measures significantly predicted 70% of functional outcome. These findings suggest that the meeting preparation task provides a valid and significant indication of the level of everyday life functioning in patients with schizophrenia, and may be viewed as a valuable instrument in both an evaluation and remediation context. [less ▲]

Memory testing for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease: Comparative study

Poster (2012, May 10)

AFM study of multivalent adhesive properties of polymers prepared by cobalt-mediated radical polymerization and nitrone-mediated radical coupling

Poster (2012, May 10)

The predictors of reading skills: phonological abilities and verbale short-term memory for serial order

Poster (2012, May 10)

Subjective self-ratings through a prolonged reading task in dysphonic versus normophonic female teachers

Poster (2012, May 10)

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact that a 2-hour reading task could have on ones voice in 16 normophonic and 16 dysphonic female teachers. Method and material: Teachers’ voices were ... [more ▼]

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact that a 2-hour reading task could have on ones voice in 16 normophonic and 16 dysphonic female teachers. Method and material: Teachers’ voices were orally loaded by reading a novel. They were instructed to read for imaginary students, as in their classroom. Voice intensity was constantly controlled between 70 and 75 dB. Every 30 minutes, participants were asked to answer the following questions using a 100-mm horizontal visual analogue scale: 1) How is your voice quality? 2) Do you feel any phonation effort? 3) Do you feel any vocal fatigue? and 4) Do you feel any laryngeal discomfort? Results and conclusions: For all subjective self-ratings, the repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated significant main effects of the duration (p < 0.0001) and of the group (p < 0.05). Subjects of both groups reported a worsening of their voice quality during the reading while phonation effort, vocal fatigue and laryngeal discomfort increased. Surprisingly, no significant interaction between duration and group was found. This means that subjective self-ratings realized before and during the reading task depict a similar evolution of both groups, while we expected more worsening of voice through time in the dysphonic group. [less ▲]

Comparison of the effect of learning to read in English or in Dutch on the acquisition of the French orthographic code in French-speaking children attending immersion school programs.

Poster (2012, May 10)

Most of the children attending bilingual immersion school programs in the French Community of Belgium learn to read in the immersion language before learning to read in their native language. This study ... [more ▼]

Most of the children attending bilingual immersion school programs in the French Community of Belgium learn to read in the immersion language before learning to read in their native language. This study aimed to explore the effect of learning to read in a second language having a transparent (Dutch) versus an opaque (English) orthographic code, on the later acquisition of French spelling. Because literacy acquisition depends on the orthographic depth of the code, the hypothesis is that learning to spell in a transparent language such as Dutch would promote the acquisition of the more opaque French spelling, by transferring the phonological recoding process. Contrariwise, the acquisition of French spelling would be less easy if learners were first immersed in very opaque spelling such as English. Participants were 182 third and fourth-graders immersed in Dutch or English, and monolingual French speakers (control group). Their French spelling skills were tested by words and non-words dictation. Results showed that the performance of Dutch immersed children was not significantly inferior to controls, which is not the case for English immersed children. This corroborates the fact that learning to spell in a more transparent orthographic code than French has a subsequent benefit on its acquisition. [less ▲]

The Lactoperoxydase System, a soft chemical method to control of potato late blight

Poster (2012, May 07)

NEURAL CORRELATES OF GAIT HYPOKINESIA IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE: AN FMRI STUDY

Poster (2012, May 05)

Introduction: Brisk walking (BW) is an efficient tool to study gait hypokinesia whose pathogenesis remains poorly understood in Parkinson's disease (PD). Aims: Assuming that brain regions recruited during ... [more ▼]

Introduction: Brisk walking (BW) is an efficient tool to study gait hypokinesia whose pathogenesis remains poorly understood in Parkinson's disease (PD). Aims: Assuming that brain regions recruited during imagined gait strongly overlap with those recruited during real gait, we used mental imagery of BW as a paradigm to study the neural correlates of gait hypokinesia in PD with BOLD fMRI. Methods: 15 'on-drugs' PD patients and 15 controls matched for age and gender were instructed to imagine themselves in two situations: comfortable walking (CW) and BW on a 25 meter-path. Imagined speed reserve (ISR), defined as the difference between imagined BW and CW speeds, was measured as a control of behavioral performance. The first-level individual contrast images representing the comparison between BW and CW were entered into second-level analyses with the corresponding ISRs as correlation regressors. Results: ISRs and their real counterparts measured offline were significantly decreased in patients relatively to controls. They strongly positively correlated in patients (Pearson's r = 0.88) and controls (Pearson's r = 0.59). Between-group comparison of individual contrasts BW minus CW in correlation with their corresponding ISRs showed that increasing imagined gait speed was strongly associated with increased activity of the left posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in controls and with decreased activity of this region in the patients. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that gait hypokinesia is related to an impaired function of the left PPC in PD. The left PPC may represent a target for therapeutic interventions aimed at alleviating gait disturbances in PD. [less ▲]

Validation of Adult Bone Marrow Stromal Cells in Cellular Therapy Protocols, using a Mouse Model for Parkinson’s Disease

Poster (2012, May 04)

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in industrialized countries. Its main characteristic relies in a progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the ... [more ▼]

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in industrialized countries. Its main characteristic relies in a progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNpc), resulting in a deficient dopamine release in the striatum and then promoting important defects in motility regulation. Unfortunately, motor symptoms are generally diagnosed once 80% of nigrostriatal neurons are already lost. The emergence of neuroprotective/-restorative strategies is then increasingly raising hope, and a lot of people now focus on cell therapy experiments. Adult bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) have already been demonstrated as ideal candidates for cell therapy in nervous lesions, regarding their high multipotency and the fact they can be easily harvested in the patient himself. After it has been demonstrated that some BMSCs arise from the embryonic neural crest (NC), we compared NC-BMSCs and mesenchymal (M)-BMSCs in vitro, in terms of differenciation abilities and more particularly in terms of neural fate. We then wanted to investigate and compare the potential usefulness of both populations in the context of a neurological pathology. We have validated a MPTP mouse model, mimicking the specific loss of nigral neurons, and started setting up a cell therapy experiment using stereotaxic brain injection of the two types of BMSCs. The survival rate of grafted cells was analyzed as well as their migration or differentiation, and their ability to restore neuronal loss was also observed. Our first results showed that once grafted inside the brain of MPTP mice, NC-BMSCs survive for about a week, staying tightly close to each other the injection track with no visible sign of migration. Afterwards, cells begin to disappear and we only observe a mean survival rate of 1% after 28 days. Looking at the nigrostriatal pathway integrity, neural crest-BMSCs don’t seem to induce any improvement: they don’t differenciate into neural cells, neither replace lost DA cells, and they do not induce any sprouting of surviving DA neurons. While the M-BMSCs graft experiment has to be completed, these first results showed that NC-BMSCs at the stem cell state are not able to restore the lesioned system, and maybe a pre-differenciation step would be required to trigger those cells into a neuronal fate before grafting them in a MPTP-mouse brain. [less ▲]

The human papillomavirus vaccine induces collaboration between dendritic cells and natural killer cells in vitro

Poster (2012, May 04)

Oncogenic human papillomavirus could directly interact with Natural Killer cells

Poster (2012, May 04)

Escapement Success And Patterns Of Downstream Migration Of Female Silver Eel Anguilla Anguilla In The River Meuse

Poster (2012, May)

Downstream migration of female silver eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) was studied by remote telemetry in the lower part of the River Meuse (Belgium and The Netherlands) using a combination of 9 detection ... [more ▼]

Downstream migration of female silver eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) was studied by remote telemetry in the lower part of the River Meuse (Belgium and The Netherlands) using a combination of 9 detection stations and manual tracking. N=31 eels (LT 64-90cm) were implanted with active transponders and released in 2007 into the River Berwijn, a small Belgian tributary of the River Meuse, 326 km from the North Sea. From August 2007 till April 2008 13 eels (42%) started their downstream migration and were detected at two or more stations. Mean migration speed was 0.62 m.s-1 (or 53 km.day-1). Only two eels (15%) arrived at the North Sea, the others being held up or killed at hydroelectric power stations, caught by fishermen or by predators or stopped their migration and settled in the river delta. A majority (58%) of the eels classified as potential migrants did not start their migration and settled in the River Berwijn or upper Meuse as verified by additional manual tracking. [less ▲]

Environmental impact of photovoltaic power by Life Cycle Assessment

Poster (2012, May)

Sequential T2 Relaxometry as a Non-Invasive Assessment of Transmural Inflammation in a Murine Model of Chronically Relapsing Colitis

Poster (2012, May)

Modification de la gestion du dialogue intérieur des sportifs de haut niveau. Etude préliminaire

Poster (2012, May)

Le dialogue intérieur est constitué de pensées qui sont généralement spontanées mais qui peuvent également être sous le contrôle direct du sportif. Selon Hatzigeorgiadis, Zourbanos, Galanis et Theodorakis ... [more ▼]

Le dialogue intérieur est constitué de pensées qui sont généralement spontanées mais qui peuvent également être sous le contrôle direct du sportif. Selon Hatzigeorgiadis, Zourbanos, Galanis et Theodorakis (2011), le discours peut revêtir une orientation pédagogique ou motivante. Ces auteurs ont montré que les pensées motivantes sont plus efficaces pour améliorer la performance dans des situations nécessitant un effort de longue durée ou de la force. Par contre, le discours pédagogique est plus utile pour les tâches qui demandent du temps et/ou de la précision. Les pensées spontanées des sportifs sont à 80% négatives. Il est donc logique de tenter de modifier cette situation afin d’augmenter la part des pensées opérationnelles (objectif clair, énoncé bref et simple phonétiquement, initiation d’un acte ou un geste concret, stimulation). Dans cette étude, nous testons une approche visant justement à amener des sportifs à mieux exploiter leur dialogue intérieur. Notre étude porte sur 5 joueuses de volley-ball de 2ème nationale belge (postes de jeu différents) provenant de deux équipes, toutes volontaires. Nous avons filmé une première confrontation entre ces deux formations. Sur base de l’enregistrement vidéo, nous avons effectué des entretiens stimulés individuels ciblant divers événements survenus lors de la rencontre. Ces retours sur la pratique nous ont permis d’identifier les pensées des joueuses. Par la suite, chacune de celles-ci a participé à deux séminaires individuels qui avaient pour objectif de modifier les pensées négatives et positives en pensées opérationnelles. A l’issue du match retour, nous avons répété une séance de rappel stimulé et avons complété la collecte des données par un débriefing général. Parmi les résultats que nous avons déjà mis en évidence, nous retiendrons que le discours pédagogique s’avère particulièrement pauvre par rapport au discours motivant. Des implications pratiques sont proposées. [less ▲]

Evaluation de l'impact au niveau pharmacocinétique de modulations structurales de N-(pyrid-4-yl)alcanesulfonamides

Poster (2012, May)

Effects of flowering on root architecture in Arabidopsis

Poster (2012, May)

Profils de discordance et comportement d’élèves dans un contexte d’éducation physique belge francophone

Poster (2012, May)

Les profils de discordance sont déterminés à partir des écarts entre l’auto-évaluation des élèves (AÉ) et leur prédiction de l’évaluation de l’éducateur physique à leur égard (PrÉ) concernant leur niveau ... [more ▼]

Les profils de discordance sont déterminés à partir des écarts entre l’auto-évaluation des élèves (AÉ) et leur prédiction de l’évaluation de l’éducateur physique à leur égard (PrÉ) concernant leur niveau de performance, leur coopération et l’intensité de leurs efforts en classe d’éducation physique et sportive (ÉPS) (Martel et al., 2011). Une étude québécoise a permis d’établir que plus les élèves s’estiment sous-évalués par leur enseignant sur ces trois dimensions, moins ils tendent à rapporter l’adoption de comportements positifs durant les cours d’ÉPS. Pour la présente étude, réalisée dans un contexte belge francophone, les objectifs étaient : (1) de déterminer les profils de discordance d’élèves (PDi), et (2) d’analyser la relation entre ces PDi et les comportements que disent adopter les élèves en ÉPS. Un total de 1271 élèves (722 filles, 549 garçons) âgés entre 11 et 20 ans, provenant des niveaux secondaires inférieur (n=857) et supérieur (n=414) d’écoles (N=4) de l’agglomération de Liège, ont volontairement participé à l’étude. Un questionnaire validé, adapté d’une version québécoise, a été complété par les élèves vers la fin de l’année scolaire en l’absence de l'éducateur physique. Les résultats, inférieurs à ceux d’autres études, révèlent que 25% des élèves expriment un profil de concordance parfaite entre leur AÉ et leur PrÉ, c’est-à-dire s’estiment évalués à leur juste valeur à la fois pour leur niveau de performance, leur coopération et leurs efforts en ÉPS. Par ailleurs, 56% des élèves s’estiment sous-évalués (discordance négative) sur une seule dimension (27,7%), deux dimensions (19,4%) ou trois dimensions (9,5%) simultanément. Enfin, les résultats confirment ceux de Martel et al. (2011), à savoir que plus les élèves se sentent sous-évalués, particulièrement ceux qui se sentent sous-évalués sur au moins deux dimensions, moins ils rapportent de comportements positifs (p< .001) que ceux qui perçoivent être davantage en accord avec leur enseignant. [less ▲]

Reference visualization and download analysis of the “geographical literature” in the Open Repository of ULg (ORBi)

Poster (2012, May)

Set up by the University of Liège, ORBi (Open Repository and Bibliography) knew a lightning increase of the online posted references since its creation in 2008. The official launch took place on November ... [more ▼]

Set up by the University of Liège, ORBi (Open Repository and Bibliography) knew a lightning increase of the online posted references since its creation in 2008. The official launch took place on November 26th, 2008 and after considerable efforts on behalf of the team which manages the tool, and researchers who introduce themselves their publications, the contents of the repository managed to reach a value of 64245 references among which 38670 with full text. Working for the Library of Geography of the University of Liege, I found interesting to analyze the number of visualizations and downloads of the references (2005 to 2007) posted online by the ULg geographer’s, and the population interested in this literature. The highlight is on WHO and WHERE are the internet users visualizing and downloading ORBi references from? In order to detect the population using this scientific literature, we analyzed the user IP and their distribution in the world. The data was obtained from a MaxMind database. The type of population using this scientific literature: researchers, individuals, public or private companies was also determined. [less ▲]

Observed Ranges for the Healthy Paediatrics in the Serum IDS-ISYS CrossLaps® (SCTX-I)

Poster (2012, May)

The own-age bias in age estimation of voices

Poster (2012, May)

Recently, it has been evidenced that age estimation performance may be influenced by an own-age bias, i.e. we can estimate more accurately the age of one’s own-age people than the age of other age people ... [more ▼]

Recently, it has been evidenced that age estimation performance may be influenced by an own-age bias, i.e. we can estimate more accurately the age of one’s own-age people than the age of other age people (George & Hole, 1995). To the best of our knowledge, all the studies that investigated the own-age bias used faces as stimuli. However, there are situations in which the voice is the only information available in order to estimate a person’s age (Cerrato et al., 2000). In the present study, the occurrence of an own-age bias in age estimation from voices was assessed by using an experimental design in which the age of participants (young vs old people) and the age of face stimuli (young vs old people) are crossed. Although we did not observe a crossed interaction where each age group would have been more accurate for in-group estimation than for out-group estimation, present results revealed the occurrence of an own-age bias in age estimation in younger adults only. Indeed young participants made smaller absolute errors than older participants when estimating the age of young voices. However, there was no significant difference between age groups when the age of older voices was estimated. [less ▲]

Internal energy of ions in traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry : comparison between Synapt G1 and Synapt G2

Poster (2012, May)

Analyse de l’interaction entraîneur-sportifs. Analyse qualitative exploratoire d’un modèle original

Poster (2012, May)

Notre démarche, novatrice, s’inscrit dans une orientation sociale de la psychologie du sport. Selon Brown (2006), la psychologie sociale correspond à la compréhension d’un comportement individuel dans un ... [more ▼]

Notre démarche, novatrice, s’inscrit dans une orientation sociale de la psychologie du sport. Selon Brown (2006), la psychologie sociale correspond à la compréhension d’un comportement individuel dans un contexte social. La psychologie du sport, elle, se définit comme « l’étude de l’effet des facteurs psychologiques et émotionnels sur les performances et de l’influence de la pratique sportive sur ces mêmes facteurs » (Cox, 2005, p. 14). Notre objectif consistait à déterminer le lien entre, d’une part, ce que les coaches définissent comme leur(s) priorité(s) d’actions, ce qu’ils font concrètement et comment le vivent les sportifs et, d’autre part, ce qu’attendent ces derniers. Il s’agissait également de déterminer comment le lien entre ces quatre aspects influe sur la performance et comment la performance agit en retour sur ces aspects. Afin de développer une méthodologie rigoureuse, nous avons élaboré un modèle qui a servi de cadre de référence pour la collecte de données au sein de trois équipes de basket-ball de 1ère régionale féminine wallonne (deuxième niveau hiérarchique belge). Dans chaque site, nous avons sollicité à la fois les joueuses et les entraîneurs (interviews, focus group, observations et questionnaires). Dans la première équipe, un net décalage est mis en évidence entre le projet du coach, celui des joueuses et les moyens dont dispose le club. Il se manifeste par des comportements contradictoires et ambivalents entre joueuses et entraîneur, ce qui semble impacter considérablement la performance. La seconde équipe s’inscrit dans un cadre particulier (école de formation ne pouvant connaître ni promotion ni relégation). La jeunesse des joueuses et le style de coaching vécu comme oppressant par les plus jeunes débouche sur un climat susceptible de limiter la performance. Enfin, la troisième équipe se situe largement en-dessous du niveau attendu. Les joueuses composent avec un entraîneur démissionnaire et un préparateur physique porté aux nues dont le comportement est décrit comme affectif et protecteur. Ce constat fait obstacle à une vision objective des acteurs sur les résultats. Ces résultats plaident en faveur du modèle proposé et pour un approfondissement de l’étude des liens entre dimensions organisationnelle, groupale et individuelle dans l’étude de la performance sportive collective. [less ▲]

Numerical simulations of torsional flutter oscillations of a bluff body: Energy issues, GraSMech poster session

Poster (2012, May)

The possibility of harvesting energy from aeroelastic phenomena is assessed through numerical simulations. The unsteady aerodynamics around an aeroelastic structure are modeled using the Discrete Vortex ... [more ▼]

The possibility of harvesting energy from aeroelastic phenomena is assessed through numerical simulations. The unsteady aerodynamics around an aeroelastic structure are modeled using the Discrete Vortex Method (DVM). The Torsional Flutter oscillations of a rectangular cylinder are studied in this work. The phenomenon is characterized by Limit Cycle Oscillations (LCOs) around the pitch axis of the rectangle. The complete bifurcation behaviour is investigated numerically and compared to wind tunnel measurements for validation. The energy issues are investigated in terms of the sensibility of the energy output to variations in the structural damping. [less ▲]

Relative impacts of climate and landuse changes on future flood damage along River Meuse in Wallonia

Poster (2012, April 27)

Climate change is expected to increase flood hazard across most of Europe, both in terms of peak discharge intensity and frequency. Consequently, managing flood risk will remain an issue of primary ... [more ▼]

Climate change is expected to increase flood hazard across most of Europe, both in terms of peak discharge intensity and frequency. Consequently, managing flood risk will remain an issue of primary importance for decades to come. Flood risk depends on territories’ flood hazard and vulnerability. Beside climate change, land use evolution is thus a key influencing factor on flood risk. The aim of this research is to quantify the relative influence of climate and land use changes on flood damage evolution during the 21st century. The study focuses on River Meuse in Wallonia for a 100-year flood. A scenario-based approach was used to model land use evolution. Nine urbanization scenarios for 2100 were developed: three of them assume a “current tend” land use evolution, characterized by urban sprawl, while six others assume a sustainable spatial planning, leading to an increase in density of residential areas as well as an increase in urban functions diversity. A study commissioned by the EU has estimated a 30 % increase in the 100-year discharge for River Meuse by the year 2100. Inundation modeling was conducted for the present day 100-year flood (HQ100) and for a discharge HQ100 + 30%, using the model Wolf 2D and a 5m grid resolution Digital Elevation Model (Ernst et al. 2009). Based on five different damage curves related to land use categories, the relative damage was deduced from the computed inundation maps. Finally, specific prices were associated to each land use category and allowed assessing absolute damages, which were subsequently aggregated to obtain a damage value for each of the 19 municipalities crossed by River Meuse. Results show that flood damage is estimated to increase by 540 to 630 % between 2009 and 2100, reaching 2.1 to 2.4 billion Euros in 2100. These increases mainly involve municipalities downstream of a point where the floodplain width becomes significantly larger. The city of Liège, which is protected against a 100-year flood in the present situation, would undergo about 450 million Euros damage for a 100-year flood in the 2100, i.e. in-between 21% and 25 % of the whole damage increase. The influence of climate is three to eight times higher than the effect of land use change according to the land use evolution scenarios considered. Nevertheless, these two factors have a comparable influence on seven municipalities. Consequently, although a careful spatial planning would not considerably reduce the overall flood damage at the level of theWalloon part of the Meuse Valley, more sustainable spatial planning could efficiently reduce future flood damage at the level of several most critical municipalities. Reference Ernst, J, Dewals, B, Detrembleur, S, Archambeau, P, Erpicum, S, & Pirotton, M. (2010). Micro-scale flood risk analysis based on detailed 2D hydraulic modelling and high resolution geographic data. Natural Hazards, 55(2), 181-209. [less ▲]

Factors of knickpoint migration on the moderately uplifted Ardennes Plateau, Western Europe

Poster (2012, April 27)

In the last two decades, much research has been devoted to the development and refinement of numerical models of river incision. In settings of prevailing bedrock channel erosion, numerous studies used ... [more ▼]

In the last two decades, much research has been devoted to the development and refinement of numerical models of river incision. In settings of prevailing bedrock channel erosion, numerous studies used field data, notably knickpoint data, to calibrate the widely acknowledged stream power model of incision and to discuss the specific impact of various variables (e.g., sediment load, channel width) not appearing explicitly in the model’s simplest form. However, most of these studies were conducted in areas of very active tectonics and high relief, thus displaying an exacerbated geomorphic response to the tectonic signal. Here, we analyze the traces left in the drainage network 0.7 My after the NE Ardennes region (western Europe) underwent a moderate 100-150 m uplift. We identify a set of knickpoints that have travelled far upstream in the Ourthe catchment. Because time becomes a more sensitive variable than distance near the headwaters, we fit the stream power model to the data by minimizing time residuals (i.e., the differences between 0.7 My and the modelled times for the knickpoints to reach their actual location) rather than distance residuals. Our best fit of the stream power model parameters yields m/n = 0.75 and K = 4.63 10-8 m-0.5y-1. We suggest that the discrepancy with the m/n value of 0.5 obtained from field and long profile data of the currently graded downstream part of the catchment’s streams points to a narrowing of the bedrock channel at the passage of a knickpoint. Then, the time residuals of the model fit are regressed against quantitative expressions of bedrock resistance to erosion and junction crossing, showing that both variables significantly affect knickpoint migration. In particular, most of the small tributaries with highly delayed knickpoints display all features characteristic of hanging valleys. However, not all such small streams have developed hanging valleys, and further research is needed to unravel how other controls, e.g., amount and size of the tributary bed load, are determining for the creation of such valleys. [less ▲]

Evaluation of the regional climate model WRF over Svalbard

Poster (2012, April 24)

It is well known that high latitude zones are very sensitive to climate change. As a result of global warming, ice sheet melting has increased which in turn has an influence on climate through ... [more ▼]

It is well known that high latitude zones are very sensitive to climate change. As a result of global warming, ice sheet melting has increased which in turn has an influence on climate through modifications of the thermohaline circulation, feedback of ice albedo, sea level rise, … Svalbard is an archipelago between 74 and 81°lat N and 60 percent of its area (62 248 km2) is covered with glaciers and ice sheets. The impact of global warming on the Svalbard cryosphere can be estimated with climate models. However, we need to use regional climate models as they offer the possibility of a higher resolution than general circulation models. We have ran two regional climate models (MAR and WRF) at a 10-kilometre resolution between 2006 and 2010 over Svalbard and compared their simulated climate to near surface measurements at several weather stations through the archipelago in order to determine which one of them could best represent the Svalbard climate. [less ▲]

Data-Interpolating Variational Analysis (Diva) software, a tool for European regional seas and Ocean climatologies production

Poster (2012, April 24)

Estimation, prévision et contrôle du gisement solaire en région wallonne

Poster (2012, April 23)

Présentation des activités et des recherches du Laboratoire de Climatologie et Topoclimatologie de l'Université de Liège dans le domaine du rayonnement solaire

Last millenium environmental changes in Lake Bertrand sediments, Chilean Patagonia

Poster (2012, April 23)