Discriminant BOLD Activation Patterns during Mental Imagery in Parkinson’s Disease

in Proceedings of MLINI 2012 (in press)

Using machine learning based models in clinical applications has become current practice and can prove useful to provide information at the subject’s level, such as predicting an (early) diagnosis or ... [more ▼]

Using machine learning based models in clinical applications has become current practice and can prove useful to provide information at the subject’s level, such as predicting an (early) diagnosis or monitoring the evolution of a disease. However, the performance of these models depends on the choice of a biomarker to detect the presence or absence of a disease. Choosing a biomarker is not straightforward, especially in the case of Parkinson’s disease when compared to healthy subjects. In the present work, we investigated the mental imagery of gait as a biomarker of Parkinson’s disease and showed that the signal in the mesencephalic locomotor region during the mental imagery of gait at a comfortable pace can discriminate significantly between idiopathic Parkinson’s disease patients and healthy subjects. Although there is room for improvement, the results of this preliminary study are promising. [less ▲]

Why some species cannot colonize restored habitats? The effects of seed and microsite availability

in Journal for Nature Conservation (in press)

Restoration of calcareous grasslands was promoted as a conservation strategy to reduce the risks imposed by habitat loss and fragmentation. Restoration already provided promising results for several taxa ... [more ▼]

Restoration of calcareous grasslands was promoted as a conservation strategy to reduce the risks imposed by habitat loss and fragmentation. Restoration already provided promising results for several taxa, however some specialist species still fail at colonizing restored habitats. We aimed at explaining this lack of colonization success for three calcareous grasslands specialist species in Southern Belgium: Pulsatilla vulgaris, Trifolium montanum and Veronica prostrata. We studied: (i) Germination in control and outdoor conditions (cold, heat, smoke and litter effects); (ii) In-situ seedling emergence patterns (effects of seed addition and germination microsites availability). The three species were able to germinate in Petri dishes in the absence of treatment. Cold enhanced the germination of V. prostrata. Fire-related treatments (heat shock and smoke exposure) did not enhance germination and were deleterious to V. prostrata. Litter cover improved P. vulgaris emergence in outdoor containers, but had a negative effect on V. prostrata. In the field, V. prostrata did not emerge. T. montanum seedlings were observed in the reference grasslands when seeds were added, but not in the restored grasslands. P. vulgaris emerged in the reference grasslands, and to a lower degree in the restored grasslands. The combination of seed addition and microsites availability for seed germination resulted in enhanced seedling emergence for P. vulgaris. Our results suggest that seed and microsite availability can be limiting factors for site colonization, but the combination of both is likely much more limiting. Lower seedling emergence in restored than in reference grasslands suggests a lower habitat quality in restored grasslands. [less ▲]

Scalar triplet leptogenesis without right-handed neutrino decoupling

in Nuclear Physics B Proceedings Supplement (in press)

We discuss leptogenesis in the context of type-II seesaw in the case in which in addition to the scalar electroweak triplet decays the lepton asymmetry is also induced by right-handed neutrino decays ... [more ▼]

We discuss leptogenesis in the context of type-II seesaw in the case in which in addition to the scalar electroweak triplet decays the lepton asymmetry is also induced by right-handed neutrino decays (mild hierarchical scenarios). We show that within this setup, depending on the relative sizes of the relevant parameters, one can identify three classes of generic models, each one with its own consequences for leptogenesis. [less ▲]

Lepton flavor violation and seesaw symmetries

in Hyperfine Interactions (in press)

When the standard model is extended with right-handed neutrinos the symmetries of the resulting Lagrangian are enlarged with a new global U(1)R Abelian factor. In the context of minimal seesaw models we ... [more ▼]

When the standard model is extended with right-handed neutrinos the symmetries of the resulting Lagrangian are enlarged with a new global U(1)R Abelian factor. In the context of minimal seesaw models we analyze the implications of a slightly broken U(1)R symmetry on charged lepton flavor violating decays. We find, depending on the R-charge assignments, models where charged lepton flavor violating rates can be within measurable ranges. In particular, we show that in the resulting models due to the structure of the light neutrino mass matrix muon flavor violating decays are entirely determined by neutrino data (up to a normalization factor) and can be sizable in a wide right-handed neutrino mass range. [less ▲]

Basic Principles of White Dwarf Asteroseismology

in Napiwotzki, R.; Burleigh, M. (Eds.) The White Dwarfs Stars (in press)

Approches ergonomiques et approches psychosociologiques de la formation : mise en perspective conceptuelle et praxéologique

in Actes du 16ème Congrès de Psychologie du Travail et des Organisation de Langue Française. (in press)

From both a scientific and a practical point of view, two major trends seem to presently rule the adult training field: the psychosociological trend and the ergonomic trend. Though each one has widely ... [more ▼]

From both a scientific and a practical point of view, two major trends seem to presently rule the adult training field: the psychosociological trend and the ergonomic trend. Though each one has widely contributed in developing training in organizational human resources development, we fail to see any significant level of understanding between the two trends or any dialogue based on scientific objectivity. The aim of this present paper is to hopefully initiate a dialogue with an eye towards development in training practices. A better understanding of these main approaches would bring help to those who seek to train personnel and to better orientate their choice of training. [less ▲]

DUst Around NEarby Stars. The survey observational results

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (in press)

Context. Debris discs are a consequence of the planet formation process and constitute the fingerprints of planetesimal systems. Their solar system's counterparts are the asteroid and Edgeworth-Kuiper ... [more ▼]

Context. Debris discs are a consequence of the planet formation process and constitute the fingerprints of planetesimal systems. Their solar system's counterparts are the asteroid and Edgeworth-Kuiper belts. Aims. The DUNES survey aims at detecting extra-solar analogues to the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt around solar-type stars, putting in this way the solar system into context. The survey allows us to address some questions related to the prevalence and properties of planetesimal systems. Methods. We used Herschel/PACS to observe a sample of nearby FGK stars. Data at 100 and 160 μm were obtained, complemented in some cases with observations at 70 μm, and at 250, 350 and 500 μm using SPIRE. The observing strategy was to integrate as deep as possible at 100 μm to detect the stellar photosphere. Results. Debris discs have been detected at a fractional luminosity level down to several times that of the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt. The incidence rate of discs around the DUNES stars is increased from a rate of ∼ 12.1% ± 5% before Herschel to ∼ 20.2% ± 2%. A significant fraction (∼ 52%) of the discs are resolved, which represents an enormous step ahead from the previously known resolved discs. Some stars are associated with faint far-IR excesses attributed to a new class of cold discs. Although it cannot be excluded that these excesses are produced by coincidental alignment of background galaxies, statistical arguments suggest that at least some of them are true debris discs. Some discs display peculiar SEDs with spectral indexes in the 70–160 μm range steeper than the Rayleigh-Jeans one. An analysis of the debris disc parameters suggests that a decrease might exist of the mean black body radius from the F-type to the K-type stars. In addition, a weak trend is suggested for a correlation of disc sizes and an anticorrelation of disc temperatures with the stellar age. [less ▲]

Jules Destrée animateur de la vie littéraire

in Institut Destrée (Ed.) Centenaire de la Lettre au Roi de Jules Destrée (in press)

MALDI In-Source Decay, from sequencing to imaging

in Topics in Current Chemistry (in press)

MALDI is now a mature method allowing the identification and, more challenging, the quantification of biopolymers (proteins, nucleic acids, glycans…). MALDI spectra show mostly intact singly charged ions ... [more ▼]

MALDI is now a mature method allowing the identification and, more challenging, the quantification of biopolymers (proteins, nucleic acids, glycans…). MALDI spectra show mostly intact singly charged ions. To obtain fragments, the activation of singly charged precursors is necessary, but not efficient above 3.5 kDa thus making MALDI MS/MS difficult for large species. In-source decay (ISD) is a prompt fragmentation reaction that can be induced thermally or by radicals. As fragments are formed in the source, precursor ions cannot be selected; however, the technique is not limited by the mass of the analyzed compounds and pseudo MS/MS can be performed on intense fragments. The discovery of new matrices that enhance the ISD yield, combined with the high sensitivity of MALDI mass spectrometers, and software development, opens new perspectives. We first review the mechanisms involved in the ISD processes, then discuss ISD applications like top-down sequencing and post-translational modifications studies, and finally review MALDI-ISD tissue imaging applications. [less ▲]

Six leviers pour améliorer l'apprentissage des étudiants du supérieur

in Revue Internationale de Pédagogie de l'Enseignement Supérieur (in press)

Sur base de rapports rédigés par des centaines d’enseignants de l’ULg mais aussi sous l’influence de quelques auteurs en pédagogie universitaire, cet article présente six leviers de l’innovation ... [more ▼]

Sur base de rapports rédigés par des centaines d’enseignants de l’ULg mais aussi sous l’influence de quelques auteurs en pédagogie universitaire, cet article présente six leviers de l’innovation pédagogique dans le supérieur. Nous analysons ensuite une innovation – l’introduction de l’outil « GIC » dans un programme d’orthophonie de l’ULg – au regard de ces six leviers et mentionnons les régulations d’ordre pédagogique et d’ordre organisationnel envisagées pour l’année académique prochaine, de même que quelques pistes de recherche. Une conclusion rappelle le rôle de ces leviers, dont la prise en compte n’est pas une garantie de succès de l’innovation mais plutôt un moteur de changement au sein d’un cours ou d’un programme, gardant le cap sur l’apprentissage de l’étudiant. [less ▲]