Performances isocinétiques et risque lésionnel de l’épaule chez le joueur de handball de haut niveau

in Abstract book des XIVèmes Rencontres isocinétiques MEDIMEX / ROTHSCHILD (2012, November)

Accurate h-Conform Finite Element Model of Multiply Connected Thin Regions via a Subproblem Method

in Proceedings of the 15th Biennial IEEE Conference on Electromagnetic Field Computation (CEFC2012) (2012, November)

A subproblem method for solving eddy current finite element is developed to correct the inaccuracies near edges and corners arising from thin shell models. Such models replace thin volume regions by ... [more ▼]

A subproblem method for solving eddy current finite element is developed to correct the inaccuracies near edges and corners arising from thin shell models. Such models replace thin volume regions by surfaces but neglect border effects in the vicinity of their edges and corners. A thin shell solution, performed by a simplified mesh near the thin structures, serves as a source of a correction problem consisting of the actual volume thin regions alone and concentrating the meshing effort on the thin regions. The general case of multiply connected thin regions is considered. [less ▲]

The influence of western corn rootworm – Diabrotica Virgifera Virgifera Le Conte attack, upon quality of corn seeds

in Journal of Biotechnology (2012), 161S(Supplement), 16

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte is considered one of the most important pests of corn grown in monoculture. Damage caused by the Western Corn Rootworm is considerable. The attack is produced by ... [more ▼]

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte is considered one of the most important pests of corn grown in monoculture. Damage caused by the Western Corn Rootworm is considerable. The attack is produced by larvae and adults, serious affecting the grain production. Following laboratory analyzes may notice a decrease in the values of all track quality indicators for ears harvested from plants attacked by Diabrotica virgifera virgifera compared with the cobs from the healthy plants. Values of fat content of attacked cobs ranged from 2.76 and 4.23%, protein content ranged from 9.1 to 10.6% and starch between 69.7 and 70.5%. The average fat content of the cobs attacked percentage decreased by 11%, protein content by 16% and starch content dropped by less than one percent. [less ▲]

Time-domain finite-element modelling of laminated iron cores – Large skin effect homogenization considering the Jiles-Atherton hysteresis model

in Proceedings of the 15th Biennial IEEE Conference on Electromagnetic Field Computation (CEFC2012) (2012, November)

This paper deals with the incorporation of the Jiles- Atherton (J-A) hysteresis model in a time-domain finite-element homogenization technique for laminated iron cores. The separate discretization of each ... [more ▼]

This paper deals with the incorporation of the Jiles- Atherton (J-A) hysteresis model in a time-domain finite-element homogenization technique for laminated iron cores. The separate discretization of each lamination is avoided by using dedicated skin-effect basis functions, which also serve to interpolate the J- A hysteretic material law. As validation test case, a stacked ring core surrounded by a toroidal coil is considered. [less ▲]

Regards croisés sur la foresterie communautaire : l'expérience camerounaise

Book published by Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux (2012)

Le Cameroun est le pays pionnier de la foresterie communautaire en Afrique centrale. En promulguant, en 1994, une loi autorisant les communautés locales à gérer elles-mêmes leurs forêts, l’Etat ... [more ▼]

Le Cameroun est le pays pionnier de la foresterie communautaire en Afrique centrale. En promulguant, en 1994, une loi autorisant les communautés locales à gérer elles-mêmes leurs forêts, l’Etat s’engageait dans un long processus de décentralisation. L’asbl Nature +, l’ONG SNV et Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech (Université de Liège) furent parmi les premiers acteurs à accompagner les communautés rurales dans leurs démarches d’auto-gestion. En 2010, ces trois organisations, grâce à un financement du Fonds des Forêts du Bassin du Congo, ont mis en commun leurs expériences au sein du projet « Partenariats pour le Développement des Forêts Communautaires ». Ce projet a appuyé le développement technique, institutionnel et organisationnel de regroupements de forêts communautaires dans trois zones (Ngambé Tikar, Lomié et Ebolowa). Visant le renforcement des capacités selon le principe de « l’apprentissage par l’action encadrée », le projet a permis de rendre les associations locales davantage autonomes. Ce livre nous fait découvrir le quotidien des forêts communautaires dont il expose sans ambages les forces et les faiblesses. Richement illustré, il prend le pari que la beauté des images suscitera intérêt et questionnement. [less ▲]

Long-term study of biogenic volatile organic compound exchanges in a forest ecosystem

Doctoral thesis (2012)

The terrestrial biosphere, especially forest ecosystems, emits large quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which have a significant impact on the atmosphere’s chemical and physical ... [more ▼]

The terrestrial biosphere, especially forest ecosystems, emits large quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which have a significant impact on the atmosphere’s chemical and physical characteristics. In particular, VOCs are precursors in the formation of ozone and sec-ondary organic aerosols. Isoprene and monoterpenes dominate the total VOC emissions, and methanol is one of the most abundant atmospheric VOCs due to its longer half-life than the other two. The main objective of this thesis was to investigate (using the eddy covariance technique and a proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer) the mechanisms of VOC (isoprene, monoterpene and methanol) emission and/or deposition at the scale of a temperate climate forest ecosystem (Vielsalm, Belgium) comprising several species (Fagus sylvatica, Abies alba, Picea Abies and Pseudotsuga menziessi). The eddy covariance technique is very suitable for studying VOC emission/deposition mechanisms at ecosystem level as it does not interfere with the functioning of the ecosystem and it has very good temporal resolution (half an hour). It was used for several months at the Vielsalm site without any major interruption to the measurements. The first measurement period ran from early July to late November 2009 and the second from late March to late November 2010. As well as measuring the VOC exchanges by eddy covari-ance, the climate parameters controlling the exchange mechanisms were also measured. During both these periods the methanol, acetaldehyde, acetone, isoprene, methyl vinyl ke-tone/methacrolein, monoterpene, acetic acid (2010) and formic acid (2010) fluxes were meas-ured. The highest emission levels observed were isoprene and monoterpenes along with methanol, which unlike the first two also showed depositions. The thesis therefore naturally focused on studying these three fluxes, in view of the important role played by these three compounds in atmospheric chemistry and hence the scientific community’s interest in refining the parametrisation of these compounds’ ecosystem/atmosphere exchange models. The study of the isoprene, monoterpene and methanol fluxes has been written up in three original articles which form the main body of this thesis. Because of the heterogeneity of the ecosystem studied, the first essential study concerned the identification of VOC-emitting species. This was done with the aid of a flux footprint model combined with a map of the species occurring on the site. This analysis showed that the main monoterpene emitter was Fagus sylvatica followed, to a lesser extent, by Abies alba, Picea Abies and Pseudotsuga menziessi. In contrast to the literature, the analysis showed Abies alba to be a probable isoprene emitter but the presence of Picea Abies, a known isoprene emitter, ruled out absolute certainty on that point. The isoprene fluxes were observed by day only, unlike the monoterpene fluxes which were observed both day and night. Diurnal flux analysis clearly showed temperature and light to be the two main variables controlling emissions. Combining this analysis with a study of the close relationship between isoprene/monoterpene emissions and photosynthesis revealed the plants’ de novo biosynthetic production mechanisms, an original aspect at ecosystem scale. From the occurrence of nocturnal monoterpene emissions it was possible to determine that de novo monoterpene production emitted directly into the atmosphere (as in the case of isoprene) was not the only source of the emissions observed. Withdrawals from monoterpene sinks located in plant organs or in the soil can also be monoterpene sources. Studying the relationship between isoprene/monoterpene fluxes and light, distinguishing between cloudy and sunny conditions, showed that for the same light intensity the emissions were higher in cloudy con-ditions than in sunshine. Similarly, a study of the relationship between isoprene fluxes and photosynthesis in cloudy/sunny conditions suggested that de novo isoprene production is greater in leaves above the canopy than in leaves within the canopy. Long-term measurement of isoprene and monoterpene emissions enabled seasonal changes in the mechanisms observed to be studied and more fully understood. As well as providing an understanding of the mechanisms, this research also resulted in quantification of the seasonal changes in the key parameters for modelling isoprene/monoterpene emissions. Methanol exchanges were generally positive (emissions) by day and negative (depositions) at night. Overall, methanol depositions were predominant in summer and autumn but in the mi-nority in spring. On average, the Vielsalm site behaved like a methanol sink, which contradicts all the other research published to date. An original model was developed for identifying the mechanisms responsible for short-term and long-term methanol emissions/depositions. The consistency between the measurements and the model simulations suggested that the main processes controlling methanol exchanges in summer could be attributed, in the short term, to (water-soluble) methanol adsorption/desorption occurring in the films of water on leaf surfaces and/or on the soil surface and, in the long term, to methanol destruction by a biological and/or chemical degradation process also occurring on the surface of leaves and/or the soil. A study of the difference between the measurements and the model, in spring, indicated the possibility of biosynthetic methanol production by the plants. This production was apparently controlled mainly by temperature, but it could not be shown in summer when methanol adsorption/desorption processes dominated. The literature on ecosystem-atmosphere exchanges of isoprene, monoterpenes and, to a lesser extent, methanol is extensive. Nevertheless, what makes this research original is the spatio-temporal scale used. We are in fact working at ecosystem scale, and not at leaf or branch scale as in most other cases. Moreover, our measurements cover a timescale from half an hour to a full growing season, which is rarely found in the literature. This has resulted in a better under-standing of these compounds’ production and exchange mechanisms. To be precise, the methanol flux study is currently unique in its description and understanding of the deposition mechanisms. [less ▲]

Henri Peña Ruiz ou la France éclairant le Monde

in Politique : Revue de Débats (2012), 77

L'article expose et analyse la philosophie de la laïcité "républicaine" à la française à travers l'oeuvre d'Henri Peña Ruiz, en particulier "Dieu et Marianne" et "Qu'est-ce que la laïcité". Il tente de ... [more ▼]

L'article expose et analyse la philosophie de la laïcité "républicaine" à la française à travers l'oeuvre d'Henri Peña Ruiz, en particulier "Dieu et Marianne" et "Qu'est-ce que la laïcité". Il tente de montrer, que, bien que d'inspiration progressiste, la construction philosophique de Peña Ruiz, par le dogmatisme de sa métaphysique largement platonicienne, expose la laïcité aux récupérations nationalistes voire xénophobes. Il défend qu'en partant de l'unité "a priori", d'un peuple abstrait (le "laos"), cette conception réintroduit une transcendance qui l'éloigne à la fois de la philosophie des lumières et de l'indétermination démocratique. [less ▲]

Des repères en évaluation

in Education Santé (2012), (283), 12-13

Diversification of the pectoral fin shape in damselfishes (Perciformes, Pomacentridae) of the Eastern Pacific

in Zoomorphology (2012)

Fin shape strongly influences performance of locomotion across all swimming styles. In this study, we focused on the diversity of the pectoral fin morphology in damselfishes of the Eastern Pacific ... [more ▼]

Fin shape strongly influences performance of locomotion across all swimming styles. In this study, we focused on the diversity of the pectoral fin morphology in damselfishes of the Eastern Pacific. Underwater observations and a review of literature allowed the characterization of ten behavioral groups. Territorial and non-territorial species were discriminated easily with traditional morphometrics. Five ecomorphological groups were recognized by geometric morphometric analyses. Geometric data segregated the outgroup from the damselfishes and allowed the distinction of mean morphologies from extreme ones within territorial and non-territorial species. Additionally, geometric morphometric data split Abudefduf into two groups: (1) A. troschelii is similar to C. atrilobata and (2) A. concolor and A. declivifrons are close to Stegastes. Solitary territorial species (e.g., Stegastes) show rounded and high fins whereas non-territorial species living in groups (e.g., Chromis) present long and curved pectoral fins. In the range of morphological variation, the morphologies of Microspathodon (elongate with highly curved hydrodynamic trailing edge) and Azurina (long, slender and angular) represent the extreme morphologies within territorial and non-territorial species, respectively. Our study revealed a strong relationship between the pectoral fin shape and the behavioral diversification in damselfishes. [less ▲]

Introduction à la Cour pénale internationale

Learning material (2012)

Ces documents pédagogiques (notes de cours et présentation PowerPoint) ont servi de support à un séminaire d'introduction à la Cour pénale internationale dispensé dans le cadre du cours de droit ... [more ▼]

Ces documents pédagogiques (notes de cours et présentation PowerPoint) ont servi de support à un séminaire d'introduction à la Cour pénale internationale dispensé dans le cadre du cours de droit international humanitaire. [less ▲]