FAO Training in Crop Yield Forecasting. Improvement of the Crop Yield Forecasting System (CYFS) in Armenia: a new approach for satellite data integration. ARMENIA - Yerevan - January 2013.

Learning material (2013)

This manual describes a methodology to prepare the remote sensing database needed for the crop yield forecasting methodology developped by the University of Liege, in the case of Armenia.This manual has ... [more ▼]

This manual describes a methodology to prepare the remote sensing database needed for the crop yield forecasting methodology developped by the University of Liege, in the case of Armenia.This manual has been written for the training in Crop Yield Forecasting for Armenia that occurred between 21st and 25th January 2013 in Erevan – Armenia in the framework of the “EC/FAO Programme on information systems to improve food security decision-making in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) East area”. This manual is intended to cover the Remote Sensing part only of the general CYFS. Despite written for the Armenian training this manual can serve as an example for all other countries. [less ▲]

Clauses d'élection de for et procédures concurrentes : les nouveautés du Règlement Bruxelles Ibis

Conference (2013, April)

Ces documents constituent le support de présentation utilisé lors d'une conférence consacrée au Règlement Bruxelles Ibis. Ils font le point sur les nouveautés apportées au régime des clauses d'élection de ... [more ▼]

Ces documents constituent le support de présentation utilisé lors d'une conférence consacrée au Règlement Bruxelles Ibis. Ils font le point sur les nouveautés apportées au régime des clauses d'élection de for ainsi qu'au traitement réservé aux procédures concurrentes [less ▲]

L’Europe face à la montée en puissance de la Chine : miracle ou péril jaune?

in Revue Nouvelle (2013)

Par-delà le volontarisme des discours officiels, la montée en puissance de la Chine n’est pas sans impact sur l’UE ni sur l’évolution des relations sino-européennes. Considérant la place de l’économie ... [more ▼]

Par-delà le volontarisme des discours officiels, la montée en puissance de la Chine n’est pas sans impact sur l’UE ni sur l’évolution des relations sino-européennes. Considérant la place de l’économie dans leurs stratégies respectives pour s’établir comme « puissance » mondiale, cet article tente de comprendre les enjeux clés de la « stratégie » économique chinoise et d’identifier les incitants et contraintes pour l’Europe d’un accroissement de ses échanges avec Pékin. Dans un contexte de crise où la réalité macroéconomique les enjoint à repenser leur « modèle » de développement, la Chine : miracle ou péril jaune pour l’Europe ? [less ▲]

Evolving science, technology and innovation policies in Belgium: a comparative study

Conference (2013, April)

Science, technology and innovation (STI) policies have gone through deep changes since the early 80’s. Multiple scholars have shown that there are new forms of links, or a renewed “contract” between ... [more ▼]

Science, technology and innovation (STI) policies have gone through deep changes since the early 80’s. Multiple scholars have shown that there are new forms of links, or a renewed “contract” between science, as an institution, and the society: effects of neoliberalism, public controversies or technology assessment (TA) practices are some common features of this transformation. Innovation is pushed forward by policymakers as a crucial tool for economic growth and competitiveness of political entities. In other words, there is a new regime of STI governance. As a PhD student, I investigate the policies of science and innovation in Belgium. Since the regionalization of these competences in the 1980’s, the STI regimes have evolved separately in Flanders and Wallonia. The goal of my research is to depict and compare how constitutive elements of the regimes such as discourses, tools, institutions, networks, etc. have changed in the two Regions. Adopting a cognitive approach in policy analysis, I focus on the imaginaries or master narratives that shape programs and individuals at different policy levels. These levels range from the “micro” (individual interactions in the institutions) to the “macro” (the EU and OECD), the “meso” level being the core of the research question (regional programs and institutions). I seek to point out the local enactment of ideas such as “regional competitiveness”, “innovation-led growth”, “clustering” and its impact on STI regime. The research relies on document analysis, participant observation, and in depth semi-structured interviews designed as life stories of key STI informants. [less ▲]

Tout conte fait, ce sens qui ne va pas de soi. La longue marche d'Alexander Kluge

Article for general public (2013)

Spectral modelling of massive binary systems

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2013), 552

Context. The spectra of massive binaries may be affected by interactions between the stars in the system. These are believed to produce observational phenomena such as the Struve-Sahade effect. Aims: We ... [more ▼]

Context. The spectra of massive binaries may be affected by interactions between the stars in the system. These are believed to produce observational phenomena such as the Struve-Sahade effect. Aims: We simulate the spectra of massive binaries at different phases of the orbital cycle, accounting for the gravitational influence of the companion star on the shape and physical properties of the stellar surface. Methods: We used the Roche potential modified to account for radiation pressure to compute the stellar surface of close circular systems. We furthermore used the tidal interactions with dissipation of energy through shear code for surface computations of eccentric systems. In both cases, we accounted for gravity darkening and mutual heating generated by irradiation to compute the surface temperature. We then interpolated non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) plane-parallel atmosphere model spectra in a grid to obtain the local spectrum at each surface point. We finally summed all contributions, accounting for the Doppler shift, limb-darkening, and visibility to obtain the total synthetic spectrum. We computed different orbital phases and different sets of physical and orbital parameters. Results: Our models predict line strength variations through the orbital cycle, but fail to completely reproduce the Struve-Sahade effect. Including radiation pressure allows us to reproduce a surface temperature distribution that is consistent with observations of semi-detached binary systems. Conclusions: Radiation pressure effects on the stellar surface are weak in (over)contact binaries and well-detached systems but can become very significant in semi-detached systems. The classical von Zeipel theorem is sufficient for the spectral computation. Broad-band light curves derived from the spectral computation are different from those computed with a model in which the stellar surfaces are equipotentials of the Roche potential scaled by the instantaneous orbital separation. In many cases, the fit of two Gaussian/Lorentzian profiles fails to properly measure the equivalent width of the lines and leads to apparent variations that could explain some of the effects reported in the literature. [less ▲]

Western lowland gorilla populations and logging concessions: is the coexistence possible?

Conference (2013, April)

Timber exploitation is rapidly expanding throughout the Congo Basin. Around 26 % of the moist forests are devoted to logging activities. Logging concessions largely overlap with the range of western ... [more ▼]

Timber exploitation is rapidly expanding throughout the Congo Basin. Around 26 % of the moist forests are devoted to logging activities. Logging concessions largely overlap with the range of western lowland gorilla (WLG) considered as critically endangered by IUCN. However, this species could play an essential role in maintaining vegetal diversity notably through seed dispersal services. Particularly some tree species harvested for their timber may be dispersed by WLG. In this communication interactions between WLG and a timber exploitation are studied in Central Gabon. WLG density is estimated in an Annual Allowable Cut (AAC), and nesting behavior is described. Seeds dispersed by WLG are identified through fecal analysis and germination trials are conducted to assess seed viability after gut passage. Four treatments are realized for the most abundant species: passed seeds, passed seeds in fecal matrix, seeds surrounded by fresh pulp and seeds extracted from fresh fruits. A relatively high WLG density is observed in the AAC (2.0 weaned gorillas/km²). WLG nest preferentially in open terra firme forest and frequently use old logging road covered with herbaceous vegetation for nesting and feeding. They avoid nesting in closed terra firme forest. Seed dispersal and impacts of the passage in gorilla’s gut on seed germination are currently described. Germination success after gut passage depends on the seed species and varies from 0.0 to 100% in the course of monitoring time. The first results of this study suggest that timber exploitation and WLG conservation are not mutually exclusive. WLG are important agents of forest regeneration by dispersing seeds in logged areas. Nest sites in logging gaps could be particularly favorable for seedlings development. This consideration must encourage forest managers to strengthen WLG-conservative practices in their concessions. [less ▲]

Veille internet

in Mondes en Développement (2013), 161(1), 161-162

Internet resources on the topic of citizen participation in international cooperation.

A comparison of piston, screw and scroll expanders for small scale Rankine cycle systems

in Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Microgeneration and Related Technologies (2013, April)

This paper aims at helping the designer of micro-scale Rankine Cycle heat engines to best select the expander among piston, screw and scroll machines. The first part of the paper presents a state of the ... [more ▼]

This paper aims at helping the designer of micro-scale Rankine Cycle heat engines to best select the expander among piston, screw and scroll machines. The first part of the paper presents a state of the art of these three technologies of positive displacement machines. The technical constraints inherent to each machine (rotational speed, pressure ratios, maximum temperatures, volumetric expansion ratios, etc.) are listed and the performance mentioned in the open technical and scientific literature is presented. The second part of the paper deals with the modeling of such expanders. Different simulation models are proposed: black-box, grey-box and white-box models. These three categories of modeling are specifically adapted to different purposes: design of the expander, design of the micro-CHP system, and dynamic simulation/control of the CHP unit. The last part of the paper presents a graphical methodology of selection of expansion machines and working fluids based on operating maps. It is stressed that the selections of both the expansion machine and working fluid should be conducted simultaneously. [less ▲]

What asteroseismology can teach us about stellar evolution: the case of subdwarf B stars

Conference (2013, April)

Subdwarfs B (sdB) stars are hot (Teff=20,000-40,000 K) and compact (log g= 5.0-6.2) evolved objects that form the very hot end of the horizontal branch, the so-called Extreme Horizontal Branch (EHB ... [more ▼]

Subdwarfs B (sdB) stars are hot (Teff=20,000-40,000 K) and compact (log g= 5.0-6.2) evolved objects that form the very hot end of the horizontal branch, the so-called Extreme Horizontal Branch (EHB). Understanding the formation of sdB stars is one of the remaining challenges of stellar evolution theory. Competing scenarios have been proposed to account for the existence of such evolved objects, and give quite different mass distributions for resulting sdB stars. Detailed asteroseismic analyses, including mass estimates, of 15 pulsating hot B subdwarfs have been published since a decade. The masses have also been reliably determined by light curve modeling and spectroscopy for 7 sdB components of eclipsing or reflection binaries. I will present in the talk the empirical mass distributions of sdB stars on the basis of these samples. I will discuss how these empirical mass distributions, although still based on small-number statistics, compare with the expectations of stellar evolution theory. In particular, the two He-white dwarfs merger scenario does not seem to be the dominant channel to form isolated sdB stars, while the post-red giant branch scenario is reinforced. This opens new questions on the extreme mass loss of red giants to form extreme horizontal branch stars, possibly in connection with the recently discovered close planets orbiting sdB stars. [less ▲]