Scientific papers

In accordance with its mission to support high level research in Belgium, the University Foundation provides financial support towards the publication in high level international journals of scientific papers which report on research in Belgian research groups. Financial support may be granted to partially cover the costs due by the author for illustrations, for page charges and for article processing fees, and for linguuistic control. 

Because the possible support is restricted to Belgian research groups, the regulations and application procedures are only available in French  and in Dutch.

Articles subsidized by the University Foundation

What follows is a list of articles to which a subsidy was awarded by the University Foundation. The titles are ordered by year of publication and by title.

Stefanie Brock, Tim Vanderhasselt, Sietske Vermaning, Kathelijn Keymolen, Luc Régal, et al.

Brock S, Vanderhasselt T, Vermaning S, et al. (2021) Defining the phenotypical spectrum associated with variants in TUBB2A.  Journal of Medical Genetics, 58:33–40. doi:10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106740

Abstract : Background Variants in genes belonging to the tubulin superfamily account for a heterogeneous spectrum of brain malformations referred to as tubulinopathies. Variants in TUBB2A have been reported in 10 patients with a broad spectrum of brain imaging features, ranging from a normal cortex to polymicrogyria, while one patient has been reported with progressive atrophy of the cerebellar vermis.

Alexandre Kuhn, Serge Aron and Olivier J. Hardy
Kuhn A, Aron S and Hardy OJ (2021) Detection of Cryptic Sex in Automictic Populations: Theoretical Expectations and a Case Study in Cataglyphis Desert Ants. Front. Ecol. Evol. 9:741959. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.741959
Reproductive strategies are diverse and a whole continuum of mixed systems lies between strict sexuality and strict clonality (apomixis), including automixis, a parthenogenetic mode of reproduction involving a meiosis and increasing homozygosity over generations. These various systems impact the genetic structure of populations, which can therefore be used to infer reproductive strategies in natural populations. Here, we first develop a mathematical model, validated by simulations, to predict
Carole Charavet; Dorien Van Hede, Nathalie Maes, Adelin Albert and France Lambert
Charavet, C. et al. Disentangling the effects of CAD/CAM customized appliances and piezocision in orthodontic treatment: New evidence. Angle Orthodontist, Vol 91, No 6, 2021.

Objectives: To discern the effects of computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufactured (CAM) customized appliances and piezocision on orthodontic treatment (OT).

Julie Gheysen, Matthieu Marteleur, Camille van der Rest, Aude Simar

Gheysen, J., Marteleur, M., van der Rest, C., Simar, A. (2021) Efficient optimization methodology for laser powder bed fusion parameters to manufacture dense and mechanically sound parts validated on AlSi12 alloy. Materials & Design, Volume 199, 109433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2020.109433

Abstract : The main drawback of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), commonly called selective laser melting (SLM) is the high porosity which may lead to an early failure of the parts. To minimize it, the L-PBF parameters need to be optimized focusing on the laser power, scanning speed and hatching space. However, no standard guideline exists. In this study, an efficient and cost-effective methodology is developed and validated on AlSi12. This innovative methodology brings together single scan tracks (SST), macroscopic properties analysis and design of experiments (DOE).

Roxane Verdikt † , Olivier Hernalsteens and Carine Van Lint

Verdikt, R. † , Hernalsteens, O and Van Lint, C. (2021) Epigenetic Mechanisms of HIV-1 Persistence. Vaccines, 9, 514. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9050514

Abstract : Eradicating HIV-1 in infected individuals will not be possible without addressing the persistence of the virus in its multiple reservoirs. In this context, the molecular characterization of HIV-1 persistence is key for the development of rationalized therapeutic interventions. HIV-1 geneexpression relies on the redundant and cooperative recruitment of cellular epigenetic machineries to cis-regulatory proviral regions.

Manon Pigeolet, Saiful Imam, Gheorghe Cristian Ninulescu, Shafiul Kabir, Pierre R. Smeesters, Hasib Mahmud

Pigeolet, M. et al. (2021) Evaluation of a surgical treatment algorithm for neglected clubfoot in low‑resource settings. International Orthopaedics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-021-05058-6

Abstract
Purpose :
Idiopathic clubfoot affects approximately 1/1000 alive-born infants, of whom 80–91% are born in low- or middleincome countries (LMICs). This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the morphological, functional, and social outcomes in patients with neglected clubfoot in rural Bangladesh, after receiving surgical treatment.

Samuel Vanden Abeele, Steven B Janssens, Rosalía Piñeiro, Olivier J Hardy

Vanden Abeele et al. (2021) Evidence of past forest fragmentation in the Congo Basin from the phylogeography of a shade-tolerant tree with limited seed dispersal: Scorodophloeus zenkeri (Fabaceae, Detarioideae) BMC Ecology and Evolution https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-021-01781-1

Background: Comparative phylogeographic studies on rainforest species that are widespread in Central Africa often reveal genetic discontinuities within and between biogeographic regions, indicating (historical) barriers to gene flow, possibly due to repeated and/or long-lasting population fragmentation during glacial periods according to the forest refuge hypothesis. The impact of forest fragmentation seems to be modulated by the ecological amplitude and dispersal capacities of each species, resulting in different demographic histories.

Juan Guillermo Santos Macías, Chola Elangeswaran, Lv Zhao, Jean-Yves Buffière, Brecht Van Hooreweder, Aude Simar

Santos Macías, Elangeswaran, Zhao et al. (2021) Fatigue crack nucleation and growth in laser powder bed fusion AlSi10Mg under as built and post-treated conditions. Materials & Design 210 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.110084

Abstract : Numerous efforts have been devoted to produce reliable additive manufactured (AM) materials for structural applications. However, the critical fatigue issue poses a significant hurdle in relation to the nature of this production method. Despite the  relative flexibility of the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) AM process, there exists a limitation in the possibility of tailoring parameters to obtain a satisfactory combination of porosity and surface roughness for adequate fatigue resistance.

Jeroen Van Schependom, Diego Vidaurre, Lars Costers, Martin Sjøgård, Diana M Sima, Dirk Smeets, Marie Beatrice D'hooghe, Miguel D'haeseleer, Gustavo Deco, Vincent Wens, Xavier De Tiège, Serge Goldman, Mark Woolrich, Guy Nagels

Van Schependom, J. et al. (2021) Increased brain atrophy and lesion load is associated with stronger lower alpha MEG power in multiple sclerosis patients NeuroImage: Clinical Volume 30, 102632 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102632

Abstract: In multiple sclerosis, the interplay of neurodegeneration, demyelination and inflammation leads to changes in neurophysiological functioning. This study aims to characterize the relation between reduced brain volumes and spectral power in multiple sclerosis patients and matched healthy subjects. During resting-state eyes closed, we collected magnetoencephalographic data in 67 multiple sclerosis patients and 47 healthy subjects, matched for age and gender. Additionally, we quantified different brain volumes through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Isabel S. Schiller, Dominique Morsomme, Malte Kob and Angélique Remacle

Schiller I., Morsomme D., Kob M. & Remacle A. (2021) Listening to a Dysphonic Speaker in Noise May Impede Children’s Spoken Language Processing in a Realistic Classroom Setting. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools Vol. 52, 396–408.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate children's processing of dysphonic speech in a realistic classroom setting, under the influence of added classroom noise.

Lorenz Demey
Demey, L. (2021) Logic-Sensitivity of Aristotelian Diagrams in Non-Normal Modal Logics. Axioms, 10, 128. https://doi.org/10.3390/axioms10030128

Abstract : Aristotelian diagrams, such as the square of opposition, are well-known in the context of normal modal logics (i.e., systems of modal logic which can be given a relational semantics in terms of Kripke models). This paper studies Aristotelian diagrams for non-normal systems of modal logic (based on neighborhood semantics, a topologically inspired generalization of relational semantics). In particular, we investigate the phenomenon of logic-sensitivity of Aristotelian diagrams. We distinguish between four different types of logic-sensitivity, viz.

Hannah De Moor

De Moor, H. (2021) Netherlandish carved altarpieces: a historiographic overview with a focus on Sweden in Journal of Art Historiography Number 25, https://arthistoriography.files.wordpress.com/2021/11/de-moor.pdf

The first section of this article, (1) Moving away from an attributional methodology, will first examine the pioneers in the study of Netherlandish carved altarpieces. These pioneers were mostly Belgian scholars who conducted iconographic and stylistic research on the artworks. Over the past few decades, however, numerous researchers started to point out the pitfalls of the purely stylistic method. How this persistent stress on the identity of the producing artists had shifted attention away from other important questions is therefore also discussed in the first section. 
Clément Burgeon, Marc Debliquy, Driss Lahem, Justine Rodriguez, Ahmadou Ly, Marie-Laure Fauconnier

Burgeon, C., (2021) Past, present, and future trends in boar taint detection Trends in Food Science and Technology, Volume 112, 283-297 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2021.04.007

Background
Boar taint is an unpleasant smell found in the meat of some uncastrated male pigs. This taint is often prevented by surgical castration without anesthesia or analgesia. However, this practice is an animal welfare concern. Production of entire males and immunocastration were suggested as alternatives. Ensuring that meat is untainted remains a priority for slaughterhouses. This has initiated research about the development of new boar taint detection methods. Most focus on detecting skatole and androstenone, two major contributors to boar taint.

Dr. Maurice Retout,Bryan Gosselin,Dr. Alice Mattiuzzi,Indiana Ternad,Prof. Ivan Jabin,Prof. Gilles Bruylants

Retout M., ,Gosselin B.,Mattiuzzi A.,Ternad I., Jabin I, and Bruylants G., Peptide-Conjugated Silver Nanoparticles for the Colorimetric Detection of the Oncoprotein Mdm2 in Human Serum, ChemPlusCjhem, vol.87, issue 4.

The development of efficient, reliable, and easy-to-use biosensors allowing early cancer diagnosis is of paramount importance for patients. Herein, we report a biosensor based on silver nanoparticles functionalized by peptide aptamers for the detection of a cancer biomarker, i. e. the Mdm2 protein. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were produced and stabilized with a thin PEGylated-calix[4]arene layer that allows (i) the steric stabilization of the AgNPs and (ii) the covalent conjugation of the peptide aptamers via the formation of an amide bond.

Fatimata Nea, Michel Boni Bitchi, Manon Genva, Allison Ledoux, Alembert Tiabou Tchinda, Christian Damblon, Michel Frederich, Zanahi Félix Tonzibo and Marie-Laure Fauconnier

Nea, F., et al. (2021) Phytochemical Investigation and Biological Activities of Lantana rhodesiensis. Molecules 26, 846.  https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26040846

Abstract: Lantana rhodesiensis Moldenke is a plant widely used to treat diseases, such as rheumatism, diabetes, and malaria in traditional medicine. To better understand the traditional uses of this plant, a phytochemical study was undertaken, revealing a higher proportion of polyphenols, including flavonoids in L. rhodesiensis leaf extract and moderate proportion in stem and root extracts.

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