A 3D biomechanical vocal tract model to study speech production control: How to take into account the gravity?

This paper presents a modeling study of the way speech motor control can deal with gravity to achieve steady-state tongue positions. It is based on simulations carried out with the 3D biomechanical tongue model developed at ICP, which is now controlled with the Lambda model (Equilibrium-Point Hypothesis). The influence of short-delay orosensory feedback on posture stability is assessed by testing different muscle force/muscle length relationships (Invariant Characteristics). Muscle activation patterns necessary to maintain the tongue in a schwa position are proposed, and the relations of head position, tongue shape and muscle activations are analyzed

Modeling the consequences of tongue surgery on tongue mobility

This paper presents the current achievements of a long term project aiming at predicting and assessing the impact of tongue and mouth floor surgery on tongue mobility. The ultimate objective of this project is the design of a software with which surgeons should be able (1) to design a 3D biomechanical model of the tongue and of the mouth floor that matches the anatomical characteristics of each patient specific oral cavity, (2) to simulate the anatomical changes induced by the surgery and the possible reconstruction, and (3) to quantitatively predict and assess the consequences of these anatomical changes on tongue mobility and speech production after surgery

Use of a biomechanical tongue model to predict the impact of tongue surgery on speech production

This paper presents predictions of the consequences of tongue surgery on speech production. For this purpose, a 3D finite element model of the tongue is used that represents this articulator as a deformable structure in which tongue muscles anatomy is realistically described. Two examples of tongue surgery, which are common in the treatment of cancers of the oral cavity, are modelled, namely a hemiglossectomy and a large resection of the mouth floor. In both cases, three kinds of possible reconstruction are simulated, assuming flaps with different stiffness. Predictions are computed for the cardinal vowels /i, a, u/ in the absence of any compensatory strategy, i.e. with the same motor commands as the one associated with the production of these vowels in non-pathological conditions. The estimated vocal tract area functions and the corresponding formants are compared to the ones obtained under normal condition

Les architectes en coworking. Ou le renouvellement d’une figure de l’architecte

En 2018, l’observatoire démographique et économique de la profession d’architecte publié par le conseil national de l’Ordre, introduit pour la première fois le coworking comme l’un des principaux outils de collaboration utilisés par les architectes. La collaboration apparaît comme l’une des formes d’exercice transformant la pratique de l’architecture, et par conséquent le choix des lieux. Cet article s’intéresse aux enjeux de la transformation des activités des agences des architectes travaillant en coworking, ainsi qu’aux raisons qui encouragent les architectes à s’installer dans les espaces de coworking : dans quelle mesure le coworking participe à la pratique de l’architecte ? Et de quel architecte s’agit-il ? Il ne s’agit pas de retracer l’histoire ou la gestion managériale des agences mais de saisir ce que les architectes tirent de ces lieux en coworking à un moment (2016-2020) où la profession rencontre des modifications législatives et des représentations dévalorisantes, notamment la diminution du leadership des architectes sur les projets, comme le reflète la loi ELAN par exemple.In 2018, the demographic and economic observatory of the architectural profession, published by the French National Council of Architects, introduced coworking as one of the main collaboration tools used by architects for the first time. Collaboration appears to be one of the ways that marks the transformations of the practice of architecture, and therefore the architect’s choice of workspace. In this article, we will focus on the relationships between the transformations of the activities of architectural agencies who practice coworking, as well as on the reasons that encourage architects to settle in coworking spaces: between being a model or an opportunity, to what extent does coworking participate in the practice of the architect? This article does not seek to trace the history or managerial aspect of agencies, but to understand what architects get from these places, in a context where the profession is undergoing legislative changes and devaluing representations — in particular the decrease in the leadership of architects on projects, as reflected in the ELAN law, for example

Aldosterone increases T-type calcium channel expression and in vitro beating frequency in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Objective: Although aldosterone has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, its cellular mechanism of action on cardiomyocyte function is not yet completely elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the effect of aldosterone on calcium channel expression and cardiomyocyte contraction frequency. Methods: Cultured neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes were stimulated in vitro with 1 μmol/L aldosterone for 24 h. Calcium currents were then measured with the patch clamp technique, while calcium channel expression was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. Results: In the present study, we show that aldosterone increases Ca2+ currents by inducing channel expression. Indeed, aldosterone led to a substantial increase of L- and T-type Ca2+ current amplitudes, and we found a concomitant 55% increase of the mRNA coding for α1C and β2 subunits of cardiac L channels. Although T-type currents were relatively small under control conditions, they increased 4-fold and T channel α1H isoform expression rose in the same proportion after aldosterone treatment. Because T channels have been implicated in the modulation of membrane electrical activity, we investigated whether aldosterone affects the beating frequency of isolated cardiomyocytes. In fact, aldosterone dose-dependently increased the spontaneous beating frequency more than 4-fold. This effect of aldosterone was prevented by actinomycin D and spironolactone and reduced by RU486, suggesting a mixed mineralocorticoid/glucocorticoid receptor-dependent transcriptional mechanism. Moreover, inhibition of T currents with Ni2+ or mibefradil significantly reduced beating frequency towards control values, while conditions affecting L-type currents completely blocked contractions. Conclusion: Aldosterone modulates the expression of cardiac voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and accelerates beating in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. This chronotropic action of aldosterone appears to be linked to increased T channel activity and could contribute to the deleterious effect of an excess of this steroid in vivo on cardiac functio

Surgical Stabilization for Multiple Rib Fractures: Whom the Benefit? -A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Surgical repair has demonstrated a beneficial effect on outcome for patients presenting with flail chest or with multiple rib fractures. We hypothesized that benefit on outcome parameters concerns predominantly patients being extubated within 24 hours post-operatively. Methods: We prospectively recorded all patients presenting with chest traumatism eligible for surgical repair with anticipated early extubation according to our institutional consensus (flail chest, major deformity, poor pain control, associated lesions requiring thoracotomy). We compared outcomes of patients extubated within 24 hours post-operatively to those who required prolonged ventilator support. We tested predictive factors for prolonged intubation with univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: From 2010 to 2014, 132 patients required surgical repair. Two thirds were extubated within 24 hours following surgical repair. Pneumonia was the main complication and occurred in 30.3% of all patients. Patients extubated within 24 hours following surgical repair had significantly shorter ICU stay and shorter in-hospital stay (P<0.0001 both). Pneumonia occurred significantly more often in patients with longer mechanical ventilation (over 24 hours) (P<0.0001) and the overall post-operative complications rate was higher (P=0.0001). Main independent risk factors for delayed extubation were bilateral chest rib fractures and initially associated pneumothorax. Conclusions: We conclude that patients extubated within 24 hours after repair have an improved outcome with reduced complication rate and shorter hospital stay. The initial extent of the trauma is an important risk factor for delayed extubation and high complication rate despite surgical stabilization

CLINICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CERVICAL EXTENSOR MUSCLES DYSFUNCTIONS: A SCOPING REVIEW

Neck pain is a major cause of disability worldwide and frequently associated with changes in muscle function. These changes, which may persist after the symptoms have disappeared, could explain recurrent or chronic neck pain. Given the functional alterations of the cervical extensors muscles (CEM) observed in subjects with neck pain1 , a review of the clinical ways to highlight these deficits is relevant. To identify the various clinical tests assessing CEM dysfunctions in patients with chronic neck pain (CNP)

Cancer incidence in the AGRICAN cohort study (2005-2011).

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have been conducted among farmers, but very few of them have involved large prospective cohorts, and few have included a significant proportion of women and farm workers. Our aim was to compare cancer incidence in the cohort (overall, by sex, and by work on farm, occupational status and pesticide use) within the general population. METHODS: More than 180,000 participants in the AGRICAN cohort were matched to cancer registries to identify cancer cases diagnosed from enrolment (2005-2007) to 31st December 2011. We calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). RESULTS: Over the period, 11,067 incident cancer cases were identified (7304 men and 3763 women). Overall cancer incidence did not differ between the cohort and the general population. Moreover, SIRs were significantly higher for prostate cancer (SIR=1.07, 95%CI 1.03-1.11) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SIR=1.09, 95%CI 1.01-1.18) among men, skin melanoma among women (SIR=1.23, 95%CI 1.05-1.43) and multiple myeloma (men: SIR=1.38, 95%CI 1.18-1.62; women: SIR=1.26, 95%CI 1.02-1.54). In contrast, SIRs were lower for upper aerodigestive tract and respiratory cancers. Increase in risk was greater in male farm workers for prostate and lip cancer, in female farm workers for skin melanoma, and in male farm owners for multiple myeloma. Moreover, incidence of multiple myeloma and skin melanoma was higher among male and female pesticide users respectively. CONCLUSION: We found a decreased incidence for tobacco-related cancers and an increased incidence of prostate cancers, skin melanoma and multiple myeloma. Specific subgroups had a higher cancer incidence related to occupational status and pesticide use

Antimicrobial resistance in outpatient Escherichia coli urinary isolates in Dakar, Senegal.

International audienceBACKGROUND: Data regarding the evolution of antimicrobial resistance are needed to suggest appropriate empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI) in developing countries. To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli, the predominant pathogen in community-acquired UTI, a prospective multicenter study was carried out in Dakar, Senegal. METHODOLOGY: From February 2004 to October 2006, 1010 non-duplicate E. coli strains were collected from four centres. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion method according to the recommendations of the CA-SFM (2004). RESULTS: Most of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin (73.1%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (67.5%), cephalothin (55.8%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (68.1%). Extended spectrum beta-lactamase was detected in 38 strains. The overall resistance rates to nalidixic acid, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin were 23.9%, 16.4% and 15.5%, respectively. Most of the strains were susceptible to gentamicin, nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin (respective susceptibility rates, 93.8%, 89.9%, and 99.3%). During this period, a significant decrease in sensitivity was observed for cephalothin, fluoroquinolones and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole may no longer be used as empirical treatment for community-acquired UTI in Dakar. In order to preserve the activity of fluoroquinolones for future years, alternatives such as fosfomycin or nitrofurantoin should be considered