Moisture-equilibrium charts: Monitoring natural-ester green transformers

Green transformers, a sustainable and environmentally-friendly range of power transformers, are gaining in popularity. The growing interest in such transformers is linked to the introduction of innovative technologies, such as natural esters (biodegradable and renewable liquid offering higher fire safety) combined with a sealed design, to be used instead of classical mineral oil. For efficient and accurate moisture-condition monitoring, green transformers need moisture-equilibrium charts. In-depth experiments have been carried out to produce and validate such charts, similar to those existing for mineral-oil-filled transformers

A non-invasive device to measure mechanical interaction between tongue, palate and teeth during speech production

This paper describes an original experimental procedure to measure the mechanical interaction between the tongue and teeth and palate during speech production. It consists in using edentulous people as subjects and to insert pressure sensors in the structure of their complete dental prosthesis. Hence, there is no perturbation of the vocal tract cavity due to the sensors themselves. Several duplicates are used with transducers situated at different locations of the complete denture according to palatography's results, in order to carefully analyze the production of specific sounds such as stop consonants.. It is also possible to measure the contact pressure at different locations on the palate for the same sound

PRESLA: An original device to measure the mechanical interaction between tongue and teeth or palate during speech production

An original experimental procedure is presented to measure the mechanical interaction between tongue and teeth and palate during speech production. It consists in using edentulous people as subjects and to insert pressure sensors in the structure of a replication of their dental prosthesis. This is assumed to induce no speech production perturbation for subjects who are used to speak with their prosthesis. Data collected from 4 subjects of French demonstrate the usability of the system

Prospective des espaces ruraux français à l'horizon 2020

Vu la diversité de leurs usages et fonctions, la physionomie future des campagnes françaises peut revêtir des aspects très contrastés. S'appuyant sur une synthèse et une relecture des connaissances acquises sur les espaces ruraux, le groupe de prospective constitué à la Datar sur ce thème propose quatre scénarios possibles pour les campagnes françaises à l'horizon 2020.

A biomechanical model of the face including muscles for the prediction of deformations during speech production

A 3D biomechanical finite element model of the face is presented. Muscles are represented by piece-wise uniaxial tension cable elements linking the insertion points. Such insertion points are specific entities differing from nodes of the finite element mesh, which makes possible to change either the mesh or the muscle implementation totally independently of each other. Lip/teeth and upper lip/lower lip contacts are also modeled. Simulations of smiling and of an Orbicularis Oris activation are presented and interpreted. The importance of a proper account of contacts and of an accurate anatomical description is show

Speech production after glossectomy: methodological aspects

International audienceThis article focuses on methodological issues related to quantitative assessments of speech quality after glossectomy. Acoustic and articulatory data were collected for 8 consonants from two patients. The acoustic analysis is based on spectral moments and the Klatt VOT. Lingual movements are recorded with ultrasound without calibration. The variations of acoustic and articulatory parameters across pre- and post-surgery conditions are analyzed in the light of perceptual evaluations of the stimuli. A parameter is considered to be relevant if its variation is congruent with perceptual ratings. The most relevant acoustic parameters are the skewness and the Center of Gravity. The Klatt VOT explains differences that could not be explained by spectral parameters. The SNTS ultrasound parameter provides information to describe impairments not accounted for by acoustical parameters. These results suggest that the combination of articulatory, perceptual and acoustic data provides comprehensive complementary information for a quantitative assessment of speech after glossectomy