862 research outputs found
Improving strategic noise mapping of railway noise in Europe: Refining CNOSSOS-EU calculations using TWINS
No full textThe Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC) requires all European Union Member States to produce strategic noise maps using a common assessment methodology: CNOSSOS-EU. The reliability of CNOSSOS-EU railway noise evaluation is dependent on the input vehicle and track transfer functions. The CNOSSOS-EU default database contains the currently available choices for these transfer functions. However, these available transfer functions are limited and of insufficient quality, resulting in large errors in noise level calculations. An approach is presented, introducing an established analytical railway rolling noise calculation technique (TWINS), to extract more reliable and specific transfer functions. A case study consisting of railway rolling noise mitigation measures is defined and used as the basis for extracting and testing these transfer functions. The extracted transfer functions reduce the average deviation between CNOSSOS-EU and reference calculations using TWINS from 6.1 dB(A) to 0.8 dB(A) in absolute sound power levels, and from 1.2 db(A) to 0.3 dB(A) in estimates of noise reduction potential for the defined mitigation measures. Application of this approach shows potential to improve the quality and depth of the existing CNOSSOS-EU default database. This may lead to more reliable estimations of railway noise in the strategic noise maps and the subsequent assessment of its harmful effects
Vilnius citizen Romain Gary
No full textReikšminiai žodžiai: II pasaulinis karas; Istorija; Prancūzija (France); Prancūzų autorius; Romain Gary; Romain Gary de Kacev; Romainas Gary; Romanas; Vilnius; France; French author; History; Lithuania; Novel; Romain Gary; Romain Gary de Kacev; Vilnius; World War IIThe mosi read French author in the whole world: 30 books in French, six books in English. Neither of these languages was his native tongue. Born in Vilnius on 8 May 1914, he recalled the city nostalgically, but after leaving it he never visited it again. He and his mother believed in his future fate, and it all came true: he became a famous writer, a French hero, and dressed as if he was in London. He wrote many of his books under pseudonyms, and often changed them. He created his work, and he also created himself. It often seemed to him that there was someone else inside him. Maybe it was always that dreamy boy from Pohulianka, ready to take any risk for the sake of beauty. He has no grave. The only monument to the writer Romain GARY is in Vilnius, his home town. Gary is presented to us by the translator Dalija Epšteinaitė
Pade approximants and the modal connection : Towards increased robustness for fast parametric sweeps
No full textTo increase the robustness of a Pade-based approximation of parametric solutions to finite element problems, an a priori estimate of the poles is proposed. The resulting original approach is shown to allow for a straightforward, efficient, subsequent Pade-based expansion of the solution vector components, overcoming some of the current convergence and robustness limitations. In particular, this enables for the intervals of approximation to be chosen a priori in direct connection with a given choice of Pade approximants. The choice of these approximants, as shown in the present work, is theoretically supported by the Montessus de Ballore theorem, concerning the convergence of a series of approximants with fixed denominator degrees. Key features and originality of the proposed approach are (1) a component-wise expansion which allows to specifically target subsets of the solution field and (2) the a priori, simultaneous choice of the Pade approximants and their associated interval of convergence for an effective and more robust approximation. An academic acoustic case study, a structural-acoustic application, and a larger acoustic problem are presented to demonstrate the potential of the approach proposed.QC 20180103</p
Electroencéphalographie et interfaces cerveau-machine : nouvelles méthodes pour étudier les états mentaux
No full textAvec les avancées technologiques dans le domaine de l'imagerie cérébrale fonctionnelle et les progrès théoriques dans la connaissance des différents éléments neurophysiologiques liés à la cognition, les deux dernières décennies ont vu l'apparition d'interfaces cerveau-machine (ICM) permettant à une personne d'observer en temps réel, ou avec un décalage qui se limite à quelques secondes, sa propre activité cérébrale. Le domaine clinique en général, et plus particulièrement celui de la neuropsychologie et des pathologies conduisant à un handicap moteur lourd, pour lesquels les applications potentielles sont nombreuses qu'elles soient thérapeutiques ou en vue d'une réhabilitation fonctionnelle, a constitué un moteur important de la recherche sur ce nouveau domaine des neurosciences temps réel. Parmi ces applications, le neurofeedback, ou neurothérapie, qui vise l'acquisition par le sujet du contrôle volontaire de certains aspects de son activité cérébrale en vue de les amplifier ou au contraire les diminuer dans un but thérapeutique, voire d'optimisation cognitive, représente une technique prometteuse, alternative aux thérapies et traitements médicamenteux. Cependant, la validation de ce type d'intervention et la compréhension des mécanismes mis en jeux en sont encore à leurs balbutiements. L'entraînement par neurofeedback est souvent long, pouvant s'étaler sur plusieurs semaines. Il est donc très probable que ce type de rééducation cérébrale sollicite des phénomènes de plasticité qui s'inscrivent dans une dynamique lente, et de ce fait, requiert une durée relativement longue d'entraînement pour atteindre les effets à long terme recherchés. Cependant, à cela peuvent s'ajouter de nombreux éléments perturbateurs qui pourraient être à l'origine de la difficulté de l'apprentissage et des longs entraînements nécessaires pour obtenir les résultats attendus. Parmi eux, les perturbations qui viennent déformer le signal enregistré, ou les éléments artefactuels qui ne font pas partie du signal d'intérêt, sont une première cause potentielle. Le manque de spécificité fonctionnelle du signal retourné au sujet pourrait en constituer une deuxième. Nous avons d'une part développé des outils méthodologiques de traitement du signal en vue d'améliorer la robustesse des analyses des signaux EEG, principalement utilisés jusqu'à maintenant dans le domaine du neurofeedback et des ICM, face aux artefacts et au bruit électromagnétique. D'autre part, si l'on s'intéresse au problème de la spécificité fonctionnelle du signal présenté au sujet, des études utilisant l'IRM fonctionnelle ou des techniques de reconstruction de sources à partir du signal EEG, qui fournissent des signaux ayant une meilleure spécificité spatiale, laissent entrevoir de possibles améliorations de la vitesse d'apprentissage. Afin d'augmenter la spécificité spatiale et la contingence fonctionnelle du feedback présenté au sujet, nous avons étudié la stabilité de la décomposition de l'EEG en différentes sources d'activité électrique cérébrale par Analyse en Composantes Indépendantes à travers différentes séances d'enregistrement effectuées sur un même sujet. Nous montrons que ces décompositions sont stables et pourraient permettre d'augmenter la spécificité fonctionnelle de l'entraînement au contrôle de l'activité cérébrale pour l'utilisation d'une ICM. Nous avons également travaillé à l'implémentation d'un outil logiciel permettant l'optimisation des protocoles expérimentaux basés sur le neurofeedback afin d'utiliser ces composantes indépendantes pour rejeter les artefacts en temps réel ou extraire l'activité cérébrale à entraîner. Ces outils sont utiles dans le cadre de l'analyse et de la caractérisation des signaux EEG enregistrés, ainsi que dans l'exploitation de leurs résultats dans le cadre d'un entraînement de neurofeedback. La deuxième partie de ce travail s'intéresse à la mise en place de protocoles de neurofeedback et à l'impact de l'apprentissage. Nous décrivons tout d'abord des résultats obtenus sur une étude pilote qui cherche à évaluer chez des sujets sains l'impact d'un protocole de neurofeedback basé sur le contrôle du rythme Mu. Les changements comportementaux ont été étudiés à l'aide d'un paradigme de signal stop qui permet d'indexer les capacités attentionnelles et d'inhibition de réponse motrice sur lesquelles on s'attend à ce que l'entraînement ICM ait une influence. Pour clore cette partie, nous présentons un nouvel outil interactif immersif pour l'entraînement cérébral, l'enseignement, l'art et le divertissement pouvant servir à évaluer l'impact de l'immersion sur l'apprentissage au cours d'un protocole de neurofeedback. Enfin, les perspectives de l'apport des méthodes et résultats présentés sont discutées dans le contexte du développement des ICMs de nouvelle génération qui prennent en compte la complexité de l'activité cérébrale. Nous présentons les dernières avancées dans l'étude de certains aspects des corrélats neuronaux liés à deux états mentaux ou classes d'états mentaux que l'on pourrait qualifier d'antagonistes par rapport au contrôle de l'attention : la méditation et la dérive attentionnelle, en vue de leur intégration à plus long terme dans un entraînement ICM par neurofeedback.With new technological advances in functional brain imaging and theoretical progress in the knowledge of the different neurophysiologic processes linked to cognition, the last two decades have seen the emergence of Brain-Machine Interfaces (BCIs) allowing a person to observe in real-time, or with a few seconds delay, his own cerebral activity. Clinical domain in general, and more particularly neuropsychology and pathologies leading to heavy motor handicaps, for which potential applications are numerous, whether therapeutic or for functional rehabilitation, has been a major driver of research on this new field of real-time neurosciences. Among these applications, neurofeedback, or neurotherapy, which aims the subject to voluntary control some aspects of his own cerebral activity in order to amplify or reduce them in a therapeutic goal, or for cognitive optimization, represents a promising technique, and an alternative to drug treatments. However, validation of this type of intervention and understanding of involved mechanisms are still in their infancy. Neurofeedback training is often long, up to several weeks. It is therefore very likely that this type of rehabilitation is seeking brain plasticity phenomena that are part of slow dynamics, and thus require a relatively long drive to achieve the desired long-term effects. However, other disturbing elements that could add up to the cause of the difficulty of learning and long training sessions required to achieve the expected results. Among them, the disturbances that come from recorded signal distortions, or artifactual elements that are not part of the signal of interest, are a first potential cause. The lack of functional specificity of the signal returned to the subject could be a second one. We have developed signal processing methodological tools to improve the robustness to artifacts and electromagnetic noise of EEG signals analysis, the main brain imaging technique used so far in the field of neurofeedback and BCIs. On the other hand, if one looks at the issue of functional specificity of the signal presented to the subject, studies using functional MRI or source reconstruction methods from the EEG signal, which both provide signals having a better spatial specificity, suggest improvements to the speed of learning. Seeing Independent Component Analysis as a potential tool to increase the spatial specificity and functional contingency of the feedback signal presented to the subject, we studied the stability of Independent Component Analysis decomposition of the EEG across different recording sessions conducted on the same subjects. We show that these decompositions are stable and could help to increase the functional specificity of BCI training. We also worked on the implementation of a software tool that allows the optimization of experimental protocols based on neurofeedback to use these independent components to reject artifacts or to extract brain activity in real-time. These tools are useful in the analysis and characterization of EEG signals recorded, and in the exploitation of their results as part of a neurofeedback training. The second part focuses on the development of neurofeedback protocols and the impact of learning. We first describe the results of a pilot study which seeks to evaluate the impact of a neurofeedback protocol based on the Mu rhythm control on healthy subjects. The behavioral changes were studied using a stop signal paradigm that indexes the attentional abilities and inhibition of motor responses on which the BCI training can possibly have influence. To conclude this section, we present a new tool for immersive interactive brain training, education, art and entertainment that can be used to assess the impact of immersion on learning during a neurofeedback protocol. Finally, prospects for methods and results presented are discussed in the context of next-generation BCI development which could take brain activity complexity into account. We present the latest advances in the study of certain aspects of the neural correlates associated with two mental states or classes of mental states that could be described as antagonistic with respect to the control of attention: meditation and mind wandering, for their integration in the longer term in an BCI training using neurofeedback
Grands Albums Hachette
No full textSee my earlier version of this book, listed under 1953/66. I ordered this one through eBay because it was listed as published in 1953. I will keep trying for a first edition. Whereas that book was printed in France, this was printed in Italy. Let me repeat my remarks from there: My, Romain Simon illustrated many different books! This is a 28-page oversized (9 x 12½) children's book. There are eleven fables in all, each allotted one to three pages. At least five of them are included somehow in the endpieces at both ends of the book. The stories include GA, FC, FG, LM, TMCM, TH, MM, The Fox and the Goat, WL, FS, and TT. Has the lively, skipping rabbit appeared in Simon's work before? The scarf and shawl on the tortoise make me think I have seen these characters before!This is a hardbound book (hard cover)Language note: FrenchText nach einem Film von Georges de la Grandière; Nacherzählt nach der Fabel von La Fontain
Linguistic Innovations In Romain Gary\u27s Creative Laboratory
No full textIn this article we study a new background revealed due to Russian translations made by N.Mavlevich in 2015 of the first unpublished novel by Romain Gary, holder of the two Prix Goncourt prizes for his novels The Roots of Heaven (Les Racines du ciel) and The Life Before Us (La vie devant soi) published under the pseudonym Emile Ajar. The empirical writer mentioned about his debut novel in the book The Night is Calm (La nuit sera calme) and his posthumous literary essay The Life and Death of Emil Ajar (Vie et mort d\u27Emile Ajar) thus giving a clue to understanding of his “creative laboratory” related to phenomenal literary mystification. We assume that language experts will be interested in studying of Romain Gary\u27s linguistic biography who created his novels in English and French, considering the fact that Russia was the country where his linguistic development had started. By understanding the role and place of the author\u27s creative laboratory in linguistics we can define relevance and academic novelty of suggested study. The study allows to analyse Romain Gary\u27s creative works from a new perspective and goes beyond the existing method of obtaining knowledge. The main research objects include the author\u27s language and linguistic behaviour of his characters that are featured with well-structured images evoked by Russian words kept in mind from childhood. This system of values is close to the Russian readers and is in tune with the spirit of the modern age. This aspect in the framework of the language-specific nature can be a subject for further research. Linguistic findings made by Romain Gary facilitated the development of the literary language and were focused on increasing of capabilities of the literary speech. Analysis of linguistic innovations in the Romain Gary\u27s creative laboratory allows to receive important information about peculiarities of links between the cognitive and linguistic content discovered in linguistic facts and speech phenomena and make some crucial observations
Portfolio of recorded performances and exegesis: Messiaen’s musical language for the jazz pianist - an exploration through performance.
No full textMoving beyond Gunther Schuller’s Third Stream amalgamation of classical and jazz, this study explores whether the musical language of Olivier Messiaen can make a valid contribution to jazz piano performance. Initially, my project sought to answer such questions as: What elements of the musical language of Messiaen already exist in the jazz vocabulary? Am I able to extend this further? What are the timbral structures and pianistic effects within Messiaen’s musical language? What will be the most effective application of Messiaen’s musical language to jazz piano performance? Endeavouring to answer the final question led me to consider such aspects as whether the project should be limited to quoting Messiaen motifs, arranging Messiaen melodies, replacing jazz harmonic structures on standards with examples from Messiaen’s musical language or whether it would be better to approach the research conceptually. The work of Hubert Nuss provided encouraging reassurance that this was not an impossible task. In order to articulate this conception, the initial challenge was to decide how the classical and jazz worlds might meet in a ‘Messiaen’ technique. The approach adopted was similar to that used for undergraduate jazz study, namely, immersion in the piano scores and recordings of Messiaen’s music as well as by live performances. This was followed by the development and assessment of a contrived approach when specific techniques, such as tonal colourings or harmonic structures, were developed through prepared exercises and consciously included in my performance. It was then compared with an intuitive approach when no such precise parameters were established. This submission consists of CD recordings of two public recitals and an exegesis. It documents the development of this Messiaen technique and discusses its application in my performances. It also demonstrates the ways that Messiaen’s musical language can be used within jazz piano performance to provide a colour that distinguishes jazz piano performance in a competitive field.Thesis (M.Mus.) -- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 201
Richard Strauss, Romain Rolland and Salomé
No full textThis paper traces the genesis of Richard Strauss's own French libretto to Salomé and examines to what extent he paid heed to the French author, Romain Rolland's suggested changes and alterations. To commence with, the background prior to Strauss seeking Rolland's assistance with his libretto, will be established. What was it that had attracted the composer's attention to the Irish born Oscar Wilde's play written in French? According to Strauss himself, it was the opening phrase of the play that 'provoked an avalanche of musical ideas'. The phrase in question is 'Comme la princesse Salomé est belle ce soir!' or as Richard Strauss first heard it: 'Wie schön ist die Prinzessin Salome heute Nacht!' It was also one of the phrases that would later irritate Romain Rolland when assisting Strauss with the libretto
Modélisation de problèmes de vibro-acoustique interne avec traitement poroélastique : approche efficace par la méthode des éléments finis
No full textIn the context of interior noise reduction, the present work aims at proposing Finite Element (FE) solution strategies for interior structural-acoustic applications including 3D modelling of homogeneous and isotropic poroelastic materials, under timeharmonic excitations, and in the low frequency range. A model based on the Biot-Allard theory is used for the poroelastic materials, which is known to be very costly in terms of computational resources. Reduced models offer the possibility to enhance the resolution of such complex problems. However, their applicability to porous materials remained to be demonstrated.First, this thesis presents FE resolutions of poro-elasto-acoustic coupled problems using modal-based approaches both for the acoustic and porous domains. The original modal approach proposed for porous media, together with a dedicated mode selection and truncation procedure, are validated on 1D to 3D applications.In a second part, modal-reduced models are combined with a Padé approximants reconstruction scheme in order to further improve the efficiency.A concluding chapter presents a comparison and a combination of the proposed methods on a 3D academic application, showing promising performances. Conclusions are then drawn to provide indications for future research and tests to be conducted in order to further enhance the methodologies proposed in this thesis.Dans le contexte de lutte contre les nuisances sonores, cette thèse porte sur le développement de méthodes de résolution efficaces par éléments finis, pour des problèmes de vibroacoustique interne avec interfaces dissipatives, dans le domaine des basses fréquences. L’étude se limite à l’utilisation de solutions passives telles que l’intégration de matériaux poreux homogènes et isotropes, modélisés par une approche fondée sur la théorie de Biot-Allard. Ces modèles étant coûteux en terme de résolution, un des objectifs de cette thèse est de proposer une approche modale pour la réduction du problème poroélastique, bien que l’adéquation d’une telle approche avec le comportement dynamique des matériaux poreux soit à démontrer. Dans un premier temps, la résolution de problèmes couplés élasto-poro-acoustiques par sous-structuration dynamique des domaines acoustiques et poreux est établie. L’approche modale originale proposée pour les milieux poroélastiques, ainsi qu’une procédure de sélection des modes significatifs, sont validées sur des exemples 1D à 3D. Une deuxième partie présente une méthode combinant l’utilisation des modèles réduits précédemment établis avec une procédure d’approximation de solution par approximants de Padé. Il est montré qu’une telle combinaison offre la possibilité d’accroître les performances de la résolution (allocation mémoire et ressources en temps de calcul). Un chapitre dédié aux applications permet d’évaluer et comparer les approches sur un problème académique 3D, mettant en valeur leurs performances encourageantes. Afin d’améliorer les méthodes établies dans cette thèse, des perspectives à ces travaux de recherche sont apportées en conclusion
Efficient Finite Element Approach for Structural-Acoustic Applications including 3D modelling of Sound Absorbing Porous Materials
No full textIn the context of interior noise reduction, the present work aims at proposing Finite Element (FE) solution strategies for interior structural-acoustic applications including 3D modelling of homogeneous and isotropic poroelastic materials, under timeharmonic excitations, and in the low frequency range. A model based on the Biot-Allard theory is used for the poroelastic materials, which is known to be very costly in terms of computational resources. Reduced models offer the possibility to enhance the resolution of such complex problems. However, their applicability to porous materials remained to be demonstrated.First, this thesis presents FE resolutions of poro-elasto-acoustic coupled problems using modal-based approaches both for the acoustic and porous domains. The original modal approach proposed for porous media, together with a dedicated mode selection and truncation procedure, are validated on 1D to 3D applications.In a second part, modal-reduced models are combined with a Padé approximants reconstruction scheme in order to further improve the efficiency.A concluding chapter presents a comparison and a combination of the proposed methods on a 3D academic application, showing promising performances. Conclusions are then drawn to provide indications for future research and tests to be conducted in order to further enhance the methodologies proposed in this thesis.Dans le contexte de lutte contre les nuisances sonores, cette thèse porte sur le développement de méthodes de résolution efficaces par éléments finis, pour des problèmes de vibroacoustique interne avec interfaces dissipatives, dans le domaine des basses fréquences. L’étude se limite à l’utilisation de solutions passives telles que l’intégration de matériaux poreux homogènes et isotropes, modélisés par une approche fondée sur la théorie de Biot-Allard. Ces modèles étant coûteux en terme de résolution, un des objectifs de cette thèse est de proposer une approche modale pour la réduction du problème poroélastique, bien que l’adéquation d’une telle approche avec le comportement dynamique des matériaux poreux soit à démontrer.Dans un premier temps, la résolution de problèmes couplés élasto-poro-acoustiques par sous-structuration dynamique des domaines acoustiques et poreux est établie. L’approche modale originale proposée pour les milieux poroélastiques, ainsi qu’une procédure de sélection des modes significatifs, sont validées sur des exemples 1D à 3D.Une deuxième partie présente une méthode combinant l’utilisation des modèles réduits précédemment établis avec une procédure d’approximation de solution par approximants de Padé. Il est montré qu’une telle combinaison offre la possibilité d’accroître les performances de la résolution (allocation mémoire et ressources en temps de calcul).Un chapitre dédié aux applications permet d’évaluer et comparer les approches sur un problème académique 3D, mettant en valeur leurs performances encourageantes. Afin d’améliorer les méthodes établies dans cette thèse, des perspectives à ces travaux de recherche sont apportées en conclusion.QC 20120224FP6 Marie-Curie Smart StructuresFP7 Marie-Curie Mid-Frequenc
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