75 research outputs found
Towards rich multimodal behavior in spoken dialogues with embodied agents
No full textSpoken dialogue frameworks have traditionally been designed to handle a single stream of data - the speech signal. Research on human-human communication has been providing large evidence and quantifying the effects and the importance of a multitude of other multimodal nonverbal signals that people use in their communication, that shape and regulate their interaction. Driven by findings from multimodal human spoken interaction, and the advancements of capture devices and robotics and animation technologies, new possibilities are rising for the development of multimodal human-machine interaction that is more affective, social, and engaging. In such face-to-face interaction scenarios, dialogue systems can have a large set of signals at their disposal to infer context and enhance and regulate the interaction through the generation of verbal and nonverbal facial signals. This paper summarizes several design decision, and experiments that we have followed in attempts to build rich and fluent multimodal interactive systems using a newly developed hybrid robotic head called Furhat, and discuss issues and challenges that this effort is facing.</p
Pseudorthocladius immezensis Moubayed-Breil & Lods-Crozet 2021, sp. n.
No full textPseudorthocladius immezensis sp. n. http://zoobank.org/51951519-569F-44D8-B0F0- 0DB2370A1D21 Material examined. Holotype, Switzerland. 1 male adult, Malaise trap, leg. B. Lods-Crozet. Macun cirque, streamlet and rheocrenes, left shore of Immez Lake (46°43’39.678’’ N, 10°07’55.764’’E); alt. 2616 m a.s.l., 27.VII.2013. Environmental data from inlet of Immez Lake (after Lods-Crozet et al. 2012): crystalline water, conductivity 5.9 µS/cm; temperature (min-max, 3.9-19.5 °C; mean, 11.6 °C), pH 6.7. Paratype. 1 male adult, leg. B. Lods-Crozet, same date and locality as for holotype. Holotype (mounted on 1 slide; GBIFCH 00597051) is deposited in the collections of the ‘Musée cantonal de Zoologie, Palais de Rumine, 6 place de la Riponne, CH-1014 Lausanne (MZL), Switzerland. Paratypes, Switzerland. 1 male adult, mounted on 1 slide, is deposited in the collection of the senior author. Etymology. The name ‘ immezensis ’ refers to the Immez Lake basin where the type-material was collected. Diagnostic characters P. immezensis sp. n. can easily be distinguished from other related species by the following combination of characters. Head. Base and median part of coronal suture with atypical lateral and median extensions; temporal setae 10-11; antenna 1280 µm long, last flagellomere about 300 µm long, apical seta absent, AR 0.30. Sensilla coeloconica absent on palpomere 3. Clypeus sub-trapezoidal, with 8 setae. Thorax. Lobes of antepronotum in contact; humeral pit half ellipse-like. Wing. Distal half of membrane densely covered with macrotrichia (hairy cells are: r 4+5, m 1+2, m 3+4; cells cu and an bare); squama with 5 setae. Legs. Sensilla chaetica present on tarsomeres ta 1 -ta 5 of PI-PIII. Abdomen. Tergite IX broad basally, narrowed distally. Anal point markedly enlarged at base, with 17 setae mostly located close to the lateral margin. Virga with 4 spines. Gonocoxite truncate in its inner apical margin. Superior volsella, large lobe-like. Inferior volsella double: dorsal lobe nose-like with smooth inner margin; ventral lobe low. Gonostylus without posterior projection, caudal margin rounded; crista dorsalis absent. Description Adult male (n = 2; Figs 1A, D, G-H, J, I, M; 2A-H) Small to medium sized species. Total length (TL) 2.25 mm, wing length (WL) 1.35 mm; TL/WL = 1.67 (n =1). General colouration is ranging from pale brown to dark brown; head, thorax and antenna brown; thorax brown with dark brown mesonotal stripes; legs uniformly brown; abdomen and anal segment brown. Head (n =2). (Fig. 1A). Eyes bare, midline of the frontal area slightly concave, frontal tubercles low; base and median part of coronal suture with outwards and inwards extensions; coronal setae present; temporal setae 10-11 including 8-9 inner and 2 outer verticals, postorbitals absent. Palp 5-segmented, length (in µm) of segments: 15, 30, 45, 48, 55; segments 1-2 fused, segment 2 bulbous; palpomere 3 (Fig. 1D) with 3 sensilla clavata, sensilla coeloconica absent. Clypeus (Fig. 1G) subtrapezoidal, with 8 setae in 2 rows. Antenna 1280 µm long, last flagellomere about 300 µm long, apex distinctly clubbed, apical seta absent, antennal groove reaching segment 3, AR 0.30. Thorax. Lobes of antepronotum (Fig. 1H) thinner basally and not gaping, lateral antepronotals 5, located apically; acrostichals 9 in 1-2 rows, starting at some distance from antepronotum; dorsocentrals 9 in 1-2 rows; prealars 4 in 1 row; supraalars absent; humeral area (Fig. 1I) with contrasting brownish granulation, humeral pit half ellipse-like, parapsidal fork composed of micro-granulation; scutellum (Fig. 1J) broad, heart-like with 6 thin setae in 1 row. Wing (n = 2). (Fig. 1M). Brachiolum with 1 seta; subcosta reaching the fork of radius, distribution of setae on veins: R, 16-17; R 1, 11-12; remaining veins bare; costal extension about 25-30 µm; distal half of membrane densely covered by macrotrichia which are clearly visible at 125-200X; hairy cells are: r 4+5 (150-160), m 1+2 (80-85), m 3+4 (about 40); cells cu and an bare; squama with 5 setae. Legs (n = 1). Femur of PI and PIII nearly subequal (520 and 530 µm long); length (in µm) of tibial spurs: PI, 40; PII, 35 and 40; PIII, 30 and 45; longest seta of tibial comb 35 µm long. Sensilla chaetica present only on apical part of tibia of PI-PII, are more abundant on tarsomeres ta 1 -ta 5. Length (in µm) and proportions of prothoracic (PI), mesothoracic (PII) and metathoracic (PIII) legs as in table 1. Abdomen. Hypopygium (n = 2) in dorsal and ventral view as in Figs 2 A-B. Tergite IX (Figs 2A, E) about 135-140 µm maximum width at base, occupying the entire width of segment IX, large cuplike basally, distal part subtriangular and extremely narrowing; dorsal side linear and lacking hump as shown in lateral view (Fig. 2E); setae absent on median and posterior area. Anal point (Figs 2A, E) with a characteristic enlarged base, distal part distinctly subtriangular (clearly visible in lateral view, Fig. 2E), presence of 17 setae (12 located close to the lateral margin and 5 on dorsomedian area). Laterosternite IX with 12-14 setae (6-7 on each side). Sternapodeme and phallapodeme as in Fig. 2B, transverse sternapodeme semi-circular and orally projecting, lateral expansion well developed; phallapodeme sinuous, thicker in its median part. Virga (Figs 2A, D) composed of 4 spines including 3 long and 1 short (located at base). Gonocoxite (Figs 2 A-B, F) 155 µm long, 65 µm maximum width, apical part 25-30 µm wide, inner apical margin truncate. Superior volsella (Figs 2C, F) well-developed, large lobe-like as illustrated in dorsal (Fig. 2A) and lateral view (Fig. 2F). Inferior volsella (Figs 2A, C, E) about 40-45 µm long, 25 µm maximum width, consists of double lobes: dorsal one nose-like with smooth inner margin, apex distinctly bent downwards, median area with a distinct cluster of short setae; ventral one low triangular lobe. Gonostylus (Figs 2A, G-H) 70 µm long, 20 µm maximum width, without posterior projection, posterior margin rounded bearing a distinct notch distally clearly visible when viewed at acute and right angle; crista dorsalis absent. HR = 2.22. HV = 3.22. Female adult, pupal exuvia and larva: unknown. Differential diagnosis Morphological differences between P. immezensis sp. n. and morphologically similar congeners (namely P. cristagus; P. curtistylus; P. filiformis; P. pilosipennis) are highlighted in the following differential diagnosis. Adults of P. immezensis has a head with low frontal tubercles and atypical outward and inward extensions of the coronal suture (Fig. 1A), different from what is observed in P. curtistylus (Fig. 1B) and P. sp. 1 (Fig. 1C) which belongs to an unnamed species known from the Mutt stream (upper Rhone basin, Switzerland, alt. 2100 m); sensilla coeloconica absent on palpomere 3 (Fig. 1D), present in P. curtistylus (Figs 1 E-F); low antennal ratio (AR 0.30) compared to what is observed in P. curtistylus (0.84) and P. cristagus (about 1.40) (Saether and Sublette 1983, Stur and Saether 2004); humeral pit formed like a half ellipse (Fig. 1I), absent in P. curtistylus (Fig. 1K); scutellum large heart-like, with 6 similar thin setae (Fig. 1J), is horizontal diamond-like and bearing 2 stronger (occasionally 4) median setae in P. curtistylus and P. filiformis (Fig. 1L); distal half of wing densely haired (Fig. 1M), different from wings of P. curtistylus (Saether and Sublette 1983, Figs 27C-D), P. cristagus (Stur and Saether 2004, Fig. 1) and P. pilosipennis (Saether and Sublette 1983, Fig. 26C); cells cu and an bare, while both are setose in P. cristagus and P. pilosipennis; basal part of anal point distinctly enlarged (Figs 2A, E), different from that of P. curtistylus (Fig. 2I), P. cristagus (Stur and Saether 2004, Fig. 2) and P. pilosipennis (Saether and Sublette 1983, Fig. 26D); virga with 4 spines (Figs 2A, D), is absent in P. cristagus and P. pilosipennis (Stur and Saether 2004; Saether and Sublette 1983); inferior volsella nose-like, bent downwards apically, with a distinct cluster of short setae on median area (Figs 2A, C), inferior volsella is bulbous in P. cristagus (Stur and Saether 2004, Fig. 2) or large lobe-like in P. pilosipennis (Saether and Sublette 1983, Fig. 26D); posterior margin of gonostylus rounded and bearing a notch distally (Figs 2A, G-H), gonostylus is linearly elongate and bearing a prominent outer heel in P. cristagus (Stur and Saether 2004, Fig. 3); crista dorsalis absent (Figs 2A, G-H), is large, tooth-like in P. cristagus (Stur and Saether 2004, Fig. 3). It is not feasible to provide a key to known male adult Pseudorthocladius from Europe until sufficient material of all species has been examined and compared. Ecology and geographical distribution Only one, not associated larva of the genus Pseudorthocladius was collected in the inflow area of Lake Immez, where bryocolous and hygropetric habitats seem to represent the most favourable aquatic microhabitat for the larval populations. The new species likely belongs to the crenophilous community of species as documented by Lindegaard (1995) as no Pseudorthocladius larvae were found during extensive sampling in the lake Immez and other small lakes in the area (Lods-Crozet unpublished data; Lods-Crozet et al. 2012). Such pristine lotic habitats are considered to be microrefugia and hotspots of diversity and therefore deserve much greater consideration, protection and preservation. Geographical distribution of the new species is currently restricted to the Alpine Swiss glacial catchments including streams and lakes delimited by the Macun cirque (Swiss National Park, eastern Swiss Alps, alt. 2616 m, Fig. 3), but P. immezensis sp. n. can be expected to occur in other similar mountainous areas situated in Switzerland and neighbouring countries (Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Poland). Chironomid species encountered in the same area, and listed by Lods-Crozet et al. (2012), Lods-Crozet (2014, unpublished data, report to the scientific commission of the Swiss National Park) and Moubayed and Lods-Crozet (2018) include: Zavrelimyia melanura (Meigen, 1804); Diamesa bertrami Edwards, 1935; D. cinerella Meigen, 1835; D. nowickiana Kownacki & Kownacka, 1975; D. vaillanti Serra-Tosio, 1972; Protanypus caudatus Edwards, 1924; Pseudodiamesa branickii (Nowicki 1873); Pseudodiamesa nivosa (Goetghebuer, 1928); Pseudokiefferiella parva (Edwards, 1932); Chaetocladius castellai Moubayed-Breil, 2018; C. macunensis Moubayed-Breil, 2018; C. longivirgatus Stur & Spies, 2011; C. lodscrozetae Moubayed-Breil, 2018; C. suecicus (Kieffer 1916); Heleniella helvetica Moubayed-Breil and Lods-Crozet, 2016; H. ornaticollis (Edwards, 1929); Corynoneura arctica Kieffer, 1923; E. minor (Edwards, 1929); Orthocladius frigidus (Zetterstedt, 1838); Parorthocladius nudipennis (Kieffer, 1908); Tokunagaia rectangularis (Goetghebuer, 1940); Micropsectra radialis Goetghebuer, 1939; Paratanytarsus austriacus (Kieffer, 1924). The presence of P. immezensis sp. n. in high mountain Alpine ranges in the Swiss Alps (above 2600 m a.s.l.) highlights and confirms that some cold and glacial high mountain enclaves can contain diversity previously unknown to science. Documentation and knowledge of this fauna is important to monitor diversity and community changes caused by global warming and climate change.Published as part of Moubayed-Breil, Joel & Lods-Crozet, Brigitte, 2021, PSEUDORTHOCLADIUS IMMEZENSIS SP. N., A NEW RELICT SPECIES INHABITING THE MACUN HIGH-ALPINE STREAM, SWISS ALPS (DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE), pp. 13-20 in CHIRONOMUS Journal of Chironomidae Research 34 on pages 14-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.645938
Clunio boudouresquei Moubayed-Breil & Dominici 2019, sp. n.
No full textClunio boudouresquei Moubayed-Breil, sp. n. Clunio sp. 1, in Moubayed-Breil & Ashe (2012), Moubayed-Breil et al. (2013). http://zoobank.org/ 3B0274A6-5460-4D84-8028- 2BF8903468B9 Material examined Holotype. France, West Corsica, Scandola Nature Reserve, Focolara Bay, Cala Litizia, bio-constructions of the red calcified marine alga L. byssoides of Punta Palazzu locality (Fig. 10), 42° 21′ 25″ N, 8° 34′ 0″ E; 1 male pharate adult, leg. J. Moubayed-Breil, 03. VI.2015. Locality No. 31 in Moubayed-Breil & Ashe (2012); locality No. 30 in Moubayed-Breil et al. (2013). Marine water temperature: 10-12°C (min.), 22-24°C (max.). Paratypes (all leg J.M-B.): 2 male adults, 1 female adult, 6 pupal exuviae (4 males and 2 females), same locality as for holotype, 03.VI.2015. Holotype (mounted on 1 slide) and 2 pupal exuviae (1 male and 1 female) are deposited in the collections of the Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM), Munich, Germany. Additional paratypes are deposited in the senior author’s collection. Diagnostic characters Based on some characters found in the male adult (vertex with lateral projections, typical morphology of inferior volsella and both basal and caudal apodemes, presence of megaseta on gonostylus), C. boudouresquei sp. n. appears to belong to a local Tyrrhenian marine element. However, this new species can be distinguished from other European Clunio species by the blow listed characters. Male adult: Vertex with two lateral triangular projections; antenna 10-segmented, last flagellomere longer than the 3 preceding segments; sensilla chaetica present on tibia and ta1 of PI-PIII; tergite VIII with a distinct elongate ellipse-like ridge located antero-medially, midline area with 6 short setae; apical expansion of tergite IX distinctly convex at apex; caudal apodeme with 5-6 curved claw-like tubercles; inferior volsella wider at base and narrowing distally; gonostylus unusually bearing a black fingernail-like megaseta, apex ending with a single finger-like tubercle. Female adult: Eyes densely haired, temporals 2 including 1 inner and 1 outer vertical; clypeus semi-circular, bare; antenna 7-segmented, last flagellomere elongated, segments 6 and 7 each with 1 tubular sensilla chaetica; palpomere 2, globular, with 3 sensilla clavata distally and 1 long fine seta; tarsomere ta 1 of PI and PII is half long as ta 1 of PIII; sensilla chaetica present on tibia and tarsomere ta 1 of PI, PII and PIII; sternite VIII with 22-24 setae; dorsomesal lobe of gonapophysis VIII convex medially and projecting; apodeme lobe swollen in its postero-median part; 2 stout inwardly directed setae present on each side of gonapophysis VIII; seminal capsules sub-oval; tergite IX oval, markedly divided, with 20-22 setae; gonocoxite weekly developed; cercus sub-rectangular. Pupal exuviae: Antero-median area of frontal apotome and thorax with wrinkles; frontal setae present on distal part of frontal apotome; dorsocentrals Dc 1 -Dc 2 and Dc 3 -Dc 4 located close together; anterior transverse rows of spines interrupted on tergite II; posterior transverse rows of hooks present on sternites V-VII. Etymology: the new species is named ‘ boudouresquei’ in honour of our colleague Ch-Fr. Boudouresque (University of Sciences, Luminy, Marseille), who is still active in studying the biology and ecology of the Mediterranean marine flora and fauna including those of the protected area of Scandola Nature Reserve. As he always did in past, he keeps working on developing projects to preserve the marine protected area of Scandola Nature Reserve, which represents a precious and valuable inheritance area. Male adult (n = 5, 2 pharates; Figs 1 c-h, 2a-d, 3a-b) Total length 2.70-2.90 mm. Wing length 1.35-1.40 mm, TL/WL = 2-2.10. General colouration contrasting brown to dark brown. Head and antennae dark brown; thorax contrasting light brown to brown with dark brown mesonotal stripes; wing pale translucent; legs brown to dark brown; tergites I-VII brownish, tergite VIII and anal distinctly contrasting light brown to dark brown. Head. Eyes sub-circular without dorso-median extension, densely hairy with long and short pinlike hairs; hairs absent on inner lateral eye margin, outer posterior margin lacking setae. Vertex (Fig. 1c, dorsal; Fig. 1d, ventral) with 2 triangular lateral expansions; temporals 2 consist only of 2 outer verticals, postorbitals absent. Antenna 10-segmented, about 500 µm long, lacking plume; segment 1-2 (Fig. 1e), segment 1 globular, segment 2 145 µm long, linearly elongated; segment 2-9 globular, nearly sub-equal (30-40 µm long); ultimate flagellomere (Fig. 1f) 105 µm long, about 40 µm maximum width, as longer than the 3 preceding segments, thumb-like shaped; sensilla chaetica present on segments 1 to 8; antennal groove reaching segment 2; AR 0.27. Palp (Figs 1 g-h) 2-segmented, lacking sensilla clavata; left palpomeres 1-2 respectively 25 and 55 µm long, palpomere 2 ending with a long finger-like expansion; right palpomeres 1-2 (Fig. 1h), first one indistinct, second one sub-rectangular to square-like shaped, side about 25-30 µm long. Clypeus semicircular and bare. Thorax. Antepronotum (Fig. 1c) weakly developed with joined lobes. Antepronotals 3; acrostichals 4-5 starting close to antepronotum; dorsocentrals 5 in 1 row; prealars 2; scutellum with 8 setae. Wing. Brachiolum with 1 seta; number of setae on veins: R, 7; R 2+3, 6-7; remaining veins and squama bare. Legs. Femur of PI-PIII broad (100-110 µm maximum width); tibial spurs distinctly conspicuous and curved at apex, length (µm): PI, 40; PII, 65; PIII, 55. Tarsomeres ta 3 and ta 4 of PI and PIII (45 and 40 µm long) shorter than tarsomere ta 5 (75 and 65) as in Table 1; SV of PIII (9.48) is much higher than in PI and PII. Sensilla chaetica present on tibia and tarsomere ta 1 of PI-PIII. Length (µm) and proportions of prothoracic (PI), mesothoracic (PII) and metathoracic (PIII) legs as in Table 1. Abdomen. Hypopygium in dorsal and ventral view as in Figs 2 a-b (Fig. 2a, dorsal; Fig. 2b, ventral, with tergite IX removed). Laterosternite absent. Tergite VIII with a distinct elongate ellipsoidal ridge located antero-medially, midline area bearing 6 short setae (3 on each side). Tergite IX is Clunio - type, without anal point; dorsal side (Fig. 2a) densely covered with macrotrichia-like setae in reclinate pattern (orally directed), postero-median area with about 40 short setae about 15 µm long; ventral side (Fig. 3b) with a semi-circular posterior lamella covered with macrotrichia. Ventral side of hypopygium (Fig. 1b) includes 4 distinct apodemes (basal, axial, lateral and caudal) which can be detailed as: basal apodeme (= sternapodeme) 140 µm maximum width, T-like shaped (Figs 1b, 3a) with anterior side concave (occasionally convex as in Fig. 3c); axial apodeme about 320 µm long, ending with a bi-lobed semi-circular apical expansion (Figs 2a, 3b); lateral apodeme (= phallapodeme) 250 µm long, inwardly bent distally; caudal apodeme (Fig. 2b) distinctly branched on each lateral side, composed of 2 connected parts, basal one is rectangular brush-like shaped, posterior one consists of 5-6 grouped claws of typical structure. Gonocoxite about 600 µm long, 250 µm maximum width, distal inner area with dense group of long and short setae; inferior volsella 220 µm long, 15- 20 µm width medially, located distally, conical and densely covered with short and upwardly directed setae. Gonostylus (Figs 2 c-d) inversed trianglelike shaped, arched with acute posterior angle and projecting backwards posteriorly; thicker at base, much thinner in median and distal parts; length (in µm of sides): basal one about 20, concave one 25, convex one 17; apical angle (Fig. 2d) with 1 single characteristic finger-like tubercle; crista dorsalis well-developed, consists of 2 unequal lobes occupying the entire length of gonostylus; megaseta tooth-like shaped and conspicuous, nearly as high as wide (12-15 µm), represents an unusual character in the genus Clunio. Female adult (n = 2, 1 pharate; Figs 1 i-j, 4a-e) Small sized species. Total length 1.65-1.70 mm. General shape is Clunio female-type. Colouration as in the male adult except for the thorax, which is less dark. Antennae light brown; legs brownish with blackish claws. Abdominal tergites and anal segment contrasting brown to dark brown. Head. Eyes densely hairy, sub-circular without dorso-median extension, hairs absent on inner lateral eye margin, outer posterior margin lacking setae. Temporals 2, including 1 inner and 1 outer vertical. Clypeus semi-circular, bare. Antenna 7-segmented, about 200 µm long; last flagellomere (Fig. 1i) 60 µm long, elongated and lobe-like; segments 6 and 7 each with 1 tubular sensilla chaetica; antennal groove reaching segment 2; AR 0.43. Palp (Fig. 1j) 2-segmented; segment 1, indistinct; palpomere 2, globular about 20 µm long bearing 3 sensilla clavata distally and 1 long fine seta. Thorax. Chaetotaxy indistinct. Legs. Tibia of PI, PII and PIII nearly equal (185, 180, 185 µm long); length (µm) of tibial spurs of: PI, 40; PII, 65; PIII, 5. Tarsomeres ta 1 -ta 5 of PI and PII equal in size as in Table 2; tarsomeres ta 1 and ta 5 of PI and PIII are globular and equal in size (40 µm long each); tarsomere ta 1 of PI and PII (40 µm long) is half long as ta 1 of PIII (85 µm). Femur of PI is much wider (90 µm) than in PII-PIII (70 and 60); tibia of PIII is wider (55 µm) than in PI and PII (45 µm each); tarsomere ta 1 of PII is much wider (50 µm) than in PI and PIII (27 µm each); tarsomere ta 1 of PII is wider (55µm) than in PI and PIII (30 µm each). LR value (Table 2) of PIII (0.46) is much higher than those of PI and PII (0.22 each); SV value (Table 2) of PI and PII (10.75 and 11) is about twice of PIII (5.35). Sensilla chaetica present in low number on tibia and tarsomere ta 1 of PI, PII and PIII. Length (in µm) and proportions of prothoracic (PI), mesothoracic (PII) and metathoracic (PIII) legs as in Table 2. Abdomen. Anal segment (dorsal, Fig. 4a; ventral, Fig. 4b) 280 µm long, 260 µm maximum width at base, 130 µm wide at caudal part. Genitalia in dorsal and ventral view as illustrated in Figs 4 b-e. Notum about 140 µm long with separate rami; on each side the rami are connected to a sternal axial apodeme. Sternite VIII with 22-24 setae (11- 12 on each side of the notum). Gonapophysis VIII (Figs 4 b-d): dorsomesal lobe (Fig. 4d) convex medially and projecting in both proximal and apical parts; ventrolateral lobe directed downwards, broader basally and narrowing posteriorly; apodeme lobe (left, Fig. 4c) distinctly swollen in its postero-median part. Presence of 2 stout inwardly directed setae on each side of gonapophysis VIII between base of sternite VIII and ventrolateral lobe. Seminal capsules 70 µm long, 40 µm maximum width, sub-oval and well-sclerotized medially. Spermathecal ducts with loops and separate openings. Tergite IX (Fig. 4e) egg-like shaped, markedly divided, with 20-22 setae (10-11 on each side). Gonocoxite (Figs 4 a-b) weekly developed but widely extended, bearing 8-9 setae. Cercus (Fig. 4b) sub-rectangular, normally developed and projecting upwards. Pupal exuviae (n = 10, 7 males and 3 females; Figs 5a, 5c, 5 e-f) Total length 2.85-3.15 mm. Colouration contrasting dark brown to yellow brown, wrinkles present on antero-median area of frontal apotome and thorax; abdomen and anal segment brownish. Cephalothorax. Frontal apotome broadly trapezoidal, frontal setae about 40 µm long, inserted posteromedially, distance between frontal setae 50 µm. Median antepronotals nearly subequal (30-35 µm long), lateral antepronotal absent; precorneals subequal, about 50 µm long, insertion arranged I, triangle. Dorsocentrals Dc 1 -Dc 2 and Dc 3 -Dc 4 located close together; Dc 4 subequal (about 10-15 µm long), Dc 3 and Dc 4 sub-equal (about 40 µm long); distance (in µm) between: Dc 1 to Dc 2 30, Dc 2 to Dc 3 80, Dc 3 to Dc 4 10. Abdomen. Armament, chaetotaxy, distribution pattern of shagreen and details of armament on tergites and sternites II-VII as in Figs 5a, 5c, 5 e-f. Tergite I and sternites I-III bare, sternite IV occasionally with 1-2 rows of small spines (Fig. 5a). Conjunctives of tergites III-VII and sternites V-VII with one transverse row of hooks, which are smaller on sternites, conjunctive on segment VIII composed only of short posteriorly directed spines. Antero-median transverse rows of spines present on tergites II-VII, sparsely present and interrupted medially on tergite II, becoming denser and more extensive on tergites III-VI. Pedes spurii A and B absent; apophyses on tergites and sternites absent. Number and distribution pattern of lateral setae on segments I-VIII: 2 on segment I; 2/3 on II-VII; 3 on VIII. Anal segment is Clunio - type, genital sac 490-500 µm long, 70 µm maximum width, ending each with 1 pointed tubercle. Larva Known but not described. Differential diagnosis Male adult and pupal exuviae of C. boudouresquei sp. n. are compared to those of known Clunio species from seacoasts of Europe and neighbouring areas, based on material collected by the senior author in Corsica, continental France, Italy, Spain except for Bulgaria (Varna seashores, leg. P. Michailova). Some relevant specific features found in the male adult and pupal exuviae will easily separate the new species from other members of Clunio by the following combination of characters: Male adult: Frontal area of head bearing 2 apical projections (Figs 1 c-d), is differently shaped in C. marinus (Figs 1 a-b); last flagellomere narrowed apically (Fig. 1f), is widely clubbed in C. mediterraneus (Fig. 1k) and linearly curved in C. sp. 1 (Fig. 1l); typical long finger-like expansion of left palp (Fig. 1g), is absent in both C. sp. 2 (Fig. 1m) and C. marinus (Fig. 1n); caudal apodeme composed of basal brush-like and 5-6 apical claws (Fig. 2b), is lacking basal brush and less branched apically in C. mediterraneus (Fig. 2e); megaseta present on gonostylus (Fig. 2c), is absent in C. mediterraneus (Fig. 2f) and C. marinus (Fig. 2h); apex of gonostylus with only one single finger-like tubercle (Figs 2 c-d), while consists of several unequal tubercles in both C. sp. 1 (Fig. 2g) and C. marinus (Figs 2 h-i); basal and apical parts of axial apodeme (Figs 3 a-b), are differently shaped in C. mediterraneus (Figs 3 c-d and C. sp. 1 (Figs 3 e-f). Male pupal exuviae: Transverse row of hooks present on sternites V-VII (Figs 5a, 5 e-f), only present on sternites V-VI in C. mediterraneus (Figs 5b, 5 gh); anteromedian rows of spines on tergite II interrupted medially and sparse (Fig. 5c), is continuous and more dense in C. mediterraneus (Fig. 5d). Ecology and remarks The immature stages of Clunio spp. are typically marine dwellers of the intertidal zone along the littoral and mid-littoral zones of rocky shores, sometimes in association with populations of Mytilus spp. In some species (in particular those associated with Lithophyllum beds) the emergence of the adults is synchronized with the lunar cycle (Neumann 1976, Neumann et al. 1997, Kaiser & Heckel 2012). The biological cycle (reproduction and emergence) of C. boudouresquei sp. n. is closely related to the typology of the intertidal zone including alternation between submerged marine habitats and terrestrial ecological conditions, which are strongly reinforced during spring tides of lunar rhythms (new and full moon). The pavements, ‘trottoirs’ of L. byssoides represent a combination of habitats that typically characterize the intertidal zone of the protected area of Scandola Nature Reserve. They mainly consist of a pristine combination of habitats considered to be microrefugia for a dense and diversified community of marine, semi-aquatic and semi-terrestrial species, including members of several closely integrated dipteran families (Chironomidae, Ceratopogonidae and Dolichopdidae). The newly described species is encountered in the marine mid-littoral zone of Punta Palazzu (Fig. 6), where larval stages occur exclusively within the large bio-constructions of the ‘long-living’ red calcified alga L. byssoides, which clearly delimit alternate cycles of both submerged and terrestrial habitats. In addition, the bio-concretions of Punta Palazzu are currently considered as the largest Lithophyllum beds in Europe, where valuable knowledge on the biology (growth rate) and ecology of the algal communities are documented by Verlaque (2010). While the biological and ecological quality of L. byssoides rims are still well-preserved at Punta Palazzu and Port-Cros Island (Figs 6-7), other similar marine sites located along the coastal Mediterranean ecosystem of continental France are becoming extinct, or have been deeply damaged and degraded (Figs 8-9) during the last four decades by human activities, including ecotourism and release of toxic chemical pollutants (e.g., HAP, PCB, abundance of macro- and microplastics). In addition, the L. byssoides beds delimited by the latter endangered sites, are heavily threatened by a massive proliferation of an invasive Mytilidae species (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819). This sea mussel significantly predominates when changes in water quality and level of pollution become increasingly high (seashores at Banyuls, SW-France, Figs 8-9), where populations are intensely enlarging and reinforcing their potential expansion in occupying up to 70-80% of the living L. byssoides original cover. Such situations are also highlighted in southern France by Blanfuné et al. (2019) for the ‘Canopy-forming Seaweeds’ of Cystoseira mediterranea Sauvageau, 1810, where an important decline of local populations with risk of extinction are reported; Linares et al. (2010) and Garragou et al. (2017) report a similar scenario for the Mediterranean Red Coral, suggesting that constructive plans and management measures for conservation and preservation of autochthonous Tyrrhenian elements must be implemented. Consequently, in some of the Tyrrhenian mid-littoral coastlines (Punta Palazzu, Port-Cros, Banyuls), some relevant and vulnerable Clunio species are closely confined to the Lithophyllum beds, and therefore their loss would be clearly indicative of a combination of anthropogenic impacts and global warming in this geographical region. Such relict Tyrrhenian species are considered as potentially biogeographic representatives and biological indicators of local climate change (in particular, the rise of sea level), which strongly affect both sustainability and viability of the Clunio populations. Geographical distribution Geographical distribution of known Clunio species from European seacoasts (Ashe & O’Connor 2012) and the Tyrrhenian sub-region is given in in Figure 10. Clunio boudouresquei sp. n. ‘⚙’ is abundant at the type-locality of Punta Palazzu (Scandola Nature Reserve, West Corsica); weakly represented in southern France (Port-Cros and Porquerolles Islands, Cassis, Banyuls). Occurrences of C. boudouresquei sp. n. in southern France indicate that it may be more widespread in other geographical areas of the Tyrrhenian sub-region (insular and continental Provinces), and therefore can be expected from the seacoasts of some neighbouring countries like Italy and Spain. Clunio marinus ‘✻’ is found along all Atlantic seacoasts in Europe including France, Germany, England, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Madeira, Netherland, Norway, Spain and Sweden. Clunio mediterraneus ‘✶’ is widespread in the Mediterranean Basin: Southern France (Cerbère, Banyuls, Sète, Carry, Marseille, Cassis, Port-Miou, Hyère, Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Nice), northern and western Corsica, the Balearic Islands, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Croatia (the Adriatic Sea). Clunio ponticus Michailova, 1980 ‘✪’ is only recorded from the Black Sea (Varna, Bulgaria).Published as part of Moubayed-Breil, Joel & Dominici, Jean-Marie, 2019, CLUNIO BOUDOURESQUEI SP. N. AND THALASSOSMITTIA BALLESTAI SP. N., TWO TYRRHENIAN MARINE SPECIES OCCURRING IN SCANDOLA NATURE RESERVE, WEST CORSICA (DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE) Abstract, pp. 4-24 in CHIRONOMUS Journal of Chironomidae Research 32 (32) on pages 5-13, DOI: 10.5324/cjcr.v0i32.3078, http://zenodo.org/record/798732
Do infants detect A→V articulator congruency for non-native click consonants?
No full textIn a prior study infants habituated to an audio-only labial or alveolar, native English voiceless or non-native ejective stop, then saw silent videos of stops at each place [1]. 4-month-olds gazed more at congruent videos for native and non-native stops. 11-month-olds preferred congruence for native stops but incongruence for non-native ejectives, suggesting language experience biases but does not block detection of non-native A➝V speech relations. But as English adults perceive ejectives as deviant stops [2], we asked whether infants detect A➝V congruence in non-native phones adults hear as nonspeech, i.e., click consonants [3-6]. 4-month-olds preferred incongruency; 11-month-olds showed no preference. We posit that infants prefer A➝V congruency for phones heard as native-like speech; prefer incongruency for phones heard as speech that deviates from native segments; notice extreme deviance earlier (clicks: 4 mo; ejectives: 11 mo); and later treat very deviant phones as discriminable nonspeech sounds [3, 4] that are unrelated to visual speech. Results are at odds with existing AV models, but may be handled by a hybrid of Amodal Articulatory and Intersensory Narrowing views
Perception of gaze direction in 2D and 3D facial projections
No full textIn human-human communication, eye gaze is a fundamental cue in e.g. turn-taking and interaction control [Kendon 1967]. Accurate control of gaze direction is therefore crucial in many applications of animated avatars striving to simulate human interactional behaviors. One inherent complication when conveying gaze direction through a 2D display, however, is what has been referred to as the Mona Lisa effect; if the avatar is gazing towards the camera, the eyes seem to "follow" the beholder whatever vantage point he or she may assume [Boyarskaya and Hecht 2010]. This becomes especially problematic in applications where multiple persons are interacting with the avatar, and the system needs to use gaze to address a specific person. Introducing 3D structure in the facial display, e.g. projecting the avatar face on a face mask, makes the percept of the avatar's gazechange with the viewing angle, as is indeed the case with real faces. To this end, [Delaunay et al. 2010] evaluated two back-projected displays - a spherical "dome" and a face shaped mask. However, there may be many factors influencing gaze directionpercieved from a 3D facial display, so an accurate calibration procedure for gaze directionis called for.</p
Perception of nonverbal gestures of prominence in visual speech animation
No full textIt has long been recognized that visual speech information is important for speech perception [McGurk and MacDonald 1976] [Summerfield 1992]. Recently there has been an increasing interest in the verbal and non-verbal interaction between the visual and the acoustic modalities from production and perception perspectives. One of the prosodic phenomena which attracts much focus is prominence. Prominence is defined as when a linguistic segment is made salient in its context.</p
Prominence detection in Swedish using syllable correlates
No full textThis paper presents an approach to estimating word level prominence in Swedish using syllable level features. The paper discusses the mismatch problem of annotations between word level perceptual prominence and its acoustic correlates, context, and data scarcity. 200 sentences are annotated by 4 speech experts with prominence on 3 levels. A linear model for feature extraction is proposed on a syllable level features, and weights of these features are optimized to match word level annotations. We show that using syllable level features and estimating weights for the acoustic correlates to minimize the word level estimation error gives better detection accuracy compared to word level features, and that both features exceed the baseline accuracy.</p
IrisTK
No full textIn this paper, we present IrisTK - a toolkit for rapid development of real-time systems for multi-party face-to-face interaction. The toolkit consists of a message passing system, a set of modules for multi-modal input and output, and a dialog authoring language based on the notion of statecharts. The toolkit has been applied to a large scale study in a public museum setting, where the backprojected robot head Furhat interacted with the visitors in multiparty dialog.</p
Acoustic-to-articulatory inversion based on local regression
No full textThis paper presents an Acoustic-to-Articulatory inversionmethod based on local regression. Two types of local regression,a non-parametric and a local linear regression have beenapplied on a corpus containing simultaneous recordings of positionsof articulators and the corresponding acoustics. A maximumlikelihood trajectory smoothing using the estimated dynamicsof the articulators is also applied on the regression estimates.The average root mean square error in estimating articulatorypositions, given the acoustics, is 1.56 mm for the nonparametricregression and 1.52 mm for the local linear regression.The local linear regression is found to perform significantlybetter than regression using Gaussian Mixture Modelsusing the same acoustic and articulatory features.</p
Bringing the avatar to life : Studies and developments in facial communication for virtual agents and robots
No full textThe work presented in this thesis comes in pursuit of the ultimate goal of building spoken and embodied human-like interfaces that are able to interact with humans under human terms. Such interfaces need to employ the subtle, rich and multidimensional signals of communicative and social value that complement the stream of words – signals humans typically use when interacting with each other. The studies presented in the thesis concern facial signals used in spoken communication, and can be divided into two connected groups. The first is targeted towards exploring and verifying models of facial signals that come in synchrony with speech and its intonation. We refer to this as visual-prosody, and as part of visual-prosody, we take prominence as a case study. We show that the use of prosodically relevant gestures in animated faces results in a more expressive and human-like behaviour. We also show that animated faces supported with these gestures result in more intelligible speech which in turn can be used to aid communication, for example in noisy environments. The other group of studies targets facial signals that complement speech. As spoken language is a relatively poor system for the communication of spatial information; since such information is visual in nature. Hence, the use of visual movements of spatial value, such as gaze and head movements, is important for an efficient interaction. The use of such signals is especially important when the interaction between the human and the embodied agent is situated – that is when they share the same physical space, and while this space is taken into account in the interaction. We study the perception, the modelling, and the interaction effects of gaze and head pose in regulating situated and multiparty spoken dialogues in two conditions. The first is the typical case where the animated face is displayed on flat surfaces, and the second where they are displayed on a physical three-dimensional model of a face. The results from the studies show that projecting the animated face onto a face-shaped mask results in an accurate perception of the direction of gaze that is generated by the avatar, and hence can allow for the use of these movements in multiparty spoken dialogue. Driven by these findings, the Furhat back-projected robot head is developed. Furhat employs state-of-the-art facial animation that is projected on a 3D printout of that face, and a neck to allow for head movements. Although the mask in Furhat is static, the fact that the animated face matches the design of the mask results in a physical face that is perceived to “move”. We present studies that show how this technique renders a more intelligible, human-like and expressive face. We further present experiments in which Furhat is used as a tool to investigate properties of facial signals in situated interaction. Furhat is built to study, implement, and verify models of situated and multiparty, multimodal Human-Machine spoken dialogue, a study that requires that the face is physically situated in the interaction environment rather than in a two-dimensional screen. It also has received much interest from several communities, and been showcased at several venues, including a robot exhibition at the London Science Museum. We present an evaluation study of Furhat at the exhibition where it interacted with several thousand persons in a multiparty conversation. The analysis of the data from the setup further shows that Furhat can accurately regulate multiparty interaction using gaze and head movements.QC 20121123</p
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