Fluent Teleoperating of sequential mobile manipulation with a PR2

This work focuses on the improvement of an existing teleoperation that gives the operator no feedback. It features three different improved versions and a discussion about their pros and cons. An evaluation of the final teleoperation version and the problems that need to be addressed are also part of this work.Diese Arbeit befasst sich mit der Verbesserung einer bereits existierenden Teleoperation Anwendung, die dem Nutzer keinerlei Rückmeldungen gibt. Sie beinhaltet drei verschiedene verbesserte Versionen und eine Diskussion über deren Vor- und Nachteile. Eine Bewertung der finalen Version und die Probleme, die noch behoben werden müssen, sind auch Teil dieser Arbeit

Risk Management and Control Procedures

The chapter on risk management and control procedures from Professor James Sagner's book Cashflow Reengineering

Challenges and advanced concepts for the assessment of learning and memory function in mice

The mechanisms underlying the formation and retrieval of memories are still an active area of research and discussion. Manifold models have been proposed and refined over the years, with most assuming a dichotomy between memory processes involving non-conscious and conscious mechanisms. Despite our incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms, tests of memory and learning count among the most performed behavioral experiments. Here, we will discuss available protocols for testing learning and memory using the example of the most prevalent animal species in research, the laboratory mouse. A wide range of protocols has been developed in mice to test, e.g., object recognition, spatial learning, procedural memory, sequential problem solving, operant- and fear conditioning, and social recognition. Those assays are carried out with individual subjects in apparatuses such as arenas and mazes, which allow for a high degree of standardization across laboratories and straightforward data interpretation but are not without caveats and limitations. In animal research, there is growing concern about the translatability of study results and animal welfare, leading to novel approaches beyond established protocols. Here, we present some of the more recent developments and more advanced concepts in learning and memory testing, such as multi-step sequential lockboxes, assays involving groups of animals, as well as home cage-based assays supported by automated tracking solutions; and weight their potential and limitations against those of established paradigms. Shifting the focus of learning tests from the classical experimental chamber to settings which are more natural for rodents comes with a new set of challenges for behavioral researchers, but also offers the opportunity to understand memory formation and retrieval in a more conclusive way than has been attainable with conventional test protocols. We predict and embrace an increase in studies relying on methods involving a higher degree of automatization, more naturalistic- and home cage-based experimental setting as well as more integrated learning tasks in the future. We are confident these trends are suited to alleviate the burden on animal subjects and improve study designs in memory research

Challenges and advanced concepts for the assessment of learning and memory function in mice

The mechanisms underlying the formation and retrieval of memories are still an active area of research and discussion. Manifold models have been proposed and refined over the years, with most assuming a dichotomy between memory processes involving non-conscious and conscious mechanisms. Despite our incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms, tests of memory and learning count among the most performed behavioral experiments. Here, we will discuss available protocols for testing learning and memory using the example of the most prevalent animal species in research, the laboratory mouse. A wide range of protocols has been developed in mice to test, e.g., object recognition, spatial learning, procedural memory, sequential problem solving, operant- and fear conditioning, and social recognition. Those assays are carried out with individual subjects in apparatuses such as arenas and mazes, which allow for a high degree of standardization across laboratories and straightforward data interpretation but are not without caveats and limitations. In animal research, there is growing concern about the translatability of study results and animal welfare, leading to novel approaches beyond established protocols. Here, we present some of the more recent developments and more advanced concepts in learning and memory testing, such as multi-step sequential lockboxes, assays involving groups of animals, as well as home cage-based assays supported by automated tracking solutions; and weight their potential and limitations against those of established paradigms. Shifting the focus of learning tests from the classical experimental chamber to settings which are more natural for rodents comes with a new set of challenges for behavioral researchers, but also offers the opportunity to understand memory formation and retrieval in a more conclusive way than has been attainable with conventional test protocols. We predict and embrace an increase in studies relying on methods involving a higher degree of automatization, more naturalistic- and home cage-based experimental setting as well as more integrated learning tasks in the future. We are confident these trends are suited to alleviate the burden on animal subjects and improve study designs in memory research

Lived Experiences of Counselors: Navigating the Changing Role Using Emotional Intelligence

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of counselors during the transition from traditional face-to-face counseling to a teletherapy format during the COVID-19 pandemic and how counselors were able to utilize emotional intelligence skills/abilities during this time. The theories that guided this study were the ability model of emotional intelligence and social constructivism. The following questions guided this study: How did counselors experience their changing role from primarily face-to-face counseling to teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic? How did counselors experience emotional intelligence during the transition from traditional face-to-face counseling to teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic? How did counselors experience the utilization of emotional intelligence skills/abilities during this time? Participants’ lived experiences were collected through individual semi-structured interviews coupled with letters of advice. The data analysis was completed following the methods outlined by Moustakas (1994) for analysis. Their experiences were integrated into a universal description of the experience, which became the essence. The essence of this phenomenon was that counselors’ roles changed via technological changes, client care, environmental changes, and logistics. Emotion identification, emotion management, and awareness of/understanding the environment were all experiences that were central to the participants’ experience of emotional intelligence during teletherapy. These findings could help counselors in better serving their clients in a teletherapy format

Selection of Overwintering Microclimate by Migratory Western Monarch Butterflies

Migratory species are expected to demonstrate habitat selection that occurs at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Western monarch butterflies migrate seasonally to overwinter in groves at geographically predictable locations along the California coast. To date, overwintering habitat selection by western monarch butterflies has been studied assuming that habitat selection occurs where overwintering aggregations form, meaning at the spatial scale where monarchs form dense overwintering aggregations within overwintering groves. We argue that since western monarch butterflies are migratory, studies of habitat selection could have commingled selection at different scales into a single spatial scale. This likely leads to ignoring some levels of habitat selection, confounding the scale of habitat selection itself, and potentially misidentifying the habitat attributes under selection. Therefore, we explore monarch overwintering habitat selection to determine whether an explicit spatial framework is necessary.We studied nine groves on the coast of California and at each grove we collected temperature, humidity, and light data from grove edges, grove interiors, and aggregation locations over several weeks of the overwintering season. We tested the hypothesis that monarchs aggregate in locations within groves that have consistent attributes across groves. We find that locations on the outer edges of groves differed significantly in particular attributes of daily temperature and light from the interior of groves. Yet we find neither evidence supporting the hypothesis that the aggregation locations have a unique microclimate that differs significantly from other locations inside the grove nor that aggregation locations are uniform in their microclimatic attributes across overwintering groves. Rather, we find that the microclimatic attributes at the aggregation locations vary spatially with latitude. Thus, the overwintering climatic attributes that appear to be under selection varied spatially based on locations within groves and based on latitude of each particular grove. We conclude it will be necessary to consider spatial effects when studying western monarch butterfly overwintering habitat selection and that interpretations of habitat selection to date have commingled habitat selection at multiple spatial scales