Robot Personality Design for an Appropriate Response to the Human Partner

International audienceThis paper discusses the importance of modeling personality for social robots. While human-liked features (such as voice, gestures, and postures) are well-studied in social robotics, developing robots with personality traits is still very much in its infancy. In this paper, we show and argue the importance of embodying personality in the robot's behavior so as to provide a more natural interaction and a more appropriate feedback to the human partner

D'émotion et de GRACE (vers un modèle computationnel unifié des émotions)

Les psychologues (comme A. Damasio, K. R. Scherer, P. Ekman) ont montré que l émotion est un élément essentiel dans la prise de décision, dans l évolution des capacités d apprentissage et de création, dans l interaction sociale. Il est donc naturel de s'intéresser à l'expression d'émotions dans le cadre de l'interaction homme-machine. Nous avons proposé dans un premier temps le modèle GRACE, modèle générique des émotions pour les applications computationnelles. Nous nous sommes basés en particulier sur la théorie psychologique de K. R. Scherer, qui cherche à produire une théorie des processus émotionnels qui soit modélisable et calculable. La pertinence de notre modèle a été vérifiée et validée via une comparaison avec différents modèles computationnels existants. Si le modèle GRACE est générique, nous nous sommes attachés à montrer qu il pouvait s instancier dans un contexte particulier, en l occurrence l interaction homme-robot utilisant la modalité musicale. Nous nous sommes intéressés pour cela d une part à la conception d un module d analyse du contenu émotionnel d une séquence musicale, d autre part à la conception de mouvements émotionnellement expressifs pour un robot mobile. Du point de vue de l analyse musicale, la contribution principale de la thèse porte sur la proposition d un ensemble réduit d indicateurs musicaux et sur la validation du module d analyse sur une base de données de grande taille conçue par un expert en musicologie. Du point de vue de la robotique, nous avons pu montrer expérimentalement qu un robot avec des capacités expressives très limitées (déplacements, mouvements de caméra) pouvait néanmoins exprimer de manière satisfaisante un ensemble réduit d émotions simples (joie, colère, tristesse, sérénité).Emotion, as psychologists argue (like A. Damasio, K. R. Scherer, P. Ekman), is an essential factor for human beings in making decision, learning, inventing things, and interacting with others. Based on this statement, researchers in Human-Machine Interaction have been interested in adding emotional abilities to their applications. With the same goal of studying emotional abilities, we propose, in our work, a model of emotions named GRACE, which helps in modelling emotions in computational applications. We based our model on the work of psychologist Klaus R. Scherer, who intensively searches to form a generic model of emotion applicable to computational domain (like informatics, robotics, etc.). We demonstrate the pertinence of our model by comparing it to other existing models of emotions in the field of informatics and robotics. In this thesis, we also worked on the instantiation of GRACE, in particular the components Cognitive Interpretation and Expression. These two components have been developed to be applied in the context of interacting with users using music. To develop Cognitive Interpretation, we worked on the extraction of emotional content in musical excerpts. Our contribution consists in proposing a reduced number of musical features to efficiently extract the emotional content in music, and in validating them via a learning system with a large database designed by a musicologist. For Expression, we have worked on the design of emotional moves of a mobile robot. Through very limited moves (moves in space, camera moves), we have shown that with dance-inspired motions, the robot could efficiently convey basic emotions (i.e. happiness, sadness, anger, serenity) to people.EVRY-Bib. électronique (912289901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Shortage in Access to Basic Social Services: A Case Study of Ethnic Minority Groups in Vietnam

The research uses shortages in the multi-dimensional poverty criteria and household living standards survey data collected by the General Statistic Office to evaluate the access to basic social services by ethnic minorities. The result shows significant differences in shortages between the Kinh and ethnic minorities, among ethnic minority groups and among localities. Differences in geographical location, level of development and lacking specific policies are the main causes. A number of policy recommendations has been made to narrow the gap in access to basic social services among ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. Keywords: Ethnic minorities, basic social services, shortage in access to basic social services, Vietnam DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-17-15 Publication date:June 30th 202

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN VIET NAM

Microfinance plays an important role in the nation's financial inclusive system. Therefore, the development of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) increasingly receives the attention of governments, especially in developing countries. In which, financial sustainability is one of the determinants which measures the development of microfinance institutions (MFIs). In this research, the institutionalist approach is applied with the purpose of developing empirical evidence for the determinants that affect the financial sustainability of MFIs in Viet Nam. Financial sustainability is analyzed through the evaluation criteria of the investors and the wholesale lending organizations. The Fixed Effect Model is applied to determine the factors that affect the financial sustainability of MFIs in Viet Nam. Quantitative results show that the financial sustainability of MFIs is governed by five factors, including (i) the growth rate of MFIs’ outstanding loans, (ii) the efficiency of MFIs’ performance, (iii) the ratio of borrowers to the number of staffs of MFIs with a positive impact; (iv) the debt-to-equity ratio of MFIs; and (v) the incremental cost per client of the MFIs with negative effec

Co-expression of recombinant single chain variable fragment recognizing blood antigen fused with sumo and chaperones in Escherichia coli

Single chain variable fragments (scFv) have widely been used in research, diagnosis and treatment, but the scFv is considered as difficult protein for expression in E. coli. In previous studies, we expressed a construction of recombinant single chain variable fragments again antigen specific for blood type A (antiA-scFv) individually or fused with Trx or SUMO. However, soluble fraction was low abandant and only approximately 40% when fused with Trx, the other cases were expressed in form of inclusion body. Therefore, it was difficult for purification, refolding and activity assesment. In thispaper, we demonstrated a suitable construction for soluble production of antiA-scFv fused with SUMO (SM/antiA-scFv) in presence of chaparones. Under fermentation with 0.1 mM IPTG at 20oC, the SM/antiA-scFv was entirely expressed in soluble form. Importantly, after cleavage from SUMO with SUMOprotease, antiA-scFv was still maintained in the supernatant fraction. Therefore, it can help ensure bioactivity and is useful for purification process. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing soluble recombinant scFv fused with SUMO in presence of chaperone for determination of blood group antigens. Thus, this result facilitates the optimal study of soluble expression, purification and bioactivity determination of the antiA-scFv recombinant antibody.

Effect of deposition time on gold nanodendrite porous structure and on signals of Hg(II) in environment

The influences of deposition time (tdep) for Au nanodendrite preparation on carbon cloth electrodes on the surface structure, electrochemical behavior and voltammetric signal for Hg(II) detection have been studied. The obtained results showed that from 60 s to 300 s, the longer deposition time, the larger dendrite length as well as the more increased density of dendrite structure became. Calculated from data showed that the electroactive surface area approached to the maximum value of 3.686 cm2 with tdep = 300 s. The typical electrochemical behaviour of the prepared electrodes was mass transfer diffusion to the electrode surface and being considered as planar diffusion. Using DPASV technique, the peak height of Hg(II) could appoach to 52 µA with tdep = 60 s. Keywords. Gold nanodendrite, deposition time, surface structure, electrochemical properties, mercury

Expression of the recombinant single chain variable fragments recognizing blood antigen fused with thioredoxin in Escherichia coli

The technology of recombinant single chain variable fragments (scFvs) expression has been used in research, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In the previous study, we studied the expression of a recombinant single chain variable fragment recognizing blood A antigen (antiA-scFv) in E. coli. However, the protein was insoluble form resulting in difficulty for purification, refolding and activity assesment. Here, we present the study on fused expression of the recombinant scFv -specific blood A antigen with thioredoxin (Trx) in the expression vector pET32a (+). The results showed that the Trx/antiA-scFv fusion protein was expressed with molecular weight of 49 kDa in a soluble form reaching 40% of the total recombinant protein. This result facilitates the optimal condition of soluble protein expression, purification and bioactivity determination of the antiA-scFv recombinant antibody.

Impact of Vocational Education and Training On Decent Job Opportunities Regarding Information and Communication Technology

Vocational education and training plays a crucial part in the creation of decent job. The fast growth of information and communication technology (ICT) during the past ten years has increased work opportunities for laborers. This research uses the yearly labor force survey data to study the impact of vocational education and training on decent job opportunities for employees in the context of Vietnam's information and communication technology development. The logit model results indicate that the 2020 rate of decent jobs is still low, at approximately 25.6 percent. However, vocational education and training and the advancement of ICT positively affect decent job opportunities. This long-lasting impact affects laborers in various areas, regions, and industries. These findings suggest that vocational education and training and ICT must play a significant role in transitioning from precarious to more secure employment, so laborers must acquire professional knowledge and information technology skills

Impairment of Assets Under Perspectives of International and Vietnamese Accounting

This study investigates the impairment of assets on financial reportings of three separate entities - Vietnam Prosperity Joint-Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), The Bank of East Asia (BEA) and The Nestlé Group - in the financial year of 2017. By bringing out the differences between international accounting system of asset impairment (IAS 36) and Vietnamese accounting system (VAS), this research has determined the gap between two sets of financial statements under IFRS and VAS in conveying the business performance and financial position. The empirical results show Vietnam’s necessary for a convergence in asset impairment with international accounting system. Therefore, we provide some recommendations for Vietnam in applying asset impairment regarding to IAS 36 partly or completely. Keywords: Asset impairment, International accounting, Vietnamese accounting. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-12-07 Publication date:June 30th 2019

Complete mitochondrial genome of Dong Tao chicken breed (Gallus gallus domesticus) of Vietnam

The complete mitochondrial genome of Dong Tao chicken breed (Gallus gallus domesticus, Dong Tao) was obtained by PCR and sequencing. The complete mitogenome was 16,783 bp in length, with the nucleotide composition for A, T, C, G was 30.29%, 23.75%, 32.48%, and 13.48%, respectively. The mitogenome of Dong Tao chicken contained a non-coding control region (D-loop), 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and 22 tRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that breed Dong Tao chicken breed was sister-close to G. gallus breed Guangxi, and paraphyletic to G. spadiceus, S. jabouillei, and a range of Chinese indigenous, ie. breeds Rugao and Taoyuan