Robots showing emotions: Emotion representation with no bio-inspired body

Robots should be able to represent emotional states to interact with people as social agents. There are cases where robots cannot have bio-inspired bodies, for instance because the task to be performed requires a special shape, as in the case of home cleaners, package carriers, and many others. In these cases, emotional states have to be represented by exploiting movements of the body. In this paper, we present a set of case studies aimed at identifying specific values to convey emotion trough changes in linear and angular velocities, which might be applied on different non-anthropomorphic bodies. This work originates from some of the most considered emotion expression theories and from emotion coding for people. We show that people can recognize some emotional expressions better than others, and we propose some directions to express emotions exploiting only bio-neutral movement

Towards enriching robot's actions with affective movements

Emotions are considered by many researchers as beneficial in social robotics, since they can enrich human-robot interaction with non-verbal clues. Although there have been works that have studied emotion expression in robotics, the mechanisms created to project emotion are usually highly integrated in each solution. This limits the possibility to develop a general approach. This paper presents a system that has been initially created for a theatrical robot to enrich its actions with emotions, but it has been designed to be adaptable to other fields. The emotional enrichment system has been envisioned to be used with any action decision system

A Reactive Competitive Emotion Selection System

We present a reactive emotion selection system designed to be used in a robot that needs to respond autonomously to relevant events. A variety of emotion selection models based on “cognitive appraisal” theories exist, but the complexity of the concepts used by most of these models limits their use in robotics. Robots have physical constrains that condition their understanding of the world and limit their capacity to built the complex concepts needed for such models. The system presented in this paper was conceived to respond to “disturbances” detected in the environment through a stream of images, and use this low-level information to update emotion intensities. They are increased when specific patterns, based on Tomkins’ affect theory, are detected or reduced when it is not. This system could also be used as part of (or as first step in the incremental design of) a more cognitively complex emotional system for autonomous robots

Exploring the relationship between racial identity, microaggressions, and academic outcomes among African American students in the classrooms of a predominantly white campus

The overt nature of racism in the United States has morphed into an insidious, covert manifestation called racial microaggression (Pierce, Carew, Pierce-Gonzalez, & Wills, 1978; Sue, Capodilupo, et al., 2007). Though not often intentional in nature, these microaggressive behaviors have become pervasive in the lives of people of color (Sue, 2010; Sue, Capodilupo, et al., 2007). Extant research reveals the harmful and cumulative effects of racial microaggressions (Sue, Nadal, et al., 2008). Researchers have also found a link between the experiences of African American students and negative psychological, health, and educational outcomes (Solórzano, Ceja, & Yosso, 2000; Sue, 2010; Watkins, Labarrie, & Appio, 2010). Much research has been done on people of color's experiences with racial microaggressions; however, few studies have given attention to why some African American college students are able to excel in microaggressive academic environments while others do not. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent African American students at a predominantly White institution experience racial microaggression in the classroom as well as the frequency with which various types of microaggressions are encountered. A secondary purpose was to identify if there is a relationship between microaggressive encounters and academic outcomes. The final purpose was to explore whether racial identity status moderates the relationship between microaggressions and academic outcomes. Forty-seven undergraduate students participated in this study. Results indicated that students' backgrounds impact how they handle microaggressive behaviors. Implications of the findings are presented and suggestions or future research are provided

Benchmarking and viability assessment of optical packet switching for metro networks

Optical packet switching (OPS) has been proposed as a strong candidate for future metro networks. This paper assesses the viability of an OPS-based ring architecture as proposed within the research project DAVID (Data And Voice Integration on DWDM), funded by the European Commission through the Information Society Technologies (IST) framework. Its feasibility is discussed from a physical-layer point of view, and its limitations in size are explored. Through dimensioning studies, we show that the proposed OPS architecture is competitive with respect to alternative metropolitan area network (MAN) approaches, including synchronous digital hierarchy, resilient packet rings (RPR), and star-based Ethernet. Finally, the proposed OPS architectures are discussed from a logical performance point of view, and a high-quality scheduling algorithm to control the packet-switching operations in the rings is explained

Increase of gluthatione S-transferase, carboxyl esterase and carbonyl reductase in Fasciola hepatica recovered from triclabendazole treated sheep

Fasciolasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Fasciola hepatica and its control is mainly based on the use of triclabendazole (TCBZ). Parasite resistance to different anthelmintics is growing worldwide, including the resistance of F. hepatica to TCBZ. In the present work we evaluate “in vivo” the activity of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes of phase I (carboxyl esterases) and phase II (glutathione S-transferases and carbonyl reductases) recovered of flukes from sheep treated with TCBZ. All three enzymes showed increased activity in TCBZ flukes returning 60 h post-treatment at similar to baseline unexposed flukes. TCBZ action may induce secondary oxidative stress, which may explain the observed increment in activities of the analyzed enzymes as a defensive mechanism. The enzymes analyzed are candidates to participate actively in the development of resistance at TCBZ in F. hepatica.Fil: Scarcella, Silvana Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Solana, M. V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Lamenza, Pamela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Ceballos, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Solana, Hugo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Centro de Investigacion Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

The KINDRA project. Sharing and evaluating groundwater research and knowledge in Europe

Groundwater knowledge and research in the European Union is often scattered and non-standardised, because of different subjects involved and different approaches from Member States. The Horizon2020 project KINDRA has conducted an EU-wide assessment of existing groundwater-related practical and scientific knowledge based on a new Hydrogeological Research Classification System, identifying more than 280 keywords related to three main categories (namely Operational Actions, Research topics and Societal Challenges) to be intersected in a 3D-diagram approach. The classification is supported by a web-service, the European Inventory of Groundwater Research, which acts not only as knowledge repository but also as a tool to help identify relevant researchm topics, existing research trends and critical research challenges. The records have been uploaded during the project by 20 national experts from National Associations of Geologists, under the umbrella of the European Federation of Geologists. The total number of metadata included in the inventory at the end of the project are about 2300, and the analysis of the results is considered useful for producing synergies, implementing policies and optimising water management in Europe. By the use of additional indicators, the database content has been analysed by occurrence of keywords, type of document, level of innovation. Using the three-axes classification, more easily understandable by 2D diagrams as bubble plots, occurrence and relationship of different topics (main categories) in groundwater research have been highlighted. This article summarizes the activities realized in relation to the common classification system and to the metadata included in the EIGR, showing the distribution of thecollected information in different categories and attributes identified by the classification

Diffusion tensor imaging and white matter abnormalities in patients with disorders of consciousness.

Progress in neuroimaging has yielded new powerful tools which, potentially, can be applied to clinical populations, improve the diagnosis of neurological disorders and predict outcome. At present, the diagnosis of consciousness disorders is limited to subjective assessment and objective measurements of behavior, with an emerging role for neuroimaging techniques. In this review we focus on white matter alterations measured using Diffusion Tensor Imaging on patients with consciousness disorders, examining the most common diffusion imaging acquisition protocols and considering the main issues related to diffusion imaging analyses. We conclude by considering some of the remaining challenges to overcome, the existing knowledge gaps and the potential role of neuroimaging in understanding the pathogenesis and clinical features of disorders of consciousness

Evaluation of the acceptability and feasibility of a computer-tailored intervention to increase HPV vaccination among young adult women

Objective: To examine acceptability and feasibility of a Transtheoretical Model (TTM)-based computer-tailored intervention for increasing HPV vaccination in college-aged women. Participants: 243 women ages 18-26 were recruited between February and May of 2011. Methods: Participants completed the intervention and a 14-item evaluation of intervention content and delivery. Results: Most participants had heard of HPV (91%), but the majority (57%) of participants were in Precontemplation for getting vaccinated. Eighty nine percent of participants rated the CTI positively across all acceptability items, and 91% endorsed intention to get vaccinated after intervention. While average ratings in each demographic subgroup were positive, Hispanic women and participants in more advanced Stages of Change rated the program more favorably than non-Hispanic and earlier stage participants. Additionally, HPV Knowledge was higher among White/Non-Hispanic participants. Conclusions: Initial acceptability and feasibility data for this intervention is promising. Its computer-based, individually-tailored format is state of the art and ideal for inexpensive dissemination

Staple-based paper electrochemical platform for celiac disease diagnosis

A staple-based electrochemical platform is proposed for the first time as a simple and low-cost detection system for paper-based devices. The system, that incorporates small and disposable stainless-steel staples as electrodes (modified with carbon ink in the case of the working electrode) is combined with a paper strip and is carefully optimized with ferrocene carboxylic acid. As a proof-of-concept, it was employed for the enzymatic (HRP-based) immunoelectroanalytical detection of human tissue anti-transglutaminase (anti-tTG), biomarker for celiac disease diagnosis. The intensity of the current due to the electrochemical reduction of TMB (HRP substrate) was recorded chronoamperometrically at -0.2 V in different paper areas. A linear relationship between the current measured at 30 s and the logarithm of the concentration of anti-tTG in the range comprised between 3 and 100 U.mL-1 was obtained. Negative and positive controls produced expected values. Results demonstrated that the paper/staple-combined platform is very convenient for the detection of electroactive analytes and other compounds that can be determined indirectly in bioassays.Fil: Nanni, Paula Inés. Universidad de Oviedo; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Bioingeniería. Laboratorio de Medios e Interfases; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Lopez, Andrea. Universidad de Oviedo; EspañaFil: Nuñez Bajo, Estefanía. Universidad de Oviedo; EspañaFil: Madrid, Rossana Elena. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Bioingeniería. Laboratorio de Medios e Interfases; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Abedul, M. Teresa. Universidad de Oviedo; Españ