On the role of computers in creativity-support systems

We report here on our experiences with designing computer-based creativity-support systems over several years. In particular, we present the design of three different systems incorporating different mechanisms of creativity. One of them uses an idea proposed by Rodari to stimulate imagination of the children in writing a picture-based story. The second one is aimed to model creativity in legal reasoning, and the third one uses low-level perceptual similarities to stimulate creation of novel conceptual associations in unrelated pictures.We discuss lessons learnt from these approaches, and address their implications for the question of how far creativity can be tamed by algorithmic approaches

Calculation of the angular dependence of the total electron yield

Secondary electron emission plays an important role in many applic. ations such as scanning electron microscopy, space applications and accelerator technologies. Secondary electron yield delta(E)at normal incidence of a primary electron beam is frequently modelled by the well-known semi-empirical law. However, this model is not used in a consistent way to predict the angular dependence. Additionally, neglecting the energy reflection has particular influence on the angular dependence of the secondary electron yield and therefore cannot be ignored. We propose here a simple approach to calculate delta(E) for any incident angle based on the experimental result achieved at normal incidence. The secondary electron yield is calculated according to the universal semi-empirical law, while a fraction of the electron energy deposited into the sample is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation. A simple modification of the original model for calculating a total electron yield (i.e. the sum of the true secondaries and backscattered electrons) is also presented. Very good agreement is observed between measurements and the calculation as long as the roughness is not significant The model works very well for both, low Z and high Z materials. In the case of rough samples this approach cannot predict the angular dependence of the total electron yield. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Joint Meeting on the 13th European Vacuum Conference / 7th European Topical Conference on Hard Coatings / 9th Iberian Vacuum Meeting, Sep 08-12, 2014, Aveiro, Portuga

Analyse de surface en temps réel par réflectométrie sur un cryotribomètre

Cet article présente une nouvelle méthode de contrôle d’état de surface en environnement atmosphérique et cryogénique par réflectométrie à fibre optique. Un disque d’acier en rotation et un pion fixe à base de PTFE interagissent par frottement. Le système à fibres optiques et la méthode réflectométrique développés permettent de suivre en temps réel et en condition in situ l’usure du disque et le transfert de Téflon

Presentation of a solar reflectometer coupled with a solar concentrator

Devices and methods are presented in which an optical fiber reflectometer and a solar concentrator are used to determine solar reflectivity and absorptivity for opaque and diffuse materials. The measurements can be taken at high temperature, up to 2500°C. First the specific reflectometer is presented. We will then describe the whole experimental hardware (solar installation, associated devices) and the method used to determine solar reflectivity and absorptivity. Finally, we will present examples of results obtained on a metallic sample

Modulation of heart rate response to acute stressors throughout the breeding season in the king penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus

International audience‘Fight-or-flight’ stress responses allow animals to cope adaptively tosudden threats by mobilizing energy resources and priming the bodyfor action. Because such responses can be costly and redirectbehavior and energy from reproduction to survival, they are likely to beshaped by specific life-history stages, depending on the availableenergy resources and the commitment to reproduction. Here, weconsider how heart rate (HR) responses to acute stressors areaffected by the advancing breeding season in a colonial seabird, theking penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus). We subjected 77 birds (44males, 33 females) at various stages of incubation and chick-rearingto three experimental stressors (metal sound, distant approach andcapture) known to vary both in their intensity and associated risk, andmonitored their HR responses. Our results show that HR increase inresponse to acute stressors was progressively attenuated with thestage of breeding from incubation to chick-rearing. Stress responsesdid not vary according to nutritional status or seasonal timing(whether breeding was initiated early or late in the season), butwere markedly lower during chick-rearing than during incubation.This pattern was obvious for all three stressors. We discuss how‘fight-or-flight’ responses may be modulated by considering theenergy commitment to breeding, nutritional status and reproductivevalue of the brood in breeding seabirds