Embodied Robot Models for Interdisciplinary Emotion Research

Due to their complex nature, emotions cannot be properly understood from the perspective of a single discipline. In this paper, I discuss how the use of robots as models is beneficial for interdisciplinary emotion research. Addressing this issue through the lens of my own research, I focus on a critical analysis of embodied robots models of different aspects of emotion, relate them to theories in psychology and neuroscience, and provide representative examples. I discuss concrete ways in which embodied robot models can be used to carry out interdisciplinary emotion research, assessing their contributions: as hypothetical models, and as operational models of specific emotional phenomena, of general emotion principles, and of specific emotion ``dimensions''. I conclude by discussing the advantages of using embodied robot models over other models.Peer reviewe

Renormalisation effects of neutrino masses and interactions

1. Data and implications. 2. Neutrino threshold effects. 3. Renormalisation of the neutrino mass operator and stability properties of neutrino textures. 4. Neutrino thresholds effects and Yukawa unification. 5. Renormalisation-induced lepton-flavour-violating processes from non-zero neutrino masses. 6. Summary.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures. Invited talk at the Cracow Epiphany Conference on Neutrinos in Physics and Astrophysics, January 2000. Proceedings to appear in Acta Physica Polonica

Resonant single chargino and neutralino versus fermion-antifermion production at the Linear Collider

We study single superparticle productions at the linear collider, putting particular emphasis on resonant processes. We find that there exists a wide region of model parameters where single chargino and neutralino productions dominate over R-violating fermion-antifermion final states. For certain values of mu and M_2 it is possible to produce even the heavier charginos and neutralinos at significant rates, amplifying the total cross section and obtaining interesting chains of cascade decays. Effects from initial-state radiation are also included.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Presented at the 2nd ECFA/DESY study on Linear Colliders, Frascati, November 1998 (alternative theories working group). Typos correcte

Computer systems

In addition to the discussions, Ocean Climate Data Workshop hosts gave participants an opportunity to hear about, see, and test for themselves some of the latest computer tools now available for those studying climate change and the oceans. Six speakers described computer systems and their functions. The introductory talks were followed by demonstrations to small groups of participants and some opportunities for participants to get hands-on experience. After this familiarization period, attendees were invited to return during the course of the Workshop and have one-on-one discussions and further hands-on experience with these systems. Brief summaries or abstracts of introductory presentations are addressed

Modulation of exploratory behavior for adaptation to the context

For autonomous agents (children, animals or robots), exploratory learning is essential as it allows them to take advantage of their past experiences in order to improve their reactions in any situation similar to a situation already experimented. We have already exposed in Blanchard and Canamero (2005) how a robot can learn which situations it should memorize and try to reach, but we expose here architectures allowing the robot to take initiatives and explore new situations by itself. However, exploring is a risky behavior and we propose to moderate this behavior using novelty and context based on observations of animals behaviors. After having implemented and tested these architectures, we present a very interesting emergent behavior which is low-level imitation modulated by context

Robot Models of Mental Disorders

Alongside technological tools to support wellbeing and treatment of mental disorders, models of these disorders can also be invaluable tools to understand, support and improve these conditions. Robots can provide ecologically valid models that take into account embodiment-, interaction-, and context-related elements. Focusing on Obsessive-Compulsive spectrum disorders, in this paper we discuss some of the potential contributions of robot models and relate them to other models used in psychology and psychiatry, particularly animal models. We also present some initial recommendations for their meaningful design and rigorous use.Final Accepted Versio