DAC-h3: A Proactive Robot Cognitive Architecture to Acquire and Express Knowledge About the World and the Self

This paper introduces a cognitive architecture for a humanoid robot to engage in a proactive, mixed-initiative exploration and manipulation of its environment, where the initiative can originate from both the human and the robot. The framework, based on a biologically-grounded theory of the brain and mind, integrates a reactive interaction engine, a number of state-of-the art perceptual and motor learning algorithms, as well as planning abilities and an autobiographical memory. The architecture as a whole drives the robot behavior to solve the symbol grounding problem, acquire language capabilities, execute goal-oriented behavior, and express a verbal narrative of its own experience in the world. We validate our approach in human-robot interaction experiments with the iCub humanoid robot, showing that the proposed cognitive architecture can be applied in real time within a realistic scenario and that it can be used with naive users

The synthetic psychology of the self

Synthetic psychology describes the approach of “understanding through building” applied to the human condition. In this chapter, we consider the specific challenge of synthesizing a robot “sense of self”. Our starting hypothesis is that the human self is brought into being by the activity of a set of transient self-processes instantiated by the brain and body. We propose that we can synthesize a robot self by developing equivalent sub-systems within an integrated biomimetic cognitive architecture for a humanoid robot. We begin the chapter by motivating this work in the context of the criteria for recognizing other minds, and the challenge of benchmarking artificial intelligence against human, and conclude by describing efforts to create a sense of self for the iCub humanoid robot that has ecological, temporally-extended, interpersonal and narrative components set within a multi-layered model of mind

Deux hachettes-pendeloques et un ciseau des Deux-Sèvres dans leur cadre régional

Jauneau Jean Marie, Pointeau G. Deux hachettes-pendeloques et un ciseau des Deux-Sèvres dans leur cadre régional. In: Bulletin de la Société préhistorique française. Comptes rendus des séances mensuelles, tome 68, n°9, 1971. pp. 276-280

Experimental and numerical investigation of PWR Tube Support Plate (TSP) clogging formation mechanisms

International audienceCorrosion product deposits in the secondary side of PWR Steam Generators (SG) may result in Tube Support Plate (TSP) clogging majorly composed of magnetite (Fe3O4), which can lead to heavy consequences for nuclear reactor operation and safety issues such as primary-to-secondary leaks. It appears that TSP clogging is mainly driven by magnetite particle deposition and iron precipitation, which can be strengthened by flashing and electrokinetics mechanisms under the specific TSP geometric configuration. TSP clogging formation involves thus complex thermohydraulic, physical and chemical processes while the contribution of each phenomenon and the influence of operating conditions such as secondary fluid velocity, pH and temperature on TSP clogging are still unheralded. COLENTEC two-phase flow loop tests in 2015 provided the first representative experimental results of TSP clogging build-up and showed deposit growth rate in accordance with French power plant feedbacks. Numerical calculations showed the electrokinetics may play a predominant role in TSP clogging formation whereas no significant contribution of magnetite particle deposition occurs provided that the size of magnetite particles is close to 1 µm and the total iron concentration is less than 1 ppm

Evaluation of the Steam Generator clogging phenomena kinetics by γ\gamma-Ray counting

International audienceThe clogging deposits are mainly composed of magnetite (Fe$_3$O$_4$). With tracer injection ($^{59}$Fe) a nondestructive estimation of the deposit rates and the measure of the kinetics of deposition become possible. The aim of the gamma measurement is to be able to follow the deposition kinetics during the test phase under nominal conditions and to determine the influence of the hydraulic and chemistry parameters on this deposit

Unraveling the tripartite interactions among the woolly poplar aphid, its host tree, and their environment: a lead to improve the management of a major tree plantation pest?

Article en open accessInternational audienceKey message For an optimal deployment of poplar resistance to the gall-inducing aphid Phloeomyzus passerinii, a laboratory susceptibility assay has been developed. The nature of aphid–tree interactions during compatible and incompatible situations has been studied in detail. This should help at identifying specific resistance markers and at testing effects of site conditions on tree–pest interactions. Context P. passerinii is a major pest of poplar plantations in Europe, and the plantation of resistant poplar genotypes is regarded as the best long-term management strategy for this pest. This requires a sound knowledge of the interactions among the pest, its host and their environment. Aims Here, we review the recent advances aiming at developing an optimal deployment of host resistance versus P. passerinii. Results Investigations on aphid-host interactions demonstrated that P. passerinii induces pseudogalls within the bark of susceptible hosts. This results in a reduction of starch bark content during aphid outbreaks, which could be involved in tree death. The constitutive level of starch in the bark could be related to the tolerance level of trees. A susceptibility test has been designed for poplar genotypes, discriminating three categories of susceptibility depending on tree’s ability to totally or partially inhibit pseudogall induction. The test still has several limitations however. It neither takes into account the large level of individual genetic diversity of the aphid in France, nor the environmental modulation of tree resistance and tolerance, while water deficit and fertilization could potentially affect these parameters. Conclusion The hypotheses drawn regarding the processes leading to tree death or resistance should help at identifying resistance markers, and at testing effects of site conditions on tree–pest interactions

Using a neurocomputational autobiographical memory model to study memory loss

Autobiographical memory (AM) is a core component of human life and plays an important role in self-identification. Various conceptual models have been proposed to explain its functionalities and describe its dynamics. However, most existing computational AM models do not distinguish AM from other long-term memory. Specifically, during model design, the unique features and the memory encoding, storage, and retrieval procedures of AM were not taken into consideration in prior models. In this chapter, we introduce our neurocomputational AM model, which is consistent with Conway and Pleydell-Pearce’s model in terms of both the network structure and dynamics.We further propose how to apply our parameterized computational model to quantitatively study memory loss in people of different age groups. As such, we provide a suitable tool to evaluate the effect of different memory loss phases in a rapid and quantitative manner, which may be difficult or impossible in experimental studies on human subjects