Emotion Recognition for Human-Centered Conversational Agents

This thesis proposes a study on Emotion Recognition in Conversation to address the challenges of the task with a chatbot reference case study to enhance conversational agents’ ability to understand and respond appropriately to human emotion. The study consists of two phases. The first one involves the use of several baselines and the implementation of EmoBERTa to explore aspects of the task, such as preprocessing, balancing technique and context modelling tested on ERC benchmark dataset. The results reveal that the punctuation provides key information to the task, balancing techniques can provide marginal improvements if appropriately selected and context can provide additional information and suggest that a non-static context construction could be beneficial. In the second phase, the effectiveness of a Few-Shot learning method, SetFit, is explored in the context of ERC to face the scarce amount of real labelled data. An incompatibility with the given context definition of the architecture employed by the mentioned method called for an adaptation which proved to be ineffective. The performance of the SetFit method and finetuning are compared in a limited data regime. Finally, the study explores the capabilities of a trained model on a specific ERC dataset to adapt to limited data from a different domain using Transfer Learning and fine-tuning with inconclusive results. The findings and insight from this can lay the groundwork for future developments and studies in the growing field of emotional-aware conversational agents and the application of Few-Shot learning in this task

Addressing Gaps in Small-Scale Fisheries: A Low-Cost Tracking System

none5During the last decade vessel-position-recording devices, such as the Vessel Monitoring System and the Automatic Identification System, have increasingly given accurate spatial and quantitative information of industrial fisheries. On the other hand, small-scale fisheries (vessels below 12 m) remain untracked and largely unregulated even though they play an important socio-economic and cultural role in European waters and coastal communities and account for most of the total EU fishing fleet. The typically low-technological capacity of these small-scale fishing boats—for which space and power onboard are often limited—as well their reduced operative range encourage the development of efficient, low-cost, and low-burden tracking solutions. In this context, we designed a cost-effective and scalable prototypic architecture to gather and process positional data from small-scale vessels, making use of a LoRaWAN/cellular network. Data collected by our first installation are presented, as well as its preliminary processing. The emergence of a such low-cost and open-source technology coupled to artificial intelligence could open new opportunities for equipping small-scale vessels, collecting their trajectory data, and estimating their fishing effort (information which has historically not been present). It enables a new monitoring strategy that could effectively include small-scale fleets and support the design of new policies oriented to inform coastal resource and fisheries management.openAnna Nora Tassetti, Alessandro Galdelli, Jacopo Pulcinella, Adriano Mancini, Luca BologniniNora Tassetti, Anna; Galdelli, Alessandro; Pulcinella, Jacopo; Mancini, Adriano; Bolognini, Luc

Biometrijska i biološka integrativna studija o boljem gospodarskom upravljanju morskim pužem, Nassarius mutabilis (Linnaeus, 1758)

Fishing of Nassarius mutabilis is by far the most important activity carried out by artisanal fisheries in the central and northern Adriatic Sea, accounting for more than 35% of total fishing effort and yielding from 2000 to 3000 t of landings each year. This gastropod is targeted from the beginning of autumn to the end of spring using basket traps. Despite its importance under a socio-economic point of view, the scientific studies on the biology and ecology of this species are very scarce and the failure of the current management measures could also be attributed to the scarce knowledge on the biology of this species in the area. Taking this statement into consideration, the results of the present study contribute to fill a few existing gaps and may be useful to improve the management measures currently in force. Samples were collected from March 2006– March 2008 during monthly fishing surveys and carried out using basket traps in the central Adriatic Sea. A total of 383 males (size range 7–29 mm SH) and 504 females (size range 15-32 mm SH) were caught. Mean SH (± SD) of males was 15.84±3.57 mm and mean SH of females was 25.31±3.06 mm. A significant difference in the biometric characteristics between the two sexes was discovered. The condition index (CI) showed similar seasonal trends for both sexes, with a decrease from late winter to spring followed by an increase from summer to fall - early winter. The minimum values were recorded in summer and the maximum ones in winter, following an opposite trend in respect to water temperature. In the males this trend was observed starting from size classes larger than 11 mm SH, hence this size might be very close to the size at first sexual maturity. The size at first maturity hypothesized for females (16-20 mm SH) agrees with the minimum landing size (MLS) currently established for this species (20 mm SH). The absence of small females (SH 23 mm) leads to suppose a sex reversal from male to female at around 20 mm SH. On this basis, the management measure of MLS leads to the selective retention of females and, hence, to a sexual gap between the two sexes with possible consequences on the biology of the species and the resilience of the stock. The peaks of CI observed for males and females confirmed that the spawning season of this gastropod occurs in late winter – early spring, according to the abundant presence of egg capsules attached to submerged substrates in that period at sea. Consequently, from a management point of view, it would be advisable to shorten the fishing season that at present extends from fall to later spring.Lovljenje morskog puža Nassarius mutabilis je daleko najvažnija djelatnost malog priobalnog ribolova u središnjem i sjevernom Jadranu, što čini više od 35% ukupnog ribolovnog napora s prinosom od 2000 do 3000 tone svake godine. Ovaj puž se lovi od početka jeseni do kraja proljeća pomoću vrše. Unatoč njegovoj društveno-ekonomskoj važnosti, znanstvene studije o biologiji i ekologiji ove vrste su vrlo rijetke, stoga se neuspjeh trenutnih mjera upravljanja također može pripisati oskudnom znanju o biologiji ove vrste u navedenom području. Rezultati ovog istraživanja pridonose rješavanju nekoliko postojećih nedostataka i mogu biti korisni za poboljšanje mjera upravljanja koje su trenutno na snazi. Uzorci su prikupljeni pomoću vrše (košare; pletene stupice) u razdoblju od ožujka 2006. do ožujka 2008. godine tijekom mjesečnih istraživanja u središnjem Jadranu. Ukupno su uhvaćena 383 mužjaka (raspon veličina 7-29 mm SH) i 504 ženke (raspon veličina 15 - 32 mm, SH- visina školjke-puža). Srednja visina puža (± SD - značajna razlika) mužjaka iznosila je 15,84 ± 3,57 mm, a srednja visina kućice ženki je iznosila 25.31 ± 3.06 mm. Otkrivena je značajna razlika biometrijskih karakteristika između dva spola. Indeks stanja (CI) pokazao je slične sezonske trendove za oba spola, s padom od kraja zime do proljeća, nakon čega slijedi porast od ljeta do jeseni odnosno početkom zime. Najmanje vrijednosti zabilježene su u ljeto, a maksimalne zimi, što predstavlja suprotni trend u odnosu na temperaturu vode. Kod mužjaka je ovaj trend uočen počevši od kategorije visine kućice veće od 11 mm, pa bi stoga ove veličine mogle biti vrlo blizu veličini puža kod prve spolne zrelosti. Hipotetski veličina ženki kod prve spolne zrelosti (visina kućice 16-20 mm) se slaže s veličinom minimalnog ulova (MLS) trenutno uspostavljenog za ovu vrstu morskog puža (visina kućice 20 mm). Odsutnost malih ženki (visina kućice <15 mm) i velikih mužjaka (visina kućice > 23 mm) dovodi do pretpostavke da se preokret kod muškog i ženskog spola odvija kada kućica dosegne visinu od oko 20 mm. Na temelju toga, mjera upravljanja bi trebala dovesti do selektivnog zadržavanja ženki, a time i do spolnog razdvajanja s mogućim posljedicama na biologiju vrste i održivost stocka. Vrhunac indeksa stanja uočenog kod mužjaka i ženki je potvrdio da se mriještenje ovog mekušca javlja krajem zime - početkom proljeća, u skladu s obilnom prisutnošću kapsula jajašaca pričvršćenih na potopljene supstrate u tom razdoblju. Prema tome, s gledišta gospodarskog upravljanja, bilo bi poželjno da se skrati ribolovna sezona koja se u ovom trenutku proteže od jeseni do kasnog proljeća

Novi nalaz šaruna golemog, Trachurus picturatus T. E. Bowdich, 1825 (Osteichthyes: Carangidae) u sjevernom Jadranu

The observation of a new species in a new area represents the first opportunity to follow and study the dynamics of colonization and understand how a new species arrives, what are its movements and its potential impact. The discovery of a large number of species outside their usual area of distribution is probably the most important reason for the increase in perceived biodiversity of the Adriatic ichthyofauna. A total of 4 specimens of T. picturatus were caught in the period May-June 2011 in the surroundings of an offshore gas platform in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Scientific literature depicts this species as rare in the Adriatic Sea, indicating and suggesting the Pomo Pit (Central Adriatic Sea) as the Northern latitudinal limit of its distribution. On this basis, this paper reports the first record of T. picturatus in the Northern Adriatic basin, suggesting an expansion of its spatial distribution.Promatranje nove vrste u novom prostoru predstavlja prvu priliku praćenja i proučavanja dinamike kolonizacije, te razumijevanje kako nova vrsta pristiže u prostor, kako se u njemu kreće i njen potencijalni utjecaj na prostor. Otkriće velikog broja vrsta izvan njihovog uobičajenog područja raspodjele je vjerojatno najvažniji razlog za povećanje percipirane bioraznolikosti Jadranske ihtiofaune. Ukupno 4 primjerka šaruna golemog, T. picturatus, su ulovljeni u razdoblju od svibnja do lipnja 2011. u okolici platformi plina u sjevernom Jadranu. Znanstvena literatura opisuje ove vrste kao rijetke u Jadranu, što potvrđuje Jabučku kotlinu (srednjeg Jadrana) kao sjevernu granicu njegove raspodjele. Na temelju toga, u ovom radu se iznosi prvi nalaz šaruna golemog, T. picturatus, u sjevernom jadranskom slivu, što ukazuje na širenje njegove prostorne raspodjele

Full-scale shake table tests of a reinforced concrete structure equipped with a novel active mass damper

This paper presents the results of an experimental program involving shake table testing of two full-scale reinforced concrete frame buildings. These tests were conducted to investigate the effectiveness and reliability of a newly proposed servo-hydraulic Active Mass Damper (AMD) that can be designed to enhance the target seismic performance of a building at multiple earthquake intensity levels. The two nominally identical case-study buildings were intentionally designed to exhibit a “soft story” mechanism at the first level when subject to ground shaking of sufficient intensity, but one was equipped with the newly proposed AMD, installed on the roof. The two specimens were then subject to the same loading protocol consisting of a ground shaking sequence of varying intensity, with the seismic input consisting of a selected natural ground motion. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed AMD is extremely effective at enhancing building seismic performance. Specifically, the AMD provided peak displacement reductions in the order of 70% and was shown capable of absorbing more than 60% of the total input energy. As a consequence, the un-retrofitted structure suffered nontrivial structural and non-structural damage, while the AMD-retrofitted building remained virtually undamaged at all shaking intensities considered

Analysis of spatial conflicts of large scale salmonid aquaculture with coastal fisheries and other interests in a Norwegian fjord environment, using the novel GIS-tool SEAGRID and stakeholder surveys

The expansion of the Norwegian aquaculture industry has generated a need for balancing aquaculture with other societal interests in the coastal zone. The interactions, conflicts and synergies of different uses of a Norwegian coastal region heavily influenced by large-scale salmonid aquaculture was analyzed and mapped by means of systematic stakeholder participatory approach and a GIS-based spatial interaction analysis tool, SEAGRID. Our study focused on spatial conflicts/synergies, whereas non-spatial interactions were taken into account in order to elucidate the spatial effects. The questionnaire analysis showed that there was a large agreement across the respondents that aquaculture and fisheries compete for access to sea areas, which is also in agreement with the SEAGRID analysis. All but one of the interviewees thought that conservation issues will become more important in the future. We found that societal interests and infrastructure obstruct or displace private enterprises and economic interests, whereas environmental protection measures do so to a lesser extent; an exception are coral reefs which seem to be well protected against both fishing operations as well as new aquaculture facilities. Nature protection was not found to affect fisheries nor aquaculture to a large extent, with the exception of the single salmon fjord, which is protected from salmonid aquaculture, but otherwise open to other activities, such as fisheries, tourist fisheries and tourism in general. The restricted military areas had a limited extent, and were not viewed as a cause of conflicts. Stakeholder consultations, like our participatory GIS approach, combined with GIS-based tools for analysis of spatial conflicts/synergies may be useful in identifying areas where aquaculture production can increase with little increase in degree of conflict with fisheries, although some interactions are not strictly spatial. Our results indicated a certain degree of mistrust of management authorities since neither fishermen nor aquaculturists perceived that their own sector was given priority by management authorities, but thought the other sector was prioritized.Analysis of spatial conflicts of large scale salmonid aquaculture with coastal fisheries and other interests in a Norwegian fjord environment, using the novel GIS-tool SEAGRID and stakeholder surveyspublishedVersio

Brain Activation Patterns Characterizing Different Phases of Motor Action: Execution, Choice and Ideation.

Motor behaviour is controlled by a large set of interacting neural structures, subserving the different components involved in hierarchical motor processes. Few studies have investigated the neural substrate of higher-order motor ideation, i.e. the mental operation of conceiving a movement. The aim of this functional magnetic resonance imaging study was to segregate the neural structures involved in motor ideation from those involved in movement choice and execution. An index finger movement paradigm was adopted, including three different conditions: performing a pre-specified movement, choosing and executing a movement and ideating a movement of choice. The tasks involved either the right or left hand, in separate runs. Neuroimaging results were obtained by comparing the different experimental conditions and computing conjunction maps of the right and left hands for each contrast. Pre-specified movement execution was supported by bilateral fronto-parietal motor regions, the cerebellum and putamen. Choosing and executing finger movement involved mainly left fronto-temporal areas and the anterior cingulate. Motor ideation activated almost exclusively left hemisphere regions, including the inferior, middle and superior frontal regions, middle temporal and middle occipital gyri. These findings show that motor ideation is controlled by a cortical network mainly involved in abstract thinking, cognitive and motor control, semantic and visual imagery processes

Erratum to: "Double volume reflection of a proton beam by a sequence of two bent crystals" [Phys. Lett. B 658 (2008) 109]

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