scholarly journals Before, Between, and After: Enriching Robot Communication Surrounding Collaborative Creative Activities

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Savery ◽  
Lisa Zahray ◽  
Gil Weinberg

Research in creative robotics continues to expand across all creative domains, including art, music and language. Creative robots are primarily designed to be task specific, with limited research into the implications of their design outside their core task. In the case of a musical robot, this includes when a human sees and interacts with the robot before and after the performance, as well as in between pieces. These non-musical interaction tasks such as the presence of a robot during musical equipment set up, play a key role in the human perception of the robot however have received only limited attention. In this paper, we describe a new audio system using emotional musical prosody, designed to match the creative process of a musical robot for use before, between and after musical performances. Our generation system relies on the creation of a custom dataset for musical prosody. This system is designed foremost to operate in real time and allow rapid generation and dialogue exchange between human and robot. For this reason, the system combines symbolic deep learning through a Conditional Convolution Variational Auto-encoder, with an emotion-tagged audio sampler. We then compare this to a SOTA text-to-speech system in our robotic platform, Shimon the marimba player.We conducted a between-groups study with 100 participants watching a musician interact for 30 s with Shimon. We were able to increase user ratings for the key creativity metrics; novelty and coherence, while maintaining ratings for expressivity across each implementation. Our results also indicated that by communicating in a form that relates to the robot’s core functionality, we can raise likeability and perceived intelligence, while not altering animacy or anthropomorphism. These findings indicate the variation that can occur in the perception of a robot based on interactions surrounding a performance, such as initial meetings and spaces between pieces, in addition to the core creative algorithms.

Author(s):  
T. Gulik-Krzywicki ◽  
M.J. Costello

Freeze-etching electron microscopy is currently one of the best methods for studying molecular organization of biological materials. Its application, however, is still limited by our imprecise knowledge about the perturbations of the original organization which may occur during quenching and fracturing of the samples and during the replication of fractured surfaces. Although it is well known that the preservation of the molecular organization of biological materials is critically dependent on the rate of freezing of the samples, little information is presently available concerning the nature and the extent of freezing-rate dependent perturbations of the original organizations. In order to obtain this information, we have developed a method based on the comparison of x-ray diffraction patterns of samples before and after freezing, prior to fracturing and replication.Our experimental set-up is shown in Fig. 1. The sample to be quenched is placed on its holder which is then mounted on a small metal holder (O) fixed on a glass capillary (p), whose position is controlled by a micromanipulator.


Author(s):  
Ikhsan Fuady ◽  
Rangga Saptya MP

<p align="center"><strong>Abstrak</strong></p><p><em>Pemanfaatan game dikalangan remaja memiliki peran yang efektif sebagai wadah untuk hiburan. Tetapi pemanfaatan game tidak tepat memiliki efek samping game terhadap kehidupan sehari hari remaja, mulai dari kurang bersosialIsasi hingga perilaku kekerasan dikalangan remaja. Penyuluhan terhadap remaja bertujuan untuk memberikan pemahaman kepada remaja tentang variasi game berdasarkan rating pengguna, maupun cerdas dalam manajemen penggunaan game dalam kehidupan remaja sehari hari. Pengetahuan remaja tentang varian/ragam game berdasarkan rating relatif rendah sebagaian besar pemengetahuannya tersebar pada kategori sangat rendah dan rendah yaitu sebesar 65 persen. Metode edukasi dan sosialisasi ini adalah dengan beberapa tahapan. Tahap pertaman tim pengabdian memberikan edukasi dan diskusi tentang beragam bentuk game, karakteristik, serta karakteristik pengguna game yang tepat. Selanjutnya beberapa permainan dan kuis untuk meingkatkan literasi remaja tentang pemanfaatan game secara bijak. Kegiatan penyuluhan ini mampu meningkatkan pemahaman para remaja dalam mengenali game yang baik digunakan, hal ini dapat dilihat dari peningkatan pengetahuan remaja relatif signifikan sebelum dan sesudah penyuluhan.</em></p><p><strong>Kata kunci<em>:</em></strong><strong><em> </em></strong><strong><em>Edukasi, Game, Penyuluhan </em></strong></p><p align="center"><em> </em></p><p align="center"><strong>Abstract</strong> </p><p><em>The use of games among teenagers has an effective role as a forum for entertainment. But the improper use of games has the side effects of games on the daily lives of adolescents, ranging from lack of socialization to violent behavior in adolescents. Counseling against adolescents aims to provide understanding to adolescents about the variety/variance of games based on user ratings, as well as being smart in managing game use in daily teenage life. Teenagers' knowledge about game variants/based on the rating is relatively low, most of the knowledge is spread in the very low and low categories, which is 65 percent. The method of education and outreach is by several stages. The first stage of the dedicated team provided education and discussion about various forms of games, characteristics, and characteristics of the right game user. Furthermore, some games and quizzes to improve teen literacy about game use wisely. This counseling activity can increase the understanding of teenagers in recognizing games that are well used, this can be seen from the relatively significant increase in adolescent knowledge before and after counseling.</em></p><p><strong>Keywords<em>:</em></strong><em> <strong>Education, Games, Counseling</strong></em></p>


Author(s):  
Hongying Shan ◽  
Chuang Wang ◽  
Cungang Zou ◽  
Mengyao Qin

This paper is a study of the dynamic path planning problem of the pull-type multiple Automated Guided Vehicle (multi-AGV) complex system. First, based on research status at home and abroad, the conflict types, common planning algorithms, and task scheduling methods of different AGV complex systems are compared and analyzed. After comparing the different algorithms, the Dijkstra algorithm was selected as the path planning algorithm. Secondly, a mathematical model is set up for the shortest path of the total driving path, and a general algorithm for multi-AGV collision-free path planning based on a time window is proposed. After a thorough study of the shortcomings of traditional single-car planning and conflict resolution algorithms, a time window improvement algorithm for the planning path and the solution of the path conflict covariance is established. Experiments on VC++ software showed that the improved algorithm reduces the time of path planning and improves the punctual delivery rate of tasks. Finally, the algorithm is applied to material distribution in the OSIS workshop of a C enterprise company. It can be determined that the method is feasible in the actual production and has a certain application value by the improvement of the data before and after the comparison.


Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Zhiguo Lu ◽  
Chuanyu Du ◽  
Qingcai Chen ◽  
Tianying Niu ◽  
Na Wang ◽  
...  

The friction and wear characteristics of spike-tooth material (65Mn steel) of Spike-Tooth Harrow in a two-stage peanut harvester were studied in this paper. The friction and wear tests of pin and disc on 65 manganese steel were carried out on the tribometer, then the wear loss and the friction coefficient were studied. The wear loss of the pin was acquired by calculating the mass of the pin before and after the experiment using an electronic balance. According to the actual working environment of peanut spring-finger, four variable parameters are set up: load, speed, soil moisture and soil type. The friction and wear characteristics of pins were studied under different loads, speeds and different soil environments. After wearing, the worn surface of the material was observed by scanning microscope and the wear mechanism was studied. The experimental results show that the wear of the pin increases with the increase of load and decreases with the increase of rotational speed in the same rotation number. Especially in the case of the sandy soil with 20% in moisture, a maximum wear loss of the pin is achieved.


Landslides ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Brezzi ◽  
Alberto Bisson ◽  
Davide Pasa ◽  
Simonetta Cola

AbstractA large number of landslides occur in North-Eastern Italy during every rainy period due to the particular hydrogeological conditions of this area. Even if there are no casualties, the economic losses are often significant, and municipalities frequently do not have sufficient financial resources to repair the damage and stabilize all the unstable slopes. In this regard, the research for more economically sustainable solutions is a crucial challenge. Floating composite anchors are an innovative and low-cost technique set up for slope stabilization: it consists in the use of passive sub-horizontal reinforcements, obtained by coupling a traditional self-drilling bar with some tendons cemented inside it. This work concerns the application of this technique according to the observational method described within the Italian and European technical codes and mainly recommended for the design of geotechnical works, especially when performed in highly uncertain site conditions. The observational method prescribes designing an intervention and, at the same time, using a monitoring system in order to correct and adapt the project during realization of the works on the basis of new data acquired while on site. The case study is the landslide of Cischele, a medium landslide which occurred in 2010 after an exceptional heavy rainy period. In 2015, some floating composite anchors were installed to slow down the movement, even if, due to a limited budget, they were not enough to ensure the complete stabilization of the slope. Thanks to a monitoring system installed in the meantime, it is now possible to have a comparison between the site conditions before and after the intervention. This allows the evaluation of benefits achieved with the reinforcements and, at the same time, the assessment of additional improvements. Two stabilization scenarios are studied through an FE model: the first includes the stabilization system built in 2015, while the second evaluates a new solution proposed to further increase the slope stability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna E. Carpagnano ◽  
Giovanni Migliore ◽  
Salvatore Grasso ◽  
Vito Procacci ◽  
Emanuela Resta ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Some studies investigated epidemiological and clinical features of laboratory-confirmed patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but limited attention has been paid to the follow-up of hospitalized patients on the basis of clinical setting and the expertise of clinical management. Methods In the present single-centered, retrospective, observational study, we reported findings from 87 consecutive laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe acute respiratory syndrome hospitalized in an intermediate Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU), subdividing the patients in two groups according to the admission date (before and after March 29, 2020). Results With improved skills in the clinical management of COVID-19, we observed a significant lower mortality in the T2 group compared with the T1 group and a significantly difference in terms of mortality among the patients transferred in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from our intermediate RICU (100% in T1 group vs. 33.3% in T2 group). The average length of stay in intermediate RICU of ICU-transferred patients who survived in T1 and T2 was significantly longer than those who died (who died 3.3 ± 2.8 days vs. who survived 6.4 ± 3.3 days). T Conclusions The present findings suggested that an intermediate level of hospital care may have the potential to modify survival in COVID-19 patients, particularly in the present phase of a more skilled clinical management of the pandemic.


2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S131-S132
Author(s):  
Kathryn Hogan ◽  
Beena Umar ◽  
Mohamed Alhamar ◽  
Kathleen Callahan ◽  
Linoj Samuel

Abstract Objectives There are few papers that characterize types of errors in microbiology laboratories and scant research demonstrating the effects of interventions on microbiology lab errors. This study aims to categorize types of culture reporting errors found in microbiology labs and to document the error rates before and after interventions designed to reduce errors and improve overall laboratory quality. Methods To improve documentation of error incidence, a self-reporting system was changed to an automatic reporting system. Errors were categorized into five types Gram stain (misinterpretations), identification (incorrect analysis), set up labeling (incorrect patient labels), procedures (not followed), and miscellaneous. Error rates were tracked according to technologist, and technologists were given real-time feedback by a manager. Error rates were also monitored in the daily quality meeting and frequently detected errors were discussed at staff meetings. Technologists attended a year-end review with a manager to improve their performance. To maintain these changes, policies were developed to monitor technologist error rate and to define corrective measures. If a certain number of errors per month was reached, technologists were required to undergo retraining by a manager. If a technologist failed to correct any error according to protocol, they were also potentially subject to corrective measures. Results In 2013, we recorded 0.5 errors per 1,000 tests. By 2018, we recorded only 0.1 errors per 1,000 tests, an 80% decrease. The yearly culture volume from 2013 to 2018 increased by 32%, while the yearly error rate went from 0.05% per year to 0.01% per year, a statistically significant decrease (P = .0007). Conclusion This study supports the effectiveness of the changes implemented to decrease errors in culture reporting. By tracking errors in real time and using a standardized process that involved timely follow-up, technologists were educated on error prevention. This practice increased safety awareness in our micro lab.


1997 ◽  
Vol 111 (9) ◽  
pp. 839-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bjerkhoel ◽  
O. Trobbe

AbstractFrey's syndrome, i.e. gustatory sweating on the cheek, is a fairly common embarrassment after parotid gland surgery. New surgical techniques have been proposed to avoid this complication, but are not widely in use. Hence, there is need for treatment of Frey's syndrome. All surgical and topical treatments have drawbacks. This study was set up in order to evaluate a recently described treatment. One hundred and two patients were interviewed after parotidectomy. Thirty-one of them had noticed gustatory sweating and 15 patients underwent Minor's starch iodine test before, and after, treatment with intracutaneous injections of botulinum toxin A (Botox®, Allergan Inc., USA). Thirteen of the patients did not experience any gustatory sweating at follow-up (one to 13 months). Minor's starch test showed total disappearance of gustatory sweating in 12 of the 15 treated patients. The only side effect was a discreet, transitory affection of the orbicularis oris muscle in one patient. As this treatment is minimally invasive it could be an attractive treatment for Frey's syndrome if the effect is maintained. Complaints of local hypoaesthesia and pain were also common after parotid surgery.


2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
Rita Makarskaitė-Petkevičienė ◽  
Jurgita Pitrėnaitė

Discussion in the process of teaching refers to a more sophisticated form of conversation, which is more frequently applied working with senior school learners. Problems rather than facts or phenomena are discussed. The question rises if the method of discussion is relevant in lessons of surrounding world learn-ing and whether it enables school learners to acquire knowledge, facilitates its memorisation or allows to ar-rive at solutions to urgent problems. The research involved 18 second formers, 15 school learners of fourth form and 13 students. All the groups of respondents discussed the same problem. Different roles were assigned to the participants in the discussion (a number of respondents represented heads of waste management company, whereas the rest assumed roles of residents of area where waste dump was being set up) and they involved in discussions of issues related to waste management and waste dump establishment. A considerable difference in the results of questionnaires provided to the participants before and after the discussion was observed. It is obvious that the respondents not only gained knowledge but also acquired a different perception and understanding of the problems analysed in the discussion. However, the compari-son of all the results of the survey revealed a stronger educational role of the discussion teaching fourth for-mers. This confirms theoretical statements that this method is more effective with senior school learners. The group of students also found the discussion useful. Key words: primary education, teaching of surrounding world learning, teaching methods, discussion.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Avital Sternin ◽  
Lucy M. McGarry ◽  
Adrian M. Owen ◽  
Jessica A. Grahn

Abstract We investigated how familiarity alters music and language processing in the brain. We used fMRI to measure brain responses before and after participants were familiarized with novel music and language stimuli. To manipulate the presence of language and music in the stimuli, there were four conditions: (1) whole music (music and words together), (2) instrumental music (no words), (3) a capella music (sung words, no instruments), and (4) spoken words. To manipulate participants' familiarity with the stimuli, we used novel stimuli and a familiarization paradigm designed to mimic “natural” exposure, while controlling for autobiographical memory confounds. Participants completed two fMRI scans that were separated by a stimulus training period. Behaviorally, participants learned the stimuli over the training period. However, there were no significant neural differences between the familiar and unfamiliar stimuli in either univariate or multivariate analyses. There were differences in neural activity in frontal and temporal regions based on the presence of language in the stimuli, and these differences replicated across the two scanning sessions. These results indicate that the way we engage with music is important for creating a memory of that music, and these aspects, over and above familiarity on its own, may be responsible for the robust nature of musical memory in the presence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.


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