OpenPsi: A novel computational affective model and its application in video games

This paper introduces OpenPsi, a computational model for emotion generation and function by formalizing part of Dörner's PSI theory, which is an extensive psychological model of human brains, including knowledge representation, perception and bounded rationality. We also borrowed some technical ideas from MicroPsi, one of the concrete implementations of PSI theory by Joscha Bach. The proposed emotional model is then applied to control a virtual robot living in a game world inspired by Minecraft. Simulation experiments have been performed and evaluated for three different scenarios. The emergent emotions fit quite well with these circumstances. The dynamics of this affective model are also analyzed using Lewis's dynamic theory of emotions. Evidences of phase transitions suggested by Lewis are observed in simulations, including trigger, self-amplification and self-stabilization phases. These experiment results show that the proposed model is a quite promising approach of modeling both emotion emergence and dynamics.     

Virtual Fields Method on Planar Tension Tests for Hyperelastic Materials Characterisation

Abstract: New methods are emerging in the material characterisation field with the aim of exploiting innovative full‐field strain measurement techniques. Besides experimental issues, also numerical procedures for inverse problems should adapt to a new philosophy: the large amount of data referred to local strains should be used in an appropriate way to obtain as much benefits as possible. In this context, an experimental and numerical procedure for the characterisation of hyperelastic materials is proposed. Planar tension tests have been performed on flat rubber specimens of different geometries. Strain maps obtained by means of a 2D Digital Image Correlation system are used to implement the virtual fields method, to estimate material dependent parameters of two of the most known hyperelastic constitutive laws: Ogden and 2nd order Mooney‐Rivlin models. Numerical results and comparisons with experimental data are shown, analysing also aspects concerning implementation of the numerical procedures and computational efficiency of the algorithms.     

Dynamic Voronoi diagram of complex sites

The Voronoi diagram (VD) is a fundamental geometric structure in many applications. There are fast and simple algorithms to construct the VD of static point sets. For complex sites (i.e., other than points) the algorithms are more sophisticated, and a few efficient solutions exist. However, updating the VD of dynamic sites is still challenging, and efficient solutions exist only for points. We propose an algorithm for constructing and updating the VD of large dynamic sets of complex sites. Although existing incremental algorithms allow fast insertion of complex sites, this work presents the first efficient implementation of the removal operation.     

Design of Optimum Zeolite Pore System for Central Hydrocracking of Long-Chain <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Alkanes based on a Single-Event Microkinetic Model

Model based catalyst design is an emerging methodology in the development of new catalytic materials with properties tailored to the needs of specific industrial applications. A Single-Event MicroKinetic model (SEMK) was used to assess the hydrocracking behavior of n-dodecane, 4,4,6-trimethyl nonane and 2,5,8-trimethyl nonane, on a non-selective USY zeolite. The differences in cracking pattern exhibited by the various feed molecules provide guidelines for the control of the cracked product distribution through modifications of the zeolite pore structure. The connection of ZSM-22 type channels to the zeolite Y super cage is considered in this work. The percentage of C₆ products obtained by central cracking in the chain can be increased from 25% up to 93% by the design of an appropriate zeolite topology combining USY-like super cages with ZSM-22 like channel segments. This is a promising approach for the development of zeolite catalysts for the selective hydrocracking of Fischer Tropsch waxes into middle distillates.     

Numerically optimized performance of diabatic distillation columns

Recently, the concept of equal thermodynamic distance (ETD) has been proposed to minimize entropy production in a distillation process using a diabatic column. ETD gives the optimal temperature profile to first-order in N⁻¹, where N is the number of trays. ETD, however, does not generally give the true minimum for distillation columns with few trays. We therefore apply a fully numerical, multidimensional optimization routine to determine minimum entropy production. Since this method does not depend on an underlying theory, we expect a true minimum to be revealed. We then compare the performance of ETD and numerical optimization by varying the number of trays and the purity requirements. Our results show a surprisingly good agreement between the ETD results and those obtained numerically.     

Are independent probes truly independent?

The independent cue technique has been developed to test traditional interference theories against inhibition theories of forgetting. In the present study, the authors tested the critical criterion for the independence of independent cues: Studied cues not presented during test (and unrelated to test cues) should not contribute to the retrieval process. Participants first studied a subset of cues (e.g., rope) that were subsequently studied together with a target in a 2nd study phase (e.g., rope–sailing, sunflower–yellow). In the test phase, an extralist category cue (e.g., sports, color) was presented, and participants were instructed to recall an item from the study list that was a member of the category (e.g., sailing, yellow). The experiments showed that previous study of the paired-associate word (e.g., rope) enhanced category cued recall even though this word was not presented at test. This experimental demonstration of covert cuing has important implications for the effectiveness of the independent cue technique. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Planning grasps for industrial robotized applications using neural networks

The present paper proposes a computer-aided module for the detection of grasps of 3D objects by using artificial neural networks. This module considers the grasps performed by the most common classes of grippers used in industrial applications: two-jaw grippers, three-jaw grippers, magnetic grippers, vacuum grippers and expandable grippers. The neural networks are properly tailored and trained in order to evaluate and compare the different grasping alternatives according to geometrical and technological aspects of object surfaces. A case study is also discussed in order to point out the performances of this methodology.     

Detailed comparison of numerical methods for the perturbed sine-Gordon equation with impulsive forcing

The properties of various numerical methods for the study of the perturbed sine-Gordon (sG) equation with impulsive forcing are investigated. In particular, finite difference and pseudo-spectral methods for discretizing the equation are considered. Different methods of discretizing the Dirac delta are discussed. Various combinations of these methods are then used to model the soliton–defect interaction. A comprehensive study of convergence of all these combinations is presented. Detailed explanations are provided of various numerical issues that should be carefully considered when the sG equation with impulsive forcing is solved numerically. The properties of each method depend heavily on the specific representation chosen for the Dirac delta—and vice versa. Useful comparisons are provided that can be used for the design of the numerical scheme to study the singularly perturbed sG equation. Some interesting results are found. For example, the Gaussian approximation yields the worst results, while the domain decomposition method yields the best results, for both finite difference and spectral methods. These findings are corroborated by extensive numerical simulations.     

Hepatitis C virus and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) seems to be the aetiologic agent of mixed cryoglobulinaemia, and as this 'benign' lymphoproliferative disorder can frequently develop into more aggressive haematological disorders, this study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. 199 unselected subjects treated by three haematological centres in Northeast Italy were investigated for the presence of HCV infection. As controls, the prevalence of HCV infection was determined in a group of patients affected by other haematological malignancies (153 subjects) and in the general population of the same geographical area in the cohort study called the Dyonisos project (6917 subjects). The presence of anti-HCV antibodies was determined by a commercial kit and, in positive cases, by PCR amplification of the 5' untranslated region of the virus. The HCV genotype was also obtained by PCR amplification of the Core region with type-specific primers. The presence of serum cryoglobulins was determined in each case of NHL. HCV infection was significantly (P < 0.00000001) higher in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (28.0%) when compared with that of the general population (2.9%), and with the group of patients affected by other malignancies (3.1%). The prevalence is particularly high in low-grade (38.4%), as compared with intermediate (11.4%), or high-grade (15.2%) lymphomas. The presence of the virus is significantly (P < 0.000001) associated with the presence of detectable levels of cryoglobulins. On the basis of these findings. HCV seems to play an important role in the development of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.     

Entrophy Layers

The entropy layer on a blunt-nosed cone is analyzed, in view of the difficulties it produces in numerical computations. A rule is given to determine at what distance from the nose the entropy layer is a given fraction of the shock layer, for a given free stream Mach number.A simple and very efficient way of computing flows with strong entropy layer effects is given. It is essentially based on the insertion of a line representing a locus of rapid changes in entropy derivatives, and on forbiding certain differentiations across such a line.