Anthropomorphism in social robotics: empirical results on human–robot interaction in hybrid production workplaces

New forms of artificial intelligence on the one hand and the ubiquitous networking of “everything with everything” on the other hand characterize the fourth industrial revolution. This results in a changed understanding of human–machine interaction, in new models for production, in which man and machine together with virtual agents form hybrid teams. The empirical study “Socializing with robots” aims to gain insight especially into conditions of development and processes of hybrid human–machine teams. In the experiment, human–robot actions and interactions were closely observed in a virtual environment. Robots as partners differed in shape and behavior (reliable or faulty). Participants were instructed to achieve an objective that could only be achieved via close teamwork. This paper unites different aspects from core disciplines of social robotics and psychology contributing to anthropomorphization with the empirical insights of the experiment. It focuses on the psychological effects (e.g. reactions of different personality types) on anthropomorphization and mechanization, taking the inter- and transdisciplinary field of social robotics as a starting point.     

Personalisierung und informationelle Selbstbestimmung Ein unauflösbarer Widerspruch?

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Asymptotic Stabilisation of Multiple Input Nonlinear Systems via Sliding Modes

A dynamic feedback controller design method is proposed for multiple input systems. The method uses a novel choice of sliding surface to effect asymptotic linearisation of nonlinear differential input output systems and a class of state space systems. The stability of the overall system, that is a canonical state space form with a dynamic feedback, is analysed with a generalised Lyapunov approach plus an asymptotic analysis in a neighbourhood of the origin. The nonlinear system does not have to be expressed in regular form as is the case in many other sliding mode control approaches. A type of zero dynamics, which are the dynamics of the control, are involved. The resulting dynamic feedback is shown to provide chatter free control if the system is minimum phase with respect to the zero dynamics. The theoretical results are applied to Gas Jet systems with two controls.     

A stochastic approach to shortcut bridging in programmable matter

In a self-organizing particle system, an abstraction of programmable matter, simple computational elements called particles with limited memory and communication self-organize to solve system-wide problems of movement, coordination, and configuration. In this paper, we consider a stochastic, distributed, local, asynchronous algorithm for “shortcut bridging”, in which particles self-assemble bridges over gaps that simultaneously balance minimizing the length and cost of the bridge. Army ants of the genus Eciton have been observed exhibiting a similar behavior in their foraging trails, dynamically adjusting their bridges to satisfy an efficiency trade-off using local interactions. Using techniques from Markov chain analysis, we rigorously analyze our algorithm, show it achieves a near-optimal balance between the competing factors of path length and bridge cost, and prove that it exhibits a dependence on the angle of the gap being “shortcut” similar to that of the ant bridges. We also present simulation results that qualitatively compare our algorithm with the army ant bridging behavior. Our work gives a plausible explanation of how convergence to globally optimal configurations can be achieved via local interactions by simple organisms (e.g., ants) with some limited computational power and access to random bits. The proposed algorithm also demonstrates the robustness of the stochastic approach to algorithms for programmable matter, as it is a surprisingly simple extension of our previous stochastic algorithm for compression.     

Analysis of the human immune response to vaccinia by use of a novel protein microarray suggests that antibodies recognize less than 10% of the total viral proteome

Control of smallpox by mass vaccination was one of the most effective public health measures ever employed for eradicating a devastating infectious disease. However, new methods are needed for monitoring smallpox immunity within current vulnerable populations, and for the development of replacement vaccines for use by immunocompromized or low-responding individuals. As a measure for achieving this goal, we developed a protein microarray of the vaccinia virus proteome by using high-throughput baculovirus expression and purification of individual elements. The array was validated with therapeutic-grade, human hyperimmune sera, and these data were compared to results obtained from individuals vaccinated against smallpox using Dryvax. A high level of reproducibility with a very low background were apparent in repetitive assays that confirmed previously reported antigens and identified new proteins that may be important for neutralizing viral infection. Our results suggest that proteins recognized by antibodies from all vaccinees constituted <10% of the total vaccinia proteome.     

Preparation and X-ray characterization of CsAlSiO4

A systematic study of the preparation of CsAlSiO₄ using various cesium oxide, alumina, and silica sources and a typical set of firing conditions was performed. The objective was to determine effective methods of preparing phase-pure CsAlSiO₄. The reaction of Cs₂CO₃ with metakaolin at 600°C (decomposition and calcining), 850°C (prefiring) and 1050°C (crystallization) produced the only phase-pure CsAlSiO₄ obtained by these methods. None of the eighteen sets of starting materials yielded a phase-pure CsAlSiO₄ in the 1100°C and 1200°C firings. CsAlSiO₄ was determined to be isomorphous with RbAlSiO₄ as reported by Klaska and Jarchow (1). CsAlSiO₄ is orthorhombic with lattice parameters of $\text{a}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext>}}\text{= 8.907 (2)}\text{A}\text{?}\text{,}\text{b}{}_{\mathrm{o}}\text{= 9.435(1)}\text{A}\text{?}\text{,}\text{and}\text{c}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>o</mtext>}}\text{= 5.435(1)}\text{A}\text{?}$. The space group is Pna2₁, with Z = 4. Single crystals of CsAlSiO₄ were grown hydrothermally from a lCs₂O:1Al₂O₃:2SiO₂ gel in a 3M CsOH solution. The reaction conditions were 770°C and 11, 700 psi. The crystal habit of CsAlSiO₄ is needle-like.     

Direct analytical procedure for determination of volatile organic acids in raw municipal wastewater

A direct analytical method for identification and determination of the individual volatile acids in raw sewage was developed. The proposed procedure is rapid, omitting tedious sample pretreatment and thus avoiding possible losses involved in steam distillation, evaporation or extraction. It consists of direct injection of raw sewage into a gas chromatograph, including Carbowax 20 M on acid washed Chromosorb W column and a flame ionization detector. Sample preparation is confined to addition of solid metaphosphoric acid to the raw sewage, and removal of precipitated proteins and suspended solids by centrifugation.The direct injection method proved to be practicable, accurate and rapid. Volatile acids content in raw municipal sewage in Haifa, Israel, was found to be in the range of 150–160 mg l⁻¹, of which 120–125 mg l⁻¹ was acetic acid, 30–33 mg l⁻¹ propionic acid, 6–8 mg l⁻¹ butyric acid, 2 mg l⁻¹ isovaleric acid, and 0.5–1 mg l⁻¹ valeric acid.     

Gifts in psychotherapy: Practice review and recommendations.

The presentation of gifts in psychotherapy, whether to or from the therapist, does not happen frequently, but its occurrence may nevertheless be quite provocative. This practice review summarizes theoretical and clinical perspectives regarding gifts in therapy, reviews the minimal extant literature on this topic, and offers recommendations for practice and research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)