Using “human state aware” robots to enhance physical human–robot interaction in a cooperative scenario

Human motor performance, speed and variability are highly susceptible to emotional states. This paper reviews the impact of the emotions on the motor control performance, and studies the possibility of improving the perceived skill/challenge relation on a multimodal neural rehabilitation scenario, by means of a biocybernetic controller that modulates the assistance provided by a haptic controlled robot in reaction to undesirable physical and mental states. Results from psychophysiological, performance and self assessment data for closed loop experiments in contrast with their open loop counterparts, suggest that the proposed method had a positive impact on the overall challenge/skill relation leading to an enhanced physical human–robot interaction experience.     

A cross-cultural comparison about what? A critique of Nisan's (1987) study of morality and convention.

This critique of Nisan's (1987) study of morality and convention addresses methodological considerations for cross-cultural research on children's moral and conventional concepts. Three methodological structures for research on children's conceptual differentiations of societal and moral issues are outlined. One is the use of moral and conventional issues familiar to children. A second is that questions regarding rules or authority should be couched in relevant concrete contexts. The third is that there should be ways of testing the limits of perceived appropriateness of a rule or of the jurisdiction of authorities. The Nisan study was found to be deficient in its application of all three criteria. Other limitations of the Nisan study are also addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nanoparticle-mediated local and remote manipulation of protein aggregation

The local heat delivered by metallic nanoparticles selectively attached to their target can be used as a molecular surgery to safely remove toxic and clogging aggregates. We apply this principle to protein aggregates, in particular to the amyloid beta protein (Abeta) involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease where unnaturally folded Abeta proteins self-assemble and deposit forming amyloid fibrils and plaques. We show the possibility to remotely redissolve these deposits and to interfere with their growth, using the local heat dissipated by gold nanoparticles (AuNP) selectively attached to the aggregates and irradiated with low gigahertz electromagnetic fields. Simultaneous tagging and manipulation by AuNP of Abeta at different stages of aggregation allow both, noninvasive exploration and dissolution of molecular aggregates.     

Detection of wave fronts in the Indian Ocean from geostationary sunglint satellite imagery

We demonstrate the potential of monitoring coherent wave fronts on the tropical ocean surface using an advanced detection algorithm applied to visible sunglint‐affected imagery from geostationary satellites. Data from MeteoSat are processed with the advanced analysis technique to reveal transient wave activity near and to the west of the Mascarene Ridge of the western Indian Ocean. The technique is based on a wavelet‐based singularity analysis which enhances the subtle but highly coherent wave patterns in the meteorological satellite data. It is likely that the patterns represent internal ocean waves, a pathway to ocean mixing and climate. The prospect for using this detection algorithm in greatly expanded satellite global surveys of wave activity is outlined.     

Molecular recognition in a propazine-imprinted polymer and its application to the determination of triazines in environmental samples.

An analytical methodology for the determination of triazines in environmental samples incorporating a molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) process using a propazine-imprinted polymer was developed. Two different polymers were prepared using acetonitrile or toluene as porogen, and their optimum loading, washing, and elution conditions were established. Although both polymers were able to recognize several chlorotriazines (propazine, atrazine, simazine, desethylatrazine, and desisopropylatrazine), the polymer prepared in toluene showed the best performance and was also capable of recognizing a methylthiotriazine (prometryn). A binding study carried out in this polymer demonstrated that it possesses heterogeneous binding sites with different binding abilities. From this study, it was also concluded that desethylatrazine and desisopropylatrazine displace the other triazines at high concentrations, including the template molecule. The accuracy and selectivity of the MISPE process developed was verified using a certified reference material for drinking water containing atrazine and simazine among other commonly used pesticides. Finally, the MISPE procedure was successfully applied to the cleanup of drinking and groundwater, soil, and corn sample extracts, and the triazines were determined by micellar electrokinetic chromatography.     

Variation in seriousness of transgressions and children's moral and conventional concepts.

We examined children's conceptions about moral and conventional transgressions that differed on quantitative dimensions. Sixty-one children in Grades 1, 2, and 5 were administered an interview to assess how variation in seriousness of transgressions influenced their reasoning about moral and conventional events on the dimensions of importance and conceptual criteria. Assessments included behavioral-choice questions, attributions of importance, criterion judgments, and justifications. Children at all ages stated that peers would engage in the moral transgression rather than the highly deviant conventional ones, but that peers should choose the conventional transgressions rather than the moral ones. The results also showed that, for the most part, children ranked the moral transgressions as more wrong than the conventional transgressions and rated the moral rules as more important than the conventional rules. The pattern of findings demonstrated that the distinction between morality (minor and major) and convention (major) on the criterion judgments was made more comprehensively by older than younger children. Justifications differed by domain at all ages. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

RECYTRACK Project： Elastomeric Eco-friendly Material Based on End-of-Life Tires Blended with Organic Bind Resin for Railway Applications

RECYTRACK is a 3.5 year project granted by the European Commission through LIFE＋ 2010 program. The overall objective of the project is to demonstrate the environmental benefits and technical feasibility of the implementation of an elastomeric eco-friendly material made of end-of-life tires with resin for railway applications. Within the project, AV Ingenieros jointly with LEAM, carries out the study of the vibration behavior of the eco-friendly material, which will be applied as a mat for ballasted tracks as well as an isolated block system for slab tracks. Firstly, an analytical model capable to predict the efficiency of the eco-friendly material as a vibration mitigation measure has been developed. Subsequently, and after the implementation of the eco-friendly solutions in real railway infrastructures, its vibration behavior will be measured and validated through in situ measurements during regular service. In this paper the analytical model is defined, the elastomeric material dynamic experimental characterization is described and the under ballast mat Insertion Loss is calculated for two different soil stiffness.