Turk-2, a multi-modal chess player

In this paper we present Turk-2, a hybrid multi-modal chess player with a robot arm and a screen-based talking head. Turk-2 can not only play chess, but can see and hear the opponent, can talk to him and display emotions. We were interested to find out if a simple embodiment with human-like communication capabilities enhances the experience of playing chess against a computer. First, give an overview of the development road to multi-modal communication with computers. Then we motivate our research with a hybrid system, we introduce the architecture of Turk-2, we describe the human experiments and its evaluation. The results justify that multi-modal interaction makes game playing more engaging, enjoyable – and even more effective. These findings for a specific game situation provide yet another evidence of the power of human-like interaction in turning computer systems more attractive and easier to use.     

Determining the minimum grain size in severe plastic deformation process via first-principles calculations

Although the stacking fault energy (SFE) is a fundamental variable determining the minimum grain size (d_min) obtainable in severe plastic deformation (SPD) processes, its accurate measurement is difficult. Here we establish the SFEs of binary Pd–Ag, Pd–Cu, Pt–Cu and Ni–Cu solid solutions using the axial interaction model and the supercell model in combination with first-principles theory. The two models yield consistent formation energies. For Pd–Ag, Pd–Cu and Ni–Cu, the theoretical SFEs agree well with those from the experimental measurements. For Pt–Cu no experimental results are available, and thus our calculated SFEs represent the first reasonable predictions. We discuss the correlation of the SFE and d_min in SPD experiments and show that the d_min values can be evaluated from first-principles calculations.     

Biodiesel Feedstock from Emulsions Produced by Aqueous Processing of Yellow Mustard

The multi-stage treatment of stable oil-in-water emulsions produced during non-enzymatic aqueous processing of dehulled yellow mustard flour with cyclic ethers [tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1,4-dioxane] was investigated to produce a single-phase oil-solvent-water miscella suitable for biodiesel production. While the single-stage treatment of yellow mustard emulsion recovered 97 % and 95 % of the oil by using 4:1 THF:oil and 9:1 dioxane:oil weight ratios, respectively, miscella phases containing more than 7 % water formed, which made them unsuitable as biodiesel feedstock. Multi-stage treatments of the emulsion using lower THF:oil and dioxane:oil weight ratios were further developed to produce oil-solvent-water miscella phases with low water content. While three-stage extraction of emulsions using 0.5:1, 1:1, 1.5:1, and 2:1 dioxane:oil weight ratios did not destabilize the emulsion, three-stage extraction using 0.5:1 and 0.75:1 THF:oil weight ratios effectively recovered over 97 % of the oil, resulting in the production of oil-rich miscella phases containing only 1 % and 1.5 % water, respectively. These miscella phases were analyzed for free fatty acid and phosphorus contents and proved to be excellent feedstocks for the preparation of high-purity methyl esters through single-phase base-catalyzed transmethylation.     

Thermal Expansion,Elastic and Magnetic Properties of FeCoNiCu-Based High-Entropy Alloys Using First-Principle Theory

The effects of V, Cr, and Mn on the magnetic, elastic, and thermal properties of FeCoNiCu high-entropy alloy are studied by using the exact muffin-tin orbitals method in combination with the coherent potential approximation. The calculated lattice parameters and Curie temperatures in the face-centered-cubic structure are in line with the available experimental and theoretical data. A significant change in the magnetic behavior is revealed when adding equimolar V, Cr, and Mn to the host composition. The three independent single-crystal elastic constants are computed using a finite strain technique, and the polycrystalline elasticity parameters including shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Pugh ratio, Poisson’s ratio, and elastic anisotropy are derived and discussed. The effects of temperature on the structural parameters are determined by making use of the Debye–Grüneisen model. It is found that FeCoNiCuCr possesses a slightly larger thermal expansion coefficient than do the other alloys considered here.     

Iodine stability in iodized salt dual fortified with microencapsulated ferrous fumarate made by an extrusion-based encapsulation process

The development of a novel, extrusion-based process for making microencapsulated ferrous fumarate for salt double fortification has been reported earlier. This paper focuses on the results of a one-year storage test, specifically the stability of both iodine and ferrous iron in the double fortified salt (DFS) samples prepared using optimal formulations of the iron premix. The study was devised to test the effectiveness of the encapsulation system in the prevention of interaction between ferrous fumarate and iodine, and preservation of the iodine in iodized salt. The results confirmed that direct iodine–iron interaction occurred in the DFS samples when the iron compound was added without proper coating. However, when an appropriately encapsulated iron premix was used, the interaction could be completely prevented. The extrusion-based process has proven to be an effective approach to producing a stable, bioavailable iron premix, suitable for incorporation into iodized salt for combating iodine and iron deficiencies.     

Defect-Related Physical-Profile-Based X-Ray and Neutron Line Profile Analysis

Diffraction line broadening is caused by different defects present in crystalline materials: (1) small coherent domains, (2) dislocations, (3) other types of microstrains, (4) twin boundaries, (5) stacking faults, (6) chemical inhomogeneities, and (7) grain-to-grain second-order internal stresses. Line profile analysis provides qualitative and quantitative information about defect types and densities, respectively. Line profiles can broaden, be asymmetric, and be shifted, and these features can be anisotropic in terms of hkl indices. A few thumb rules help qualitative selection of lattice defect types. If the breadths do not increase globally with hkl, the defects are of size type, i.e., either the domain size is small or twinning or faulting, or both, is present. Whenever the breadths increase globally, the defects produce microstrains. Physically based profile functions can be determined for the different defect types and hkl anisotropy. The qualitative input about defect types based on different experimental observations allows adequate quantitative evaluation of the densities of different defect types by using physically modeled profile functions.