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Uncanny speech
No full textWith increasing sophistication of realism for human-like characters within computer games, this chapter investigates player perception of audio-visual speech for virtual characters in relation to the Uncanny Valley. Building on the findings from both empirical studies and a literature survey, a conceptual framework for the uncanny and speech is put forward which includes qualities of speech sound, lip-sync, human-likeness of voice, and facial expression. A cross-modal mismatch for the fidelity of speech with image can increase uncanniness and as much attention should be given to speech sound qualities as aesthetic visual qualities by game developers to control how uncanny a character is perceived to be
A MEMS-based smart sensor system for estimation of camera pose for computer
No full textThe estimation of a cameras egomotion during image acquisition is a mandatory task for many different computer vision applications such as Structure from Motion (SfM), Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) or Augmented Reality (AR). The vast majority of the proposed applications are deriving the motion parameters indirectly from the captured images. This paper suggests a smart sensor system (S3) composed from three different micro-electromechanical (MEMS) inertial sensor types as an aiding modality for visionbased camera pose estimation. The S3 implementation contains a signal conditioning unit and a bank of Kalman filters for orientation estimation. The whole system is evaluated by using an industrial robot for the generation of specific motion patterns and the corresponding ground truth orientation measurements
Synthesis and Characterization of Polyurethane-Based Shape-Memory Polymers for Tailored T-g around Body Temperature for Medical Applications
No full textVarious polyurethane-based SMPUs were synthesized using five types of polyols as soft segments and two different diisocyanates as hard segments. The effects of diisocyanate concentration on material properties such as crystallinity, transition temperature, shape-memory effect and tensile strength were investigated. SMPUs with a maximum strain near 1000%, recovery rate up to approximate to 98%, fixity up to approximate to 90% and T(g)s of 35-45 degrees C were obtained. A high MDI content results in SMPUs with better shape-memory effect, whereas increasing IPDI content leads to a weaker shape-memory effect. High IPDI concentration seems to prevent or restrict chemical reactions and crosslinks between the polyols and the hard segments, leading to large phase separation and coexistence of soft and hard segments in the macrophases
Inciting Advanced Levels of Practitioner Reflection Through Progressive Graphic Elicitation
No full textQualitative research routinely requires experienced practitioners in a given field to be interviewed, and there are a range of methods known to elicit dialogue. The method presented in this paper, however, goes a stage further, it seeks not only to elicit dialogue but to provide subjects with additional knowledge, which they are encouraged to use as a lens for reflection on their own experience. Using a progressive series of related information graphics, accompanied by explanations, subjects are quickly taught a new topic and are asked to reflect on their own practice while the learning occurs. The approach was tested with six Information Technology (I.T.) specialists, each with extensive experience of encouraging users to participate in new I.T. environments. Subjects were provided with information graphics that incrementally increased their understanding of psychological theories related to attitude change, namely cognitive dissonance and the elaboration likelihood model. As their knowledge increased, they were guided to reflect on occasions where they had encountered phenomena related to such psychological theory, its effect and affiliated best practice. Over all, this approach was effective, with over 50,000 words of relevant, advanced discourse forthcoming. In this paper, the methodology, its affiliated epistemology and an overview of the test are presented
Learning principles and interaction design for ‘Green My Place’: A massively multiplayer serious game
No full textThe usual approach to serious game design is to construct a single game intended to address the specific domain problem being addressed. This paper describes a novel alternative approach, focused on embedding smaller game elements into a comprehensive framework, which provides stronger motive for play and thus greater chance of effect. This serious game design methodology was developed for an EU project to teach energy efficient knowledge and behaviour to users of public buildings around Europe. The successful implementation of this game is also described. The cutting-edge educational principles that formed the basis for the design are drawn from recent research in serious games and energy efficiency, and include the Behavlet, a novel behaviour-transformation concept developed by the authors. The game design framework presented illustrates a clear approach for serious games dealing with topics applicable at societal scales
A study of the barriers to knowledge sharing between port health authorities in the United Kingdom
No full textThe hierarchical organization and cerebral lateralization of hand control and its relationship to language: current status and future directions
No full textSensorless control for buried magnet PMSM based on direct flux control and fuzzy logic
No full textDirect flux control (DFC) is one of the sensorless methods, which is used to acquire the electrical rotor position of permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) for all speeds. The DFC is implemented on a TriCore PXROS platform, which is connected to the real PMSM. Flux linkage signals are measured to calculate the electrical rotor position by using an approximation function. Due to the weak intensity of the measured flux linkage signals of the buried magnet PMSM, a fuzzy logic is selected as a tool to overcome the mentioned problem. The fuzzy logic is designed based on the flux intensity characteristics, which are recognized by driving the motors. Thus, a flux intensity management (FIM) strategy by fuzzy logic is proposed in this paper to solve the obstacle. Consequently, the buried magnet PMSM electrical rotor positions can be acquired for all speeds by employing the DFC and the FIM methods
Cobalt Catalyzed Carbon Nanotube Growth on Graphitic Paper Supports
No full textThe catalytic growth of multi-wall carbon nanotubes on carbon paper is reported. The study employed three cobalt carbonyl clusters as catalyst precursors. These were deposited on graphitic paper prior to chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of methane or ethylene. The clusters show differentiated growth behaviour in accordance with precursor size, and with Co-2(CO)(8) displaying additional activity in the growth of helical nanotube structures. We therefore report an approach for the decoration of graphitic papers with carbon nanotubes with a view to the production of high area supports