Learning Two-Person Interaction Models for Responsive Synthetic Humanoids

Imitation learning is a promising approach for generating life-like behaviors of virtual humans and humanoid robots. So far, however, imitation learning has been mostly restricted to single agent settings where observed motions are adapted to new environment conditions but not to the dynamic behavior of interaction partners. In this paper, we introduce a new imitation learning approach that is based on the simultaneous motion capture of two human interaction partners. From the observed interactions, low-dimensional motion models are extracted and a mapping between these motion models is learned. This interaction model allows the real-time generation of agent behaviors that are responsive to the body movements of an interaction partner. The interaction model can be applied both to the animation of virtual characters as well as to the behavior generation for humanoid robots.

Impaired gesture performance in schizophrenia: particular vulnerability of meaningless pantomimes

Schizophrenia patients frequently present with subtle motor impairments, including higher order motor function such as hand gesture performance. Using cut off scores from a standardized gesture test, we previously reported gesture deficits in 40% of schizophrenia patients irrespective of the gesture content. However, these findings were based on normative data from an older control group. Hence, we now aimed at determining cut-off scores in an age and gender matched control group. Furthermore, we wanted to explore whether gesture categories are differentially affected in Schizophrenia. Gesture performance data of 30 schizophrenia patients and data from 30 matched controls were compared. Categories included meaningless, intransitive (communicative) and transitive (object related) hand gestures, which were either imitated or pantomimed, i.e. produced on verbal command. Cut-off scores of the age matched control group were higher than the previous cut-off scores in an older control group. An ANOVA tested effects of group, domain (imitation or pantomime), and semantic category (meaningless, transitive or intransitive), as well as their interaction. According to the new cut-off scores, 67% of the schizophrenia patients demonstrated gestural deficits. Patients performed worse in all gesture categories, however meaningless gestures on verbal command were particularly impaired (p = 0.008). This category correlated with poor frontal lobe function (p < 0.001). In conclusion, gestural deficits in schizophrenia are even more frequent than previously reported. Gesture categories that pose higher demands on planning and selection such as pantomime of meaningless gestures are predominantly affected and associated with the well-known frontal lobe dysfunction.

Learning processes in student teaching: Analyses from a study using learning diaries

The present study seeks to obtain deeper insight into the learning processes in practical training in primary teacher education in Upper Austria. Based on the offer-and-use model of instruction, 230 diary entries of 46 student teachers (28 students in their third semester, 18 students in their fifth semester) were analysed with legard to the learning topics, learning sourcesJ and Ìealning processes involved in practical training. The results show a variety of learning forms, ranging from the unreflective imitation of school mentors' practices to active knowledge construction. In addition, they illustrate that the available learning offers were suboptimally utilized by stuclent teachers who failed to work systernatically and continuously on their professional development.

The Freedom SOLO bovine pericardial stentless valve

Abstract: The third-generation bovine pericardium Freedom SOLO (FS) stentless valve emerged in 2004 as a modified version of the Pericarbon Freedom stentless valve and as a very attractive alternative to stented bioprostheses. The design, choice of tissue, and anticalcification treatment fulfill most, if not all, requirements for an ideal valve substitute. The FS combines the single-suture, subcoronary implantation technique with the latest-generation bovine pericardial tissue and novel anticalcification treatment. The design allows imitation of the native healthy valve through unrestricted adaption to the patient's anatomy, reproducing a normal valve/root complex. However, despite hemodynamic performance superior to stented valves, we are approaching a critical observation period as superior durability, freedom from structural valve deterioration, and nonstructural failure has not been proven as expected. However, optimal performance and freedom from structural valve deterioration depend on correct sizing and perfect symmetric implantation, to ensure low leaflet stress. Any malpositioning can lead to tissue fatigue over time. Furthermore, the potential for better outcomes depends on optimal patient selection and observance of the limitations for the use of stentless valves, particularly for the FS. Clearly, stentless valve implantation techniques are less reproducible and standardized, and require surgeon-dependent experience and skill. Regardless of whether or not stentless valve durability surpasses third-generation stented bioprostheses, they will continue to play a role in the surgical repertoire. This review intends to help practitioners avoid pitfalls, observe limitations, and improve patient selection for optimal long-term outcome with the attractive FS stentless valve.

Nonverbal synchrony in social interactions of patients with schizophrenia indicates socio-communicative deficits

Background Disordered interpersonal communication can be a serious problem in schizophrenia. Recent advances in computer-based measures allow reliable and objective quantification of nonverbal behavior. Research using these novel measures has shown that objective amounts of body and head movement in patients with schizophrenia during social interactions are closely related to the symptom profiles of these patients. In addition to and above mere amounts of movement, the degree of synchrony, or imitation, between patients and normal interactants may be indicative of core deficits underlying various problems in domains related to interpersonal communication, such as symptoms, social competence, and social functioning. Methods Nonverbal synchrony was assessed objectively using Motion Energy Analysis (MEA) in 378 brief, videotaped role-play scenes involving 27 stabilized outpatients diagnosed with paranoid-type schizophrenia. Results Low nonverbal synchrony was indicative of symptoms, low social competence, impaired social functioning, and low self-evaluation of competence. These relationships remained largely significant when correcting for the amounts of patients‘ movement. When patients showed reduced imitation of their interactants’ movements, negative symptoms were likely to be prominent. Conversely, positive symptoms were more prominent in patients when their interaction partners’ imitation of their movements was reduced. Conclusions Nonverbal synchrony can be an objective and sensitive indicator of the severity of patients’ problems. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of nonverbal synchrony may provide novel insights into specific relationships between symptoms, cognition, and core communicative problems in schizophrenia.

Structural brain correlates of defective gesture performance in schizophrenia

INTRODUCTION The neural correlates of impaired performance of gestures are currently unclear. Lesion studies showed variable involvement of the ventro-dorsal stream particularly left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in gesture performance on command. However, findings cannot be easily generalized as lesions may be biased by the architecture of vascular supply and involve brain areas beyond the critical region. The neuropsychiatric syndrome of schizophrenia shares apraxic-like errors and altered brain structure without macroanatomic lesions. Schizophrenia may therefore qualify as a model disorder to test neural correlates of gesture impairments. METHODS We included 45 schizophrenia patients and 44 healthy controls in the study to investigate the structural brain correlates of defective gesturing in schizophrenia using voxel based morphometry. Gestures were tested in two domains: meaningful gestures (transitive and intransitive) on verbal command and imitation of meaningless gestures. Cut-off scores were used to separate patients with deficits, patients without deficits and controls. Group differences in gray matter (GM) volume were explored in an ANCOVA. RESULTS Patients performed poorer than controls in each gesture category (p < .001). Patients with deficits in producing meaningful gestures on command had reduced GM predominantly in left IFG, with additional involvement of right insula and anterior cingulate cortex. Patients with deficits differed from patients without deficits in right insula, inferior parietal lobe (IPL) and superior temporal gyrus. CONCLUSIONS Impaired performance of meaningful gestures on command was linked to volume loss predominantly in the praxis network in schizophrenia. Thus, the behavioral similarities between apraxia and schizophrenia are paralleled by structural alterations. However, few associations between behavioral impairment and structural brain alterations appear specific to schizophrenia.

Bühne und Prosceniumloge im neuen Schauspielhaus, Frankfurt a. M.

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F07925

Vorhang im neuen Schauspielhaus, Frankfurt a. M.

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F07929

Neues Schauspielhaus, Frankfurt a. M.

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F07930

Foyer im neuen Schauspielhaus, Frankfurt a. M.

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F07931

Reflexiones sobre el proceso creador en Antonio Di Benedetto

Este trabajo se propone iluminar, a partir de los datos aportados en diversas entrevistas, algunos aspectos del proceso creador de Antonio Di Benedetto para contribuir a un mayor conocimiento de su poética, especialmente de las reflexiones sobre la creación. Se parte del núcleo autobiográfico para ahondar en los inicios de su actividad de escritor: los años de aprendizaje, la imitación de su madre, una innata narradora, y las influencias de las lecturas de los grandes maestros narradores. A continuación se profundiza en la importancia del silencio en la obra de Di Benedetto, tanto en su función temática como estilística, ya que éste es el núcleo de un decir riguroso, esencial, donde lo no dicho adquiere valor y peso en sí mismo. Finalmente se estudia la estrecha vinculación de sus obras con el particular momento vital, así como su insistente búsqueda de perfección, que lo llevan a explorar las posibilidades expresivas y comunicativas de las diversas modalidades de la ficción, como la narrativa experimental y la fantástica.

Desenmascarando la domesticación de las mujeres : Graciela Cabal y el recurso a la “mimicry"

La literatura, además de su especificidad como obra de arte, constituye un modo privilegiado de conocimiento y es una herramienta clave en la construcción de nuestra identidad. Precisamente, aquel que posee el lenguaje tiene la capacidad de ordenar el mundo. Esto se debe a la interdependencia que existe entre mundo y lenguaje: el discurso nos remite a una red relaciones de poder, el entramado patriarcal, que se da en la sociedad, que es construida con palabras y que, justamente por esto, puede cambiarse. Entonces, si la forma de relatar es una manera de ordenar el mundo, lo que quedaría por delante sería romper con el discurso que somete a las mujeres. Luce Irigaray (1985) propone un modo de hacerlo: utilizando la mimicry, mímesis o imitación intencionada, que permite asumir deliberadamente la subordinación de mujeres y llevarla a una afirmación para poder frustrarla. La escritora Graciela Beatriz Cabal hizo suya la propuesta de Irigaray y la plasmó en su obra. Este artículo, entonces, versará sobre la utilización de la mimicry en su obra. Para analizar la utilización de dicho recurso, se examinará el cuento La Señora Planchita (1999). .

Apuntes sobre militancia, política, ocio y sociabilidad a través de la experiencia de izquierda y antifascista en el interior de la provincia de Buenos Aires en la época de la restauración conservadora (1932-1943)

El presente artículo reflexiona acerca de las relaciones existentes entre las esferas de la sociabilidad y la política desde el análisis de situaciones en que ellas confluyeron o se interpusieron en la práctica y los discursos de los dirigentes, militantes y simpatizantes izquierdistas y antifascistas en el interior de la Provincia de Buenos Aires durante los gobiernos de orientación conservadora surgidos en los años '30 y principios de los '40. Con información extraída mayoritariamente de la prensa del interior bonaerense, una fuente en general poco consultada, el texto se propone una mirada que se pose en la complejidad de las relaciones entre militancia, ocio, sociabilidad y política, que no centre únicamente en los aspectos ideológicos, la motorización y existencia de la sociabilidad política. Así, la hipótesis central que ha manejado esta investigación, es que las prácticas de sociabilidad y movilización políticas pueden analizarse en mutua correspondencia, sin remitir su construcción a una recepción unilateral y únicamente constreñida al plano ideológico y sin que su deriva se calque desde la imitación aséptica de los diseños que privilegiadamente proponen los diferentes cenáculos de la dirigencia que pretenden -fracasando necesariamente- conducir de manera total y verticalmente los múltiples fenómenos de actuación política.

La Mímesis de la pintura y la escultura en el pensamiento de Jenofonte

En sus Memorabilia, Jenofonte transcribe dos conversaciones mantenidas por Sócrates con un pintor y un escultor. En el presente artículo se analiza el significado de dos términos que aparecen a lo largo de ambos diálogos y que se consideran fundamentales para la teoría griega del arte: ethos y pathos. Ambos aluden a determinados rasgos expresivos susceptibles de ser plasmados en la pintura y en la escultura: el término ethos se refiere a rasgos caracteriológicos intrínsecos y pathos a características extrínsecas y coyunturales. Uno de los puntos más interesantes del texto de Jenofonte es que la noción de mimesis se adscribe a la pintura y la escultura como una característica básica y definitoria. Este concepto de mimesis en el sentido de "imitación" aparece por primera vez aquí como categoría estética dominante.

Apuntes sobre militancia, política, ocio y sociabilidad a través de la experiencia de izquierda y antifascista en el interior de la provincia de Buenos Aires en la época de la restauración conservadora (1932-1943)

El presente artículo reflexiona acerca de las relaciones existentes entre las esferas de la sociabilidad y la política desde el análisis de situaciones en que ellas confluyeron o se interpusieron en la práctica y los discursos de los dirigentes, militantes y simpatizantes izquierdistas y antifascistas en el interior de la Provincia de Buenos Aires durante los gobiernos de orientación conservadora surgidos en los años '30 y principios de los '40. Con información extraída mayoritariamente de la prensa del interior bonaerense, una fuente en general poco consultada, el texto se propone una mirada que se pose en la complejidad de las relaciones entre militancia, ocio, sociabilidad y política, que no centre únicamente en los aspectos ideológicos, la motorización y existencia de la sociabilidad política. Así, la hipótesis central que ha manejado esta investigación, es que las prácticas de sociabilidad y movilización políticas pueden analizarse en mutua correspondencia, sin remitir su construcción a una recepción unilateral y únicamente constreñida al plano ideológico y sin que su deriva se calque desde la imitación aséptica de los diseños que privilegiadamente proponen los diferentes cenáculos de la dirigencia que pretenden -fracasando necesariamente- conducir de manera total y verticalmente los múltiples fenómenos de actuación política.