Learning Data-Driven Models of Non-Verbal Behaviors for Building Rapport Using an Intelligent Virtual Agent

There is a growing societal need to address the increasing prevalence of behavioral health issues, such as obesity, alcohol or drug use, and general lack of treatment adherence for a variety of health problems. The statistics, worldwide and in the USA, are daunting. Excessive alcohol use is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States (with 79,000 deaths annually), and is responsible for a wide range of health and social problems. On the positive side though, these behavioral health issues (and associated possible diseases) can often be prevented with relatively simple lifestyle changes, such as losing weight with a diet and/or physical exercise, or learning how to reduce alcohol consumption. Medicine has therefore started to move toward finding ways of preventively promoting wellness, rather than solely treating already established illness. Evidence-based patient-centered Brief Motivational Interviewing (BMI) interven- tions have been found particularly effective in helping people find intrinsic motivation to change problem behaviors after short counseling sessions, and to maintain healthy lifestyles over the long-term. Lack of locally available personnel well-trained in BMI, however, often limits access to successful interventions for people in need. To fill this accessibility gap, Computer-Based Interventions (CBIs) have started to emerge. Success of the CBIs, however, critically relies on insuring engagement and retention of CBI users so that they remain motivated to use these systems and come back to use them over the long term as necessary. Because of their text-only interfaces, current CBIs can therefore only express limited empathy and rapport, which are the most important factors of health interventions. Fortunately, in the last decade, computer science research has progressed in the design of simulated human characters with anthropomorphic communicative abilities. Virtual characters interact using humans’ innate communication modalities, such as facial expressions, body language, speech, and natural language understanding. By advancing research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), we can improve the ability of artificial agents to help us solve CBI problems. To facilitate successful communication and social interaction between artificial agents and human partners, it is essential that aspects of human social behavior, especially empathy and rapport, be considered when designing human-computer interfaces. Hence, the goal of the present dissertation is to provide a computational model of rapport to enhance an artificial agent’s social behavior, and to provide an experimental tool for the psychological theories shaping the model. Parts of this thesis were already published in [LYL+12, AYL12, AL13, ALYR13, LAYR13, YALR13, ALY14].

Design and Development of Geographical Information System (GIS) Map for Nuclear Waste Streams

A nuclear waste stream is the complete flow of waste material from origin to treatment facility to final disposal. The objective of this study was to design and develop a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) module using Google Application Programming Interface (API) for better visualization of nuclear waste streams that will identify and display various nuclear waste stream parameters. A proper display of parameters would enable managers at Department of Energy waste sites to visualize information for proper planning of waste transport. The study also developed an algorithm using quadratic Bézier curve to make the map more understandable and usable. Microsoft Visual Studio 2012 and Microsoft SQL Server 2012 were used for the implementation of the project. The study has shown that the combination of several technologies can successfully provide dynamic mapping functionality. Future work should explore various Google Maps API functionalities to further enhance the visualization of nuclear waste streams.

Applicazioni di Mixed Reality e Microsoft Hololens: studio e riprogettazione del concetto di ologramma e della relativa gestione all'interno di un'applicazione olografica.

La tesi presenta una panoramica sull'augmented, virtual e mixed reality, descrivendone le caratteristiche e le modalità di sviluppo. Come caso di studio viene analizzato il dispositivo Microsoft Hololens, descrivendone le caratteristiche concettuali, hardware e software. Per le applicazioni di questo dispositivo viene effettuata una riprogettazione della gestione e del concetto di ologramma all'interno di un'applicazione olografica, analizzandone i motivi e i vantaggi. E' fornita una overview sui dettagli implementativi della riprogettazione al fine di chiarire ogni aspetto dell'applicazione.

Design and development of a Unity based framework for augmented worlds

The way we've always envisioned computer programs is slowly changing. Thanks to the recent development of wearable technologies we're experiencing the birth of new applications that are no more limited to a fixed screen, but are instead sparse in our surroundings by means of fully fledged computational objects. In this paper we discuss proper techniques and technologies to be used for the creation of "Augmented Worlds", through the design and development of a novel framework that can help us understand how to build these new programs.

Il packaging per l'ortofrutta a Km 0 - Studio per un servizio di filiera corta a contatto con il consumatore nella città di Bologna.

Partendo da un progetto su un servizio di trasporto di beni ortofrutticoli tramite bus, il mio progetto di tesi è andato a concentrarsi sui contenitori in cui si collocano frutta e verdura, tenendo in particolare considerazione la protezione degli stessi e un trasporto facilitato da parte dell'utente. Nel documento sono inoltre presenti la relazione del tirocinio svolto presso Open Project S.r.l. e la spiegazione sul progetto del portfolio lavori.

Ruote per arredi da ufficio dal design innovativo

Studio e progettazione di una nuova ruota per arredi da ufficio dal design innovativo. La ruota si differenzia per essere una tipologia Hub-less (senza mozzo), dotata di un carter che la protegge da polveri e corpi esterni e un sistema di riduzione dell'attrito che aiuta l'utente a muoversi in completa libertà.

Studio di contenitori in PET per riempimento a caldo nitro-hot-fill

Lo scopo di questa attività è approfondire le conoscenze sul processo di riempimento a caldo noto come nitro-hot-fill (NHF) utilizzato per contenitori in PET. Il nostro obiettivo è quello di simulare su scala di laboratorio il processo industriale al fine di ottimizzarne i parametri e aumentare la stabilità dei contenitori anche attraverso l’utilizzo di materie prime con caratteristiche migliorate utilizzando formulazioni adatte ai trattamenti a caldo. Il processo consiste nel riempimento della bottiglia ad una temperatura tra gli 80°/85°C, successivo al quale vi è l’iniezione di azoto al fine di evitare l’implosione durante il raffreddamento fino a temperatura ambiente. Questo settore del mercato è in forte crescita, molte bevande infatti hanno la necessità di un contenitore asettico; il processo di NHF ha il vantaggio di utilizzare il calore del prodotto stesso al fine di rendere la bottiglia sterile. Da qui nascono le criticità legate al processo, occorre prendere diversi accorgimenti al fine di rendere processabile in questo modo una bottiglia, infatti l’aumento di pressione interna dovuto all’iniezione di azoto si accompagna una temperatura vicina alla temperatura di transizione vetrosa. La nostra attività di ricerca ha focalizzato la propria attenzione sul design della bottiglia, sul processo di stiro-soffiaggio, sull’influenza dell’umidità assorbita nel PET, sul materiale utilizzato e su altri parametri di processo al fine di produrre contenitori in grado di resistere al riempimento NHF.

Il design per gli spazi condivisi: progetto Quattrofoglie

Il progetto attiene a una riqualificazione di una corte residenziale pubblica appartenente ad Acer Modena. Il progetto vuole incrementare le relazioni sociali creando un progetto di spazi condivisi collaborativo e interattivo partendo dal tema del verde e della natura.

Fibrous Aerial Robotics: study of spiderweb strategies for the design of architectural envelopes using swarms of drones and inflatable formworks

La tesi approccia in modo transdisciplinare biologia, architettura e robotica, con la finalità di indagare e applicare principi costruttivi attraverso l’interazione tra sciami di droni che depositano materiale fibroso su strutture gonfiabili di supporto. L’attenzione principale è nello sviluppo (attraverso un workflow computazionale che gestisce sciami di agenti costruttori) di una tettonica che integra struttura, spazio e ornamento all’interno dello stesso processo progettuale, il quale si sviluppa coerentemente dall’ideazione fino alla fabbricazione. Sono stati studiati modelli biologici quali le colonie di ragni sociali, i quali costruiscono artefatti di grandi dimensioni relativamente a quelle del singolo individuo grazie ad un’organizzazione coordinata ed emergente e alle proprietà dei sistemi fibrosi. L’auto-organizzazione e la decentralizzazione, insieme alle caratteristiche del sistema materiale, sono stati elementi indispensabili nell’estrapolazione prima e nella codificazione poi di un insieme di regole adatte allo sviluppo del sistema costruttivo. Parallelamente alla simulazione digitale si è andati a sviluppare anche un processo fisico di fabbricazione che, pur tenendo conto dei vincoli economici e tecnici, potesse dimostrarsi una prova di concetto e fattibilità del sistema costruttivo. Sono state investigate le possibilità che un drone offre nel campo della fabbricazione architettonica mediante il rilascio di fili su elementi gonfiabili in pressione. Il processo può risultare vantaggioso in scenari in cui non è possibile allestire infrastrutture costruttive tradizionali (es. gole alpine, foreste). Tendendo conto dei vincoli e delle caratteristiche del sistema di fabbricazione proposto, sono state esplorate potenzialità e criticità del sistema studiato.

Sistemas de cálculo, análise e operação virtual: interferências de campos elétricos e magnéticos produzidas por estações radio base de acesso múltiplo por divisão de código em banda larga - WCDMA

In this work it was developed mathematical resolutions taking as parameter maximum intensity values for the interference analysis of electric and magnetic fields and was given two virtual computer system that supports families of CDMA and WCDMA technologies. The first family were developed computational resources to solve electric and magnetic field calculations and power densities in Radio Base stations , with the use of CDMA technology in the 800 MHz band , taking into account the permissible values referenced by the Commission International Protection on non-Ionizing Radiation . The first family is divided into two segments of calculation carried out in virtual operation. In the first segment to compute the interference field radiated by the base station with input information such as radio channel power; Gain antenna; Radio channel number; Operating frequency; Losses in the cable; Attenuation of direction; Minimum Distance; Reflections. Said computing system allows to quickly and without the need of implementing instruments for measurements, meet the following calculated values: Effective Radiated Power; Sector Power Density; Electric field in the sector; Magnetic field in the sector; Magnetic flux density; point of maximum permissible exposure of electric field and power density. The results are shown in charts for clarity of view of power density in the industry, as well as the coverage area definition. The computer module also includes folders specifications antennas, cables and towers used in cellular telephony, the following manufacturers: RFS World, Andrew, Karthein and BRASILSAT. Many are presented "links" network access "Internet" to supplement the cable specifications, antennas, etc. . In the second segment of the first family work with more variables , seeking to perform calculations quickly and safely assisting in obtaining results of radio signal loss produced by ERB . This module displays screens representing propagation systems denominated "A" and "B". By propagating "A" are obtained radio signal attenuation calculations in areas of urban models , dense urban , suburban , and rural open . In reflection calculations are present the reflection coefficients , the standing wave ratio , return loss , the reflected power ratio , as well as the loss of the signal by mismatch impedance. With the spread " B" seek radio signal losses in the survey line and not targeted , the effective area , the power density , the received power , the coverage radius , the conversion levels and the gain conversion systems radiant . The second family of virtual computing system consists of 7 modules of which 5 are geared towards the design of WCDMA and 2 technology for calculation of telephone traffic serving CDMA and WCDMA . It includes a portfolio of radiant systems used on the site. In the virtual operation of the module 1 is compute-: distance frequency reuse, channel capacity with noise and without noise, Doppler frequency, modulation rate and channel efficiency; Module 2 includes computes the cell area, thermal noise, noise power (dB), noise figure, signal to noise ratio, bit of power (dBm); with the module 3 reaches the calculation: breakpoint, processing gain (dB) loss in the space of BTS, noise power (w), chip period and frequency reuse factor. Module 4 scales effective radiated power, sectorization gain, voice activity and load effect. The module 5 performs the calculation processing gain (Hz / bps) bit time, bit energy (Ws). Module 6 deals with the telephone traffic and scales 1: traffic volume, occupancy intensity, average time of occupancy, traffic intensity, calls completed, congestion. Module 7 deals with two telephone traffic and allows calculating call completion and not completed in HMM. Tests were performed on the mobile network performance field for the calculation of data relating to: CINP , CPI , RSRP , RSRQ , EARFCN , Drop Call , Block Call , Pilot , Data Bler , RSCP , Short Call, Long Call and Data Call ; ECIO - Short Call and Long Call , Data Call Troughput . As survey were conducted surveys of electric and magnetic field in an ERB , trying to observe the degree of exposure to non-ionizing radiation they are exposed to the general public and occupational element. The results were compared to permissible values for health endorsed by the ICNIRP and the CENELEC .

A Virtual Joystick as a Novel Interaction Modality for Surgeon-Computer Interaction During Computer-Assisted Surgical Procedures

Interacting with a computer system in the operating room (OR) can be a frustrating experience for a surgeon, who currently has to verbally delegate to an assistant every computer interaction task. This indirect mode of interaction is time consuming, error prone and can lead to poor usability of OR computer systems. This thesis describes the design and evaluation of a joystick-like device that allows direct surgeon control of the computer in the OR. The device was tested extensively in comparison to a mouse and delegated dictation with seven surgeons, eleven residents, and five graduate students. The device contains no electronic parts, is easy to use, is unobtrusive, has no physical connection to the computer and makes use of an existing tool in the OR. We performed a user study to determine its effectiveness in allowing a user to perform all the tasks they would be expected to perform on an OR computer system during a computer-assisted surgery. Dictation was found to be superior to the joystick in qualitative measures, but the joystick was preferred over dictation in user satisfaction responses. The mouse outperformed both joystick and dictation, but it is not a readily accepted modality in the OR.

DIGITAL HISTORY: DESIGNING VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS THAT SUPPORT CRITICAL THINKING AND IDEA EXCHANGE, MOTIVATE AND ENGAGE USERS

In my thesis I argue for the use of system designs that: a) open access to a variety of users and allow for collaboration and idea exchange, while at the same time, b) are designed to motivate and engage users. To exemplify my proposed systems design, I created an interactive and open digital history project focused on Romanian culture and identity during Communism, from 1947, when the Communist Party took power by forcing the King to abdicate, until the revolution in 1989, which marked the end of Communism in Romania (Gilberg, 1990, Boia, 2014). In my project, I present the possibility to recreate Habermas’ notion of public sphere and “the unforced force of the better argument” (Habermas, 1989) and Dewey’s (2004) understanding of democracy as a mode of associated living imbued of the spirit of inquiry within contemporary digital history projects. Second, I outline system designs that motivate and engage users, by satisfying the basic psychological needs outlined in Ryan and Deci’s (2000) self-determination theory: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Two more concepts are included to complete the proposed digital history project design: presence (Ryan, Rigby, & Przybylski, 2006) and learner hero (Rigby & Przybylski, 2009).

Design of information architecture of the web site of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Tourism of the Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas (Cuba)

The information architecture supports information retrieval by users in Web environment. The design should be center in the information user, favoring usability. The Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Tourism of the Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas, lacks a site that enhances the disclosure of information to its members. Are presented as objectives of the study: 1) conduct a user survey to identify information needs of users, 2) establish guidelines for information architecture for the institution focused on users, 3) designing the information architecture for the institution and 4) designed to evaluate the proposal. Are presented as objectives of the study: 1) to realize a user study to identify the information needs of users, 2) establish guidelines for information architecture for the institution focused on users, 3) to design the information architecture for the institution and 4) to evaluate the proposal designed. To obtain results are used methods in the theoretical and empirical levels. Besides, are use techniques that favored the design and evaluation. Is designed the intranet of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Tourism. Is evaluated the proposed design for the validation of the results.

Using virtual topology operations to generate analysis topology

Virtual topology operations have been utilized to generate an analysis topology definition suitable for downstream mesh generation. Detailed descriptions are provided for virtual topology merge and split operations for all topological entities. Current virtual topology technology is extended to allow the virtual partitioning of volume cells and the topological queries required to carry out each operation are provided. Virtual representations are robustly linked to the underlying geometric definition through an analysis topology. The analysis topology and all associated virtual and topological dependencies are automatically updated after each virtual operation, providing the link to the underlying CAD geometry. Therefore, a valid description of the analysis topology, including relative orientations, is maintained. This enables downstream operations, such as the merging or partitioning of virtual entities, and interrogations, such as determining if a specific meshing strategy can be applied to the virtual volume cells, to be performed on the analysis topology description. As the virtual representation is a non-manifold description of the sub-divided domain the interfaces between cells are recorded automatically. This enables the advantages of non-manifold modelling to be exploited within the manifold modelling environment of a major commercial CAD system, without any adaptation of the underlying CAD model. A hierarchical virtual structure is maintained where virtual entities are merged or partitioned. This has a major benefit over existing solutions as the virtual dependencies are stored in an open and accessible manner, providing the analyst with the freedom to create, modify and edit the analysis topology in any preferred sequence, whilst the original CAD geometry is not disturbed. Robust definitions of the topological and virtual dependencies enable the same virtual topology definitions to be accessed, interrogated and manipulated within multiple different CAD packages and linked to the underlying geometry.