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The current study tests subjects' vocal alignment toward female and male text-to-speech (TTS) voices presented via three systems: Amazon Echo, Nao, and Furhat. These systems vary in their physical form, ranging from a cylindrical speaker (Echo), to a small robot (Nao), to a human-like robot bust (Furhat). We test whether this cline of personification (cylinder < mini robot < human-like robot bust) predicts patterns of gender-mediated vocal alignment. In addition to comparing multiple systems, this study addresses a confound in many prior vocal alignment studies by using identical voices across the systems. Results show evidence for a cline of personification toward female TTS voices by female shadowers (Echo < Nao < Furhat) and a more categorical effect of device personification for male TTS voices by male shadowers (Echo < Nao, Furhat). These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for models of device-human interaction and theories of computer personification., QC 20230213

This paper discusses a sensorless control technique for synchronous reluctance machines based on an alternative way to process the information obtained from the stator current oversampling. The mathematical background is presented and demonstrated through experimental validation. Implementation issues are highlighted throughout the paper., QC 20230609

The behaviour of metal powders when they are spread into thin layers is critical for powder bed additive manufacturing and other processes. However, there is no accepted test procedure to quantify this behaviour. There is not even an accepted metric that can be used to assess this property. This increases the difficulty of developing new powders for additive manufacturing. The current study proposes test and analysis procedures that minimise the influence of operators and are aimed at providing maximum repeatability and reproducibility while minimising the need for specialist analysis equipment. Initial testing shows that a powder with good flow properties behaves as expected as a function of recoater speeds and always exhibits superior spread metrics to powders with poor flow properties. This provides an important step towards the establishment of a robust, inexpensive test that can help additive manufacturing to grow in new industries., QC 20220613

Since natural resources are limited, we need to ensure that materials are reused and recycled to the highest degree possible. Information and feedback as well as incentives may encourage people to alter their behavior. In this paper, we explore waste practices within grocery stores and how feedback through visualizations may help stores improve their waste management. We have studied the gap between current waste data and waste data that is both meaningful and can be acted upon as well as barriers between actionable data and organizational change. Nine interviews were conducted with a central facilities manager, store managers, employees and a representative from the waste collection company. Based on the results from these interviews, two mockups of web visualizations were designed and later evaluated in two additional stores. The initial interviews highlighted knowledge about waste, economic and environmental incentives for recycling and current modes of feedback and comparisons between stores. The mockups also reveal structural tensions between economic and environmental goals that wouldn’t be affected solely by better visualization of data. We conclude by discussing obstacles that needs to be overcome to reach organizational change in terms of more sustainable waste management practices in grocery stores., QC 20220607