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The effect of interruptions from ICT systems on assembly workers in manufacturing is examined in this thesis, as is how the risks of errors, increases in assembly time, increased cognitive load and resultant stress can be mitigated, as well as ensuring that important new information is acted upon. To these ends, a literature study was conducted, followed by two studies using an experimental approach in an environment that simulated a manufacturing assembly situation, and used tasks designed to be representative of manufacturing assembly tasks. The results of the literature study and the two studies are presented in four appended papers. The body of the thesis itself introduces similar material, and takes a step towards the creation of a theoretical framework that supports analysing the tasks and environments in question from a embodied and situated (DEEDS or 4E) viewpoint on cognition. This theoretical framework uses graphical representations similar to storyboards to support the analyst in maintaining an embodied and situated viewpoint during analyses of active tasks that require an examination of the interplay between brain, body, and environment. Supporting an embodied viewpoint during analysis has the purpose of facilitating the design of interruption coordination systems that take into account the embodied and situated nature of the tasks faced in manual tasks such as assembly in manufacturing. / Sense&React

Sensitive and responsive parenting promotes adaptive outcomes for children. Within the domain of language development, responsiveness has been examined through the effects of temporal and semantic contingency on children’s vocabularies. The term adaptive contingency can be used to characterize the process whereby dyads co-construct common ground, establishing a co-dependence of both timing and meaningfulness. This dissertation examined the role of adaptive contingency in early verb learning by examining the learning consequences when timing is manipulated but meaning is held constant (Study 1) and when meaningfulness is manipulated but timing is held constant (Study 2). In a previous study, toddlers learned novel action words when teaching was uninterrupted, but failed to do so when caregivers were interrupted while teaching by a cell phone call from the experimenter (Reed, Hirsh-Pasek, & Golinkoff, in preparation). Study 1 explored how the timing of interruptions differentially affects word learning. Experimenters blind to study hypotheses taught two-year old toddlers novel words, and learning was assessed via the Intermodal Preferential Looking Paradigm (IPLP). During the teaching period, experimenters responded to text messages, momentarily disrupting the teaching. The timing of these interruptions occurred (1) in the middle of an utterance, such that the label and demonstration of its action referent were decoupled, (2) before the “label + action referent” event occurred, or (3) after (the control condition). At test, only children in the after condition learned the novel words. Study 2 examined whether word learning would be disrupted when teaching interactions were interrupted by an event that breaks the shared focus (e.g., a cell phone call) but not when the interruption shifts the shared context (e.g., when a lighted display suddenly shines). Novel words were learned in one of three experimental conditions (light display to shift attention, cell phone call to break attention, no interruption control), and learning was again assessed via the IPLP. Only toddlers in the shift condition learned the novel words. This dissertation contributes to the growing recognition that the quality of interactions with caregivers affects children’s language trajectories (e.g., rich and diverse vocabulary, Rowe, 2012; fluent and connected bouts of sustained joint attention, Hirsh-Pasek et al., in press). Utilizing ecologically valid interruptions, the two studies together illuminate how the social context can support or hinder early verb learning. / Psychology

The purpose of this study was to examine the following prosodic elements: speech rate, turn-taking latency, number of interruptions, and utterance duration across two groups' neurotypical and autistic young adults. Furthermore, the end goal of this study is to help provide a baseline and clinical application of prosodic differences between autistic and neurotypical adults. Speech samples were collected from 11 neurotypical and 11 autistic young adults from the ages of 18-26. Speech samples were recorded responses from a 10-minute interview between two research assistants and the autistic or neurotypical individual. Using Praat software, speech samples were analyzed and used to calculate speech rate, utterance duration, turn-taking latency, and the number of interruptions for each subject. Across the four prosodic elements, there were significant differences between the autistic and neurotypical groups. The neurotypical group exhibited significantly higher speech and interruption rates when compared to the autistic group. Whereas, the autistic group displayed longer turn-taking latency periods and longer utterance durations. Across all conditions, there were no significant difference between biological sex or effect of familiarity within the autistic and neurotypical groups. Results of this study provide clinicians and researchers a baseline of prosodic differences found between autistic and neurotypical individuals. Future research is needed to better understand how these findings might improve the assessment and treatment of autistic individuals.

Dans une interaction humain-agent, l’engagement de l’utilisateur est un élément essentiel pour atteindre l’objectif de l’interaction. Dans cette thèse, nous étudions comment l’engagement de l’utilisateur pourrait être favorisé par le comportement de l’agent. Nous nous concentrons sur les stratégies de comportement verbal de l’agent qui concernent respectivement la forme, le timing et le contenu de ses énoncés. Nous présentons des études empiriques qui concernent certains aspects du comportement de politesse de l’agent, du comportement d’interruption de l’agent, et les sujets de conversation que l’agent adresse lors de l’interaction. Basé sur les résultats de la dernière étude, nous proposons un Gestionnaire de Sujets axé sur l’engagement (modèle computationnel) qui personnalise les sujets d’une interaction dans des conversations où l’agent donne des informations à un utilisateur humain. Le Modèle de Sélection des Sujets du Gestionnaire de Sujets décide sur quoi l’agent devrait parler et quand. Pour cela, il prend en compte la perception par l’agent de l’utilisateur, qui est dynamiquement mis à jour, ainsi que l’état mental et les préférences de l’agent. Le Modèle de Transition de Sujets du Gestionnaire de Sujet, basé sur une étude empirique, calcule comment l’agent doit présenter les sujets dans l’interaction en cours sans perdre la cohérence de l’interaction. Nous avons implémenté et évalué le Gestionnaire de Sujets dans un agent virtuel conversationnel qui joue le rôle d’un visiteur dans un musée. / In human-agent interaction the engagement of the user is an essential aspect to complete the goal of the interaction. In this thesis we study how the user’s engagement could be favoured by the agent’s behaviour. We thereby focus on the agent’s verbal behaviour considering strategies that regard respectively the form, timing, and content of utterances : We present empirical studies that regard (aspects of) the agent’s politeness behaviour, interruption behaviour, and the topics that the agent addresses in the interaction. Based on the outcomes of the latter study we propose an engagement-driven Topic Manager (computational model) that personalises the topics of an interaction in human-agent information-giving chat. The Topic Selection component of the Topic Manager decides what the agent should talk about and when. For this it takes into account the agent’s dynamically updated perception of the user as well as the agent’s own mental state. The Topic Transition component of the Topic Manager, based upon an empirical study, computes how the agent should introduce the topics in the ongoing interaction without loosing the coherence of the interaction. We implemented and evaluated the Topic Manager in a conversational virtual agent that plays the role of a visitor in amuseum.

As descargas atmosféricas sempre foram tratadas como acontecimentos fortuitos e de força maior, inerentes à vontade do homem. Contudo, mudanças significativas a esse respeito ocorreram recentemente na legislação brasileira, no Código Civil e na norma ABNT NBR 5410: 2004 (Instalações Elétricas de Baixa Tensão). Além disso, em 29 de abril de 2004 foi publicada a Resolução Normativa nº 61 da ANEEL, que estabelece as disposições relativas ao ressarcimento de danos, em equipamentos elétricos instalados em unidades consumidoras, causados por perturbações no sistema elétrico. De acordo com essa nova visão, as descargas atmosféricas devem ser tratadas como fenômenos que podem ter as suas conseqüências previstas, evitadas ou ao menos minimizadas, fazendo com que os custos associados não sejam considerados simplesmente como prejuízos, mas sim passíveis de ressarcimento junto à concessionária. Tais fatores, aliados à inexistência de uma metodologia comum para análise dos prejuízos causados por esse fenômeno, motivaram a realização deste trabalho, que teve por objetivo avaliar os custos decorrentes de descargas atmosféricas em sistemas de distribuição de energia. Além de aspectos técnicos e jurídicos, são discutidos os custos referentes à energia não fornecida, danos em equipamentos, mão-de-obra e ressarcimento de pedidos de indenização por danos (PIDs). Discute-se ainda, embora de forma superficial, a importância de contabilização do custo da imagem da empresa junto aos consumidores. Finalmente, apresenta-se uma metodologia para determinação de tais custos, a qual é aplicada a casos reais, com comparação e análise dos resultados obtidos em diferentes situações. / Lightning discharges have always been treated as Acts of God and force majure events, inherent to man?s will. However, significant changes to this regard have recently occurred in the Brazilian Law, in the Civil Code and on the Brazilian Standard ABNT NBR 5410: 2004 (Low Voltage Electric Installations). In addition, on April 29th, 2004, ANEEL Normative Resolution No. 61 was published, which establishes the provisions regarding reimbursement of damages in electrical equipment installed in consumer units, caused by disturbances in the electrical system. According to this new version, the lightning discharges must be treated as phenomena which may have their consequences foreseen, avoided or at least minimized, causing the associated costs to be considered not only as losses, but also entitled to reimbursement with the operator. Such factors, allied to the non-existence of a common methodology for the review of the losses caused by such phenomenon, motivated the development of this work, which aimed at assessing the lightning-related costs in power distribution systems. In addition to the technical and legal aspects, the costs regarding non-supplied power, equipment damage, labor and indemnity claims (PIDs), are also discussed. Although superficially, the importance of taking into account the cost of the company?s image with the consumers is also discussed. Finally, a methodology for the determination of such costs is presented and applied to actual cases, with comparison and analysis of the results obtained in different situations.

A continuidade no fornecimento de energia elétrica a clientes é um objetivo constante das distribuidoras de energia, as quais estão constantemente buscando desenvolver soluções tecnológicas a fim de melhorar o desempenho das redes de distribuição. Com o crescimento das cargas eletrônicas e o expressivo aumento dos dispositivos automáticos nas redes, surge uma nova forma de analisar a rede de distribuição sob o aspecto da filosofia da proteção, considerando interrupções sustentadas e momentâneas, sob dois aspectos distintos, o primeiro considera o custo da energia não fornecida sob o período de contingência, enquanto que o segundo refere-se ao impacto do custo social para diferentes classes de clientes, durante o período das interrupções. Desta forma este trabalho propõe o desenvolvimento de uma estratégia de minimização de custos dessas interrupções considerando as características das cargas, bem como o tempo necessário para reinicialização da carga. Para este fim, é aplicado um modelo de programação não-linear, que emprega variáveis binárias para definir a habilitação ou não de curvas rápidas nos religadores e uma abordagem de otimização clássica. Os algoritmos foram desenvolvidos no software Matlab e posteriormente convertido para linguagem GAMS (Generic Algebraic Modeling System). A metodologia foi testada e validada em um alimentador de distribuição real urbano, localizado na região metropolitana de Porto Alegre (RS, Brasil). / Uninterrupted power delivery is a permanent goal of power utilities. One way of attaining this objective is constantly investing in technological solutions to improve the performance of distribution networks. With increasing loads, mainly electronic ones, as well as growing insertion of automatic reclosers, the protection philosophy of distribution systems has to be rethought taking into account temporary and permanent interruptions. In this work, we propose a strategy to minimize the cost of interruptions taking into account the load characteristics and the time required to restart the load. This is achieved by deriving a mixed integer nonlinear programming model. The proposed model uses binary variables to define if the instantaneous characteristic of the recloser should be enabled and a classical explicit mathematical optimization approach. The algorithms were developed with Matlab software and the conversion was made to a General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS). The applicability of the proposed methodology is tested in an actual feeder from Porto Alegre.

This study aimed to investigate the use of accommodation of assertive utterances (AUs) in the conversations of 49 girls aged 5;0-13;1. Based on the findings of earlier research that the use of such language is more closely related to age than to gender, it was predicted speakers would accommodate their use of and response to assertive utterances as a result of their partner's age. Naturalistic language from these speakers was collected over a year, and evidence of accommodation was observed in all speakers. Fewer AUs were used with younger speakers compared to older ones, and those used with younger girls were more likely to be produced with the sole purpose of controlling the hearer's behaviour. In addition, AUs were more likely to be complied with, or accepted, when they were produced by older girls. Given what is known about the types of language used by powerful/powerless individuals, it appears that these speakers consider age to be an indicator of status. A particularly interesting finding was that it was the age of a speaker in relation to other members of the conversation that influenced their use of and response to AUs, rather than the age of the speaker alone.

A universalização da energia elétrica, como uma das principais políticas públicas de inclusão social, tem como desafio a escolha de alternativas tecnológicas capazes de conciliar os aspectos de viabilidade técnica e econômica. A Tecnologia cabos para-raios energizados (PRE), objeto de estudo desta tese, se insere neste contexto. Assim, este trabalho consiste na análise de viabilidade do PRE no esquema trifásico, cuja instalação é associada à linha de transmissão 230 kV do sistema de transmissão de Rondônia. São analisados os aspectos de seu desempenho técnico, operacional e econômico. No aspecto técnico é analisado o desempenho do sistema de aterramento quanto à resistência de terra, tensões de toque e de passo, além de análise da queda de tensão, desequilíbrio de tensão e capacidade de carregamento da instalação. A abordagem técnica é aprofundada após análise do desempenho operacional avaliado a partir da classificação das interrupções verificadas em mais de 180 meses de operação do Sistema PRE Rondônia. Em decorrência dessa avaliação, são obtidos índices operacionais de continuidade, analisados comparativamente em relação a outras alternativas tecnológicas, visando analisar a viabilidade da Tecnologia PRE. Uma das constatações resultantes da análise das causas das interrupções indica um elevado impacto das descargas atmosféricas no desempenho do PRE. Este aspecto é extensivamente analisado quanto aos efeitos das descargas diretas e indiretas sobre a instalação, partindo-se de medições de campo nos contrapesos das torres, medições de resistividade do solo e ensaios na cadeia de isoladores do PRE. Simulações são realizadas utilizando-se os programas computacionais ATPDraw, ERM e CDEGS para análise das tensões resultantes de descargas diretas, tensões induzidas por descargas indiretas e cálculo de resistência de terra, respectivamente. São investigados os efeitos de parâmetros importantes no desempenho do sistema frente a descargas atmosféricas e comparados os números de interrupções estimadas e verificadas em campo, partindo-se de um roteiro metodológico minuciosamente detalhado, a fim de permitir a repetição dos procedimentos em situações semelhantes às analisadas neste trabalho. Após uma análise comparativa do desempenho do sistema PRE em relação a outras alternativas convencionais, são estabelecidos índices de referência para o desempenho operacional da Tecnologia PRE e desenvolvida uma análise econômica da implantação dessa tecnologia em Rondônia. / As one of the major public policies of social inclusion, the universalization of electric energy services has as a challenge to choose appropriate technological solutions that combine technical and economic aspects. The energized shield wire line technology (SWL), subject of this thesis, is in this context. This study aims at evaluating the viability of the SWL technology (three-phase scheme) installed on a 230 kV transmission line in the State of Rondônia. The analysis covers its technical, operational, and economic performance. The former aspect considers the performance of the grounding system regarding the ground resistance and step and touch voltages, analysis of voltage drop, voltage unbalance and the load capacity of the installation. The technical issue is deeply held after the analysis of the system operational performance in Rondônia based on the classification of outages considering a period greater than 180 months. The operational indices that result from this evaluation are compared to those corresponding to other technology alternatives in order to evaluate the viability of SWL technology. The analysis of the causes of interruptions reveals that lightning has a significant impact on the SWL performance. Thus, an extensive analysis is carried out regarding the effects of direct and indirect strokes on the SWL, including field measurements (soil resistivity and tower footing resistance) and laboratory tests (determination of the positive and negative critical flashover overvoltages of insulator strings). Simulations are performed using computer programs of proved validity (ATPDraw, ERM, and CDEGS) for the analysis of lightning overvoltages resulting from direct and indirect strokes and for the calculation of ground resistance. The effects of important parameters on the system lightning performance are investigated and the estimated and observed frequencies of interruptions are compared. The applied methodological procedure is described in detail, to allow the method to be used in other cases similar to the situations examined on this study. After a comparative analysis of the performance of the SWL with respect to other conventional alternatives, reference indices for the operational performance of SWL Technology are set and an economic analysis of the SWL technology in Rondônia is carried out.

A universalização da energia elétrica, como uma das principais políticas públicas de inclusão social, tem como desafio a escolha de alternativas tecnológicas capazes de conciliar os aspectos de viabilidade técnica e econômica. A Tecnologia cabos para-raios energizados (PRE), objeto de estudo desta tese, se insere neste contexto. Assim, este trabalho consiste na análise de viabilidade do PRE no esquema trifásico, cuja instalação é associada à linha de transmissão 230 kV do sistema de transmissão de Rondônia. São analisados os aspectos de seu desempenho técnico, operacional e econômico. No aspecto técnico é analisado o desempenho do sistema de aterramento quanto à resistência de terra, tensões de toque e de passo, além de análise da queda de tensão, desequilíbrio de tensão e capacidade de carregamento da instalação. A abordagem técnica é aprofundada após análise do desempenho operacional avaliado a partir da classificação das interrupções verificadas em mais de 180 meses de operação do Sistema PRE Rondônia. Em decorrência dessa avaliação, são obtidos índices operacionais de continuidade, analisados comparativamente em relação a outras alternativas tecnológicas, visando analisar a viabilidade da Tecnologia PRE. Uma das constatações resultantes da análise das causas das interrupções indica um elevado impacto das descargas atmosféricas no desempenho do PRE. Este aspecto é extensivamente analisado quanto aos efeitos das descargas diretas e indiretas sobre a instalação, partindo-se de medições de campo nos contrapesos das torres, medições de resistividade do solo e ensaios na cadeia de isoladores do PRE. Simulações são realizadas utilizando-se os programas computacionais ATPDraw, ERM e CDEGS para análise das tensões resultantes de descargas diretas, tensões induzidas por descargas indiretas e cálculo de resistência de terra, respectivamente. São investigados os efeitos de parâmetros importantes no desempenho do sistema frente a descargas atmosféricas e comparados os números de interrupções estimadas e verificadas em campo, partindo-se de um roteiro metodológico minuciosamente detalhado, a fim de permitir a repetição dos procedimentos em situações semelhantes às analisadas neste trabalho. Após uma análise comparativa do desempenho do sistema PRE em relação a outras alternativas convencionais, são estabelecidos índices de referência para o desempenho operacional da Tecnologia PRE e desenvolvida uma análise econômica da implantação dessa tecnologia em Rondônia. / As one of the major public policies of social inclusion, the universalization of electric energy services has as a challenge to choose appropriate technological solutions that combine technical and economic aspects. The energized shield wire line technology (SWL), subject of this thesis, is in this context. This study aims at evaluating the viability of the SWL technology (three-phase scheme) installed on a 230 kV transmission line in the State of Rondônia. The analysis covers its technical, operational, and economic performance. The former aspect considers the performance of the grounding system regarding the ground resistance and step and touch voltages, analysis of voltage drop, voltage unbalance and the load capacity of the installation. The technical issue is deeply held after the analysis of the system operational performance in Rondônia based on the classification of outages considering a period greater than 180 months. The operational indices that result from this evaluation are compared to those corresponding to other technology alternatives in order to evaluate the viability of SWL technology. The analysis of the causes of interruptions reveals that lightning has a significant impact on the SWL performance. Thus, an extensive analysis is carried out regarding the effects of direct and indirect strokes on the SWL, including field measurements (soil resistivity and tower footing resistance) and laboratory tests (determination of the positive and negative critical flashover overvoltages of insulator strings). Simulations are performed using computer programs of proved validity (ATPDraw, ERM, and CDEGS) for the analysis of lightning overvoltages resulting from direct and indirect strokes and for the calculation of ground resistance. The effects of important parameters on the system lightning performance are investigated and the estimated and observed frequencies of interruptions are compared. The applied methodological procedure is described in detail, to allow the method to be used in other cases similar to the situations examined on this study. After a comparative analysis of the performance of the SWL with respect to other conventional alternatives, reference indices for the operational performance of SWL Technology are set and an economic analysis of the SWL technology in Rondônia is carried out.