This study explores deriving minimal features for a robotic face to convey information (via facial expressions) that people can perceive/understand. Recent research in computer vision has shown that a small number of moving points/lines can be used to capture the majority of information (~95%) in human facial expressions. Here, we apply such findings to a minimalist robot face; recognition rates were similar to more complex robots. The project aims to answer a number of fundamental questions about robotic face design, as well as to develop inexpensive/replicable robotic faces for experimental purposes.

This work presents the preliminary results of an eight- week study of the seal-like robot PARO being used in a sensory therapy activity in a local nursing home. Participants were older adults with different levels of cognitive impairment. We analyzed participant behaviors in video recorded during the weekly interactions between older adults, a therapist, and PARO. We found that PARO's continued use led to a steady increase in physical interaction between older adults and the robot and an increasing willingness among participants to interact with it.

Nursing homes and long-term care institutions often need technological assistance because of the high ratio of low-functioning residents coupled with a shortage of caregivers. To explore the potential uses of emerging robotic technologies in nursing homes, we apply Forlizzi's concept of the product ecology and a user-centered design approach involving field study and focus groups to understand what kind of robot design would be suitable in the nursing home context. Our preliminary results show that instead of a robot which completely replaces human labor, nursing home staff prefer robot assistants who fit into their working process. We also learned the most appropriate functions for robots in nursing homes were helping with minor tasks and encouraging social interaction among residents.

Brojna istraživanja su utvrdila povezanost između izloženosti nasilnom ponasanju  i psiholoskih poteskoca, ali jos uvijek je nejasno sto dolazi prije, ukljucenost u vrsnjacko nasilje ili psiholoske poteskoce. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je ispitati prethodi li ukljucenost u vrsnjacko nasilje  psiholoskim poteskocama ili psiholoske poteskoce predstavljaju cimbenik rizika za ukljucenost u vrsnjacko nasilje. Sest mjeseci dugo longitudinalno istraživanje zapoceto je u jesen 2008. godine a ponovno mjerenje provedeno je u proljece 2009. godine u cetiri osnovne skole na podrucju opcine Siroki Brijeg. Istraživanje je ukljucivalo 536 djece u dobi od 11 do 15 godina, koja su popunjavala upitnike za samoprocjenu u oba mjerenja. Upitnici za samoprocjenu koristeni su za ispitivanje vrsnjackog nasilja, kao i sirokog raspona psiholoskih simptoma.   Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da djeca koja su sudionici vrsnjackog nasilja  imaju znacajno veci rizik za razvoj psiholoskih poteskoca kao sto su anksioznost i depresivnost, somatske poteskoce, socijalni problemi i krsenje pravila u usporedbi s djecom koja nisu ukljucena u vrsnjacko nasilje. Istovremeno, specificne psiholoske poteskoce na pocetku godine ne predstavljaju cimbenik rizika za ukljucenost u vrsnjackog nasilje tokom godine.

Exposure to blood-borne infections (HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C) poses a serious risk to health care workers (HCWs). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the level of knowledge and attitudes on occupational exposure in primary health care. In 2009, a total of 100 health care workers from the Primary Health Care Centre in Inđija, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia were included in the study. The results suggested that the health care workers who participated in the survey possess basic knowledge about blood-borne virus transmission routes. Most incorrect answers were related to the transmission of blood-borne viruses by tears, saliva, urine and stool. This study also demonstrated that health workers tend to unrealistically estimate the risk of HIV infections. As for the level of education about the prevention and control of blood-borne infections, 49 % of the participants had never had any education on this topic, while 22 % had been educated during the last five years. Around 75 % consider education on blood-borne infection and protective measures at work unnecessary.

Eutrophication, a major problem in many fresh and brackish waters, is largely caused by nonpoint-source pollution by P from agricultural soils. This lysimeter study examined the influence of P content, physical properties, and sorption characteristics in topsoil and subsoil on P leaching measured during 21 mo in 1-m-long, undisturbed soil columns of two clay and two sandy soils. Total P losses during the period varied between 0.65 and 7.40 kg ha. Dissolved reactive P was the dominant form in leachate from the sandy soils and one clay soil, varying from 48 to 76%. Particulate P dominated in leachate from the other clay soil, where low pH (5.2) in the subsoil decreased aggregate stability and thereby probably increased the dispersion of clay particles. Phosphorus leaching was small from soils with high P sorption index (PSI) and low P saturation (<10% of PSI) in the subsoil, even though extractable P (Olsen P) in the topsoil was high, and large from a soil with low sorption capacity and high P saturation (>35% of PSI) in the profile. High sorption capacity in the subsoil was more important for P leaching in sandy soils than in clay soils with macropore flow, where the effect of high sorption capacity was reduced due to less interaction between percolating water and the soil matrix. The results suggest that P leaching is greatly affected by subsoil properties and that topsoil studies, which dominate current research, are insufficient for assessing P leaching in many soils.