Alessandro Quarto

Dialogue-oriented interface for linguistic human-computer interaction: A chat-based application

This work presents a prototype conversational system enabling human-computer interaction by using natural language expression. As an enhancement to well-known conversational agents like chatbots, in the proposed setting, human-machine dialogue is intended as a query/answer monotonic process aimed at minimizing semantic ambiguity within communication and delivering the required service. When user queries are ambiguous, hence semantically distant from the set of possible recognized interpretations, the system instantiates a dialogue with the user. In this case, the system provides suggestions on how to reformulate the query until a valid form is reached; this feed-back makes the dialogue-oriented interaction process resemble an ordinary chat (in the very restricted domain of system services) but with a machine interlocutor. The popularity of the chat as a synchronous communication instrument lets our proposal be suitable for a great variety of applications.

A virtual classroom interface for student participation measurement

The aim of this paper is to describe the methodology employed in the construction of a virtual classroom tool based on a collaborative learning interface, also able to analyze and measure users data for assessing the application performance and evaluating the level of students participation in the proposed e-learning model. The future target will be based on the comparison of the results obtained during the experimentation phase for studying the best way to create a personalized learning path.

Online wastewater monitoring system using solid state sensor

Water and wastewater monitoring management is a task of paramount importance for the environmental control operations in the framework of the Adaptive Water Management policies enforced by the current EU legislation. Water resources management, on one side, and efficient water/wastewater treatment and control operations, on the other, must be carried-out timely and synergistically for best results. It is well known that conventional field sampling operations condition significantly data reliability from both qualitative and quantitative aspects. To overcome this problem, speditive field analysis, carried-out by the use of low-cost devices with solid-state gas sensors (e-nose), may offer a solution to the sampling, transport and deferred laboratory operations. The proposed devices do not require consumable and may be easily connected to data acquisition network.

Use of a FIS for low cost student presence detector in e-learning 2.0

The aim of this paper is to address the issue concerning the tools for getting feedback from e-learning platform users. Our research analyzes the role of human presence in mediated learning environments proposing a possible strategy to detect it.

On Line Instruction Challenge: Ariann@ Project Example

This paper discusses a Web 2.0 oriented training model currently under consideration in the framework of the guidance project called ldquoAriann@rdquo activated by the Polytechnic of Bari. The focus is that of presenting a strongly customized e-learning platform characterized by two main priorities: accomplishing the guidance task by providing support, information, and advice in all those aspects of university life to prospective, current and graduate students as well as employing new models of teaching being compliant with Web 2.0 policy and social network technology. The goal is proposing an interactive learning environment able to encourage students to develop motivation for academic study thanks to the use of updated tools.

Multi agent system to promote Electronic Data Interchange in port systems

This paper reports the features of a web-based multi-agent system (MAS) which aims at supporting electronic data interchange (EDI) among seaport operators and providing interoperability among ports. The MAS architecture here proposed performs process automation, data integration, security and quality of managed information better than a tradional client-server. The case study is represented by the italian port of Taranto and three greek ports (Igoumenitsa, Salonica and Kavala). This paper draws on a work in progress within INTERREG III ARCHIMED PROGRAMME for New.Ton. Project, a project co-financed by the European regional development fund (ERDF).

M-DUST: An innovative low-cost smart PM sensor

In this work, we present M-DUST, a novel low-cost and real-time smart monitoring sensor for Particulate Matter (PM) emission measurement. It is based on the Tyndall scattering process to count particle concentration about solid aerosol (e.g., smoke, dust, etc.). A comparison on different methods to evaluate particle concentration has been discussed. A mechanical filter is used to select the particulate matter with the appropriate cut-off aerodynamic diameter. The presented device is an intelligent sensor thanks to its features, such as: ability to make self-diagnosis, self-adaptation and transparency to communication interface. Tests are carried out in the Italian city of Taranto.

Electronic nose for evaluating water use in beer production

This paper is focused on the results of the research project simBART. Particular attention is paid on a method for water evaluation in beer production sector. This process, under investigation, can be targeted to small and not industrialised enterprises as well as to those home brewing productions. Experimental analyses are conducted by means of VPeN, a vapour phase e-nose based on a specific sensor array. Six kinds of Italian mineral water and one type of demineralised water were taken into account in order to carry out the related tests. A comparison among signatures produced by the analysed methodology in function of each sample was realized just to produce the classification of those kinds of water, which resulted to be the most appropriate ones for specific beer production.

Social isolation monitoring system via AI approach

H2020 policy objectives are mainly oriented to social inclusion, in this regard, particular attention is given to better public services for seniors. Due to the high costs of hospitalization, the home care as well as specialized training should be preferable both for reducing public expenditure and improving the physical and psychological well-being of elderly people. In this paper an ICT tool for elderly people (or peoples with psychic, sensory, neuromotor and disabilities) is presented. Aim of this tool is to form a bridge between senior citizen and new technologies, thus overcoming the well-known rejection of “technology with unknown implications”. At the same time the presented tool is suitable to identify variations of the senior ability while doing specific actions just for by evaluating a social isolation parameter.

Dialogue disambiguation in Living Labs experience the Puglia Tremor system

The Living Lab idea was conceived by William Mitchell at MIT and since 2006 also Europe Union has been joining the living lab experience. In August 2011, the Regional Government of Apulia included Living Labs and Pre-commercial public procurement in their existing Operational Program of European Regional Development Fund. Hereinafter the project called “Puglia Tremor” is presented by focusing the attention on web based dialogue among living labs actors. This project represents one possible answer to the regional call and a proposal to future experience and further development of best practices. An innovative text disambiguation system is presented in order to overcome the well-known gap in human-computer interaction. Thanks to the proposed system the unskilled-user and public operators will be able to communicate using a web 2.0 approach.