A Geometric Algebra Based Distributional Model to Encode Sentences Semantics

Word space models are used to encode the semantics of natural language elements by means of high dimensional vectors [23]. Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) methodology [15] is well known and widely used for its generalization properties. Despite of its good performance in several applications, the model induced by LSA ignores dynamic changes in sentences meaning that depend on the order of the words, because it is based on a bag of words analysis. In this chapter we present a technique that exploits LSA-based semantic spaces and geometric algebra in order to obtain a sub-symbolic encoding of sentences taking into account the words sequence in the sentence. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidel…

Designing an Online Dungeons & Dragons Experience for Primary School Children

In this work, we present the results of a role-playing game experience carried out with a group of 9- to 12-year-old children during the COVID-19 emergence. The ‘harmony in education’ approach has been used to adapt the game design to the constraints imposed by the online context and the young age of the students involved. The results show the effectiveness of the approach in terms of 21st-century skills training with particular evidence on perspective-taking.

Social Practices based characters in a Robotic Storytelling System

In this work, we present a robotic storytelling system, where the characters have been modelled as cognitive agents embodied in Pepper and NAO robots. The characters have been designed by exploiting the ACT-R architecture, taking into account knowledge, behaviours, norms, and expectations typical of social practices and desires resulting from their personality. The characters explain their reasoning processes during the narration, through a sort of internal dialogue that generate a high level of credibility experienced over the audience.

Development of a nomogram to estimate the quality of life in asthmatic children using the Childhood Asthma Control Test

Background: Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) provides detailed information on QoL in asthmatic children, whereas Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) Questionnaire is the most validated instrument for asthma control. No study assessed the relationship between C-ACT and QoL in children by means of those instruments. The aim of this study was to determine whether a QoL estimation is possible using the C-ACT questionnaire in asthmatic children. Methods: Medical history, spirometry, C-ACT, and PAQLQ were assessed in 144 (60% male) outpatient asthmatic children from September 2011 to November 2014. A generalized linear model (GLM) for the prediction of PAQLQ was obtained t…

Editorial: Robot-Assisted Learning and Education

Targeting quality of life in asthmatic children: The MyTEP pilot randomized trial

Abstract Background Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome in the management of children with asthma. Mobile Health (m-Health) and Therapeutic Education Programs (TEPs) are increasingly recognized as essential components of pediatric asthma management to improve disease outcomes. Objective To evaluate the effect of an education program (MyTherapeutic Education Program, MyTEP) that couples multidisciplinary TEP intervention with an m-Health Program (mHP) in improving QoL in asthmatic children. Methods This single-center study employed a nonblinded randomized clinical trial design. Italian-speaking children (6–11 years) with mild-moderate asthma were eligible for participation. Partici…

The effects of mental rotation on computational thinking

Abstract Although several investigations of spatial reasoning and mental rotation skills have been conducted in research areas linked to STEM education, to the best of our knowledge, few of these studies have examined the relationship between spatial reasoning and computational thinking. Given this gap in the literature, the present study investigates the role and action of spatial reasoning, and specifically the effects of mental rotation on computational thinking within an embodied and enacted perspective. To achieve this, we carried out a study involving 92 students in five primary-school classes (1st grade - 5th grade). The findings reveal a positive correlation between computational th…