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Interaction dynamics are difficult to model analytically, making data-driven controllers preferable for contact-rich manipulation tasks. In this work, we approximate the intricate dynamics of food-cutting with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model to apply a Model Predictive Controller (MPC). We propose a problem formulation that allows velocity-controlled robots to learn the interaction dynamics

There is substantial evidence that women tend to support different policies and political candidates than men. Many studies also document gender differences in a variety of important preference dimensions, such as risk-taking, competition and pro-sociality. However, the degree to which differential voting by men and women is related to these gaps in more basic preferences requires an improved unde

Many countries use tax legislation as a cultural policy instrument. This includes tax incentives for arts organizations and their benefactors. This chapter analyzes what a tax incentive is, what its positive and negative sides are, and how governments use it to support the arts and cultural organizations. Tax incentives for giving, the possibility of paying tax with art, reduced value added tax ra

The COVID-19 pandemic had disastrous effects on health and economic activity worldwide, including in the Euro Area. The application of mandatory lockdowns contributed to a sharp fall in production and a rise in unemployment, inducing an expansionary fiscal and monetary response. Using a uniquely large macro database, this paper examines the effects of the pandemic and the ensuing economic policies

A platoon consists of a string of vehicles traveling close together. Such tight formation allows for increased road throughput and reduced fuel consumption due to decreased air resistance. Furthermore, sensors and control algorithms can be used to provide a high level of automation. In this context, safety - in terms of no rear-end collisions - is a key property that needs to be assured. We invest

This one-day workshop will explore fabulations in design research. Bringing together design researchers and practitioners in hands-on exploration and critical dialogue, we will explore emerging practices and potentials of using fabulations in futures-oriented and exploratory practice-based design research. Drawing on fabulations’ relations with feminist technoscience and more-than-human concerns,

The potential of additional steering possibilities (like rear-wheel or all-wheel steering) is analyzed for critical situations to investigate possible safety improvements. For this purpose, a dynamic optimization problem is formulated to find the best possible maneuver. The optimization criterion is to maximize the entry speed into a constant radius 90°-curve. The optimization problem is solved fo

Tourism is consistently affected by a change. Whether it be economic, social, and cultural, or whether it be technological and environmental, which are the focus of much contemporary tourism scholarship. Furthermore, change occurs at different scales and is uneven over space and time. Therefore, while all change is experienced locally, global overviews such as that provided in this book can only p

Across the world, the pandemic has made many of us rapidly change (at least temporarily) how we organize, work, and live, provoking a series of urgent questions. What is our relationship with the family, community, environment and the state? How should we structure our work? How do we value essential work and workers? How are we going to live, work, and organize differently in a post-pandemic worl

A series of worldwide projects concerning assessment, student outcomes and quality in higher education has revealed the need for a change in how higher education institutions assess student outcomes; however, many academics remain unconvinced. The success of assessment change arguably depends on the assessment culture within the institution. This qualitative investigation of assessment cultures dr

G.fast is a gap-bridging broadband technology on the way to a fully optical access network. G.fast is deployed in hybrid fiber-copper access networks and aiming to offer ubiquitous low-cost and high-speed broadband. For network operators, it is crucial to determine the location from where to deploy G.fast, the expected network coverage, and the expected bit rates. In this paper, we perform network

After emerging in China in late 2019, the novel Severe acute respiratory syndrome-like coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread worldwide and as of early 2021, continues to significantly impact most countries. Only a small number of coronaviruses are known to infect humans, and only two are associated with the severe outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavir

After emerging in China in late 2019, the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread worldwide, and as of mid- 2021, it remains a significant threat globally. Only a few coronaviruses are known to infect humans, and only two cause infections similar in severity to SARS-CoV-2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, a species closely related

This paper gives a brief overview of the Gaia Research for European Astronomy Training (GREAT) network, including a description of the GREAT-ESF Research Network Programme and the GREAT Initial Training Network (GREAT-ITN). Scientific highlights from the GREAT-ITN are noted.