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This article analyses the American Express travel board game Money Card (1972) as it highlights the intertwinement between the rise of a distinctive form of tourism as a modern mass industry and the expansion of the capitalist market, the primacy of the dollar, and U.S. hegemony. In a period marked by a shift from paper money to credit cards and global credit markets, American Express was the most powerful and easily identifiable symbol of the new post-war international economic order dominated by U.S. economic and political power. Placing the American Express Money Card board game within the shift from the post-war economy of reconstruction to credit expansion and neoliberalism, brings to the forefront the ways in which the game presented tourism as a ritual in celebration of capitalism. As a form of armchair travel, the board game sold tourism as a re-enchantment of the world. The article explores how the board game framed the American Express Card as fetish object, portrayed Europe as up for sale, and created a desire for the services of American Express and consumerism more generally. It shows how players were trained to use credit cards, be good consumers, and participate in the economy of the tourist industry. By advancing a capitalist tourist dreamworld, Money Card shaped perceptions of travel to Europe and created a religious illusion, offering a re-enchantment of the world through tourism and credit cards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide an in-depth understanding of the various results of articles related to papers with variable sales improvement strategies. The method used in this paper is qualitative by reviewing scientific articles related to describing the findings related to this paper, after that the results in this paper are in the form of perceptions in discussions and conclusions. The articles used from the last ten years come from existing international journals. Technology can help and provide speed and become a symbol for the world of aviation around the world, in addition to diverse and attractive services provide a guarantee and variety of choices for passengers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the concept of social affordances in relation to social theory. Our point of departure is the growing literature which posits, in one way or another, that affordances may be seen as social, or cultural or similar. Across the literature on social affordances, it is thus emphasized how perception is shaped within human econiches, how it is fundamentally social, historical, and cultural, but limited direct engagement with decades of scholarship within the social sciences on many of these same topics. This paper thus discusses three key themes for theories of social affordances, exploring sociological perspectives on meaning, place and power, arguing that there may be a difficult, yet fruitful, potential for not just an ecological psychology, but an ecological social science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how global misinformation and local cultural factors shape public perceptions of COVID-19 in Malawi. While misinformation about the pandemic often originates from global sources like the Internet and social media, its impact is influenced by religious and cultural narratives that resonate differently across various demographics, including gender. These 'cultural determinants' amplify the influence of misinformation, leading to widespread vaccine hesitancy. The paper draws on findings from a study conducted in the Malawian districts of Zomba, Dowa, and Nkhata Bay. The study reveals how religious prophecies and apocalyptic symbols, such as the '666' mentioned in the biblical Book of Revelation, are used to frame vaccines as malevolent, distorting public understanding and fuelling fears about COVID-19. The role of social media in spreading misinformation is particularly significant, given its ability to quickly disseminate content and engage users as both consumers and creators of information. Despite limited internet access in Malawi, misinformation spreads effectively through offline spaces, where cultural beliefs and mistrust in political leaders further propagate it. This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive public health communication strategies to address the fears and beliefs that drive misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in Malawi and similar contexts. Although misinformation and vaccine hesitancy are global challenges, the study highlights that misinformation in Malawi is culturally specific, localised, and appeals to fears, with distinct resonance across the male-female gender divide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stairs are among the key elements in architectural composition, both aesthetically and spatially. They are also one of the main innovations in architecture and building, allowing pedestrians to bridge considerable height differences with relative efficiency. It is, therefore, surprising that, in spite of all stair regulations in building codes, stairs are responsible for a huge number of accidents—second only to motorcars. The extent of safety failures suggests that user interaction with stairs is poorly understood by designers and policy makers. This is not unrelated to the lack of research into the design and use of stairs. Templer's seminal work is the exception, but it dates from 1992, and since then, little has been done to understand the relation between architectural design and stair performance, including safety. The paper reviews the literature on stairs in multiple domains and proposes that to redress poor stair performance, research and practice should build on affordance-based analyses of stair climbability, which establish a clear connection between the form of a stair and the perception of both action possibilities and dangers by all kinds of users. By doing so, affordances establish a comprehensive and consistent framework for the analysis of architectural designs, which utilizes both domain and psychological knowledge, including as a foundation for computational applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market producers often seek to position themselves in different categories over time. Successful repositioning is difficult, however, as audiences often devalue offerings that depart from a producer's past creations. Prior research suggests that this penalty arises as evaluators withhold opportunities for producers to reposition because of presumptions of a lack of competence in different categories. In this paper, we develop understanding of a novel evaluator-driven challenge to producers' repositioning efforts: evaluators are prone to "categorical stickiness," by which the categories they have come to associate with a producer through its prior offerings shape their perceptions of the producer's subsequent offerings. The result is a systematic mismatch between what producers claim and what evaluators perceive when a producer repositions. We further propose that audience members who have the greatest prior experience with a producer are the least likely to recognize its repositioning efforts. We examine evidence for our theory using data from Goodreads.com on authors within the book publishing industry, 2007–2017. We first build a novel deep-learning framework to predict categorization of a given book based solely on an author's description of its content. We then use data on how Goodreads users categorize and evaluate books as well as their past reading behavior to test for evidence of our proposed mechanism. Overall, our results extend understanding of the evaluative processes that generate categorical constraints and how these may differ among various types of audience members. This paper was accepted by Isabel Fernandez-Mateo, organizations. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.02070. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discrimination in the labor market hinders efficient labor allocation, impeding socio-economic health. With the rapid population aging in China, addressing multifaceted discrimination to enhance labor allocation efficiency emerges as a crucial area of research. To explore the relationship between five types of discrimination (age, gender, hukou, educational background, and occupation) and labor misallocation, this paper based on intersectionality theory, employs the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method to conduct a configurational analysis of data from China. The research findings indicate that none of the five forms of discrimination can be deemed a necessary condition for achieving high-level labor misallocation. The study identifies five distinct pathways of multiple discrimination to form high-level labor misallocation, which can be classified into four interaction modes: age-hukou, gender-hukou, gender-occupation, and age-gender-educational background. Meanwhile, there are four configuration paths for the absence of labor misallocation. This study reveals the intricate mechanisms by which multiple forms of discrimination contribute to labor misallocation in China's labor market, and provides valuable insights for addressing employment discrimination and improving the efficiency of labor allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in New Plant Breeding Techniques have emerged as promising tools for enhancing crop productivity, quality, and resilience in the face of global challenges, such as climate change and food security. However, the successful implementation of these techniques relies also on public acceptance of this innovation. Understanding what shapes public perception and acceptance of New Plant Breeding Techniques is crucial for effective science communication, policymaking, and the sustainable adoption of these innovations. The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize existing research on the public perception of New Plant Breeding Techniques applied to food crops and explore the psychosocial determinants that influence acceptance. Twenty papers published between 2015 and 2023 were included on various New Plant Breeding Techniques and their reception by the general public. Determinants affecting the acceptance of food crops derived from New Plant Breeding Techniques were categorized into six areas: sociodemographic factors, perceived benefits and risks, attitudes toward science, communication strategies, personal values, and product characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cyber-attacks that generate technical disruptions in organisational operations and damage the reputation of organisations have become all too common in the contemporary organisation. This paper explores the reputation repair strategies undertaken by organisations in the event of becoming victims of cyber-attacks. Design/methodology/approach: For developing the authors' contribution in the context of the Internet service providers' industry, the authors draw on a qualitative case study of TalkTalk, a British telecommunications company providing business to business (B2B) and business to customer (B2C) Internet services, which was a victim of a "significant and sustained" cyber-attack in October 2015. Data for the enquiry is sourced from publicly available archival documents such as newspaper articles, press releases, podcasts and parliamentary hearings on the TalkTalk cyber-attack. Findings: The findings suggest a dynamic interplay of technical and rhetorical responses in dealing with cyber-attacks. This plays out in the form of marshalling communication and mortification techniques, bolstering image and riding on leader reputation, which serially combine to strategically orchestrate reputational repair and stigma erasure in the event of a cyber-attack. Originality/value: Analysing a prototypical case of an organisation in dire straits following a cyber-attack, the paper provides a systematic characterisation of the setting-in-motion of strategic responses to manage, revamp and ameliorate damaged reputation during cyber-attacks, which tend to negatively shape the evaluative perceptions of the organisation's salient audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flow has been described as a state of optimal performance, experienced universally across a broad range of domains: from art to athletics, gaming to writing. However, its phenomenal characteristics can, at first glance, be puzzling. Firstly, individuals in flow supposedly report a loss of self-awareness, even though they perform in a manner which seems to evince their agency and skill. Secondly, flow states are felt to be effortless, despite the prerequisite complexity of the tasks that engender them. In this paper, we unpick these features of flow, as well as others, through the active inference framework, which posits that action and perception are forms of active Bayesian inference directed at sustained self-organisation; i.e., the minimisation of variational free energy. We propose that the phenomenology of flow is rooted in the deployment of high precision weight over (i) the expected sensory consequences of action and (ii) beliefs about how action will sequentially unfold. This computational mechanism thus draws the embodied cognitive system to minimise the ensuing (i.e., expected) free energy through the exploitation of the pragmatic affordances at hand. Furthermore, given the challenging dynamics the flowinducing situation presents, attention must be wholly focussed on the unfolding task whilst counterfactual planning is restricted, leading to the attested loss of the sense of self-as-object. This involves the inhibition of both the sense of self as a temporally extended object and higher-order, meta-cognitive forms of self-conceptualisation. Nevertheless, we stress that self-awareness is not entirely lost in flow. Rather, it is pre-reflective and bodily. Our approach to bodily-action-centred phenomenology can be applied to similar facets of seemingly agentive experience beyond canonical flow states, providing insights into the mechanisms of so-called selfless experiences, embodied expertise and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to examine how video games affect gender-based dynamics in society as their popularity continues to rise. Video games can be a powerful force in shaping perceptions of social reality, including teenage gamers' perceptions of gender roles. The impact of video games may be more influential for teenagers who are maturing their expectations, thoughts, and attitudes by providing images and messages that can shape the perceptions of gender roles and societal expectations of appearances. Thus, the paper aims to introduce the gender insights of teenage gamers in Türkiye by conducting separate focus group discussions for male and female teenage gamers via the Zoom platform in June 2021. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis under seven themes; representation of game style; depiction of characters in video games; reflection about stereotypes towards gamers; equality of characters in video games; bullying in video games; representation of others in video games; and perspective on gender equality. The findings suggest that both male and female teenagers are more open-minded about gender equality and aware of the struggles of change. However, when their insights are researched in detail it is clear that male gamers still perceive stereotypic gender roles whereas female gamers naturalized gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artificial intelligence required to create self-directed automobiles relies heavily on the capability of precisely perceiving the environment around oneself. Most self-driving automobiles include several detectors, which work together to form a multi-source perception of the surroundings. Extended use of a system that drives autonomously will introduce a variety of worldwide and local failure indications due to the extreme sensitivity of the instruments involved to ambient or environmental situations. These failure indications pose significant risks to the technique's security. The paper presents a real-time information synthesis system incorporating techniques for identifying flaws and accepting faults. The compact connection can be recognized if the qualities mentioned above are provided, and the input information properties may be retrieved in real-time. One way to use the newly introduced method for assessing device reliability is to compute the detectors' worldwide and local degrees of trustworthiness. In order to ensure the precision and dependability of information combination, problem data is filtered out, and monitor duplication is used to assess both the worldwide and local assurance levels of data from sensors at the moment. The chronological and geographic association of data from sensors allows for this. Experimental findings show that the network's algorithms can outperform current techniques in terms of both rapidity and precision and can pinpoint the object's location even when specific sensors are blurry or broken. This research established that the proposed hybrid structure benefits autonomous vehicles' real-time reliability and speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flow has been described as a state of optimal performance, experienced universally across a broad range of domains: from art to athletics, gaming to writing. However, its phenomenal characteristics can, at first glance, be puzzling. Firstly, individuals in flow supposedly report a loss of self-awareness, even though they perform in a manner which seems to evince their agency and skill. Secondly, flow states are felt to be effortless, despite the prerequisite complexity of the tasks that engender them. In this paper, we unpick these features of flow, as well as others, through the active inference framework, which posits that action and perception are forms of active Bayesian inference directed at sustained self-organisation; i.e., the minimisation of variational free energy. We propose that the phenomenology of flow is rooted in the deployment of high precision weight over (i) the expected sensory consequences of action and (ii) beliefs about how action will sequentially unfold. This computational mechanism thus draws the embodied cognitive system to minimise the ensuing (i.e., expected) free energy through the exploitation of the pragmatic affordances at hand. Furthermore, given the challenging dynamics the flow-inducing situation presents, attention must be wholly focussed on the unfolding task whilst counterfactual planning is restricted, leading to the attested loss of the sense of self-as-object. This involves the inhibition of both the sense of self as a temporally extended object and higher–order, meta-cognitive forms of self-conceptualisation. Nevertheless, we stress that self-awareness is not entirely lost in flow. Rather, it is pre-reflective and bodily. Our approach to bodily-action-centred phenomenology can be applied to similar facets of seemingly agentive experience beyond canonical flow states, providing insights into the mechanisms of so-called selfless experiences, embodied expertise and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density dominates current urban discussions, especially in light of still-developing understandings of Covid-19's impact on urban populations. This paper argues that critical scrutiny of visual representations of urban density is both missing from academic focus and critically important for understanding how perceptions of density are both created and reproduced. The political rhetoric of density shapes public perceptions as much as it responds to them, and scrutiny of visual density politics adds a new lens to critical density debates. This research takes the speculative imagery of imagined future density created for a public ballot referendum in Zurich, Switzerland as the main focus, and compares the verbal and written campaign rhetoric to the visual images produced as tools of public persuasion. By assessing the gap between what the campaigns claim and what the campaign imagery represents, the research finds embedded in conventional rhetoric a deep-seated and self-defeating assumption that the electorate unilaterally fears density and the changes it might bring. As a winning electoral strategy assuming fear of density worked; as a tool of persuasion it failed, and risks amplifying or creating the perception it assumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The paper examines preferences for nutritional and health‐related food attributes, the importance placed on intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of food and the individual, household and psychographic determinants when making choices. To address the lack of empirical studies, the paper estimates Poisson, negative binomial and linear regressions using data from 457 young Chinese adults between 18 and 30 years. The results show a strong preference for nutritional and health‐related food attributes. Gender and unemployment are associated with a decrease in the number of nutritional features valued in food choices. In contrast, a higher income and a positive perception of body shape are associated with an increase in the number of valued nutritional features. Also, older individuals assign lower importance to intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics in evaluating food, while larger household size, higher income, and positive body shape perception increase the importance placed on intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics in evaluating food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Russian Linguistics is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper provides a comprehensive study of neutron calibration methodologies, specifically highlighting the capabilities for n–γ discrimination in diamond and EJ-309, and stilbene scintillation detectors. The calibration process detailed in this study includes pulse height analysis and pulse shape discrimination, relying on the analysis of charge deposition resulting from both γ and neutron interactions. Utilizing 60Co and 252Cf radiation sources, the energy spectra of these sources are obtained. The characterized detectors were used in ST40 experiments and allowed acquiring neutron signal during a plasma shot with good agreement among diamond and scintillation detectors. Then, the diamond detector was cross-calibrated against indium activation foils placed at the same location in proximity to the ST40 during plasma shots: both detectors measured a neutron flux of ≈106 cm−2 s−1 at ≈1 m distance from the tokamak center, and the discrepancy between the diamond detector and the activation foils is ≈25%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Romanian Constitution, numerous international and European norms, as well as abundant national legislation, enshrine the principle of equal rights and the prohibition of discrimination. This principle is especially important in the workplace. Indeed, labour relations being power relations, asymmetric relations of subordination, they constitute a special space for the manifestation of discriminatory acts. This paper concerns a specific form of discrimination, namely harassment. This has the particularity that it does not require a comparator. The Romanian legislation includes a detailed regulation of this subject, the usefulness of which can be jeopardized by noncompliance with the rules of legislative technique. The new methodology for preventing and combating harassment based on sex, as well as moral harassment at work, far from shedding light on the controversial issue of workplace harassment, ends up introducing confusion and ambiguities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Television series serve as tools for propaganda and influence, allowing political figures to manipulate public opinion and control how they are perceived. One notable example of this phenomenon can be seen in the representation of Boris Johnson in the TV series 'This England'. The representation of Johnson in the midst of scandals like Party Gate and the mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic tainted his public image as a reliable leader and a dependable Prime Minister. The resulting backlash against him was so severe that he was called to testify in the official COVID-19 inquiry (2023) following his compelled resignation. The filming of the 'This England' during his time in office and its airing just 22 days after his departure, appeared as an effort to repair his damaged image. The significance of this study resides in its contribution to our comprehension of the multifaceted ways in which television series can shape public perception of political leadership and contribute to broader societal and political discourse. Utilizing qualitative content analysis and drawing on Stuart Hall's theory of representation, this paper explores the nuanced depiction of Johnson's leadership and contributes to our understanding of how television series can shape political narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of continuum robotics is rapidly developing. The development of new kinematic structures, locomotion principles and control strategies is driving the development of new types of sensors and sensing methodologies. The sensing in continuum robots can be divided into shape perception and environment perception. The environment perception is focusing on sensing the interactions between the robot and environment. These sensors are often embedded on an outer layer of the robots, so the interactions can be detected. The shape perception is sensing the robot's shape using various principles. There are three main groups of sensors that use the properties of electricity, magnetism and optics to measure the shape of the continuum robots. The sensors based on measuring the properties of electricity are often based on measuring the electrical resistance or capacitance of the flexible sensor. Sensors based on magnetism use properties of permanent magnets or coils that are attached to the robot. Their magnetic field, flux or other properties are then tracked, and shape reconstruction can be performed. The last group of sensors is mostly based on leveraging the properties of traveling light through optical fibers. There are multiple objectives of this work. Objective number one is to clearly categorize the sensors and make a clear distinction between them. Objective number two is to determine the trend and progress of the sensors used in continuum robotics. And finally, the third objective is to define the challenges that the researchers are currently facing. The challenges of sensing the shape or the interaction with the environment of continuum robots are currently in the miniaturization of existing sensors and the development of novel sensing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how religious concepts of salvation, enlightenment, and awakening shape followers perception and understanding of their faith. Drawing on theories of language ideology and linguistic structuration, it explores how linguistic and conceptual variations surrounding these key terms influence religious worldviews. A mixed methods approach integrates comparative-historical case studies, interviews, surveys, and textual analysis of three religious denominations. Findings reveal ideological divergences in the metaphorical framing of the key concepts, relating to differences in perceived resonances and definitions among followers. The study demonstrates that religious conceptual systems transmit between contexts via semiotic processes of indexicality and erasure, undergoing shifts in meaning. These ideological variations in turn contribute to divergent understandings of core principles across faith traditions. Ultimately, illuminating conceptual divergences and the symbolic processes by which they spread provides vital insight into religions cultural logic and diversity. The research contributes to theoretical models of religious languages co-constitutive relationship with thought and experience. It offers an empirical approach employing cognitive linguistics and the sociology of religion to promote understanding across belief systems in an increasingly pluralistic world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the construction industry, there are a large number of project-based organizations (PBOs), where the efficiency of communication and collaboration among organizational members greatly impacts the success of projects. For PBOs employing both centralized and decentralized communication networks, it is worth delving into the question of under what circumstances which type of network will yield better results. Based on the IMO model and organizational learning theory, this paper conducts a grouped communication experiment involving 598 engineering management personnel to explore the differences in collective effectiveness of varying communication networks from the perspective of task urgency. Beyond task performance assessments, we have included organizational member perception to form evaluation criteria for collective effectiveness. Our research results show that under conditions of weak task urgency, decentralized networks yield higher collective effectiveness. Conversely, under conditions of strong task urgency, centralized networks demonstrate superior collective effectiveness. Furthermore, this study also verifies the mediating role of knowledge sharing behavior when task urgency is strong. This research provides significant managerial insights for the establishment of appropriate communication networks for PBOs in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastering writing skills is preceded by a significant developmental pathway of graphomotor abilities, which starts early in childhood. Considering that graphomotor ability and visual perception are prerequisites for mastering the writing, this study analyzed the graphomotor abilities in preschool-aged children, with the aim of identifying children exhibiting elements suspected of dysgraphia. The sample consisted of 100 preschool-aged children (age 5-6), of both genders (49 girls and 51 boys). Pre-writing skills were assessed using the Predictive Test for Dysgraphia. The research was conducted in a Preschool Institution in Danilovgrad, in March and April 2024. The results of analysis showed that preschool-aged children have specific difficulties in meeting the following criteria: accurately following the given sequence of figures and their careful and precise drawing (size and shape). It was also found that children of this age group have a particular problem in maintaining the specified distance of the figures from the edge of the rectangle (drawing around the edge). The only test item that the majority of respondents were able to respond to was perseverance in completing tasks, in terms of finishing the drawing (a series of started figures). Based on inadequate visual discrimination of the size and shape of given and drawn figures, and poor spatial orientation on paper, it is possible to identify children with graphomotor difficulties. Early detection of children with visual-perceptual and graphomotor difficulties will help overcome these deficiencies through systematic exercises through speech therapy treatments, so that children can start school being better prepared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the economic confidence indicators' reaction to the environment surrounding the COVID‐19 pandemic. Using Eurostat's monthly data for the economic sentiment in European Union countries, we found that, in the COVID‐19 era, confidence and perceptions about the economy are strongly dominated by factors related to the pandemic, more so by policy measures and the vaccination process than by the direct health impact of the coronavirus. This is found to be prevalent across the multiple dimensions of economic sentiment. Moreover, standard macroeconomic variables seem to play a smaller and more marginal role during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses Vietnam's proactive and in-depth integration in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with a particular focus on the first decades of the 21st century. The paper argues that Vietnam's more active and largely responsible contributions to ASEAN integration are fundamentally shaped by its perceptions on opportunities and challenges caused by China's rise. By maintaining ASEAN's non-aligned status, reinforcing its strategic autonomy, centrality, and unification, Vietnam seeks to make the Association strong enough to take a unified position towards China's aggressive behaviour in the disputed waters close to its shores. However, ASEAN's internal limitations, China's great power diplomacy, and geo-strategic constraints, as well as countervailing incentives, lead us to expect there will be further challenges to Vietnam's efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual harassment remains pervasive in the workplace. Complementing past research examining the intra-organizational effects of sexual harassment, this paper investigates its extra-organizational consequences by considering reputational damage organizations can suffer from sexual harassment claims. Four experiments (NTotal = 1,534) show that even a single sexual harassment claim can damage public perception of gender equality of an organization, which reduces organizational attractiveness. However, an organizational response characterized by proactive consideration of the claimant (compared to no mention of sexual harassment, mention of sexual harassment with no response, or a minimizing response to a sexual harassment claim) fully restores, and sometimes even increases, public perceptions of the organization's commitment to due process and gender equality. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional body classification methods are usually based on three-dimensional human body data. With the development of computer vision technology, two-dimensional (2D) anthropometry technology has garnered a great deal of research attention in the field of anthropometry. This paper presents a body shape classification and discrimination method using 2D images based on computer vision technology. The research included three main parts. (1) Index extraction of body shape classification based on computer vision. The orthogonal 2D human body image information of 362 young female samples was extracted. After normalizing the body height, three body shape classification indexes were separated: the body height pixel value (H), the feature of the projected unit area (ρ), and the feature of the projected area ratio of the front and side of the human body (F). (2) Two-dimensional human body shape classification based on the two-step cluster model. The optimal classification number was determined, and the characteristics of each type of body shape were analyzed. (3) Automatic discrimination of the 2D human body shape based on the Bayesian algorithm. The correct rate of recognition was 94.8%. The results indicate that the body shape classification method based on computer vision technology and the selection of the proposed classification indexes are effective, and the accuracy of body shape recognition is high. In this paper, the classification of human body shape based on 2D digital images was realized, and this method can be applied to 2D anthropometry and other related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration‐information campaigns informing potential migrants about the risks of the journey and the harsh life conditions in the destination countries have emerged as prominent tools of migration management in the last decades. Despite their growing importance, little is known about their local implementation in countries of transit and origin as well as their influence on potential migrants' perceptions and experiences. The central objective of this paper is to understand how migration‐information campaigns are implemented on a local scale and how they shape the perception and discourses of migration in the region. We pursue a multi‐scalar analysis of international migration management policies and their outcomes in a specific place and link them with local migration aspirations. The paper is based on qualitative empirical research carried out in Harar, a medium‐sized city in the Harari regional state of Ethiopia. Drawing on interviews with government officials, NGOs, city dwellers, and return migrants, as well as the analysis of policy documents and scientific literature, we show how the local implementation of migration‐information campaigns shapes the local perceptions and discourses on migration within which migration aspirations are embedded. We found that information campaigns did not take into account the complexity and multifaceted nature of local socioeconomic and political conditions which reflects the discrepancy between policy discourses at large and people's perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explains the logic for using the concept of gender-related violence (GRV) as a broad category that problematises homophobia, transphobia and the policing of gender norms and the gender binary, as well as gender-based violence—understood as primarily violence against women and girls (VAWG). It then evaluates the utility of this concept and its capacity to introduce theoretical refinement to the study of gendered violence, by reviewing its reception within a large international feminist project on gendered violence in the lives of children and young people. The aim of this study was to improve knowledge and understanding of forms of violence and discrimination among practitioners who have everyday contact with general populations of children and young people. It sought to improve their ability to identify and challenge sexist, sexualising, homophobic or transphobic language or behaviour, and their knowledge of how and when to refer children and young people to appropriate support. The paper reports my view of the contribution that the concept of gender-related violence made in each of the four project sites: Ireland, Italy, Spain and the UK. The findings are mixed: in Spain and the UK the concept seemed helpful, but in Italy and Ireland it was initially expected to be helpful but, in practice, a conceptualisation closer to gender-based violence plus homophobia was employed. It is tentatively concluded that where LGBTQIA+ rights were well-established as well as the problematisation of VAWG, this framework was successful, but that it was less successful in more heteronormative sites where homophobia was less problematised. It is suggested that, as a concept, GRV can make a valuable intervention in sites like the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present a novel design approach for shaping a teleoperator's expectations and behaviors when teleoperating a robot. Just as how people may drive a car differently based on their expectations of it (e.g., the brakes may be poor), we assert that teleoperators may likewise operate a robot differently based on expectations of robot capability and robustness. We present 3 novel interaction designs that proactively shape teleoperator perceptions, and the results from formal studies that demonstrate that these techniques do indeed shape operator perceptions, and in some cases, measures of driving behavior such as changes in collisions. Our methods shape operator perceptions of a robot's speed, weight, or overall safety, designed to encourage them to drive more safely. This approach shows promise as an avenue for improving teleoperator effectiveness without requiring changes to a robot, novel sensors, algorithms, or other functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ibero-Americana de Estudos em Educação is the property of Jose Luis Bizelli, editor of Revista Ibero-Americana de Estudos em Educacao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Shape is an objective characteristic of an object. A boundary separates a physical object from its surroundings. It defines the shape and regulates energy flux into and from an object. Visual perception of a definite shape (geometry) of physical objects is an abstraction. While the perceived geometry at an object's sharp interface (macro) creates a Euclidian illusion of actual shape, the notion of diffuse interfaces (micro) allows an understanding of the realistic form of objects. Here, we formulate a dimensionless geometric entropy of plant leaves (SL) by a 2-D description of a phase-field function. We applied this method to 112 tropical plant leaf images. SL was estimated from the leaf perimeter (P) and leaf area (A). It correlates positively with a fractal dimensional measure of leaf complexity, viz., segmental fractal complexity. Leaves with a higher P: A ratio have higher SL and possess complex morphology. The univariate cluster analysis of SL reveals the taxonomic relationship among the leaf shapes at the genus level. An increase in SL of plant leaves could be an evolutionary strategy. The results of morphological complexity presented in this paper will trigger discussion on the causal links between leaf adaptive stability/efficiency and complexity. We present SL as a derived plant trait to describe plant leaf complexity and adaptive stability. Integrating SL into other leaf physiological measures will help to understand the dynamics of energy flow between plants and their environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceptions of the environment shape individual mobility decisions and represent the 'lived reality' of accessibility and walkability. Yet recent common walkability analyses and instruments try to include perceptions of different population groups without integrating them into practical tools. However, there is a need for a holistic tool as a basis for transport planners and researchers to integrate the various aspects of walkability into one instrument. This paper investigates multiple relations between different walkability concept parameters and presents the development of the Perceived Environment Walking Index (PEWI). To achieve this, we used a multi-method study design and developed and tested the PEWI in two urban neighbourhoods in Hamburg in three steps. First, we calculated the objective walking accessibility using GIS based on the well-known Walk Score®. Second, we integrated 18 indicators representing physical features and the quality of the walking route, alongside subjective perceptions of walking accessibility broken down into the categories of functionality, safety and security as well as pleasantness and attractiveness. Key results imply that integrating these indicators into an existing accessibility tool is a promising, nuanced method for an improved picture of walkability and accessibility whereas indices focusing only on distances or travel times are not sufficient to represent the lived reality. The implications of our results are discussed with regard to future research gaps and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To avoid negative societal implications from water management actions, the complex interrelations between water and conflict need to be understood. Assessment of such links in complex adaptive systems, characterized by various factors which mutually influence each other, is challenging. This paper explores how the use of participatory methods can support the identification of water-related conflict risks in one such complex adaptive system: the Inner Niger Delta in Mali. We find that participatory analysis not only facilitated the identification of systemic risks in a complex adaptive system, but also shapes the perceptions of these interlinkages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the significant impact of social media on travel decision-making processes. With the rapid proliferation of social media platforms, individuals now have access to an extensive array of user-generated content and peer recommendations that greatly influence their travel choices. This study seeks to analyze the ways in which social media platforms shape perceptions, preferences, and decisions related to travel. The research delves into the mechanisms through which social media exerts its influence on travel decisions. It investigates how travelers use platforms like Instagram, Face book, Twitter, and travel-focused review sites to gather information, exchange experiences, and connect with other travelers. Furthermore, the study examines the role of influencers and content creators in shaping travel aspirations and choices. The interactive nature of social media platforms, including the ability to seek real-time advice and engage with travel-related content, adds a layer of immediacy and personalization to the decision-making process. The research on the influence of social media in travel decision making holds significant importance for several key stakeholders, including travelers, the travel industry, and researchers. Understanding the impact of social media on travel decisions empowers travelers to make more informed choices. By recognizing the role of social media, individuals can better navigate the vast array of travel information available and make decisions that align with their preferences and interests. Travelers can use the insights gained from this research to enhance their travel planning processes. They can identify reliable sources of information, seek real-time recommendations, and learn how to effectively engage with content and communities on social media to optimize their travel experiences. Applying the "Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS)" method, those making decisions are able to evaluate possibilities based on a wide range of parameters. It involves providing criteria weights, determining scores for every potential and summing the results to determine the most suitable option. From the result Destination A is in first rank where as Destination E is lower rank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated senior South African high school students' levels of knowledge, perception, attitude, and awareness toward nuclear energy using paper-based, semi-structured questionnaires and digital data collection instruments through online Google forms. The sample consisted of 100 high school students from two schools. Fifty students were chosen from a public school, and fifty students were selected from a private/independent school. It was found that regardless of the type of school, students showed little to no knowledge, low awareness, and significant ignorance of nuclear energy. The majority of students had never heard of nuclear energy. In terms of initial exposure to the concept of nuclear energy, private school learners seemed to have been exposed to the industry more through television. In contrast, for public school learners, educators were their main sources of introduction. Conversely, the perception of this form of energy is much more positive in private schools than in public schools. This study highlights the existence of a severe gap in high school education regarding the teaching and learning of nuclear energy. Hence, an energy-cognizant curriculum is needed to bridge the gap in both public and private schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maritime ship classification is essential for effectively monitoring oceanic activities but faces challenges when using heterogeneous remote sensing data. This research presents a novel dataset called Heterogeneous Ship Data, created by combining synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical satellite images of ships. The integration of multimodal data aims to harness the complementary advantages of SAR's all-weather imaging capabilities and optical data's higher interretability and shape discrimination. To leverage the heterogeneous dataset, this paper proposes an ensemble deep learning model called MS3Net (Multi-convolutional network using Spatial attention and Second-order pooling for Ship image classification). MS3Net integrates spatial attention mechanisms and second-order pooling. MS3Net has multiple convolutional branches, each tailored to extract distinct representations from the SAR and optical data through varied filter sizes and kernels. The spatial attention units focus the learning on the most informative parts of the image while suppressing irrelevant features. The second-order pooling captures higher-order interactions between feature elements to model complex relationships. A concatenation fusion strategy aggregates the diverse branch outputs into a joint multimodal feature representation for enhanced discrimination. Extensive experiments demonstrate MS3Net's superior classification accuracy over prior state-of-the-art approaches. The proposed heterogeneous data representation coupled with the attention-based deep ensemble learning model contributes to maritime surveillance by enabling robust ship recognition across diverse sensing modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent visual experience heavily influences our visual perception, but how neuronal activity is reshaped to alter and improve perceptual discrimination remains unknown. We recorded from populations of neurons in visual cortical area V4 while two male rhesus macaque monkeys performed a natural image change detection task under different experience conditions. We found that maximizing the recent experience with a particular image led to an improvement in the ability to detect a change in that image. This improvement was associated with decreased neural responses to the image, consistent with neuronal changes previously seen in studies of adaptation and expectation. We found that the magnitude of behavioral improvement was correlated with the magnitude of response suppression. Furthermore, this suppression of activity led to an increase in signal separation, providing evidence that a reduction in activity can improve stimulus encoding. Within populations of neurons, greater recent experience was associated with decreased trial-to-trial shared variability, indicating that a reduction in variability is a key means by which experience influences perception. Taken together, the results of our study contribute to an understanding of how recent visual experience can shape our perception and behavior through modulating activity patterns in the mid-level visual cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Making mistakes and receiving feedback are crucial elements of learning. Reading picturebooks with young children can help shape their perceptions of mistakes and model adaptive responses they can emulate, both in the short term and for years to come. This content analysis identified and analyzed the story characteristics of 25 recently published and widely available picturebooks with mistake-related narratives. Findings include frequencies and descriptions of characters, plot, setting, and a host of other story attributes. Overall, messaging in these books was optimistic–emphasizing responsibility, growth, and acceptance–and making mistakes ultimately led to positive outcomes. Such stories are promising resources for the development of growth mindsets in young children. Teachers and caregivers can use these picturebooks to help children develop positive perceptions of mistakes and learn healthy ways to navigate them in their day-to-day lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Democracy in the United States is in decline. The current work examines to what degree U.S. Americans perceive this decline in the U.S., and how partisanship may shape those perceptions over time. Using cross-sectional archival data spanning three U.S. presidential administrations (Study 1), we find that perceived levels of democracy by U.S. Americans on both sides of the political spectrum were not attuned to objective democracy indices but instead followed a partisan gap where election winners perceived higher levels of democracy than election losers. Using a longitudinal quasi-experiment tracking the 2020 presidential election (Study 2), we find that the effect of partisanship on perceived levels of democracy kicked in right after the announcement of the election winner but was the strongest after the official inauguration. Moreover, Trump supporters showed heterogeneous responses to the Capitol attack, which highlights the possibility of bipartisan willingness to defend democracy after salient attacks on democratic principles. We discuss the implications of the effect of partisanship on perceptions of democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital discrimination is a form of discrimination that occurs in a digital environment or through the application of automated solutions, often based on artificial intelligence, which creates conditions for unfair, unethical, or simply different treatment based on selected data on certain feature. In conditions of the digital transformation of higher education, multiculturalism, and globalization, higher education institutions face the challenge of ensuring equity and equal treatment for all staff and students in both traditional and digital environments. Тhis report examines the potential for the emergence of digital discrimination in applying various digital educational approaches and forms in higher education, commenting on the need to prepare plans and programs to prevent digital discrimination in an academic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their often perceived linearity, the past, present, and future are intricately woven together. Previous experiences shape our perception, nourishing potential scenarios and enriching our evaluations. Sociocultural contexts reinforce this interplay, directing our attention toward various aspects based on our social positions. This scenario forms the context for the present study, which investigates perspectives of young Chilean men from two considerably distinct life conditions: business students and incarcerated individuals. Using semistructured interviews and a phenomenologically inspired analysis, we found that participants (amidst COVID-19) referred to similar pessimistic evaluations for their country but, on the contrary, remarkably converged on optimistic future expectations for their personal lives. Despite their markedly different personal life stories. The conclusions point to the stark experience of individuals "freed" from social structure, nurtured by recent neoliberal Chilean history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corruption is a ubiquitous problem, but implementing serious anti-corruption measures is politically hard – the backlash from the corrupt is certain, but the broader political benefits are uncertain. Consequently, reformers face a dilemma in that even if they can pass reforms, it is not clear that the public will notice or reward them. To date, we have limited evidence on whether citizens notice anti-corruption reforms, how such reforms shape corruption perceptions, and whether there are real political benefits to reformers. In this article, we exploit a quasi-experiment embedded in the rollout of traffic police reform in Ukraine following the Euromaidan Revolution of 2013–14 to address each of these issues in turn. We find that citizens do respond quite accurately and durably in their evaluations of the most immediately affected institutions, but the spillovers to other political institutions are limited, short-lived, and offer little electoral gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Misgendering is a form of microaggression that reinforces gender binarism and involves the use of incorrect pronouns, names or gendered language when referring to a transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individual. Despite growing awareness, it remains a persistent form of discrimination, and it is crucial not only to understand and address misgendering but also to analyse its impact within online discourse towards the TGNC community. The present study examines misgendering directed at the TGNC community present on platform X. To achieve this, a representative sample of 400 tweets targeting two TGNC individuals is compiled, applying an annotation scheme to manually classify the polarity of each tweet and instances of misgendering, and then comparing the manual annotations with those of an automatic sentiment detection system. The analysis focuses on the context and frequency of intentional misgendering, using word lists to examine the data. The results confirm that misgendering perpetuates discrimination, tends to co-occur with other forms of aggression, and is not effectively identified by automatic sentiment detection systems. Finally, the study highlights the need for improved automatic detection systems to better identify and address misgendering in online discourse and provides potentially useful tools for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate how income and belonging to a discriminated group are associated with perceptions of threats posed by immigrants, and with the willingness to accept newcomers of a different/same race or ethnicity as most people of the receiving country, or newcomers who came from poor countries outside Europe. The study transcended Borjas's theory of 'competing and complementary' to newcomer groups of native workers, expanding it from the economic and labor spheres to the symbolic cultural and social spheres, and extending this theory to the foreign-born European population. The study used data from the European Social Survey Round 10 Data. Three local population groups in the EU were examined: the native-born population, immigrants from non-EU countries living in the EU, and migrants from EU countries living in other EU countries. The study revealed that for native-born people, the salient factor predicting their perceived threats and willingness to accept newcomers was income, and for non-EU veteran immigrants, the salient factor was the feeling of belonging to a discriminated group. Economically disadvantaged native-born people in the EU were a group competing with newcomers. However, disadvantaged and discriminated non-EU immigrants were complementary to newcomers. The study showed that a disadvantaged group may be either competing or complementary to newcomers, depending on the origin of the group's members rather than on the origin of newcomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein sequence diversification significantly impacts physiological traits. In this study, using medaka fish (Oryzias latipes), we identify a novel protein variant affecting shape preference behavior. Re-analysis of sequencing data reveals that LOC101156433 encodes a unique Hmgn2 variant with unusual subnuclear localization, clustered separately from the Hmgn2 clades of other species. Medaka mutants with this variant showed reduce telencephalic regions and altered shape preference, suggesting a link between protein sequence variation and behavioral changes. Additionally, this Hmgn2 variant is common in Acanthopterygii fishes, which are adapted to a variety of environments, indicating its potential evolutionary significance. Our findings highlight the relationship between amino acid sequence variation and the development of new molecular and behavioral adaptations, providing insights into the visual shape perception system in fish. In medaka, a unique Hmgn2 variant showed unusual subnuclear localization and mutants had abnormal shape preference. This variant is common in Acanthopterygii, indicating evolutionary significance and linking sequence variation to adaptations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space radiation particle detection plays a crucial role in scientific research and engineering practice, especially in particle species identification. Currently, commonly used in-orbit particle identification techniques include telescope methods, electrostatic analysis time of flight (ESA × TOF), time-of-flight energy (TOF × E), and pulse shape discrimination (PSD). However, these methods usually fail to utilize the full waveform information containing rich features, and their particle identification results may be affected by the random rise and fall of particle deposition and noise interference. In this study, a low-latency and lightweight onboard FPGA real-time particle identification platform based on full waveform information was developed utilizing the superior target classification, robustness, and generalization capabilities of convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The platform constructs diversified input datasets based on the physical features of waveforms and uses Optuna and Pytorch software architectures for model training. The hardware platform is responsible for the real-time inference of waveform data and the dynamic expansion of the dataset. The platform was utilized for deep learning training and the testing of the historical waveform data of neutron and gamma rays, and the inference time of a single waveform takes 4.9 microseconds, with an accuracy rate of over 97%. The classification expectation FOM (figure-of-merit) value of this CNN model is 133, which is better than the traditional pulse shape discrimination (PSD) algorithm's FOM value of 0.8. The development of this platform not only improves the accuracy and efficiency of space particle discrimination but also provides an advanced tool for future space environment monitoring, which is of great value for engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutting edge advances in electrical visual cortical prosthetics have evoked perception of shapes, motion, and letters in the blind. Here, we present an alternative optical approach using pulsed infrared neural stimulation. To interface with dense arrays of cortical columns with submillimeter spatial precision, both linear array and 100-fiber bundle array optical fiber interfaces were devised. We deliver infrared stimulation through these arrays in anesthetized cat visual cortex and monitor effects by optical imaging in contralateral visual cortex. Infrared neural stimulation modulation of response to ongoing visual oriented gratings produce enhanced responses in orientation-matched domains and suppressed responses in non-matched domains, consistent with a known higher order integration mediated by callosal inputs. Controls include dynamically applied speeds, directions and patterns of multipoint stimulation. This provides groundwork for a distinct type of prosthetic targeted to maps of visual cortical columns. Visual perception is achieved by a chain of specific neural activations in the brain. Here, the authors show that infrared neural stimulation of selected early nodes in the chain leads to predictable shape response in higher areas, providing groundwork for targeted approach to vision restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sentiment analysis, a form of data analytics, utilises information from online discussions, reviews, and social media posts to assess consumer sentiments. This study utilised data collected from social media using online listening procedures to assess online sentiments on oysters from January 2019 through December 2022. The analysis utilises machine learning algorithms to extract consumer sentiments, opinions, and demands from online chatter from different online domains. The online sentiments are determined as positive, negative, or neutral based on their word choice, tone, and context. The information provided gives insights into perception, which is valuable information for oyster producers, seafood industry stakeholders, and marketers to identify consumer preferences and formulate appropriate strategies accordingly. The results suggest that while farmed oysters are gaining popularity, there are still some concerns and criticisms around the industry. Positive words associated with mentions of oysters in general include 'great', 'love', 'delicious', 'enjoyed', and 'oyster bar', while negative words associated with oysters include 'water', 'raw oyster', 'bad', and 'not eat'. The overall percentage net sentiment associated with all oysters in the United States is positive at 63%. The net sentiment associated with wild oysters is positive, at 51%, and that of farmed oysters is 58%. The oyster industry could invest more in public education, sustainability, and water‐cleaning initiatives to improve its image. Utilising social media to monitor and shape public perception can help the industry address concerns and enhance oyster‐related sentiments, offering valuable insights for marketing and sales strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local governments have been increasingly active in immigration policy by cooperating with federal immigration enforcement or creating local offices of immigrant affairs (OIA) charged with integrating immigrants. How do these policies shape perceptions of locales following these policy routes? Using a set of pre-registered survey experiments, we find that compared to local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, creating an OIA produces more favorable public attitudes, with minimal differences when undocumented immigrants also receive access to services. Democrats, especially white Democrats, have the most favorable views of cities with an OIA. While Republicans prefer cooperation with ICE, their attitudes toward cities with OIAs remain positive. Our findings suggest that despite partisan polarizing immigration policy debates, establishing OIAs does not attract the negative political attention common in an era of hyperpolarization. OIAs could be a rare immigration policy that may be effective and supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]