scholarly journals Limited Scope for Group Coordination in Stylistic Variations of Kolam Art

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.-Han Tran ◽  
Šimon Kucharský ◽  
Timothy M. Waring ◽  
Silke Atmaca ◽  
Bret A. Beheim
Keyword(s):  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Spatial Proximity ◽  
Group Affiliation ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Group Coordination ◽  
Migration History ◽  
Cultural Boundaries ◽  
Interaction History ◽  
Shared Norms

In large, complex societies, assorting with others with similar social norms or behaviors can facilitate successful coordination and cooperation. The ability to recognize others with shared norms or behaviors is thus assumed to be under selection. As a medium of communication, human art might reflect fitness-relevant information on shared norms and behaviors of other individuals thus facilitating successful coordination and cooperation. Distinctive styles or patterns of artistic design could signify migration history, different groups with a shared interaction history due to spatial proximity, as well as individual-level expertise and preferences. In addition, cultural boundaries may be even more pronounced in a highly diverse and socially stratified society. In the current study, we focus on a large corpus of an artistic tradition called kolam that is produced by women from Tamil Nadu in South India (N = 3, 139 kolam drawings from 192 women) to test whether stylistic variations in art can be mapped onto caste boundaries, migration and neighborhoods. Since the kolam art system with its sequential drawing decisions can be described by a Markov process, we characterize variation in styles of art due to different facets of an artist's identity and the group affiliations, via hierarchical Bayesian statistical models. Our results reveal that stylistic variations in kolam art only weakly map onto caste boundaries, neighborhoods, and regional origin. In fact, stylistic variations or patterns in art are dominated by artist-level variation and artist expertise. Our results illustrate that although art can be a medium of communication, it is not necessarily marked by group affiliation. Rather, artistic behavior in this context seems to be primarily a behavioral domain within which individuals carve out a unique niche for themselves to differentiate themselves from others. Our findings inform discussions on the evolutionary role of art for group coordination by encouraging researchers to use systematic methods to measure the mapping between specific objects or styles onto groups.

Conceptualising Doctoral Supervision in Malaysia as a Small Culture

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafidah Sahar ◽  
◽  
Nur Nabilah Abdullah ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Group Process ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Cross Cultural Comparison ◽  
Cultural Boundaries ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Doctoral Supervision ◽  
Shared Norms ◽  
National Systems ◽  
Purposive Sample ◽  
Supervisory Practice

Research on doctoral supervision in the field of Intercultural Communication has traditionally been applied to cross-cultural comparison, particularly across national systems and cultural boundaries. However, recent years have witnessed that such comparison is being challenged and re-analysed in light of potential risk of over generalisation and stereotyping in its observation. In this research, we consider the relevance of small cultures (Holliday 1994, 1999) as an alternative approach to conceptualise doctoral supervisory practice as a dynamic on-going group process through which its members make sense of and operate purposefully within particular contexts and shared behaviours. Narrative-based qualitative research was designed to generate and analyse the data. The participants were a purposive sample of six recently graduated PhD students at a Malaysian public university. One-on-one narrative interviews were conducted with the students to gather their supervisory narratives. Analyses of the students’ transcripts were completed using a holistic-content approach (Lieblich et al. 2008). Findings reveal a distinct set of behaviours and understandings that constitute the cultures of supervisory practice in the Malaysian university context. Through the notion of small cultures, this research proposes that cultures of PhD supervision can be best understood through an analysis of shared norms, behaviours and values between students and supervisors during supervisory practice. This research hopes that the move from a focus on large culture (i.e. Malaysianness per se) to a focus on the meaning-making process between students and supervisors from different backgrounds can assist education practitioners such as PhD supervisors to avoid stereotyping and overgeneralising.

scholarly journals Interactions, information and emergence: Exploring task allocation in ant colonies using network analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anshuman Swain ◽  
Sara D Williams ◽  
Louisa J Di Felice ◽  
Elizabeth A Hobson
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Functional Groups ◽  
Task Allocation ◽  
Interaction Networks ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Ant Colonies ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Network Measures ◽  
Interaction History ◽  
The Impact

In animal societies, individuals may take on different roles to fulfil their own needs and the needs of their groups. Ant colonies display high levels of organisational complexity, with ants fulfilling different roles at different timescales (what is known as task allocation). Factors affecting task allocation can be at the individual level (e.g., physiology), or at the group level (e.g., interaction histories). In this work, we focus on group level processes by exploring the impact of the history of interaction networks on task allocation and task switching using a previously published dataset (Mersch et al., 2013) tracking the behaviour of six Camponotus fellah colonies over 41 days. First, we investigated the architecture of interaction networks using node (individual) level network measures and their relation to the individual's task - foraging, cleaning or nursing - and whether or not the ant switched tasks. We then explored how noisy information propagation is among ants, as a function of the colony composition (how many ants are carrying out which tasks), through the information-theoretic metric of effective information. Our results show that interaction history affected task allocation, with ants more likely to switch to a task if they had interacted with other ants carrying out that task. The degree to which interaction history affected task allocation, as well as the noise in their interactions, depended on which groups of ants are interacting. Overall, we showed that colony cohesion is stable even as ant-level network measures vary more for ants when they switched functional groups; thus ant colonies maintain a high level of information flow as determined by network analysis and ant functional groups play different roles in maintaining colony cohesion.

INFANT AND CHILD MORTALITY IN THREE CULTURALLY CONTRASTING STATES OF INDIA

2001 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 603-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAULA GRIFFITHS ◽  
ANDREW HINDE ◽  
ZOË MATTHEWS
Keyword(s):  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Child Survival ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
Statistical Modelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Survival Status ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Using cross-sectional, individual-level survey data from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh collected under the Indian National Family Health Survey programme of 1992–93, statistical modelling was used to analyse the impact of a range of variables on the survival status of children during their first 2 years of life. Attention was focused on the potential impact of the mother’s autonomy. The strongest predictors of mortality were demographic and biological factors, breast-feeding behaviour, and use and knowledge of health services. Variables that can be interpreted as being related to maternal autonomy, such as the presence of a mother-in-law in the household, did not have a significant direct effect on child survival at the individual level, and their indirect effects were very limited.

UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE: USERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF ONLINE PRIVACY AND SURVEILLANCE

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alecea Irene Standlee
Keyword(s):  
Data Privacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Group Affiliation ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Qualitative Work ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Fundamental Shift

This project seeks to contribute to the question, “How do internet users navigate data privacy in a digitally surveilled online world?” I augment this ongoing discussion by examining the perceptions and practices concerning privacy and self-representation in digital spaces among young adults, 18-22. This qualitative work utilizes in-depth interviews of college students in the United States to collect both behavioral and attitudinal patterns. Specifically, I consider the impact of the strategic interventions of corporate and governmental platforms to collect, distribute, and utilize individual level data on research participants’ information consumption, individual identity representation, and group affiliation. A preliminary analysis of the data finds participants engage in narrative rationalizations to help them navigate the cultural expectations of online engagement within a surveilled environment. Patterns of strategic self-representation are shaped by such rationalizations and justifications, including a fundamental shift in what the concept "privacy" means in an online world.

scholarly journals COVID-19 outbreak and Urban dynamics: Regional variations in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devarupa Gupta ◽  
Dibyendu Biswas ◽  
Pintu Kabiraj
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Spatial Regression ◽  
Spatial Proximity ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Urban Dynamics ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Reverse Migration ◽  
Urban Containment ◽  
Over Time

Abstract India was the second highest COVID-19 affected country in the world with 2.1 million cases by 11th August. This study focused on the spatial transmission of the pandemic among the 640 districts in India over time, and aimed to understand the urban-centric nature of the infection. The connectivity context was emphasized that possibly had inflicted the outbreak. Using the modes of transmission data for the available cases, the diffusion of this disease was explained. Metropolitans contributed three-fourths of total cases from the beginning. The transport networks attributed significantly in transmitting the virus from the urban containment zones. Later, there was a gradual shift of infections from urban to rural areas; however, the numbers kept increasing in the former. The massive reverse migration after lockdown spiked the infected cases further. Districts with airports reported more with influx of international passengers. A profound east-west division in April with higher infections in the southern and western districts existed. By mid-May eastern India saw a steep rise in active cases. Moran’s I analysis showed a low autocorrelation initially which increased over time. Hotspot clustering was observed in western Maharashtra, eastern Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and around Kolkata by the second week of August. The diffusion was due to travel, exposure to infected individuals and among the frontline workers. Spatial regression models confirmed that urbanization was positively correlated with higher incidences of infections. Transit mediums, especially rail and aviation were positively associated. These models validated the crucial role of spatial proximity in diffusion of the pandemic.

scholarly journals Tuberculosis—Learning the Impact of Nutrition (TB LION): protocol for an interventional study to decrease TB risk in household contacts

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsie Cintron ◽  
Prakash Babu Narasimhan ◽  
Lindsey Locks ◽  
Senbagavalli Babu ◽  
Pranay Sinha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Household Contacts ◽  
Jawaharlal Institute ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Comorbidities such as undernutrition and parasitic infections are widespread in India and other tuberculosis (TB)-endemic countries. This study examines how these conditions as well as food supplementation and parasite treatment might alter immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection and risk of progression to TB disease. Methods This is a 5-year prospective clinical trial at Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research in Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India. We aim to enroll 760 household contacts (HHC) of adults with active TB in order to identify 120 who are followed prospectively for 2 years: Thirty QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) positive HHCs ≥ 18 years of age in four proposed groups: (1) undernourished (body mass index [BMI] < 18.5 kg/m2); (2) participants with a BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 who have a parasitic infection (3) undernourished participants with a parasitic infection and (4) controls—participants with BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2 and without parasitic infection. We assess immune response at baseline and after food supplementation (for participants with BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) and parasite treatment (for participants with parasites). Detailed nutritional assessments, anthropometry, and parasite testing through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microscopy are performed. In addition, at serial time points, these samples will be further analyzed using flow cytometry and whole blood transcriptomics to elucidate the immune mechanisms involved in disease progression. Conclusions This study will help determine whether undernutrition and parasite infection are associated with gene signatures that predict risk of TB and whether providing nutritional supplementation and/or treating parasitic infections improves immune response towards this infection. This study transcends individual level care and presents the opportunity to benefit the population at large by analyzing factors that affect disease progression potentially reducing the overall burden of people who progress to TB disease. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03598842; Registered on July 26, 2018; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03598842

Adjusting to working away and as an expatriate: learnings on what organisations can do to promote the mental health and well-being of workers and their families

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 440
Author(s):  
Melanie L. Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Psychosocial Risks ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Building Capability ◽  
The Military ◽  
Health And Well Being

Adjusting to frequent separations and reunions can put pressure on the relationships and families of those who work away. Although the work context is different, there are similar effects and challenges for workers, families and organisations across the military, expatriate and fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) research domains. Mental health, work performance, job satisfaction, relationships and parenting are all negatively affected by the extended periods of deployment or posting and the regular and ongoing shorter periods of FIFO work. At the individual level, personality dimensions (emotional stability, sociability, openness to new experiences), locus of control, intelligence, self-sufficiency and cultural intelligence have been shown to significantly affect these impacts and provide organisations with starting points for both the screening of candidates for roles and coaching them to better adjust and cope cross-culturally. The recruitment and onboarding processes should be underpinned by the principles of managing expectations and building capability, and this means that realistic and relevant information should focus on the realities of the work, the work environment and host country. The onboarding process that seeks to socialise the worker into the organisation and the culture should assume the worker will take at least 6 months to settle into the role. Predeparture training should engage with the worker and their families to ensure the development of coping skills and practical strategies for managing communication, parenting and relationships. Effectively managing the psychosocial risks faced by workers across these domains will improve the mental health and well-being of workers and their families.

Interacting with Interaction Histories in a History-Enriched Environment

2011 ◽  
pp. 72-86
Author(s):  
Yoshinari Shirai ◽  
Kumiyo Nakakoji ◽  
Yasuhiro Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Ubiquitous Computing ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Enriched Environment ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Ubiquitous Computing Environment ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Cognitive Activities ◽  
Interaction History

A ubiquitous computing environment would capture a large amount of interaction histories of objects in the environment over a long period of time. Such interaction histories serve as valuable sources of information for people to solve problems and make decisions in the present time. Our approach is to enrich the space by providing interaction history information through noticeable wear expressed within a physical environment. A history-enriched environment (HEE) allows people to use interaction histories of people, things, and places on demand, and to obtain relevant information by tracing links among objects. We argue that taking into account two aspects of people’s cognitive activities—situated encountering and information-triggered information needs—is key to building an HEE. This chapter describes how to design an HEE through the Optical Stain environment, which we designed as an HEE.

Situational Analysis of the Status of E-Agriculture in Tamil Nadu, India

2012 ◽  
pp. 118-139
Author(s):  
P Senthil Priya ◽  
N. Mathiyalagan
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Situational Analysis ◽  
International Telecommunication Union ◽  
International Telecommunication ◽  
The Status

In recent years, there is scarcely any field in the various sectors of the world economy that has not been influenced by the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT), and the field of agriculture is no exception. Within the past decade, many projects have been implemented by governments, private sector, and NGOs in developing countries to streamline the production, storage, selection of markets, and commercialization of agricultural commodities. These new ICT have opened up numerous opportunities for the farmers to increase the timeliness, quality, relevance, availability, and accessibility of critical agricultural information. The UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimates that one billion people worldwide – most of whom depend in some way on agriculture for their livelihoods – still lack connection to any kind of ICT. Indian farmers face competition from global forces and the usage of ICT tools. Advances in ICT help farmers to access accurate, timely, relevant information and services, thereby facilitating an environment for more remunerative agricultural practices to meet the new challenges. This chapter provides an in-depth analysis of the existing rural agrarian digital divide in Tamilnadu, India. The chapter describes the information needs, ICT access, and new opportunities for farmers in rural Tamilnadu. The chapter also examines the status of E-Agriculture in Tamilnadu and the ICT interventions that are available to Tamilnadu farmers. The study outlines the emerging opportunities for rural farmer’ participation in the knowledge society and offers some guidance on how the farmers can take advantage of ICT and utilize the information management system to derive maximum benefit out of the technology.

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