scholarly journals Blending the Subjective and Objective Realms of Sacred Architecture at the Pantheon: Creating a Comparative Framework for Evaluating Transformative Experiences in Ritual Contexts

Religions ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Brandon Richard Ro
Keyword(s):  
Built Environments ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Subjective Analysis ◽  
Sacred Architecture ◽  
Transformative Experiences ◽  
Comparative Framework ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Large Survey ◽  
Architecture Analysis

This paper seeks to create a comparative framework for evaluating transformative experiences for different types of ritual contexts found in sacred architecture by bridging the gap between the phenomenology of human experience and architecture’s built conditions. The methodology creates a framework for statistical analysis, whereby evidence of people’s actual (i.e., real, lived) “subjective” experiences can be evaluated against the “objective” architectural conditions. The comparative framework is put to the test by comparing the experiential and environmental conditions found at the Pantheon in Rome. Experiential data for the Pantheon is extracted from Julio Bermudez’s large survey database (N = 2872) of “extraordinary architectural experiences” for this study. This data is compared against “objective” graphical architecture analysis using Lindsay Jones’ “morphology of ritual-architectural priorities” with a specific focus on ritual contexts. The quantitative and qualitative data reveals that the Pantheon produces transformative experiences for visitors that are related to the expected outcomes of specific design features. The percentages from the “objective” and “subjective” analysis both rank the priorities of theatre, contemplation, and sanctuary in the same order. This study concludes that built environments possessing a higher presence and quality of “ritual-architectural priorities” are more likely to be perceived as sacred and produce transformative experiences.

scholarly journals Assessment of QoE for Video and Audio in WebRTC Applications Using Full-Reference Models

Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boni García ◽  
Francisco Gortázar ◽  
Micael Gallego ◽  
Andrew Hines
Keyword(s):  
Packet Loss ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Subjective Analysis ◽  
Audio Quality ◽  
Full Reference ◽  
Opinion Score ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Audiovisual Quality ◽  
Video And Audio

WebRTC is a set of standard technologies that allows exchanging video and audio in real time on the Web. As with other media-related applications, the user-perceived audiovisual quality can be estimated using Quality of Experience (QoE) measurements. This paper analyses the behavior of different objective Full-Reference (FR) models for video and audio in WebRTC applications. FR models calculate the video and audio quality by comparing some original media reference with the degraded signal. To compute these models, we have created an open-source benchmark in which different types of reference media inputs are sent browser to browser while simulating different kinds of network conditions in terms of packet loss and jitter. Our benchmark provides recording capabilities of the impairment WebRTC streams. Then, we use different existing FR metrics for video (VMAF, VIFp, SSIM, MS-SSIM, PSNR, PSNR-HVS, and PSNR-HVS-M) and audio (PESQ, ViSQOL, and POLQA) recordings together with their references. Moreover, we use the same recordings to carry out a subjective analysis in which real users rate the video and audio quality using a Mean Opinion Score (MOS). Finally, we calculate the correlations between the objective and subjective results to find the objective models that better correspond with the subjective outcome, which is considered the ground truth QoE. We find that some of the studied objective models, such as VMAF, VIFp, and POLQA, show a strong correlation with the subjective results in packet loss scenarios.

scholarly journals Are Some Natural Environments More Psychologically Beneficial Than Others? The Importance of Type and Quality on Connectedness to Nature and Psychological Restoration

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayleigh J. Wyles ◽  
Mathew P. White ◽  
Caroline Hattam ◽  
Sabine Pahl ◽  
Haney King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Connectedness To Nature ◽  
Bidirectional Association ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Large Survey ◽  
Management And Conservation

Exposure to nature can strengthen an individual’s sense of connectedness (i.e., emotional/cognitive bonds to the natural world) and enhance psychological restoration (e.g., feeling relaxed/refreshed). To date, there have been few large studies looking at the role that type and quality of natural environments may have on these outcomes. The present study used data from a large survey in England (sample analyzed = 4,515), which asked participants to recall a recent visit to nature. After controlling for covariates, respondents recalled greater connectedness to nature and restoration following visits to rural and coastal locations compared with urban green space, and to sites of higher environmental quality (operationalized by protected/designated area status, for example, nature reserves). A series of structural equation analyses provided evidence for a bidirectional association between connectedness and restoration. Consideration of the psychological benefits associated with different types and quality of environment has implications for human health, environmental management, and conservation.

Enumeration of Cryptosporidium oocysts from surface water concentrates by laser-scanning cytometry

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 197-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Zanelli ◽  
B. Compagnon ◽  
J. C. Joret ◽  
M. R. de Roubin
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Immunomagnetic Separation ◽  
Entire Surface ◽  
Cryptosporidium Oocysts ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Laser Scanning Cytometry ◽  
Direct Microscopic Observation

The utilization of the ChemScan® RDI was tested for different types of water concentrates. Concentrates were prepared by cartridge filtration or flocculation, and analysed either without purification, or after Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) or flotation on percoll-sucrose gradients. Theenumeration of the oocysts was subsequently performed using the ChemScan® RDI Cryptosporidium application. Enumeration by direct microscopic observation of the entire surface of the membrane was carried out as a control, and recoveries were calculated as a ratio between the ChemScan® RDI result and the result obtained with direct microscopic enumeration. The Chemscan enumeration technique proved reliable, with recoveries yielding close to 100% in most cases (average 125%, range from 86 to 467%) for all the concentration/purification techniques tested. The quality of the antibodies was shown to be critical, with antibodies from some suppliers yielding recoveries a low as 10% in some cases. This difficulty could, however, be overcome by the utilization of the antibody provided by Chemunex. These data conclusively prove that laser scanning cytometry, which greatly facilitates the microscopic enumeration of Cryptosporidium oocysts from water samples and decreases the time of observation by four to six times, can be successfully applied to water concentrates prepared from a variety of concentration/purification techniques.

Transformative Learning in Mastery-Oriented CS0 Course

2021 ◽  
pp. 234763112110072
Author(s):  
Srinivasan Lakshminarayanan ◽  
N. J. Rao ◽  
G. K. Meghana
Keyword(s):  
Transformative Learning ◽  
First Year ◽  
Guided Discovery ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Transformative Experiences ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cognitive Levels ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Core Course

The introductory programming course, commonly known as CS1 and offered as a core course in the first year in all engineering programs in India, is unique because it can address higher cognitive levels, metacognition and some aspects of the affective domain. It can provide much needed transformative experiences to students coming from a system of school education that is dominantly performance-driven. Unfortunately, the CS1 course, as practiced in almost all engineering programs, is also performance-driven because of a variety of compulsions. This paper suggests that the inclusion of a course CS0 can bring about transformative learning that can potentially make a significant difference in the quality of learning in all subsequent engineering courses. The suggested instruction design of this course takes the advantage of the unique features of a course in programming. The proposed CS0 course uses “extreme apprenticeship” and “guided discovery” methods of instruction. The effectiveness of these instruction methods was established through the use of the thematic analysis, a well-known qualitative research method, and the associated coding of transformative learning experiences and instruction components.

Different Types of Auricular Keloids and Treatment by Intralesional Cryosurgery: Best Practice for Obtaining Long-Lasting Clinical Results

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yaron Har-Shai ◽  
Lior Har-Shai ◽  
Viktor A. Zouboulis ◽  
Christos C. Zouboulis
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Recurrence Rate ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Psychosocial Impact ◽  
Aesthetic Outcome ◽  
The Past ◽  
Different Types

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Auricular keloids belong to the most perplexing medical conditions, which have significant psychosocial impact on the patient’s body image and quality of life. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> The article is purposed to provide dermatologists and plastic surgeons with the best proven practice using intralesional cryosurgery for the treatment of the different auricular keloid types in order to obtain superior clinical results by minimizing the probability of recurrence. In the past 20 years, the authors have developed novel procedures in order to increase the effectiveness of intralesional cryosurgery on auricular keloids, including hydrodissection, warm gauze technique, and excision of dangling skin. Long-lasting clinical results with a low recurrence rate and a satisfactory aesthetic outcome are achieved with no deformation of the ear framework.

Enhancing Wellbeing for Older Adults With Serious Mental Illnesses: Co-Producing a Positive Psychology Course With Certified Older Adult Peer Specialists

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232199204
Author(s):  
Lydia P. Ogden
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Peer Specialists ◽  
Psychology Course ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses

Compared to peers in the general population, persons aging with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) face physical health disparities, increased isolation, and decreased subjective experiences of quality of life and wellbeing. To date, limited intervention research focuses on addressing specific needs of persons aging with SMIs and no interventions targeted for that population are informed by the theory and science of positive psychology. With the aim of co-producing a positive-psychology-based program to enhance wellbeing for older adults with SMIs, the author held a series of focus groups and individual interviews with six certified older adult peer specialists. Analysis of the data developed in-depth insights into helpful processes, values, and priorities of individuals aging with SMIs, as well as the creation of a wellbeing-enhancing course curriculum.

scholarly journals Threat or Corrective? Assessing the Impact of Populist Parties in Government on the Qualities of Democracy: A 19-Country Comparison

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Davide Vittori
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Quality Of Democracy ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Liberal Democratic ◽  
Country Comparison ◽  
Democratic Regimes ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Scholars have long debated whether populism harms or improves the quality of democracy. This article contributes to this debate by focusing on the impact of populist parties in government. In particular, it inquires: (1) whether populists in government are more likely than non-populists to negatively affect the quality of democracies; (2) whether the role of populists in government matters; and (3) which type of populism is expected to negatively affect the quality of liberal-democratic regimes. The results find strong evidence that the role of populists in government affects several qualities of democracy. While robust, the findings related to (2) are less clear-cut than those pertaining to (1). Finally, regardless of their role in government, different types of populism have different impacts on the qualities of democracy. The results show that exclusionary populist parties in government tend to have more of a negative impact than other forms of populism.

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