Manifestations of Aging in Virtual Reality Implementation of Rod and Frame Test

Senior adults’ reliance on the visual frame of reference for spatial orientation is a manifestation of an age-related shift in cognitive style from field independence to field dependence. We implemented a virtual reality rod and frame test (VR-RFT) to assess visual field dependence (VFD) in n=39 young adults (20-30 years old) and n=43 seniors (60 years old and above). The subjects were asked to determine subjective visual vertical (SVV) for 19 angles of frame tilt (running from -45 degrees to 45 degrees in steps of 5 degrees). The strong VFD of seniors was manifested not only by the increased error in the determination of SVV (SVVE) but also in its distribution. For small and large frame tilt angles, seniors’ SVVE skewness and kurtosis were greater than those of young adults. The SVVE median dependence on frame tilt may be accounted for with a phenomenological model whose two parameters describe the strengths of primary (P) and secondary (S) visual attractors which subjects use to infer SVV: the edges of the frame and its imaginary diagonals. For young adults, these parameters were: PY=14.91 and SY=12.51. For seniors, we observed an over 50% increase in the strength of the primary attractor PS=26.31 while the strength of the secondary one was only weakly affected by aging: SS=13.74. We demonstrate that the asymmetry between the strength of attractors significantly contributes to SVVE made by seniors at large frame tilts. We hypothesize that a variant VR-RFT may be used in rehabilitation to reduce excessive VFD.

The use of visualization technologies in the engineering training of vocational education teachers

В статье рассматриваются вопросы повышения эффективности изучения сложных технических дисциплин путем совершенствования образовательных технологий через использование инновационных цифровых средств и ресурсов, основанных на визуализации учебных элементов. Цель статьи — рассмотреть сущность визуализации учебной информации, которая направлена не только на демонстрацию инженерных процессов и систем, но и на активизацию познавательной деятельности обучающихся и стимулирование мотивации к изучению специальных дисциплин будущей профессиональной деятельности. Теоретическая значимость статьи заключается в обосновании необходимости использования цифровых технологий визуализации для обеспечения эффективности изучения сложных инженерных дисциплин. С помощью созданного визуального фрейма работа позволяет обучать на практике будущих педагогов профессионального образования разрабатывать, модифицировать и использовать в дальнейшем компьютерные модели для подготовки инженеров. В статье по-новому на трех уровнях рассматривается сущность визуализации учебных элементов, что важно при использовании данной технологии в образовательном процессе. The article deals with the issues of increasing the efficiency of studying complex technical disciplines by improving educational technologies through the use of innovative digital tools and resources based on the visualization of educational elements. The purpose of the article is to consider the essence of visualization of educational information, which is aimed not only at demonstrating engineering processes and systems but also at activating students’ cognitive activity and motivating them to study special disciplines of future professional activity. The theoretical significance of the article lies in the justification of the necessity of using digital visualization technologies to ensure the effectiveness of studying complex engineering disciplines. The practical significance is presented through the created visual frame, which enables high-quality training of vocational training teachers in the development, modification and further use of computer models for engineering training. The article considers the essence of educational elements visualization in a new way at three levels, which is important when using this technology in the educational process.

ClockBoard: a zoning system for urban analysis

Zones are the building blocks of urban analysis. Fields ranging from demographics to transport planning routinely use zones — spatially contiguous areal units that break-up continuous space into discrete chunks — as the foundation for diverse analysis techniques. Key methods such as origin-destination analysis and choropleth mapping rely on zones with appropriate sizes, shapes and coverage. However, existing zoning systems are sub-optimal in many urban analysis contexts, for three main reasons: 1) available administrative zoning systems are often based on somewhat arbitrary factors; 2) evidence-based zoning systems are often highly variable in size and shape, reducing their utility for inter-city comparison; and 3) official zoning systems are non-existent, not publicly available, or are too coarse, hindering urban analysis in many places, especially in low income nations. To tackle these three key issues we developed a flexible, open and scalable solution: the ClockBoard zoning system. ClockBoard consists of 12 segments divided by concentric rings of increasing distance, creating a consistent visual frame of reference for cities that is reminiscent of a clock and a dartboard. This paper outlines the design, potential uses and merits of the ClockBoard zoning system and discusses future avenues for research and development of new zoning systems based on the experience.

Just “performance nonsense”?: How recipients process news photos of activists’ symbolic actions about climate change politics

In this article, I investigate how recipients make sense of images that show symbolic actions by environmental activists during two recent United Nations Climate Change Conferences. Environmental advocacy groups are successful in creating visibility for their symbolic actions via news visuals, but little empirical evidence exists about how ordinary media recipients engage with this type of imagery. Can they understand the intended meaning of complex visual rhetoric used by environmental activists? I use think-aloud protocols to uncover the cognitive strategies which are used in processing these stylised visual claims. Results show that news photos rarely manage to communicate the intended meaning of symbolic actions. By systematically analysing various stages of visual frame processing, this study offers insights into specific configurations of the image-viewer relationship that cause high levels of ambiguity and prevent staged visual claims from being understood as intended. Yet I also find empirical evidence for a visual framing approach that works well and describe this recipe for effective communication via symbolic action photography.

Mapping Digital Religion: Exploring the Need for New Typologies

Today, it is challenging to separate online and offline spaces and activities, and this is also true of digital religion as online and offline religious spaces become blended or blurred. With this background, the article explores the need for new typologies of what is religious on the Internet and proposes a conceptual framework for mapping digital religion. Four types of that which is religious on the Internet are presented based on influential classification by Helland. He introduced (1) religion online (sites that provide information without interactivity) and (2) online religion (interactivity and participation). Helland’s concept is developed by, among others, adding two types: (3) innovative religion (new religious movements, cults, etc.) and (4) traditional religion (e.g., Christianity or Islam). Each type is illustrated by selected examples and these are a result of a larger project. The examples are grouped into three areas: (1) religious influencers, (2) online rituals and (3) cyber-religions (parody religions). Additionally, the visual frame for mapping digital religion is presented including the examples mentioned. The presented framework attempts to improve Helland’s classification by considering a more dynamic nature of digital religion. The model is just one possible way for mapping digital religion and thus should be developed further. These and other future research threads are characterized.

Visual deductive conflict frame (War Coverage)

This variable describes how a war is depicted in the photos published by a news organization. It thereby suggests what interpretation or perspective on a war is promoted through the visual layer of news discourse. Visual frame analyses of war coverage have largely relied on deductive analyses. As such, studies measure frames that have been derived from the existing literature or small pilot studies (cf. Jungblut & Zakareviciute, 2019). Some of these deductive frames have been applied in multiple studies that are focused on a variety of conflict cases (e.g. Schwalbe, 2013; Schwalbe & Dougherty, 2015). Field of application/theoretical foundation: Visual frame analysis is grounded in the framing approach that describes a media frame as the result of a journalistic process of selecting some aspects of a given social reality and making them more salient than others (Entman, 1993). As such, visual framing is often measured to analyze how a war is depicted in the news. Research thus aims to unravel what image of a war is transported to the audience and thereby seeks to understand if there is a bias towards one of the involved conflict parties. As a result, visual frames usually tend to be conceptualized as the dependent variable within a research design (cf. Jungblut & Zakareviciute, 2019; Schwalbe, 2013). References/combination with other methods of data collection: Experimental research designs have been used to analyze the effect of different visual frames. In this, research examines whether visual framing can affect recipients’ attitude towards conflict parties and whether frames can evoke an emotional response in the audience (Brantner, Lobinger & Wetzstein, 2011). Sample operationalization: Please indicate which of these frames is present in the photo. In each photo, multiple frames can be present at the same time. Frame Description Measurement Conflict Frame Depiction of the combatants, including weapons, troops, POWs, and combat 0 = frame is absent 1 = frame is present Human Interest Frame Depiction of noncombatants, such as civilians and humanitarian relief workers 0 = frame is absent 1 = frame is present Violence of War Frame Depiction of the results of conflict, such as injury, death, and destruction 0 = frame is absent 1 = frame is present Anti-War Protest Frame Depiction of anti-war demonstrations and protests 0 = frame is absent 1 = frame is present Media Self-Reference Frame Depiction of journalists at home and in the conflict zone 0 = frame is absent 1 = frame is present Politicians Frame Depiction of politicians and negotiations 0 = frame is absent 1 = frame is present Looting Frame Depiction of looting 0 = frame is absent 1 = frame is present Oil Resources Frame Depiction of oil fields and refineries 0 = frame is absent 1 = frame is present Information on Schwalbe, 2013 Author: Carol B. Schwalbe Research question/research interest: Visually Framing of the Iraq War in TIME, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report Object of analysis: Three News Magazines (TIME, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report) timeframe of analysis: Time frame starts with the opening day of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq (March 19, 2003) and ended with the transfer of limited sovereignty to the provisional Iraqi government (June 28, 2004). Info about variable Variable name/definition: Deductive visual conflict frame Level of analysis: Image Values: 0 = absent, 1= present (for each of the described frames) Scale: binary (nominal) References Brantner, C., Lobinger, K., & Wetzstein, I. (2011). Effects of visual framing and evaluations of news stories on emotional responses about the Gaza conflict 2009. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 88(3), 523-540. https://doi.org/10.1177/107769901108800304 Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51-58. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.1993.tb01304.x Jungblut, M., & Zakareviciute, I. (2019). Do Pictures Tell a Different Story? A multimodal frame analysis of the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict. Journalism Practice, 13(2), 206-228. https://doi.org/10.1080/17512786.2017.1412804 Schwalbe, C. B. (2013). Visually framing the invasion and occupation of Iraq in Time, Newsweek, and US News & World Report. International Journal of Communication, 7, 239-262. Doi: 1932–8036/20130005 Schwalbe, C. B., & Dougherty, S. M. (2015). Visual coverage of the 2006 Lebanon War: Framing conflict in three US news magazines. Media, War & Conflict, 8(1), 141-162. https://doi.org/10.1177/1750635215571204

Visual Portrayals of People in Need: The Impact of Refugee Depictions on Compassion and Support for Humanitarian Aid

As conflicts flare around the world, images of refugees are a familiar presence in Western media. Drawing on existing accounts of refugee imagery, and on previous research on compassion and on Moral Foundations Theory, we demonstrate how refugee depictions that vary in terms of their sympathy framing influence public opinion, using three survey experiments in Sweden, the US, and UK, with 25 unique images taken from international media coverage of the Syrian refugee crisis and over 4,500 combined respondents. We find that ideology has a strong moderating effect on the impact of refugee visual imagery: whereas liberals are similarly sympathetic to refugee depictions, irrespective of the manifest vulnerability of those depicted or how they are pictured, compassion responses among conservatives vary with the specific visual frame presented. Moreover, compassion mediates the effect of visuals on right-wing support for refugee aid, particularly when conservatives are shown images of individual children refugees as opposed to images of groups of adults. We conclude by discussing the implications for the editorial selection of news photographs of refugees, as well as the need for further research into the role of images in shaping responses to humanitarian crises across different cultural contexts.

Single-Option P300-BCI Performance Is Affected by Visual Stimulation Conditions

The P300 paradigm is one of the most promising techniques for its robustness and reliability in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) applications, but it is not exempt from shortcomings. The present work studied single-trial classification effectiveness in distinguishing between target and non-target responses considering two conditions of visual stimulation and the variation of the number of symbols presented to the user in a single-option visual frame. In addition, we also investigated the relationship between the classification results of target and non-target events when training and testing the machine-learning model with datasets containing different stimulation conditions and different number of symbols. To this end, we designed a P300 experimental protocol considering, as conditions of stimulation: the color highlighting or the superimposing of a cartoon face and from four to nine options. These experiments were carried out with 19 healthy subjects in 3 sessions. The results showed that the Event-Related Potentials (ERP) responses and the classification accuracy are stronger with cartoon faces as stimulus type and similar irrespective of the amount of options. In addition, the classification performance is reduced when using datasets with different type of stimulus, but it is similar when using datasets with different the number of symbols. These results have a special connotation for the design of systems, in which it is intended to elicit higher levels of evoked potentials and, at the same time, optimize training time.