Denotation Variation Degree of Linguistic Sign: an Experimental Study of Interpretative Activity

This article features the concept of denotation variation degree of the linguistic sign, which remains largely understudied. The research introduced the term "denotation variation degree" and revealed its practical and theoretic significance, both for general linguistics and for particular aspects related to the world denotation variation degree as part of individual interpretation. The objective was to describe the denotation variation degree as high or low based on specific vocabulary. The linguistic experiment included two steps; speakers were given a model situation and asked to interpret a definition. Test results demonstrated a low variation degree at the level of the word and denotation correlation because the denotate component had a low potential for notional plurality. High variation degree appeared in connotative and associational word components with a higher potential for the different notional variants.

Pre-registration UK diagnostic radiography student ability and confidence in interpretation of chest X-rays

Introduction Chest X-rays are the most frequently requested X-ray imaging in English hospitals. This study aimed to assess final year UK radiography student’s confidence and ability in image interpretation of chest X-rays. Methods Thirty-three diagnostic radiography students were invited to assess their confidence and ability in interpreting chest x-rays from a bank of n=10 cases using multiple choice answers. Data analysis included 2x2 contingency tables, Kappa for inter-rater reliability, a Likert scale of confidence for each case, and questions to assess individual interpretation skills and ways to increase the learning of the subject. Results Twenty-three students participated in the study. The pooled accuracy achieved was 61% (95% CI 38.4-77.7; k=0.22). The degree of confidence and ability varied depending upon the student and the conditions observed. High confidence was noted with COVID-19 (n=12/23; 52%), lung metastasis (n=14/23; 61%), and pneumothorax (n=13/23; 57%). Low confidence was noted with conditions of consolidation (n=8/23; 35%), haemothorax (n=8/23; 35%), and surgical emphysema (n=8/23; 35%). From the sample n=11 (48%), participants stated they felt they had the knowledge to interpret chest X-rays required for a newly qualified radiographer. Conclusion The results demonstrated final year radiography student’s confidence and ability in image interpretation of chest X-rays. Student feedback indicated a preference for learning support through university lectures, online study resources, and time spent with reporting radiographers on clinical practice to improve ability and confidence in interpreting chest X-rays.

The Metaphysical Quality that gives a Visual Identity Mark its Sway.

Addressing a specific aspect of visual communication, the focus of this paper is to examine the connection between elemental nature-inspired archetypal symbols and contemporary Visual Identity Marks, for example the archetypal Solar Cross to the BP VIM, Helios, by establishing the existence of a contextual relevance and relationship. It furthermore analyses the fundamental influence of these archetypal symbols upon the viewer/user (internal and external audiences), no matter what level of sophistication the viewer’s/user’s society has achieved. To build an appreciation of the continuity and effectiveness of the use of elemental nature-inspired archetypal symbols within a contemporary context, areas of expertise not traditionally utilised within visual communication, such as sociology, archaeology, theology and folklore were engaged. While being defined as “a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art or mythology” (Random House Dictionary, 2012), an archetypal symbol also possesses a metaphysical quality. This metaphysical quality enables the symbol to act as a galvanising and motivating force, which re-enforces individual and group identity, and ultimately transmit a sense of the sacred and the institutional within a mutable world. The archetypal (natural) symbol is the response of the psyche reflecting the ‘internal truth’. The VIM (cultural) symbol is a vehicle to maintain power for financial or political profits as well as sustain group coherency, and individual identity. Encoded within both a ‘natural’, and a ‘cultural’ symbol, is a deep spiritual quality tapping into a deeper symbolic language which evolved from humanity relating back to nature. Drawing upon notions of individual interpretation, the paper analyses the very idea of personal and/or subjective mental constructs related to visual identity marks.

Middle Ages Christian Colour Precious Stones Symbols in the Context of a new Conception of Symbol as a Synergetic Linguo-Cultural Hyper Sign

The article focuses on systematic research of Christian colour precious stones symbols in the context of a new conception of symbol as a synergetic lingo cultural hyper sign. It was pointed out that colours as hyper symbols, which were realized through precious stones, accepted symbolic use typical for Christianity. It was also proved that in Middle Ages colour was an expressive characteristic for precious stones depicting in literature. In general symbols were defined as complicated cultural phenomena depending upon both individual interpretation and upon the level of cultural stereotypes.

Educational Support of a Student with ADHD. An Analysis of Parents’ Biographical Experiences

The aim of this paper is to present the results of a study on the subjective interpretation and the construction of biographies by parents of children with ADHD. The research was driven by insufficient knowledge regarding the definition of the support offered at school to a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder among parents and to determine what is important and unique from a parental perspective. The presented studies were constructivist, interpretative studies using the biographical method. Narrative interviews were conducted with parents of children with ADHD living in Poland. Reconstruction of their parental experiences allowed an understanding of their individual feelings and experiences, which showed “the truth” about the educational support provided to a child. The aim of the studies was a reconstruction of the narrative and an analysis of the subjective meanings which parents give to the educational support that is offered to their children at school. The central thesis took the form of a question: How did parents interpret their own experiences related to educational support given at school to a child with ADHD? The analysis of the narration shows different parental experiences regarding the educational support received. The reality reconstructed by examined parents is complex and consists of hope and expectations, but also doubts, powerlessness and helplessness. Some parts of the narration are poignant, sorrowful and rife with feelings of loneliness, which is a consequence of misunderstanding a specific child’s needs. The other parts of the narrative are dominated by happiness and joy caused by the support that a student received and its effects. By speaking about the help which was received at school, the parents expose their personal feelings towards that event, and they show their individual interpretation of the reality that they experienced. They give subjective meaning to a narrative that they feel is significant.

Navigating abortion law dilemmas: experiences and attitudes among Ethiopian health care professionals

Background Ethiopia’s 2005 abortion law improved access to legal abortion. In this study we examine the experiences of abortion providers with the revised abortion law, including how they view and resolve perceived moral challenges. Methods Thirty healthcare professionals involved in abortion provisions in Addis Ababa were interviewed. Transcripts were analyzed using systematic text condensation, a qualitative analysis framework. Results Most participants considered the 2005 abortion law a clear improvement—yet it does not solve all problems and has led to new dilemmas. As a main finding, the law appears to have opened a large space for professionals’ individual interpretation and discretion concerning whether criteria for abortion are met or not. Regarding abortion for fetal abnormalities, participants support the woman’s authority in deciding whether to choose abortion or not, although several saw these decisions as moral dilemmas. All thought that abortion was a justified choice when a diagnosis of fetal abnormality had been made. Conclusion Ethiopian practitioners experience moral dilemmas in connection with abortion. The law places significant authority, burden and responsibility on each practitioner.

A mixed methods contribution analysis of UK students’ unions’ internal communications response to addressing staff motivation during the Covid-19 pandemic

This macro-level, mixed methods contribution analysis evaluates the influence of students’ unions internal communication response to the Covid-19 pandemic on staff motivation. Recognising the role individual interpretation and perception play in the receipt of such messages, this paper seeks to understand which motivating factors union managers sought to address through their communications, whether these efforts were recognised by staff and whether there is evidence they may have helped to alleviate employee concerns. The evaluation findings will be of interest to student union managers and professionals looking to enhance communications and improve employee motivation. Received: 14 September 2021Accepted: 27 October 2021

Truth in Fiction: Storytelling and Architecture

<p>Current discourse on architectural narrative suggests that a series of events or impressions of space can be ‘read’ through a sequencing of spaces and views within a building. It is presumed that a building is read in the same way as a sequence of shots in a film. In this model, architects set up a narrative which is played out through a careful construction of viewpoints and events. In practice this can lead to the manipulation of spatial experience at the sacrifice of individual interpretation, as maintaining the narrative compromises spatial experience. This stems from the fundamental difference between how we experience architecture as opposed to more traditional narratives in printed or pictorial media. The experience of space is not a linear one, nor is it bound by a strict timeline which follows from cause to effect. Unlike a novel, where the author has complete control over the pacing and focus of each scene, the architect cannot rely on others to interpret his exact intentions, or on his architecture remaining true to a single narrative over time. This research is about storytelling in architecture. Specifically, how we might better use narratives to play to the strengths of our medium. From examining current practices in publicly establishing narratives, to investigating the work of John Hejduk, this work examines how architectural narratives have been constructed in the past, and whether this has been successful. Using an analysis of three works of fiction: The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges, The Castle by Franz Kafka and The House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski; I analyse the various uses of the architectural metaphor in fiction and how these fictional spaces have been used as characters within their individual narratives. I use design to develop a process which takes a basic house plan and applies a non-linear narrative to it. This narrative is not concerned with a single interpretation. This process creates spaces imbued with the stories of the novels studied, and of my role as designer. Yet they may also be reinterpreted again by a new viewer to give a kind of immortality to the story. The architecture continually adapts itself to new experiences and understandings. Finally, I argue that we do have the ability to use storytelling within architecture to enrich our spaces without resorting to the manipulation of the user. If we return to the cyclic and layered model of storytelling, as opposed to the linear structure of narrative, then our buildings will not only tell our stories more clearly, but also for longer as they appeal to the changing fashions, experiences and applied narratives of the people who use them, remaining relevant to the world of experience.</p>

Truth in Fiction: Storytelling and Architecture

<p>Current discourse on architectural narrative suggests that a series of events or impressions of space can be ‘read’ through a sequencing of spaces and views within a building. It is presumed that a building is read in the same way as a sequence of shots in a film. In this model, architects set up a narrative which is played out through a careful construction of viewpoints and events. In practice this can lead to the manipulation of spatial experience at the sacrifice of individual interpretation, as maintaining the narrative compromises spatial experience. This stems from the fundamental difference between how we experience architecture as opposed to more traditional narratives in printed or pictorial media. The experience of space is not a linear one, nor is it bound by a strict timeline which follows from cause to effect. Unlike a novel, where the author has complete control over the pacing and focus of each scene, the architect cannot rely on others to interpret his exact intentions, or on his architecture remaining true to a single narrative over time. This research is about storytelling in architecture. Specifically, how we might better use narratives to play to the strengths of our medium. From examining current practices in publicly establishing narratives, to investigating the work of John Hejduk, this work examines how architectural narratives have been constructed in the past, and whether this has been successful. Using an analysis of three works of fiction: The Library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges, The Castle by Franz Kafka and The House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski; I analyse the various uses of the architectural metaphor in fiction and how these fictional spaces have been used as characters within their individual narratives. I use design to develop a process which takes a basic house plan and applies a non-linear narrative to it. This narrative is not concerned with a single interpretation. This process creates spaces imbued with the stories of the novels studied, and of my role as designer. Yet they may also be reinterpreted again by a new viewer to give a kind of immortality to the story. The architecture continually adapts itself to new experiences and understandings. Finally, I argue that we do have the ability to use storytelling within architecture to enrich our spaces without resorting to the manipulation of the user. If we return to the cyclic and layered model of storytelling, as opposed to the linear structure of narrative, then our buildings will not only tell our stories more clearly, but also for longer as they appeal to the changing fashions, experiences and applied narratives of the people who use them, remaining relevant to the world of experience.</p>

Multi frequency Ground-Penetrating Radar method for mapping underground pipes and man-made objects

Mapping of subsurface infrastructure such as pipelines, pipe ducts as well as man-made objects located below the earth surface is a difficult task in geotechnical engineering due to the need to direct contact to the object. Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) method as one of geophysical methods is an appropriate technique to solve such problems due to its capability to effectively provide the existence, the location and the depth of buried shallow objects. Despite many advantages, the application of GPR method is limited by achieved depth and resolution range that is frequency dependent. To overcome such problems, the so-called multi-frequency compositing method with Optimal Spectral Whitening (OSW) technique is studied and applied on real data acquired in the Muarakarang Combined Cycle Power Plant area located in the Northern part of Jakarta, the Capitol of Indonesia. Datasets from GPR measurement with 100 MHz and 250 MHz was used. Each radargram from the same path was processed individually and then joined to become multiple composite radargram. The resulted composite radargram from a GPR line we studied has shown clearer image for interpretation rather than individual interpretation. The applicability of this multi-frequency compositing recommend further study to solve some facing problems in geotechnical engineering.