Web Accessibility Research and Practice

Web accessibility is the practice of having websites that are accessible to all people, including persons with disabilities. Several research studies have been done around the world to improve web accessibility. However, advances in Arabic web accessibility studies are limited. Research has indicated that a significant number of Arabic websites have accessibility issues, which becomes a restraint to people with disabilities from accessing and using the web. This research reviews current studies in web accessibility presented within the cultural background of several Arabic-speaking countries, particularly the Arabian Gulf region of Gulf Cooperation Council, and addresses services offered by the countries. The authors evaluate 54 websites in the Gulf region regarding accessibility issues. The results show that all websites do not satisfy WCAG 2.0 (AA). This paper highlights the deficiencies in Arabic web accessibility and provide some recommendations and suggestions for improvements.

Digital Heritage

Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are new ways to provoke an emotional response to heritage and culture. In a place of interest, augmented by technologies, visitors meet various stimuli. Consequently, the public activates complex neural responses in the brain. Neural responses will lead to specific actions, decision-making, and learning. Engaging an audience is desirable for institutions that organize exhibitions, as many people see museums and heritage as stagnant spaces. Museums and art galleries should use VR and AR facilities to develop creative thinking and to advance cultural context. Artists, on the other hand, may represent a sort of facilitator, helping to develop positive actions in the smart cities of the future or to educate the audience toward active citizenship.

Translating 2D Geometric Illusions for 3D Contexts

This paper describes the creation and evaluation of four novel, interactive objects that have been used to evaluate the effectiveness of 2D optical illusions within 3D objects. Illusions are recognised as a key means to understand how one processes visual input and perceives the world around them. A huge number of 2D illusions have been generated from the 18th century onwards, and a significant body of work exists that explores their characteristics, classifications, and operations. This paper identifies and selects four established 2D geometric illusions and explores their viability as 3D objects. A controlled experiment was conducted to ascertain whether they retained their perceptive illusory strength. A sample population of 30 participants was used and their interaction with purpose-built models was measured. Means are discussed whereby the illusions can be utilised in product design to either emphasise or counteract optical effects in geometric form.

Relations Among MOCAP and Textual Data of Motion Verbs

This is a study on language and action that tries to shed light on their conceptual correspondence in terms of embodiment. The linguistic phenomenon of lexical aspect/Aktionsart is studied in connection to joint angles and time. For the purposes of this research, data concerning the usage of a set of Modern Greek verbs were collected and annotated; in addition, motion data were captured for the same verbs. First, the distance between actions and verbs was calculated revealing a strong connection between certain types of language data, lower limb motion, and time: an extended use of the lower limbs is related to longer or repetitive actions while time expresses duration.

Cultural Intelligence-Investigation of Different Systems for Heritage Sustainable Preservation

Cultural heritage protection is a multidisciplinary subject. An intelligent decision-making mechanism, combined with multi-criteria assessment, is required to lead to compatible and sustainable decision making concerning conservation works. Decision making is a complex process that takes into account a wide range of parameters, from qualitative (such as the historical or cultural value of the building) to quantified data (such as the properties of its materials) and involves the following tasks: monitoring, inspection, diagnosis, intervention study, interventions, and evaluation of interventions. It should be based on specific specifications, criteria, and methodology to ensure the sustainability of the construction and require the availability of data of a different nature and of high quality. In this work, different artificial intelligent systems are investigated and tested—UTASTAR methodology based on linear regression, unsupervised non-linear classifiers (feed-forward neural networks), and clustering methodologies (fuzzy c-means algorithm)—in order to develop a decision.

Digital Forensic Investigation of the Xiyu Pagoda Lighthouse

This article provides an update of a lighthouse heritage experiential education project conducted by the Run Run Shaw Library, City University of Hong Kong. This project initiative aims to encourage students to conduct research by leveraging digital technology and archival collections, and hence connect themselves with the communities. The research team followed the six-step ‘forensic investigation' to continue its mission of 3D restoration of the lost Xiyu Pagoda Lighthouse in Xiyu Island, Penghu, Taiwan. A new line of inquiry regarding the economic behaviour of the pagoda lighthouse was also extended during the course of clarifying the obscured text of the evidence collected. Beyond demonstrating how technology and humanities are intertwined, the aim of this article is to illustrate how librarians may actively disseminate knowledge through connecting students with archival collections.

A Study of Various Types of Natural Marble Towards Their Use in Cultural Applications

Marble has been used as decorative or building material since ancient times. Various archaeological marble materials of cultural heritage (e.g., statues) are frequently encountered in excavation sites amongst other finds. The scope of the present work is to investigate whether natural marble could be used for dosimetric purposes in cultural applications, such as dating or authenticity test of ancient marble objects, through an integrated experimental approach. For this purpose, the chemical composition, structure/morphology, and luminescence properties of 11 different types of natural marble of different origin (from various geographical regions) were examined by means of micro-x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, stereoscopic microscopy, thermoluminescence (TL), and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), respectively. Results indicate that though TL and OSL could be used for the identification of the marble type (origin), the use of natural marble for dosimetric purposes using these methods requires the a-priori knowledge of its type along with some of the main luminescence properties.

Astronaut Space Selfies

This article uses a philosophical hermeneutic perspective to present a reading of selected astronaut space selfies by drawing on ideas of Michel Serres, Paul Virilio, Hannah Arendt, Bonnie Mann, Joanna Zylinska, Nicholas Mirzoeff, and W. J. T. Mitchell. The image of the astronaut is unpacked as a visual apocalyptic trope that embodies collective dreams of going beyond Earth in post-Earth projections. Michel Serres distinguished between two regimes of pollution, namely “hard pollution” and “soft pollution.” The author uses Serres's distinction between hard and soft pollution to investigate the image of the astronaut as an agent of post-Earth dreams. The essay asks: Are space selfies potential soft pollution in Michel Serres's terms? The conclusion drawn after considering evidence of space travel on human physiology and psychology is that although astronauts may be “marvelous messengers,” their images mostly act as soft pollution that positions viewers in a particular way toward Earth.

Effectiveness of Practicing Social Distancing in Museums and Art Galleries for Visitors Using Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR)

After the tragic Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was declared by the WHO (World Health Organization) in March 2020, social distancing and sanitization were recommended by top medical experts and health officials to help stop the virus spread. Research has sought to help people practice social distancing in public attractions such as museums and art galleries using touchless technologies. In the modern circle of innovation and technology, mobile augmented reality (MAR) is a touchless technology that adds layers of virtual information on top of real-world images. An individual can view 3D images and videos by pointing an AR-enabled device towards a piece of digital information. This paper describes the constructive use of the major design elements of MAR, which can directly be applied for impaired and non-impaired visitors to practice social distancing in museums and art galleries.

Designing a Culturally Relevant Television Brand Identity Using Culture-Orientated Design Model

The adoption of digital television broadcasting across the world has heavily affected TV market size and also shifted viewer preferences towards foreign rather than local programmes. The challenge for stakeholders is how to preserve local cultural values in the new digital platforms, where consumers decide what and how they watch. Using Moalosi's culture-orientated model, this qualitative study looks at the extraction and categorization of relevant Ghanaian sociocultural values enshrined in concepts of human dignity that translate into sociocultural values. It analysis and translates the values into brand ident (identity) design features at the early stage of design. Results indicate that fusing associated sociocultural values into TV brand channel ident design connects consumers to their traditions. TV idents creatively associated with sociocultural values make a brand unique and relevant in this multichannel era.