Showing papers by "Media Research Center published in 2017"

The Relationship Between Use of Social Network Sites, Online Social Support, and Well-Being: Results From a Six-Wave Longitudinal Study.

Abstract: . Existing work on the effects of social network sites (SNS) on well-being has often stressed that SNS can help people gain social support from their online networks, which positively affects their well-being. However, the majority of studies in this area have been cross-sectional in nature and/or relied on student samples. Using data from six waves of a longitudinal study with a representative sample of Dutch Internet users, we first examined whether users and nonusers of SNS differ in online social support and well-being (as indicated by life satisfaction and stress). In a second step, we investigated in more detail how SNS use – more specifically, asking for advice and the number of strong ties on these SNS – are related to online social support, stress, and satisfaction with life. Overall, our results provide no evidence for SNS use and online social support affecting either stress or life satisfaction. SNS users reported more online social support than nonusers did, but also higher levels of ...

Comparison of the Working Memory Load in N-Back and Working Memory Span Tasks by Means of EEG Frequency Band Power and P300 Amplitude.

Abstract: According to theoretical accounts, both, N-back and complex span tasks mainly require working memory (WM) processing. In contrast, simple span tasks conceptually mainly require WM storage. Thus, conceptually, an N-back task and a complex span task share more commonalities as compared to a simple span task. In the current study, we compared an N-back task, a complex operation span task (Ospan), and a simple digit span task (Dspan) by means of typical WM load-related measures of the Electroencephalogram (EEG) like the parietal alpha and beta frequency band power, the frontal theta frequency band power, and the P300 amplitude, to examine whether these tasks would show commonalities or differences in WM processing-load. We expected that increasing WM-load would generally lead to a decreased alpha and beta frequency band power, an increased theta frequency band power, and a decreased P300 amplitude. Yet, based on the conceptual considerations, we hypothesized that the outcomes of these measures would be more comparable between the N-back and the Ospan as compared to the Dspan. Our hypotheses were partly confirmed. The N-back and the Ospan showed timely more prolonged alpha frequency band power effects as compared to the Dspan. This might indicate higher demands on WM processing in the former two tasks. The theta frequency band power and the P300 amplitude were most pronounced in the N-back task as compared to both span tasks. This might indicate specific demands on cognitive control in the N-back task. Additionally, we observed that behavioral performance measures correlated with changes in EEG alpha power of the N-back and the Ospan, yet not of the Dspan. Taken together, the hypothesized conceptual commonalities between the N-back task and the Ospan (and, for the Dspan, differences) were only partly confirmed by the electrophysiological WM load-related measures, indicating a potential need for reconsidering the theoretical accounts on WM tasks and the value of a closer link to electrophysiological research herein.

Directed Self-Assembly and Pattern Transfer of Five Nanometer Block Copolymer Lamellae

Abstract: The directed self-assembly (DSA) and pattern transfer of poly(5-vinyl-1,3-benzodioxole-block-pentamethyldisilylstyrene) (PVBD-b-PDSS) is reported. Lamellae-forming PVBD-b-PDSS can form well resolved 5 nm (half-pitch) features in thin films with high etch selectivity. Reactive ion etching was used to selectively remove the PVBD block, and fingerprint patterns were subsequently transferred into an underlying chromium hard mask and carbon layer. DSA of the block copolymer (BCP) features resulted from orienting PVBD-b-PDSS on guidelines patterned by nanoimprint lithography. A density multiplication factor of 4× was achieved through a hybrid chemo-/grapho-epitaxy process. Cross-sectional scanning tunneling electron microscopy/electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM/EELS) was used to analyze the BCP profile in the DSA samples. Wetting layers of parallel orientation were observed to form unless the bottom and top surface were neutralized with a surface treatment and top coat, respectively.

Online EEG-Based Workload Adaptation of an Arithmetic Learning Environment

Abstract: In this paper, we demonstrate a closed-loop EEG-based learning environment, that adapts instructional learning material online, to improve learning success in students during arithmetic learning. The amount of cognitive workload during learning is crucial for successful learning and should be held in the optimal range for each learner. Based on EEG data from 10 subjects, we created a prediction model that estimates the learner’s workload to obtain an unobtrusive workload measure. Furthermore, we developed an interactive learning environment that uses the prediction model to estimate the learner’s workload online based on the EEG data and adapt the difficulty of the learning material to keep the learner’s workload in an optimal range. The EEG-based learning environment was used by 13 subjects to learn arithmetic addition in the octal number system, leading to a significant learning effect. The results suggest that it is feasible to use EEG as an unobtrusive measure of cognitive workload to adapt the learning content. Further it demonstrates that a promptly workload prediction is possible using a generalized prediction model without the need for a user-specific calibration.

Whether power holders construe their power as responsibility or opportunity influences their tendency to take advice from others

Abstract: Summary Empirical evidence suggests that power elicits a generic tendency to disregard advice. We examined different responses power holders may show in their tendency to take advice depending on the construal of power. We report a field study and an experiment among managers and other powerful professionals (Studies 1 and 2) and an experiment in which participants were assigned to a powerful role (Study 3). Across studies, we found a higher tendency to take advice among those who construed their power as a responsibility rather than as an opportunity. This effect of the construal of power on advice taking was mediated by a heightened perceived value of advice, not by decreased confidence in own judgments or sense of power. Accordingly, the increase in advice taking when power was construed as a responsibility was observed regardless of whether the advice came from subordinates (Study 1), expert advisors (Study 2), or a less powerful teammate (Study 3). This highlights the relevance of considering how power holders construe their power in order to understand their tendency to take advice from others. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Single SLM full-color holographic 3-D display based on sampling and selective frequency-filtering methods.

Abstract: A single SLM (spatial light modulator) full-color holographic 3-D display based on sampling and selective frequency-filtering methods is proposed. Spatially-sampled R(red), G(green) and B(blue)-holograms can provide periodic 3 × 3 arrays of their frequency spectrums. Thus, by allocating three groups of three spectrums to each color hologram, and selectively filtering out those spectrums with their own spectrum filtering masks (SFMs), frequency-filtered R, G and B-holograms can be obtained. These holograms are synthesized into a single color-multiplexed hologram, and optically reconstructed into a color distortion-free full-color 3-D object on the 4-f lens system, where color-dispersion due to the pixelated structure of the SLM can be removed with the optical versions of SFMs. Fourier-optical analysis and experiments with 3-D color objects in motion confirm the feasibility of the proposed system in the practical application.

Placing joy, surprise and sadness in space: a cross-linguistic study

Abstract: The valence-space metaphor posits that emotion concepts map onto vertical space such that positive concepts are in upper locations and negative in lower locations. Whilst previous studies have demonstrated this pattern for positive and negative emotions e.g. 'joy' and 'sadness', the spatial location of neutral emotions, e.g. 'surprise', has not been investigated, and little is known about the effect of linguistic background. In this study, we first characterised the emotions joy, surprise and sadness via ratings of their concreteness, imageability, context availability and valence before examining the allocation of these emotions in vertical space. Participants from six linguistic groups completed either a rating task used to characterise the emotions or a word allocation task to implicitly assess where these emotions are positioned in vertical space. Our findings suggest that, across languages, gender, handedness, and ages, positive emotions are located in upper spatial locations and negative emotions in lower spatial locations. In addition, we found that the neutral emotional valence of surprise is reflected in this emotion being mapped mid-way between upper and lower locations onto the vertical plane. This novel finding indicates that the location of a concept on the vertical plane mimics the concept's degree of emotional valence.

Brain-computer interfaces for educational applications

Abstract: In this chapter, we present recent developments to utilize Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology in an educational context. As the current workload of a learner is a crucial factor for successful learning and should be held in an optimal range, we aimed at identifying the user’s workload by recording neural signals with electroencephalography (EEG). We describe initial studies that identified potential confounds when utilizing BCIs in such a scenario. Taking into account these results, we could show in a follow-up study that EEG could successfully be used to predict workload in students solving arithmetic exercises with increasing difficulty. Based on the obtained prediction model, we developed a digital learning environment that detects the user’s workload by EEG and automatically adapts the difficulty of the presented exercises to hold the learner’s workload level in an optimal range. Beside estimating workload based on EEG recordings, we also show that different executive functions can be detected and discriminated between based on their neural signatures. These findings could be used for a more specific adaptation of complex learning environments. Based on the existing literature and the results presented in this chapter, we discuss the methodological and theoretical prospects and pitfalls of this approach and outline further possible applications of BCI technology in an educational context.

I might ease your pain, but only if you’re sad: The impact of the empathized emotion in the empathy-helping association

Abstract: Ample research demonstrated that empathizing with someone in need promotes helping that person. Two studies examined whether this effect of empathy on helping behavior holds across different emotional reactions expressed by a target in need. Results of Study 1 indicate that perspective taking with a sad needy target increased empathic concern which, in turn, fostered helping the individual. This relation was not found for participants taking the perspective of angry or disgusted needy targets. Study 2 provides further support for the underlying mechanism of the results of Study 1. Perspective taking with a sad needy target increased empathizers’ empathic concern because perception of target neediness was increased. Again, this pattern was not found for perspective taking with an angry needy target. The findings correspond to theorizing on the role of emotions in person perception. Hence, the current research provides insights regarding the boundary conditions of the empathy-helping association.

Understanding the Kurdish conflict through the eyes of Kurds and Turks: New conflict reflections from lay people in Turkey

Abstract: Purpose Conflict understandings of lay people mirror society in miniature. Although lay people and their conflict understandings in society may shape the course of an ongoing conflict, little scholarly attention is so far given to the understandings of everyday discourse in Turkey’s ongoing Kurdish conflict. The present research aims to examine the views of lay Kurds and Turks in two politically polarized cities in Turkey, Mersin and Diyarbakir. Design/methodology/approach To examine these views, the authors used focus group discussions and open-ended questionnaires with a total of 64 lay people from Mersin and Diyarbakir. Findings Qualitative content analysis revealed more conflict understandings than presented in the existing academic literature. Furthermore, multiple correspondence analysis suggested that both ethnic identity and the city in which people live are important factors influencing how people perceive the conflict. Originality/value The meaning of novel themes, differences and similarities within and between ethnic groups and two cities, and the usefulness of qualitative methods to examine lay people’s viewpoints are discussed.

Sex differences in number line estimation: The role of numerical estimation

Abstract: Sex differences in mathematical performance have frequently been examined over the last decades indicating an advantage for males especially when numerical problems cannot be solved by (classroom-)learnt strategies and/or estimation. Even in basic numerical tasks such as number line estimation, males were found to outperform females – with sex differences argued to emerge from different solution strategies applied by males and females. We evaluated the latter using two versions of the number line estimation task: a bounded and an unbounded task version. Assuming that women tend more strongly to apply known procedures, we expected them to be at a particular disadvantage in the unbounded number line estimation task, which is less prone to be solved by specific strategies such as proportion judgement but requires numerical estimation. Results confirmed more pronounced sex differences for unbounded number line estimation with males performing significantly more accurately in this task version. This further adds to recent evidence suggesting that estimation performance in the bounded task version may reflect solution strategies rather than numerical estimation. Additionally, it indicates that sex differences regarding the spatial representation of number magnitude may not be universal, but associated with spatial–numerical estimations in particular.

Design of fog computing based IoT application architecture

Abstract: With the advent of IoT technologies and standards, IoT services has become popular these days. To populate IoT service, collaboration of IoT services on service level is essential. From the viewpoint of application, most of interfaces of existing IoT services are proprietary, which induces vertical silo problem. In this paper, IoT application architecture to access multiple IoT services using fog computing is proposed. By adapting Fog computing concept to application level, the proposed architecture works as a service gateway to multiple IoT services for IoT applications. The proposed architecture is suitable to build an IoT application utilizing multiple IoT service.

The improvement of student teachers’ instructional quality during a 15-week field experience: a latent multimethod change analysis

Abstract: Most studies evaluating the effectiveness of school internships have relied on self-assessments that are prone to self-presentational distortions. Therefore, the present study analyzed the improvement in the instructional quality of 102 student teachers (46 women) from a German university during a 15-week internship at a local secondary school across three rating sources: the student teachers themselves, their students, and their mentors (experienced teachers). A latent multimethod change analysis identified a significant increase in instructional quality during the practice semester. However, ratings from the three informant groups only marginally converged.

Falsificationism is not just ‘potential’ falsifiability, but requires ‘actual’ falsification: Social psychology, critical rationalism, and progress in science

Abstract: Based on an analysis of ten popular introductions to social psychology, we will show that Karl Popper's philosophy of ‘critical rationalism’ so far has had little to no traceable influence on the epistemology and practice of social psychology. If Popper is quoted or mentioned in the textbooks at all, the guiding principle of ‘falsificationism’ is reduced to a mere ‘falsifiability’ and some central elements of critical rationalism are left out – those that are incompatible with positivism and inductivism. Echoing earlier attempts to introduce Popper to social psychology by Paul Meehl and Tom Pettigrew, we will argue that a discussing Popper's ideas in more depth could help social psychology to move forward in view of the ‘crisis of confidence’ (Pashler and Wagenmakers, 2012) that has emerged recently in view of the ‘Stapel affair’ and the reports of failures to replicate social psychological experiments in high-powered replication attempts.

Single-shot digital holographic microscopy with a modified lateral-shearing interferometer based on computational telecentricity.

Abstract: Single-shot digital holographic microscopy (SS-DHM) with a modified lateral-shearing interferometer (MLSI) based on computational telecentricity is proposed. The proposed system is composed of three-step processes such as optical recording, digital compensation and numerical reconstruction processes. In the 1st step, the object beam is optically recorded with the MLSI, where a tube lens is set to be located at the slightly shorter distance than its focal length from the objective lens. Then, another phase factor due to the deviated locating of the tube lens from its focal length is additionally generated, which is called an additional quadratic phase factor (AQPF). However, in the 2nd step, this AQPF can be balanced out with the computer-generated version of the AQPF. In the 3rd step, the three-dimensional (3-D) object can be finally reconstructed from this AQPF-compensated hologram. Thus, by combined use of the optical recording and digital compensation processes of the AQPF, the proposed system can be made virtually operate in a so-called computational telecentricity, which enables us to implement a MLSI-based SS-DHM system. Wave-optical analysis and successful experiments with actual 3-D objects confirm the feasibility of the proposed system in the practical application fields.

Manipulating the alpha level cannot cure significance testing – comments on "Redefine statistical significance"

Abstract: We argue that depending on p-values to reject null hypotheses, including a recent call for changing the canonical alpha level for statistical significance from .05 to .005, is deleterious for the finding of new discoveries and the progress of science. Given that blanket and variable criterion levels both are problematic, it is sensible to dispense with significance testing altogether. There are alternatives that address study design and determining sample sizes much more directly than significance testing does; but none of the statistical tools should replace significance testing as the new magic method giving clear-cut mechanical answers. Inference should not be based on single studies at all, but on cumulative evidence from multiple independent studies. When evaluating the strength of the evidence, we should consider, for example, auxiliary assumptions, the strength of the experimental design, or implications for applications. To boil all this down to a binary decision based on a p-value threshold of .05, .01, .005, or anything else, is not acceptable.

Fostering targeted group practices as a Core focus for CSCL task and technology design

Abstract: With increasing diversity in learning contexts and technologies involved when CSCL is adopted, we observe not only different foci and goals being pursued, but also diversity in what counts as social interaction and collaboration, and even in what is the unit of interest for the investigation of learning. For example, unit of analysis and levels of description are both important when deciding on a study focus. We publish in this issue the first in what we hope will be a steady stream of squibs in the ijCSCL journal, which is intended to stimulate discussion and controversy that may advance scientific interdisciplinary work in CSCL. The squib and the four full articles in this issue provide a rich tapestry for us to examine this methodological and epistemic diversity in the CSCL research community and how these may contribute to productive debates and discussions to advance the field. Intern. J. Comput.-Support. Collab. Learn (2017) 12:1–7 DOI 10.1007/s11412-017-9253-y

Location of navigation menus in websites: an experimental study with Arabic users

Abstract: While Arabic users represent by far the fastest growing language population on the Internet, research about how the peculiarities of Arabic language may shape users' web interactions is still scarce. The preferences of Arabic users for menu location in websites have been studied. Two competing arguments have been proposed regarding the best location of menus in websites: conventional design (navigation menu should be placed on that side where users expect it based on previous experience) and reading direction (navigation menu should be placed on that side where readers are used to start off reading, so that the navigation menu is likely to be attended first). In an experiment, twenty-five participants with Arabic as mother language (who also spoke English) were briefly presented with screenshots from websites presented in Arabic or English and with menus located either on the left or the right, and rated their perceived visual appeal, usability, and trustworthiness. Results showed that participants judged the Arabic websites more positive when menus were located in the right- rather than in the left-hand side. In contrast, no differences for menu location were observed for English websites. These results are discussed in light of the conventional design and reading direction hypothesis and with regard to their implications for the design of Arabic websites.

Computational integral imaging reconstruction of perspective and orthographic view images by common patches analysis

Abstract: A novel method to computationally reconstruct perspective and orthographic view images with full resolution of a recording device from a single integral photograph is proposed. Firstly, a group of image slices that contain full yet redundant information to reconstruct the view image are generated, and the object surface is divided into pieces by the points that correspond to the centers of image slices. Secondly, the image slices that contribute to the pieces are extracted and redundant information embedded in them are figured out by common patches analysis. Finally, the view image is reconstructed by excluding the redundant information and resampling with maximum sampling rate. Each piece of the object surface is represented with 9 patches at most from 4 adjacent elemental images, and view images with high quality are reconstructed. Both simulations and experiments verify the validity of the method.

It has to be first-hand: The effect of first-person testimonials in medical communication on recipients’ emotions and memory

Abstract: The present research systemically examines the effect of a prominent technique used in the area of medical communication and education—including testimonials in reports of medical information. Prec...

Design and verification of the procedure for interoperability between video surveillance systems

Abstract: This paper proposes a design of the procedure for interoperability between video surveillance systems and verifies whether these systems are interworked according to the designed interworking procedures. In order to verify the interworking procedure of video surveillance systems, we implemented interoperability verification monitoring system. Through implementation results, we prove that video surveillance systems are well interworked based on designed interoperability procedures.

Observation of Microtremor in Katsuyama Basin, Fukui Prefecture Carried Out through the Microtremor Research Camp

Abstract: The eighth meeting of the Microtremor Research Camp (MRC) was held in Ohno City, Fukui Prefecture from September 30th to October 2nd in 2016, and MRC carried out microtremor measurements in the Katsuyama Basin, which is constituted by deposits of the Kuzuryu River. These measurements consist of microarray measurements at 25 sites and single-point measurements at 67 sites. This paper reports the outline of these measurements and presents the distribution of predominant frequencies in the basin obtained by the analysis of horizontal-to-vertical spectrum ratio at single-point measurement sites. As a result, the large differences in the distribution of predominant frequencies and peak spectral amplitudes between the Quaternary terrace deposits and alluvial deposits are clarified.

A new embedded image compression scheme using rate-distortion optimised block coding of wavelet coefficients

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a new embedded image compression scheme which uses rate-distortion optimised block coding (RDBC) of wavelet coefficients. Unlike conventional embedded compression schemes which use the set partition or block partition coding methods according to the magnitude of wavelet coefficients, the proposed scheme achieves rate-distortion optimisation by ordering wavelet coefficients or blocks according to their expected rate-distortion slopes. In addition, the proposed scheme uses a modified block partition method and new context models for the entropy coding. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme not only produces embedded bit-streams but also outperforms existing embedded compression schemes.