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Exploring factors affecting mobile government services adoption in the Egyptian context
Get PDFThis research intends to identify factors in the adoption of mobile government services, recognizing the main mobile government acceptance factors through different models, namely, the theory of reasoned action (TRA), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the technology acceptance model (TAM), the technology readiness index (TRI), and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). Reviewing prior studies on factors that influence mobile government acceptance in Egypt and addressing local challenges help in the development of effective strategies for successful implementation, considering opportunities and challenges in value-added services (VAS). Therefore, the main objectives of this paper are as follows: we critically review prior studies to identify the main mobile government acceptance factors, explore the identified dimensions of mobile government acceptance, and recognize further insights into the challenges that exist in the Egyptian context. Data are gathered through interviews with technology experts and customers with technological experience in Egypt. The findings of the study show that the factors affecting mobile government adoption in the Egyptian context are identified as follows: facilitating conditions, opportunities and challenges, technology and information systems, perceived usefulness, challenges like a lack of trust, cost, privacy, age, and several other obstacles. This research assists scholars and practitioners with insights into how to create and promote an application that is deemed attractive for the adoption of m-government services
Prevention before intervention: introducing mindfulness-based social-emotional learning in higher education institutions across the United Arab Emirates
Get PDFIn recent years, several studies have indicated that there is a considerable mismatch between the specific set of skills that employers require and the ones that university graduates have to offer. The 2023 report from the World Economic Forum lists 10 core skills that are sought after by global organizations, six of which are categorized under social-emotional learning. As part of its National Employment Strategy 2031, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to build a knowledge-based economy and increase labor productivity. This communicative piece proposes a policy reform across higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates, seizing as an opportunity the country’s growing commitment to increase talent attraction and retention in the rapidly evolving workplace. Seeing the significant association between social-emotional competencies and thriving in dynamic professional settings, the article highlights the prevalence of mental health disorders among the general youth in the UAE, the government’s commitment towards awareness and prevention of mental health disorders, the relevance of social-emotional competencies for employability and adaptability in the rapidly evolving workplace, the importance of introducing lessons and training in mindfulness-based social-emotional learning (MBSEL) to build the youth’s adaptability in an ever-changing job landscape, and practical measures that can be taken at the institutional level within the UAE context
In search of meaning via TikTok Tarot readings − an exploration of emerging conventions
No full textThis paper aims to present examples and discussion of content identified within an emerging social media trend – TikTok tarot readings − and to relate this to Seligman’s theory of well-being, specifically focusing on the concept of ‘meaning’ which other studies have directly connected to wellness especially physical health, reduced mortality risk, and higher life satisfaction. Seligman’s PERMA model is supported by various studies and is aligned with the current research through the axis of meaning or in the context here, the participant seeking meaning. “Meaning” or comprehension, offers benefits including feeling blessed and a chaironic form of happiness and is also considered an element of positive functioning. The researchers therefore propose to study spiritual guidance videos posted on TikTok. It will report on both the features they offer and the kinds of comments posted to propose potential conventions of this emerging wellness service category.
A previous paper (Buie and Blythe, 2013) exploring meditations offered across YouTube, upon which the methodology of this study is closely based, identified that individual meditation videos were receiving many millions of views justifying research into this substantial niche of well-being services. TikTok in comparison, is a younger technology and has alternative functions that permit greater engagements, especially across the mobile environment and can receive similar reach - for example, one post may receive almost 1 million interactions.
Literature further acknowledges spiritual guidance via social media as an emerging area of digital entrepreneurship, where technologies mediate access between spiritual counsellors and the faithful through the power of programmatic content. The outputs of the study are therefore expected to be of interest to those researching digital media marketing, the implications of programmatic algorithms and content distribution, as well as an emerging branch of global wellness entrepreneurs.
The connection to well-being theory, popularity of TikTok and spiritual guidance, novelty of this study (gap in literature), and relevance to the current trend of Web3/metaverse-based commerce are proposed as evidence justifying the need for this study
Niklas Taleb, Cell Project Space
No full textNiklas Taleb’s one-person show “Solo Yolo” featured photographic works of various sizes, mostly richly colored pigment prints along with a few digital C-prints, all housed in frames made by the artist himself. As is typical of the German artist’s work, the content of the photographs is ostensibly mundane. The images are nevertheless arresting, not because they transcend the quotidian nature of their subjects, but because the compositions seem to illuminate those subjects from within
Soil aggregate-driven changes in nutrient redistribution and microbial communities after 10-year organic fertilization
No full textResearch studies on nutrient content and microbial communities after the application of organic manure have been reported, while available information about multi-interaction mechanisms of nutrient stoichiometry and microbial succession in soil aggregates remains limited. This work conducted a 10-year field experiment amended with cow manure (1.5 t/ha), during which the application of organic manure stimulated the fragmentation of soil macro-aggregates (>5 mm) and the agglomeration of soil micro-aggregates (<0.25 mm). Hence, the proportion of medium-size aggregates (0.25–5 mm) was increased in bulk soil, and there was an insignificant difference in the stability of soil aggregates. Meanwhile, the application of organic manure increased soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP) in all soil aggregate fractions. SOC, TN and TP were higher in micro-aggregates (<0.25 mm) after the application of organic manure, thus the dominating phylum of bacteria and fungi was more abundance in micro-aggregates due to the increase in nutrient level. During the organic fertilization process, fungal communities significantly changed because the variation of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N) in soil aggregates. Cultivated farmland in Northeast China showed a considerable capacity to sequestrate SOC during the organic fertilization process, but nitrogen may be a primary macro-element limiting soil productivity. Theoretically, organic manure amended with nitrogen fertilizer could be an effective measure to maintain microbial diversity and crop productivity in agro-ecosystems in Northeast China
Pastorale I
No full text'Pastorale [pastoral]. A literary, dramatic or musical genre that depicts the characters and scenes of rural life or is expressive of its atmosphere.' (New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians)
This piece aims to critique and subvert the genre by contrasting lyricism with a more violently assertive element.
For clarinet in Bb/bass clarinet, violin, viola and piano.
First performance: Joseph Parry Hall, Aberystwyth University (Musicfest), 30 July 1999
Can adults learn absolute pitch? Evaluating the “Melody Triggers” method
No full textDespite over a century of research into absolute pitch (AP), musicians and scientists alike still cannot agree on what it is or how it develops. Some researchers maintain that it is innate, although there is little compelling evidence to support this. Many studies suggest that it can be fostered through early musical training.
Deutsch (2013) proposes that AP learning is subject to the same critical period as phonological development and is supported by the same neural mechanisms. However, evidence suggests that maturational constraints on phonology acquisition are considerably less rigid than those on syntax (Curtiss, 1977; Fattal et al., 2011; Friedmann & Rusou, 2015), and that in the presence of a native language adults can attain nativelike phonology under special conditions (Bongaerts, 1999; cf. Reetzke et al., 2018). As such, AP acquisition should likewise remain possible under this hypothesis. Yet a clear disparity remains in ultimate AP attainment between adults and children. This thesis therefore proposes an alternative account: the AP Fundamental Difference Hypothesis. According to this view, AP develops primarily through procedural memory in childhood, whereas adult acquisition relies more heavily on explicit memory. Although adults can proceduralise pitch associations that initially require conscious retrieval, what becomes proceduralised is typically less complete and is consolidated through less reliable processes, reflecting learner-specific strategies and goals. Importantly, this suggests that although adult learners can achieve very high levels of proficiency, attaining truly "native-like" AP is—if possible at all—extremely difficult and exceptionally rare. This perspective accounts for possessors who exhibit only partial AP, usually restricted to particular timbres or pitch ranges and often aided by motor memory (Ross, 2004; Ross et al., 2005). Rather than reflecting a fundamentally different capacity from "true AP," such cases represent lower proficiency across certain dimensions of the same ability. This interpretation is supported by findings suggesting a continuous distribution of AP performance in the population rather than discrete categories (Bermudez & Zatorre, 2009; Miyazaki et al., 2018).
Researchers have observed differences between AP possessors and non-possessors in brain anatomy, brain function, neural oscillations, and the timing of brain activity. However, it is unsurprising that these groups process pitch differently, and the anatomical differences are likely attributable to learning-induced neuroplasticity (Zatorre et al., 2012; Meyer et al., 2012). Three recent studies provide suggestive evidence that adults can learn AP (Bittrich et al., 2015; Van Hedger et al., 2019; Wong et al., 2020a). Moreover, findings that AP performance is influenced by recent experience suggest that its degree and quality are not rigidly fixed—even for "native" possessors (Bahr et al., 2005). Additionally, there is evidence that even adults without AP can demonstrate "implicit AP" through their ability to accurately sing the opening pitches of well-known songs (Levitin, 1994).
In light of this, the present study tests the hypothesis that adults can learn AP by training to associate pitch labels with "Melody Triggers" (Aruffo, 2007b). It also investigates two further hypotheses: (a) that identifying pitches within a musical listening task poses a different—and greater—challenge than identifying isolated pitches; and (b) that this dimension of AP can be trained. Finally, the study proposes a new multidimensional model of AP, informed by models from Bahr et al. (2005) and Takeuchi & Hulse (1993).
Data from an online survey and two experiments provide strong support for the study's hypotheses. The results endorse the efficacy of the "Melody Triggers" method and show that identifying pitches within musical contexts presents a greater—or at least different—challenge than standard pitch identification testing, yet one that can be overcome with training. These findings underscore the need for a more ecologically valid AP test and raise important questions about how existing findings based on standard pitch identification tests should be interpreted. The survey data also reveal that many musicians who exhibit AP limited to timbre—developed through extensive practice on a specific instrument—interpret their ability as a form of relative pitch rather than AP, suggesting that more musicians may possess a substantial degree of AP than is typically acknowledged
Five propositions on Richard Parry [Press release]
Get PDFPress Release for the artist Richard Parry's solo exhibition "Paintings: 2009-2022" at LEECH, London
Nutrient runoff loss from saline-alkali paddy fields in Songnen Plain of Northeast China via different runoff pathways: effects of nitrogen fertilizer types
No full textThe application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer aggravates the nutrient runoff loss from paddy, causing serious agricultural non-point source pollution, and leading to a serious decline in water quality. The global area of saline-alkali paddy has expanded, but the response of nutrient loss via runoff to N-fertilizer applications in saline-alkali paddy is still unclear. This study conducted a 147-day field experiment to evaluate the nutrient runoff loss from saline-alkali paddy with different N-fertilizer application strategies in Songnen Plain of Northeast China. Regardless of N-fertilizer types, the nutrient loss via rainfall runoff in the entire rice-growing season was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that via artificial drainage. The N and phosphorus (P) concentrations in runoff water were correlated with salinity and alkalinity. Especially, pH had a significant positive correlation with total-P (TP) (r = 0.658, p < 0.01). In the entire rice-growing season, the TN runoff losses in urea (U), microbial fertilizer (MF), and inorganic compound fertilizer (ICF) treatments were significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared with carbon-based slow-release fertilizer (CSF) and organic–inorganic compound fertilizer (OCF), respectively. Meanwhile, the TP runoff losses in OCF and ICF treatments were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than U and MF, respectively. Overall, the application of ICF is a better choice to avoid N and P losses via runoff from saline-alkali paddy fields
Explainable AI for colorectal lesion classification using deep learning models with attention mechanism
No full textIn the context of identifying colorectal lesions in colonoscopy images, previous AI models have predominantly focused on identifying abnormalities without providing comprehensible explanations for their predictions. To address this limitation, this paper introduces a novel framework that utilises two customised deep convolutional neural networks which we have developed, namely: ColoRecNet and Attention-BasedColoRecNet. These models aim to enhance human comprehension by providing interpretable explanations for their predictions. The framework also incorporates Grad-Cam, a visualisation technique, to highlight the distinctive features associated with each lesion class. The performance evaluation of the models on the testing set demonstrates that the Attention-BasedColoRecNet model surpasses the ColoRecNet model in terms of overall accuracy (95.67%), precision (96.02%), and recall (92.47%). Furthermore, the visual explanations generated by Grad-CAM heatmaps serve as additional validation, reinforcing that the Attention-BasedColoRecNet model possesses improved discriminative power and feature representations, resulting in superior classification performance