Human Experience Research Articles

Unveiling Hidden Meanings in the Lyrics of One Direction’s Story of My Life

This study delves into the hidden meanings in the lyrics of Story of My Life by One Direction, utilizing Ferdinand de Saussure’s semiotic framework, specifically the concepts of signifier and signified. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, the research examines the song’s lyrics as the primary data, complemented by secondary data from scholarly sources to provide additional insights. The analysis reveals themes of emotional vulnerability, resilience, and memory, articulated through symbolic and metaphorical expressions in the lyrics. Key findings highlight the interplay between individual emotions and universal human experiences, such as love, loss, and perseverance, making the song relatable to a broad audience. The study demonstrates how the lyrics transcend mere entertainment, offering profound reflections on personal and cultural narratives. By applying semiotics, this research underscores the significance of song lyrics as a form of literary and cultural expression. It also paves the way for future studies to explore similar frameworks in analyzing music and its impact on audiences.

Exploring the Experience of Existential Anxiety During the COVID-19 Isolation Period in a Small Sample of Young Kosovar Adults

International literature has documented the mental health impact of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on global communities. However, for this period, a significant lack of research exists on the human and psychological experiences of Albanian Kosovars. This study aimed to retrospectively explore a specific experience associated with the isolation period, that is, the Kosovar young adults’ experience of existential anxiety. The notion of isolation is significant for the Kosovars as their country is recently independent with some referencing its political isolation in the European context. The current study was conducted from March to June 2022; Stage 1 included a quantitative sampling of existential anxiety among 115 Albanian Kosovars through the Existential Anxiety Questionnaire (Weems et al., 2004). In Stage 2, five participants with high levels of existential anxiety partook in in-depth interviews. For the qualitative analysis, the Existential Phenomenological Research approach was adopted. Using Paul Tillich’s existential anxiety framework, results revealed that this study’s participants experienced great losses with the start of the lockdown as they were students who had to return to their families. It appears that a process of transformation occurred in light of the hardships that individuals experienced. Implications for mental health practitioners and researchers are offered.

Neuropsychology of sexuality in older adults: bridging gaps in literature and future directions in research.

Sexuality is a fundamental part of human existence and it encompasses thoughts, desires, behaviors, relationships, as well as neuropsychological and physiological components. However, sexuality in older adults is under-researched from the neuropsychological and psychophysiological perspectives and is often neglected by healthcare providers in the clinical practice. This article aims to explore the state of the art on the neuropsychology and psychophysiology of older adults' sexuality, proposing future research directions and emphasizing its significance. By summarizing current knowledge on the sexuality of younger individuals, it was possible to lay the groundwork for formulating research questions about older adults' sexuality. The implications proposed in this article will potentially impact both the scientific and also the clinical field. In fact, gaining insights on the neuropsychological and psychophysiological aspects of sexuality in healthy older adults can also shed light into those with neurocognitive disorders.

‘Journeys in the Dark’ - Towards Game Master AI in Complex Board Games

The Game Master is a player role synonymous with many tabletop games. The asymmetric gameplay of the role provides different opportunities compared to other players, and can be both cooperative and competitive with the other players in the same game. Though complex environments for exploring human and Artificial Intelligence collaboration exist, few focus on the Game Master role's semi-cooperative play. Here, we propose a new complex environment based on the board game `Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition)', as part of the Tabletop Games Framework, showcasing one-versus-many play, tactical combat, and large, dynamic action and state spaces. We include baseline AI player performance of Monte Carlo Tree Search agents in this game, finding them to be well-adept at considering multiple possible end-game conditions compared to the greedy One Step Look Ahead agents. In-depth analysis reveals interesting behaviours and Hero synergies, with the aim of informing the design of games and AI models to enhance human experience in semi-cooperative environments.

Determination of Metal Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) in Drinking Water from The Boring Well of Surbakti Village, Karo District by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry Method

Water is an essential requirement for human existence. In addition to traditional water usage, water is essential for enhancing the quality of human existence and facilitating industrial and technological endeavors. An investigation was conducted on the contents of Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn) in drinking water from drilled wells in Surbakti Village, Karo District, employing Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) techniques. Sampling occurred during weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and was subsequently digested with concentrated nitric acid until a volume of 15 mL was attained. The metal concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) using a calibration curve. The findings indicated a concentration of Cd at 0.0031 mg/L, Cu at 0.0470 mg/L, Fe at 0.2741 mg/L, and Zn at 0.2929 mg/L. In this instance, Cd produced a greater concentration of drinking water standards compared to Cu, Fe, and Zn. Nonetheless, it nonetheless met the drinking quality standards established by Regulation Minister of Health No. 492/Menkes/Per/VII/2010.

The Romantic Influencer: A Review of Social Media’s Impact on Relationship Satisfaction

Social media is a significant part of the modern human experience. It infiltrates every part of life. There is great value in understanding the nature of social media in every sphere of its influence, especially the romantic relationship. The general public has long been concerned over the suspected harmful impact of social media in relationships. This literature review synthesizes studies over the past decade on the relationship between social media usage and romantic relationship satisfaction. While many problematic outcomes have been found for romantic partners due to social media, other studies have shown positive effects. Most of these social media behaviors foster unintentional consequences, whether positive or negative. A few examples of negative social media influences include increased partner suspicion, conflict, and pressure. Ultimately, these produce lower levels of satisfaction. Benefits from social media’s inclusion in the life of a couple, such as easier communication and common interest building, were found to positively impact satisfaction. Additionally, this review interacts with unique studies on the impact of intentional social media abuses, including addiction and unfaithfulness. The overarching theme is the circular causality of romantic satisfaction. There are many interacting factors involved in social media’s use and the way it is perceived among partners. These must be studied in greater depth to truly capture social media’s pull in romantic relationships. In review of the literature, specific considerations toward sampling and measurement are noted. Opportunities for further research include employing new research methods and focusing on the impact of social media on the family system. These findings have the potential to improve the quality of therapy among professionals who work with couples. Public agencies can use such information to improve education and implement preventative measures in the social media arena. In this review, social media is referred to as SM for the sake of brevity.

Pentecostal voices and discourse perspectives to LGBTQ+ narratives in Nigeria

ABSTRACT The conformist and dissenting religious voices with various social classificatory paradigms on LGBTQ+ issues have further complicated the association between the West and others in sub-Saharan Africa. Religious leaders from the West and those of African extraction seem to already hold divergent opinions on the issue. This paper investigates Pentecostal voices and discourse perspectives of selected foremost pastors on LGBTQ+ narratives within the Nigerian space. Data were retrieved from the online versions of three widely circulated newspapers: Vanguard, The Nation, and Daily Post, focusing on the represented stances and voices of four Nigerian pastors with the largest membership within and outside the Nigerian space. The study employed a systematic approach to collect and analyse news reports, considering factors such as the pastors’ stances, sentiments conveyed, and engagement with LGBTQ-related topics. Nigerian Pentecostal pastors align their stances with foundational religious principles and embrace belief systems that shape human existence. Pentecostal pastors’ rhetoric condemns LGBTQ identities and relationships, framing them as a threat to traditional values, natural order and God’s will, which are perceived as being undermined by modern, Western influences.

Proxies and partial connections in an anthropologist's archive.

This article examines the role of primary ethnographic materials - of field notes, letters and photographs - and even of the shelves and bookcases - in building accounts of the human condition. We trace the lives of incomplete and not-yet-found manuscripts, which have been treated as representative of whole archives, as well as closely held convictions and ideas in the history of anthropology. In so doing, we employ the notion of a 'proxy', or a set of signs and images which point the audience in particular directions, without determining their overall destination. Our research is based on a few episodes from the histories of paper and digital copies of manuscripts and photographs of the anthropological couple Sergei and Elizabeth Shirokogoroff, who conducted ethnographic, linguistic and some archaeological research, first on the borderlands between China and Russia, and then later within China. We aim to show the complexity and social and intellectual vibrancy of their ethnographic field archives, which have been scattered across countries, institutions and personal collections. We conclude by suggesting that engaging anthropologically with field archives enables us to approach existing perspectives on archives in a new way, viewing them not as containers of catalogued information, but as entanglements reflecting social relations in local communities, the trajectories of ethnographers, and the aspirations of scholars asking questions today.

VEGFC Overexpression in Kidney Progenitor Cells Is a Model of Renal Lymphangiectasia.

Lymphangiogenesis is believed to be a protective response in the setting of multiple forms of kidney injury and mitigates the progression of interstitial fibrosis. To augment this protective response, promoting kidney lymphangiogenesis is being investigated as a potential treatment to slow the progression of kidney disease. As injury-related lymphangiogenesis is driven by signaling from the receptor VEGFR3 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3) in response to the cognate growth factor VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-C released by tubular epithelial cells, this signaling pathway is a candidate for future kidney therapeutics. However, the consequences to kidney development and function to targeting this signaling pathway remain poorly defined. We generated a new mouse model expressing Vegfc under regulation of the nephron progenitor Six2Cre driver strain (Six2Vegfc). Mice underwent a detailed phenotypic evaluation. Whole kidneys were processed for histology and 3-dimensional imaging. Six2Vegfc mice had reduced body weight and kidney function compared with littermate controls. Six2Vegfc kidneys demonstrated large peripelvic fluid-filled lesions with distortion of the pelvicalcyceal system which progressed in severity with age. Three-dimensional imaging showed a 3-fold increase in total cortical vascular density. Histology confirmed a substantial increase in LYVE1+ (lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1)/PDPN+ (podoplanin)/VEGFR3+ lymphatic capillaries extending alongside EMCN+ (endomucin) peritubular capillaries. There was no change in EMCN+ peritubular capillary density. Kidney lymphatic density was robustly increased in the Six2Vegfc mice. There were no changes in peritubular blood capillary density despite these endothelial cells also expressing VEGFR3. The model resulted in malformation of the lymphatic hilar plexus, resulting in severe hydronephrosis that resembled a human condition termed renal lymphangiectasia. This study defines the vascular consequences of augmenting VEGFC signaling during kidney development and provides new insight into human renal lymphatic malformations.

Skinny fat model of metabolic syndrome induced by a high-salt/sucrose diet in young male rats.

Childhood and puberty can affect metabolism, leading to tissue injury and malfunction later in life. The consumption of high-processed foods rich in salt and sugar is increasing in middle- and high-income countries, especially among young people. It is necessary to evaluate the effects of high salt and sugar levels in the youth on most injured organs during metabolic challenges. We aimed to investigate whether high salt/sucrose intake affects whole-body development and leads to end-organ injury. Weaned Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: a control group fed a standard diet (CO) and tap water, and an experimental group (SS) fed a standard diet and a beverage containing 1.8% NaCl and 20% sucrose instead of tap water. The animals were treated for 60 days, starting after weaning at 21 days of age, after which the animals were subjected to glucose and insulin tolerance tests, urine collection, and heart rate monitoring, and euthanized for sample collection at 81 days of age. SS showed reduced body weight gain and increased food intake of sodium/sucrose solution. Interestingly, high salt/sucrose intake led to increased body adiposity, liver lipid inclusion, heart rate, and renal dysfunction. SS exhibits increased levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha to counterbalance the hypertrophy of brown adipose tissue. Our findings reveal that the SS rat model exhibits non-obvious obesity with end-organ damage and preserved brown adipose tissue function. This model closely parallels human conditions with normal BMI but elevated visceral adiposity, providing a relevant tool for studying atypical metabolic disorders.

Spatiotemporal integration of contextual and sensory information within the cortical hierarchy in human pain experience.

Pain is not a mere reflection of noxious input. Rather, it is constructed through the dynamic integration of current predictions with incoming sensory input. However, the temporal dynamics of the behavioral and neural processes underpinning this integration remain elusive. In the current study involving 59 human participants, we identified a series of brain mediators that integrated cue-induced expectations with noxious inputs into ongoing pain predictions using a semicircular scale designed to capture rating trajectories. Temporal mediation analysis revealed that during the early-to-mid stages of integration, the frontoparietal and dorsal attention network regions, such as the lateral prefrontal, premotor, and parietal cortex, mediated the cue effects. Conversely, during the mid-to-late stages of integration, the somatomotor network regions mediated the effects of stimulus intensity, suggesting that the integration occurs along the cortical hierarchy from the association to sensorimotor brain systems. Our findings advance the understanding of how the brain integrates contextual and sensory information into pain experience over time.

Human in Loop Machine Learning: A Paradigm Shift

This paper explores the transformative concept of Human-in-Loop (HIL) Machine Learning, which integrates human expertise into the machine learning process to enhance data quality, model accuracy, and ethical decision-making. Human interaction is added to traditional machine learning steps such data collection, preprocessing, model training, evaluation, and deployment through continuous feedback loops, data annotation, and model change. This integration makes use of human intuition and experience to enhance algorithm performance and model interpretability, hence mitigating the drawbacks of entirely automated approaches. HIL Machine Learning allows AI systems to adjust to changing obstacles and makes more accurate forecasts by promoting human-machine interaction. This study emphasizes HIL Machine Learning as a reliable method for successfully handling dynamic, complicated problems across a range of areas.

In Vivo Efficacy of a Nanoconjugated Glycopeptide Antibiotic in Silkworm Larvae Infected by Staphylococcus aureus

To contrast the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, new alternative therapeutic options are urgently needed. The use of nanoparticles as carriers for clinically relevant antibiotics represents a promising solution to potentiate their efficacy. In this study, we used Bombyx mori larvae for the first time as an animal model for testing a nanoconjugated glycopeptide antibiotic (teicoplanin) against Staphylococcus aureus infection. B. mori larvae might thus replace the use of mammalian models for preclinical tests, in agreement with the European Parliament Directive 2010/63/EU. The curative effect of teicoplanin (a last resort antibiotic against Gram-positive bacterial pathogens) conjugated to iron oxide nanoparticles was assessed by monitoring the survival rate of the larvae and some immunological markers (i.e., hemocyte viability, phenoloxidase system activation, and lysozyme activity). Human physiological conditions of infection were reproduced by performing the experiments at 37 °C. In this condition, nanoconjugated teicoplanin cured the bacterial infection at the same antibiotic concentration of the free counterpart, blocking the insect immune response without causing mortality of silkworm larvae. These results demonstrate the value and robustness of the silkworm as an infection model for testing the in vivo efficacy of nanoconjugated antimicrobial molecules.

An Assessment Study on Consumer Knowledge and Purchasing Behavior Regarding Food Safety

Economic and technological developments affect consumers’ purchasing behaviors along with their lifestyles. Understanding consumer characteristics and purchasing behaviors is of great importance for companies in determining target markets and preparing marketing programs. The aim of this study is to determine consumers’ level of knowledge about food safety and their purchasing behavior regarding food products. For this purpose, a face-to-face survey was conducted with 400 consumers selected using the Simple Random Probability Sampling method. About 76% of the consumers participating in the study have heard of the concept of food safety. It was found that consumers primarily consider health safety, the expiry date, and the cleanliness of the place of purchase when buying food products. They prefer the products they consume to be fresh and mostly shop at supermarkets and hypermarkets. It was also determined that 53.8% of consumers pay partial attention to human health conditions in the places where food is produced, and 69% are willing to pay more for packaged foods. The level of food safety knowledge among consumers will provide important feedback for food producers and policymakers, guiding the creation of more effective and safer food systems that address consumer needs.

Pharmacological Innovations in Space: Challenges and Future Perspectives.

Since the first human experience in space, the interest in space research and medicine to explore universe is growing day by day. The extreme space conditions mainly radiation and microgravity effects on human physiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, and efficacy, safety, and stability of drugs. Therefore, the aim of this review is to address the impact of extreme space conditions, mainly microgravity and radiation, on human physiology and highlights the need for future approaches by evaluating the effectiveness of strategies to prevent or mitigate health problems. Published papers and NASA technical documents were searched in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases using the keywords ''antimicrobial susceptibility or drug resistance or drug stability or innovations or pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamics'' and ''radiation or microgravity or space environments or space medicine or space pharmacy'' to prepare this review. In this review, the challenges regarding physiological effects and drug-related problems are examined through the evaluation of extreme conditions in space. Medications used in spaceflight are summarized, and the role of pharmacists specializing in space medicine is briefly explained. Last but not least, to overcome the aforementioned issues, novel approaches have been addressed, such as personalised treatments, development of space-resistant formulations and various microbial applications. Further research in the space medicine is required to facilitate the safe and healthy travel of humans to the Moon, Mars and other extraterrestrial destinations. One bear in mind that space research will contribute not only to the exploration of the universe, but also to the advancement of health and technological discoveries on Earth.

Flow, Stagnation, and Renewal: Understanding the Symbolic Dimensions of Water in Anuradha Roy’s ‘An Atlas of Impossible Longing’

Water is one of nature's gifts to the earth, carrying a multitude of meanings and interpretations based on its context. Water in literature is studied from a variety of theoretical perspectives due to its rich symbolism and different narrative roles. This paper aims to explore Indian writer Anuradha Roy’s novel, "An Atlas of Impossible Longing," through Gaston Bachelad’s water symbolism theory and investigates how numerous types of water bodies, including rivers, ponds, and rain, each with its own meanings and thematic importance, with the river playing a central part in the novel. This study explores the symbolism of water through three key themes: "Flow and Transformation," "Stagnation and Reflection," and "Renewal and Destruction." It examines how water functions as both a healing and destructive force in human life. Using a qualitative approach, the study combines textual analysis with theoretical interpretation based on Gaston Bachelard’s symbolism theory from Water and Dreams: An Essay on the Imagination of Matter. Through a close reading of the novel, it highlights how water serves as a metaphorical device, reflecting characters’ emotional states, personal growth, and existential challenges. This research stands out by providing a comprehensive analysis of how Anuradha Roy integrates water symbolism in contemporary Indian Literature through her narrative structure and highlights its multidimensional role in the story. The novelty lies in its comparative analysis of Roy’s water imagery with broader literary traditions, creating new insights into how water symbolism functions both as an ecological signifier and a transformative metaphor in the human experience.

What It Means to Be Human: A Response to Harzheim.

This response engages critically with Harzheim's review of Thomas Fuchs' In Defense of the Human Being: Foundational Questions of an Embodied Anthropology. Fuchs' work offers a profound exploration of embodied cognition, arguing that human cognition and existence are deeply shaped by our physical interactions. Harzheim's critique highlights significant aspects of Fuchs' framework, including his critique of functionalist models, the impact of transhumanist technologies, and ethical concerns in healthcare technology. This paper extends Harzheim's review by proposing an integration of functionalist and embodied cognitive models, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive evaluation of technological impacts, and advocating for a more robust ethical framework that considers social equity. Additionally, it addresses the is-ought distinction and explores the implications of technological advancements on human identity and mental health. Doede's critique is also discussed, underscoring the importance of integrating diverse cognitive models and addressing technological determinism. Overall, this response calls for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to the discourse on embodied cognition, aiming to enrich the scholarly conversation and address the complexities and implications of Fuchs' analysis.

Exploring the Metaphorical Use of TEMPERATURE Domain in Character Descriptions in Susan Cooper’s The Dark Is Rising Sequence: A Cognitive Linguistic Approach

This study investigates the metaphorical use of the TEMPERATURE domain in character descriptions within Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising series, adopting the framework of Conceptual Metaphor Theory. Despite extensive scholarly attention to the series from literary and cultural studies perspectives, there is a notable gap in cognitive linguistic analysis. Concerning the TEMPERATURE domain, though it is essential to human experience and metaphorically rich in daily thought and language, there has been limited research on the role of this domain in literary discourse. To fill these research gaps, this study adopted the mixed-methods approach, combining (1) content analysis to examine the relationship between the TEMPERATURE domain, specifically WARMTH and COLDNESS domains, and character types and (2) thematic analysis to explore how these domains describe good and evil characters throughout the series. The findings reveal that both WARMTH and COLDNESS domains are used to describe good and evil characters, with no distinctive domain exclusive to each character type. This challenges the conventional association of warmth with goodness and coldness with evil. Such complexity can be attributed to the deceitful nature of evil characters and the emotional detachment of virtuous characters for the greater good, as demonstrated in the novel series. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the creative use of temperature-related metaphors in literature, offering insights into their role in character construction and thematic development.

MAGICAL REALISM ELEMENTS IN DIANNA WYNNE JONES’ NOVEL HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE

This study offers an in-depth analysis of the elements of magical realism in Diana Wynne Jones' novel Howl's Moving Castle. The research focuses on specific instances of magical realism, examining their impact on character development, relationships, and personal growth throughout the narrative. Using Wendy B. Faris' theoretical framework of magical realism, this study aims to reveal how fantastical elements shape character interactions and influence readers’ perceptions of the genre’s unique attributes. A qualitative descriptive method is employed to identify three core elements of magical realism within Howl's Moving Castle: the irreducible element, the phenomenal world, and the disruption of time, space, and identity. These components are shown to significantly impact character dynamics and personal transformations, highlighting how magical realism blends reality with myth to explore complex human experiences and social themes. The findings provide valuable insights into the narrative techniques and thematic depth of the genre, enriching the understanding of magical realism’s role in literature.

From Superdiversity to Social Difference: A Critique of Vertovec’s Paradigm Shift

Due to Vertovec’s standing as a celebrated social theorist and his influence, we wish to discuss his condensation of sociology's most crucial concepts to make a convenient model of "the social organization of difference." Having performed a close reading of Vertovec's works, from the era in which he touted "super-diversity" up to his phrasing of "difference," we have concerns that his body of work leaves out the collective experiences of the "Global South," perhaps unintentionally. In charting this so-called difference, Vertovec limits his scope of discourse to the boundaries of his knowledge. Yet, he is optimistic about positing this model as a one-size-fits-all approach, encompassing the entire human experience. We use examples from the Global South, focusing on the postcolonial societies of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, to illustrate the gaps in Vertovec's approach. We do not wish to debunk Vertovec's ideas entirely; we merely want to signpost the existence of other "different" experiences. Thus, we apply the theories of Southeast Asian scholars to extend this scope of discourse—everyday-defined realities, the social organization of difference, and sociological theory.