Initial Perception Research Articles

How Economically-Marginalized Adolescents of Color Negotiate Critical Pedagogy in a Computing Classroom

Background & Context: With the growing movement to adopt critical framings of computing, scholars have worked to reframe computing education from the narrow development of programming skills to skills in identifying and resisting oppressive structures in computing. However, we have little guidance on how these framings may manifest in classroom practice. Objectives: To better understand the processes and practice of critical pedagogy in a computing classrooms, we taught a critically conscious computing elective within a summer academic program at a northwest United States university targeted at secondary students (ages 14-18) from low-income backgrounds and would be the first in their families to pursue a postsecondary education (i.e. first-generation). We investigated: (1) our participants’ initial perceptions of and attitudes toward the benefits and perils of computing, and (2) potential tensions that might emerge when secondary students negotiate the integration of critical pedagogy in a computing classroom. Methods: We qualitatively coded participant work from a critically conscious computing course within a summer academic program in the United States focused on students from low-income backgrounds or would be the first in their family to pursue a post-secondary education. Findings: Our participants’ initial attitudes towards technology were mostly positive, but exhibited an awareness of its negative impacts on their lives and society. Throughout the course, while participants demonstrated a rich social consciousness around technology, they faced challenges in addressing hegemonic values embedded in their programs, designs, and other classwork. Implications: Our findings revealed tensions between our participants’ computing attitudes, knowledge, self-efficacy, and social consciousness, suggesting pathways for scaffolding the critical examination of technology in secondary education. This study provides insights into the pedagogical content knowledge necessary for critical computing education.

Resume Optimization Model Using Machine Learning Techniques

In the contemporary job market, where competition is fierce and employers are inundated with an ever-growing pool of resumes, the need for effective resume optimization has become paramount. Resumes serve as the first point of contact between job seekers and potential employers, playing a pivotal role in shaping initial perceptions. However, the traditional approach to resume crafting often lacks a systematic and data-driven methodology. A well-crafted resume plays a crucial role in securing employment opportunities. However, crafting an effective resume that resonates with both human recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can be a daunting task. By employing natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms Multinomidal Naïve Bayes (MNB) and K Nearest Neighbour (KNN), this system extracts relevant features from resumes, such as keyword relevance, formatting styles, content organization, and overall readability. Through supervised learning models trained on a diverse dataset of resumes, the system can predict the effectiveness of a resume and generate actionable insights. Overall, the KNN model demonstrated effectiveness in automating the resume screening process, of 87% accuracy. The developed system not only provides accurate predictions but also offers interpretable explanations, enabling users to understand the factors contributing to the model's decisions. The system has the potential to benefit both job seekers and employers by facilitating better matches between candidates' qualifications and job requirements.

Developing Independent Living Support for Older Adults Using Internet of Things and AI-Based Systems: Co-Design Study.

The number of older people with unmet health care and support needs is increasing substantially due to the challenges facing health care systems worldwide. There are potentially great benefits to using the Internet of Things coupled with artificial intelligence to support independent living and the measurement of health risks, thus improving quality of life for the older adult population. Taking a co-design approach has the potential to ensure that these technological solutions are developed to address specific user needs and requirements. The aim of this study was to investigate stakeholders' perceptions of independent living and technology solutions, identify stakeholders' suggestions on how technology could assist older adults to live independently, and explore the acceptability and usefulness of a prototype Internet of Things solution called the NEX system to support independent living for an older adult population. The development of the NEX system was carried out in 3 key phases with a strong focus on diverse stakeholder involvement. The initial predesign exploratory phase recruited 17 stakeholders, including older adults and family caregivers, using fictitious personas and scenarios to explore initial perceptions of independent living and technology solutions. The subsequent co-design and testing phase expanded this to include a comprehensive web-based survey completed by 380 stakeholders, encompassing older adults, family caregivers, health care professionals, and home care support staff. This phase also included prototype testing at home by 7 older adults to assess technology needs, requirements, and the initial acceptability of the system. Finally, in the postdesign phase, workshops were held between academic and industry partners to analyze data collected from the earlier stages and to discuss recommendations for the future development of the system. The predesign phase revealed 3 broad themes: loneliness and technology, aging and technology, and adopting and using technology. The co-design phase highlighted key areas where technology could assist older adults to live independently: home security, falls and loneliness, remote monitoring by family members, and communication with clients. Prototype testing revealed that the acceptability aspects of the prototype varied across technology types. Ambient sensors and voice-activated assistants were described as the most acceptable technology by participants. Last, the postdesign analysis process highlighted that ambient sensors have the potential for automatic detection of activities of daily living, resulting in key recommendations for future developments and deployments in this area. This study demonstrates the significance of incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives in developing solutions that support independent living. Additionally, it emphasizes the advantages of prototype testing in home environments, offering crucial insights into the real-world experiences of users interacting with technological solutions.

Preparing for the Implementation of Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Within the Brazilian Public Health System (ImPrEP CAB Brasil): Qualitative Study.

Although long-acting, injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven efficacious for HIV prevention in clinical trials, research is needed to guide effective implementation in real-world settings. Formative work with community members and health care providers (HCPs) is important to provide insight into the needs and contexts of specific populations and reveal potential barriers and facilitators for implementation projects. We aimed to describe the results from formative work to develop an implementation package for CAB-LA PrEP within the ImPrEP CAB Brasil study. ImPrEP CAB Brasil is an implementation study of same-day delivery of CAB-LA PrEP for young sexual and gender minority (SGM) groups (aged 18-30 years) in 6 existing oral PrEP public health clinics. We conducted formative research to prepare for the implementation of ImPrEP CAB Brasil through community mobilization, process mapping with HCPs with experience in CAB-LA, and focus group discussions (FGDs) with young SGM groups (n=92) and HCPs (n=20) to identify initial perceptions of facilitators and barriers for CAB-LA PrEP implementation, refine the mobile health (mHealth) educational tool, and evaluate the acceptability of using a text message appointment reminder intervention through WhatsApp. FGDs were recorded, transcribed, systematically coded, and analyzed with thematic categorization by trained researchers using a qualitative data analysis program ATLAS.ti (version 7). A community mobilization team comprising 34 SGM community leaders collaborated in creating a prototype for an mHealth educational tool and contributed to the planning of peer education activities. We created 3 process maps for each site to describe the initial visit, follow-up visits, and laboratory flow. The main challenge identified for same-day CAB-LA PrEP delivery was the extended duration of clinic visits due to the numerous laboratory tests and HIV counseling steps required. Proposed solutions included having point-of-care HIV rapid tests instead of laboratory tests and additional counseling staff. Barriers for CAB-LA PrEP implementation identified through FGDs were the training of HCPs, support for adherence to injection appointments, and stigma or discrimination against SGM groups and persons using PrEP. The mHealth educational tool and WhatsApp reminders were highly acceptable by SGM groups and HCPs, indicating their potential to support PrEP choice and adherence. Content analysis on the cultural appropriateness of the language and overall clarity of the material contributed to the refinement of the mHealth tool. Structured formative work with SGM persons and HCPs generated important refinements to context-specific materials and plans to launch ImPrEP CAB Brasil in public health clinics. Ongoing implementation monitoring will use the process maps to identify additional barriers and potential solutions to same-day delivery of CAB-LA PrEP. Summative evaluations are needed to measure the effectiveness of the mHealth educational tool to support PrEP choice and the use of WhatsApp appointment reminders.

Exploring user adaptation behaviors toward mobile technology: a higher education perspective

PurposeGrounded in coping model of user adaptation (CMUA), this research aims to provide insights into understanding the social mechanism influencing faculty’s adoption and adaptation of mobile technology (MT). An extensive review of the literature highlights a significant gap in empirical research regarding the adoption of MT and faculty adaptation when viewed through the lens of group dynamics.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on an exploratory study conducted at two engineering universities in France. A qualitative method enabled a comprehensive examination of faculty members using multiple field-based observations and semi-directive interviews at both University A and University B.FindingsWhile extant research tends to prioritize individual-level approaches, the integration of MT within higher education inherently involves social dynamics. Our results reveal that faculty’s perceived control and their initial perception over adoption of MT play an important role in shaping their adaptation behavior. The findings suggest that the adoption of MT among faculty members is influenced by various organizational factors. Specifically, the organizational logic of adoption affects their primary appraisal of MT, while group norms and social influence shape their adaptation acts. Furthermore, the organization’s continuous commitment to supporting faculty members also impacts their coping activities, ultimately influencing their overall adoption and utilization of MT.Originality/valueThis study builds upon the limited yet growing body of literature on a theme highly relevant for practitioners, scholars as well as MT users in a higher education environment. The paper extends the CMUA by exploring the relationship between MT adoption and continuous user adaptation at both group and organizational levels. Our proposed framework assists universities in articulating their MT adoption and implementation strategy in harmony with a clear vision of their users’ adaptation activities before, during and after the implementation.

Active learning strategies in entrepreneurship. Perceptions and experiences of students at a Mexican University

The intention of the educational research was to explore the expressions of students after experiencing various active learning strategies to enhance entrepreneurship. In 2023, an educational research project was conducted at a public Mexican university with three groups and two teachers. At the beginning of the course, the students' initial perceptions of the strategies were obtained. Subsequently, during the teaching-learning period, these strategies were guided by the teaching team. At the end of the course, the same students were asked to narrate their experiences with these strategies, and a thematic content analysis of the written narratives was conducted. The results indicate that the students' expressions were mostly positive and encouraging, especially in the early stages, though they declined slightly by the end, with nearly nine out of ten students expressing the intention to start a business someday. Learning through projects, conducting laboratory practices, receiving feedback-mentorship and counseling, attending conferences and visiting companies, and presenting business plans were the strategies perceived as most successful. Meanwhile, collaborating among peers and with teachers from various disciplines was less well received, yet still above 80% in the final evaluation. The students expressed the need for teacher support and solid institutional organization. The findings suggest improvements for teaching entrepreneurship at the university level through active learning, highlighting the challenges of entrepreneurial education.

Exploring Sustainability and Efficiency Improvements in Healthcare: A Qualitative Study

The integration of Green Lean Six Sigma (GLSS) within healthcare systems presents an opportunity to improve operational efficiency, environmental sustainability, and the quality of patient care. This study examines healthcare professionals’ initial perceptions of GLSS adoption in their work environments, especially in the context of Industry 4.0, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic constraints. Through semi-structured interviews with healthcare workers and academics, the study reveals a cautious yet optimistic outlook. Participants recognize the potential for significant efficiency gains and waste reduction but also voice concerns about resource limitations and the need for comprehensive training. These preliminary findings provide important insights into the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing GLSS in healthcare, laying a foundation for future research and practical applications aimed at enhancing hospital operations through sustainable practices.

Perceptions and Effectiveness of a Fully-Automated Brief Behavioral Insomnia Therapy, Delivered by a Virtual Companion, in Older and Young Adults

Abstract Background and Objectives One of the most common sleep disturbances in older people is insomnia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the first-line treatment for this condition in older adults, but in-person treatment is costly and often unavailable. In this study, in a group of older and young subjects, we aimed to compare: (1) their initial perceptions of a fully-automated mobile health intervention to manage insomnia, (2) how these perceptions related to treatment completion, and (3) the effects of the intervention on insomnia severity and related outcomes. Research Design and Methods A case series study was conducted with a self-selected sample of older (> 65 years) and young (18-35 years) adults (n=5,660) who downloaded a free app, available in France, that delivers a brief behavioral intervention for insomnia aided by a virtual companion. The 17-day intervention included sleep hygiene and stimulus control recommendations. Primary outcome was treatment completion (yes/no). At the beginning of the intervention, treatment acceptability and trust in the virtual companion were assessed with two short questionnaires (completion rate: 1,597 users). Insomnia was evaluated with the Insomnia Severity Index. Results Logistic regression analyses showed that higher credibility and trust in the app’s virtual companion were associated with higher odds of treatment completion, but only in older adults (Trust scores x Age group: OR=1.12, [95%CI=1.01-1.25], p < .05, and Credibility scores x Age group: OR=1.25, [95%CI=1.06-1.47], p < .01). Within the subset of users who completed the intervention (n=289), insomnia remission (χ2=2.72, NS) and insomnia response rates (χ2=2.34, NS) were comparable across both groups. Discussion and Implications This brief behavioral intervention appears to be efficacious for the self-management of insomnia symptoms in older adults. The integration of persuasive interaction elements, such as avatars and virtual coaches, in fully-automated interventions could be particularly useful to stimulate older adults’ engagement.

Relationship between consumer acceptance, sensory characteristics, and physicochemical characteristics of "Fuji" apples from different origins.

This study examines the acceptance of young Chinese consumers for different "Fuji" apples, focusing on their sensory characteristics and physicochemical foundations. The sensory attributes of the samples were evaluated using a combination of static descriptive analysis (DA) and temporal check-all-that-apply fading (TCATA-fading) methods. Furthermore, the volatile compounds, soluble sugars, organic acids, and textural parameters of the samples were analyzed. The findings revealed that participants favored apples that were perceived as "sweet," "crunchy," "juicy," and "aromatic." The results from the DA indicated that certain sensory attributes, such as "sweet," "vanilla," "honey," and "pear" positively influenced acceptance, while attributes like "sour," "hard," and "grass" had a negative impact. The findings from both the DA and TCATA-fading methods were consistent with each other. In terms of dynamic evaluation, sweetness, and sourness were the initial perceptions, followed by a range of other flavors. Notably, our data suggested that sweetness perception could be enhanced by attributes such as "honey" and "banana." Additionally, the sugar-acid ratio and specific volatile compounds, including hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, β-damascenone, butyl acetate, and propyl 2-methylbutyrate, were found to influence the perception of sweetness in apples. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study helps to understand the effect of different origins on the acceptance of "Fuji" apples and to know the sensory and material basis for the emergence of such differences. It is beneficial for growers and marketers to improve 'Fuji' apples.

A Research Plan for Pupils’ Global Understanding about Educational Inequality in the UK

This paper delves into the UK primary school pupils' initial perceptions of global educational inequality. It aims to assess their comprehension of 'education,' 'inequality,' and 'educational inequality,' and to determine their ability to identify educational resources, which are key to addressing the unfair distribution of educational opportunities highlighted by Banzragch et al. (2019). The study seeks to uncover the pupils' awareness of these concepts, which is crucial for understanding their views on educational disparities.

Design and Development of Mobile Based Application for Competency Oriented Dental Education

Abstract Background: Teaching, Learning and Asssessment in Competency Based Dental Education need to be digitally captured in an user friendly manner which can be accessed by students and mentor which would be useful for continuous monitoring, periodic assessment and maintenance of a digital record. Methods: A novel customised mobile based application MSCORE© developed for competency oriented dental training among undergraduate interns of an institute. Initial perception on the use of the application was recorded using a questionnaire from the entire batch of interns. Factor Analysis was done to check the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Results: From the 30-item questionnaire, factor analysis extracted four aforementioned factors and reliability was found for 22 questions. Sixty-three percent of students felt that the application is easy to learn. Overall high scores were recorded for 71% of the students. Eighty-five percent of the students scored high on the suitability of the task. Seventy three scored the high on the satisfaction scale. However, advantages over existing written methods scored high only among 49% of the students. Conclusions: Mobile application-based mentoring, monitoring and assessment can be a better alternative to conventional models as it was found to demonstrate good perception by the digital natives of the present generation.

Reconstructing Spatiotemporal Trajectories of Visual Object Memories in the Human Brain.

How the human brain reconstructs, step-by-step, the core elements of past experiences is still unclear. Here, we map the spatiotemporal trajectories along which visual object memories are reconstructed during associative recall. Specifically, we inquire whether retrieval reinstates feature representations in a copy-like but reversed direction with respect to the initial perceptual experience, or alternatively, this reconstruction involves format transformations and regions beyond initial perception. Participants from two cohorts studied new associations between verbs and randomly paired object images, and subsequently recalled the objects when presented with the corresponding verb cue. We first analyze multivariate fMRI patterns to map where in the brain high- and low-level object features can be decoded during perception and retrieval, showing that retrieval is dominated by conceptual features, represented in comparatively late visual and parietal areas. A separately acquired EEG dataset is then used to track the temporal evolution of the reactivated patterns using similarity-based EEG-fMRI fusion. This fusion suggests that memory reconstruction proceeds from anterior frontotemporal to posterior occipital and parietal regions, in line with a conceptual-to-perceptual gradient but only partly following the same trajectories as during perception. Specifically, a linear regression statistically confirms that the sequential activation of ventral visual stream regions is reversed between image perception and retrieval. The fusion analysis also suggests an information relay to frontoparietal areas late during retrieval. Together, the results shed light onto the temporal dynamics of memory recall and the transformations that the information undergoes between the initial experience and its later reconstruction from memory.

Beyond Convenience: Exploring the Hidden Impact of Algorithmic Pricing on Consumer Trust and Loyalty in Chinese Online Travel Agencies

ABSTRACTThe emergence of online travel agencies (OTAs) provides travelers with “one‐stop” convenience, but also faces issues of price discrimination. This mixed‐methods study began with semi‐structured interviews of 30 participants to explore initial perceptions, followed by a survey of 307 Chinese consumers. The study examined attitudes toward OTA overreliance on algorithmic pricing and unclear information, and their impact on trust and loyalty. Findings reveal that during peak seasons, regular customers without value‐added membership services paid higher room rates than new customers. The results indicate that once trust is established through clear information quality and reliable service, consumers are less wary of pricing quotes. The conclusion summarizes the findings and suggests further research to promote transparent and fair pricing practices, enhancing consumer trust and loyalty.

Creatividad percibida en problemas insight por alumnado de secundaria: Efectos de algunas variables del problema y del sujeto resolutor

Objective: The study analyzes secondary school students’ perceptions of creativity in insight problems. Methodology. An empirical study was conducted with a total of 127 Spanish students from 8th grade and 11th grade. The students evaluated the creativity involved in the problems before and after attempting to solve them. These evaluations were related to grade, gender, surface, and structural aspects of the problems. Everyday life and science contexts were considered as problem surfaces. The structural aspects of the problems were associated with the specific strategy needed to solve them, such as chunk decomposition and constraint relaxation, the assistance provided by the problem statement to initiate the resolution process, and the possibility of metacognitive control over the quality of the solution. Individual booklets with counterbalanced statements were prepared to assess perceived creativity and to solve the problems. Results. Contrary to expectations, students were able to mentally represent the structural aspects of the problems during reading, and before solving them. The problem surface did not significantly affect the initial perception of creativity. After solving the problems, the average changes in perceived creativity were small. Conclusions. The results encourage teachers to use insight problems to promote creativity in secondary school classrooms.

Perceptions on Community-based Rehabilitation by Physical Therapy Alumni at Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Educational Foundation, Inc.:A Qualitative Research Design

This qualitative research study aimed to assess the perceptions of physical therapy alumni after participating in Community-Based Rehabilitation activities. Using phenomenological approach, data were analyzed from surveys and direct interviews with 10 participants from Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Educational Foundation, Inc. (DRTREFI), Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines, who were selected to gain deeper understanding of their perceptions and experiences with community-based rehabilitation. Participants included physical therapy alumni from 2019 to 2020 batch of Doña Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Educational Foundation Inc., who have worked in at least two barangays, managed three different patients, and gained over two months of experience in community-based rehabilitation (CBR). Study narratives revealed the importance of creativity in patient care. Through participation in community-based rehabilitation (CBR), participants developed a critical approach to managing their patients. After participating in community-based rehabilitation, physical therapy alumni became more open, sensitive, and mindful of their actions towards the community. This experience helped them better relate to the struggles of their patient, thus improving their initial perceptions of the patient-Physical Therapy relationship and enhancing their approach to providing health care in the community.

EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF ECO-FRIENDLY INITIATIVES ON ATTRACTING ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS GUESTS TO HOTEL ESTABLISHMENTS IN RWANDA A CASE STUDY OFBISATE LODGE

Background: This study delves into the influence of eco-friendly initiatives on the attraction of environmentally conscious guests to hotel establishments in Rwanda, with a specific focus on Bisate Lodge. The overarching objective is to understand how these initiatives contribute to guest preferences and decision-making processes regarding accommodation. This research investigates the correlation between eco-friendly initiatives and the attraction of environmentally conscious guests to hotel establishments in Rwanda. The specific objectives of the study are threefold. Firstly, it aims to analyze the eco-friendly initiatives implemented by Bisate Lodge, examining their scope, effectiveness, and implementation strategies. Secondly, it seeks to gauge the level of awareness and importance of environmental sustainability among guests staying at Bisate Lodge, through surveys or interviews. Lastly, the study aims to evaluate the impact of eco-friendly initiatives on the decision-making process of environmentally conscious guests when selecting accommodation in Rwanda. Methods and Materials: The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to gather comprehensive insights. Data collection methods include surveys, interviews, and possibly observational studies to capture both guest perceptions and actual behaviors. Analysis involves statistical techniques for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. The findings of the study are expected to provide valuable insights for hotel managers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the hospitality industry in Rwanda. Hotels can tailor their initiatives to attract and retain this market segment, contributing to both environmental sustainability and business success. Results: The findings of the research showed an overview of the distribution and central tendency of the variable Analyzing the Eco-friendly Initiatives Implemented by Bisate Lodge within the dataset. Specifically, it shows that the variable ranges from 1.00 to 5.00, with an average value of approximately 3.94 and a standard deviation of about 1.14. This shows the values of Analyzing the Eco-friendly Initiatives. are moderately spread out around the mean. On the Assessment of the Level of Awareness and Importance of Environmental Sustainability Among Guests Staying at Bisate Lodge Guests within the dataset. Specifically, the findings show that the variable ranges from 1.00 to 5.00, with an average value of approximately 3.9260 and a standard deviation of about 1.133. This suggests that the values of Assessing the Level of Awareness and Importance of Environmental Sustainability Among Guests Staying at Bisate Lodge Guests, the findings also showed an overview of the distribution and central tendency of the variable Evaluating the Influence of Eco-friendly Initiatives on the Decision-Making Process of Environmentally Conscious Guests When Choosing Accommodation in Rwanda within the dataset. it shows that the variable ranges from 1.00 to 5.00, with an average value of approximately 3.934 and a standard deviation of about 1.136. This suggests that the values of Evaluating the Influence of Eco-friendly Initiatives on the Decision-Making Process of Environmentally Conscious Guests When Choosing Accommodation in Rwanda are moderately spread out around the mean. Conclusion: In general, the results from the findings showed that the respondents indicate a strong positive perception of Bisate Lodges environmental sustainability efforts and eco-friendly initiatives among respondents. They generally view these efforts favourably, with a strong likelihood of choosing the lodge, feeling satisfied and comfortable, considering environmental consciousness in loyalty decisions, and perceiving the brand positively due to its environmental initiatives. However, there is some variability in satisfaction levels, indicating that individual experiences and opinions may differ among guests. It is important for Bisate Lodge to continue its efforts and maintain consistency in eco-friendly practices to meet the expectations of environmentally conscious guests and further enhance their experience.

Sport sales managers’ perceptions of learning through experiential sales projects

PurposeWhile there has been a considerable amount of research conducted on experiential learning and sport sales, the purpose of this study is to shift the focus from students to current sport sales professionals and examine how experientially learning sales assisted in the sales professionals’ growth, competency, and skill development in the current sales roles they occupy. DesignEmploying a stratified purposeful sampling technique, sport sales-related professionals (from a diverse group of sports organizations, including, but not limited to, organizations within the MLB, NBA, XFL, and NASCAR; n = 7) who completed an experiential sales learning project between 2015 and 2022 were invited to give their perceptions of experientially learning sport sales in the form of a focus group. Post-interview inductive thematic analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke's (2006) six-phase framework to extract themes. FindingsResults highlight three main themes extracted from the participants who engaged in sports sales experiential learning: 1) Initial Perceptions; 2) Project Resultants; and 3) Improvements for Experiential Sales Project, which are further expounded upon and contextualized within the literature. OriginalityThis is the first study to examine sport sales professionals’ perceptions of sport sales experiential learning in sport sales education. By shifting the focus from students to sales managers, the researchers highlight the unique differences that exists when comparing student perceptions in, or shortly after the completion of, an experiential sales project, versus the perceptions of the current sales managers in sport industry. For sport management faculty, important findings such experiential sales project improvements are discussed. For students, practical insight is given to help students overcome the negative feelings associated with sport sales experiential learning, in addition to the benefits of learning sales experientially and the impact it has on professional development, job opportunity, and personal marketability.

Analysis of the distribution of authorship by gender in scientific output: A global perspective

This study presents a thorough examination of gendered scholarly contributions and impact from 2003 to 2023, encompassing details on 212,631,585 authorships indexed in Scopus. The analysis unveils promising advancements towards gender equity, demonstrating an increase in contributions from both genders, which indicates the trend towards a progressive and inclusive environment. These findings challenge an initial perception of male prolificacy. The positive trends extend to female-led research teams, highlighting a correlation between gender balance and leadership. This evolving landscape is reflected in the convergence of male and female authorship participation over time. A decline in citable papers suggests a narrowing of the productivity gap, which challenges gender disparities in impact metrics and emphasizes the multifaceted nature of scholarly excellence across genders. Our data and gender classification method also enables us to look into the country level in order to characterize gender distribution locally. Contrary to conventional assumptions, developing countries are exhibiting a pronounced evolution in female authorship rates. In summary, the study underscores the positive trends towards gender equity, advocating for sustained efforts to promote diversity and foster nuanced understanding in academia.

Blind image quality index with high-level Semantic Guidance and low-level fine-grained Representation

Image Quality Assessment (IQA) has received unprecedented attention due to the extensive applications in benchmarking image processing algorithms and systems. Despite great progress in IQA, most previous frameworks either utilized only high-level semantic features or simply stacked multi-level features to account for the distortions, resulting in limited performance. The initial visual perception is formed after that the information is processed by the primary visual cortex and the advanced visual cortex. However, the information transmission of the cerebral cortex is not unidirectional, that is, the higher brain area can affect the primary brain area in turn, regulate its sensitivity and preference, so as to help the brain to understand the external world more finely. Inspired by this, we propose a novel blind image quality index with high-level Semantic Guidance and low-level fine-grained Representation (SGRNet). First, the versatile backbone, called pyramid vision Transformer, is used to simulate the multilevel information processing in the brain, generating multilevel feature representation. Second, we propose a novel high-level semantic guidance module to simulate the feedback mechanism between levels of the visual cortex. Third, a simple but effective fine-grained feature extraction module is proposed for high-level information compensation and lower-level content perception. After this, an attention mechanism-based enhancement module is proposed to further learn the above two features respectively. Finally, a bilinear pooling-based regression module is proposed to integrate the enhanced features of the two parts and map them to the quality score. Extensive experiments on six challenging public datasets show that the proposed SGRNet can deal well with both the simulated and authentic distortions and achieves state-of-the-art performance.

Nanostructured gadolinium(III) micelles: Synthesis, characterization, cytotoxic activities, and MRI applications in vivo

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are used in around 40 % of MRI procedures. Despite initial perceptions of minimal risk, their long-term use has emphasized the need to reduce toxicity and develop more efficient GBCAs with extended blood retention. Advancements in nanomaterials have led to improved GBCAs, enhancing MRI diagnostics. This study synthesizes and characterizes nanostructured gadolinium(III) micelles as superior MRI contrast agents. The complexes, [Gd(L)2], where L is a ligand of the N-alkyl-N-methylglucamine surfactant series (L8, L10 or L12, L10), form nanostructured micelles in aqueous solution. Gd(L8)2 and Gd(L10)2 relaxivities remained stable across concentrations. Compared to Gd-DTPA, Gd(III) micelles showed enhanced T1-weighted MRI contrast. Gd(L12)2 micelles exhibited cytotoxicity against B16F10 melanoma cells (IC50 42.5 ± 2.2 μM) and L292L929 fibroblasts (IC50 52.0 ± 2.5 μM), with a selectivity index of 1.2. In vivo application in mice brain T2-weighted images suggests nanostructured Gd(III) micelles are promising MRI contrast agents for targeting healthy organs or tumors.