Novelty Effect Research Articles

Smears, Laughs, and Barnyard Hokum: Early Jazz Trombone and the Problem of Novelty

Smears, Laughs, and Barnyard Hokum: Early Jazz Trombone and the Problem of Novelty

Effect assessment for the interaction between shaking table and eccentric load

Electro-hydraulic shaking table is an essential experimental apparatus to evaluate structural performance under actual vibration condition. The control-structure interaction (CSI) between shaking table and eccentric load has lately received considerable attention for causing the accuracy degradation of shaking table test. At present, the research gap of the influence of the eccentricity of load on the CSI makes it challenging to find the CSI effects. And an effect assessment is yet to be proposed to evaluate the CSI effects, which has impeded the development of test technology. To overcome those theoretical bottlenecks, in this research, an analytical transfer function matrix of shaking table and eccentric load is established to analyze the CSI effects. The analysis is conducted under such conditions as different mass ratio (MR), moment of inertia ratio (IR), and eccentric distance ratio (ER) conditions. Through the analysis, the role of the ER is identified, the sensitivities of the MR, IR, and ER to the transfer function matrix are revealed, and the CSI effects are found. Furthermore, a novelty effect assessment is proposed to appraise whether the CSI effects can be ignored in shaking table test. And the visualization expression of the effect assessment is obtained for convenient application.

Language preference in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).

Studies have shown that both cotton-top tamarins as well as rats can discriminate between two languages based on rhythmic cues. This is similar to the capabilities of young infants, who also rely on rhythmic cues to differentiate between languages. However, the animals in these studies did not have long-term language exposure, so these studies did not specifically assess the role of language experience. In this study, we used companion dogs, who have prolonged exposure to human language in their home environment. These dogs came from homes where either English or Spanish was primarily spoken. The dogs were then presented with speech in English and in Spanish in a Headturn Preference Procedure paradigm to examine their language discrimination abilities as well as their language preferences. Dogs successfully discriminated between the two languages. In addition, dogs showed a novelty effect with their language preference such that Spanish-hearing dogs listened longer to English, and English-hearing dogs listened longer to Spanish. It is unclear what particular cue dogs are utilizing to discriminate between the two languages; future studies should explore dogs' utilization of phonological and rhythmic cues for language discrimination.

Implementing Affordable Socially Assistive Pet Robots in Care Homes Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Stratified Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial and Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundRobot pets may assist in the challenges of supporting an aging population with growing dementia prevalence. Prior work has focused on the impacts of the robot seal Paro on older adult well-being, but recent studies have suggested the good acceptability and implementation feasibility of more affordable devices (Joy for All [JfA] cats and dogs).ObjectiveWe aimed to address the limited effectiveness research on JfA devices.MethodsWe conducted an 8-month, stratified, cluster randomized controlled trial in 8 care homes in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Over 4 months, 4 care homes each received 2 JfA devices (1 cat and 1 dog; intervention group), and 4 homes received care as usual (control group). Psychometrics were collected before and after the intervention to compare the change from baseline to follow-up between the groups. In the final 4 months, all 8 care homes received devices, but only qualitative data were collected owing to COVID-19 and reduced capacity. The primary outcome was neuropsychiatric symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory [NPI] Nursing Home version). Care provider burden was a secondary outcome (occupational disruptiveness NPI subscale), alongside the Challenging Behavior scale, the Holden communication scale, the Campaign to End Loneliness questionnaire, and medication use. Qualitative data were collected through care staff observation calendars and end-of-study interviews to understand use, experience, and impact. We also collected demographic data and assessed dementia severity. In total, 253 residents had robot interaction opportunities, and 83 were consented for direct data collection.ResultsThere was a significant difference in the total change from baseline to follow-up between the intervention and control groups for NPI (P<.001) and occupational disruptiveness (P=.03). Neuropsychiatric symptoms increased in the control group and decreased in the intervention group. No significant difference was seen for communication issues or challenging behavior. For NPI subdomains, there were significant differences from baseline to follow-up in delusions (P=.03), depression (P=.01), anxiety (P=.001), elation (P=.02), and apathy (P=.009), all of which decreased in the intervention group and increased slightly in the control group. The summative impact results suggested that most residents (46/54, 85%) who interacted with robots experienced a positive impact. Those who interacted had significantly higher dementia severity scores (P=.001). The qualitative results suggested good adoption, acceptability, and suitability for subjectively lonely individuals and lack of a novelty effect through sustained use, and demonstrated that the reasons for use were entertainment, anxiety, and agitation.ConclusionsAffordable robot pets hold potential for improving the well-being of care home residents and people with dementia, including reducing neuropsychiatric symptoms and occupational disruptiveness. This work suggests no novelty effect and contributes toward understanding robot pet suitability. Moreover, interactions were more common among residents with more moderate/severe dementia and those subjectively lonely.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04168463; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04168463

Panoramic video in education: A systematic literature review from 2011 to 2021

AbstractBackgroundPanoramic video as a novel instructional media with increasing educational application. However, empirical research on panoramic video instruction is mostly episodic with conditional and inconclusive results.ObjectivesThis study reviewed 10 years (2011–2021) of research on panoramic video in education to synthesize, meta‐analyse, and critically evaluate the state‐of‐art research findings, which can inform future educational practice and research directions.MethodsFollowing the protocol of systematic review, this study selected 83 articles from four major research databases and analysed them from five interrelated aspects: instructional context, technological features, instructional design, research design, and instructional effect. A meta‐analysis was also conducted to determine the overall effectiveness of panoramic video on education and the moderating factors.Results and ConclusionsThe results revealed a rapid upward trend in publication since 2018 with unequal distribution among regions and learning domains. Despite the technical advancement in immersion and interaction, panoramic videos were found to mainly support the acquisition of content and factual knowledge through direct instruction, and lack in‐video scaffolding and assessment. Moreover, many interventions were one‐time, short‐term studies that are susceptible of novelty effect. Lastly, an overall medium effect (g = 0.711) of panoramic video was reported and six significant moderating factors were identified based on the meta‐analysis results.Major takeaways and implicationsPanoramic videos are ubiquitously effective across grade levels, learning domains, and pedagogies, but are more suitable for teaching conceptual knowledge. Design features such as interaction, scaffolding, assessment, iteration, and video length deserve our special attention in panoramic video instruction.

The technological novelty of invention and speed to IPO of high-tech start-ups

The technological novelty of inventions signals economic potential while simultaneously indicating considerable technological and market risks. We speculate that unlike early-stage venture capital (VC) investors, late-stage public investors will interpret technological novelty as a signal of high risks. Consequently, they will hesitate to promptly invest in high-tech start-ups with such inventions, thereby slowing the initial public offering speed of the start-ups. Based on a sample of 408 VC-backed healthcare start-ups founded between 1990 and 2010, we find support for our hypothesis. We also find that the negative effect of technological novelty of inventions can be relieved when the technology is characterised by conventionality, when the founder is also the inventor, or when the start-up is backed by premium VC investors.

Marine Autotroph-Herbivore Synergies: Unravelling the Roles of Macroalgae in Marine Ecosystem Dynamics.

Simple SummaryInvasive species are a leading hazard to marine ecosystems worldwide, coupled with climate change. Tackling the emerging biodiversity threat to maintain the ecological balance of the largest biome in the world has now become a pivotal part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Marine herbivores are generally regarded as biological agents that restrict invasive species, and their efficiency depends on their dietary habits, especially the autotrophs they eat. Many researchers have found contradicting findings on the effects of nutritional attributes and novelty of autotrophs on herbivore eating behaviour. In light of the scattered literature on the mechanistic basis of autotroph-herbivore interactions, we provide a comprehensive review to fill knowledge gaps about synergies based on macroalgae, an important group of photosynthetic organisms in the marine biome that interact strongly with generalist herbivores. We also analyse macroalgal defence measures against herbivores, underlining unique features and potential roles in maintaining marine ecosystems. The nutritional qualities, shape, and novelty of autotrophs can alter herbivore feeding behaviour. Future research should explore aspects that can alter marine autotroph-herbivore interactions to resolve inconsistent results of specific features and the uniqueness of the organisms involved.Species invasion is a leading threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, being deemed as one of the ultimate jeopardies for biodiversity along with climate change. Tackling the emerging biodiversity threat to maintain the ecological balance of the largest biome in the world has now become a pivotal part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Marine herbivores are often considered as biological agents that control the spread of invasive species, and their effectiveness depends largely on factors that influence their feeding preferences, including the specific attributes of their food–the autotrophs. While the marine autotroph-herbivore interactions have been substantially discussed globally, many studies have reported contradictory findings on the effects of nutritional attributes and novelty of autotrophs on herbivore feeding behaviour. In view of the scattered literature on the mechanistic basis of autotroph-herbivore interactions, we generate a comprehensive review to furnish insights into critical knowledge gaps about the synergies based largely on the characteristics of macroalgae; an important group of photosynthetic organisms in the marine biome that interact strongly with generalist herbivores. We also discuss the key defence strategies of these macroalgae against the herbivores, highlighting their unique attributes and plausible roles in keeping the marine ecosystems intact. Overall, the feeding behaviour of herbivores can be affected by the nutritional attributes, morphology, and novelty of the autotrophs. We recommend that future research should carefully consider different factors that can potentially affect the dynamics of the marine autotroph-herbivore interactions to resolve the inconsistent results of specific attributes and novelty of the organisms involved.

What message features influence the intention to share misinformation about COVID-19 on social media? The role of efficacy and novelty

Given the amount of misinformation being circulated on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential threat to public health, it is imperative to investigate ways to hinder its transmission. To this end, this study aimed to identify message features that may contribute to misinformation sharing on social media. Based on the theory of social sharing of emotion and the extant research on message credibility, this study examined if emotions and message credibility serve as mechanisms through which novelty and efficacy of misinformation influence sharing intention. An online experiment concerning COVID-19 misinformation was conducted by employing a 2 (novelty conditions: high vs. low) × 2 (efficacy conditions: high vs. low) between-subjects design using a national quota sample in South Korea (N = 1,012). The findings suggested that, contrary to the expectation, the overall effects of novelty on sharing intention were negative. The specific mechanisms played significant and unique roles in different directions: novelty increased sharing intention by evoking surprise, while also exerting a negative influence on sharing intention through an increase in negative emotions and a decrease in positive emotions and message credibility. Consistent with the expectation, efficacy exhibited positive total effects on sharing intention, which was explained by higher levels of (self- and response-) efficacy of protective action increasing positive emotions and message credibility but decreasing negative emotions. The implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

Technological Novelty of Patents and Speed to IPO of High-Tech Startups

As a signal of entrepreneurial success and a milestone for further development, high-tech startups are seeking an initial public offering (IPO) as quickly as possible. However, investors’ perceptions of technological innovation, which differs depending on its novelty degree, impact the IPO activities of startups. We theorize that the technological novelty of patents will increase public investors’ concerns and finally reduce startups’ IPO speed, because novel patents embrace a high level of market and technology risks in the commercialization process. Based on empirical data on 408 venture capital(VC)-backed healthcare startups in the US from 1990 to 2010, we find empirical evidence that the technological novelty of patents slows startups’ IPO speed. In addition, we find that the negative effect of technological novelty is weakened for startups with conventional technology, founder inventor, and prominent investors.

Two Tales of Science Technology Linkage: Patent In-text versus Front-page References

There is recurrent debate about how useful science is for technological development, but we know little about what kinds of science are more useful for technology. This paper fills this gap in the literature by exploring how the value of a patent (as measured by patent forward citations and the stock market response to the issuing of the patent) depends on the characteristics of the scientific papers that it builds on, specifically, basicness, interdisciplinarity, novelty, and scientific citations. Using a dataset of 33,337 USPTO biotech utility patents and their 860,879 in-text references to Web of Science journal articles, we find (1) a positive effect of the number of referenced scientific papers, (2) an inverted U-shaped effect of basicness, (3) an insignificant effect of interdisciplinarity, (4) a discontinuous and nonlinear effect of novelty, and (5) a positive effect of scientific citations for patent market value but an insignificant effect on patent citations. In addition, in-text referenced papers have a higher chance of being listed on the front-page of the same patent when they are moderately basic, less interdisciplinary, less novel, and more highly cited. Accordingly, using front-page reference yields substantially different results than using in-text references.

Chasing perception in domestic cats and dogs

Chasing motion is often used to study the perception of inanimate objects as animate. When chasing interaction and independent motions between two agents are displayed simultaneously on a screen, we expect observers to quickly perceive and recognise the chasing pattern (because of its familiarity) and turn their attention to the independent motion (novelty effect). In case of isosceles triangles as moving figures, dogs and humans both display this behaviour, but dogs initially preferred to look at the chasing pattern whereas humans started to increase their gaze towards the independent motion earlier. Here, we compared whether family cats perceive moving inanimate objects as animate and whether their looking behaviour is similar to that of small family dogs. We displayed a chasing and independent motion side by side on a screen in two consecutive trials and assessed subjects’ looking behaviour towards the motions. Similarly to previous studies, we found that dogs eventually looked longer at the independent motion, but cats preferred to look at the independent motion at the beginning of the video display and only later shifted their attention to the chasing motion. No difference was found in the frequency of gaze alternation of the two species. Thus, although cats discriminate between the chasing and independent motions, it is not clear whether this discrimination is controlled by animate motion cues. The difference may originate from their ecological situation and/or may be explained by specific perceptual mechanisms.

Specific Effects of Characteristics of Enriched Environment on Innovative Problem Solving by Animals

Numerous studies have revealed that an enriched environment can enhance the survival-related behaviors and brain functions of animals. However, the effects and specific roles of the enrichment characteristics on animals’ innovative capability, a cognitive ability crucial for survival in nature, are still not well known. In this study, we assigned mice to environment-manipulation groups (n = 15 each) to investigate the specific effects of environmental novelty (novel vs. familiar) and environmental complexity (complex vs. normal) on innovative problem solving and its possible neural mechanisms. Results showed that mice in only the novel-environment group performed better at innovative-problem-solving tasks and showed greater numbers of novel explorations and dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens in the brain. These findings indicate that an enriched environment has the potential to promote the innovative capability of mice by enhancing their novel exploratory motivation, which depends on the novelty of the environment but not its complexity.

Domestic Tourists' Revisit Intention: The Role of Novelty and Destination Image at Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang

The uniqueness of natural tourism and new tourist experiences at Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang can attract tourists to visit this destination. The novelty aspect of the destination allows new experiences for tourists to stimulate their beliefs about the destination and influence the decision-making process. In addition, the destination's image is an essential factor that influences the intention of returning tourists. This study aims to analyze the effect of novelty and destination image on the intention to revisit domestic tourists at Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang. This research uses quantitative methods. Data from the online questionnaire survey was collected from 100 domestic tourists who had visited Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang from 2018 to 2021. The data analysis technique used was multiple regression analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 25.0. The test results show that the novelty of Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang partially has a positive and significant effect on the intention to revisit domestic tourists. The destination's image has a positive and significant effect on the intention to revisit domestic tourists at Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang. The novelty and the destination's image simultaneously have a positive and significant effect on the intention to revisit domestic tourists at Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang.

Revisiting the influence of cultural novelty and emotional stability on general adjustment of expatriates hosted in emerging economies

PurposeThe relationship between cultural novelty and cross-cultural adjustment of expatriates is often assumed to be negative and linear, while the empirical results for the relationship has been demonstrated by researchers as either negative, positive or absent.Design/methodology/approachThe current research challenges the negative and linear assumption conceptually and empirically and tests a curvilinear relation between cultural novelty and general adjustment. The authors specifically propose and test a theoretical model whereby emotional stability moderates the curvilinear cultural novelty–general adjustment relationship such that the negative effect of cultural novelty on general adjustment is mitigated by emotional stability. Survey data are collected from expatriates recruited from two different host countries, India (N = 151) and China (N = 157).FindingsThe findings provide support for the curvilinear relationship between cultural novelty and general adjustment and the moderating effect of expatriates' emotional stability on this relationship.Originality/valueThis present study makes unique contributions to the expatriate management literature in at least two major ways: first, this study consolidates the otherwise contradictory findings and furthers the understanding on the nature of the effect of cultural novelty on expatriate adjustment. In addition, this research tests a cultural novelty–expatriate adjustment model using expatriate samples drawn from China and India, the two largest emerging markets that capture the demographic-profile changes pertaining to the newly emerging expatriation trends.

Electrophysiological Evidence of Enhanced Processing of Novel Pornographic Images in Individuals With Tendencies Toward Problematic Internet Pornography Use.

Novelty seeking is regarded as a core feature in substance use disorders. However, few studies thus far have investigated this feature in problematic Internet pornography use (PIPU). The main aim of the present study was to examine group differences in electrophysiological activity associated with novelty processing in participants with high tendencies toward PIPU vs. low tendencies using event-related potentials (ERPs). Twenty-seven participants with high tendencies toward PIPU and 25 with low tendencies toward PIPU completed a modified three-stimulus oddball task while electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Participants were instructed to detect neutral target stimuli from distracting stimuli. The distracting stimuli contained a familiar sexual stimulus and a set of novel sexual stimuli. The novel-familiar difference waves were calculated to identify specific group difference in novelty effect. While both groups demonstrated a sustained novelty effect in the late positive potential (LPP) within the 500–800 ms time windows, the novelty effect was greater in the high tendencies toward PIPU group than in the low tendencies toward PIPU group. This result suggests that individuals with high tendencies toward PIPU allocate more attentional resources for novelty processing. Enhanced brain responding to novel sexual stimuli may facilitate pornographic consumption and play an essential role in the development and maintenance of PIPU.

Memorable nature-based tourism experience, place attachment and tourists’ environmentally responsible behaviour

ABSTRACT This study tests a new model for memorable nature-based tourism experiences by examining the effects of novelty, experiencescape, experience co-creation, experience intensification and satisfaction. The study also examines the relationship between memorable nature-based tourism experiences, place attachment and tourists' environmentally responsible behaviour. Data were gathered from tourists who visited a national park within the three months preceding the data collection period (January-March 2021) using an online survey questionnaire distributed through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in March 2021. This study's main contributions include the expansion of the memorable tourism experience construct and the inclusion of four key variables that influence place attachment in the formation of tourists' memorable nature-based tourism experiences. The relationship between place attachment and tourists' environmentally responsible behaviour was also shown to be significant.

The graded novelty encoding task: Novelty gradually improves recognition of visual stimuli under incidental learning conditions

It has been argued that novel compared to familiar stimuli are preferentially encoded into memory. Nevertheless, treating novelty as a categorical variable in experimental research is considered simplistic. We highlight the dimensional aspect of novelty and propose an experimental design that manipulates novelty continuously. We created the Graded Novelty Encoding Task (GNET), in which the difference between stimuli (i.e. novelty) is parametrically manipulated, paving the way for quantitative models of novelty processing. We designed an algorithm which generates visual stimuli by placing colored shapes in a grid. During the familiarization phase of the task, we repeatedly presented five pictures to the participants. In a subsequent incidental learning phase, participants were asked to differentiate between the “familiars” and novel images that varied in the degree of difference to the familiarized pictures (i.e. novelty). Finally, participants completed a surprise recognition memory test, where the novel stimuli from the previous phase were interspersed with distractors with similar difference characteristics. We numerically expressed the differences between the stimuli to compute a dimensional indicator of novelty and assessed whether it predicted recognition memory performance. Based on previous studies showing the beneficial effect of novelty on memory formation, we hypothesized that the more novel a given picture was, the better subsequent recognition performance participants would demonstrate. Our hypothesis was confirmed: recognition performance was higher for more novel stimuli. The GNET captures the continuous nature of novelty, and it may be useful in future studies that examine the behavioral and neurocognitive aspects of novelty processing.

Engagement in longitudinal child-robot language learning interactions: Disentangling robot and task engagement

This study investigated a seven sessions interaction between a peer-tutor robot and Dutch preschoolers (5 years old) during which the children learned English. We examined whether children’s engagement differed when interacting with a tablet and a robot using iconic gestures, with a tablet and a robot using no iconic gestures and with only a tablet. Two engagement types were annotated (task engagement and robot engagement) using a novel coding scheme based on an existing coding scheme used in kindergartens. The findings revealed that children’s task engagement dropped over time in all three conditions, consistent with the novelty effect. However, there were no differences between the different conditions for task engagement. Interestingly, robot engagement showed a difference between conditions. Children were more robot engaged when interacting with a robot using iconic gestures than without iconic gestures. Finally, when comparing children’s word knowledge with their engagement, we found that both task engagement and robot engagement were positively correlated with children’s word retention.

Phytopharmaceutical and pharmacological aspects of “pongamia pinnata”-a comprehensive review

In the last few decades the importance of medicinal plant and its vitality in modern medicine has played a pivotal role in drug discovery and its development. The vast novelty, efficacy and least side effects of the plants have gained the attraction of the researchers, which has led to the exploitation of many traditional medicinal plants and herbs for their therapeutical activities. Even through these efforts there are still some traditional plants that are yet to be exploited for their therapeutic significance, one of such prominent plants is Pongamia pinnata. The plant shows diverse pharmacological activities due to presence of many primary and secondary metabolites. This diversity of many phytoconstituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides and other which may be the reason for its pharmacological activities which include wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-filarial, anti-diabetic and other activities. The present study is an effort to compile all the available details regarding the characteristics of the plant species, phytoconstituents, traditional use, pharmacological uses and research undertaken related to P. pinnata.

Novelty Knows No Boundaries: Why a Proper Investigation of Novelty Effects Within SHRI Should Begin by Addressing the Scientific Plurality of the Field.

Research on psychological novelty effects within the fields of Social Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction (together: SHRI) so far has failed to gather the momentum it deserves. With the aid of exemplary descriptions of how psychological novelty is currently approached and researched across (certain main regions of) the larger scientific landscape, I argue that the treatment of novelty effects within the multidisciplinary SHRI reflects larger circumstances of fragmentation and heterogeneity in novelty research in general. I further propose that while the concept of novelty may currently function as a Boundary Object between the contributing domains of SHRI, a properly integrated, interdisciplinary concept of novelty is needed in order to capture and investigate the scope and scale of novelty effects within research on social human-robot interaction. Building on research on the New Ontological Category Hypothesis and related studies, I argue that the novelty of social robots can be understood as radical to the extent that their comprehension requires revisions of traditional core categories of being. In order to investigate the sui generis effects of such novelty, which should not be narrowly understood as mere “noise” in the data, it is paramount that the field of SHRI begin by working out a shared, integrative framework of psychological novelty and novelty effects.