Unified Percept Research Articles

Perceptual history biases in serial ensemble representation.

Ensemble perception refers to the visual system's ability to efficiently represent groups of similar objects as a unified percept using their summary statistical information. Most studies focused on extraction of current trial averages, giving little attention to prior experience effects, although a few recent studies found that ensemble mean estimations contract toward previously presented stimuli, with most of these focusing on explicit perceptual averaging of simultaneously presented item ensembles. Yet, the time element is crucial in real dynamic environments, where we encounter ensemble items over time, aggregating information until reaching summary representations. Moreover, statistical information of objects and scenes is learned over time and often implicitly and then used for predictions that shape perception, promoting environmental stability. Therefore, we now focus on temporal aspects of ensemble statistics and test whether prior information, beyond the current trial, biases implicit perceptual decisions. We designed methods to separate current trial biases from those of previously seen trial ensembles. In each trial, six circles of different sizes were presented serially, followed by two test items. Participants were asked to choose which was present in the sequence. Participants unconsciously rely on ensemble statistics, choosing stimuli closer to the ensemble mean. To isolate the influence of earlier trials, the two test items were sometimes equidistant from the current trial mean. Results showed membership judgment biases toward current trial mean, when informative (largest effect). On equidistant trials, judgments were biased toward previously experienced stimulus statistics. Comparison of similar conditions with a shifted stimulus distribution ruled out a bias toward an earlier, presession, prototypical diameter. We conclude that ensemble perception, even for temporally experienced ensembles, is influenced not only by current trial mean but also by means of recently seen ensembles and that these influences are somewhat correlated on a participant-by-participant basis.

Network-Based Differences in Top-Down Multisensory Integration between Adult ADHD and Healthy Controls-A Diffusion MRI Study.

Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder neurobiologically conceptualized as a network disorder in white and gray matter. A relatively new branch in ADHD research is sensory processing. Here, altered sensory processing i.e., sensory hypersensitivity, is reported, especially in the auditory domain. However, our perception is driven by a complex interplay across different sensory modalities. Our brain is specialized in binding those different sensory modalities to a unified percept-a process called multisensory integration (MI) that is mediated through fronto-temporal and fronto-parietal networks. MI has been recently described to be impaired for complex stimuli in adult patients with ADHD. The current study relates MI in adult ADHD with diffusion-weighted imaging. Connectome-based and graph-theoretic analysis was applied to investigate a possible relationship between the ability to integrate multimodal input and network-based ADHD pathophysiology. Multishell, high-angular resolution diffusion-weighted imaging was performed on twenty-five patients with ADHD (six females, age: 30.08 (SD: 9.3) years) and twenty-four healthy controls (nine females; age: 26.88 (SD: 6.3) years). Structural connectome was created and graph theory was applied to investigate ADHD pathophysiology. Additionally, MI scores, i.e., the percentage of successful multisensory integration derived from the McGurk paradigm, were groupwise correlated with the structural connectome. Structural connectivity was elevated in patients with ADHD in network hubs mirroring altered default-mode network activity typically reported for patients with ADHD. Compared to controls, MI was associated with higher connectivity in ADHD between Heschl's gyrus and auditory parabelt regions along with altered fronto-temporal network integrity. Alterations in structural network integrity in adult ADHD can be extended to multisensory behavior. MI and the respective network integration in ADHD might represent the maturational cortical delay that extends to adulthood with respect to sensory processing.

Speciesism and Preference of Human–Artificial Intelligence Interaction: A Study on Medical Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the medical industry in the decade. It is critical to integrate human–computer interaction into daily clinic service and further increase the public acceptance of medical AI. Based on self-categorization theory, our research draws on speciesism as a vital cognitive factor to examine how patients’ speciesism affects their acceptance of medical AI in different roles. The study adopted a positivist research paradigm by examining 249 samples of data collected during COVID-19 in China. The results indicate that patients with higher speciesism tend to have lower acceptance of medical AI in an independent role but higher acceptance in an assistive role. Furthermore, we verified the mediating effect of human–computer trust and the positive moderating role of human uniqueness perception. This article expands the practicality of speciesism from human–animal relationships into human–AI relationships and contributes to human–computer interaction from the perspective of medical AI acceptance.

Techno-Religion and Cyberspace Spirituality in Dystopian Video Games

Once a niche part of the cyber community, video games today represent one of the major industries and “the combination of technology and spiritualist narratives”. In the cyberspace dedicated to video game trivia, we can find intimate reports of players who claim that video games impacted them spiritually or that they felt unity with the spirit of the universe. By analyzing three video games (Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, Cyberpunk 2077, and Death Stranding), the author aims to explore how spirituality and cyberspace interact in narratives that follow the mentioned games and the interface that pulls the player deeper into the storyline. These games vary in styles and approaches and do not tend to support a view of one true God or any mainstream religion. Therefore, an intricate relationship between cyberspace, algorithmic patterns, and spirituality make these games different and exciting for examination. The author demonstrates the unique perception of spirituality and ideas that influenced the creation of these new spiritual cyberspaces within video games, especially New Age concepts of technopagans such as singularitarians and transhumanists.

Past and present experience shifts audiovisual temporal perception in rats.

Our brains have a propensity to integrate closely-timed auditory and visual stimuli into a unified percept; a phenomenon that is highly malleable based on prior sensory experiences, and is known to be altered in clinical populations. While the neural correlates of audiovisual temporal perception have been investigated using neuroimaging and electroencephalography techniques in humans, animal research will be required to uncover the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Prior to conducting such mechanistic studies, it is important to first confirm the translational potential of any prospective animal model. Thus, in the present study, we conducted a series of experiments to determine if rats show the hallmarks of audiovisual temporal perception observed in neurotypical humans, and whether the rat behavioral paradigms could reveal when they experienced perceptual disruptions akin to those observed in neurodevelopmental disorders. After training rats to perform a temporal order judgment (TOJ) or synchrony judgment (SJ) task, we found that the rats' perception was malleable based on their past and present sensory experiences. More specifically, passive exposure to asynchronous audiovisual stimulation in the minutes prior to behavioral testing caused the rats' perception to predictably shift in the direction of the leading stimulus; findings which represent the first time that this form of audiovisual perceptual malleability has been reported in non-human subjects. Furthermore, rats performing the TOJ task also showed evidence of rapid recalibration, in which their audiovisual temporal perception on the current trial was predictably influenced by the timing lag between the auditory and visual stimuli in the preceding trial. Finally, by manipulating either experimental testing parameters or altering the rats' neurochemistry with a systemic injection of MK-801, we showed that the TOJ and SJ tasks could identify when the rats had difficulty judging the timing of audiovisual stimuli. These findings confirm that the behavioral paradigms are indeed suitable for future testing of rats with perceptual disruptions in audiovisual processing. Overall, our collective results highlight that rats represent an excellent animal model to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the acuity and malleability of audiovisual temporal perception, as they showcase the perceptual hallmarks commonly observed in humans.

Use of augmented reality in mental health-related conditions: A systematic review.

Augmented reality (AR) is a relatively new technology that merges virtual and physical environments, augmenting one's perception of reality. AR creates a computer-generated environment that evokes a unique perception of reality, where real and virtual objects are registered with one another, which operates interactively and in real time. Recently, the medical application of AR technology has dramatically increased with other assisted technologies, from training to clinical practice. The ability to manipulate the real environment extensively has given AR interventions an advantage over traditional approaches. In this study, we aim to conduct a systematic review of the use of AR to have a better understanding of how the use of AR may affect patients with mental health-related conditions when combined with gamification. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines by searching Pubmed and Web of Science databases. We identified 48 relevant studies that fulfill the criteria. The studies were grouped into four categories: Neurodevelopmental disorders, anxiety and phobia, psychoeducation & well-being, and procedural & pain management. Our results revealed the effectiveness of AR in mental health-related conditions. However, the heterogeneity and small sample sizes demonstrate the need for further research with larger sample sizes and high-quality study designs.

The concept of national security in the light of Aristotle’s philosophy of Politics

Purpose: to present the main assumptions of Aristotleʼs Politics through the prism of the category of national security. Also, to reflect on the characteristics of political systems presented by Aristotle as the basis for the search for the essence of the functioning of the state, as well as an attempt to describe the perfect state (politeia).
 Method: the research was conducted using the following general scientific and special methods: the historical method during the study of the development of the political systems by Aristotle in chronological order; the method of analysis and synthesis related to the functioning of the state by Aristotle, abstract-logical method – for formulating theoretical generalizations and research conclusions.
 The results of the study: in the history of socio-political thought, Politics should be perceived as an important work that was the first to scientifically deal with the entire spectrum of issues of internal and external politics, tasks faced by rulers and citizens, goals of the state, and factors of its stability and development.
 Theoretical implications: deepened unique perception of the state, in line with the spirit of antiquity, in which the boundary between politics and ethics is not clearly drawn. It really matters, as seen from the current approaches to the roles the state is able or supposed to play. That’s why it is worth treating the research as a good starting point for analyzing the tasks of the state, including national security.
 Практична цінність дослідження: the results of the research can be considered, while analyzing the socio-political theory of Aristotle, as a supporter of the democratic system - looking for inspiration and parallel solutions for the political culture of current liberal democratic societies.
 Papertype: theoretical.

Why people fail to participate in annual skin cancer screening: creation of the perceptions of annual skin cancer screening scale (PASCSS).

Many studies show that most people, even at-risk individuals, do not undergo routine clinical skin cancer screening, and many questions remain unanswered regarding the participation (or lack thereof) in annual skin cancer screening. Perhaps the largest unanswered question is the most essential: why do people fail to undergo annual skin cancer screening? We provide an avenue to answer this question by creating the Perceptions of Annual Skin Cancer Screening Scale (PASCSS). In Study 1, we conduct a qualitative investigation to identify potential scale dimensions and items (n=233). In Study 2, we test the validity and psychometric properties of our initial item list via exploratory factor analysis (n=406). In Study 3, we further test the psychometric properties of our item list via confirmatory factor analysis (n=587). These three studies provide strong support for thevalidity and psychometric properties of our item list, resulting in the PASCSS. The PASCSS includes 48 items and 12dimensions that each represent unique perceptions regarding annual skin cancer screening. We encourage future authors to utilize the PASCSS to identify those most at risk for failing to participate in annual skin cancer screening as well as develop adaptive interventions that can target these participants.

The Color Words in Eileen Chang’s Novels

The mastery of color words is a highlighted point in Eileen Chang’s novels, from which we can catch a glimpse of Eileen Chang’s language technique. Eileen Chang's Novels are like painting with words instead of monotonously depicting of life. She expresses her exquisite and unique perception of life through the deconstruction of cultural meanings of color words. She blended different colors in the clothes of her novel’s characters and scenes, using different rhetorical devices such as synesthesia, analogy, hyperbole in the narration of psychology of the characters and events description. The color words, used as special symbols, have been an indispensable part of her novels. At the same time, the color words often play a lead role in touching the novel theme.

The role of binocular vision in the control and development of visually guided upper limb movements.

Vision provides a key sensory input for the performance of fine motor skills, which are fundamentally important to daily life activities, as well as skilled occupational and recreational performance. Binocular visual function is a crucial aspect of vision that requires the ability to combine inputs from both eyes into a unified percept. Summation and fusion are two aspects of binocular processing associated with performance advantages, including more efficient visuomotor control of upper limb movements. This paper uses the multiple processes model of limb control to explore how binocular viewing could facilitate the planning and execution of prehension movements in adults and typically developing children. Insight into the contribution of binocularity to visuomotor control also comes from examining motor performance in individuals with amblyopia, a condition characterized by reduced visual acuity and poor binocular function. Overall, research in this field has advanced our understanding of the role of binocular vision in the development and performance of visuomotor skills, the first step towards developing assessment tools and targeted rehabilitation for children with neurodevelopment disorders at risk of poor visuomotor outcomes. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'New approaches to 3D vision'.

The principle of differentiation and individualization of execution of punishments

The content and essence of the principles of differentiation and individualization of the execution of punishments in criminal enforcement law are considered within the scope of the article. Emphasis is placed on the exceptional unified perception of this complex basis, taking into account the elements of differentiation and individualization. It is noted that the perception of these elements in a complex will properly reproduce the essence of the principle of differentiation and individualization of the execution of punishments, and, on the contrary, the separate perception of these elements will indicate only a partial reflection of the specificity of the legal relations regulated by this principle. The principle of differentiation and individualization of execution of punishments is derived from the criminal law principle of differentiation and individualization of criminal responsibility. At the same time, in addition to the derivative connection, the principle of differentiation and individualization of the execution of punishments also has an interdisciplinary essence, taking into account the "legal connection" between the branches of criminal and criminal enforcement law. It has been established that such an intersection of the branches of law occurs during the resolution of a number of issues related to deprivation of liberty. Such issues include the regulation of the procedures for applying parole from serving a sentence and replacing the unserved part of the sentence with a milder one. In the regulation of these legal relations, one of the key powers belongs to the principle of differentiation and individualization of execution of punishments. Such a connection of two normative legal acts in the context of reflecting the specified principle is defined as dual convergence. Within the article, it is emphasized that this phenomenon is also characteristic of the simultaneous regulation of a separate category of issues related to the execution of punishments by the norms of both criminal law and normative legal acts of the Ministry of Health. The interdisciplinary essence of the principle of differentiation and individualization of execution of punishments in conditions of triadic convergence is also emphasized. That is, under the conditions of simultaneous application of the branches of criminal, criminal procedural and criminal enforcement law within the framework of the regulation of certain issues related to the execution of punishments. It is noted that the interdisciplinary principle of differentiation and individualization of execution of punishments is also characterized by the collinearity criterion, in the case of its simultaneous use in heterogeneous legal relations in the sphere of criminal and administrative law.

Need for uniqueness moderates the effectiveness of different types of scarcity appeals.

Marketers frequently implement scarcity messages in promoting their products. Scarcity due to demand and scarcity due to supply have both been found to influence consumers' product evaluations positively. However, the differential effects of these two types of scarcity messages have been understudied. Study 1 manipulated scarcity appeals type and need for uniqueness orthogonally and examined their effects on purchase intention. Study 2 manipulated scarcity appeals type and tested its effect on perceived uniqueness. Study 3 manipulated scarcity appeals type and tested the moderated mediation model that perceived uniqueness mediated the interactive effects of scarcity type and need for uniqueness on purchase intention. Across three studies, we find that consumers perceive supply-based scarcity products as more unique than demand-based scarcity products. Consequently, in comparison with demand-based scarcity messages, supply-based scarcity messages increase purchase intention for consumers with high need for uniqueness. In contrast, these messages decrease purchase intention for consumers with low need for uniqueness. Our findings contribute to the research on scarcity appeals, uniqueness perception, and need for uniqueness. Our research also suggests that marketers need to implement different types of scarcity appeals to convey uniqueness information and to attract different consumers.

Salient health goal, salient restoration? A transformative model of wellness tourism

ABSTRACT Although pursuing health and restoration has become a salient motivation for contemporary tourists, the transformative process of how health-seeking tourists achieve restoration in wellness tourism destinations remains unclear. Grounded in goal systems theory and cognitive appraisal theory, this study investigated wellness tourists’ recovery-acquisition process. Through analyses of 390 on-site survey questionnaires collected in Dujiangyan, China, the result revealed health goal salience significantly predicted perceived destination restorative qualities and tourist engagement. Besides, perceived destination restorative qualities positively influenced tourist engagement, and together, these two constructs exerted a positive impact on recovery perceptions. Additionally, resource uniqueness perception further enhanced such impact.

Key Points in Planning and Design of Residential Communities Based on All-age Communities

Based on the trend of ageing in China and the social background that more and more families have inter-generational parenting, researchers have found that the original community planning and design can hardly meet the needs of people of all ages, especially the old and young, so the concept of all-age communities has been proposed. However, the concept of all-age community is a new and big concept, and there is still a lack of unified perception. Using three residential communities in Guangzhou as objects, this paper investigates the physical and mental characteristics, behavioral characteristics, behavioral needs, spatial location and design of existing communities for the elderly and children through literature research, field surveys, interviews and behavioral observation to explore design strategies for all-age communities, which are important for improving the quality of life of the elderly and children and meeting the needs of people of different ages. It is important to explore the design strategies of all-age communities to improve the quality of life of the elderly and children and to meet the needs of different age groups.

Mothering a Child with ADHD in the Ultra-Orthodox Community.

Mothers of children with ADHD are at risk for negative health outcomes. The socio-cultural environment and everyday experiences in life roles may influence psychological health and quality of life. The ultra-orthodox Jewish (UOJ) community is an insular community who is underrepresented in the research, and as such there are no studies exploring the experience of mothering a child in this community. Thus, this study aims to explore the lived experience of mothering a child with ADHD in the UOJ community. The study used a descriptive qualitative phenomenological approach. Ten UOJ mothers of children with ADHD underwent semi-structured in-depth interviews to explore their lived experiences of mothering a child with ADHD. Thematic analysis was carried out on the transcripts. Four main themes, along with several subthemes, emerged from the qualitative analysis: child ADHD manifestations, maternal role, social factors, and self-care. Unique characteristics of the UOJ culture were apparent throughout the themes. UOJ children with ADHD display similar manifestations of symptoms in daily life to those in the general population and maternal burden is similarly present. However, unique perceptions of their maternal role, social factors, and legitimacy for self-care shed light into the impact of this culture on their lived experience. Findings may help promote culturally sensitive health care and interventions for this understudied population.

The nature of magnitude integration: Contextual interference versus active magnitude binding.

Magnitude dimensions such as duration and numerosity have been shown to systematically interact, biasing each other in a congruent fashion: the more numerous a set of items is, the longer it is perceived to last in time. This integration between dimensions plays an important role in defining how we perceive magnitude. So far, however, the nature of magnitude integration remains unclear. Is magnitude integration a contextual interference, occurring whenever different types of information are concurrently available in the visual field, or does it involve an active “binding” of the different dimensions of the same object? To address these possibilities, we measured the integration bias induced by numerosity on perceived duration, in two cases: with duration and numerosity conveyed by distinct stimuli, or by the same stimulus. We show that a congruent integration effect can be observed only when the two magnitudes belong to the same stimulus. Instead, when the two magnitudes are conveyed by distinct stimuli, we observed an opposite effect. These findings demonstrate for the first time that a congruent integration occurs only between the dimensions of the same stimulus, suggesting the involvement of an active mechanism integrating the different dimensions of the same object in a unified percept.

The Impact of Colleague Suicide and the Current State of Postvention Guidance for Affected Co-Workers: A Critical Integrative Review.

People bereaved by suicide are affected psychologically and physically and may be at greater risk of taking their own lives. Whilst researchers have explored the impact of suicide on family members and friends, the area of colleague suicide has been neglected and postvention guidance for supporting surviving colleagues is often poorly developed. This critical integrative review explored the impact of colleague suicide on surviving co-workers and reviewed postvention guidance for workplaces. Systematic searches found 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Articles were appraised for quality and extracted data were analysed using a thematic network method. Article quality was moderate. Two global themes were developed: impact of a colleague suicide comprised themes of ‘suicide loss in the workplace’; ‘professional identities and workplace roles’; ‘perceptions of professional uniqueness’; and ‘professional abandonment and silencing’. Postvention following a colleague suicide comprised ‘individualised responses’; ‘the dual function of stigma’; and ‘complex pressure on managers’. A unifying global network ‘after a colleague suicide’ describes the relationships between all themes. A series of disconnects between existing postvention guidance and the needs of impacted workers are discussed. This review demonstrates the need for robust, systemic postvention for colleagues impacted by the complex issue of colleague suicide.

Wireless Communication Network Security System Based on Big Data Information Transmission Technology

This paper establishes a unified perception information transmission model for the difference in the number of cognitive radio users in wireless communication network systems. The model can effectively improve the utilization of spectrum resources. At the same time, this paper introduces a cyclic delay full diversity sensing information coding transmission scheme for the security risks of wireless communication networks. We established a system simulation model to compare performance under different correlation coefficients. The study found that the total interference intensity in the cyclic delay diversity system is lower than that of the frequency division duplex and time division duplex. Its antijamming attack capability also becomes stronger accordingly.

Content Validity Assessment of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire in CKD Using Qualitative Methods.

Background: The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) measures individuals’ unique perceptions of their illness. While psychometric properties of the IPQ-R have been demonstrated in many disease populations, its content validity has not been extensively studied in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD). Unique features of CKD (e.g., few symptoms in early stages) may impact the measurement of illness perceptions. The purpose of this study was to explore the IPQ-R content validity in a sample of CKD patients. Methods: Thirty-one participants completed the IPQ-R and were interviewed regarding their subscale scores (timeline, consequences, personal control, treatment control, coherence, cyclical, and emotions). Participants’ agreement with their scores was tallied and assessed qualitatively for themes related to the content validity of the measure. Results: Individual participant agreement with their subscale scores averaged 79% (range: 29–100%). Subscale agreement varied: timeline (100%), consequences, coherence, and emotion (83% each), cyclical (75%), personal control (65%), and treatment control (64%). A qualitative exploration of disagreement responses revealed concerns with the relevance and comprehensibility of personal control and treatment control. Conclusions: Some IPQ-R subscales may pose content validity concerns in the non-dialysis CKD population. Item modification for comprehensibility (personal control) and relevance (treatment control) should be considered. Future studies should explore the impact of a patient’s symptom experience on IPQ-R validity, especially in populations like CKD with a higher proportion of asymptomatic patients.

New corporate social responsibility brand evaluation in a developing country: Uzbekistan

Organizations strive to satisfy salient and unmet consumer needs by providing value through their products and services. If environmentally sustainable “green” brands successfully exist by addressing environmental issues in developed countries where environmental consciousness is high, there may be a potential for the existence of newly created CSR brands that aim to deliver socio-economic benefits in developing countries. We empirically tested the potential of a brand that offers socio-economic corporate social responsibility benefits in a developing country- Uzbekistan.As Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in developing countries is a relatively new concept with little empirical research, this research examined the impact that brands with socio-economic CSR initiatives have on consumers’ purchase intentions. In addition, brands with socio-economic CSR initiatives were compared with brands with no CSR initiatives. Drawing on both marketing and psychological theories, we hypothesized that brands with socio-economic benefits would be received more favorably by consumers in developing countries where economic needs are more salient.To empirically test the hypotheses, 397 Uzbekistan consumers responded to an online survey. The Brand Potential Index indicators were regressed on consumers’ purchase intentions to a brand with CSR socio-economic benefits and to a brand with no CSR benefits. Regarding the brand with socio-economic benefits, consumers’ perception of brand uniqueness, potential popularity, trust, empathy, and recommendation significantly predicted buying intentions. In contrast, only trust and recommendation significantly predicted buying intention for the brand that lacked socio-economic benefits. While both were significant, the relationship between the BPI indicators was stronger for the brand with socio-economic benefits (R2 = .63 versus .49, p < .001). Consumers were more willing to pay a price premium for the brand with socio-economic benefits even though they perceived such brands were of lower quality.The results supported the potential of CSR brands in developing countries that focus on socio-economic benefits. This research adds value to our understanding of CSR in developing countries, and predictors of consumer purchase intentions using theory from both the marketing and psychological literature. Implications for brand management and future research are provided, including the need to target CSR initiatives that are salient to consumers.