Aspects Of Social Life Research Articles

Teeth Baring as a Model to Understand Complex Facial Signals in a Tolerant Macaque Species.

Facial communication regulates many aspects of social life in human and nonhuman primates. Empirically identifying distinct facial expressions and their underlying functions can help illuminate the evolution of species' communicative complexity. We focused on bared-teeth faces (BTFs), a highly versatile facial expression in the tolerant macaque Macaca tonkeana. By employing a diverse array of techniques (MaqFACS, unsupervised cluster analysis, Levenshtein distance, NetFACS), we quantitatively discriminated two distinct BTFs: bared-teeth (BT) and open mouth bared-teeth (OMBT), and evaluated their distribution across peaceful, playful, and agonistic contexts. Neither BT nor OMBT were context-specific, although BT frequently occurred during peaceful interactions and with low levels of stereotypy. OMBT was highly stereotyped during play, a context involving strong unpredictability. The presence of tongue-protrusion during OMBT was exclusive to peaceful contexts whereas the presence of glabella-lowering during BT and OMBT was specific to agonistic contexts. Hence, BT and OMBT per se are not context-specific, but their contextual relevance hinges on the inclusion of specific key elements. Moving forward, concurrent analyses of stereotypy and specificity should extend beyond our study to encompass other primate and non-primate species, facilitating direct comparisons and revealing how communicative and social complexity coevolve.

Bridging digital divides in Wisconsin: an examination of policy efforts and effectiveness over the past five years

ABSTRACT The digital divide, generally characterized by unequal Internet access, represents the gap between individuals who benefit from the use of digital technologies and those who do not. Many social inequalities are associated with the prevalence of the digital divide, particularly across the rural-urban divide. This research seeks to characterize the status of the digital divide, and related sociodemographic variables, within the context of the US state of Wisconsin. In addition, this research investigates the effectiveness of broadband expansion grants, within the state of Wisconsin, on bridging the digital divide. The findings indicate that, at the county level, variations in education, household income, age, and location on a rural-urban continuum are all associated with variations in county broadband adoption rates. Also, despite increasing broadband funding, the amount of money sent to a county is not associated with the need of that county or the change in county level broadband adoption rates from the year 2017–2021. The findings of this study have theoretical implications as they add to our understanding of how broadband adoption is related to social aspects of life. In addition, there are political implications in terms of how grant funding allocation is determined.

Wirtualna etniczność – nowa jakość czy nowe dekoracje?

This article analyses the concept of “virtual ethnicity” and, as this phrase indicates, it concerns the relationship between the Internet and ethnicity. Rooted in sociology term “ethnicity” is juxtaposed here with the modern technology of the global network. The Internet and related applications are changing numerous aspects of our lives, both individually and collectively. The change this technology brings is radical. Digitalization and global connections aff ect every aspect of social life – everyday life, customs, politics, economics, interpersonal relations and ways of organizing social life. Social phenomena as we know them are being transformed; new ones are also being created, such as virtual communities uniting people who, without sharing a common territory, feel a strong bonds and are able to act together effectively. The above comments also apply to the phenomenon mentioned in the title of the article. This work analyses ethnicity expressed through online communication practices. Comparing offl ine and online ethnicity, the article notes the numerous positive functions of the Internet for articulation of ethnicity and raises questions about the defi nition and methods of examining online manifestations of ethnicity.

Global Leader, Local Challenges: An Overview of Streaming in India

The rise of digital technologies in the past three decades transformed how individuals and societies consume and interpret media. This digital penetration impacts almost every aspect of social life, including the form, content and affordances transnational media conglomerates offer. The post-2000 shifts from traditional broadcasting to digital streaming introduced new questions about contemporary media technologies. One such question is the significance of global media conglomerates’ localisation of technologies and texts in diverse markets such as India, where the streaming industry is expected to hit $15 billion by the decade’s end. This study, grounded in the theoretical frameworks of global media, political economy and cultural studies, attempted to enhance existing scholarship on hybridity or glocalisation, the fusion between global and local cultures, by analysing the effects of streaming in India’s rapidly digitising economy. Through textual and document analysis, the study examined the factors across content preferences, pricing policies and regulatory environment that contributed to Netflix’s struggles and the relative success of Disney+Hotstar and JioCinema in the Indian market. Investigating cultural and economic factors revealed that global media conglomerates and platforms must localise their messages, agendas and ideologies for adequate consumption, interpretation and adoption.

Management of scientific and technological regional development in the Volga Federal District: review of government programs

Relevance. In light of the growing interest in the scientific and technological development of regions, setting goals for scientific and technological advancement at the national level, the issue of developing programs for the development of science and education leading to the technological sovereignty of the country becomes relevant.The purpose is to analyze the ongoing programs for scientific and technological development of the regions of the Volga Federal District, as well as individual indicators characterizing the dynamics of the scientific and educational sector of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.Objectives: conduct an economic and statistical analysis of the main indicators characterizing the scientific and technological progress of the regions of the Volga Federal District; identify regions of the Volga Federal District in which state programs for scientific and technological development have been developed, and consider their features.Methodology. The study used methods of economic-statistical and comparative analysis.Results. A review of state programs for scientific and technological development shows that four pilot regions of the Volga Federal District (Nizhny Novgorod region, Republic of Tatarstan, Republic of Bashkortostan and Republic of Mordovia) have already developed corresponding programs, and two regions (Orenburg region and Perm Territory) are under development. The remaining regions either have state programs that indirectly indicate the development of scientific and technological potential, or they do not exist.Conclusions. Scientific and technological development programs represent an important document that defines strategic guidelines for the development of science, technology and higher education. Regions that have already developed state programs for scientific and technological development have a high scientific reserve and are located in the top positions in the National Rating of Scientific and Technological Development of Regions. Such regions show strong results in the scientific and educational sector, which contributes to improving the economic and social development of the region. A systematic analysis of these programs makes it possible to identify their impact on various aspects of social life, as well as determine the effectiveness of the measures taken and mechanisms for achieving the set goals. It is important to take into account the variety of approaches to the development and implementation of strategic programs, which should be aimed at the unique characteristics of the country’s regions, their bottlenecks and development prospects, taking into account an assessment of their potential.

Medzivojnová Banská Bystrica: Obraz kultúrneho a spoločenského života

The interwar period in Banská Bystrica brought significant changes in the political, economic, cultural, and social spheres of the city. The establishment of the First Czechoslovak Republic and subsequent democratic conditions accelerated the formation of a modern civil society and the development of culture. Key roles were played by education, associations, educational activities, periodicals, radio, libraries, as well as the development of arts, which included literature, theater, music, cinema, and visual arts. One of the centers of social and cultural life became the newly built National House, which significantly contributed to the shaping of public life. During this period, the celebration of anniversaries and significant visits represented an important aspect of social life. These events aimed to strengthen national identity and simultaneously serve to present the city in the best possible light.

Research on the Application of New Energy Photovoltaic Power Generation Technology

With the rapid development of technology and economy, the demand for energy in society is increasing. People are gradually realizing that fossil energy is limited, and the development of new energy may also face situations where it cannot meet social needs. The problem of resource shortage is gradually exposed to people. Therefore, the development of usable new energy has become an urgent problem for society to solve. At present, electricity is the most widely used energy source worldwide and photovoltaic power generation technology is gradually becoming well-known. As an emerging industry, the development of photovoltaic power generation still requires continuous promotion by national and social policies to be extended to various industries and ensure the stability of its energy supply. This article mainly outlines the principles, characteristics, and advantages of photovoltaic power generation, and briefly explains the current technology types and application aspects of photovoltaic power generation to contribute to its promotion and better serve all aspects of social life with new energy.

Transformation in Beliefs and Religious Practices among Religious Followers in Present-Day Vietnam

Vietnam is a country with diverse religions. The transformation in beliefs and religious practices among religious followers in Vietnam is constantly influenced by global trends, the industrial revolution 4.0, the country’s achievements in renovation, international integration, and the Party and State’s religious policies. This context drives religious organizations to continually revive, develop both structurally and operationally, and diversify their activities. However, this dynamism also brings complexity and impacts various aspects of social life. This study sheds light on the current process of transformation in faith and religious practices among followers of different religions in Vietnam. Furthermore, it provides authentic information for relevant researchers to compare, contrast, and support scientific arguments. Ultimately, it offers reasonable grounds for Vietnam’s functional agencies to issue and enforce more effective policies related to religion.

Artificial Intelligence and mass media: negative aspects of content personalization algorithms

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and machine learning algorithms is increasingly influencing various aspects of social life, gradually finding its place not only in social media but also in journalism (Newman). They are actively being integrated into various fields of mass media, enabling the automation of several processes within media companies, thereby optimizing the work of journalists, editors, and media managers. This topic represents a pertinent issue in the modern information society (Túñez López et al.). AI and its machine learning capabilities have become integral parts of the processes of content creation, analysis, and distribution, bringing new opportunities along with significant challenges. For instance, personalization algorithms allow for the adaptation of information to the individual interests and preferences of each user, increasing their engagement and satisfaction with the content. Thus, social networks and many other internet platforms are personalized for each user based on their demographic profiles and personal data. This article provides an overview of current scientific data on the potential risks associated with the use of content personalization algorithms in mass media. The results and conclusions of the article will help to better understand the nature of these risks and the associated challenges for the field of mass communication.

Analisis Teologi Sosial Dalam Pemertahanan Identitas Kultural Kesamen Masyarakat Hindu Di Desa Sembiran Buleleng

Kesamen, as a local wisdom passed down through generations, is preserved and maintained by the Sembiran community as a core part of their identity. From a social theology perspective, Kesamen represents efforts to uphold ancestral values that emphasize equality and unite the community in a socio-religious framework, while also preventing conflicts of interest. This study aims to examine the Kesamen system in the Sembiran community through the lens of social theology, particularly as a form of cultural identity preservation. The research uses a qualitative approach with data collection methods including observation, interviews, literature studies, and documentation. The findings show that Kesamen values align with the concept of social theology, reflected in daily practices such as Tri Hita Karana, Karma Phala, Tat Twam Asi, and Menyama Braya. Sembiran village is known for its rich traditions and culture, with moral values integrated into various aspects of social life, from individual relationships to community interactions. The preservation of Kesamen holds significant meaning, especially in maintaining religious values, fostering togetherness, ensuring social and cultural sustainability, and stabilizing society. In conclusion, Kesamen plays an essential role in strengthening social cohesion, preserving the cultural identity of the Sembiran community, and resisting external cultural domination. These values also boost the community's confidence in safeguarding their identity and solidarity.

Видовое разнообразие делинквентных молодежных субкультур в современной России: опыт теоретического исследования

Social disorganization triggers the development of subcultures, both positive and negative. As part of innovative adaptation, a person or a group may update certain sets of values, thus offering an alternative solution to some existing contradictions. Destructive socio-cultural associations, on the contrary, revise and oppose the generally recognized and accepted values, which leads to protest activity and what Peter Berger defined as anti-societies. The article describes the current diversity of delinquent youth subcultures in Russia and their development. The author designed a typology based on sociological interpretation, affiliations, and risks: 1) subcultures with career prospects; 2) subcultures of antisocial leisure activities; 3) subcultures that imitate certain totalitarian organizations; 4) subcultures of escapism; 5) subcultures of gender orientation; 6) street subcultures; 7) school-shooting subcultures. This classification takes into account those aspects of social life that deserve special scientific attention. Each subcultural community requires a special interdisciplinary approach that would consider its socio-cultural and legal adaptation mechanisms, causes, and online and offline functioning.

Social Isolation: Overcoming Linguistic Obstacles and Mitigating Social Isolation in Diverse Communities

This study investigated the influence of language obstacles on social isolation in varied communities, with a specific focus on the Ogbomoso community in Oyo State, Nigeria. It analyzed the impact of language barriers on communication effectiveness, resulting in misunderstandings, conflicts, and limited access to crucial services such as healthcare, education, and employment. These obstacles also contribute to social and economic inequalities, impeding social advancement and intensifying emotions of seclusion, unease, and apprehension. The study used a qualitative research approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, to investigate the experiences of residents and their solutions for surmounting language barriers. The findings emphasized the importance of culturally responsive teaching, community-based learning initiatives, and the utilization of technology in supporting language acquisition and integration. The study presents exemplary programs, such as Canada’s LINC and Australia’s AMEP, as examples of effectively addressing these difficulties. The study underscored the importance of continuous policy assistance, fair access to educational resources, and active community involvement in order to establish more inclusive and unified societies. This study aims to promote social inclusion and reduce isolation by encouraging the use of multiple languages and implementing effective language learning methods. Its goal is to empower people from all backgrounds to succeed in academic, economic, and social aspects of life. Keywords: Social Isolation, Social Integration, Linguistic Barriers, Diverse Communities, Language Acquisition

Addressing Social Issues and Ensuring Social Security in Vietnam During the Renovation Period

Vietnam's national renovation has gone through four decades. Throughout the comprehensive renovation process, the understanding of the fundamental aspects of social life has become increasingly clear, reflecting the essence of the socialist system that Vietnam has chosen. Social issues encompass all aspects of human life. The level of economic development provides the material conditions to implement social policies, but social goals are the ultimate purpose of economic activities. Even within the framework of economic activities, social policies directly impact labor productivity, product quality, etc., hence the need for basic, long-term social policies that align with the requirements and capabilities during the initial phase of the transitional period. This article focuses on clarifying the views and policies of the Party and the Vietnamese government on addressing social issues and ensuring social security; highlighting both the achievements and limitations in the process of addressing social issues and ensuring social security in Vietnam during the renovation period.

Quality of Life and Its Determinants Among Individuals With Diabetes in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey.

Background Diabetes mellitus is a significant public health issue globally, with increasing prevalence rates. In Saudi Arabia, a substantial proportion of the adult population is affected. While the impact of diabetes on physical health is well-documented, less is known about its effects on emotional and social well-being in this region. Methods From January to March 2024, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 207 individuals with diabetes in Saudi Arabia. The survey, available in Arabic and English, assessed physical symptoms, emotional health, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results The majority of participants were aged 31-45 years (n=63, 30.4%) and female (n=118, 56.9%). Type 2 diabetes was the most common (n=122, 59.1%). Regarding physical health, 34.6% (n=72) rated their health as goodwhile 37.2% (n=77) experienced physical symptoms sometimes and 17.9% (n=37) often. Emotional health challenges were reported by 39.2% (n=81) experiencing anxiety and 33.9% (n=70) experiencing depression. Social interactions were impacted, with 28.6% (n=59) reporting challenges in relationships and 14.3% (n=30) facing significant impacts on recreational activities. Overall quality of life was rated as good by 40.4% (n=83), fair by 29.9% (n=62), and very poor by 4.8% (n=10). Conclusions The study highlights the significant effects of diabetes on the physical, emotional, and social aspects of life in Saudi Arabia. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive care strategies that incorporate medical treatment, emotional support, and social integration to improve the overall quality of life for individuals with diabetes.

Unveiling the burden of COPD: perspectives on a patient-reported outcome measure to support communication in outpatient consultations-an interview study among patients.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) profoundly affects physical, psychological, and social aspects of life, yet these issues often remain unaddressed. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures (PROM) have the potential to address these issues by promoting person-centered communication. However, their impact in COPD practice remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate how patients with COPD perceive the usefulness of a new holistic PROM for general palliative care (PRO-Pall) before and during outpatient consultations. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with patients diagnosed with moderate to very severe COPD, 2-5 days after consultation at a respiratory outpatient clinic in Denmark. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively using qualitative content analysis. Nine patients (five males; mean age: 66 years) participated in the study with four themes emerging: (1) Unlocking thoughts: Completing PRO-Pall stimulated patients' self-reflection, which revealed previously overlooked COPD-related issues, particularly psychosocial challenges. (2) Unmasking concerns: Patients felt encouraged to be honest, rather than concealing their concerns. (3) Breaking the ice: PRO-Pall responses enabled direct questioning by healthcare professionals during consultations, initiating discussions on patients' sensitive yet vital COPD-related matters. (4) Deepening the dialogue: Healthcare professionals' targeted and attentive approach fostered more holistic and meaningful discussions, providing most patients with a deeper understanding of psychosocial issues affecting their well-being. Completing PRO-Pall prior to outpatient consultations prompted most patients with COPD to unveil previously unacknowledged psychosocial challenges. During consultations, addressing these challenges initiated open discussions on individual concerns, enhancing most patients' understanding of the multifaceted burden of COPD.

Money Life in These Conditions

The content of the article aims to clarify the life of money in today's conditions, thereby showing that money is not only a measure of value but also a commodity in the exchange of buying and selling; all activities of human life are determined by money. To clarify the purpose of the article, the author uses the methodology of human philosophy and social philosophy, and at the same time, uses qualitative methods, analysis, comparison, and synthesis to clarify the life of money. The result is a systematization of the life of money, at the same time pointing out the driving force of money in the process of economic and social development. Still, it also threatens the sustainable development of human society. With all the above content, I can conclude that: one, money is a product of human beings; it becomes a means of buying and selling goods; two, money is a common commodity, which makes money a monopoly product of the state; Third, the competition in issuing money becomes the competition between nations in all aspects of social life, from economics, politics, culture, to science, weapons, and war.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS’ SELF- EDUCATIONAL VALUE SYSTEM IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMUNICATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING

In today’s dynamic world, traditional formal education often falls short in adequately preparing students for the demands of modern society. While formal learning provides a structured foundation, its controlled nature may lead to gaps in addressing the rapidly evolving aspects of social life. These gaps can be effectively bridged through self-education, offering a more adaptable and flexible approach. Self-education, which emerges and evolves within the formal education system, plays a crucial role in complementing formal learning by fostering necessary skills and abilities aligned with the individual’s value system. Particularly in the realm of foreign language education, self-education thrives within the context of communication, serving as a vital tool for developing linguistic competence. By prioritizing communication as the primary method of foreign language instruction, educators can create an environment rich with opportunities for self-education. This approach enables the cultivation of essential values, abilities, and skills, ultimately enhancing the overall learning experience. In this article, we explore the integration of communication into foreign language education and its profound connection to the development of self-education.

Covid-19 lockdowns in the global south and the pitfalls of online education in a digitally divided society

The COVID-19 pandemic has had adverse effects on all aspects of social life. The pandemic has not spared the education fraternity with methods of teaching and learning being altered, pushing higher education institutions to adopt online or mediated education. Although online education is regarded as the future of education in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) digital age, the global health pandemic has fast-tracked the pace of digitalisation. The digital divide has highlighted the rapid shift in African societies. In this study, we explored the South African tertiary education landscape using the theory of the digital divide to understand the challenges of implementing full-time online learning among tertiary students. Data for this qualitative study were gathered from a sample of tertiary students at a university of technology from different economic and social backgrounds to find the connections between their situations and their ability to have access to digital learning tools. Semi-structured interviews were employed to extract the perceptions of students regarding online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Which Social Variables Predict Diabetes Onset? Robust Findings in Two National Surveys.

The role of social factors in diabetes onset has been obscured by wide variation in their conceptualization and operationalization. We apply 3 theoretical frameworks to categorize social relationship variables along several dimensions and identify which dimension(s) are robustly associated with incident diabetes in the older adult population. The National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (n = 2,365) and the Health and Retirement Study (n =11,824) provided longitudinal data from 57 to 90-year-old respondents over a 4- to 5-year period. Logistic regression models were used to test associations of 15 social variables measured identically in both data sets with diabetes onset measured as respondents' first report of a physician's diagnosis. In both studies, not being married, experiencing strain in a spousal relationship, and feeling lonely were associated with increased risk for diabetes onset at follow-up. Inconsistent or null findings were observed for social support, social activity, network size, number of friends and relatives, living alone, and closeness to network members. Robust findings in 2 large-scale surveys support the importance of the valence dimension (i.e., positive and negative); specifically, alleviating negative aspects of social life might more effectively reduce risk for diabetes than augmenting positive ones. Findings were not aligned with social variables differing on the subjectivity dimension (i.e., structural, functional, and qualitative aspects of social connections). Future work needs consistent conceptualization and measurement of social factors to correctly identify and categorize risk factors for diabetes onset and other health conditions in older adults.

What constitutes the perception of facial typicality?

Facial typicality plays a significant role in social interactions as an ingroup marker. We have investigated how physical attributes and perceived psychological characteristics are associated with both perceived and measured facial typicality. We analyzed 195 facial portraits of individuals (106 women, 89 men) of Czech origin using a combination of geometric morphometrics and Bayesian multiple regression. Then we tested how perceived facial characteristics (trustworthiness and attractiveness) and measured characteristics (morphological uniqueness, sextypicality, distinctiveness, BMI, age, and skin color expressed in CIELab space) relate to the perception of facial typicality. The portraits were rated by 777 local raters (577 women, 200 men). Our results showed that perceived trustworthiness is tightly associated with ratings of local facial typicality in both sexes. Although other factors (skin lightness, shape distinctiveness, and BMI) also seemed to play a role, the effects of most variables were inconclusive. Based on a novel approach incorporating both perceived and measured facial typicality, we conclude that given the strong positive association with perceived trustworthiness, facial typicality might have widespread implications for various aspects of social life.