Utilitarian Purposes Research Articles

Adaptation of Post-fortress Buildings as an Enrichment of the Functional Programme of a Housing Estate on the Example of Fort VIII Służew in Warsaw

The article refers to the problem of adaptation of post-fortress objects from the 19th century located in the strict urban tissue in Poland. The authors of the text analyse the example of adaptation of Fort VIII Służew in Warsaw as a way of making common spaces in housing estates more attractive. The rapid demilitarisation of fortresses from this period caused by the development of the art of war and the subsequent dynamic development of urban planning after the Second World War resulted in the degradation and disappearance of these valuable monuments. The Russian ring fortress of Warsaw is now entirely within the urban fabric. Introducing additions and new utility functions is becoming a way of protecting the existing stock of often degraded spaces left behind by former forts. On the example of Fort VIII Służew, a number of activities related to adaptation, revitalisation and revalorisation of the existing urbanised residential space in Ursynów district are presented. The analysed object together with its surroundings is an example of a way to use post-fortress spaces for both utilitarian and cognitive purposes while respecting historic values. Age-old fortifications, so well preserved in Poland, significantly define and shape urban layouts. The research carried out by the authors of this text shows that appropriate use of the potential of post-fortress buildings from the 19th century can significantly improve the quality and character of colonial buildings and highlight the values associated with this type of specific monument.

Of Birds and Men in Rural Norway: Self, Place and Landscape in Vesaas and Lirhus

Abstract Agnar Lirhus’s Nå hogger de (2020) and Tarjei Vesaas’s Fuglane (1957) both feature a main character whose self-narrative is formed through interaction with nonhuman animals and grounded in attachment to place. These characters break with the dominant cultural ontology by attributing agency and intrinsic value to beings who are otherwise ignored or pursued for utilitarian purposes. I consider the ethical implications of their encounters with nonhumans, exploring whether these can be considered social interactions or are better understood as occurring on a spiritual plane. Finally, I show that the choice of outsiders as main characters can function as a literary strategy for questioning the dominant cultural ontology.

Decoding Generation Z's habits: the augmented reality shift from gimmick to utility in omni-digital shopping

Purpose Building on technology acceptance and learning transfer theories, this study aims to evaluate the integration of mobile augmented reality (MAR) in omnichannel retailing touchpoints for Generation Z (or Gen Z)'s apparel shopping, assessing how habitual augmented reality (AR) use in nonretailing contexts impacts Gen Z's motivations, acceptance and use of MAR shopping apps. Design/methodology/approach A total of 562 participants downloaded a footwear MAR app and completed a survey. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and multivariate regression to explore moderated mediation effects. Findings The study reveals a paradigm shift: Gen Z's habitual use of AR in social media (e.g. Snapchat and TikTok face filters) significantly influences their intent to use MAR in shopping, overshadowing hedonic motivations. This marks a transition from AR as a gimmick to a practical utility in omnichannel touchpoints, with performance expectancy emerging as a critical mediator in adopting MAR for utilitarian purposes. Research limitations/implications This study highlights how Gen Z consumers’ tech habits influence their pragmatic view of MAR, urging re-exploration of the main constructs of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model. Practical implications Findings suggest Gen Z values practicality over fun in MAR shopping apps, guiding marketers to emphasize tangible benefits for this demographic. Originality/value This research underscores the evolving perception of AR in retail among mobile natives, highlighting the shift from novelty to habitual utility. It offers strategic insights for integrating AR into omnichannel strategies, catering to the utilitarian expectations of Gen Z in the digital retail landscape.

Unveiling the role of congruity in service robot design and deployment

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the congruency effects of physically embodied robots in service encounters, which addressed a significant research gap concerning the synthesis of robot design elements (e.g., appearance and voice) and their service purposes.Design/methodology/approachGrounded in congruity theory and human-robot interaction literature, this study conducted a pretest and two experimental studies revealing the need to view robot design holistically and recognizing the pivotal role of congruity in shaping consumers’ service robot adoption. The moderating role of service purposes (utilitarian vs hedonic) was also investigated in terms of robot design and consumer reactions.FindingsConsumers generally tend to favor robots with congruent designs, particularly for utilitarian service purposes. The serial mediation through perceived congruence and perceived intelligence explains such a favorite tendency.Practical implicationsThis study advances service robot design research by highlighting the critical role of congruity in enhancing consumer engagement. It supports the use of comprehensive, congruent designs for services with utilitarian purposes and recommends adaptable designs for hedonic settings.Originality/valueThis study addressed the research gap by examining service robot design from a holistic perspective. The research findings highlight the importance of congruency effects in service robot design and deployment and provide valuable insights and guidelines to industry practitioners for optimal investment in service robots.

The controversial case of a coastal Mesolithic tool: A geometric approach to the analysis of the Asturian pick

The Mesolithic period along the coast of the Cantabrian Region (Spain), known as the “Asturian,” is distinguished by the presence of shell middens and a particular lithic tool, the Asturian pick. Despite the tool’s archaeological significance, its technological and functional aspects have not been fully understood, resulting in ambiguous interpretations of its morphological relationships and utilitarian purposes. Our research aims to quantify and analyse the technological processes that have influenced the Asturian pick's form and investigate the selection criteria governing its morphology and choice of raw materials. A novel aspect of our approach is the use of digital methods, including photogrammetry and three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis. We analysed a sample of Asturian picks, compared against a control group of different elements and raw material specimens. The findings corroborate the homogeneity and standardisation of the Asturian pick's design and unveil regional shape variations that correspond with the distinct raw materials available in each locality.

Navigating in the multiverse: Possibilities and limitations of creative practices in online environments

Currently, and especially since the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase of online concerts, talks and even artist residencies. There has also been a development of webstreaming sound studios and online interactive platforms that accommodate art works. Moreover, museums and galleries offer virtual tours to their exhibitions. All this is part of a promise of widening access to cultural, educational and creative opportunities and a suggestion to escape from the limitations and boundaries of time and physical distance. Nonetheless, creative practitioners, curators and art aficionados are urgently compelled to critically analyse, doubt and challenge this promise of limitless possibilities that the online world is offering. In this era of digital information, what expectations does a virtual artwork raise? What is its utilitarian purpose and social value? How do the disembodiment and technological displacement of human beings shape and affect their cultural and communal bonding? To find some answers or, rather, to extend these questions, I will reflect on my artistic practice and experience of creating works that are available on online platforms and controlled with the use of digital interactive tools. A primary analytical tool will be the phenomenological concept of the lived body as well as socio-anthropological arguments about time and materiality. My aim is not to create a fixed and dogmatic theory but to negotiate what role, if any, artistic practice can have in the virtual world.

Ukraine during the invasion - security challenges and "everyday life"

War is always a time of difficult decisions. This is a test of the reality of the "will for peace", but also a verification of "preparing for war". The fire of war therefore verifies preparation and reactivity towards war. It turns out, however, that given the traditionally great importance of the decisions of the political and military establishment and their impact on the course of the defensive war and the fate of society's survival, the sequence and, above all, the continuity of signals coming from the social side are equally important. The methodological composition of this article assumes an updated reflection on the "triad of war" and its systemic relations that become visible in the face of war challenges of statehood and war challenges, security challenges of everyday social life. While it is possible to react reactively rather than preventively to the aggressor's volleys, appreciating the possibility of war allows us to strengthen many of the foundations of statehood in advance. There are also certain opportunities among the already materialized threats. Hence the title "challenges" category. The reflections and conclusions of this article, made on the basis of the assumed cognitive and utilitarian purpose, can serve as a proposal to shed new light on the functioning of the state and the development of immunity, which makes the invasion more difficult for the aggressor.

The sacred and profane in design: Exploring the transcendent nature of ordinary products

This paper explores how specific products transcend their utilitarian purposes, evoking profound consumer fascination. These objects, characterized by an elusive quality surpassing practicality, acquire deeper meaning and allure. At the core is the concept of the sacred, intertwining the ordinary with the extraordinary, resonating profoundly on a personal level. Despite historical religious associations, the sacred in design extends beyond religion, inviting exploration of inherent sanctity in everyday products. It unravels the complex interplay between the sacred and the profane in design, examining how ordinary products gain heightened significance and become secularly revered by consumers. By assessing dimensions contributing to design object sacredness, particularly in fostering product loyalty, it seeks to delineate criteria defining sacred properties using precise user comments and product examples. Ultimately, this exploration of the secular sacred aims to inspire designers to delve into objects’ profound potential, fostering a comprehensive understanding surpassing traditional religious associations in design.

Motivation as a Lens for Understanding Information-seeking Behaviors.

Most prior research characterizes information-seeking behaviors as serving utilitarian purposes, such as whether the obtained information can help solve practical problems. However, information-seeking behaviors are sensitive to different contexts (i.e., threat vs. curiosity), despite having equivalent utility. Furthermore, these search behaviors can be modulated by individuals' life history and personality traits. Yet the emphasis on utilitarian utility has precluded the development of a unified model, which explains when and how individuals actively seek information. To account for this variability and flexibility, we propose a unified information-seeking framework that examines information-seeking through the lens of motivation. This unified model accounts for integration across individuals' internal goal states and the salient features of the environment to influence information-seeking behavior. We propose that information-seeking is determined by motivation for information, invigorated either by instrumental utility or hedonic utility, wherein one's personal or environmental context moderates this relationship. Furthermore, we speculate that the final common denominator in guiding information-seeking is the engagement of different neuromodulatory circuits centered on dopaminergic and noradrenergic tone. Our framework provides a unified framework for information-seeking behaviors and generates several testable predictions for future studies.

Полиноминативность географических объектов в лингвокультурном контексте

The article attempts to analyze the linguocultural factors contributing to the phenome­non of polynominativity—multiple names for a single object. This investi­gation employs top­onyms as a case study. The exploration delves into several key factors that give rise to poly­onyms: 1) linguosociocultural factors: these factors play a pivotal role in shaping subsystems of names, encompassing both official and unof­ficial, widely used and niche terms, as well as neutral and connotatively charged expressions. 2) linguogeocultural factors: they contribute to the differentiation of objects based on culturally significant oppositions such as ‘near-far’, ‘left-right’, and subsequently transmit binary characteristics like ‘own-alien’,’ ‘good-bad’, among others. 3) linguoethnocultural factors: these factors elucidate the intricacies of the in­teraction and mutual influence of onomastic systems from different ethnic groups coexisting within the same geographical space. 4) linguopragmatic factors: these factors drive the multi­plication of onomastic units and subsystems for utilitarian purposes, including cultural con­siderations. 5) linguocognitive factors: they lead to the emergence of ‘double’ names that mir­ror individual or collective features of a particular worldview model. It is evident that these factors interact dynamically within specific historical, social, and cultural contexts. The study of the intricate interplay between these elements holds promise, and advancements in onomas­tic ethnolinguistics, coupled with developments in computational linguistics, are par­ticularly noteworthy. Despite progress, researchers tackling this thematic area are confronted with numerous unresolved questions.

Odkryty księgozbiór nutowy Friedricha Wilhelma Jünckego (1842–1897) jako początek badań nad odtworzeniem dawnego inwentarza muzycznego

This article attempts to determine the function of the discovered small collection of 19 pieces of music, owned by Friedrich Wilhelm Jüncke (1842–1897) stored in the Library of the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk. In the face of limited knowledge about the life of this merchant from Gdańsk, and then from Sopot, the discovery that, apart from numismatic items and so-called Gdansk door, he also collected musical items was a big surprise for the employees of the Art Inkubator, an institution that, since 2019, has been taking care of, e.g. Jüncke’s villa and cherishes the memory of the former owner of the building. The musical and bibliological characteristics of the music prints showed that Jüncke gathered them for collecting rather than for utilitarian purposes. The provenance entries found in two prints prove that Jüncke was not their first owner. In addition, the entries found in the next five prints may prove that after Jüncke’s death some items were in the possession of the Gdańsk NSDAP, and after the war they ended up in the aMuz Library. Undoubtedly, finding this small book collection contributes to supplementing the information about Jüncke and – indirectly – to expanding knowledge about the musical culture of Gdańsk in the period 1939–1945.

O metodach badawczych w publicznym prawie gospodarczym

The article reflects on the issue of the research method in public economic law. In the first part, the concept of science is explained, which can be understood as a process consisting in the systematised pursuit of knowledge of the truth for idealistic or utilitarian purposes. The starting point is K. Jaspers’ definition, according to which the concept of science contains three elements: methodical cognition (1), certainty of knowledge (2), universal validity (3). Each of the elements indicated is then considered. Methodical cognition is to be distinguished from thought. The former is cognition of reality presupposing an awareness of the research method and its limitations. The latter is driven by intuition. The use of the method should be strongly linked to the research objective. The author then refers to the second defining element: certainty in the science of law. In his view, certainty is sought in answers to questions about the content of the law in force. Secondly, certainty is sought in the criteria evaluating the law and the results of this evaluation. The third element, i.e. universal validity, is related to the generally accepted methods of interpretation and the fundaments of law lying in human rights and the human dignity that is their source. The second part of the paper focuses on defining the research objective and the adequacy of the method, referring to the dogmatic, historical and comparative methods that should aim at determination the law in force and its evaluation. In the third part of the article, a proposal for a research method in public economic law is presented, which consists of three elements: presenting the context of the research objective, applying the dogmatic method, and evaluating the law in force. In the last part, attention is drawn to the need for uprightness of life, and therefore ethos, as a condition for the ability to recognize what is just.

Woody species composition, diversity, and ecosystem services of yards along an urban socioeconomic gradient

Woody plants offer a wide range of valuable ecosystem services, but their distribution across socioeconomic gradients in urban landscapes remains poorly understood. Thus, we explored the effect of socioeconomic and legacy factors on plant species richness and phylogenetic diversity, and the motivations for growing and keeping certain species. We sampled a total of 300 households across a socioeconomic gradient in the city of Harare, Zimbabwe, in high-, medium- and low-density areas, representing low to high wealth strata. Trees were mostly grown for ornamental purpose in the rich (low-density) suburbs and utilitarian purposes in the poorer medium to high-density areas. However, trees were also grown with similar proportion for shade across the socioeconomic gradient. Proportion of medicinal and fruit trees increased with household density, while wind break trees were more common in low-density suburbs. Exotic species exhibited greater species richness compared with indigenous species, with both combined and separate assessments of indigenous and exotic species richness revealing a significant positive association with socioeconomic and legacy factors. The composition of species displayed considerable variation along the socioeconomic gradient. Notably, in low-density environments, exotic species maintained elevated phylogenetic diversity in comparison to indigenous species. This distinction was particularly pronounced when analysed independently, revealing a significant positive correlation between exotic species richness and both property value and education level. Our study shows that residents filter specific plant species based on their socioeconomic status and that, relative to low-income households, the rich homeowners have unintentionally incorporated enough exotic species to produce novel phylogenetic diversity of woody plants in their yards. Thus, we confirm the existence of a socioeconomic gradient in terms of species richness, composition, and phylogenetic diversity. However, the imbalance in species richness and phylogenetic diversity across the socioeconomic gradient can be reduced by increased tree planting in open areas, including along streets in medium to high-density areas to improve ecosystem services.

Analysis of the project proposals for the reconstruction of the Tomilivskyi park, a memorial of landscape gardening art of local significance

In Ukraine, about 500 objects have the status of a park-memorial of landscape art, most of which require restoration measures. That is why the analysis of project proposals for the reconstruction of a park-memorial of landscape art on the example of Tomylivskyi Park, a park-monument of local importance, is an urgent task. This park was created in the middle of the last century near the city of Bila Tserkva as an arboretum of the forestry on an area of 2.4 hectares. The inventory revealed that 76 species of woody plants grow in the park, some of which are 60–70 years old. Their preservation is one of the goals of the reconstruction. The project was based on a reference plan made on the basis of a geodetic survey of the territory and an inventory of the park’s plantations. A detailed study of the situation made it possible to divide the trees into three large groups: the most valuable, relatively valuable, and those to be removed, and to mark their growth areas on the plan in different colours. The development of park management measures involves sanitary and landscape felling and the formation of tree crowns. At this stage dead, dying and heavily infested with Viscum album L. trees are to be removed. For the remaining trees, branches infested with mistletoe and lower branches up to a height of 4–6 m, as well as damaged branches, are removed, which will significantly improve the illumination of the canopy under the trees and free up space for planting new trees and shrubs and create conditions for the growth of herbaceous plants. The need to remove some healthy trees of self-seeding origin is discussed. It is proposed to expand the network of park paths, to ensure the expansion of existing paths and to install a hard top surface. It is proposed to install small architectural forms for utilitarian and decorative purposes. It is planned to create a number of wooden sculptures from the trunks of dead trees. The optimization of the park plantations involves planting 76 species and cultivars of woody plants, creating of compositions based on a systematic principle, addition of trees groups with backdrops of ornamental shrubs and forming of multi-tiered plantations on the edges of lawns and along the park’s borders. The planting of long-lasting coniferous and deciduous trees next to existing mature specimens is justified. Key words: landscaping, species, trees, shrubs, cultivar, planting, optimization, landscape, park, reconstruction, herbaceous perennials.

ARTISTIC AND STYLISTIC REPERTOIRE (STYLING) IN THE DESIGN OF EDUCATIONAL SITES AND PORTALS

The article examines the issue of styling (artistic style repertoire) in the design of educational sites and portals. The author claims that the relevance of the mentioned issue is connected with a number of factors. Among them: 1) a short period of time for composing styles; 2) the communicative feature of web design, which at the same time borders with forms of media communication on purely technical directions (for example, engineering); 3) stylistic aspects in the evolution of web design cannot exist outside the aesthetic experience of graphic design, and in a broader context – print and graphic design. The purpose of the article is to study the artistic and stylistic properties in the design of educational sites and portals in historical retrospect, as well as from the point of view of the principles in the general design structure of web resources. The author identified three main markers of styling in the design of educational sites and portals: 1) artistic-emotional concreteness, which is achieved through the maximum certainty of iconic and symbolic aspects of the artistic language of website design; 2) association with the context, which is expressed through the connection between the message and its background qualities, between the central artistic idea and individual aspects that specify it; 3) functionality of decorative content: all elements of web design that stylize (decorate or create effects) must be subordinated to a utilitarian purpose, the meaning of which is obvious in the usability system. The results of the study prove that the historical genealogy of style formation has wave-like dynamics and is prone to periodic repetition of individual compositional or formal aggregates. This is visible in the design as the most typical and effective solutions. In this sense, the analysis of the practice of their development, change and transformation has a further research perspective.

The Swiss Federal Supreme Court’s Fire Ring Decision and the Evaluation of Works of Applied Art Under Copyright Law – A Burning Topic

Abstract In its most recent Fire Ring decision, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court had to rule on the copyright protection of works of applied art for the first time in several years. Works of applied art are included in the Swiss Copyright Act in Art. 2(2)(f) as a separate category of protected works, distinguished from other categories of works because they serve a utilitarian purpose and combine practical applicability with an additional aesthetic appeal. In light of the most recent CJEU decisions regarding copyright protection of works of applied art and industrial design, specifically its decisions in Brompton (GRUR International 2020, 969) and Cofemel (GRUR International 2020, 322) the Swiss Federal Supreme Court had the opportunity – not being directly bound by Union law – to position itself with regard to EU judicial practice and at the same time update its own sparse and partly outdated case law. However, it clearly failed to do so, not only from a legal-theoretical perspective but also from a case-specific perspective, and this raises some additional questions that deserve to be addressed.

Applications of pteridophytes in Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya: An ethnobotanical perspective

Ferns exhibit wide distribution in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), with Himachal Pradesh providing optimal climatic conditions for diverse fern species. This study documents the ethnobotanical applications of 45 pteridophyte species, spanning 16 families and 21 genera in Himachal Pradesh. Pteridophytes hold economic importance due to their edibility, ornamental appeal, and medicinal properties. Local communities extensively employ Pteridophytes with medicinal attributes to address various health concerns, including boils, wounds, colds, coughs, gastrointestinal diseases, gonorrhea, typhoid, urinary problems, uterine disorders, and hair loss. Moreover, Pteridophytes exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling properties, where plant paste is directly applied to the skin for swelling reduction. The monsoon season sees substantial growth of ferns in moisture-rich soil. Apart from their utilitarian purposes, ferns contribute to aesthetic values and serve as outdoor and ornamental plants. Noteworthy ornamental ferns, such as Adiantum capillus-veneris, Pteris cretica, Pteris multifida, Polypodium polypodioides, and Lepisorus thunbergianus, are acknowledged for their potential to enhance air quality. Diplazium esculentum, an edible fern, stands out as a popular and nutritious cuisine in Himachal Pradesh. The article concludes with recommendations for the conservation and sustainable utilization of ethnobotanically significant Pteridophytes in Himachal Pradesh.

A Comparative Study of Dogs and Goats with Limited Human Socialization in the Impossible Task Paradigm.

The study aimed to explore how limited human socialization affects the socio-cognitive abilities and interactions with unfamiliar individuals of a selected group of domesticated dogs and goats. These animals were raised and kept under conditions characterized by limited human socialization, and their behavior was assessed using the "impossible task" paradigm. The study found that dogs, with a history of cooperative interactions and human companionship, exhibited more frequent social engagement with human experimenters in the experimental setting than goats, traditionally domesticated for utilitarian purposes. However, differences in interaction duration and latency were not significant, highlighting the complexity of these interactions. The results suggest that domestication history and behavioral ecology play significant roles in shaping animals' willingness to engage with humans. However, this study acknowledges limitations, such as the specific population studied, and calls for further research with larger and more diverse samples to generalize these findings. Understanding the interplay between domestication history, behavioral ecology, and human socialization could provide insights into the complex factors influencing animal-human interactions and cognitive behaviors, with implications for animal welfare and human-animal relationships.

Meaning beyond Accuracy: War Damage Map of Cottbus

(War) destruction of a city is not easily representable. Not only is the entirety of urban space hardly ever equally affected but also, within the damaged areas, there are different degrees of ruination. Along with photos and aerial photography, maps are one of the most common means of representing cities’ war destruction. Despite their appearance, however, they are not an objective and impartial representation, but rather a narrative that can be deconstructed and interpreted in various ways. This paper inquires to what extent the Cottbus war damage map is a reliable testimony of the urban disaster, what its limitations are, and what story it tells. For all its precision, it was not made to serve utilitarian purposes, but rather as a mean of commemoration. This draws our attention to the fact that maps should not be only measured by their accuracy, but rather recognized and assessed on their own terms.

An Invitation to Gaze: Palpating the Navel in Qualitative Research

This article approaches the practice of navel-gazing as a productive and experimental process, within the process of qualitative inquiry. We fold in various discourses, ideas, conversations, and experiments, encouraging the reader to explore, or gaze at, this article as they would a navel. We avoid stating a utilitarian purpose as the point is to navel-gaze. In this way, we would note to the reader that this article functions as a navel itself: it is a thing that we have, no longer need, and yet it is always there collecting lint, hiding, showing itself off, or distracting us with its folds.