The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem: findings from a large national survey

Social media has become an increasingly popular leisure activity over the last decade. Although most people’s social media use is non-problematic, a small number of users appear to engage in social media excessively and/or compulsively. The main objective of this study was to examine the associations between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self esteem. A cross-sectional convenient sample of 23,532 Norwegians (Mage=35.8 years; range=16-88 years) completed an open web-based survey including the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16, and the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale. Results demonstrated that lower age, being female, being single, being a student, lower education, lower income, lower self-esteem, and narcissism were associated with higher scores on the BSMAS, explaining a total of 17.5% of the variance. Although most effect sizes were relatively modest, the findings supported the notion of addictive social media use reflecting a need to feed the ego (i.e., narcissistic personality traits) and an attempt to inhibit a negative self-concept (i.e., basic cognitions). The results were also consistent with demographic predictions and associations taken from central theories concerning “addiction”, indicating that females may tend to develop more addictive use of activities involving social interaction than males. However, the cross-sectional study design makes inferences about directionality impossible

Statistical analysis and transfer of coarse-grain pictorial style

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-103).We show that image statistics can be used to analyze and transfer simple notions of pictorial style of paintings and photographs. We characterize the frequency content of pictorial styles, such as multi-scale, spatial variations, and anisotropy properties, using a multi-scale and oriented decomposition, the steerable pyramid. We show that the average of the absolute steerable coefficients as a function of scale characterizes simple notions of "look" or style. We extend this approach to account for image non-stationarity, that is, we capture and transfer the spatial variations of multi-scale content. In addition, we measure the standard deviation of the steerable coefficients across orientation, which characterizes image anisotropy and permits analysis and transfer of oriented structures. We focus on the statistical features that can be transferred. Since we couple analysis and transfer, our statistical model and transfer tools are consistent with the visual effect of pictorial styles. For this reason, our technique leads to more intuitive manipulation and interpolation of pictorial styles. In addition, our statistical model can be used to classify and retrieve images by style.by Soonmin Bae.S.M

Lip region feature extraction analysis by means of stochastic variability modeling

En este trabajo de tesis se analizaron diferentes técnicas de caracterización de la región labial, usadas para modelar la dinámica labial. Para llevar a cabo este análisis, se construyó ´o una base de datos de secuencias de video de la pronunciación del alfabeto español. Esta base de datos se utilizo para entrenar un sistema de reconocimiento visual del habla usando diferentes metodologías de extracción de características. El objetivo del experimento es evaluar la habilidad de cada conjunto de características para modelar adecuadamente el movimiento labial. Se probaron metodologías basadas en apariencia, forma y una representación espacio-temporal. Los resultados reportados permiten seleccionar las características espacio-temporales como los mejores descriptores, dentro de los evaluados, de la dinámica visual del habla / Abstract: On this thesis work, an analysis of lip region characterization techniques used to model lip dynamics was performed. To carry out the analysis a video sequence database of Spanish alphabet was built and used to train a visual speech recognition system with several feature extraction methodologies. The aim of the experiment is to evaluate the ability of each feature set to model accurately lip movement. Appearance based, shape-based and spatiotemporal-based feature extraction methodologies were tested. Reported results let choose the spatiotemporal features as the best descriptors for visual speech dynamicsMaestrí

Characterization of mating behaviour of the female fruit fly using machine vision

Courtship behaviour is the means for the animals to select their partner for reproduction. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, exhibit a complex courtship behaviour. Nearly all studies of D. melanogaster courtship have focused exclusively on the male behaviour. Female pre-copulatory behaviour is often relegated to ‘accepting’ or ‘rejecting’ of mating, and how females interact with males remains largely unknown. The aim of this study is to quantify and describe the mating behaviour of the female D. melanogaster. D. melanogaster is a model system that offers many genetic tools and when coupled with the recent technologies for neuronal manipulation, mapping and behavioural characterization, it has the potential to reveal the neurons involved in a particular behaviour. We analyzed the behaviour of the wild-type (WT) female fly by collecting information of the flies’ position during courtship using a tracking system and by automatically detecting specific behaviours using an automatic classifier. We found that WT flies displayed courtship acts and mating responses differently depending on their geographical origin strains. The automatic classes were developed in a machine learning system, to allow a faster and reliable behavioural analysis. In future work, the automatic classes developed in this research will be key to continue the female behaviour characterization

Detección automática de contenido de video para medir la fotosensibilidad en videojuegos

Trabajo de Fin de Grado en Desarrollo de Videojuegos, Facultad de Informática UCM, Departamento de Ingeniería del Software e Inteligencia Artificial, Curso 2020/2021.Along the 21st century, the use of screens has increased exponentially due to the daily use of computers and mobile devices, thus these devices have become a fundamental part of our daily life. Due to their common use, the risk of prevention associated with its use has also grown. One of the most damaging diseases and at the same time most difficult to diagnose is photosensitive epilepsy, which affects almost 50 million people throughout the world. As the vast majority of cases are only diagnosed once they have suffered an epileptic seizure, it is necessary to prevent the conditions that can cause such seizures. In video games, the risk becomes higher as there can be a lot of flashing images along the video game’s gameplay. The objective of this project is to develop a tool that prevents this type of seizures from occurring when viewing audiovisual content (from any audiovisual medium). For this purpose, two types of checks are carried out in accordance with the visual stimuli that cause epileptic seizures in patients with this disease. The first one deals with the detection of luminance and saturated red flashes, and the second one with detection of harmful geometric patterns. Both procedures are based on previous studies carried out by experts, which led to the drafting of international standards for the prevention of epileptogenic content in television broadcasts and, subsequently, all types of audiovisual content.A medida que avanzamos años del siglo XXI, el uso de pantallas se ha incrementado exponencialmente debido al uso que hacemos diariamente de ordenadores y dispositivos móviles, por lo que se han convertido en una parte fundamental de nuestro día a día. Por ello, también ha crecido la prevención de riesgos asociados a su uso. Una de las enfermedades más dañinas y a la vez más difíciles de diagnosticar es la epilepsia fotosensible, la cual afecta a casi 50 millones de personas a lo largo del mundo. Debido a que la gran mayoría de casos solo son diagnosticados una vez han sufrido un ataque epiléptico, es necesario prevenir las condiciones que puedan provocar tales ataques. El objetivo de este proyecto es desarrollar una herramienta que permita prevenir que ocurran este tipo de ataques al ver contenido audiovisual (de cualquier medio). Para ello, se llevan a cabo dos tipos de comprobaciones en concordancia con los estímulos visuales que provocan ataques epilépticos a los pacientes con esta enfermedad. El primero se encarga de detectar flashes de luminancia y de rojo saturado, y el segundo de detectar patrones geométrico nocivos. Ambos procesos están basados en estudios previos realizados por expertos, que desencadenaron en la redacción de normas internacionales para la prevención de contenidos epileptógenos en las emisiones de televisión y, posteriormente, todo tipo de contenido audiovisual.Depto. de Ingeniería de Software e Inteligencia Artificial (ISIA)Fac. de InformáticaTRUEunpu

A Comparative Assessment of Knowledge Management Programs across the United States Armed Services

Knowledge is a corporate resource that is required to accomplish business processes, to make decisions, and to improve efficiency and effectiveness. To completely take advantage of the benefits of knowledge, organizations must harvest and leverage the collective knowledge of the entire workforce. This can be achieved through effective knowledge management. Knowledge management involves processes to create, to store, and transfer knowledge to accomplish business objectives and to achieve a competitive advantage. The United States armed services have also recognized the benefits of knowledge management in meeting the emerging challenges of modern warfare. This study investigated knowledge management programs in the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. Using a case study methodology, each of the service\u27s knowledge management programs were assessed against Stankosky et al.\u27s (1999) Four Pillar Framework which outlines key elements of leadership, technology, organization/culture, and learning associated with robust knowledge management programs. Based on the evidence reviewed for this research, the results indicate each of the services are making progress albeit with slightly different approaches towards a more mature KM program with the U.S. Army having the most complete approach according to the evaluation criteria. The research also revealed that there is much collaboration and work yet to be done among the services if the concepts of knowledge management are to be used to operate and fight more effectively as a joint force

The relationship between Social Media Addiction, Academic Burnout, and Academic Performance among UKM Undergraduate Students: A preliminary study

The main target of the survey was to identify whether the internal and external factors would affect the student’s academic performance. Specifically, to investigate the relationship between social media (SM) addiction, academic burnout, and academic performance among 166 UKM Undergraduate Students. Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) and Maslach Burnout Inventory – Student Survey (MBI-SS) were used to evaluate the SM addiction level and academic burnout level separately. Grade Point Average (GPA) for the latest Semester was used to measure academic performance. Findings indicated that demographic factors (Gender and Year of Study) have an insignificant relationship with SM addiction and academic burnout. Pearson Correlation denoted academic burnout was significantly correlated with SM addiction and academic performance. Sobel Test showed a significant result of Academic Burnout’s mediating effect between SM addiction and academic performance, which means SM addiction level has an indirect and significant relationship with academic performance. Obviously, SM Addiction aggravates the level of academic burnout among UKM students leading them not to have a good mindset to do academic activities, which performed a drop from an academic perspective. We also perceived the mediating effect of academic burnout may enlighten scholars in the future that to focus on other entertainment like extracurricular activities to alleviate the severity of academic burnout or academic performance downturn. It is suggested universities, tertiary institutes encourage undergraduate students to use social media properly to prevent the malignant circle between SM addiction, academic burnout, and academic performance downturn

A proposal for a writing center at Lafayette High School

While employed at the University Writing Center at James Madison University, I noticed how helpful it was for the students, tutors and faculty. Curious about the benefits of a writing center at the high school level, I began researching high school writing centers, and following my adviser’s suggestion, I created the initial draft of a proposal for a writing center at Lafayette High School in Williamsburg, Virginia. After interviews with faculty at Lafayette and a personal conversation with the principal, I revised my proposal, adapting it to Lafayette’s needs. The following proposal identifies the need for and the benefits of a writing center at Lafayette High School. It answers critical questions concerning the center’s development and management and contains a case study of Edison Writing Center at Thomas Edison High School in Northern Virginia. Additionally, the proposal outlines the specific goals and policies of the proposed writing center and provides materials for the creation and maintenance of the proposed center

Teaching-learning of English for nautical sciences : a study at second grade of nautical sciences of SMK pelayaran “Akpelni” Semarang

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is a type of language learning which has its focus on all aspects of language pertaining to a particular field of human activity. This research is conducted on the basis of applying ESP in Teaching-Learning of English for Nautical Sciences. The objectives of this study are aimed to explain the teaching-learning of English for nautical sciences, to analyze the barriers faced in the teaching-learning of English for nautical sciences, and to explain the problem solving of barriers faced in the teaching-learning of English for nautical sciences. The method of this research is qualitative research. It is based on the research focus to find out teaching-learning of English for nautical sciences at the second grade of SMK PELAYARAN “AKPELNI” Semarang. For collecting data, it based on qualitative analysis data which used the observation, documentation, and interview. As the results of the analysis, it showed that Teaching-learning of English for nautical sciences at SMK Pelayaran Semarang uses the 2013 curriculum by combining of Education Minister and Communication Minister. Besides that, the students barrier are limitation vocabulary. The way to solve the problem is the teacher should ask students to memorize the code and instruction communication of Maritime English, it’s so complicated and should use to daily operation at the ship. She should also give motivation to the student for hard study