Effect of motion smoothness on brain activity while observing a dance: An fmri study using a humanoid robot

Motion smoothness is critical in transmitting implicit information of body action, such as aesthetic qualities in dance performances. We expected that the perception of motion smoothness would be characterized by great intersubject variability deriving from differences in personal backgrounds and attitudes toward expressive body actions. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and a humanoid robot to investigate the effects of the motion smoothness of expressive body actions and the intersubject variability due to personal attitudes on perceptions during dance observation. The effect of motion smoothness was analyzed by both conventional subtraction analysis and functional connectivity analyses that detect cortical networks reflecting intersubject variability. The results showed that the cortical networks of motion- and body-sensitive visual areas showed increases in activity in areas corresponding with motion smoothness, but the intersubject variability of personal attitudes toward art did not influence these active areas. In contrast, activation of cortical networks, including the parieto-frontal network, has large intersubject variability, and this variability is associated with personal attitudes about the consciousness of art. Thus, our results suggest that activity in the cortical network involved in understanding action is influenced by personal attitudes about the consciousness of art during observations of expressive body actions

日本語拗音「ミャ」を利用した英語／?／の発音指導の効果－生起環境タイプ頻度とその増強練習効果

application/pdfjournal articl

Digital Economy and Rural Revitalization: Evidence from China Based on County-level Panel Data

Digital economy is a new driving force for China’s economic development and the strategy of rural revitalization is the overall focus of the “three rural issues” in the new era. As the rapid penetration of digital technology into rural areas has a potential to integrate digital economy with rural revitalization, in-depth empirical research is needed to find out how digital economy drives China’s rural revitalization. However, relevant studies mostly focus on the impact of digital economy on one dimension of rural revitalization and lack a systematic exploration of the overall impact of digital economy on rural revitalization. To fill the gap with previous studies, this study constructs county- level comprehensive index system by the entropy weighting method and examines the driving effect and mechanisms of digital economy on rural revitalization based on several digital economy indicators and rural revitalization score by using county-level panel data in Zhejiang during 2010–2021. This study shows that digital economy measured by rural e-commerce, digital finance indexes, and the number of households using broadband Internet has a driving effect on rural revitalization. Moreover, this study finds that technological innovation and industrial structure transformation are important mechanisms of digital economy driving rural revitalization. Therefore, it is recommended that the local government accelerate digital industrialization and industrial digitalization process.working pape

Internet Use and Fertility Intention in China

China’s fertility rate has been on a downward trend since the adoption of the one-child policy in 1979. Internet use is among the promising technological changes that may solve low fertility issue by income effect and improving work-life balance which promotes fertility intention. However, Internet use may also reduce fertility intention by cultivating modern value of fertility and substitution effect. Therefore, whether Internet use improve or hinder fertility intentions must be empirically tested. As no studies have examined impact of Internet use on fertility intention addressing unobserved heterogeneity, this study uses panel data and instrumental variables method to fill the gap in the literature. Using two-wave panel data from the 2014 and 2018 China Family Panel Studies, this study investigates the impact of Internet use on fertility intention. This study finds that Internet use improves fertility intention. Moreover, while the frequency of Internet use does not improve fertility intention, attitude toward the Internet does. Furthermore, there are significant differences by age, marital status, gender, hukou, and educational background. Finally, Internet use affects fertility intention through higher household income.working pape

1958-mercury detection state of affairs

departmental bulletin pape

知識集約型データベース検索システムの構築

applicationIn this paper, the knowledge intensiveness type data base exploration system is handled. The proposed data base exploration system constructs it as a search system corresponding to the data base that the common background knowledge exists between the database construction person and the database retrieval person. This search system assumes use such as TLO (technology licensing organization) as the liaison support system. In this research, the method of consolidating the knowledge of the data base registrant and use is examined, and it proposes the knowledge intensiveness type data base exploration model that can be retrieved effectively and efficiently in a specific group.departmental bulletin pape

コメント[食料消費のコウホート分析 : 将来予測の手段に絞って]

departmental bulletin pape

Does Regional Digital Transformation Improve Regional and Individual Well-Being? Evidence from Pilot Policies in China

Well-being is considered an important value in people's lives and an indicator of social progress. In recent years, as Internet use has become more widespread, research on the relationship between ICT and well-being has become essential. Under these circumstances, digital transformation (DX), defined as the changes brought about or influenced by digital technology in all aspects of human life, has attracted national and international attention. However, few studies have quantitatively examined whether DX improves well-being. To fill this gap in the literature, this study uses DX-related pilot policies as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the effects of DX on well-being. The DX-related pilot policies examined in this study include the Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration Counties (REDC) policy and the 15-Minute Convenient Living Circles policy. Chapter 1 finds that the REDC policy has a significant positive impact on the quality of life (QOL) of rural residents. Moreover, mechanism tests highlight the crucial roles of increased absolute material welfare, reduced urban-rural income inequality, and improved human capital in enhancing rural residents' QOL. Chapter 2 finds that the REDC policy has a significant positive impact on the subjective well-being (SWB) of Chinese residents. Additionally, mechanism tests reveal that the positive effect of rural e-commerce on SWB can be explained by enhanced absolute welfare, measured by total income, and greater social capital accumulation, measured by total expenditures on gifts for social relations. Chapter 3 finds that the 15-Minute Convenient Living Circles pilot policy has a significant positive impact on the QOL of residents in China. An important policy recommendation arising from these findings is to continue and expand both the REDC policy and the 15-Minute Convenient Living Circles pilot policy to further improve the well-being of Chinese residents.research repor

William Quait

31-1Revolutionary PensionsReport : Petition of W. Quait. [584] Indian hostilities of 1817 in Florida.1850-9

Financing Emissions Reduction in Asia: Policy Options and Constraints

Climate change due to emissions from fast growing developing economies of Asia is sounding an alarm bell for policymakers not only in Asia, but also in the world. This situation raises the urgent need for undertaking measures to control emissions with due consideration of the prevailing socio-economic situation specific to Asia, which still houses large proportions of the poor. Without appropriate price signals, emerging Asia may not trigger technological innovation and leverage private investments towards emissions reductions. Increased public and private financial resources are necessary to fill the gap between the 'business as usual' and low carbon emission scenarios, to work out possible solutions and addressing the capacity barriers, which may exist at different levels. ODA from regionally and financially sound countries such as Japan and China can be an important mechanism for regional and international cooperation, especially where there is a shortage of private investment. In order to establish a green economy, based on low-carbon use and increased　human welfare, it is necessary to have a core set of indicators that can be used to measure the progress of a country transiting to a low carbon economy.departmental bulletin pape