Social interactions in periodic urban markets and their contributions to sustainable livelihoods:Evidence from Ghana

Periodic markets are an important aspect of local economies,providing a platform for farmers(producers),wholesalers,retailers,and consumers to interact face-to-face and exchange goods and services.These markets have been increasing in urban areas in Africa,Asia,and South America because of urbanization.The increase of periodic urban markets(PUMs)in urban areas is observed as an index of modernization,reflecting a response to transition process.However,there are limited studies on how social interactions in PUMs contribute to sustainable livelihoods.This study investigated the types of social interactions occurring in PUMs in Ghana,the benefits of social interactions for participants of PUMs,and how social interactions contribute to sustainable livelihoods.This research interviewed 162 participants,comprising 27 farmers(farmers were regarded as producers in this study),61 retailers,47 wholesalers from 9 selected PUMs across Ghana,and 27 officers from government institutions and non-governmental market associations to obtain their opinions.We analyzed the interview data using the NVivo software.The results showed that there are seven kinds of social interactions in PUMs,including(i)producer-wholesaler relationship,(ii)producer-consumer relationship,(iii)wholesaler-retailer relationship,(iv)retailer-consumer relationship,(v)trader-driver relationship,(vi)trader-institution relationship,and(vii)trader-international buyer relationship.We found that these social interactions in PUMs enhance sustainable livelihoods by supporting human,social,financial,natural,and physical assets of traders(traders refer to producers,wholesalers,and retailers in this study).Therefore,we concluded that the development of policies to improve PUMs could strengthen social interactions,enabling the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries.

Research on Cultural Schemas for Social Interactions

Social interactions strategies refer to saying the proper words and sentences on proper occasions. They could be affected by different cultural backgrounds （schemas）. Culture is usually treated as the basis of our social interactions which influences the way we deal with problems, and even our thought and behavior. Therefore, although many communication problems occur on the interpersonal level, most difficulties and misunderstandings can be traced to cultural differences. With a deeper comprehension, the cultural differences are the schema differences which are a kind of framework of a specific culture that exists in people＇s brain and influences people＇s judgments and behavior of daily life. Furthermore, this schema conflict would also confuse people＇s judgment and make them to choose the wrong way to respond. Thus, the schema conflict interferes our social interactions.

Architectural Requirements for Improving Social Interactions in Subway Stations： An Evidence Based Design Approach

Environmental design is concerned with the function of people within an environment and their interactions. Subway stations spaces are important examples of public spaces that are in close connection with the social life of people. Also, the fact that the social interactions and relations between people and city environments are becoming indispensable for subway station space indicates that these spaces play an essential role in urban life. This paper addresses the result of a study conducted by the authors on the influential elements pivotal to the improvement of social interactions in subway stations. The theory of John Lang in Urban design with consideration of social interaction was considered in this study. The objective of the study was to identify the architectural requirements in improving social interaction between people and environment in subway station spaces according to an evidence based design approach. To do so, relevant literature in different disciplines, architecture, urban design, social sustainability and so on, were reviewed Next, the most important environmental factors which contribute to human behavior in public spaces were derived and analyzed. Data of the study were collected via questionnaires filled out by the users of Tehran＇s subway stations. The collected data were analyzed and the architectural elements/requirements for improving social interactions were classified. The results of the study indicate that in the case of architectural requirements, contribution to the improvement of social interactions, design considerations for physical and mental safety, accessibility and lighting are the most important factors.

Impact of different interaction behavior on epidemic spreading in time-dependent social networks

We investigate the impact of pairwise and group interactions on the spread of epidemics through an activity-driven model based on time-dependent networks.The effects of pairwise/group interaction proportion and pairwise/group interaction intensity are explored by extensive simulation and theoretical analysis.It is demonstrated that altering the group interaction proportion can either hinder or enhance the spread of epidemics,depending on the relative social intensity of group and pairwise interactions.As the group interaction proportion decreases,the impact of reducing group social intensity diminishes.The ratio of group and pairwise social intensity can affect the effect of group interaction proportion on the scale of infection.A weak heterogeneous activity distribution can raise the epidemic threshold,and reduce the scale of infection.These results benefit the design of epidemic control strategy.

Research on the Effect of Dance Therapy on Improving Social Communication Ability of Children with Autism

Research motivation:Through the 12 weeks dance therapy intervention for children with autism,the purpose is to explore the intervention model of dance therapy for children with autism and the changes in motor ability,social ability,and communication ability of children with autism after dance therapy intervention.The results of the research are expected to expand the intervention mode of dance therapy in my country and provide practical reference for rehabilitation intervention of children with autism.Research methods:24 autistic boys aged 6 to 12 with mild to moderate symptoms were recruited and screened through the Internet as the subjects of this study.We randomly divided them into experimental group(N=12)and control group(N=12).All children with autism have an autism diagnosis certificate issued by Children’s Hospital or a tertiary hospital,excluding other mental diseases(such as epilepsy,major physical disability,mental illness,no history of drugs and other interventions,etc.).We used the paired sample t-test to compare the score difference between the dance treatment group and the control group before and after the two groups,and used the observation method to record the basic communication behavior and the number of active communication behaviors in the experimental group during the intervention process.All data analysis is used in SPSS 20.0.Research results:After 12 weeks of dance therapy intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the gross movement,balance,and coordination abilities of the children in the experimental group compared with those before the intervention(p<0.01).There was no significant difference between the children in the control group(p>0.05).After 12 weeks of dance therapy intervention,there were statistically significant differences in the scores of the social response scale for children with autism in the experimental group(p<0.05).There was no significant change in the scores of each item of the SRS scale before and after intervention in the control group and the dance treatment group(p>0.05).

Role of local and urban textures in promoting social interactions of residents and emphasizing living centers theory of Christopher Alexander

Local and urban squares play a crucial role in the presence and participation of people and in their interaction promotion.Alexander explained the profound geometric relations and discipline in nature,using the concept of life phenomenon theory and living structures.He believes that humans can revive creatures through creating strong centers and an integrated whole.This study selects Avicenna tomb square and center of Aqajani Beig neighborhood,Hamedan.The main research questions include what the role of Alexander's theory of living centers is in promoting the social interaction in local and urban square and which pattern of Alexander’theory mostly affects social interactions in squares and how the individual factors impact social interactions in local and urban squares.Results reveals that patterns of Alexander^theory are efficient in promoting social interactions in local and urban squares.Individual factors are not effective in this regard,but strong centers and urban square contradictions are more effective in residents social interactions than that of void spaces and strong centers.Architects,planners,and urban designers can apply the results in designing new urban and local squares.

Social interactions in a solitary carnivore

In total, 177 of 245 terrestrial carnivores are described as solitary, and much of carnivore ecology is built on the assumptions that interactions between adult solitary carnivores are rare. We employed Global Positioning System （GPS） technology and motion-triggered cameras to test predictions of land-tenure territoriality and the resource dispersion hypothesis in a territorial carnivore, the puma Puma concolor. We documented 89 independent GPS interactions, 60% of which occurred at puma kills （n=53）, 59 camera interactions, 11 （17%） of which captured courtship behaviors, and 5 other interactions （1 F-F, 3 M-F, and 1 M-M）. Mean minimum weekly contact rates were 5.5 times higher in winter, the season when elk Cervus elaphus were aggregated at lower elevations and during which puma courtship primarily occurred. In winter, contacts rates were 0.6_＋ 0.3 （standard devi- ation （SD）） interactions/week vs. 0.1 _＋ 0.1 （SD） interactions/week during summer. The preponder- ance of interactions at food sources supported the resource dispersion hypothesis, which predicts that resource fluxes can explain temporary social behaviors that do not result in any apparent benefits for the individuals involved. Conspecific tolerance is logical when a prey is so large that the predator that killed it cannot consume it entirely, and thus, the costs of tolerating a conspecific sharing the kill are less than the potential costs associated with defending it and being injured. Puma aggregations at kills numbered as high as 9, emphasizing the need for future research on what explains tolerance among solitary carnivores.

Social avoidance behavior in male tree shrews and prosocial behavior in male mice toward unfamiliar conspecifics in the laboratory

Adult male tree shrews vigorously defend against intruding male conspecifics. However, the characteristics of social behavior have not been entirely explored in these males. In this study, male wild-type tree shrews(Tupaia belangeri chinensis)and C57 BL/6 J mice were first allowed to familiarize themselves with an open-field apparatus. The tree shrews exhibited a short duration of movement(moving) in the novel environment, whereas the mice exhibited a long duration of movement. In the 30 min social preference-avoidance test, target animals significantly decreased the time spent by the experimental tree shrews in the social interaction(SI)zone, whereas experimental male mice exhibited the opposite. In addition, experimental tree shrews displayed a significantly longer latency to enter the SI zone in the second 15 min session(targetpresent) than in the first 15 min session(targetabsent), which was different from that found in mice.Distinct behavioral patterns in response to a conspecific male were also observed in male tree shrews and mice in the first, second, and third 5 min periods. Thus, social behaviors in tree shrews and mice appeared to be time dependent. In summary,our study provides results of a modified social preference-avoidance test designed for the assessment of social behavior in tree shrews. Our findings demonstrate the existence of social avoidance behavior in male tree shrews and prosocial behavior in male mice toward unfamiliar conspecifics. The tree shrew may be a new animal model, which differs from mice, for the study of social avoidance and prosocial behaviors.

Cyber-Physical-Social System Between a Humanoid Robot and a Virtual Human Through a Shared Platform for Adaptive Agent Ecology

Two artificial agents(a humanoid robot and a virtual human) are enriched with various similar intelligence,autonomy, functionalities and interaction modalities. The agents are integrated in the form of a cyber-physical-social system(CPSS) through a shared communication platform to create a social ecology. In the ecology, the agents collaborate(assist each other) to perform a real-world task(search for a hidden object)for the benefits of humans. A robot-virtual human bilateral trust model is derived and a real-time trust measurement method is developed. The role of taking initiative in the collaboration is switched between the agents following a finite state machine model triggered by bilateral trust, which results in a mixedinitiative collaboration. A scheme is developed to evaluate the performance of the agents in the ecology through the CPSS.The results show that the robot and the virtual human perform satisfactorily in the collaboration through the CPSS. The results thus prove the effectiveness of the real-world ecology between artificial agents of heterogeneous realities through a shared platform based on trust-triggered mixed-initiatives. The results can help develop adaptive social ecology comprising intelligent agents of heterogeneous realities to assist humans in various tasks through collaboration between the agents in the form of a CPSS.

Comparison of social interaction and neural activation in the main olfactory bulb and the accessory olfactory bulb between Microtus mandarinus and Microtus fortis

To gain insight into the function of AOB and MOB during different social interaction and in different vole species,the behaviors and neural activation of the olfactory bulbs in social interactions of mandarin voles Microtus mandarinus and reed voles Microtus fortis were compared in the present research.Mandarin voles spent significantly more time attacking and sniffing their opponents and sniffing sawdust than reed voles.During same sex encounters,mandarin voles attacked their opponents for a significantly longer time and sniffed its opponent for shorter time compared with male-female interactions.However,no significant behavioral differences were found during encounters of two individual reed voles,regardless of gender composition of the pair.Using c-Fos as an indicator of neural activation,we observed that neural activation was significantly higher in almost all sub-regions of the main olfactory bulb(MOB)and the accessory olfactory bulb(AOB)of mandarin voles compared with reed voles.Numbers of c-Fos-ir neurons in almost all sub-regions of the AOB and the MOB during male-female interactions were also higher than those in interactions of the same sex.Anterior-posterior ratios of Fos-ir neurons in the AOBM(AOBMR)and the AOBG(AOBGR)in male-female interaction were significantly higher than those in interaction of the same sex.The AOBMR of male mandarin voles and reed voles were larger than those of females in male-female interactions.Behavioral patterns are consistent with cellular activity patterns.Consistent level of neural activation in MOB and AOB suggests important roles of both the main olfactory bulb and the accessory olfactory bulb in social interaction in two species.

Pathogenesis of chronic social defeat stress model induced depressive-like mouse model according to LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics

OBJECTIVE To explore the pathogenesis of depression according to the LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics in the mouse model which exhibits social avoidance state induced by the chronic social defeat stress model(CSDS).METHODS Twenty male C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into control group and model group suffering CSDS,and the ICR retired breeder mice were used to attack the model group for 14 d of chronic social defeated stress.The open field test and source preference test were both used to observe depression-like behavior.Besides,the social interaction test is used to observe the social interaction state,especially.After the stress,the serum samples of mice were collected,and the changes of endogenous metabolites were analyzed by LC-MS metabolomics technology,and the pathway analysis of the differential metabolites was performed to explore the pathogenesis of the CSDS induced depressive-like mouse model.RESULTS After the stress of CSDS was completed,the mice in the model group showed a significant slowdown in body weight growth,a reduction in the source preference rate,and a significant reduction in the total distance and the number of rearing in the open field test.Distinctively,the social interaction rate is remarkably decreasing.There are 24 differential metabolites found in the serum of CSDS model mice.CONCLUSION The mouse who suffered CSDS stress would show depressive-like behavior.Based on the LC-MS/MS metabolomics,24 differential metabolites were found in the serum of CSDS model mice.The amino acid metabolism might be significant to the pathogenesis of the CSDS induced depressive-like mouse model.

Does communication increase investors’trading frequency?Evidence from a Chinese social trading platform

This study examines the impact of communication on investors’trading frequency based on a unique dataset drawn from a Chinese social trading platform.We find robust evidence that real-account portfolio owners on the platform trade more frequently under the influence of the comments posted by their leaders(the owners of portfolios they have followed).Moreover,portfolio owners are more sensitive to the quantity than to the tone of leaders’comments.Finally,both trading frequency and leaders’comments negatively impact portfolio owners’future performance.Our find-ings support the notion that social interaction promotes active investment strategies.

Escaping Low-Level Equilibrium of Urbanization——Institutional Promotion,Social Interaction and Labor Migration

The policies resulting in urban-rural segmentation have not only directly impeded the transfer of labor from rural to urban areas,but also trapped the process of urbanization in a low-level equilibrium,as the negative effects are amplified by interdependencies between interpersonal decisions.This paper finds from the CHIPS2002 data that there is interdependence of rural residents' decision-making on labor migration from rural to urban areas,and the interdependence is strengthened by the exchange of information between rural residents.According to the simulation results of the models in this paper,China's rural-urban labor migration is indeed at a low-level equilibrium.To get rid of the low-level equilibrium,in addition to improving the level of education and promotion of information exchange among rural residents,it is more important to implement "big push " policies to eliminate institutional barriers to labor mobility and accelerate urbanization with the social interaction.

Using Social Interaction to Invert the Professional Competencies of Future Architects

The article analyzes the results of a sociological study of the role of public and interdisciplinary communications for formation and inversion of architect’s competences.The study was carried out in 2021-2022 among students of architecture departments in Russia.About 3,000 students of the Moscow Architectural Institute(State Academy)and the Orel State University took part in the study.As a result of processing the data of the written questionnaire with correlation relationships,the potential of“external”educational communications was identified for acquisition of new professional knowledge and competencies in architecture;popularization of socially important ideas in architecture and spatial development;raising a sense of pride and respect for urban historical and cultural heritage;enhancing the prestige of the architectural profession and the status of architectural education;understanding social expectations of architectural activities and factors limiting implementation of projects;identifying factors influencing formation of strategies for the development of architectural education.Four stages of formation and inversion of professional competences in the educational process were singled out:1st-2nd years of training-an“orientation period”;3rd-4th years-the level of Bachelor of Science in Architecture,at which the groundwork of the professional thinking basics is laid-a stage of mastering the basic system-design skills;5th year(diploma thesis)-a stage of entry into creative practice;training at the level of Master of Science in Architecture-scientific-design practice in architecture.Issues concerning underrating the importance of future architects’involvement in joint activities with community and engineering professions representatives to realize the goals of sustainable development were identified;late awareness of the value of participation in volunteer programs.

Contribution of Revived Heritage on Contemporary Social Interaction:The Case of Paddington Reservoir Garden

Reviewing and further reviving the historical landscape have significant impacts on developing this field for the designers[1].It is useful for contemporary designers to learn from the past.They can practice analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of diverse past examples,recognizing the success criteria of contemporary designed landscapes,and exploring new ways to design sustainable public spaces for the future.This article will examine the Paddington Reservoir Garden,in Paddington,Sydney,Australia.This is as a successful and influential example as a heritage redesigned as a contemporary public open space.

Remote Learning in Higher Education During the Pandemic: A Study of the Experiences of Chinese International Students at United Kingdom and United States Universities in 2020/21

During the COVID-19 pandemic crisis,many universities around the world made a drastic change by transferring most of their offline classes to emergency remote learning(ERL).The aim of this study was to explore how Chinese students,who studied in United Kingdom(UK)and United States(US)universities during the 2020/21 academic year,perceive their experiences of remote learning.As the UK and the US have two relatively advanced education systems,the arrangements of their universities for ERL and their support for international students are worth exploring.Moreover,during the ERL,a portion of Chinese students had online classes in their home countries instead of the country in which their universities are located.Therefore,semi-structured interviews were carried out to explore the academic experiences and social interaction of students who studied in UK and US universities,while remaining in China.The data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method.The findings showed that ERL was perceived negatively by students despite its flexibility in areas of academic learning experiences and social interaction.

Socioeconomic impact of urban redevelopment in inner city of Ningbo

Since market-oriented economy reform, China has experienced significant changes in urban landscapes and the internal structure of cities. Housing marketization provides an opportunity for households to choose their residences. However, not all households benefit equally from residential relocation. Residential relocation in urban China has relatively strong association with the household’s position within the spectrum from state redistribution to market reward than with life cycles and consequent adjustment of housing demand, which are the primary reasons for residential mobility in a mature market. In this research we focused on social aspects, mainly relating to the impact of urban redevelopment in inner city of Ningbo and the resultant potential housing problem. This research is based on a questionnaire survey that was conducted in three neighborhoods redeveloped at different time periods in the past fifteen years. The findings suggest that new strategy of redevelopment of the integrated envi-ronment of the old city while still improving the living condition for its residents can be heard due to the efforts of many people at various positions. Yet, many things need to be done to change people’s ideas: information and education through newspapers, academic discussions through academic journals, conferences, and reports to decision makers.

Functional Recovery with Electro-Acupuncture Stimulation in an Mecp2-Knockout Rat Model of Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder that lacks effective treatments.Although deep-brain stimulation can alleviate some symptoms in Rett model mice,this interventional manipula-tion requires deliberate surgical operations.Here,we report that electro-acupuncture stimulation(EAS)can ameliorate symptoms of an Mecp2-knockout rat model of Rett syndrome from the remote acupoints Baihui(GV 20),Yongquan(KI 1),and Shenmen(HT 7).We find that EAS not only prolongs the survival time of Rett rats,but also improves their behavior ability,including locomotion,motor coordination,and social interaction.Neural activation was observed in the substantia nigra of the midbrain,corpus striatum,and cerebral cortex of wild-type and Rett model rats,as reflected by the increased expression of the c-Fos protein.Hence,EAS provides a potential promising therapeutic tool for treating neurodevel-opmental diseases.

Awareness Concerning Volunteerism,Philanthropy,and Environment-A Comparative Study Between Mati and Skyros

On a global level,there is a tendency to conduct bibliographic studies about the creation of resilient communities in disaster areas.Community resilience has a significant role when residents are called upon to recover from a natural disaster(Molavi,2018;Moreno,2018).Based on previous research in the existing literature and after the catastrophe in Mati,and even more specifically in continuation to the research of Vallianou et al.’s,2020,the present study goes a step further comparing for two populations the dimensions of volunteerism,philanthropy tendencies,and environmental awareness.A quantitative research was conducted through questionnaires via phone interviews and in person,one year after the wildfire,in Mati,Greece.The sample consisted of participants from Mati and Skyros Island.The findings of the study revealed that natural disasters are interconnected to volunteerism,philanthropy,and environmental awareness.In our research residents of Mati seem to score higher in environmental awareness in comparison to Skyros’residents who seem to have a stronger tendency on philanthropy.To conclude,the age groups which seem to be more environmentally aware are the one of 46-55 and the one of 65 and above.

Evaluation （POE） of Yildiz Technical University （YTU） School of Foreign Languages （SFL）

This paper deals with the post-occupancy performance evaluation of the SFL （School of Foreign Languages） that was designed by the authors and is located within the YTU （Yildiz Technical University） Davutpaa campus in Istanbul. After the completion and occupation of the building, project review came into question and a POE was performed. Post-occupancy performance evaluation tries to answer the questions of space provision for social interaction： ＂How is this building working？＂ ＂Is it intended？＂ ＂How can it be improved？＂ and ＂How can future buildings be improved？＂ Answers to these vital questions are searched under four main sections. In the first section, the study discusses the physical location and functional properties of the building, in the second, the design decisions of the building are discussed in the context of and design principles, in the third, the method of performance evaluation is explained, and in the final section, the results are analyzed and discussed. These results will lead to a path to improve the quality of the building.