On the Praxis-Oriented Semiotic Aesthetics in Eastern European Marxism

Eastern European Marxism,taking a critical stance towards structuralism,gave rise to a unique paradigm of praxis-oriented semiotic aesthetics.This novel approach posits that signs emerge from humans’social praxis and also function as a means of praxis.It further delves into the principle governing the generation and usage of signs,i.e.,the Economy Principle,the homogenization of signs,the situatedness or contextual constraints,as well as their aesthetic features and transcendental attributes.As a result,the praxis-oriented semiotic aesthetics within Eastern European Marxism exhibits distinct theoretical value.

Community-led total sanitation(CLTS)implementation in West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly in Ghana.What do communities think eleven years on?

Objective Access to improved sanitation is a fundamental human right and an important aspect of Public Health.However,an estimated thousands of people in Ghana especially,the West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly(WMMA)still have no access to adequate toilet facilities.This has brought untold health repercussions to the inhabitants,the community,and the environment at large.To address this menace,the community-led total sanitation(CLTS)was implemented.This study aimed to assess communities’perspectives on the implementation of CLTS and to understand the factors influencing its success and failures.Methods A mixed-method approach involving sequential qualitative and quantitative methods was employed in this study.Participants for the quantitative study were randomly selected and surveyed using questionnaires.The qualitative study employed focus group discussion involving purposively sampled participants including assembly members,opinion leaders,and assembly staff.Results The CLTS program in WMMA realized an apparent use of construction and proper use of household latrines leading to a reduction of open defecation free(ODF)and two communities achieving sanitized status in the history of the study area,enabling the training of latrine artisans and natural leaders to facilitate the CLTS expansion and sustainability,improved sanitation and hygiene,strengthened the enforcement of community rules and regulations and many others.Conclusion The CLTS program has received more widespread acceptance in the study area than the previous government policy of constructing public toilets,which was greeted with massive failures due to poor implementation.To ensure that gains achieved through CLTS implementation are sustained longer,it is recommended that chiefs and opinion leaders should be involved in the CLTS programs to ensure checks and enforcement.The entrenchment of bylaws and more education to address enduring myths and misconceptions will sustain the program.Subsidies in the form of sanitation loans for latrine construction materials by the government and supporting non-governmental organizations(NGOs)will be paramount in sustaining ODF.

The Study of “Imitation” Aesthetics in Ancient Painting Theory-Taking the Chinese and Western Sources as an Example

The theory of“imitation”in painting occupies a leading position in western art,which originated from the theory of“imitation”in ancient Greece,and has become one of the art theories affecting the world through the continuous development of later generations.Through the exploration of the source of“imitation”in China and the West,there are some comments on the meaning of“imitation”in Chinese classical painting theory,such as“transfer model writing”and“image form”,which is obvious differences from the west.Traditional Chinese painting is a combination of careful observation of natural things and subjective emotions to express their own aesthetic feelings,and ultimately form a vivid artistic conception.Modern imitation is borrowed from Western imitation.In fact,imitation in traditional painting has its own meaning,which contains Chinese aesthetic thought.“Imitation”aesthetics is unique in traditional Chinese painting and is the most important form of painting art.

Translation of Culture-loaded Words in The Golden Cangue under the Perspective of Reception Aesthetics

Good translations play a very important role in cultural exchange.The idea of reception aesthetics think the reader as the center in translation process.This paper will study the translation of culture-loaded words from the perspective of reception aesthetics.It is divided into five parts.The first part mainly introduces the background and theoretical foundation of this paper,the second part introduces the writer’s works,the third part gives examples to analyze the culture-loaded words appearing in The Golden Cangue,the fourth part gives examples of the translation methods,and the fifth part is the conclusion.It aims to provide a reference for the English translation of culture-loaded words.

Analysis of Distribution of Public Toilets within Walking Range around Communities of the Elderly under the Model of Community Home-based Care for the Elderly: A Case Study of Changxindian, Fengtai District, Beijing

In recent years,under the influence of multiple factors such as traditional ideas and living economic conditions,the aging population in China continues to increase.Most of the elderly are more inclined to aged at home,and the first places for elderly activities are communities and the surrounding environment,which greatly affects the convenience of life and happiness of the elderly.In this paper,Changxindian area in Fengtai District of Beijing was as the research object,and detailed calculation and analysis were carried out by using POI data and arcGIS software.The relative location of residential areas and surrounding public toilets was explored,and the best location of public toilets in the daily walking area under the model of community home-based care for the elderly was further studied.

On Translation of Children’s Literature Based on Reception Aesthetics:A Case Study of The Secret Garden

Grounded in reader-centered theories,Reception Aesthetics prioritizes the active engagement and acceptance of target readers.This study examines the translation of children’s literature through the lens of Reception Aesthetics,using Li Wenjun’s rendition of The Secret Garden as a case study.The objective is to scrutinize various aspects of the translation-including vocabulary,syntax,rhetorical devices,and cultural nuances-and to discern how the adaptation and application of diverse translation strategies cater to the aesthetic expectations.

Research on the Cultivation of Aesthetics among Art Students under the New Era Background

Through understanding the history and current situation of aesthetic education in China,this paper explains some misunderstandings in the aesthetics of contemporary university art students,such as the insufficiency of aesthetic value and ability,as well as the inadequacy of students’creativity due to traditional art education.It is also pointed out that the cultivation of core literacy of art students is a multidimensional and comprehensive process,and these problems need to be solved by schools,teachers,and students,so as to strengthen the inner aesthetic education of students and improve their aesthetic awareness and ability.Aesthetic education is not only an important part of the art classroom but also a key part of fostering students’all-round development and enhancing their humanistic literacy.It is necessary to cultivate students’observation,imagination,image-thinking ability,and creativity,so that they can become artistic talents with independent thinking and innovation.

The Silent Curriculum:Classical Aesthetics as a Catalyst for Emotional and Social Skills in Higher Vocational Education

This study examines the integration of classical aesthetics into the silent curriculum of higher vocational education,emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance emotional and social skills.Incorporating aesthetic principles into education emphasizes the importance of nurturing emotional intelligence,creativity,and cultural awareness in students-skills that go beyond the classroom and are essential for their growth,adaptability,and future careers.It explores theoretical foundations and practical implementations and addresses challenges such as the need for specialized educator training,overcoming institutional resistance,and securing adequate resources.Advocating for empirical research and strategic cultural partnerships,the paper proposes a transformative approach to vocational education,aligning it with contemporary societal and labor market demands,and underscores the vital role of classical aesthetics in enriching vocational training and enhancing student outcomes.

Research on the Path of Integrating Party Construction Aesthetics into Ideological and Political Education in Colleges and Universities

Party construction aesthetics is a valuable aesthetic resource formed in the practical exploration of rural revitalization,and it has logical compatibility with ideological and political education in terms of concepts,goals,tasks,etc.At present,comprehensive deepening reform has entered a deep-water zone,and some erroneous value orientations such as utilitarianism,emptiness,and liberalization are common in colleges and universities,and ideological and political education is caught in a new round of difficulties.As the main position of ideological and political education,colleges and universities should further use party construction aesthetics to strengthen and improve ideological and political education,adhere to the carrier of aesthetic education,carry out diversified integrated education,broaden the ideological and political practical teaching system,build a long-term mechanism for collaborative education of ideological and political education and party construction aesthetics,and fully integrate party construction aesthetics into ideological and political education in colleges and universities.

The Past and Future of Aesthetics in Mathematics

This paper explores the connotations of mathematical aesthetics and its connections with art,facilitated by collaboration with Ester,an individual with an artistic professional background.It begins by tracing the historical evolution of aesthetics from the classical pursuit of authenticity to the modern shift toward self-expression in art.The discussion then highlights the similarities in the pursuit of truth between mathematics and art,despite their methodological differences.Through an analysis of aesthetic elements in mathematics,such as lines and function graphs,the article illustrates that the beauty of mathematics is not only manifested in cognitive processes but can also be intuitively expressed through visual arts.The paper further examines the influence of mathematics on the development of art,particularly how Leonardo da Vinci applied mathematical principles to his artworks.Additionally,the article addresses art students’perceptions of mathematics,proposes the customization of math courses for art students,and discusses future trends in the integration of mathematics and art,emphasizing the significance of art therapy and the altruistic direction of art.Lastly,the authors use a poster to visually convey the idea that the beauty of mathematics can be experienced through the senses.

Perception of dental appearance and aesthetic analysis among patients,laypersons and dentists

BACKGROUND Current concepts of beauty are increasingly subjective,influenced by the viewpoints of others.The aim of the study was to evaluate divergences in the perception of dental appearance and smile esthetics among patients,laypersons and dental practitioners.The study goals were to evaluate the influence of age,sex,education and dental specialty on the participants’judgment and to identify the values of different esthetic criteria.Patients sample included 50 patients who responded to a dental appearance questionnaire(DAQ).Two frontal photographs were taken,one during a smile and one with retracted lips.Laypersons and dentists were asked to evaluate both photographs using a Linear Scale from(0-10),where 0 represent(absolutely unaesthetic)and 10 represent(absolutely aesthetic).One-way analysis of variance(ANOVA)and t-test analysis were measured for each group.Most patients in the sample expressed satisfaction with most aspects of their smiles and dental appearance.Among laypersons(including 488 participants),47 pictures“with lips”out of 50 had higher mean aesthetic scores compared to pictures“without lips”.Among the dentist sample,90 dentists’perception towards the esthetic smile and dental appearance for photos“with lips”and“without lips”were the same for 23 out of 50 patients.Perception of smile aesthetics differed between patients,laypersons and dentists.Several factors can contribute to shape the perception of smile aesthetic.AIM To compare the perception of dental aesthetic among patients,laypersons,and professional dentists,to evaluate the impact of age,sex,educational background,and income on the judgments made by laypersons,to assess the variations in experience,specialty,age,and sex on professional dentists’judgment,and to evaluate the role of lips,skin shade and tooth shade in different participants’judgments.METHODS Patients sample included 50 patients who responded to DAQ.Two frontal photographs were taken:one during a smile and one with retracted lips.Laypersons and dentists were asked to evaluate both photographs using a Linear Scale from(0-10),where 0 represent(absolutely unaesthetic)and 10 represent(absolutely aesthetic).One-way ANOVA and t-test analysis were measured for each group.RESULTS Most patients in the sample expressed satisfaction with most aspects of their smiles and dental appearance.Among laypersons(including 488 participants),47 pictures“with lips”out of 50 had higher mean aesthetic scores compared to pictures“without lips”.Whereas among the dentist sample,90 dentists’perception towards the esthetic smile and dental appearance for photos“with lips”and“without lips”were the same for 23 out of 50 patients.Perception of smile aesthetics differed between patients,laypersons and dentists.CONCLUSION Several factors can contribute to shape the perception of smile aesthetic.

Nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining of difficult-to-cut materials and components in aerospace community:a comparative analysis

The aerospace community widely uses difficult-to-cut materials,such as titanium alloys,high-temperature alloys,metal/ceramic/polymer matrix composites,hard and brittle materials,and geometrically complex components,such as thin-walled structures,microchannels,and complex surfaces.Mechanical machining is the main material removal process for the vast majority of aerospace components.However,many problems exist,including severe and rapid tool wear,low machining efficiency,and poor surface integrity.Nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining is a hybrid process that uses nontraditional energies(vibration,laser,electricity,etc)to improve the machinability of local materials and decrease the burden of mechanical machining.This provides a feasible and promising method to improve the material removal rate and surface quality,reduce process forces,and prolong tool life.However,systematic reviews of this technology are lacking with respect to the current research status and development direction.This paper reviews the recent progress in the nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining of difficult-to-cut materials and components in the aerospace community.In addition,this paper focuses on the processing principles,material responses under nontraditional energy,resultant forces and temperatures,material removal mechanisms,and applications of these processes,including vibration-,laser-,electric-,magnetic-,chemical-,advanced coolant-,and hybrid nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining.Finally,a comprehensive summary of the principles,advantages,and limitations of each hybrid process is provided,and future perspectives on forward design,device development,and sustainability of nontraditional energy-assisted mechanical machining processes are discussed.

Implication of community-level ecophysiological parameterization to modelling ecosystem productivity:a case study across nine contrasting forest sites in eastern China

Parameterization is a critical step in modelling ecosystem dynamics.However,assigning parameter values can be a technical challenge for structurally complex natural plant communities;uncertainties in model simulations often arise from inappropriate model parameterization.Here we compared five methods for defining community-level specific leaf area(SLA)and leaf C:N across nine contrasting forest sites along the North-South Transect of Eastern China,including biomass-weighted average for the entire plant community(AP_BW)and four simplified selective sampling(biomass-weighted average over five dominant tree species[5DT_BW],basal area weighted average over five dominant tree species[5DT_AW],biomass-weighted average over all tree species[AT_BW]and basal area weighted average over all tree species[AT_AW]).We found that the default values for SLA and leaf C:N embedded in the Biome-BGC v4.2 were higher than the five computational methods produced across the nine sites,with deviations ranging from 28.0 to 73.3%.In addition,there were only slight deviations(<10%)between the whole plant community sampling(AP_BW)predicted NPP and the four simplified selective sampling methods,and no significant difference between the predictions of AT_BW and AP_BW except the Shennongjia site.The findings in this study highlights the critical importance of computational strategies for community-level parameterization in ecosystem process modelling,and will support the choice of parameterization methods.

Insights into microbiota community dynamics and flavor development mechanism during golden pomfret(Trachinotus ovatus)fermentation based on single-molecule real-time sequencing and molecular networking analysis

Popular fermented golden pomfret(Trachinotus ovatus)is prepared via spontaneous fermentation;however,the mechanisms underlying the regulation of its flavor development remain unclear.This study shows the roles of the complex microbiota and the dynamic changes in microbial community and flavor compounds during fish fermentation.Single-molecule real-time sequencing and molecular networking analysis revealed the correlations among different microbial genera and the relationships between microbial taxa and volatile compounds.Mechanisms underlying flavor development were also elucidated via KEGG based functional annotations.Clostridium,Shewanella,and Staphylococcus were the dominant microbial genera.Forty-nine volatile compounds were detected in the fermented fish samples,with thirteen identified as characteristic volatile compounds(ROAV>1).Volatile profiles resulted from the interactions among the microorganisms and derived enzymes,with the main metabolic pathways being amino acid biosynthesis/metabolism,carbon metabolism,and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis.This study demonstrated the approaches for distinguishing key microbiota associated with volatile compounds and monitoring the industrial production of high-quality fermented fish products.

Manure substitution improves maize yield by promoting soil fertility and mediating the microbial community in lime concretion black soil

Synthetic nitrogen(N)fertilizer has made a great contribution to the improvement of soil fertility and productivity,but excessive application of synthetic N fertilizer may cause agroecosystem risks,such as soil acidification,groundwater contamination and biodiversity reduction.Meanwhile,organic substitution has received increasing attention for its ecologically and environmentally friendly and productivity benefits.However,the linkages between manure substitution,crop yield and the underlying microbial mechanisms remain uncertain.To bridge this gap,a three-year field experiment was conducted with five fertilization regimes:i)Control,non-fertilization;CF,conventional synthetic fertilizer application;CF_(1/2)M_(1/2),1/2 N input via synthetic fertilizer and 1/2 N input via manure;CF_(1/4)M_(3/4),1/4 N input synthetic fertilizer and 3/4 N input via manure;M,manure application.All fertilization treatments were designed to have equal N input.Our results showed that all manure substituted treatments achieved high soil fertility indexes(SFI)and productivities by increasing the soil organic carbon(SOC),total N(TN)and available phosphorus(AP)concentrations,and by altering the bacterial community diversity and composition compared with CF.SOC,AP,and the soil C:N ratio were mainly responsible for microbial community variations.The co-occurrence network revealed that SOC and AP had strong positive associations with Rhodospirillales and Burkholderiales,while TN and C:N ratio had positive and negative associations with Micromonosporaceae,respectively.These specific taxa are implicated in soil macroelement turnover.Random Forest analysis predicted that both biotic(bacterial composition and Micromonosporaceae)and abiotic(AP,SOC,SFI,and TN)factors had significant effects on crop yield.The present work strengthens our understanding of the effects of manure substitution on crop yield and provides theoretical support for optimizing fertilization strategies.

Community structure and species diversity dynamics of a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China:2005 to 2020

Here,we characterize the temporal and spatial dynamics of forest community structure and species diversity in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in China.We found that community structure in this forest changed over a 15-year period.Specifically,renewal and death of common species was large,with the renewal of individuals mainly concentrated within a few populations,especially those of Aidia canthioides and Cryptocarya concinna.The numbers of individual deaths for common species were concentrated in the small and mid-diameter level.The spatial distribution of community species diversity fluctuated in each monitoring period,showing a more dispersed diversity after the 15-year study period,and the coefficient of variation on quadrats increased.In 2010,the death and renewal of the community and the spatial variation of species diversity were different compared to other survey years.Extreme weather may have affected species regeneration and community stability in our subtropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forests.Our findings suggest that strengthening the monitoring and management of the forest community will help better understand the long-and short-term causes of dynamic fluctuations of community structure and species diversity,and reveal the factors that drive changes in community structure.

Myth and Digital Fantasy from the Perspective of Technical Aesthetics

The surreal space of digital technology development has created an unprecedented utopian mythological world.The virtual reality research started in the 1960s has gradually become a reality with the support of hardware technology.The media mode of observing the world by simulating human eyes with cameras is being replaced by computer simulation technology.The metaverse global vision based on virtual space and sense of time obscures the traditional perspective,and a novel progressive aesthetic category gradual y emerges.Starting with the aesthetic experience of myth brought by digital technology,this paper reviews the history of myth and analyzes the mental image of myth and religion to push the origin of life to a more profound realm.The contemporary“myth”following technological development changes the situation of human cognition of the world,separates the myth from the historical frame and relates it to the contemporary ongoing.

The Ecological Aesthetics of Funeral Architecture towards Death:A Case Study of Tomba Brion Family Cemetery

This paper discusses the design of funeral architecture with ecological aesthetics as the entry point,and makes a poetic interpretation of the gardening techniques and spiritual connotation of Tomba Brion Family Cemetery,a funeral architecture,in combination with architecture,ecological design aesthetics,landscape ecology,oriental aesthetics and other disciplines to explore the unique charm of the architectural field related to death for life,trying to provide the reference value of ecological aesthetics for the development of funeral architecture.

Flavor Amidst Plainness:An Examination of the Subjectivity of the“People’s Films”From the Perspective of Classical Aesthetics

The“People’s Films,”when examined from the perspective of classical aesthetics,present a unique visual style that creates artistic conceptions through sparse filming and deliver a scenery-based ideology through background shots,contributing to the overall aesthetic taste dominated by plainness.Chinese national aesthetic tastes,distinguished by implicitness,symbolism,and ethereality,have the magical power to present charming conceptions via plain and simple scenes,thus endowing the“People’s Films”with natural,plain,and harmonious frames that are unique to China.Behind the silent and plain scenes are representations of personal cultivation and essential values cherished by the Chinese people,which are achieved via the momentary presence and entirety of scenes photographed in the films,delivering an internal transcendence of people’s consciousness.

The Constructed Image:“China”in Gertrude Stein’s Composite Matrix of Aesthetics and Politics

As a representative modernist writer of the early 20th century,Gertrude Stein creatively established a unique experimental writing style to support her modernist expression.This paper attempts to analyze the Oriental elements,especially elements and images related to“China”in her works.Stein’s uses these elements to construct a systematic and complex matrix of aesthetics and politics.“China”in Stein’s matrix is an essential source of her so-called“the oriental peaceful penetration”and a significant lens for her ideological expression and political thoughts.Although Stein emphasizes her Oriental components in the source of identity,she always places herself in a Western position,ignoring cultural and political expressions in the real Chinese context and turning“China”into a useful tool in the collective fantasies of the West.