Struggling and Seeking for Identity——The Plight of the Protagonists in Fences

The characters in August Wilson's play Fences all suffer from great pain as African American in 50s society in U.S..Father,mother and son exert their efforts struggling in both family life and social racism.The source of their survival plight,to great extent,lies in the confusion of identity.This paper explores the struggling and seeking of the characters from both interior and exterior world.

Distributed Nash Equilibrium Seeking Strategies Under Quantized Communication

This paper is concerned with distributed Nash equi librium seeking strategies under quantized communication. In the proposed seeking strategy, a projection operator is synthesized with a gradient search method to achieve the optimization o players' objective functions while restricting their actions within required non-empty, convex and compact domains. In addition, a leader-following consensus protocol, in which quantized informa tion flows are utilized, is employed for information sharing among players. More specifically, logarithmic quantizers and uniform quantizers are investigated under both undirected and connected communication graphs and strongly connected digraphs, respec tively. Through Lyapunov stability analysis, it is shown that play ers' actions can be steered to a neighborhood of the Nash equilib rium with logarithmic and uniform quantizers, and the quanti fied convergence error depends on the parameter of the quan tizer for both undirected and directed cases. A numerical exam ple is given to verify the theoretical results.

Enhancing Identity Protection in Metaverse-Based Psychological Counseling System

Non-face-to-face psychological counseling systems rely on network technologies to anonymize information regard-ing client identity.However,these systems often face challenges concerning voice data leaks and the suboptimal communication of the client’s non-verbal expressions,such as facial cues,to the counselor.This study proposes a metaverse-based psychological counseling system designed to enhance client identity protection while ensuring efficient information delivery to counselors during non-face-to-face counseling.The proposed systemincorporates a voicemodulation function that instantlymodifies/masks the client’s voice to safeguard their identity.Additionally,it employs real-time client facial expression recognition using an ensemble of decision trees to mirror the client’s non-verbal expressions through their avatar in the metaverse environment.The system is adaptable for use on personal computers and smartphones,offering users the flexibility to access metaverse-based psychological counseling across diverse environments.The performance evaluation of the proposed system confirmed that the voice modulation and real-time facial expression replication consistently achieve an average speed of 48.32 frames per second or higher,even when tested on the least powerful smartphone configurations.Moreover,a total of 550 actual psychological counseling sessions were conducted,and the average satisfaction rating reached 4.46 on a 5-point scale.This indicates that clients experienced improved identity protection compared to conventional non-face-to-face metaverse counseling approaches.Additionally,the counselor successfully addressed the challenge of conveying non-verbal cues from clients who typically struggled with non-face-to-face psychological counseling.The proposed systemholds significant potential for applications in interactive discussions and educational activities in the metaverse.

Impact of Exercise Atmosphere on Adolescents’Exercise Behavior:Chain Mediating Effect of Exercise Identity and Exercise Habit

Appropriate physical exercise has a positive impact on adolescents’physical and mental health,but there is a serious lack of physical exercise among Chinese adolescents.How to shape their exercise behavior(EB)has become an important task in promoting their development.A questionnaire survey was conducted using stratified cluster random sampling on three middle schools by class in Zhejiang Province,China to investigate the impact of exercise atmosphere(EA)on adolescents’exercise behavior and the mediating role of exercise identity(EI)and exercise habit(EH).806 adolescents were investigated by the Exercise Atmosphere Scale(EAS),Exercise-Identity Scale(EIS),Self-Report Habit Index(SRHI),and Physical Activity Rating Scale(PARS-3).The results show that:There is a significant positive correlation between each two of exercise atmosphere,exercise identity,exercise habit,and exercise behavior(p<0.05).Exercise atmosphere could not only directly affect adolescents’physical exercise behavior but can also indirectly affect their physical exercise behavior through the mediating effect of exercise identity and exercise habit,involving three mediating pathways,namely,the mediating path through exercise identity,the mediating pathway through exercise habit and the chain mediating pathway through exercise identity and exercise habit.The direct effect of exercise atmosphere on exercise behavior was 0.459(p<0.01),accounting for 62.62% of the total effect of 0.733,and its indirect effect was 0.274,accounting for 37.28% of the total effect.To a certain extent,the mediating effect model reveals the mechanism of exercise atmosphere affecting exercise behavior and has a certain reference value for promoting adolescents’exercise behavior.We should start by creating an exercise atmosphere,cultivating exercise identity,and enhancing exercise habits to help teenagers form active physical exercise behaviors.

SUPER WOMAN 2(SPW2)maintains organ identity in spikelets by inhibiting the expression of floral homeotic genes OsMADS3,OsMADS58,OsMADS13,and DROOPING LEAF

Flower organ identity in rice is mainly determined by the A-,B-,C-and E-class genes,with the majority encoding MADS-box transcription factors.However,few studies have investigated how the expression of these floral organ identity genes is regulated during flower development.In this study,we identified a gene named SUPER WOMAN 2(SPW2),which is necessary for spikelet/floret development in rice by participating in the regulation of the expression of pistil identity genes such as OsMADS3,OsMADS13,OsMADS58 and DL.In the spw2 mutant,ectopic stigma/ovary-like tissues were observed in the non-pistil organs,including sterile lemma,lemma,palea,lodicule,and stamen,suggesting that the identities of these organs were severely affected by mutations in SPW2.SPW2 was shown to encode a plant-specific EMF1-like protein that is involved in H3K27me3 modification as an important component of the PRC2 complex.Expression analysis showed that the SPW2 mutation led to the ectopic expression of OsMADS3,OsMADS13,OsMADS58,and DL in non-pistil organs of the spikelet.The ChIP-qPCR results showed significant reductions in the levels of H3K27me3 modification on the chromatin of these genes.Thus,we demonstrated that SPW2 can mediate the process of H3K27me3 modification of pistil-related genes to regulate their expression in non-pistil organs of spikelets in rice.The results of this study expand our understanding of the molecular mechanism by which SPW2 regulates floral organ identity genes through epigenetic regulation.

Survey and clinical considerations of gender identity in lower primary school children

BACKGROUND Gender consciousness directly affects the development of gender identity,which is a continuous and lifelong process.Meanwhile,hospitalization is a part of many children's lives and has an impact on their gender development.AIM To investigate the current situation of gender identity in lower primary school children by conducting a survey of 202 hospitalized children in the lower grades and to provide a theoretical basis and foundation for the cultivation of gender identity and medical treatment of children based on the results.This study aims to inspire clinical medical staff to scientifically and reasonably arrange hospital wards for lower primary school children and pay attention to gender protection during the medical treatment process and to help children shape a unified and clear gender identity,which will enable them to better integrate into society and promote their personality development.METHODS The gender consciousness scale for elementary and middle school students was RESULTS Gender identity was already present in lower primary school children.The children's gender roles and gender equality consciousness were strong,exceeding the critical value,but their gender characteristics,gender identity,and gender ideal consciousness were weak.Children aged 6 had the weakest gender identity,and girls had significantly stronger gender identity than boys.CONCLUSION Gender identity is already present in lower primary school children,providing a basis and inspiration for the cultivation of gender identity and medical treatment of lower primary school children.Clinical medical staff should be aware of and understand these results and should scientifically and reasonably arrange hospital wards for lower primary school children.

The Identity and Discourse in Georgian and Turkey Diplomatic Relations Between 2002-2022

This article’s primary objective is to answer the question of what is the semantic language of identity and interests of Turkey and Georgia?In addition,it analyzes the connotative quotes that exchanged between the two countries during diplomatic visits.Because the article concentrated on the remarks that were stressed during visits and meetings that took place between the years 2002 and 2022,it was necessary to search through 150 news on civil.ge site and filter down to 35 news before applying the content analysis.The AntConc corpus analysis was used in order to comprehend the nature of the political conversation between both countries.According to the findings,the constructivism of core theme that claim states view each other via the identity through interaction was verified.The purpose of the research is to provide a contribution to the study of the identities and interests of Georgia and Turkey who are good neighbors.

Identity(ies)and Transnationalization of Brazilian Evangelical Churches in Portugal:Case study of World Cathedral of Hope and Victory in Christ Churches

The presence of evangelicals in Brazil is a social and religious phenomenon that has aroused interest of many scholars due to its rapid and significant expansion in recent decades and its projection beyond national borders.Among evangelical denominations that stand out in this scenario are Pentecostal churches,which have developed intense missionary activity in several countries,including Europe.In this article,we intend to analyze features and challenges of Brazilian evangelical churches:World Cathedral of Hope(CIME)(Catedral Mundial da Esperança-ICME)and Assembly of God Victory in Christ(ADVEC)(Assembleia de Deus Vitória em Cristo-ADVEC)that operate in Portugal,seeking to understand issues of identity and belonging of these communities,their models of transnationalization,its evangelization strategies and its adaptations to Portuguese context,in the period from 2000 to 2020.

Utilizing Certificateless Cryptography for IoT Device Identity Authentication Protocols in Web3

Traditional methods of identity authentication often rely on centralized architectures,which poses risks of computational overload and single points of failure.We propose a protocol that offers a decentralized approach by distributing authentication services to edge authentication gateways and servers,facilitated by blockchain technology,thus aligning with the decentralized ethos of Web3 infrastructure.Additionally,we enhance device security against physical and cloning attacks by integrating physical unclonable functions with certificateless cryptography,bolstering the integrity of Internet of Thins(IoT)devices within the evolving landscape of the metaverse.To achieve dynamic anonymity and ensure privacy within Web3 environments,we employ fuzzy extractor technology,allowing for updates to pseudonymous identity identifiers while maintaining key consistency.The proposed protocol ensures continuous and secure identity authentication for IoT devices in practical applications,effectively addressing the pressing security concerns inherent in IoT network environments and contributing to the development of robust security infrastructure essential for the proliferation of IoT devices across diverse settings.

Age Identity and Elderly Job Participation in China

In the context of rising life expectancy,there is a significant discrepancy between Chinese seniors’self-perceptions of the start of old age and the expectations of society around this age.The traditional paradigm,which forecasts individual economic behavior and formulates economic policies based on societal standards of age,is put to the test by this disparity.This study,which draws from the China Longitudinal Aging Society Survey(CLASS),examines the factors,processes,and improvement strategies that affect how older people choose to work.The following are our conclusions:(i)Chinese elderly believe their old age starts from 70 years on average;delaying perceived old age is a denial of aging and raises the likelihood of finding work.Elders who are youthful at heart have a 2.4%higher chance of remaining employed than elders who are old at heart.(ii)In contrast to old-at-heart elders,young-at-heart elders are more likely to maintain their middle-age lifestyles,continue working,become motivated to engage in social activities,and gain the confidence to face challenges and continue in their career.(iii)If the perceived old age is above 70 years,the milestone event of aging is retirement from work,and there are external pressures,particularly pressures from family intergenerational support,the perception of old age will have a more proactive impact on older workers.(iv)Despite rising pension benefits,older people’s decision to remain in the workforce is still heavily influenced by their perception of their age.However,this effect is notably gender-specific,as older women’s decision to remain in the workforce is not greatly influenced by their own perception of their age.

Personification in Chinese Diplomatic Discourse and the Construction of National Identity Based on Corpus:A Case Study of the Regular Press Conference of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

With the development of the major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics,diplomatic discourse,as an important part of building China’s international discourse power,has attracted much attention.Personification is a common means in diplomatic discourse.By giving anthropomorphic expressions to countries,regions,institutions and policies,the purpose of building national identity and establishing national image can be achieved.Based on conceptual metaphor theory and national identity theory,this paper focuses on personification in diplomatic discourse with a case study of the regular press conference of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.It is found that the spokesperson skillfully constructed China’s positive national identity,such as peace-loving,openness and inclusiveness by using a large number of body metaphor,kinship metaphor and role metaphor.

Lost,Exile and Return-An Analysis of Sheona’s Identity Reconstruction in“Sisters”from the Perspective of Spatial Theory

“Sisters”is the first novel in Irish-American author Colum McCann’s short story collection-Fishing the Sloe-Black River,which tells the story of Sheona’s search for her identity between Ireland and the United States.Colum McCann is skilled in writing about the spiritual dilemmas and identity search of ethnic minorities living in a foreign land.Employing the space theory and Sheona’s perspective,this paper examines her identity loss in Ireland’s patriarchal system,her migration to the US for identity pursuit,and her subsequent transnational journey between the two nations to reconstruct her identity amidst physical and mental trauma.

Identity of Urban Spaces: Assessment and Evaluation

As a major symbol of civilization,the city was built by man for his security and comfort.It is not only a settlement,but also an urban development which has been identified with the spirit that has been breathed into the community.Urban identity which is also known as collective identity,has gained meaning through the content of objective manifestation and the creation of flashbacks,citizens’memories and mental associations.That is what makes urban dwellers become citizens.Although the identity of the city is a result of civic culture,it still has an influence on the process of citizenship and can also be a reason for developing criteria related to the participation and assessment of its inhabitants.According to the view that identity is a set of traits and characteristics that distinguishes the dignity of a person and a society from other individuals and communities,a city becomes characterized and independent by adhering to these criteria.Despite the importance of identity as one of the richest qualitative aspects of urban life that gives meaning and fulfilment to the human quiddity,this complicated and expanded concept has still not been seriously considered,especially in relation to urban spaces.In fact,identity in architecture and urban spaces has recently diminished,since the main focus lies on building spaces for optimized profit and not for high quality living areas.In this research paper,parameters affecting urban identity are evaluated,and strategies and guidelines to promote these parameters are finally presented.

Application of Color Psychology in Korean Brand Identity Design-Etude House

The purpose of this analysis is to delve into the application of color psychology in the logo design of Korean cosmetic brands,using Etude House as an example for an exhaustive analysis.By examining the history of the Etude House brand,the evolution of the logo design,and the changes in color choices,we analyze the traditional concepts of color symbolism in Korean culture and the culture of color in contemporary society in order to reveal the important role of color in cosmetic brand image.Through an in-depth analysis of the use of color in Etude House’s brand identity,we further analyze the impact of color on consumer emotions and purchasing behavior,as well as the potential impact of brand identity changes on market performance.Finally,the conclusions of the analysis summarize the practical application of color psychology in Etude House’s brand logo design,suggest recommendations for other Korean cosmetic brands to draw upon in their logo design,and discuss future directions.

Research Nexus and Implications of Learner Identity in Foreign Language Education

One of the most obvious markers of an individual’s identity is their language.However,in some ways,the relationship between identity and language acquisition seems to be missed.In fact,a lot of studies have shown that identity may influence the reasons behind language acquisition,especially in bilingual or multilingual societies.Learning English can provide EFL(English as a Foreign Language)students with a good sense of identity and encourage them to practice their agency,which can improve learning efficiency and effectiveness.This paper examines how the efficacy and results of language learning are influenced by the learner’s identity.

Vocational Identity and Agency of Chinese College Students: Effects of Filial Piety and Implications in Career Education

Balancing family obligations and personal aspirations is crucial for college students in making life decisions.This critical review examined empirical studies on the effects of filial piety on college students’vocational identity and agency.According to identity capital theory,college students need a sense of agency to construct identity consciously and adapt to adulthood.Filial piety may profoundly influence this process as the core value and internalized social structure for the role of being an adult child in a Chinese family.However,no studies have been conducted from the identity capital perspective.This review found that filial piety had direct effects on college students'vocational identity and also indirect effects by shaping specific agency competencies.The impact of filial piety on the agency was more likely to occur through providing normative guidance about adult roles,influencing how college students view family as a supportive resource,and perpetuating parenting experiences.Based on these findings,this article suggested further examining the mediating role of agency between filial piety and identity development,as well as the effects of filial piety on the psychological foundation of agency development.This review suggested enhancing the agency of college students and encouraging reflections on filial piety in career education.

Identity Study of English for Specific Purposes Teachers in the Context of Shifts in Public English Teaching Positioning

This study investigates the identity of English for Specific Purposes(ESP)teachers within the dynamic landscape of shifts in public English teaching positioning.Adopting a mixed-methods approach,qualitative and quantitative analyses were employed to explore the complexities of ESP teacher identity construction and adaptation.Qualitative findings revealed key themes including strong professional identity grounded in specialized expertise,the impact of changing educational policies and curriculum reforms,and the importance of cultural competence and intercultural communication.Quantitative analysis of survey data indicated high levels of job satisfaction among ESP teachers,with significant correlations between variables such as professional development participation,perceived efficacy in technology integration,and self-perceptions of identity as ESP educators.

Multi-Timescale Distributed Approach to Generalized-Nash-Equilibrium Seeking in Noncooperative Nonconvex Games

Dear Editor,The distributed generalized-Nash-equilibrium(GNE)seeking in noncooperative games with nonconvexity is the topic of this letter.Inspired by the sequential quadratic programming(SQP)method,a multi-timescale multi-agent system(MAS)is developed,and its convergence to a critical point of the game is proven.To illustrate the qualities and efficacy of the theoretical findings,a numerical example is elaborated.

Prescribed-Time Nash Equilibrium Seeking for Pursuit-Evasion Game

Dear Editor,This letter is concerned with prescribed-time Nash equilibrium(PTNE)seeking problem in a pursuit-evasion game(PEG)involving agents with second-order dynamics.In order to achieve the prior-given and user-defined convergence time for the PEG,a PTNE seeking algorithm has been developed to facilitate collaboration among multiple pursuers for capturing the evader without the need for any global information.Then,it is theoretically proved that the prescribedtime convergence of the designed algorithm for achieving Nash equilibrium of PEG.Eventually,the effectiveness of the PTNE method was validated by numerical simulation results.A PEG consists of two groups of agents:evaders and pursuers.The pursuers aim to capture the evaders through cooperative efforts,while the evaders strive to evade capture.PEG is a classic noncooperative game.It has attracted plenty of attention due to its wide application scenarios,such as smart grids[1],formation control[2],[3],and spacecraft rendezvous[4].It is noteworthy that most previous research on seeking the Nash equilibrium of the game,where no agent has an incentive to change its actions,has focused on asymptotic and exponential convergence[5]-[7].

Fixed-Time Consensus-Based Nash Equilibrium Seeking

Dear Editor,This letter examines the fixed-time stability of the Nash equilibrium(NE)in non-cooperative games.We propose a consensus-based NE seeking algorithm for situations where players do not have perfect information and communicate via a topology graph.The proposed algorithm can achieve NE in a fixed time that does not depend on initial conditions and can be adjusted in advance.