Search Results (353)

Objective: Historically, television has been regarded as the mass medium that is most closely associated with audiences’ needs and expectations. In the context of rapid population ageing, older adults now inhabit a progressively important place in society, and they remain the most frequent consumers of broadcast television. This study investigates the formative role of television among Portuguese older adults—combining informal learning, cognitive engagement, and social connection. It explores how TV contributes to well-being and participation in later life. Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted with 203 participants aged 65 to 94. Results: Television continues to play a fundamental role in older adults’ everyday lives, mitigating loneliness and promoting happiness, information, and life satisfaction. We also saw that higher TV consumption is related with superior income and residence in urban areas. Conclusions: The findings highlight television’s enduring formative and compensatory functions and contribute to ongoing debates on active ageing, media literacy, and digital inclusion among older adults. Full article

This study examines how emerging sensor-based technologies can augment the personality expression of digital characters across multiple media. While digital animation and games have traditionally relied on movement to convey traits, the integration of motion capture, wearable biosensors, and live coding introduces new opportunities for dynamic, embodied character design. Drawing on the MONOLOVE saga, we developed four prototypes across animation, games, interactive performance, and interactive networked environments. Central to our approach is the Wheel of Personality model, a structured taxonomy that organizes expressive parameters into four categories: Character Structure, Motion–Action, Interaction, and Environment. Each prototype was designed to explore how these categories, mediated through sensor technologies, contribute to the perception of personality traits. An evaluation with 14 participants from diverse backgrounds employed questionnaires and interviews to assess the alignment between intended and perceived character traits. The results show that movement and interaction were consistently identified as the most influential cues, while the impact of environmental factors varied across media. Additional influences included narration and the personality of the audience, underscoring the interpretive nature of perception. We conclude that personality expression emerges from the interplay of multimodal cues and context, offering methodological insights and frameworks for designing expressive and emotionally resonant digital characters in trans-media productions. Full article

Background: The application of large language model (LLM) in surgical decision-making is rapidly expanding, yet its potential in hand and peripheral nerve surgery remains largely unexplored. This study assessed the diagnostic and therapeutic performance of a large language model (ChatGPT-4o) in scenarios characterized by multiple valid management strategies and absent expert consensus. Methods: Three representative cases—thumb carpometacarpal (CMC I) arthritis, scaphoid nonunion, and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)—were developed to reflect frequent conditions in hand surgery with competing but accepted treatment options. Each case was submitted to ChatGPT-4o using a standardized prompt. LLM-generated responses were evaluated by 52 participants (34 board-certified hand surgeons and 18 residents) across diagnostic accuracy, clinical relevance, and completeness. Readability indices, including Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, were analyzed to assess appropriateness for a medical audience. Results: ChatGPT-4o demonstrated coherent but limited diagnostic accuracy (mean 2.9 ± 1.2 SD), moderate clinical relevance (3.5 ± 1.0 SD), and slightly higher completeness (3.4 ± 1.1 SD). Performance was strongest in the standardized scenario (carpal tunnel syndrome, CTS) and weakest in individualized reasoning (CMC I arthritis). No significant differences were observed between experts and residents (p > 0.05). In higher-level reasoning, ChatGPT-4o performed best in CTS and weakest in CMC I arthritis. Readability confirmed professional-level language (mean Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level: 16.4). Conclusions: ChatGPT-4o shows promise as a supportive tool for diagnostic reasoning and surgical education, particularly where standardized frameworks exist. Its limitations in ambiguous scenarios highlight the ongoing need for expert oversight. Future large language model development should emphasize specialty-specific training and context-aware reasoning to enhance their role in surgical decision support. Full article

With the growing use of AI, it is important to know target audiences’ perceptions of its use. A convenience sample of students were invited to take an online survey in which they were randomly assigned to Group 1 (evaluated a student-generated blog; n = 456) or Group 2 (evaluated an AI-generated blog; n = 492). The results of independent t-tests and chi-squared tests indicated no group differences in ratings of ease of recipe preparation, time to prepare the recipe, utilization of common ingredients, and frequency of intended use of the blog. The student-generated blog was rated higher on budget friendliness (p = 0.025). A total of 42% indicated they would be less willing to use a blog if they knew it was AI-generated, while 43% indicated that it would make no difference and 4.4% indicated being more likely to view the AI-generated blog. Two researchers used a thematic analysis approach to evaluate participants’ free responses regarding the likelihood of using a recipe blog that was AI-generated. Participant perceptions of an AI-generated blog ranged from very positive to very negative. Some themes highlighted the potential benefits of AI or a more neutral stance indicating that “a recipe is a recipe”. The majority of themes highlighted the benefits of content that was created, verified, or tested by humans, or espoused a human touch. Students should be trained to cater to consumer preferences, and to add value in a world that includes AI-generated content. Full article

Although our society is becoming increasingly reliant on technology, clinical practice has not yet harnessed digital technology to address the widest audience possible to prevent and treat a range of mental health concerns. The present study aimed to contribute to the literature by exploring the usability, feasibility, and engagement in In the Mirror: Functional Appreciated Bodies (IM FAB), an easily disseminable micro-intervention aimed at reducing body image dissatisfaction and eating disorder risk, piloted in a sample of undergraduate women. We evaluated the usability of the intervention’s procedures and prompts, the feasibility of using the IM FAB program as a smartphone app, and participant engagement to best understand how the participants’ experiences can inform future digital mental health intervention development using the same treatment techniques. Two hundred undergraduate women completed three weeks of mirror exposure sessions and received randomly scheduled text-based journaling prompts in the intervening two weeks. They completed a post-experiment questionnaire, which included the Usability Metric for User Experience (UMUX) scale, app-based feasibility questions, and engagement questions. Usability, feasibility, and engagement scores were high. Participants were generally positive, but with some mixed feedback about transitioning IM FAB to a digital mental health format, noting concerns about accountability and engagement if it was self-directed. Participants generally reported that the text journaling supported what they learned during mirror exposures. These insights can guide the future piloting of the IM FAB program as a mobile app with individualized features. Full article

Small local museums play a crucial role in safeguarding cultural heritage, but often lack the necessary resources and digital capabilities to engage younger visitors effectively. This study examines whether a mobile serious game can enhance engagement, intrinsic motivation, and cultural knowledge among Generation Z museum visitors. This study introduces Thai-Craft-To-Go, a mobile serious game that mediates intangible cultural heritage—specifically Thai textiles and handicrafts—for Generation Z. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Flow Theory and operationalized through the Mechanics–Dynamics–Aesthetics (MDA) framework, the game translates cultural content into interactive play. We conducted an exploratory evaluation with 30 Generation Z participants using the Game Engagement Questionnaire (GEQ), the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), and a 10-item knowledge test administered before and after gameplay. Results indicated high engagement—particularly Presence and Absorption on the GEQ—strong intrinsic motivation on the IMI (notably perceived competence and value), and significant knowledge gains (mean scores increased from 4.40 to 8.03; t(29) = 8.39, p < 0.001, d = 1.53). These findings suggest that a well-designed serious game can align museum learning with the digital habits of younger audiences, enhancing engagement, motivation, and cultural understanding. For small local museums, serious games provide a feasible and cost-conscious pathway to revitalize visitor experiences and support the intergenerational transmission of intangible cultural heritage in the digital age. Full article

The present study utilized two prominent emotion theories to investigate intention and behavior involved in propagating threatening social media messages. Participants were randomly assigned to different blocks of tweets/Xs with the same word count but different topics/sentiments. The topics in Study 1 (N = 619) were neutral and illegal border crossing, whereas the topics in Study 2 (N = 577) were the virulent risk of COVID-19 and the potential risks of newly developed vaccines. Dissemination intention was gauged by the number of tweets that participants wanted to share. Participants were also asked to summarize the messages to observe their behavioral engagement with the information, specifically through time spent on the task and the number of words written. An intention–behavior disjoint was found under all threatening topics and on both sides of the political divide. Fearful participants showed engaging intentions (wanted to share more tweets) but disengaging behaviors (wrote fewer words and submitted their summaries sooner). The necessary and sufficient conditions for the intention–behavior disjoint seemed to be the presence of threatening contents and subjective fear. Communicating risks can spark interest, but it is important not to burden the audience with too much fear, or they may stop spreading the word. Full article

This exploratory study investigates how youths aged 18–25 perceive and prioritize elements of the Integrated Digital Storytelling for Social Media (IDSM) framework in cultural heritage tourism contexts, addressing critical gaps between theoretical frameworks and contemporary social media engagement requirements. Through purposive sampling at cultural heritage tourism sites in Bangkok, Thailand, questionnaires were distributed to 100 participants to examine their preferences for cultural tourism video content and validate framework elements. Cultural authenticity emerged as the paramount consideration among participants, while traditional storytelling elements demonstrated sustained relevance when adapted for social media contexts. Youth participants preferred authentic mobile phone recordings over professional production, with optimal video durations and caption-dependent storytelling for mobile consumption. TikTok emerged as the primary motivational platform despite moderate usage frequency patterns. This exploratory study contributes preliminary empirical assessment of an integrated framework specifically designed for social media applications in cultural heritage tourism contexts. The findings provide evidence-based guidelines to help practitioners develop platform-optimized content strategies that effectively engage youth audiences while maintaining cultural authenticity. Full article

In academic discourse, interactivity has long been conceptualized as a defining feature of digital journalism, offering the potential to transform passive readers into active participants. However, the actual demand for interactive functionalities among audiences—particularly in rapidly evolving digital environments—remains underexplored. This study investigates how Ukrainian digital media users perceive various interactive features and identifies factors influencing their level of interest and engagement. Based on a survey of 401 respondents, the analysis focuses on patterns of media consumption, social media behavior, and attitudes toward different forms of interactivity. The findings indicate a strong preference for low-effort interactivity, such as quizzes, infographics, and simple reaction-based features. In contrast, participatory features that imply deeper editorial collaboration—such as submitting content or suggesting corrections—attract limited audience interest. By comparing user preferences with prior research on the implementation of interactivity in Ukrainian digital media, the study reveals a structural mismatch between audience expectations and editorial practice. These findings underscore the need to reorient interactive design in digital journalism—from normative assumptions toward empirically grounded user preferences—to enhance audience engagement. Full article

This paper investigates how users of Professional Facebook, a tool by Meta for content creators, build social networks and monetize content. Through semi-structured interviews with eight active users, we found that their primary goals include enhancing creative skills, earning income, and establishing a digital presence. An interesting finding is that participants experiencing personal growth. This research employed a qualitative approach, with data analysis by NVivo 14 software. However, users also navigate pressures from audience expectations and algorithm demands, highlighting a dual experience of opportunity and challenge. The study suggests future research on the long-term effects of these tools on users’ psychological and social well-being. Full article

This article aims to critically engage with the capability approach by exploring its potential contributions to social work practice, specifically social work focusing on reducing child poverty. In high-income countries, an estimated 69 million children are either living in poverty or at risk of poverty. Despite its comprehensive social welfare system, Switzerland is no exception. This contribution is based on empirical research conducted between 2021 and 2025 in Switzerland with children and young people (CYP). The results of this participatory and artistic research not only demonstrate the value of considering the experiential knowledge of CYP affected by poverty in the context of social intervention, but also the importance of the participation of this social work audience in fostering professional and institutional practices along with promoting fairer, more inclusive and transformative public policies. This research precisely identifies how social work practice could support CYP’s evolving capabilities by applying the capability approach within social services. Specifically, it focuses on capabilities for voice and to aspire, as well as their progression vis-à-vis the transformation of social practice, which could be observed through the participation implemented as a foundational principle of action in social work practice. Full article

The integration of gamification in online journalism and communication is an emerging trend aimed at enhancing user engagement and interactivity. As a digital marketing strategy, gamification involves incorporating game-like elements into non-game contexts, such as news websites, to motivate user participation and increase retention. This study explores the topic of gamification within the context of online journalism, advances in digital journalism, and the impact of technology in media and journalism, focusing on the perspectives of media owners through in-depth interviews. By exploring how media owners perceive and implement gamification elements in online journalism, this research aims to uncover valuable insights into the integration of game mechanics to enhance user engagement and content delivery. The methodology involved conducting interviews and analyzing the data qualitatively to identify key themes and patterns, shedding light on the challenges, opportunities, and best practices associated with gamification in the digital news landscape. Ultimately, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of gamification in shaping the future of online journalism and offers practical recommendations for media organizations looking to leverage gamified strategies for audience interaction and retention. Full article

This scoping review examines how art has been used as an educational and awareness-raising strategy against particulate matter (PM) pollution. PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the SPIDER framework were applied to structure a search of the Scopus and ScienceDirect databases, identifying 19 studies exploring diverse forms of artistic expression linked to environmental awareness. The documented interventions include immersive installations, participatory theater, murals, music, photography, eco-art design, poetry, and self-published publications (zines), encompassing experiences in urban contexts in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. These artistic practices were aimed at diverse audiences—from vulnerable communities and schoolchildren to citizens in public spaces—and acted as mediators between scientific knowledge and social perceptions of environmental risk. The results show that art enhances ecological literacy, stimulates citizen participation, and contributes to the construction of effective and collective responses to the invisible effects of PM. This review highlights the value of art as a channel for integrating knowledge, generating critical awareness, and supporting innovative educational strategies in the face of complex environmental challenges. Full article

This study addresses the impact of pandemics, economic limitations, and physical constraints on physical pilgrimage by proposing and evaluating a culturally sensitive, ritual-oriented virtual Boudhanath Stupa environment. Using user-centered design (UCD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD), the project created interactive ritual nodes on a Minecraft–VR platform, combining spatial configuration, symbolic elements, and exploratory freedom to move beyond static representation toward participatory engagement. A mixed-methods evaluation with 50 participants from diverse backgrounds and 2 Tibetan Buddhist experts showed positive feedback for aesthetic experience (M = 4.36) and user control (M = 4.62). Despite its non-photorealistic style, the environment was able to evoke a strong sense of presence and was recognized by experts as a “digital Dharma gate” suitable for younger audiences and those unable to travel to sacred sites. Limitations include a small sample size, a short evaluation period, and a lack of social interaction features. Future development will enhance guidance and feedback, expand narratives, support community co-creation, and introduce multi-user functions, providing a scalable framework for virtual religious cultural heritage. Full article

Glacier retreat due to climate change is accelerating worldwide, yet the phenomenon remains abstract for many people, especially those unfamiliar with mountain environments. The Urban Glaciology experiment, conducted during Milan’s internationally renowned “Fuorisalone” 2024 design event, aimed to bridge this perceptual gap by simulating real glacier melt processes in a busy urban square. Three large ice blocks with contrasting surface conditions (i.e., clean, dirty, and debris-covered) were exposed to springtime urban temperatures, mimicking conditions found on Alpine glaciers during summer. Over one week, the blocks produced a total of 748 L of meltwater, with dirty ice melting up to four times faster than debris-covered ice, consistent with established albedo effects. These results confirmed the thermal analogy between Milan’s spring conditions (+15 to +20 °C) and the ablation season on Alpine glaciers. Visitors observed the differential melting in real time, supported by visual indicators, explanatory panels, immersive virtual experiences, and direct interaction with researchers and students. Informal interviews indicated that more than 60% of participants reported a perceptual shift, recognizing for the first time that urban temperatures can replicate glacier melting conditions. By embedding a science-based installation in a major cultural tourism event, the experiment reached a diverse, non-traditional audience—including tourists, designers, and citizens—and encouraged reflection on the implications of glacier loss. The success of this initiative highlights the potential of replicating similar models in other cities to raise awareness of environmental change through culturally engaging experiences. Full article