Science fiction reduces the eeriness of android robots: A field experiment

As suggested by the uncanny valley hypothesis, robots that resemble humans likely elicit feelings of eeriness. Based on the psychological model of meaning maintenance, we expected that the uncanny valley experience could be mitigated through a fictional story, due to the meaning-generating function of narratives. A field experiment was conducted, in which 75 participants interacted with the humanlike robot Telenoid. Prior to the interaction, they either read a short story, a non-narrative leaflet about the robot, or they received no preliminary information. Eeriness ratings were significantly lower in the science fiction condition than in both other conditions. This effect was mediated by higher perceived human-likeness of the robot. Our findings suggest that science fiction may provide meaning for otherwise unsettling future technologies.     

清代大运河之帆船航运

自中国封建王朝定都北京以来,连接北京和杭州的大运河一直作为水上要道发挥着重要作用。特别是在明清两代,大运河作为最重要的漕运通路,承担了江南税粮输送的任务。可以说,从某种意义上看,大运河与北京政权的命运息息相关。但到目前为止,这些承担输送任务的漕船到底如何在大运河上航行的问题,仍然不甚清晰。因此,以清代的档案史料为中心,来分析运河漕船的航行情况。     

浙东运河闸坝控制工程及其技术特征研究

浙东运河是中国大运河的重要组成部分、是内河水运网络与海运联接的纽带。与大运河其他河段相比,浙东运河水系水文、控制工程有其鲜明特点。本文基于水利工程科技史的视角,对浙东运河水系构成及分段特点、浙东运河控制工程分布、闸坝工程型式与功能特征及其原因进行了系统分析,对浙东运河宁波段极具特色的闸坝功能划分特征、闸坝结合的工程型式产生及其技术特点进行了考证、分析,从中国大运河整体视角审视浙东运河水利工程遗产的特点及其科技价值。     

基于功能语境视角下的非物质文化遗产外宣归化异化翻译——以扬州大运河外宣翻译为例

非物质文化遗产的外宣翻译和国家当前提出的"文化走出去战略"不谋而合。归化异化翻译理论更适合于翻译中文化因素的处理已得到了翻译界的认可。文章以扬州大运河非物质文化遗产外宣翻译为研究对象,针对非遗外宣翻译的目的及特点,以功能语境理论为指导方针,以归化异化翻译为手段,来探讨非物质文化遗产的外宣翻译。     

Mechanising a formal model of flash memory

We present second steps in the construction of formal models of NAND flash memory, based on a recently emerged open standard for such devices. The model is intended as a key part of a pilot project to develop a verified file store system based on flash memory. The project was proposed by Joshi and Holzmann as a contribution to the Grand Challenge in Verified Software, and involves constructing a highly assured flash file store for use in space-flight missions. The model is at a level of abstraction that captures the internal architecture of NAND flash devices. In this paper, we focus on mechanising the state model and its initialisation operation, where most of the conceptual complexity resides.     

Using narratives in conferences to improve the CMC learning environment

Abstract This paper reports on the use of short stories in Internet discussions to promote student learning. It describes off-campus teacher education students CMC discussions of short stories concerning issues in human development. The content of students' discussions is analysed, as is their perceptions of the value of the discussion stories. The results indicate that the use of narratives can improve the social environment of online conferences and contribute to collaborative student learning.     

USING OTOLITH CHEMISTRY TAGS AND GROWTH PATTERNS TO DISTINGUISH MOVEMENTS AND PROVENANCE OF NATIVE FISH IN THE GRAND CANYON

Fish otolith and water chemistry were assessed in the Grand Canyon reach of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Aqueous strontium and selenium (in ratio to calcium) and carbon stable isotopic ratios were identified as markers with excellent potential to track the provenance and movements of the endangered humpback chub Gila cypha. Although otolith δ¹³C and Sr/Ca varied proportionately to water chemistry and provided a framework for detailed study of humpback chub movements, otolith Se/Ca showed ambiguous tracking of known water chemistries. As an application, we document the natal source and movement dynamics of n = 10 humpback chub and compare these findings from otolith microchemistry with the current paradigm of humpback chub spawning ecology. We found that seven of ten fish follow the current early life history paradigm and were spawned in the Little Colorado River and subsequently emigrated to the main stem Colorado River as juveniles. However, the otolith markers of three fish suggest an alternative early life trajectory with unknown provenance. Age and growth analyses demonstrate seasonally higher growth rates in the warmer Little Colorado River compared with the Colorado River. Combining natural markers with age and growth reconstructions provides a powerful tool for assessing the habitat use and success of humpback chub in the Grand Canyon. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computer-mediated persuasion in online reviews: Statistical versus narrative evidence

The current study examined the effects of online product reviews on individuals’ credibility perceptions of the reviews and their attitudes about the product targeted in the reviews. Study 1 used a 2 (review type: statistical and narrative) × 2 (review valence: negative and positive) design, and study 2 used a 2 (statistical review valence: positive and negative) × 2 (narrative review valence: positive and negative) design. The findings of study 1 were consistent with those of study 2 and indicated that negative statistical reviews were perceived as more credible than negative narrative reviews, while the credibility of positive statistical reviews did not differ from that of positive narrative reviews. On the other hand, statistical reviews and narrative reviews did not differ in terms of affecting individuals’ attitudes about the product. The current study also found that the vividness and valence of each review type had varying effects on review credibility and attitudes about the product. The implications of these and other findings are discussed in detail in the paper.     

试论中法建筑文化在世纪之交的碰撞——巴黎卢浮宫金字塔与北京国家大剧院的解读

以新世纪之交的历史时段作为背景,将中法建筑文化中的两个重要建筑—巴黎卢浮宫金字塔与北京国家大剧院作为对象,试图通过对于这两座地标性建筑的文化特点以及建筑师的文化背景和建筑观念的分析,解读建筑创作的构思方法和表达意象的途径,讨论建筑对于社会产生的共鸣效应、文化认同作用以及建筑师的社会责任.     

解读方方小说的死亡叙事

中国当代女作家方方的小说因从不同角度、以不同形式呈现死亡而展示给读者独特的风景。方方小说的死亡叙事具有多样性和复杂性,死亡或是方方小说叙事的主轴、舞台的主角,或是小说暗藏的玄机、命运的密码;更或是人性脆弱妥协、变异扭曲的必然结果。方方正是以独特的死亡叙事坚守了自己关注人性、关注人的命运的文学信念。