People express their national identity not only through hot nationalist sentiments, but also in their daily conversations and practices. The theory of banal nationalism highlights the everyday routines and discourses through which mundane national sentiments are produced. In China, a number of young people are engaged in the creation of Ancient Chinese-style songs which, incidentally, reveal understanding of their national identity. Ancient Chinese-style songs (Gufeng 古风 in Chinese), a variety of digital songs that are created by young netizens online with special emphasis on traditional Chinese elements, provides data through which young people's interpretation and performance of national identity in their daily lives can be examined. Drawing on the theory of banal nationalism, this research analyzes the participants' construction of their national identity in music creating and listening activities. The research uses the qualitative method of web content analysis in order to understand the song lyrics and listeners' comments on the songs. The analysis presented here reveals various aspects of the participants' sense of banal nationhood. Findings show that the participants in Ancient Chinese-style songs not only provide multiple interpretations of national culture and history, but also engage in embodied performance of the nation through music creating and listening activities. In the process, the young people link their daily experience of online entertainment with national culture, and attach new meanings to the cultural elements they draw on. It is argued here that the young people exercise agency in their interpretation of the nation. Moreover, the diverse expressions of banal national sentiment created by the participants in this music style suggests that cultural traditions are not only the stereotyped concepts identified in hot nationalism studies, but that they also include everyday experiences that the young music lovers identify with. Key words: banal nationalism, national identity, Chinese youth, online music

Algorithms that use relational data are increasingly used to allocate resources within society. As researchers and decision-makers have adapted the role of algorithms from a descriptive one (describing patterns in data) to a prescriptive one (making decisions in predictive systems), there is an increasing concern that algorithms may replicate and even amplify societal bias, allocating worse or less resources to minorities and underrepresented groups. This dissertation proposes methodology for diagnosing when and how algorithms amplify inequality on networks as well as designing interventions for mitigating algorithmic bias. We leverage methods from network modeling, algorithmic game theory, and fair machine learning to uncover the root driver of bias in network data and to leverage this knowledge in order to design fair algorithms. In this thesis, we mostly focus on unsupervised learning problems, which present unique challenges that require a multi-faceted approach. We propose a unifying formulation for unifying different problems in unsupervised learning on networks and use it to propose methods to find the root cause of bias through modeling patterns of connections and embeddings. We leverage this knowledge to design fairer algorithms as well as to define diagnoses metrics for evaluating inequality before and after an algorithm is introduced. Furthermore, we argue for the need to bridge optimization-based learning and utility-based learning in creating stable, efficient, and useful systems. We use network models and mathematical formulations of distributional inequality in diagnosing the algorithmic amplification of bias in social recommendations and ranking algorithms. We find that the most common and neutral algorithms may further underrepresent minority groups in creating new connections or achieving high levels of visibility in networks that exhibit competition in increasing social capital and homophily (the tendency of people to connect with those similar to them). We uncover the role of homophily in helping a minority group overcome their initial disadvantage and we leverage it to design fairer information campaigns that equitable distribute messages across a population. Akin to this goal, we incorporate notions of utility and welfare in our algorithmic design, re-designing heuristics for grouping and clustering that improve the diversity of groups while preserving their usefulness, with applications in political and educational districting. Overall, this set of results aims to investigate the impact of algorithms on the outcomes of different populations and to open new avenues for inter-disciplinary research methods that can alleviate algorithmic bias. We close by discussing connections between different fields and methods as well as directions for future research.

The rapid rise of digital platforms has transformed communication and information sharing. As social networks become increasingly integral to modern society, social media platforms are motivated to implement algorithms that both enhance user experience and bolster advertising. Yet, the intricate nature of social networks poses significant algorithmic design challenges: How can network data be used to predict node attributes? Which graph representations contain the best prediction power? Of paramount concern is the potential for these algorithms to reinforce biases against marginalized groups. Social networks often mirror societal biases tied to gender, race, socioeconomic status, and other factors. Algorithms that unintentionally enhance these biases can detrimentally affect individuals and broader communities. Recognizing these implications, this dissertation delves into four projects, each addressing distinct aspects of these challenges. Through our investigations, we propose innovative solutions aimed at bolstering the fairness, accuracy, and predictive prowess of social network algorithms.

No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / indefinitely

<p>Over the past two decades of HIV research, effective vaccine candidates have been elusive. Traditionally viral research has been characterized by a gene -by-gene approach, but in the light of the availability of complete genome sequences and the tractable size of the HIV genome, a genomic approach may improve insight into the biology and epidemiology of this virus. A genomic approach to finding HIV vaccine candidates can be facilitated by the use of genome sequence visualization. Genome browsers have been used extensively by various groups to shed light on the biology and evolution of several organisms including human, mouse, rat, Drosophila and C.elegans. Application of a genome browser to HIV genomes and related annotations can yield insight into forces that drive evolution, identify highly conserved regions as well as regions that yields a strong immune response in patients, and track mutations that appear over the course of infection. Access to graphical representations of such information is bound to support the search for effective HIV vaccine candidates. This study aimed to answer the question of whether a tool or application exists that can be modified to be used as a platform for development of an HIV visualization application and to assess the viability of such an implementation. Existing applications can only be assessed for their suitability as a basis for development of an HIV genome browser once a well-defined set of assessment criteria has been compiled.</p>

The project, presented in this paper, developed a web-based tool that provides training and technical support in the use of computers to employees at the San Bernardino Community College District. The purpose of this project was with the lack of one support system it has become necessary to create one place for support entities to share their expertise with one another and with the campus community. This project creates a web presence that all of these groups can contribute to. This system starts out small and creates a skeletal system that will allow for continued development after the project is over.

<p>Over the past two decades of HIV research, effective vaccine candidates have been elusive. Traditionally viral research has been characterized by a gene -by-gene approach, but in the light of the availability of complete genome sequences and the tractable size of the HIV genome, a genomic approach may improve insight into the biology and epidemiology of this virus. A genomic approach to finding HIV vaccine candidates can be facilitated by the use of genome sequence visualization. Genome browsers have been used extensively by various groups to shed light on the biology and evolution of several organisms including human, mouse, rat, Drosophila and C.elegans. Application of a genome browser to HIV genomes and related annotations can yield insight into forces that drive evolution, identify highly conserved regions as well as regions that yields a strong immune response in patients, and track mutations that appear over the course of infection. Access to graphical representations of such information is bound to support the search for effective HIV vaccine candidates. This study aimed to answer the question of whether a tool or application exists that can be modified to be used as a platform for development of an HIV visualization application and to assess the viability of such an implementation. Existing applications can only be assessed for their suitability as a basis for development of an HIV genome browser once a well-defined set of assessment criteria has been compiled.</p>

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Health information-seeking is a complex and dynamic construct. This study attempted to quantify and explain the use of interpersonal communication, media and related technologies as health information sources among first year university students on the campus of Stellenbosch University (SU), using a cross-sectional survey design. The questionnaire and web-based survey intended to measure and document important research constructs at a single point in time. Data from this survey provide exploratory information on patterns of health information-seeking practices and preferences encountered among the research target group. Measures of the reasons for health information-seeking on specific topics; health information sources/channels and frequency of source/channel use; information source credibility and quality as well as the outcomes of the health information-seeking process were used as secondary research aims in this study. Health communication and health management needs of the research population were also important research variables to establish. Results from this research indicate that the health status of the study cohort was good. The mean of the BMI kg/m² for the current study cohort lies at the higher end of the BMI kg/m² continuum for this age group, which indicates that the lifestyle of the study cohort is at risk. The use of health information sources among the research cohort was diverse. This research confirms that interpersonal communication is an important information medium through which young adults receive health information. The concept of an ecological context to health communication and its effects are therefore supported by these results. Use of media sources and related technology was common and diverse among the study cohort, mirroring patterns of media use for other young adult groups. Results further support the theory of effect-studies in communication (the media), where the provision of certain types of information through the media, indicate to have an impact on people’s thinking and behaviour. A behaviour change as result of the health information-seeking process was reported among the research cohort. Health communication literature refers to small numbers of studies conducted on health information-seeking among young adults (student populations). The current research has attempted to add to the body of knowledge on health information-seeking and its outcomes among a student population group in a South African university setting. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die soektog na gesondheidsinligting is 'n dinamiese en komplekse proses. Hierdie navorsing het gepoog om die gebruik van interpersoonlike kommunikasie, media en verwante tegnologieë as inligtingsbronne oor gesondheid onder eerstejaar-studente op die kampus van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch (US) te kwantifiseer en te verklaar. 'n Dwarsdeursnitopname is as studieontwerp gebruik. Die web-gebaseerde vraelys het gepoog om belangrike navorsingskonstrukte tydens 'n enkele tydgleuf te probeer meet. Data van hierdie opname verskaf verkennende inligting oor die patrone van die soeke na gesondheidsinligting en gesondheidsinligtingvoorkeure van studente. Redes vir die soek na gesondheidsinligting; mediums/metodes waardeur inligting verkry word; frekwensie van soektogte; geloofwaardigheid van mediums en die kwaliteit daarvan; onderwerpe waarna gesoek word en die uitkomste van hierdie gesondheidsinligtingsoektog, is as sekondêre navorsingsuitkomste van belang geag. Gesondheidskommunikasiebehoeftes onder die navorsingsteikengroep was belangrik om vas te stel. Resultate van die navorsing dui aan dat die gesondheidstatus van die navorsingsgroep goed was. Die gemiddelde BMI kg/m² vir die groep was egter aan die bokant van die BMI kg/m² kontinuum vir die ouderdomsgroep en dui op moontlike leefstylrisiko’s vir die groep. Die gebruik van gesondheidsinligtingsbronne was baie divers. Hierdie navorsing ondersteun die feit dat interpersoonlike kommunikasie, as gesondheidsinligtingsbron, nog 'n belangrike rol speel onder jong volwassenes. Die konsep van 'n ekologiese konteks vir gesondheidskommunikasie en die uitwerking daarvan, word ondersteun deur die huidige navorsingsresultate. Die gebruik van media en verwante tegnologieë, as inligtingsbronne vir gesondheid, is as baie divers gerapporteer. Dit bevestig patrone van mediagebruik wat onder ander jong volwassenes gevind is. Resultate van hierdie navorsing ondersteun ook die teorie van effek-studies in kommunikasie (die media), waar die verskaffing van inligting deur die media 'n impak op mense se denke en gedrag aandui. 'n Gedragsverandering is wel deur die navorsingsgroep aangedui as resultaat van die soeke na gesondheidsinligting. Gesondheidskommunikasieliteratuur verwys na enkele studies wat oor gesondheidsinligtingsoektogte onder jong volwassenes (studente-populasies) gedoen is. Die huidige navorsing het gepoog om 'n bydrae te maak tot hierdie kennis en die uitkomste daarvan onder studente op 'n Suid-Afrikaanse universiteitskampus.

This thesis is a reception analysis using qualitative interviews to investigate the formation of cultural groups around computer-game LANs present in Rhodes University. It also looks at how issues of social inequalities evident on the university's campus impact on the participation of students in these LANs. The findings of this study are that the participants have established a community around the practice of computer LAN-gameplay based on values developed through the combination of the material and gameworlds. It serves as a home-on-campus for them; where they can fully explore their passion for games thus reaffirming their identity as gamers on a campus where being a gamer is viewed negatively. In this light, computer-game playing is not just a practice these participants perform, but a culture they live out every day. This is a culture predominantly lived out by men. One of the reasons for this is because most women have been raised to believe to have negative predispositions about digital gaming e.g. that it is childish, addictive and anti-social, but also that computer are meant to be used by men - women use them only when it is absolutely necessary, for example, that it is childish, for academic-related purposes. As a result, not many of them will use computers for any otherreason for fear of being socially criticised. In addition, the gaming culture being dominated by whites is due to the fact that admittance in to this community is still unaffordable for the majority of black students on the Rhodes University campus as a result of their social backgrounds.