Search Results (84)

This paper presents the design and evaluation of a multisensory tangible game device aimed at promoting pre-Braille literacy in children with varying visual abilities, including those who are blind, partially sighted, and sighted. The prototype integrates tactile, auditory, and visual elements to provide an inclusive and engaging learning experience. The device combines educational content with game-based learning, allowing users to interact with Braille characters through touch while receiving auditory feedback and visual cues. A focus group evaluation was conducted to assess the prototype’s effectiveness, engagement, and educational value. Results indicated that the device successfully captured users’ attention, with 83% recognizing its potential as a valuable educational tool for teaching pre-Braille literacy, 92% of participants reporting high engagement, and 75% of participants agreeing with the serious game approach. Feedback also highlighted areas for improvement, including the need for clearer tactile differentiation and more adaptive learning features. This study demonstrates the potential of combining multisensory feedback and serious gaming to enhance literacy education in children with visual impairments and provides insights into the further development of inclusive educational technologies. Full article

(1) Background: Virtual Reality (VR) films challenge traditional visual cognition by offering novel perceptual experiences. This study investigates the applicability of Gestalt grouping principles in dynamic VR scenes, the influence of VR environments on grouping efficiency, and the relationship between viewer experience and grouping effects. (2) Methods: Eye-tracking experiments were conducted with 42 participants using the HTC Vive Pro Eye and Tobii Pro Lab. Participants watched a non-narrative VR film with fixed camera positions to eliminate narrative and auditory confounds. Eye-tracking metrics were analyzed using SPSS version 29.0.1, and data were visualized through heat maps and gaze trajectory plots. (3) Results: Viewers tended to focus on spatial nodes and continuous structures. Initial fixations were anchored near the body but shifted rapidly thereafter. Heat maps revealed a consistent concentration of fixations on the dock area. (4) Conclusions: VR reshapes visual organization, where proximity, continuity, and closure outweigh traditional saliency. Dynamic elements draw attention only when linked to user goals. Designers should prioritize spatial logic, using functional nodes as cognitive anchors and continuous paths as embodied guides. Future work should test these mechanisms in narrative VR and explore neural correlates via fNIRS or EEG. Full article

This paper presents an analysis of G. P. Telemann’s Sonata in C Major for Recorder and Basso Continuo (TWV 41:C2, Allegro), with the aim of investigating the occurrence of perceptual streams. The presence of perceptual streams in musical works helps to organise the sound stimuli received by the listener in a specific manner. This enables each listener to perceive the piece in an individual and distinctive manner, granting primacy to selected sounds over others. Directing the listener’s attention to particular elements of the auditory image leads to the formation of specific mental representations. This, in turn, results in distinctive interpretations of the acoustic stimuli. All of these processes are explored and illustrated in this analysis. Full article

Traditional park designs no longer meet the diverse needs of young users amid rising visitor numbers and environmental challenges. Exploring the impact of mountain city parks on youth is crucial, yet localised studies on their spatial perceptions in such unique environments are lacking. Landscape design based on spatial perception evaluation offers a promising approach for renewing mountain parks to address these complex needs. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted in Chongqing’s Pipa Mountain and Eling Parks, involving questionnaire surveys and on-site spatial data collection. Using principal component analysis to select the visual and auditory indicators most related to environmental satisfaction in the overall park and various types of gathering spaces, the results showed that the first principal component of the visual environment in the entrance platform and key nodes (r = 0.41, r = 0.45), as well as the first principal component of the auditory environment in the entrance platform, path platform, and elevated points (r = 0.67, r = 0.85, r = 0.68), all showed significant positive correlations with environmental satisfaction (p < 0.01). Moreover, naturalness and aesthetics were identified as the main factors influencing environmental satisfaction. A random forest model analysed nonlinear relationships, ranking spatial factors by importance. Simultaneously, SHAP analysis highlighted the effects of key factors like elevation changes, green view index, colour diversity, and natural elements. Elevation changes were positively correlated with satisfaction at elevated points but showed a negative correlation in the overall park environment and other gathering spaces. This study explored space-perception dynamics in mountain city parks, proposing strategies to improve environmental quality in various gathering spaces and the park. These findings support creating liveable mountainous environments and guide “human-centred health,” quality enhancement, and sustainable development in renewing mountain city parks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Three distinct language comprehension phenotypes have previously been identified in individuals with language deficits: (1) individuals with the Command Phenotype are limited to understanding simple commands; (2) individuals with the Modifier Phenotype demonstrate additional comprehension of combinations of nouns and adjectives; and (3) individuals with the Syntactic Phenotype possess full syntactic comprehension. We hypothesized that typically developing children progress through these same three language comprehension phenotypes and aimed to determine the typical age at which each phenotype emerges. Methods: To assess comprehension in young children, we developed the 15-item Language Phenotype Assessment (LPA). This tool uses toy-animal manipulatives to avoid reliance on picture interpretation and employs brief instructions to reduce auditory memory load. LPA items incorporate elements such as colors, sizes, numbers, spatial prepositions, and other syntactic components, posing novel combinations of words that children had not previously encountered. The LPA was administered to 116 typically-developing children aged 1.5–7 years, recruited by approaching parents in local parks and inviting them to participate. Results: Findings revealed a developmental trajectory consistent with the three previously described phenotypes: 50% of children attained the Command Phenotype by 1.6 years of age, the Modifier Phenotype by 3.0 years of age, and the Syntactic Phenotype by 3.7 years of age. All children acquired the Command Phenotype by 3, the Modifier Phenotype by 4, and the Syntactic Phenotype by 5 years of age. Conclusions: The LPA is an effective tool for assessing comprehension in children aged 1.5–5 years. It allows for the early identification of comprehension difficulties, supporting the timely initiation of appropriate language interventions. Full article

Background: Multicultural education and second-language acquisition engaged neural networks, supporting executive function, memory, and social cognition in adulthood, represent powerful forms of brain-inspired multisensory learning. The neuroeducational framework integrates neuroscience with pedagogical practice to understand how linguistically and culturally rich environments drive neuroplasticity and cognitive adaptation in adult learners. Objective: This systematic review synthesizes findings from 80 studies examining neuroplasticity and cognitive outcomes in adults undergoing multicultural and second-language acquisition, focusing on underlying neural mechanisms and educational effectiveness. Methods: The analysis included randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies employing diverse neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, MEG, DTI) to assess structural and functional brain network changes. Interventions varied in terms of immersion intensity (ranging from limited classroom contact to complete environmental immersion), multimodal approaches (integrating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements), feedback mechanisms (immediate vs. delayed, social vs. automated), and learning contexts (formal instruction, naturalistic acquisition, and technology-enhanced environments). Outcomes encompassed cognitive domains (executive function, working memory, attention) and socio-emotional processes (empathy, cultural adaptation). Results: Strong evidence demonstrates that multicultural and second-language acquisition induce specific neuroplastic adaptations, including enhanced connectivity between language and executive networks, increased cortical thickness in frontal–temporal regions, and white matter reorganization supporting processing efficiency. These neural changes are correlated with significant improvements in working memory, attentional control, and cognitive flexibility. Immersion intensity, multimodal design features, learning context, and individual differences, including age and sociocultural background, moderate the effectiveness of interventions across adult populations. Conclusions: Adult multicultural and second-language acquisition represents a biologically aligned educational approach that leverages natural neuroplastic mechanisms to enhance cognitive resilience. Findings support the design of interventions that engage integrated neural networks through rich, culturally relevant environments, with significant implications for cognitive health across the adult lifespan and for evidence-based educational practice. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of acoustically screened Five-Element Music combined with traditional Chinese mind–body exercises (Taijiquan and Baduanjin) on emotion regulation, working memory, and functional brain connectivity in older adults. A randomized repeated-measures design was employed, recruiting 42 healthy older adults aged 60–70 years. Participants were assigned to five groups: Five-Element Music alone (FE), Taijiquan (TJ), Baduanjin (BDJ), Five-Element Music combined with Taijiquan (FE+TJ), and Five-Element Music combined with Baduanjin (FE+BDJ). Emotion regulation, working memory, and functional brain connectivity were assessed using an emotion regulation choice task, the N-back task, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), respectively. Five-Element Music was selected using computational acoustic methods to identify music with therapeutic effects. Significant differences were observed in the acceptance rate of emotion regulation for high-intensity unpleasant pictures across different conditions (p = 0.001). Compared to baseline, the acceptance rate was significantly higher in the FE and FE+TJ conditions (p = 0.027, p = 0.021). Moreover, the acceptance rate in the FE+TJ condition was significantly higher than in the FE condition alone (p = 0.007). Significant differences were found in the average accuracy of the 2-back task across conditions (p = 0.001), with the FE+TJ condition showing significantly higher accuracy than baseline (p = 0.005). The average reaction time in the 2-back task also differed significantly across conditions (p = 0.001), with the FE condition demonstrating a significantly lower reaction time compared to baseline and the FE+BDJ condition (p = 0.003, p = 0.001). Significant differences in functional connectivity (FC) were observed between conditions. Specifically, the FC between CH45 and CH9 and between CH29 and CH6 was significantly higher in the FE+TJ condition than in other conditions (p < 0.02). The combination of Five-Element Music and Taijiquan significantly improved emotion regulation, working memory, and prefrontal–parietal connectivity in older adults. These findings underscore the synergistic benefits of integrating auditory stimulation with mind–body exercise, offering a promising intervention for cognitive and emotional health in aging populations. Future research should investigate long-term effects and broader applications. Full article

With globalization and the transformation of socio-cultural structures, the focus of spatial design has shifted from functionality to perceptual experience and atmospheric creation. This study draws on the spatial perception theory and the phenomenology of perception to examine how sensory subjects perceive and respond to the physical attributes of space. It explores key elements that shape spatial experiences, including lighting, color, spatial form, sound, material, and scent, all of which contribute to the construction of emotional ambiance and the perceptual character of interior environments. Based on this foundation, this study proposes multi-sensory design strategies for interior spaces, including the following: (1) visual perception: modifying color and lighting to establish emotional ambiance and enhance spatial depth; (2) auditory perception: crafting soundscapes that deepen immersion; (3) tactile perception: designing both direct and indirect tactile experiences; and (4) olfactory and gustatory perception: incorporating scent design to evoke memory and forge emotional connections. To demonstrate the practical potential of these strategies, this study presents a conceptual design case of a coffee roasting factory in Suzhou. The design integrates visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory elements to enhance users’ overall spatial perception through multi-sensory coordination. This study ultimately seeks to provide theoretical insights into practical design strategies, highlighting the importance of perceptual experience in improving spatial quality and guiding future interior design practice. Full article

The detailed study of the morphology and morphometrics of the auditory ossicles in swine became a topic for investigation due to their resemblance to the human ear. The methods used in this study cover the typical macroscopical investigation of gross morphology: a detailed metrical and histological assessment through H&E standard protocol on auditory ossicles originating from eight pig fetuses originating from four distinctive sows. The ossicular assembly in the malleus, incus and stapes present in 66-day fetuses shows all the features generally described in swine. The malleus comprises two uneven laminae of mineralized hyaline cartilage and a medullary cavity. The areas of the head and neck show a high degree of vascularization. The incus has two similar cortical fascicles separated by a compartmentalized medullary cavity, with the highest degree of mineralization found at the distal part of the long process. Stapes show an early degree of mineralization at the level of the crura, lacking medullary cavities. The ossicular chain shows typical morphological elements, similar to adults, and from a dimensional perspective, our investigations point to an uneven degree of development of the ossicles, according to gestational age: the malleus and stapes reach almost 80% and the incus about 50–60% of their adult sizes. Full article

This study explores the effectiveness of Technology-Assisted Vocabulary Learning (TAVL) using student-created video learning materials within a tertiary-level English as a Foreign Language (EFL) flipped classroom. By leveraging the flipped classroom model, which allocates classroom time for interactive activities and shifts instructional content delivery outside of class, the research investigates how student-produced videos can enhance vocabulary acquisition and retention. Conducted with 47 university students from a Translation and Translation Studies course, the study aims to fill a gap in empirical evidence regarding this innovative approach. Quantitative analysis revealed that students who created and utilized videos (Group 1) showed the highest improvement in vocabulary scores, followed by those who only used the videos (Group 2), with the control group relying on traditional teacher-led methods showing the least improvement. Qualitative feedback highlighted that video creators experienced deeper engagement and better vocabulary retention, while users appreciated the videos’ visual and auditory elements but faced challenges with vocabulary overload. The findings suggest that incorporating student-created videos into the curriculum fosters a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, offering practical implications for enhancing vocabulary instruction through technology-enhanced pedagogical practices. Future research should focus on optimizing video production processes and integrating these methods with traditional teaching for comprehensive vocabulary learning. Full article

This study builds on the early brain dynamics work of Erol Başar, focusing on the human electroencephalogram (EEG) in relation to the generation of event-related potentials (ERPs) and behaviour. Scalp EEG contains not only oscillations but non-wave noise elements that may not relate to functional brain activity. These require identification and removal before the true impacts of brain oscillations can be assessed. We examined EEG/ERP/behaviour linkages in young adults during an auditory equiprobable Go/No-Go task. Forty-seven university students participated while continuous EEG was recorded. Using the PaWNextra algorithm, valid estimates of pink noise (PN) and white noise (WN) were obtained from each participant’s prestimulus EEG spectra; within-participant subtraction revealed noise-free oscillation spectra. Frequency principal component analysis (f-PCA) was used to obtain noise-free frequency oscillation components. Go and No=Go ERPs were obtained from the poststimulus EEG, and separate temporal (t)-PCAs obtained their components. Exploratory multiple regression found that alpha and beta prestimulus oscillations predicted Go N2c, P3b, and SW1 ERP components related to the imperative Go response, while PN impacted No-Go N1b and N1c, facilitating early processing and identification of the No-Go stimulus. There were no direct effects of prestimulus EEG measures on behaviour, but the EEG-affected Go N2c and P3b ERPs impacted Go performance measures. These outcomes, derived via our mix of novel methodologies, encourage further research into natural frequency components in the noise-free oscillations immediately prestimulus, and how these affect task ERP components and behaviour. Full article

This article explores the variable properties of auditory image analysis during the perception of musical works, which are influenced by the specific elements to which the listener directs their attention. Traditional analyses of musical compositions typically involve brief comparisons with auditory phenomena described in scientific studies, such as those by A.S. Bregman. However, these analyses are often limited, offering only a narrow perspective on the works. In contrast, the approach presented in this article extends the theories and experiments developed by Bregman and others, providing a more comprehensive understanding of entire compositions or selected sections rather than focusing solely on isolated passages. This broader framework enhances auditory image analysis and serves as a foundation for further research. The expanded analysis integrates within music theory, enabling a deeper exploration of musical structures, particularly in the context of perceiving multilayered music where multiple sound sources may share similar acoustic features. The author illustrates how acoustic and perceptual factors contribute to complex mental representations through graphic and musical examples. To substantiate the claims, classical works by composers such as F. Chopin, A. Guilmant, and J.S. Bach are analysed, further highlighting the variable properties of auditory image analysis. Full article

Chinese classical gardens serve as restorative environments that epitomize the essence of Chinese aesthetics. Despite their recognized Outstanding Universal Value, research on the multisensory experiences and associated well-being benefits they offer remains insufficiently explored. This study examines the Humble Administrator’s Garden through a multisensory framework incorporating visual, auditory, and tactile dimensions. By employing a mixed methods approach that integrates questionnaires and physiological measurements, we assessed the psychophysiological responses of 78 participants before and after entering the garden, as well as at distinct landscape points. Key findings reveal the following: (1) the traditional garden environment evoked significant positive perceptual effects; (2) the garden, with its diverse combination of landscape elements—including architecture, water features, rock formations, and plants—was strongly associated with enhanced well-being outcomes. A higher diversity of visual landscapes yielded more pronounced benefits, with water features exerting the most substantial positive influence on health, while rock formations showed a comparatively lesser effect; and (3) physiological and psychological responses of participants varied within the same landscape setting, with tactile experiences eliciting the most profound psychological changes. These findings underscore the pivotal role of multisensory engagement in Chinese classical gardens for fostering well-being, offering valuable health-related benefits beyond their cultural and ecological significance. Full article

In this narrative historical review, we take a closer look at the role of tactile/haptic stimulation in enhancing people’s immersion (and sense of presence) in a variety of entertainment experiences, including virtual reality (VR). An important distinction is highlighted between those situations in which digital tactile stimulation and/or haptic feedback are delivered to those (i.e., users/audience members) who passively experience the stimulation and those cases, including VR, where the user actively controls some aspects of the tactile stimulation/haptic feedback that they happen to be experiencing. A further distinction is drawn between visual and/or auditory VR, where some form of tactile/haptic stimulation is added, and what might be classed as genuinely haptic VR, where the active user/player experiences tactile/haptic stimulation that is effortlessly interpreted in terms of the objects and actions in the virtual world. We review the experimental evidence that has assessed the impact of adding a tactile/haptic element to entertainment experiences, including those in VR. Finally, we highlight some of the key challenges to the growth of haptic VR in the context of multisensory entertainment experiences: these include those of a technical, financial, psychological (namely, the fact that tactile/haptic stimulation often needs to be interpreted and can reduce the sense of immersion in many situations), psycho-physiological (such as sensory overload or fatigue), physiological (e.g., relating to the large surface area of the skin that can potentially be stimulated), and creative/artistic nature. Full article

In this study, a method for determining the optimal location and orientation of an implantable piezoelectric accelerometer on the short process of the incus is presented. The accelerometer is intended to be used as a replacement for an external microphone to enable totally implantable auditory prostheses. The optimal orientation of the sensor and the best attachment point are determined based on two criteria—maximum pressure sensitivity sum and minimum loudness level sum. The best location is determined to be near the incudomalleolar joint. We find that the angular orientation of the sensor is critical and provide guidelines on that orientation. The method described in this paper can be used to further optimize the design and performance of the accelerometer. Full article