Search Results (865)

Material and texture decisions in bionic machinery installation art often remain intuition-dependent, limiting the reusability of empirical evidence for experience design. Building on the biomimetic content logic in biomimetic design theory, this study proposes a targeted framework—Texture Bionics—and operationalizes texture into four quantifiable perceptual dimensions: transparency, hardness, roughness, and surface texture, forming a controllable sample space of 12 plastic texture conditions. A case database encompassing 56 representative works (2000–present) was constructed to justify material selection; plastics were chosen for their tunable properties and feasibility for parameterized modulation. In a standardized viewing setup (≈500 lx illumination; 60 cm viewing distance), participants viewed a dynamic biomimetic mechanical wing module with interchangeable textured plastic surfaces. Subjective affect responses were captured using PAD ratings, and objective attention was assessed via wearable eye-tracking technology. Repeated-measures analyses showed robust main effects of texture on total fixation duration across all four dimensions, and selective effects on time to first fixation (significant/marginal for transparency, roughness, and surface texture but not hardness); pupillary response metrics provided no stable discrimination. PAD mappings further revealed functional “role types” (e.g., Key driver, Explore guide, Stable base), and a strong association between Arousal and inter-participant variability in fixation distribution, suggesting that high-arousal textures act as strategy amplifiers rather than uniformly increasing attention. Finally, findings were translated into an actionable Texture Design Toolkit using a three-question workflow—function label → attention goal → differentiation risk—to support evidence-based orchestration of installation narratives. Full article

Electronic picture book free viewing can promote language comprehension ability and social cognitive abilities in children with autism by providing structured visual information. Understanding autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children’s visual attention patterns during electronic picture book free viewing can inform targeted educational research. The attentional preference of children with ASD toward electronic picture books with social scenes remains under-explored. This study aimed to understand the social attention of children with ASD during free viewing of electronic picture books with social scenes. Eye-tracking technology was used to record the visual behavior of 24 children with ASD viewing electronic picture books independently, and 25 typically developing (TD) children were selected as the control group. The results showed that children with ASD allocated less fixation time to social information in electronic picture books than TD children, with a clear difference in the fixation time spent on facial regions. Children with ASD neither displayed the same attention to happy facial expressions in electronic picture books as TD children nor did they show significant differences in attention to different emotions. These findings contribute to our understanding of visual attention patterns in children with ASD during electronic picture book free viewing and provide empirical evidence for future research on optimizing visual viewing guidance for children with ASD. Full article

Head-Up Display (HUD) systems are widely used in vehicles to overlay navigation prompts in the driver’s field of view, thereby reducing eyes-off-road time. However, suboptimal information presentation may impose extra cognitive demands and lead to driver distraction. To quantify the effects of key HUD navigation design factors on navigation task performance and cognitive workload, a 2 × 2 within-subjects experiment was conducted, manipulating display position (upper vs. lower visual field) and the presence of textual navigation information (with vs. Without text). Thirty university students with driving experience completed navigation tasks under four conditions in a single-lane urban driving simulation. Each task lasted 2–4 min and included six turning prompts. Task performance (accuracy, mean reaction time, and total driving time), subjective workload (PAAS), and eye-tracking measures (mean fixation duration, mean pupil diameter, fixation count, and fixation count proportion) were collected and analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results showed that display position significantly affected driving efficiency and subjective workload: lower-field displays produced shorter reaction times and lower PAAS scores, while accuracy and total driving time showed no significant differences. Eye-tracking results indicated higher fixation counts and fixation ratios for lower displays. A significant interaction between display position and text was observed for mean fixation duration, whereas mean pupil diameter showed no significant effects. These findings indicate that display position is a critical factor in HUD navigation design, while textual information primarily influences visual inspection patterns rather than overall navigation task performance. Full article

Although urban streetscape visual esthetic quality (VAQ) assessment has progressed markedly, its findings are rarely operationalized in urban planning policy-making. The resulting discontinuity in the assessment–policy linkage is a critical impediment to streetscape VAQ enhancement. We propose an eye-tracking-enabled, end-to-end decision support framework that links evidence acquisition, intervention prioritization, design strategy formulation, and outcome feedback. Eye tracking is integrated to establish a three-dimensional assessment system spanning spatial, psychological, and physiological dimensions. Within this integrated system, we construct a three-level eye-tracking-based visual characteristics (ET-VC) framework across streetscape elements, formal characteristics, and public esthetic perception (PAP). Together, the three-dimensional system provides a theoretical basis for acquiring the multi-modal data required for VAQ enhancement. Building on this integrated assessment, we embed scenario planning theory to construct a planning facing decision model with PAP as the core outcome. The model combines importance-performance analysis (IPA) with the coupling coordination degree model (CCDM) to guide resource allocation decisions and intervention prioritization, and further uses eye-tracking evidence to support the development of refined, actionable enhancement strategies. A case study in Wudadao validates the framework’s robustness and feasibility. The ET-VC results provide additional evidence for interpreting esthetic perception: (1) ET-VC indicators differ significantly across streetscape elements, and “being viewed more” does not necessarily correspond to higher esthetic ratings; (2) four groups of key formal characteristic indicators—color configuration, naturalness, historicity and planning/regulatory control, and visual scale—systematically reshape fixation onset and maintenance patterns; and (3) PAP appears to involve partially nonlinear relationships between material landscape features and additional top-down influences (e.g., historical narratives and individual experience), rather than being fully explained by linear associations alone. Overall, this study provides both a theoretical basis and an applied demonstration for evidence-based streetscape VAQ enhancement. Full article

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the primary cause of severe visual acuity loss in individuals over 60 with increasing prevalence. Currently, no effective treatments exist for geographic atrophy and macular scarring, highlighting the need for visual rehabilitation in these patients. Microperimetry offers functional assessment at any AMD stage and employs fixation training to help patients utilize the most effective retinal areas for vision. Methods: A prospective study involving 25 patients (50 eyes) aged 67 to 90. The MAIA II microperimeter assessed scotoma size and location, retinal sensitivity, macular integrity, fixation parameters (P1, P2, 63%BCEA, 95%BCEA), fixation stability, and preferred retinal locus. Quality of life was evaluated using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25). A subgroup with inactive AMD-related macular changes, either bilateral geographic atrophy (13 patients, 26 eyes) or bilateral scarring (12 patients, 24 eyes), was identified, all exhibiting bilateral absolute central scotomas of at least 2 degrees. Each patient completed 10 fixation training sessions with a microperimeter, training the eye with better acuity weekly. One-week post-training, a functional assessment was performed on both trained and untrained eyes. Results: Fixation training significantly improved best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in trained eyes (mean change −0.14 logMAR, p < 0.001, large effect size) and also in fellow untrained eyes (−0.16 logMAR, p < 0.001). BNVA improved from 2.25 to 1.86 in trained eyes (p < 0.001) and from 2.96 to 2.76 in untrained eyes (p = 0.004). Fixation stability parameters improved significantly, including increases in P1 and P2 and reductions in Bivariate Contour Ellipse Area (BCEA). Quality of life measured using the NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaire improved significantly in 9 of 11 domains. Conclusions: Microperimetry may be a valuable tool for assessing visual function in AMD patients. Fixation training with the MAIA II microperimeter is both safe and effective for vision rehabilitation in those with geographic atrophy and macular scarring. Full article

Purpose: The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate the prevalence of Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) among patients attending the National Centre of Service and Research for the Prevention of Blindness and Vision Rehabilitation of the Visually Impaired, Rome, Italy. Furthermore, the research aimed to delineate the psychological profile of these individuals to determine whether significant differences exist compared with visually impaired patients who do not experience hallucinatory phenomena and to identify likely predictors. Methods: A preliminary cross-sectional analysis was conducted on a convenience sample of patients recruited between January 2025 and December 2025. Prevalence was calculated based on structured clinical interviews, while the psychological profile was assessed by comparing the CBS group with a control group (non-CBS) matched for visual acuity. Participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmological and psychological assessments, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), reading acuity (RA), contrast sensitivity (CS), fixation stability, and retinal sensitivity (RS). Psychological status was evaluated using the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7). Patients experiencing CBS were further interviewed regarding the specific characteristics and patterns of their hallucinations. The association between CBS and both psychological profiles and visual function parameters was evaluated using regression analysis. Results: Out of 385 individuals screened, 120 participants (58% women; mean age 55.4 ± 18.8 years) were included; CBS was detected in 19%. No significant differences were observed between participants with and without CBS in demographic variables or psychological questionnaire scores (p > 0.05). Mean SCL-90-R, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores indicated mild psychological distress, depression, and anxiety, with no significant group differences (p > 0.05). Using standard cut-off values, depressive and anxiety symptoms were prevalent in 65% and 88% of participants, respectively, but were not significantly associated with CBS in chi-square or logistic regression analyses (p > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis of SCL-90 scores showed that only anxiety was significantly associated with hallucination occurrence among the visually impaired participants (OR = 0.27; 95% CI = 0.08–0.87; p < 0.05). Among the visual function parameters, poorer RA in the worse eye was significantly associated with CBS (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study confirms that CBS is a prevalent, yet frequently under-reported, condition within rehabilitation settings. While overall visual function did not differ significantly between patients with and without CBS, reduced reading acuity (RA) in the worse eye emerged as a potential specific risk factor. Characterizing the psychological profile of these patients is essential to differentiate the syndrome from psychiatric disorders and to develop tailored support pathways. Despite its preliminary nature, this research underscores the necessity of systematic screening to enhance clinical management and the emotional well-being of visually impaired individuals. Consequently, integrating psychological support into visual rehabilitation programs is vital to addressing the high prevalence of comorbid anxiety and depression. Full article

Background: Sutureless intrascleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation using the Yamane technique is an option for visual rehabilitation in eyes without capsular support. The aim of this study is to report long-term visual outcomes and clinical predictors in consecutive real-world cohorts, a topic addressed by very few previous studies. Methods: This was a single-center, single-surgeon consecutive case series including 87 eyes of 85 patients who underwent Yamane SFIOL for aphakia or lens/posterior chamber IOL ectopia, with at least 12 months of follow-up. BCVA was measured using a Snellen chart and recorded in decimal notation. To identify predictors of postoperative BCVA, univariable screening was first performed, followed by a clinically driven multivariable linear mixed-effect regression. Results: Mean age was 68.2 ± 11.4 years, and 70.6% were male. Median follow-up was 26.5 months. Median BCVA improved from 0.2 ± 0.2 (range 0.001–1.0) preoperatively to 0.9 ± 0.2 (range 0.2–1.0) postoperatively (p < 0.001). Surgical indication and preoperative comorbidity burden were not linked to postoperative BCVA. In the multivariable analysis, older age (B = −0.005, p = 0.027), macular edema (B = −0.242, p = 0.035), and prior silicone oil removal (B = −0.237, p = 0.046) independently predicted lower postoperative BCVA. Conclusions: Yamane SFIOL provides significant long-term visual improvement, with outcomes mainly determined by patient age and retinal status. This study offers new data on functional outcomes and clinically relevant predictors in a consecutive real-world cohort, supporting the reliability and long-term efficacy of sutureless scleral IOL fixation. Full article

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder marked by restrictive eating, distorted body image, and high relapse rates. While cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used treatment, its mechanisms of action in AN remain incompletely understood, particularly beyond self-reported symptom change. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week CBT intervention on both clinical and multimodal laboratory-based outcomes in women with restrictive-type AN. Methods: In a two-arm, pre–post randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07037017), 59 women with restrictive-type AN were randomized to a CBT intervention (n = 30) or no-treatment control (n = 29). A total of 50 participants (CBT: 26; control: 24) completed baseline and post-intervention assessments and were included in analyses. Outcomes included psychometric measures (eating disorder symptoms, depression, anxiety, body image-related obsessive–compulsive symptoms, and cognitive emotion regulation) and laboratory-based indices: electroencephalography (EEG), galvanic skin response (GSR), and eye-tracking during exposure to food- and body-related stimuli. Group × Time effects were analyzed using repeated-measures mixed-effects models, and statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS (Version 31; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Significant Group × Time interactions indicated greater improvements in the CBT group across all psychometric outcomes, including reduced eating disorder symptom severity (p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.28) and increased adaptive emotion regulation. CBT participants also showed significant reductions in EEG P300 and late positive potential (LPP) amplitudes to body-related stimuli, increased frontal alpha asymmetry, decreased visual fixation on salient body and food cues, and attenuated GSR reactivity (all p < 0.05). Exploratory correlations revealed that symptom improvements were associated with reductions in neurophysiological and attentional reactivity. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first RCT in AN to demonstrate that CBT not only improves self-reported outcomes but also modulates neurophysiological and attentional processes implicated in the maintenance of the disorder. Multimodal laboratory assessments provided mechanistic insight into treatment effects and may inform personalized intervention strategies. CBT appears to facilitate recovery through both cognitive–emotional and physiological recalibration. Full article

Eye-tracking methodology represents a young but rapidly growing approach in tourism research, offering a direct window into the cognitive processes driving tourism stakeholders’ behaviour. However, a critical gap remains between the rapid adoption of this tool and the methodological rigour required to interpret its neurophysiological data. This critical review synthesizes 23 empirical studies (2020–2025) from the destination marketing and branding domain to diagnose eye-tracking’s state-of-the-art application. Adopting the SALSA framework (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis, Analysis) augmented by PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this study systematically searched Web of Science and Scopus databases. Studies were appraised using an eight-dimensional quality rubric, assessing from theoretical grounding to experimental design to statistical rigour. Findings revealed a “tool-first” exploratory phenomenon, where the majority of studies relied on basic fixation metrics to infer complex psychological states such as “interest”, when they could imply other cognitive states. Furthermore, most reviewed studies failed to control for stimulus-level confounds (e.g., luminance, AOI size) and utilized inappropriate data-handling procedures and methods, such as the absence of data cleaning and treating count and binary data as continuous data. These, coupled with transparency deficits, undermined the validity of their conclusions. Hence, a Checklist for Eye-Tracking Rigour (CETR) and a methodological decision tree were developed to guide researchers towards confirmatory and neurobiologically grounded research. Findings also provided a framework for managers/practitioners to more accurately interpret eye-tracking studies. Full article

Visual information should be presented clearly and effectively so that it is quickly and easily understood. The same principle applies to different types of maps and plans. This study explores the relationship between a map’s design and how users interact with it when searching for specific targets. Focusing on a digital tourist city map, we employed an eye-tracking technology to investigate how different cartographic designs (pictorial-based versus typography-based) influence visual search. As the need for visually appealing designs becomes an important part of the user experience, we further explored the observers’ perceptions of the maps’ visual appeal. The results show that the typography-based maps enabled a more effective visual search than the pictorial, as measured by search time, fixation count, and the number of fixations before locating the target. A greater amount of visual attention was directed towards the typography-based maps, as measured by completion time and several eye-tracking metrics during the observers’ evaluation of the maps’ visual appeal. Based on the results, this study highlights the practical implications of effective map design in enhancing users’ navigation and their visual engagement with cartographic data. Full article

As population aging accelerates, age-related declines in visual sensitivity and attentional control make older drivers more vulnerable to suboptimal in-vehicle interface designs. Head-up displays (HUDs) are intended to reduce gaze shifts by overlaying information within the forward field of view, yet empirical evidence remains limited on how specific HUD presentation strategies reshape older drivers’ visual attention allocation. Grounded in theories of visual attention and cognitive load, this study systematically investigates three design variables that are increasingly common in contemporary HUDs (including AR-HUDs): (1) dynamic versus static navigation cues, (2) pedestrian warning strategies under different lighting conditions, and (3) the spatial placement of high-priority information. We first conducted a formative user study to define variables and operationalizations, and then carried out three within-subject driving-simulator experiments using controlled HUD stimuli and eye tracking. Objective gaze measures (e.g., fixation count, total fixation duration, and time to first fixation) were combined with subjective preference ratings to characterize attentional capture, search efficiency, and potential attentional costs. Findings reveal a robust trade-off: continuously changing navigation cues enhance attentional capture but can also increase attentional “stickiness,” unnecessarily consuming older drivers’ limited attentional resources. In pedestrian hazard tasks, real-time overlay warnings that were spatially aligned with the hazard significantly improved visual localization under low-light conditions, outperforming early warnings and multi-stage strategies. Across tasks and layout conditions, the central HUD region showed a stable attentional advantage—placing critical information centrally elicited greater visual attention and stronger subjective preference. These results provide mechanistic evidence for how HUD parameters modulate older drivers’ attention and yield actionable implications for prioritization, temporal pacing of dynamic navigation cues, and a “center-first” layout strategy to guide age-friendly HUD design. Full article

In complex driving environments, drivers must continuously detect and respond to critical visual information such as traffic signs and pedestrians. However, important targets may sometimes be overlooked due to high cognitive load during driving. Therefore, visual attention prompt methods have been proposed to guide drivers’ gaze toward relevant targets. A visual attention prompt method is a visual cue presented in a key area in a user’s field of view to draw his/her visual attention. This study evaluates the short-term performance of five visual attention prompt methods (Point, Arrow, Blur, Dusk, and ModAF) in a driving simulator and compares their performance between novice and proficient drivers. Eye-tracking data and multiple analyses are used to examine whether the influence of these methods could be maintained after they are disabled and to clarify drivers’ response patterns across methods in consideration with their driving proficiency. The results indicate that visual attention prompt methods could induce a short-term transfer effect, as drivers still tend to fixate on target traffic signs earlier after the methods are disabled, and the elapsed-time analysis estimates that this effect lasts about 84.35 s. Overall, the Point, Arrow, and Dusk methods show relatively stronger performance with significant reductions in the elapsed time to fixate on the traffic sign. The clustering analysis further shows that drivers’ response patterns are not uniform, with two clusters for novice drivers and three clusters for proficient drivers. The results suggest that most novice drivers tend to benefit from explicit non-directional visual cues that enhance target salience, such as the Point method, whereas proficient drivers are more likely to benefit from explicit directional visual cues that provide clear directional guidance, such as the Arrow method. These findings suggest that visual attention prompt methods may be useful for developing driver training strategies tailored to different levels of driving proficiency, helping drivers maintain more effective visual attention allocation during driving and potentially contributing to improved driving safety. Full article

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be associated with alterations in eye movements, which in turn may reflect dysfunctions in executive functions and sensorimotor integration processes. This review analyzed the pattern of oculomotor findings of pediatric populations diagnosed with ADHD with or without methylphenidate (MPH) treatment, with the aim of systematically describing the oculomotor abnormalities observed in affected children. A total of 24 studies were analyzed. The results showed that children with ADHD exhibit increased latency, a higher number of directional errors in prosaccade and antisaccade tasks, as well as intrusions during fixation and a higher frequency of microsaccades and involuntary blinks. Furthermore, studies involving the administration of MPH showed an improvement in oculomotor control, with a reduction in errors and a modulation of latency and oculomotor inhibition. These findings confirmed the potential role of oculomotor parameters as objective and non-invasive biomarkers for exploring the neurofunctional correlates of ADHD and for evaluating the effects of pharmacological treatment. Full article

Product visual strategies (PVS) on food packaging influence how consumers visually inspect products at the point of purchase. However, evidence comparing transparent windows and product images remains mixed, particularly regarding how these strategies interact with food unit size (FUS) and shape visual attention patterns. Moreover, few studies have examined these effects using objective eye-tracking measures within controlled experimental designs. This study employed a 2 × 2 between-subjects quasi-experiment to investigate the effects of PVS (transparent window and product image) and FUS (large unit and small unit) on visual attention and subsequent product-related evaluations. A total of 160 participants viewed realistic chocolate package stimuli that varied only in visual strategy and unit size. Eye movements were recorded using Tobii Pro Glasses 2. Visual attention was assessed through Time to First Fixation (TFF) and Fixation Duration (FD), while expected tastiness, expected quality, and purchase intention were measured using standardized self-report scales. The results showed that transparent-window packaging attracted visual attention more rapidly and sustained longer fixations than product-image packaging. These attention differences were accompanied by higher expected tastiness, expected quality, and purchase intention. While food unit size alone showed limited effects on eye-movement measures, a significant interaction was observed: small-unit designs elicited greater visual attention and more favorable evaluations only when the product was directly visible through a transparent window. Overall, the findings demonstrate how product visual strategies and food unit size jointly shape visual attention allocation during packaging inspection. By integrating eye-tracking measures with evaluation and behavioral intention outcomes, this study contributes to applied eye-movement research in food packaging contexts. Full article

Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) play a critical role in conveying real-time traffic information to drivers; however, their effectiveness heavily relies on how messages are structured and displayed, particularly regarding phasing duration and content length. This study examines the influence of these two factors on driver readability, comprehension, and gaze behavior using an advanced virtual reality (VR) driving simulator. Controlled experiments simulated four DMS scenarios, combining two phasing intervals (2.5 and 4 s) with short and long message formats, adhering to Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) guidelines. The experiment integrated eye-tracking technology to measure fixation duration and frequency, while statistical methods, including survival analysis and LASSO regression, were employed to identify significant predictors of message readability. Results revealed that shorter messages with shorter phasing intervals led to the highest comprehension rates and reduced cognitive strain. Furthermore, individual characteristics such as gender, driving speed, and highway driving experience significantly affected how drivers engaged with DMS messages. These findings contribute to the development of more effective DMS deployment strategies and provide practical design recommendations to enhance traffic safety and information delivery on high-speed roadways. Full article