Search Results (160)

Background/Objectives: Multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests have emerged as a promising tool to redefine the landscape of early cancer detection. Implementation of this novel technology will likely fall to primary care clinicians (PCC). The purpose of this study is to characterize and explore differences in PCCs perceptions and preferences towards MCD testing. Methods: Between March and May of 2023, this cross-sectional survey was administered to 281 PCCs, including physicians and advanced care providers practicing within an integrated healthcare system spanning five states. The survey collected data on self-reported characteristics, perceptions of MCD testing, and preferences for learning about MCD testing. Analysis was limited to those with no prior experience with MCD testing (N = 181, response rate 22.8%). Descriptive statistics summarized key variables and chi-square tests assessed differences in perceptions and preferences by key characteristics. Results: Most PCCs were interested in MCD testing (66.3%), but limited knowledge/awareness of MCD testing and confidence to manage patients with a positive test were observed, along with concerns around cost (76.7%) and misuse/poor implementation. The primary preferences for learning about MCD testing were online courses or classroom instruction (64.5%). Significant differences in perceptions and preferences for learning were observed by location, degree, and years in practice. Conclusions: PCCs in our study held positive views towards MCD testing, but gaps and variation in knowledge and confidence towards MCD testing and concerns around the cost and misuse/poor implementation were observed. While efforts to train and educate all PCCs on MCD testing is a critical first step, more research is needed to understand how best to support implementation tailored to individual and system-level needs and characteristics. Full article

Historic districts are key urban spaces that convey cultural heritage and support tourism and social interaction. As the spatial interface shapes form and perception, this study explores youth-oriented visual behaviour and cognitive preferences regarding historic street interfaces. Using Kuan-Narrow Alley in Chengdu as a case study, we analysed eye-tracking data to assess visual engagement with interface elements. Architectural components received the highest attention for Total Fixation Duration, Fixation Count, and Visit Count, while commercial elements yielded a longer Average Fixation Duration. A multiple linear regression model identified Historical Linguistic Landscape (β = 1.088), Street Permeability (β = 0.401), and Street Width-to-Height Ratio (β = 0.178) as significant predictors of perceived usability, with Historical Linguistic Landscape proving most influential. These findings underscore the value of preserving cultural significance in streetscape morphology and provide theoretical and practical insights from a youth-centric perspective. By integrating eye-tracking with morphological analysis, the study offers a novel approach to understanding visual perceptions in historic districts. Despite limitations in sample size and scope, the study provides solid insights, with future research needed to broaden contexts for greater generalisability. Full article

In the face of the challenge of urban water resource degradation, green infrastructure construction has become a core strategy in modern urban water resource management. Urban aquatic horticulture (UAH), as an important component of this strategy, possesses the dual value of ecological purification and landscape aesthetics. However, its practical implementation is often constrained by public awareness and acceptance. This study aims to address the mismatch between the dual values of urban aquatic horticulture and public perception, and to develop an optimised plant selection strategy that integrates purification functions with public perception. Based on literature reviews, 18 images of aquatic plant landscapes showcasing different ornamental forms, species richness, and life types were created. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 320 participants to assess their perceptions of landscape aesthetic appeal and visual preferences, and a quantitative relationship model was established using multiple stepwise linear regression analysis. The public’s aesthetic perception of aquatic plant landscapes with different ornamental forms and species richness varies significantly, with flowering plant landscapes more likely to evoke aesthetic perception than non-flowering landscapes. The public’s visual preferences for landscape attributes significantly influence their aesthetic perception of aquatic plant landscapes. A multiple stepwise linear regression equation was established to model the relationship between the aesthetic perception of aquatic plant community landscapes and the public’s visual preferences for landscape attributes. There is no significant association between species richness and perceived landscape aesthetic appeal. The study developed an optimised selection strategy for aquatic plants that integrates purification functions with public perception, providing theoretical basis and practical guidance for the scientific configuration of aquatic horticultural systems in urban green infrastructure. In landscape design, flowering plants with ornamental value should be prioritised, with emphasis on landscape layers, colour, and spatial shaping to enhance public acceptance and promote the sustainable development of urban water resource management. Full article

Due to rapid urbanization over the past five decades, there has been growing interest in the role of biodiversity in supporting human well-being. While previous research highlights the role of landscape biodiversity in psychological restoration, the pathway linking visual and auditory cues to perceived biodiversity—and subsequently to restorative outcomes—remains poorly understood. This study explores how visual and auditory stimuli influence human perception, including perceived biodiversity, preference, and restorative effects, within environments that maintain a consistent level of ecological biodiversity. This study constructed 16 hypothetical environments by combining three visual factors (species evenness, vegetation height, and plant color) with one auditory factor (presence or absence of natural sound), holding actual biodiversity constant. By comparing results from ANOVA and mixed-effect modeling, our analysis revealed important contrasts between the direct and indirect effects of visual and auditory features on perceived biodiversity and restoration. Plant height and natural sound consistently demonstrated direct positive effects on restorative outcomes. In contrast, plant color and species evenness influenced restoration indirectly, mediated through perceived biodiversity. The mixed-effect model indicated a partial mediation pathway between landscape features and restorative effects—an effect not observed in the ANOVA analysis. Surprisingly, species evenness was not directly associated with restorative outcomes, but was indirectly linked via perceived biodiversity. Similarly, while color enhanced biodiversity perception, it did not directly improve mental restoration and, under some conditions, may even contribute to overstimulation. These findings suggest that the restorative benefits of nature arise not only from the ecological composition of landscapes but also from how biodiversity is perceived. Designers and planners should consider not only biodiversity itself, but also how it is presented and perceived through multisensory experiences. Full article

Previous landscape design mostly relies on general standards, failing to fully consider gender differences in landscape visual perception, with relevant research still needing further exploration. This study takes Beijing’s Beihai Park as the research object, using five types of on-site-collected photos (water landscape, plant landscape, architectural landscape, path landscape, and square landscape) as stimuli. Twenty males and twenty females participated in an eye-tracking experiment and a questionnaire survey to analyze gender differences in the visual perception of these five landscapes. The results show the following: (1) females show a “core–radiation” pattern, focusing on mid-short vision and environmental details; males focus on distant views and functional areas. (2) Females have slightly higher APD and fixation counts, with stronger cognitive/emotional fluctuations; males have longer total fixation time and more sustained attention. (3) Males prefer architectural/square landscapes, emphasizing functionality; females favor water/plant landscapes, prioritizing emotional connection with nature. (4) The total fixation time significantly impacts subjective evaluations; the average fixation duration is gender-neutral but uniquely affects evaluations of certain landscape types. This study has guiding significance for enhancing park landscapes’ inclusiveness and attractiveness, promoting different genders’ participation and satisfaction, and boosting space vitality and utilization efficiency. Full article

Urban green spaces (UGSs) and forests play a vital role in shaping sustainable and livable cities, offering not only ecological benefits but also spaces that are essential for human well-being, social interactions, and everyday life. Understanding the landscape features that resonate most with public preferences is essential for enhancing the appeal, accessibility, and functionality of these environments. However, traditional approaches—such as surveys or single-data analyses—often lack the nuance needed to capture the complex and multisensory nature of human responses to green spaces. This study explores a cross-modal methodology that integrates natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning techniques to analyze text and image data collected from public reviews of 19 urban parks in Nanjing. By capturing both subjective emotional expressions and objective visual impressions, this study reveals a consistent public preference for natural landscapes, particularly those featuring evergreen trees, shrubs, and floral elements. Text-based data reflect users’ lived experiences and nuanced perceptions, while image data offers insights into visual appeal and spatial composition. By bridging human-centered insights with data-driven analysis, this research provides a robust framework for evaluating landscape preferences. It also underscores the importance of designing green spaces that are not only ecologically sound but also emotionally resonant and socially inclusive. The findings offer valuable guidance for the planning, design, and adaptive management of urban green infrastructure in ways that support healthier, more responsive, and smarter urban environments. Full article

Cultural ecosystem services (CES) play a vital role in rural well-being, yet their spatial patterns and local perceptions remain underexplored in many regions, including Türkiye. This study aims to assess the social values of CES in rural landscapes by focusing on the Şarkikaraağaç and Yenişarbademli districts of Isparta Province. Using Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PGIS) and the Social Values for Ecosystem Services (SolVES) models, we collected and analyzed spatial data from 836 community surveys, mapping 3771 CES value points. Sentinel-2A imagery and derived indices (NDVI, NDWI, SAVI, NDBI) were used to classify landscape infrastructures into green, blue, yellow, and grey categories. The results show that aesthetic and recreational services were most highly valued, followed by biodiversity, spiritual, and therapeutic values. Chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis tests revealed significant demographic and spatial variation in CES preferences, while Principal Component Analysis highlighted two key dimensions of value perception. MaxEnt-based modeling within SolVES confirmed the spatial distribution of CES with high predictive accuracy (AUC > 0.93). Our findings underscore the importance of integrating CES into sustainable land-use planning and suggest that infrastructure type and proximity to natural features significantly influence CES valuation in rural settings. Full article

The East–West Mountain Region (EWMR) of Wuhan is a vital natural and cultdural asset, characterized by its scenic nature landscapes and rich historical and cultural heritage. This study aims to address the problems of landscape character degradation and weakened public preferences caused by rapid urbanization and proposes a research framework integrating landscape character assessment and public preferences. Initially, we utilize K-means cluster analysis to identify landscape character types based on six landscape elements, resulting in a landscape character map with 20 types. Subsequently, we employ emotion analysis based on Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to analyze user-generated content (UGC) from Weibo check-in data to establish perception characteristic indicators reflecting public preferences. Finally, we quantitatively identify the environmental factors influencing public preferences through the SoIVES model and compare and integrate the landscape character map with the public emotion value map. The results show that (1) public preferences hotspots are concentrated in three types: (a) urban construction-driven types, including areas dominated by commercial service functions and those characterized by mixed-function residential areas; (b) natural terrain-dominated types with well-developed supporting facilities; and (c) hybrid transition types predominated by educational and scientific research land uses. These areas generally feature a high degree of functional diversity and good transportation accessibility. (2) Landscapes eliciting stronger emotional responses integrate moderate slopes, multifunctional spaces, and robust public services, whereas areas with weaker responses are characterized by single-function use or excessive urbanization. (3) The emotional variations within categories could be influenced by (a) functional hybridity through enhanced environmental exploration; (b) spatial usage frequency through place attachment formation; and (c) visual harmony through cognitive overload prevention. These findings provide critical insights for formulating zoning optimization plans aimed at the refined conservation and utilization of urban landscape resources, as well as offering guidance for improving landscape planning and management in the EWMR. Full article

With the rise of omnichannel (OC) retailing in food e-retail, understanding how OC retailing and product quality attributes influence consumer purchasing behaviour and value perceptions is crucial for developing e-retail strategies and enhancing consumer services. This study examined their impacts on Chinese consumers’ purchases of Australian beef (brisket) through a discrete choice experiment in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen and analysed 872 valid responses using multinomial logit, random parameter logit, and latent class models. Our findings reveal that Chinese consumers prefer buying Australian brisket via OC apps and offline stores, paying approx. 44% and 134% more per 500 g, respectively, compared to self-operated e-commerce stores. Brand, manufacturer and origin traceability are key quality attributes, with additional paid for brisket manufactured and packaged in Australia (under Australian brands) and featuring the MLA “True Aussie Beef” label over QR codes. This study also identified four distinct consumer clusters: (i) premium shoppers, (ii) channel and traceability-oriented shoppers, (iii) omnichannel and price-oriented shoppers and (iv) tech-savvy and discerning shoppers, highlighting varying sensitivities to e-retail channels and product attributes. These findings offer strategic and actionable insights for Australian beef exporters and OC retailers seeking to optimise consumer engagement and value creation in China’s evolving e-retail landscape. Full article

This study aimed to check whether physical signs of children’s presence in the urban space have an impact on sense of safety and preferences. We based the study on an intra- and inter-group design, whereby respondents assessed two types of space: housing estates and green areas. The photos were manipulated to create three scenarios: control (without elements related to children), denotation (spaces supplemented with children’s playgrounds), and connotation (spaces containing elements associated with children). Each scenario was assessed by a separate group of respondents, who were further split between men and women. Analyses have shown that in residential districts, spaces with child-related connotations foster a feeling of safety and enhance the general appeal of the place, especially among women. In turn, direct signs of the presence of children (denotation) have a lesser impact on the positive assessment of the space. In green areas, adding child-related details did not affect women’s feelings but lowered men’s evaluations of safety and preference. The findings suggest that elements associated with children should be used selectively, taking into account the type of space and differences in perception between the sexes. These observations can support the creation of sustainable urban environments: safe and inclusive housing estate and park designs, especially in the context of building cities that foster social integration without exclusions. This is a preliminary study that paves the way for further exploration of the topic. In order to be able to analyse adults’ preferences and safety in more depth, it seems interesting to investigate the shared perception of landscape by children and adults and the possibilities of participatory design of public spaces. Full article

From the perspective of social media data, this study investigates the coupling relationship between tourists’ spatial perception and tourism image in traditional old urban areas. Using Nanxun Ancient Town as a case study, this paper reveals the interaction and mutual influence between tourists’ perception of space and tourism image in the development of traditional ancient town tourism. We employed Python 3.13.0 to gather 10,789 valuable comments from tourists from Dianping 11.35.3, Ctrip 8.78.4, and Mafengwo 11.2.6. Mini Tag Cloud software is used to analyze the text data, systematically classify the cognitive image of tourists, and identify negative emotional factors. This paper constructs a four-dimensional landscape spatial perception evaluation system centered on “high-frequency words”, “perceptual dimensions”, “semantic networks”, and “emotional tendencies”. The key findings are as follows: (1) Tourists’ spatial perception exhibits pronounced characteristics of subjective preference and emotional attachment influenced by emotional factors. Overall, tourists exhibited positive emotional perceptions, with 59.51% positive emotions, 21.16% neutral emotions, and 19.33% negative emotions. (2) The perception of Nanxun Ancient Town’s tourism image can be summarized into four dimensions. Here are the dimensions in order of how important they are: historical culture and folk heritage (34.18%), perceptions of natural landscape and architectural style (31.03%), perceptions of tourism services and facilities (18.37%), and psychological identity and emotional interaction (16.42%). (3) Tourism image reciprocally influences tourists’ spatial perception. A positive tourism image is anticipated to encourage tourists to explore the spatial details of the ancient town more deeply, enhancing their positive spatial perception and experience. There exists a coupling relationship between tourists’ spatial perception and tourism image. (4) Key aspects of tourists’ perception of Nanxun Ancient Town include its historical and cultural significance, as well as commercialization. Future studies could focus on tourists’ spatial perception and tourism destination brand image building, and tourism policy makers should pay attention to tourists’ perception of Nanxun Ancient Town’s history, culture and commercialization, and use the coupling of the two to improve development and service policies. Full article

Emerging evidence underscores the beneficial effects of campus green spaces (CGSs) on student well-being and recovery. Previous research has predominantly examined the independent roles of landscape characteristics and preferences in mental restoration. However, limited studies have explored the complex interrelationships among restorative effects, landscape characteristics, preferences, and place-bonding factors, particularly within the context of CGSs. To address this gap, this study developed a validated campus landscape perception scale comprising three dimensions (perception of natural characteristics, perception of artificial characteristics, spatial perception) and 20 related indicators. In the second phase, the scale was used to investigate the influence mechanism of perceived campus landscape characteristics on mental restoration. A total of 36 CGSs across six higher education institutions in Nanjing were selected, representing diverse spatial types. The restoration experiences of 759 participants were measured using psychological indicators when viewing these landscapes. With the help of deep learning techniques, landscape elements were integrated with perceptual factors for partial least squares (PLS)-based statistical analysis. Our findings indicate that the natural and spatial dimensions significantly influence mental restoration, whereas the artificial dimension does not directly impact psychological health. Nevertheless, all dimensions indirectly enhance mental restoration through landscape preference and perceived restorativeness. The study also revealed the moderating effect of objective landscape elements on the relationship between the perception of landscape characteristics and landscape preference. This study confirms the positive role of perceived campus landscape characteristics in fostering mental restoration among students and elucidates the intricate pathway of influence, namely “perception of landscape characteristics → landscape preference → perceived restorativeness → mental restoration”. These findings offer new insights into the complex processes of environmental restoration, where psychological and physical factors are intertwined. Finally, theoretical and managerial implications for improving landscape planning in restoration research are proposed. Full article

Urban parks are vital for providing cultural ecosystem services (CESs) to residents. However, few studies have explored sex-based differences in CES demand, particularly within mountainous urban parks. This study aimed to elucidate sex-based differences in the perceptions and preferences for CESs and landscape elements and explore their relationship in mountainous urban parks. Using value-labeled photographs from an equal number of male and female volunteer visits to Eling Park in Chongqing, China, the SolVES model was employed to investigate the relationship between sex-specific perceptions of CESs and landscape elements. The results showed that males preferred slopes and steps, garden facilities, and recreation facilities, whereas females preferred overlooks that offer multiple CES values, including science and ecological education, and aesthetic and cultural heritage values. Females perceived social relational value at the lotus pond and Kansheng Tower, whereas males perceived inspirational value at Kansheng Tower, the entrance, and the cliffside path. Males linked inspirational value to fort-like ridges and cliffs. Females associated inspirational value with slopes and steps. Based on the findings, the study recommends enhancing CESs specific to mountainous landscapes and incorporating sex-sensitive design elements. Ultimately, these efforts aim to position parks as key components of urban sustainable development, promoting overall resident well-being. Full article

In the post-pandemic era, characterized by rapid digital transformation, teaching and evaluation methods must evolve to meet the new reality, as students and educators continue to express concerns about fairness and integrity. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the perceptions of students and teachers on the introduction of remote assessments in the context of the evolving higher education landscape, which was significantly disrupted by the 2020 pandemic, but leaving methods and approaches that are still used. Data collection comprised a sample of 989 students and 266 teachers. The results demonstrated a current preference for face-to-face assessments, which were considered fairer and more equitable, with less dishonesty, stress, and time consumption. Dishonesty was the main concern related to remote assessments, both for students and teachers. Remote assessments were undervalued, likely due to the rapid adaptation that did not allow enough time for proper models to be developed. It is believed that improving remote and hybrid assessments will lead to a greater satisfaction and confidence among teachers and students. In the era of artificial intelligence and accelerated advancements in educational technology, this article exposed the limitations and advantages of remote assessment, suggested improvements, and highlighted the gap in perceptions on that evaluation between students and teachers. The findings underscore the need to reimagine traditional pedagogy to accommodate diverse learning preferences, integrate emerging technologies, and develop the skills needed for the rapidly evolving world. New teaching methodologies that help to foster critical thinking are crucial for improving student learning and initiating a necessary paradigm shift in evaluation methods to effectively prevent cheating. Full article

Urban green spaces, vital public infrastructure, have received limited research on how their morphology affects visual perception preferences. Using data from ten parks, we generated green space maps from high-resolution satellite imagery and calculated indicators, such as quantity, fragmentation, connectivity, and shape complexity. By combining the Mask2Former image segmentation deep learning model with a multi-objective regression model and structural equation modeling, we analyzed the relationship between green space morphology and visual perception preferences, controlling for geographic and demographic factors. The results showed that green spaces with tighter connectivity, aggregation, continuity, and shape complexity led to more distinct visual perceptions. This relationship was mediated by the proportion of landscape elements. The distribution, shape, and connectivity of urban green spaces had an independent impact on individual visual perception, far exceeding the influence of quantity alone. The spatial morphology of urban green spaces should be incorporated into health-oriented urban space design, exploring the global interest in how green spaces impact urban human well-being, and providing valuable insights for urban green space planning and health-driven urban space design. Full article