Search Results (75)

Using efficient voice alarms to ensure safe evacuation is important during emergencies, especially for the elderly. Factors that have important influence on speech perceptions have been investigated for several years. However, relatively few studies have specifically explored the key factors influencing perceptions of voice alarms in emergency situations. This study investigated the combined effects of speech rate (SR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and reverberation time (RT) on older people’s perception of voice alarms. Thirty older adults were invited to evaluate speech intelligibility, listening difficulty, and perceived urgency after hearing 48 different voice alarm conditions. For comparison, 25 young adults were also recruited in the same experiment. The results for older adults showed that: (1) When SR increased, speech intelligibility significantly decreased, and listening difficulty significantly increased. Perceived urgency reached its maximum at the normal speech rate for older adults, in contrast to young adults, for whom urgency was greatest at the fast speech rate. (2) With the rising SNR, speech intelligibility and perceived urgency significantly increased, and listening difficulty significantly decreased. In contrast, with the rising RT, speech intelligibility and perceived urgency significantly decreased, while listening difficulty significantly increased. (3) RT exerted a relatively stronger independent influence on speech intelligibility and listening difficulty among older adults compared to young adults, which tended not to be substantially moderated by SR or SNR. The interactive effect of SR and RT on perceived urgency was significant for older people, but not significant for young people. These findings provide referential strategies for designing efficient voice alarms for the elderly. Full article

Insects constitute a vital component of terrestrial ecosystems, yet their ongoing global decline underscores the urgency of identifying the factors that facilitate or hinder public engagement in their conservation. This study identifies the key psychological drivers of insect-related conservation behavior within a Romanian context, an understudied geographical and sociocultural setting. Using data collected from 346 adult respondents via an online questionnaire, the predictive performance of the Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and an integrated VBN–TPB framework was examined through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The VBN model exhibited superior explanatory power relative to TPB, with biospheric values, ecological worldviews, and personal moral norms emerging as the most influential determinants of behavioral intention and self-reported action. Although participants demonstrated moderate levels of general entomological knowledge, awareness of specific insect-friendly practices was notably limited and frequently characterized by misconceptions. Perceived barriers, particularly informational deficits, time constraints, and financial considerations, exerted significant inhibitory effects on conservation engagement. The findings indicate that effective interventions must extend beyond knowledge transmission, incorporating strategies that activate moral norms, strengthen affective and identity-based motivations, and reduce structural barriers to action. Full article

Digital technologies can improve efficiency and sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture, yet adoption in Korea remains limited. This study analyzes structural and perceptual factors affecting digital uptake among 201 respondents (100 capture fishers, 101 aquaculture farmers). Results show that high initial costs, limited information access, and regional infrastructure gaps are the main barriers. Perceived urgency and expected benefits promote positive attitudes but do not consistently lead to actual device use, revealing a perception–behavior gap. Traditional work routines and the limited impact of government programs further constrain adoption. This study provides one of the first integrated assessments of structural, perceptual, and demographic influences across both fisheries and aquaculture in Korea. The findings highlight the need for combined strategies—improving infrastructure, reducing financial burdens, and delivering practical, localized training—to support a more effective digital transition in the sector. Full article

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted the daily lives of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Lockdowns, therapy interruptions, and reduced access to educational and healthcare services significantly affected developmental progress and family functioning. This pilot study aimed to assess the long-term impact of the pandemic on children with ASD and ADHD in Northern Greece and to explore consequences for their families in the post-pandemic period. Methods: Parents or legal guardians of 72 children (ages 2–17 years) with confirmed diagnoses of ASD (n = 57) or ADHD (n = 15) participated. A structured 25-item questionnaire captured information on developmental, psychological, and social functioning, family well-being, therapy disruption, screen use, and access to online support. Data were collected across urban, semi-urban, and rural areas of Northern Greece over six months. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results: Most participants were boys (77.8%) and in primary school (73.6%). Common co-occurring conditions included learning difficulties (33.3%), anxiety (8.3%), and epilepsy (6.9%). Nearly half of families (45.8%) reported therapy reductions exceeding 70%, while 29.2% accessed online therapy, often with limited perceived effectiveness. New behavioral symptoms emerged in 45.8% of children, including irritability, anxiety, and emotional instability. Parental psychological distress was reported by 29.2% of caregivers. Screen time increased in over 90% of cases, and 87.5% of parents perceived the pandemic as negatively affecting their child. Financial strain was noted by 37.5% of families. Conclusions: The findings highlight the significant developmental, psychological, and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for children with ASD and ADHD and their families. Service disruptions, unmet therapeutic needs, and increased caregiver burden emphasize the urgency of sustainable, flexible care models. Strengthening telehealth, integrating community-based interventions, and enhancing educational accommodations are essential for resilience in the post-pandemic era. Full article

This paper presents a comparative analysis of pedestrian behavior and perceived safety among university students at two signalized intersections near the campus premises of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Although both intersections include pedestrian crosswalks and traffic lights, one permits vehicle left turns during pedestrian phases via flashing yellow arrows, while the other restricts all vehicle movement. Two questionnaire-based surveys (n₁ = 304 and n₂ = 303) recorded demographic information, crossing behavior, perceived risk, and preferred safety interventions. Results indicate that the intersection permitting vehicle conflict is associated with significantly lower levels of perceived safety and higher instances of risk-taking, such as crossing “at any time”. Conversely, the vehicle-restricted intersection fosters greater compliance with pedestrian signals and a stronger sense of security. Key factors influencing crossing decisions included vehicle speed, signal duration, pedestrian group presence, and urgency. Respondents prioritized safety improvements such as pedestrian countdown timers, enhanced signage, and enforcement cameras. These findings underscore the critical role of signal phasing in shaping pedestrian behavior and safety perceptions. Evidence-based recommendations are offered to urban planners and policymakers to enhance pedestrian safety through targeted infrastructure upgrades and enforcement strategies. Full article

Ease of cognitive processing is an important predictor of aesthetic liking. However, many acclaimed artworks are fairly complex and require substantial cognitive effort. Are they aesthetically liked despite or because of this increased cognitive challenge? The present study pursued this question experimentally. The high syntactic complexity of Heinrich von Kleist’s narratives provided the test case. According to literary scholars, this high syntactic complexity should support increased levels of how “suspenseful,” “intense,” “interesting,” and evocative of a sense of “urgency” the texts are perceived, and it should thereby also support higher overall aesthetic liking. This expectation is in line with recent models in empirical aesthetics according to which higher ease of processing and higher cognitive challenge are not mutually exclusive, but can conjointly drive aesthetic liking to higher levels. The standard hypothesis of cognitive fluency instead predicts a disfluency-driven negative effect on aesthetic liking. We tested these two predictions in two studies by presenting excerpts from Kleist’s narratives in their original vs. syntactically simplified versions to participants. Results differ substantially depending on how the target variables are statistically modeled. If ease of processing and cognitive challenge are modeled separately as predictors of the aesthetically evaluative ratings, higher ease of processing is a strong positive and higher cognitive challenge a largely negative predictor. However, when the two complementary cognitive variables are modeled conjointly, they are both positive predictors of the aesthetically evaluative ratings. Their predictive power differs, however, significantly. Only the positive effect of ease of processing is pervasive across all readers. That of cognitive challenge is substantially modified by individual differences. Specifically, it was observed for readers who (1) are of higher age, (2) like to read narratives in general, and (3) reported prior positive experiences with Kleist. Supporting the ecological validity of our findings, readers meeting these criteria are more likely than others to actually read Kleist outside the laboratory. Full article

This research aims to evaluate and highlight the potential mesostructured architecture of established behaviours and operational practices based on the working model change imposed by the pandemic emergency in the public sector. After the intervention of an exogenous shock, the readiness, perceived usefulness and ease-of-use of technologies made the Technology Acceptance Model [TAM] verifiable. Concurrently, it is also possible to verify the Theory of Planned Behaviour [TPB] in the motivation and intention to change employees’ working habits under the lens of complexity and urgency, involving a From Knowledge To Knowledge Strategy [FKTKS]. The research protocol encompasses semi-structured interviews with public managers in Italy, alongside a perceptual and sentiment trend analysis of 70 public employees [35 females and 35 males] regarding their sentiments on digital transition and smart/hybrid working habits before, during, and after the pandemic. In the public sector, change is perceived as a shock-generative tension. In this way, the research aims to answer the genderised issue related to the perception and the persistence of using digital tools in the workplace during the post-urgency period as a regular habit based on perceived usefulness and ease-of-use. The study highlights a gender-specific trend in the use of the smart/hybrid working model after the health emergency. This propensity may also be attributable to the gender traits defined by Hofstede, within whose paradigm the interpretative dynamic provided is embedded. The during-COVID-19 acceptance and usage behaviours define an element related to masculinity because of its urgency and pressing deadlines. In contrast, endurance connects to femininity, emphasising resilience and long-term goals. This approach prioritises resilience and comprehensive well-being, focusing on achieving a good work–life balance [WLB] rather than just addressing immediate issues. Full article

Background: Vaccine hesitancy (VH) remains a pressing global health concern, particularly in low-resource settings, where vaccination remains the primary means of protection against infection. The urgency of this issue became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to elucidate the determinants of vaccine hesitancy among university students in medical and non-medical fields in Syria by utilizing the 5C framework (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, and collective responsibility). Methods: A structured interview-administered questionnaire collected responses from 4722 students at five universities in Syria. The questionnaire assessed sociodemographic factors, COVID-19 vaccination status, vaccination experience, sources of information, beliefs in vaccine-related conspiracies, attitudes toward vaccine policies and attributes, and the 5C psychological antecedents. Internal consistency and factor analysis of the Arabic 5C scale were performed to ensure construct validity. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and multivariate multiple regression. Results: Our findings revealed that 64% of participants had not received the COVID-19 vaccine, with official sources (e.g., WHO, Ministry of Health) being the most trusted. The highest 5C score was for calculation (5.86, sd = 1.21), followed by confidence (5.29, sd = 1.26). Belief in vaccine conspiracies was common, particularly regarding profit motives and genetic modification. Only three of the 5C—complacency, calculation, and collective responsibility—significantly, predicted vaccination behavior, while all the 5C were influenced by contextual factors. Non-medical students showed significantly higher hesitancy (OR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.39–1.84, p < 0.001]) compared to their medical counterparts. Hesitant respondents displayed significantly, higher complacency, increased calculation, and reduced collective responsibility scores. Conspiracy beliefs eroded confidence and magnified perceived barriers, whereas trust in official sources and favorable views of the vaccine’s attributes strengthened collective responsibility and acceptance. The regression models explained 2.8% to 11.2% of variance across the 5C, with collective responsibility showing the highest explanatory power (adjusted R² = 0.112). Conclusions: Despite high self-reported knowledge, significant VH persisted—a paradox that highlights the limits of information alone. Given the cross-sectional design and the modest explanatory power of the models, these recommendations are tentative. These findings highlight the need for trust-based interventions targeting populations in conflict-affected areas. Full article

Prescriptive grammars of Netherlandic Dutch usually explicitly warn against mixing T- and V-pronouns. Although the prescriptive norm opposes mixing, pronoun mixing does occur, and its use can often be interpreted as strategic, in the sense that mixing pronouns might help to balance conflicting needs such as signaling respect and formality to the addressee on the one hand as well as expressing closeness on the other hand. This article explores the perception of pronoun mixing among high school students who were in the process of acquiring the norm. As part of a student science project, we asked students to categorize real-world examples of pronoun mixing that they themselves had gathered as a strategy or as a mistake. Based on the students’ responses, we extrapolated that the most acceptable forms of mixing were brief switches to V in a T-context to express humor or urgency and—if there was no clear default pronoun—that mixing was most acceptable (1) when the text was free of spelling errors and other signs of sloppiness, (2) when the mixing was intersentential, (3) when the number of switches was infrequent, and (4) when there was a clear division of tasks between the pronouns. As an offshoot of this student science project, we designed a brief follow-up survey to gain insight into domains and consensus and variation among the students’ perceptions of pronoun mixing. This follow-up survey revealed that if not explicitly asked, most students do not notice pronoun mixing. We asked students to rank four real-life examples of address pronoun mixing that they had gathered during the student science project. We expected that with respect to their perception of the mixing of address pronouns all students would rank examples of mixing in the same order. A primary result of this part of our exploration was that there were large individual differences in the perception of mixing and that there was variation in the ranking of examples among the students. Intersentential mixing yielded the most neutral evaluations by the students, but intrasentential mixing showed the most extreme evaluations. It was disliked most strongly by students who had a general dislike of mixing and liked best by students who appreciated mixing as a style. Briefly switching to V in contexts associated with the T-pronoun was perceived to be humorous by a quarter of the students, and half of the students perceived a switch to the petrified abbreviation AUB (‘if you-V please’) as expressing urgency. Full article

Workplace accidents in high-risk environments remain a major safety concern, particularly when workers’ visual and auditory channels are overloaded. Haptic feedback offers a promising alternative for alerting individuals to unseen dangers and enhancing situational awareness. Motivated by challenges commonly observed in construction, this study investigates haptic alerting strategies applicable across dynamic, attentionally demanding contexts. We present two empirical experiments exploring how wearable vibration cues can inform users about approaching objects outside their field of view. The first experiment evaluated variations of pattern-based vibrations to simulate motion and examined the relationship between signal parameters and perceived urgency. A negative correlation between urgency and pulse duration emerged, identifying a key design factor. The second experiment conducted a novel comparison of pattern-based and location-based haptic alerts in a complex virtual environment, with tasks designed to simulate cognitive engagement with work processes. Results indicate that location-based alerts were more efficient for hazard detection. These findings offer insights into the design of effective user-centred haptic-based safety systems and provide a foundation for future development and deployment in real-world settings. This work contributes a generalisable step toward wearable alerting technologies for safety-critical occupations, including but not limited to construction. Full article

As cities struggle to balance affordable housing, sufficient public green space, climate change, and rising temperatures, the urgency for planners to integrate nature-based solutions into urban strategies is magnified. In Poland, social inequalities and neighborhoods with limited access to green areas often characterize cities. Urban strategies are needed to increase environmental justice and mitigate climate change impacts. In a survey conducted in Poland (n = 963), a cluster analysis identified four groups based on their living situations, rating of green spaces, and climate change. The results illustrate differences in perceived impacts of heat waves with one group demonstrating a high tolerance towards heat waves, although they live in unfavorable housing conditions. Green space use varies depending on accessibility and distribution in their neighborhoods. Context-sensitive planning is required to ensure more equitable urban planning in Polish cities, which allocates for both the environmental and social needs of the city. Full article

Ligurian viticulture is characterized by a fragmented landscape and diverse microclimatic conditions, presenting both challenges and opportunities for grape production under climate change. This study investigates the perceived impacts of climate change on viticulture in Eastern (Levante) and Western (Ponente) Liguria, with a focus on vine growth dynamics, productivity, and the adaptation strategies adopted by local winegrowers. Semi-structured interviews with 48 winemakers revealed significant shifts in grape maturation (p < 0.001), earlier harvest dates, and increased vulnerability to fungal diseases (p < 0.01), primarily driven by rising temperatures and altered precipitation regimes. A notable rise in extreme temperature events (p < 0.01) was reported, with all respondents (100%) observing irregular seasonal temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, climate change was linked to changes in local fauna, particularly the expansion of ungulate populations (p < 0.001), leading to increased vineyard damage. In response, growers have adopted a range of adaptive measures, including drought-resistant rootstocks (e.g., M-series), traditional training systems (Guyot, Alberello), and local innovations such as the low pergola in Cinque Terre. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed region-specific adaptation profiles, underscoring the influence of environmental and agronomic variability on viticultural resilience. Logistic regression identified temperature variability, disease incidence, and precipitation shifts as key predictors of perceived climate impact. The results underscore the urgency of developing regionally tailored adaptation strategies to sustain viticulture in Liguria’s complex and changing landscape. Full article

This study examines the effects of sustainability-related data requests—spurred by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)—on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Netherlands. Using a representative survey of 431 SMEs and 48 qualitative interviews with SME representatives and business stakeholders, the research provides a comprehensive overview of their experiences in late 2024. A key finding is that most Dutch SMEs (72%) have not yet received sustainability data requests. However, SMEs embedded in international value chains report more frequent and complex data demands, particularly concerning environmental indicators like CO₂ emissions and material use. Ratings of perceived relevance reveal a disconnect between external data requests and SMEs’ internal priorities, with many SMEs prioritizing health and safety over climate metrics. While some SMEs see data requests as opportunities for improved sustainability performance and market positioning, many also experience challenges, including limited resources, fragmented IT systems, and regulatory uncertainty. The implementation of CSRD highlights the urgency of supporting SMEs in building data management capacities and standardized processes. The study recommends clearer communication of data relevance, targeted support measures, and further research into cross-national and longitudinal dynamics to foster an effective sustainability transition across value chains. Full article

Amid escalating regulatory and stakeholder pressures, corporate environmental practices emerge as strategic competitive advantages. Yet, research lacks depth on the interactions among PLU (power, legitimacy, and urgency) attributes and resource-constrained decision pathways. Integrating stakeholder theory and the attention-based view (ABV), a pressure–attention–action model is developed in this study to explain the voluntary adoption of ultra-regulatory proactive environmental practices (PEPs). An analysis of 503 Taiwanese firms using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) reveals that (1) stakeholder legitimacy (β = 0.146, p < 0.01) and urgency (β = 0.215, p < 0.001) significantly increase perceived stakeholder pressure, whereas power exhibits no significant effect (β = 0.067, p > 0.05); (2) firm size positively moderates the pressure–resource linkage (β = 0.239, p < 0.001); and (3) urgency triggers partial mediation (57.4% VAF) through pressure and resources to drive proactive environmental practices. Firm size moderates pressure–resource linkages, with urgency prompting resource reallocation for environmental proactivity across scales. A dynamic PLU assessment tool and scale-sensitive strategies are proposed, challenging power-centric paradigms and aiding SMEs through collaborative networks. Limitations of the study include cross-sectional data and a regional focus, necessitating longitudinal and cross-industry validation. Full article

Introduction: The decline of serum estrogen in postmenopausal women leads to several changes in the vulvovaginal and vesicourethral areas, resulting in the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), characterized by bothersome symptoms such as vaginal atrophy, lack of lubrication, dyspareunia, urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Nevertheless, this condition could also be experienced by younger women affected by hormone-dependent tumors. Although topical estrogens are considered “the gold standard”, hormonal treatments cannot be indicated in cancer survivors. As a result, energy-based devices using radiofrequency and laser technologies have emerged as alternative options. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the benefits of non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency (RF) in women affected by GSM who have contraindications to, did not respond to, or declined local estrogen therapy. Methods: The patients underwent five weekly sessions of second-generation monopolar RF. At baseline and at the fifth session, two validated questionnaires were administered to the patients: the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-19). On the other hand, the vaginal mucosa status was evaluated by clinicians through the Vaginal Health Index (VHI). At the end of the cycle, the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) questionnaire was collected. Results: Based on 44 patients who completed five sessions of radiofrequency, a significant improvement was observed in sexual function according to the FSFI scale (22.9 vs. 38.6; p < 0.001) and in VVA atrophy symptoms, as documented by the VAS score (223 vs. 125; p < 0.001). The mean VHI score increased by 3 points (p < 0.001). Moreover, according to PGI-I, 96% of patients reported a perceived improvement (PGI-I score ≤ 3). Conclusions: Radiofrequency could provide an innovative and safe therapeutic approach for patients suffering from GSM and VVA, especially when hormonal strategies are unsuitable. Full article