Search Results (36,707)

Clinical Relevance and Background: Motion sickness is a common manifestation of autonomic dysfunction. Increasingly induced by modern technology, such as virtual reality (VR), it presents a pressing challenge that warrants investigation. However, the relationship between binocular function, visual perception, and motion sickness remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study investigated the correlations between binocular visual functions, visual perception, and motion sickness susceptibility in adults. Methods: Adults aged 20 to 25 years were recruited. Based on a background and motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire, participants were divided into two groups: the Sick Tendency (ST) group (n = 21) and the Normal group (n = 33). Clinical assessments included habitual distance prescription and visual acuity (VA), phoria, fixation disparity (FD), positive/negative fusional vergence (PFV/NFV), vertical fusional vergence (VFV), positive/negative relative accommodation (PRA/NRA), accommodative facility (AF), vergence facility (VF), stereopsis, contrast sensitivity (CS), near point of convergence (NPC), and near point of accommodation (NPA). Additionally, motor-free visual perception test (MVPT), peripheral awareness (PA), and body balance (center of pressure) were assessed. Results: The ST group exhibited significantly higher distance NFV, distance VFV, and near PFV. Conversely, their NPA, stereopsis, and body balance (center of pressure) were significantly poorer than those of the Normal group. These deficits may be attributed to the accommodation–convergence conflict. Conclusions: Motion sickness susceptibility is closely associated with specific binocular functions. Individuals susceptible to motion sickness exhibit poorer postural stability, likely due to diminished stereopsis and accommodative amplitude (NPA). Future research should further investigate the underlying mechanisms and their clinical implications. Full article

Semantic point cloud maps play a pivotal role in smart agriculture. They provide not only core three-dimensional data for orchard management but also empower robots with environmental perception, enabling safer and more efficient navigation and planning. However, traditional point cloud maps primarily model surrounding obstacles from a geometric perspective, failing to capture distinctions and characteristics between individual obstacles. In contrast, semantic maps encompass semantic information and even topological relationships among objects in the environment. Furthermore, existing semantic map construction methods are predominantly vision-based, making them ill-suited to handle rapid lighting changes in agricultural settings that can cause positioning failures. Therefore, this paper proposes a positioning and semantic map reconstruction method tailored for orchards. It integrates visual, LiDAR, and inertial sensors to obtain high-precision pose and point cloud maps. By combining open-vocabulary detection and semantic segmentation models, it projects two-dimensional detected semantic information onto the three-dimensional point cloud, ultimately generating a point cloud map enriched with semantic information. The resulting 2D occupancy grid map is utilized for robotic motion planning. Experimental results demonstrate that on a custom dataset, the proposed method achieves 74.33% mIoU for semantic segmentation accuracy, 12.4% relative error for fruit recall rate, and 0.038803 m mean translation error for localization. The deployed semantic segmentation network Fast-SAM achieves a processing speed of 13.36 ms per frame. These results demonstrate that the proposed method combines high accuracy with real-time performance in semantic map reconstruction. This exploratory work provides theoretical and technical references for future research on more precise localization and more complete semantic mapping, offering broad application prospects and providing key technological support for intelligent agriculture. Full article

To address the issues of traditional grid-based Ant Colony Optimization path planning in discretized continuous space—including limited direction freedom, lack of global topological guidance, and difficulty in balancing path smoothness and safety margin—a topological progress potential-enhanced continuous-space ant colony path planning algorithm (TPP-CSACO) is proposed. TPP-CSACO discards grid-based expansion; instead, a perception circle centered on each ant is defined, movement is executed via a sector-based perception framework with probabilistic direction selection, and band-shaped decaying pheromones are deposited along the path. By coupling the global topological progress potential derived from the simplified probabilistic roadmap (PRM) with pheromones, a dual-field guidance mechanism is established to prevent local congestion. Combined with the explicit safety constraints of the signed distance field (SDF), an adaptive step size strategy that integrates elastic step size and frustration-induced temperature rise is introduced to enhance obstacle avoidance and search stability. Results from repeated experiments on multiscale constrained maps (conducted against six typical algorithms and the traditional ACO) show that compared with ACO, TPP-CSACO reduces the path length by up to 50.6% in the same environment, while achieving faster convergence and maintaining good search diversity. Although the path length increases slightly (by a maximum of 5.9%) compared with the shortest heuristic algorithms, the maximum turning angle is reduced by 75% to 93%, and a 100% success rate and zero safety violations are realized. This indicates that TPP-CSACO has achieved a relatively stable balance among safety, smoothness, and global search capability. Full article

Island coastline segmentation plays a crucial role in remote sensing image processing, especially when the island environment is complex and the scale is small, making segmentation challenging. The complex morphology of the islands and the small islands are the main causes of boundary blurring and topological discontinuity in the segmentation of the island coast. Therefore, this study proposes GTSegNet, an island coastline segmentation method designed to address the issues of boundary blurring and topological discontinuity in complex backgrounds. First, by introducing the Graph Contextual Modeling Module (GCB), the model captures global information and addresses the issue of neglected local features due to complex backgrounds and scale differences, thereby improving the model’s ability to discern blurry boundaries. Secondly, the Morphological Topology-Aware Refinement Module (TARM) is used for boundary sharpening and false response suppression, specifically addressing the issue of topological discontinuity, thus improving the accuracy of boundary localization and the continuity of topological structures. The two modules work synergistically, significantly improving the accuracy of the boundaries and topological continuity of the island coastline. Training and comparative experiments conducted on the newly constructed island coastline dataset demonstrate that GTSegNet achieves an outstanding performance with an mIoU of 96.96% and a Recall of 98.54%. Compared to other remote sensing semantic segmentation methods, GTSegNet consistently exhibits stable advantages in both quantitative and qualitative assessments, showcasing its great potential for large-scale marine mapping and macro-scale monitoring tasks. Full article

Implementing effective geospatial data discovery mechanisms in geoportals is crucial for facilitating easy access to geospatial data and services. Despite existing efforts to formulate geoportal design requirements, understanding end-user issues beyond a single geoportal in the context of geodata discovery is still lacking. To address this gap, this study reports on a usability study conducted in Germany and Namibia, with the aim of examining issues faced by users during geodata search and discovery. The study employed a mixed-method approach combining Retrospective Think-Aloud (RTA) interviews and structured questionnaires. The results reveal key usability issues, including inefficient search mechanisms, inefficient presentation of search results, lack of user guidance, inefficient map interactions, and inefficient metadata descriptions. Additionally, the study revealed a difference in user perceptions regarding user experience aspects between the two user groups. The findings are of interest to the designers of geoportals in the context of open data reuse and spatial data infrastructure. Full article

With the aim of identifying key proteins that play a role in the disorder tinnitus, interactions between proteins involved in thalamo-amygdala signaling under conditions of normal hearing (NH), acoustic stimulation (AS), and tinnitus (Tin) were studied. Three gene lists compiled from the GeneCards database using keywords were characterized by analyses of overlap, protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, and by protein-enrichment analysis. Key proteins were selected on the basis of the degree and combined score value of the corresponding PPI network. In the NH process, BDNF, CASP3, and PVALB were identified as high-degree proteins (HDPs). In the AS process, BDNF, PVALB, and DLG4 are the top three HDPs; in the Tin process, these are BDNF, APP, and TNF. In the Tin process, key proteins appear that differ pre- and postsynaptically from those detectable in NH or AS. The glucocorticoid receptor NR3C1 and its interaction with FKBP5, a glucocorticoid receptor-induced co-chaperone, appear to be of particular importance for the emotional aspects of tinnitus. In tinnitus, the HDPs, together with their high-score interaction proteins, indicate processes of chronic neurodegeneration and of changes in transcription, intercellular communication, and in the survival and growth of neurons. Full article

Background/Objectives: Identification of tools to minimize opioid-related harms is critical in the U.S. The purpose of this study was to better understand community responder and healthcare provider perceptions and preferences regarding the design and function of a potential new opioid sensor device (OSD). Methods: Adults aged ≥ 18 years employed as community responders or healthcare providers in Alabama were recruited via email to participate in an anonymous online cross-sectional survey informed by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Primary outcomes were assessed via multiple-choice and 7-point Likert-type scales (1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree) and included the following topics: (1) past OSD utilization (4 items); (2) perceived importance of OSD design elements (15 items); (3) OSD function and cost preferences (3 items); and (4) UTAUT measures including perceived usefulness of OSDs (3 items), ease of use (4 items), social factors (4 items), resources (4 items), concerns (3 items), and intentions (3 items). Differences in UTAUT measures across professions were assessed via Mann–Whitney U tests, and predictors of OSD utilization intention were analyzed via multiple linear regression. Results: Respondents (N = 145) included pharmacists (40.0%), nurses (23.4%), physicians (14.5%), behavioral health (4.8%), social work (4.8%), and law enforcement (0.7%). Availability in hospital emergency departments was rated as the most important device element (mean [SD] score: 6.66 [0.80]), followed by sensitivity and specificity of the test (6.42 [0.98]), rapid detection time (6.42 [0.88]), ability to detect opioids in a broad range of substance (6.42 [0.93]), and availability in law enforcement offices (6.33 [1.08]). A 2–5 min detection time was rated as reasonable by 32.6% of respondents, with 53.0% preferring to pay <USD 15 per test. There were no statistically significant differences in UTAUT scale scores across professions. Perceived usefulness (β = 0.493; p < 0.001), social acceptance (β = 0.281; p = 0.023), and resource availability (β = 0.708; p = 0.002) were positive predictors and perceived ease of use was a negative predictor (β = −0.472; p = 0.007) of intention to use an OSD. Conclusions: Newly developed OSDs should consider prioritizing accessibility in hospital emergency departments and law enforcement offices, ability to detect a broad range of opioids, detection time between 2 and 5 min, and cost less than USD 15 per test. Future research may explore perspectives from a more diverse sample across multiple states and different professional roles. Full article

Despite the progress made in recent decades, sexism is a prevalent problem today and has permeated society at a systemic level, including education. This study seeks to analyse the perception of sexism by senior secondary school teachers and trainee teachers. The research was carried out using qualitative methodology, using a semi-structured interview as a data collection instrument. The analysis consisted of the collection of teachers’ experiences for subsequent evaluation and comparison. The results obtained describe similarities between the groups in the perception of sexism in the classroom, but distinguish the justification behind sexist behaviour, and make explicit the lack of specific training for teachers in both groups in the area of sexism in science. These results point to the perceived need for more comprehensive training on sexism among secondary school teachers, according to the experiences and interpretations reported by the participants. Full article

The memoirs of Baron Wenceslas Wratislaw are among the most significant Western sources portraying the Ottoman Empire in the late 16th century. Sent on a diplomatic mission and later taken captive, Wratislaw offers a dual image of the Empire: as a powerful, well-organised state and as a despotic regime evoking fear. His account reveals two contrasting perceptions of the Ottoman court and administration. While their rigid authoritarianism challenged Western admiration for Ottoman governance, it also reinforced existing notions of Oriental despotism. The shifting diplomatic conduct and hostile treatment of the Bohemian delegation further shaped the Ottomans as unreliable and deceptive in Western eyes. Culturally, Wratislaw presents the Ottomans as “the other civilization,” highlighting differences in religion, lifestyle, and social structure. Yet he also acknowledges their hospitality, generosity, and religious tolerance. This study examines how Wratislaw’s personal experiences reflect broader Western imaginations of the Ottoman world. It argues that cultural and diplomatic encounters shaped a complex and often ambivalent image, influenced by both structural dynamics and individual perspectives. Positioned at the intersection of historical sociology and imagology, the article contributes to the understanding of cross-cultural perception in early modern diplomacy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adolescence is pivotal for establishing dietary habits; however, school-based nutritional education remains focused on information dissemination, with minimal effects on behavior modification. Evidence from neuroscience, education, and food literacy indicates that attention, engagement, sensory experiences, and social contexts are integral to effective learning in nutrition education. This article conceptualizes a framework for adolescent food education beyond knowledge transmission, aiming to cultivate taste competence using the Mediterranean Diet as a pedagogical ecosystem. Methods: This study employed a conceptual methodology, utilizing interdisciplinary literature from food literacy, sensory education, developmental neuroscience, educational theory, and public health nutrition. It synthesizes empirical findings and theoretical models to develop the Teaching Autonomous Sensory Taste in the Mediterranean Diet (TASTE–MED) framework. Results: This study introduces taste competence as a multifaceted educational outcome, encompassing sensory, relational, cultural, and reflective dimensions. The TASTE–MED framework outlines how experiential, multisensory, and socially embedded learning processes can be implemented in schools, facilitated by the Mediterranean Diet, which provides a sensory-rich and culturally significant context. The educational implications are discussed in terms of curriculum design, teacher training, family involvement and digital tools. Conclusions: The TASTE–MED framework redefines food literacy as an embodied and socially situated competence rather than a cognitive construct. This framework provides a theoretical foundation for informing the design, evaluation, and research of future interventions, advocating for the transition from information-based nutrition education to competence-oriented food education during adolescence. Full article

Amid the growing convergence of leisure mobility, tourism, and rural development, second homes have emerged as a significant spatial phenomenon reshaping community structures in tourism-oriented rural areas. This study examines how second-home leisure practices contribute to place-making and community identity formation through land-use transformation and everyday spatial experience. Using the Mayangxi Ecotourism Area in Fujian Province, China, as a case study, this study develops a “space–sense of home–place identity” analytical framework grounded in Lefebvre’s theory of the production of space. A mixed-methods design integrating fieldwork, interviews, questionnaire surveys, and structural equation modeling is adopted. The results indicate that perceptions of physical, social, and cultural space significantly enhance second-home users’ sense of home. Physical and social spaces exert strong direct effects on place identity, with social interaction emerging as the most influential factor. Although sense of home positively mediates the relationship between spatial perception and place identity, this mediation is conditional rather than automatic. These findings suggest that second homes should be understood not merely as outcomes of land development, but as negotiated everyday spaces through which land-use transformation, social interaction, and emotional attachment collectively shape community reconstruction in tourism-oriented rural areas. Full article

It is undeniable that COVID-19 has impacted all aspects of college student and family life. However, the posttraumatic growth (PTG) framework suggests there are opportunities for growth after traumatic or highly stressful events. To explore PTG in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study recruited parents of college students (N = 1655) from across the U.S. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that when parents reported that their student experienced more positive impacts of COVID-19 on their relationships and health, received more career support, and when parents reported that their own well-being improved, they were more likely to report that their student experienced PTG. Additionally, parent gender, student first-generation status, and student year in school were also associated with PTG. This is consistent with past research; when parents were well supported during the pandemic, their college students did better and were more likely to uphold academic and graduation plans. Findings underscore the important role of both university resources such as career support, and family resources such as parental well-being in buffering the negative effects of the pandemic and supporting PTG. Full article

Despite skepticism and distrust in artificial intelligence (AI), it is increasingly integrated into daily life, with its potential benefits drawing interest. Yet little is known about the attitudinal and psychological effects of human–AI interactions, and whether consistent interactions with AI chatbots can change users’ attitudes and perceptions. Our within-subjects experiment (N = 52) investigated how five days of socially oriented, friendlike interactions with an AI chatbot, versus a journaling control, influenced changes in attitudes and perceptions of AI. Participants’ attitudes towards AI, trust, perceived empathy, anthropomorphism, animacy, likeability, perceived intelligence and safety, dependency, and exploratory well-being indicators were recorded. Results indicated that consistent friendlike interaction with AI chatbots led to significant increases in perceived empathy and animacy of technology, but no changes in global attitudes and perceptions of anthropomorphism. Participants also reported higher self-esteem levels after journaling, compared to after AI interaction. This suggests that although friendly engagement with AI chatbots may lead to perceptions of empathy and lifelikeness, where users interpret it to be genuinely understanding and supportive, this comes with trade-offs for self-esteem. Concurrently, empathy and perceived lifelikeness increased without corresponding increases in anthropomorphism, indicating that users may regard AI chatbots as separate living entities rather than having human-like qualities. Full article

Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is increasingly used to support landscape-sensitive planning; however, existing approaches often lack an operational integration of visual perception and map-based indicators, particularly in complex Mediterranean island contexts. This study demonstrates a methodology for integrated landscape character and quality assessment, combining landform and landcover mapping with map-based visibility indicators derived from the local road network. The approach was applied to the Platanos community in western Crete, a representative Mediterranean landscape of contrasting coastal resort zones, agricultural lowlands, and cultural heritage sites. The methodology followed three stages: desk-based mapping of Land Description Units (LDUs) using landform and landcover data, field surveys to define Landscape Character Types (LCTs) and assess socio-cultural and perceptual attributes, and GIS-based visibility analysis from 18 road observation points. Six visual indicators (connectivity, complexity, naturalness, disturbance, historicity, and visual scale) were calculated to quantify spatial and perceptual characteristics. Results revealed a spatial division between a core northern area of high visual scale, cultural importance, but also disturbance, and a southern area of greater naturalness but lower visual openness and cultural visibility. These results highlight that high landscape quality is not solely associated with naturalness, but emerges from the interaction between physical structure, cultural elements, and visual perception. The findings underscore the complementary value of combining physical, cultural, and perception-based metrics in LCA. The proposed framework offers a reproducible tool for evidence-based landscape planning and heritage-sensitive development in accordance with the principles of the European Landscape Convention (ELC). Full article

The operational environment of construction machinery is predominantly unstructured, characterized by rapid changes, high complexity, and irregularly distributed objects. This poses significant challenges for 3D semantic perception, particularly due to the high cost of acquiring point cloud semantic labels. To address this, a novel 3D semantic perception scheme is proposed for such unstructured environments. This scheme integrates image semantic segmentation results with point cloud clustering via perspective projection. The projection parameters are refined using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and the semantic consistency of the fused results is further enhanced by a Kd-tree-based radius nearest neighbor (RNN) matching algorithm. Consequently, a weakly supervised framework is established that achieves accurate 3D semantic understanding using only 2D image labels, eliminating the need for annotated 3D point clouds. The feasibility and effectiveness of the scheme are validated through a dedicated unstructured scene dataset and real-world testing. Results demonstrate its capability to effectively perceive 3D semantic information and reconstruct target contours, achieving a mean Pixel Accuracy (mPA) of 84.72% and a mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) of 75.85%. Full article