Search Results (20,053)

Computer vision (CV) has significantly advanced in object detection and multi-object tracking; however, its application to modeling safety-critical social behaviors for blind and low-vision (BLV) individuals remains limited. In particular, sustained behaviors such as stalking—characterized by persistent proximity and trajectory consistency—have not been systematically addressed within wearable assistive systems. To investigate this gap, we first conducted a formative user study combining semi-structured interviews and behavioral observations to identify safety concerns and wearable design requirements among BLV participants. The findings reveal recurring concerns regarding prolonged following behaviors and highlight the importance of privacy-preserving, socially unobtrusive device configurations. Guided by these insights, we develop a shoulder-slung wearable system integrating dual-camera sensing with an edge-based vision processing pipeline. We reformulate stalking detection as a temporal behavioral persistence problem built upon multi-object tracking (MOT). Leveraging FairMOT for identity-preserving tracking and monocular depth estimation for spatial modeling, we introduce an online temporal persistence-based risk scoring mechanism that accumulates proximity and directional consistency over time. The complete pipeline operates in real time on an embedded platform without cloud dependency. By bridging user-centered design and behavior-oriented visual inference, this work demonstrates how MOT outputs can be extended beyond identity preservation to support temporally coherent safety assessment in wearable assistive contexts. Full article

Aligning information technology (IT) workforce demands with educational assessments is essential for bridging skills gaps; yet, no prior corpus maps IT task reasoning to Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) proficiency levels. This paper introduces a large language model (LLM)-powered framework aligning IT competencies with PISA 2022 and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Learning Compass 2030, drawing on O*NET v30.2 (Occupational Information Network), ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations) v1.2.1, PISA descriptors and OECD definitions. The framework operates in two stages: Stage 1 aligns 562 IT task statements with minimum PISA 2022 proficiency levels via LLM annotation and cross-model validation; and Stage 2 extends this mapping to the OECD Learning Compass 2030 through the semantic clustering of task embeddings and a bidirectional gap analysis of 95 ESCO transversal skills. Using Gemini 2.5 Flash, 562 tasks are annotated with minimum PISA levels across Mathematical, Reading, and Science literacy (first stage). Annotation reliability is assessed through a five-model cross-validation against a blind human domain expert (treated as a reference benchmark, not a gold standard) on a stratified 100-task sample (17.8% of the corpus), with agreement ranging from fair (Gemini 2.5 Flash, κ = 0.29) to moderate (Claude Haiku 4.5, κ = 0.50; LLaMA 3.3 70B, κ = 0.44). A bias-correction sensitivity analysis confirms that distributional findings remain stable after accounting for the primary annotator’s systematic overestimation, and OLS-calibrated alignment against O*NET ability ratings provides directional plausibility support. Validated tasks are embedded and clustered into 25 technical profiles via K-Means, each classified against OECD dimensions. The framework is extended to 95 ESCO transversal skills in 24 clusters. Bidirectional analysis reveals that, while every PISA proficiency level is engaged by at least one transversal cluster, 33% of these clusters, covering creative, ethical, social–emotional, and dispositional competencies, fall entirely outside PISA’s cognitive scope. This boundary mapping identifies where the PISA-based alignment is valid and where complementary tools are required for a full readiness assessment. Full article

The social–ecological nexus (SEN) offers a framework to capture the complex and dynamic interactions and interdependencies between human communities and the natural systems that support them. This study analyzed the SENs within a village tank cascade system (VTCS), a social–ecological system (SES) located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The study adopted a participatory approach, combining fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) to determine key SES properties of the VTCS. The FCM process identified 49 nodes (elements) and 434 edges (connections) within the study landscape that contribute to system performance. Network graphs were generated using centrality metrics—degree, betweenness, and eigenvector centrality—to identify the most influential nodes and edges contributing to system sustainability and productivity. The study identified nine nodes as the most influential elements in the SEN which are critical for balancing trade-offs between sustainability and productivity in the VTCS. Three distinct clusters of elements influencing sustainability and productivity emerged from the SEN graph: (i) ecological cluster, (ii) social–ecological cluster, and (iii) social cluster. Understanding the role of SES elements and their positions in the SEN is crucial for identifying gaps within the system and informing tailored management interventions. These findings offer a theoretical basis for optimizing sustainability strategies aimed at enhancing the overall productivity and resilience of SES. Consequently, this approach exposes the complexities of the SEN, making it widely applicable to similar SESs globally. Full article

This study examines how international tourists’ perceptions of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices influence their willingness to pay a premium for community-based homestays. Grounded in signaling theory, ESG perception is conceptualized as a credibility signal that reduces perceived uncertainty in community-based accommodation settings. Data were collected from 300 international tourists visiting Mae Kampong Village, Chiang Mai, Thailand, and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). To strengthen predictive assessment, the model was additionally evaluated using PLSpredict, Q²_predict, and the Cross-Validated Predictive Ability Test (CVPAT). The results indicate that ESG perception significantly enhances community sustainability image, trust, and booking intention. Trust partially mediates the relationships between ESG perception and both booking intention and willingness to pay a premium, while booking intention demonstrates the strongest effect on willingness to pay a premium. Community sustainability image does not directly influence booking intention but instead operates indirectly through trust. Environmental concern significantly influences willingness to pay a premium, although its moderating effect is not supported. The findings suggest that tourists in community-based homestay environments rely heavily on trust-based psychological assurance when making accommodation decisions. This study extends ESG tourism research into community-based accommodation contexts and highlights the importance of trust in high-uncertainty tourism environments. The findings also emphasize the importance of transparent ESG communication and trust-building strategies for strengthening sustainable tourism competitiveness. Full article

Social media platforms increasingly function as informal education systems for programming learning, yet the systemic support structures these environments provide remain poorly understood. We analyzed 40,004 comments from programming tutorial videos on a major social media platform (2016–April 2025) to identify patterns of learner support needs at scale. Using BERTopic, we identified twelve discussion themes. We then consolidated these themes into a learner-needs typology based on their dominant support functions: instructional-oriented needs, operational support needs, and knowledge-constructionneeds. We mapped this typology onto the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework to assess its explanatory coverage. This mapping revealed a critical systemic gap. Operational support needs, covering environment configuration, tool integration, dependency management, and technical troubleshooting, constituted the largest category (44.53% of theme-level discourse), exceeding both knowledge-construction needs (28.42%) and instructional-oriented needs (26.95%). Learners repeatedly described these infrastructure-level challenges as disrupting their attempts to engage with content, execute code for testing ideas, and coordinate with peers, yet these operational readiness needs are not fully specified by CoI’s traditional presences. Social presence did not emerge as a standalone theme at the topic-modeling level; rather, social cues were often embedded within task-oriented troubleshooting. Based on these findings, we propose Technical Presence as a context-sensitive extension to the CoI framework, defined as the extent to which a learning community enables operational readiness through accessible infrastructure support and collaborative troubleshooting. As an infrastructural support condition, Technical Presence supports operational readiness within tool-dependent, practice-based learning: when learners report infrastructure failure, the conditions for enacting instructional design, cognitive inquiry, and peer collaboration are correspondingly weakened. These findings carry implications for content creators, platform developers, and education system designers seeking to strengthen the infrastructural foundations of technology-enhanced learning at scale. Full article

This study examines the associations between integrating sustainability principles into early-stage planning education and changes in students’ sustainability perceptions within a studio-based course. Conducted in the Urban Design Planning Studio 3 course between 2021 and 2024, the research involved 63 second-year urban and regional planning students. Using a mixed-methods, one-group pre-test–post-test design, the study combined quantitative data from the Sustainable Urban Environment Perception Scale (SUEPS)—covering ecological, transportation, and semi-structured dimensions—with qualitative analyses of open-ended responses via content analysis and thematic clustering. Findings reveal a statistically significant improvement in overall sustainability perception, with the most notable gains in ecological sustainability and solid waste management. Moderate improvements were also observed in social and economic dimensions, while transportation was comparatively more limited. Qualitative results indicate a clear shift from fragmented, resource-based understandings toward more integrated, system-oriented, and multi-scalar interpretations of sustainability. Students demonstrated increased conceptual diversity, stronger connections between ecological, infrastructural, and social themes, and more frequent use of planning-related terminology. The consistency between quantitative and qualitative findings suggests that structured studio-based learning processes may be contribute to the conceptual development of sustainability literature. Overall, the study highlights the potential of early-stage sustainability education to support ecological literacy and sustainability-oriented planning perspectives within urban planning curricula. Full article

Introduction. Chronic non-cancer pain is highly prevalent and profoundly diminishes quality of life. While pharmacological and interventional treatments are central, its psychosocial and spiritual dimensions remain under-addressed. This pilot study assessed the feasibility of a therapist-led support group intervention for patients with chronic non-cancer pain and explored preliminary psychospiritual outcomes. Methods. A two-arm, non-randomized pilot feasibility study was conducted among 58 outpatients of a university pain management clinic in Poland. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment, retention, attendance, and safety, while preliminary psychological and spiritual outcomes were evaluated using validated self-report instruments. The intervention group (n = 29) participated in eight group sessions combining psychoeducation, mindfulness-based techniques, and supportive dialogue inspired by the Simonton Method. The control group (n = 29) received standard care. Participants completed the Numeric Rating Scale to measure pain intensity, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the WHOQOL-BREF, the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results. The intervention was feasible in terms of physician workload; however, patients adherence varied significantly. At baseline, the control group showed a significantly higher positive affect and existential well-being than did the intervention group. In exploratory within-group analyses, participants in the intervention group showed improved positive affect and reduced anxiety (p < 0.05), whereas existential well-being showed a trend toward improvement (p < 0.06). However, the self-selection design limits causal inferences. Nevertheless, participants reported social connectedness, meaning-making, and enhanced vitality. Discussion. This pilot feasibility study provides preliminary evidence that a therapist-led support group intervention integrating psychoeducation, mindfulness, and supportive components is practicable within multidisciplinary pain management. Further research in a larger, randomized trial is needed to evaluate adherence and safety, as well as clinical effects, more rigorously. Full article

Detailed attention and cognitive rigidity contribute to poorer social functioning and mental health. These cognitive functions can be measured using questionnaires or behavioral tasks but existing methods have limitations. The Detail and Flexibility Questionnaire (DFlex) addresses several of these limitations. This study developed a Japanese translation of the DFlex and collected valid evidence for its intended score interpretations. Sixty participants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 140 without ASD, and five participants who chose not to disclose whether they had an ASD diagnosis completed the Japanese version of the DFlex and the Japanese version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Data from 192 participants were analyzed. Internal consistency was good as was the internal structure, except for one item. McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha demonstrated good internal consistency and item–total correlation was acceptable, except for one item. The Japanese DFlex correlated strongly with the AQ Attention to Detail and Attention Switching subscales, supporting convergent validity. Regarding known-group validity, the ASD and non-ASD groups showed significant differences on the Cognitive Rigidity and Attention to Detail subscales. Based on its reliability and internal structural validity, the Japanese DFlex provides a better understanding of ASD-related cognitive traits for both research and clinical practice. Full article

Food waste research often applies the Motivation–Opportunity–Ability (MOA) framework, yet conventional aggregate measures may obscure the distinct roles of physical context and cognition-related capacity. Using a macro-contextual, micro-primary dual-layer design, this study first uses World Bank data from 176 countries to provide structural context; this macro layer is not statistically linked to the student-level model. The main behavioral inference comes from matched plate-weighing and questionnaire data from 170 students across two purposively selected ordinary higher education institutions in northern and southern China. Within this exploratory and context-specific micro-level sample, the baseline three-dimensional MOA model explains only 4.1% of variance in log-transformed plate waste, whereas decomposing Opportunity into social and physical components and representing the Ability extension through behavioral ability and a two-item cognitive-capacity proxy improves model fit. The five-dimensional model explains 44.1% of variance ($F=26.2$, $p<0.001$). Johnson relative weight analysis indicates that Physical Opportunity (51.1%) and the two-item cognitive-capacity proxy (46.3%) account for most explained MOA variance in this sample. Item-level sensitivity checks further suggest that portion estimation and nutrition knowledge should be interpreted as distinct cognition-related indicators rather than as a validated latent scale. Robustness checks across raw, log-transformed, winsorized, logistic, and quantile specifications indicate consistent positive associations for Physical Opportunity and consistent negative associations for cognition-related indicators. Because the design is cross-sectional, these findings identify associations rather than causal effects; physical-environment redesign and cognitive-capacity support should therefore be treated as candidate directions for future intervention testing rather than as confirmed intervention effects. By linking objectively measured plate waste to institutional dining conditions, the study contributes to sustainability research on responsible consumption, resource efficiency, low-carbon campus operations, and practical pathways for reducing avoidable food-related environmental burdens in university settings. Full article

Although one of the most common coping strategies for medical students is seeking interpersonal support, evidence shows that they often experience social isolation and low levels of emotional support and belonging, putting them at risk for increased stress and depression. In this exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis, we completed a comprehensive literature search including multiple databases to identify interventions used to increase belonging-oriented psychosocial outcomes among medical students. N = 5 articles (k = 7) were eligible for inclusion. Meta-analysis with the random effects model suggests that belonging-oriented psychosocial interventions may have a small, positive effect on improving feelings of belonging, g = 0.25, 95% CI [0.01–0.50], 95% PI [−0.52–1.02], p = 0.045. However, heterogeneity was substantial (Q = 9.92, p of Q = 0.04, I² = 59.69%, T = 0.21, T² = 0.04), and risk of bias was substantial. Subgroup analysis was precluded by the low number of primary studies. Further investigation into belonging-oriented psychosocial support among medical students would be beneficial to determine if these interventions are effective, and if so, ideal intervention types, modalities, facilitators, and durations. Full article

Background: The pivotal role of caregivers in HIV care for older people living with HIV (PLWH) stands in stark contrast to the scarcity of research on their experiences, particularly regarding affiliate stigma. Older PLWH face a unique intersection of HIV-related stigma and ageism, which may place their family caregivers at heightened risk of affiliate stigma. However, the manifestations, sources, and coping strategies related to this stigma remain poorly understood. Methods: The descriptive phenomenological study was conducted between May and June 2025 at an HIV care clinic of a tertiary hospital in Sichuan Province, China. Using purposive sampling, fifteen caregivers of elderly individuals living with HIV were recruited. Data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Results: Four overarching themes and eleven sub-themes were extracted: (1) sources of affiliate stigma—‘Inadequate knowledge of HIV transmission routes’, ‘Ageism’, and ‘Infidelity stigma’; (2) experiences of affiliate stigma—‘Stigma endorsement’, ‘Concealment of a family member’s HIV-positive status’ and ‘Psychological distress’; (3) consequences of affiliate stigma—‘Estrangement among family members’, ‘Substantial caregiver burden’ and ‘Social avoidance’; and (4) coping with affiliate stigma—‘Enhancing knowledge of HIV/AIDS’ and ‘Seeking social support’. Conclusion: This study investigates affiliate stigma among caregivers of older people with HIV. Healthcare providers should recognize this stigma and its negative effects. Effective interventions must be developed to alleviate this burden, thereby improving the welfare of both caregivers and patients. Full article

Underground heritage represents a hidden urban resource for cultural regeneration and sustainable tourism, preserving historical layers, wartime memory, and local identity. Positioning the shelters as a form of Underground Built Heritage (UBH), this study examines how concealed civil-defense spaces can be reinterpreted as local cultural heritage resources before systematic reuse. However, enclosed and unfamiliar spaces are often perceived as risky, making adaptive reuse socially sensitive. This study investigates Jingdezhen’s underground air-raid shelters through a scenario-based survey and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Using an extended Value-Attitude-Behavior (VAB) framework incorporating perceived authenticity, anticipated affective identification, safety assurance, and perceived risk, this study identifies factors influencing pre-development public acceptance. Results show that public acceptance is shaped by cognitive evaluation of value and anticipated affective identification, while perceived risk constrains behavioral intentions. Perceived authenticity enhances value perception and anticipated affective identification; perceived value strengthens attitudes; safety assurance shows a small but statistically significant negative association with perceived risk, although most variance in perceived risk remains unexplained; and an exploratory moderation analysis further suggested that perceived risk may weaken the attitude–visit intention relationship. Although the estimated model showed a relatively high SRMR, the results are interpreted as prediction-oriented ex ante evidence rather than as a covariance-based model with strong global fit. These findings provide prediction-oriented ex ante evidence for the sustainable reuse of underground heritage, supporting heritage interpretation, risk management, and urban regeneration aligned with SDG 11. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mental health problems among university students represent a growing public health concern and are shaped by both psychological and socioeconomic determinants that may act independently and interactively. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the separate and combined effects of these determinants on depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological distress in higher education students. Methods: A structured and targeted search strategy using predefined keyword groups and Boolean combinations across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar identified 99 records, of which 19 duplicates were removed. After screening 80 titles and 52 abstracts, 34 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 30 studies were ultimately included in the final review. Data were extracted on study characteristics, mental health outcomes, psychological determinants, socioeconomic factors, and their interactions. Results: The included studies consistently showed that psychological factors, including resilience, coping strategies, loneliness, self-efficacy, and perceived control, were associated with mental health outcomes, with higher resilience and self-efficacy linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety, and maladaptive coping and loneliness associated with increased psychological distress. Socioeconomic determinants, including financial stress, low socioeconomic status, parental education, housing insecurity, and food insecurity also independently contributed to elevated risks of depression, anxiety, and stress. Importantly, several studies demonstrated an interaction between these domains, where socioeconomic disadvantage amplified the adverse effects of poor coping capacity, low resilience, and social isolation, whereas social support and adaptive coping mitigated these effects. Conclusions: Student mental health is influenced by both distinct and interacting psychological and socioeconomic mechanisms, emphasizing the need for integrated institutional strategies that address structural vulnerabilities alongside individual psychological resilience. Full article

Talus slopes and scree deposits connect rockwall sediment supply, gravitational transport, footslope storage, hydrothermal conditions, and mountain hazards, yet their literature is distributed across several disciplines. This study develops a manually refined bibliometric dataset to clarify the knowledge structure and thematic evolution of talus slope geomorphology. We retrieved 971 records from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, including the Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) databases, manually screened their geomorphic relevance, excluded records from the incomplete publication year 2026, and analyzed 548 articles and reviews published during 1966–2025. Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny analyses show sustained publication growth, especially after 2006, and an intellectual base combining slope-process geomorphology, paraglacial and periglacial research, geophysical investigation, and hazard studies. Standardized Author Keywords indicate increasing attention to permafrost environment, subsurface detection, multi-source monitoring, and slope hazards. These indexed patterns support a synthesis of talus slopes as dynamic source-transport-storage systems, while the WoS-only coverage and manual refinement steps define the study’s evidential limits. Full article

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exposed millions of individuals to traumatic experiences, displaced them under temporary protection, and caused psychological distress. This exploratory study examined resilience, emotional experiences, and psychosocial profiles among displaced and non-displaced Ukrainian women affected by the war. A total of 249 adult women participated, including 122 displaced women under temporary protection residing in Spain and 127 women living in Ukraine. Participants completed the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE). Group comparisons and cluster analyses were conducted to identify distinct psychosocial patterns. Displaced women showed slightly higher resilience scores than non-displaced women, although differences were not statistically significant. Non-displaced women reported significantly higher levels of both positive and negative emotional experiences, suggesting greater emotional intensity among those remaining in Ukraine. Cluster analyses identified three psychosocial profiles: an adaptive profile characterized by high positive affect, low negative affect, stronger social support, and higher resilience; a vulnerable profile marked by low social support, elevated negative affect, and lower resilience; and an intermediate profile showing high negative affect despite moderate-to-high social support. Although displaced women under temporary protection were more represented in the vulnerable profile, this association was not statistically significant. The findings highlight the heterogeneity of psychological adaptation during war and displacement and emphasize the protective role of resilience and social support. Full article