A multimodal approach to investigate cognitive and neural mechanisms of construction hazard recognition : the roles of attention, situation awareness, and experience.

The construction industry is hazardous due to its high-risk nature, with many fatalities attributed to the failure of hazard recognition. A review of existing research in the construction reveals the following limitations: (1) Limited understanding of hazard recognition in dynamic environments, (2) Insufficient consideration of the combined impact on situation awareness (SA) transition and hazard recognition, (3) Subjective and static SA measurement methods, (4) Lack of consideration of temporal SA transitions, (5) Insufficient integration with cognitive psychology and neuroscience, and (6) Limited understanding of the role of technologies in enhancing SA. The research aims to investigate how the experience and interplay between endogenous (top-down) and exogenous (bottom-up) factors affect SA transitions and hazard recognition in dynamic virtual construction environments. The objectives are to (1) Identify key cognitive factors underlying construction hazard recognition and the mechanisms by which digital technologies enhance SA. (2) Investigate the effects of the interplay between bottom-up attention (B-U) and top-down attention (T-D) on hazard recognition. (3) Examine the effects of augmented stimuli and safety goal setting on SA transition (from Level 1 to Level 3 SA) and hazard recognition. (4) Compare the differences in SA, path selection, and hazard recognition between novice and experienced workers under different conditions of augmented stimuli and safety goal settings. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a systematic review, scientometric analysis, and experiment. Systematic review and scientometric analysis were employed to identify cognitive factors that influence hazard recognition in dynamic virtual construction sites. The experiment employed innovative technologies such as Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR), eye tracking, electroencephalography (EEG), and event-related potentials (ERP) to examine how three key factors - B-U, T-D, and SA - affect hazard recognition in dynamic virtual construction sites. The research found that augmented stimuli and safety goal setting significantly improve B-U, T-D, SA transition, and hazard recognition. Moreover, experienced workers demonstrated a superior ability to recognize hazards, characterized by faster response times, increased fixation on hazardous objects, and heightened activity in brain regions associated with SA. This research makes significant contributions to both construction site safety practices and academic literature by shifting traditional safety management approaches towards human-centered ones. This paradigm shift has the potential to revolutionize how researchers, government agencies, construction companies, and industries prioritize worker safety. Specifically, by transitioning from rigid protocols and regulations to a deeper understanding of cognitive processes, this work introduces a worker-centric approach that leverages digital technology to enhance hazard recognition. Future research should focus on developing multimodal assessment tools that integrate various neurophysiological measures to understand SA transitions in real-time. Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying SA processing is crucial for developing targeted interventions. Techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging or magnetoencephalography can be employed to identify subcortical brain regions involved in SA transitions. Research should also investigate SA transitions in complex environments with high workload, time pressure, or uncertainty, to develop more effective safety protocols. It is highly recommended that a worker-centric approach be adopted in safety management practices, where safety protocols and training programs are tailored to meet the specific needs, abilities, and experiences of individual workers

Prediction of road blockages caused by rainfall-induced landslides

This paper develops and evaluates an approach to predict road blockages caused by rainfall induced landslides, using an indicator for landslide triggering (landslide probability, rainfall) and modelling landslide runout via the viewshed (area visible from the road). Based on the landslide inventory of 2023 ex-tropical Cyclone Gabrielle, the study investigates the prediction potential of this approach, focussing on the influence of different digital elevation model (DEM) resolutions. Findings suggest that coarser DEMs (20 or 25 m) slightly outperform finer resolutions (5 or 10 m), likely due to the other input variables presenting similar resolutions. While the viewshed approach effectively identifies larger road blockages, it fails to predict smaller blockages. Results also indicate a tendency to overestimate the extent of blockages, which can be addressed by evaluating landslide hazards at a road link scale (e.g. between intersections) rather than individual 100 m-segments. Uncertainties arise from using precipitation as a triggering variable as the precise time of landslide initiation is unknown, preventing the accurate calculation of the accumulated rainfall. Despite limitations and the need for further research, the viewshed approach presents a valuable tool for the prediction of road blockages during future rainfall events, providing critical information for emergency planning and mitigation efforts

On-chip non-contact mechanical cell stimulation - quantification of SKOV-3 alignment to suspended microstructures

Although the accumulation of random genetic mutations has been traditionally viewed as the main cause of cancer progression, altered mechanobiological profiles of the cells and microenvironment also play a major role as a mutation-independent element. To probe the latter, we have previously reported a microfluidic cell-culture platform with an integrated flexible actuator and its application for sequential cyclic compression of cancer cells. The platform is composed of a control microchannel in a top layer for introducing external pressure, and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane from which a monolithically-integrated actuator protrudes downwards into a cell-culture microchannel. When actuated, the integrated actuator, referred to as micro-piston, transfers the pressure from the control channel as a mechanical force to the cells underneath. When not actuated, the micro-piston remains suspended above cells, separated from the latter via a liquid-filled gap of ∼108 μm. Despite the lack of direct physical contact between the micro-piston and cells in the latter arrangement, we observed distinct alignment of SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells to the piston shape. To characterize this observation, micro-piston localization, shape, and size were adjusted and the directionality of a mono-layer of SKOV-3 cells relative to the suspended structure was probed. Cell alignment analysis was performed in a novel, label-free approach by measuring elongation angles of whole cell bodies with respect to micro-piston peripheries. Alignment of SKOV-3 cells to the structure outline was significant for circular, triangular and square micro-piston when compared to control areas without micro-piston on the same chip. The effect was present irrespective of whether cells were loaded with micro-pistons in static position (∼108 μm gap) or actively retracted using vacuum (>108 μm gap). Similar alignment was not observed for MCF7 cancer cells and MCF10A non-cancerous epithelial cells. The reported observation of directional movement and growth of SKOV-3 cells towards the region under micro pistons point towards a to-date unexplored mechanotactic behavior of these cells, warranting future investigations regarding the mechanisms involved and the role these may play in cance

Utilising black soldier fly fat as a sustainable ingredient in personal care products.

The sustainability of ingredients in personal care products is becoming an important issue as consumers become more concerned about the effect their products are having on the environment. BSF provides a viable solution to this problem as it can be farmed more sustainably, and they have an ability to efficiently reduce organic waste and convert it into valuable components. These components can be extracted via different methods with juicing providing the easiest up-scalability for fat that can be later used in personal care products compared to chemical and mechanical methods. It requires the least amount of processing time and produces a light-coloured fat with a high lauric acid content. This composition is similar to coconut and palm kernel oil making it ideal as an ingredient in products such as cleansers where it can help with skin conditions such as acne. This study found that the BSF could be easily incorporated into products with little effect on the performance. Additionally focus group and sensory study results show it is difficult for consumers to tell if it is in a product as it has little effect on the appearance which means they are more willing to accept it

Measuring the bidirectional spillover between study and family in non-parent and parent students.

There are an increasing number of students attending university that have dependents, but little is understood of their experiences and struggles that are inherent with child rearing and attending university at the same time. Using the conservation of resource theory model as a framework, this study focused on measuring both positive and negative spillover between family and study in both non-parent and parent audiology students. The parent group was further split into single parents and non-single parents. There were four spillover categories being assessed: Positive study to family spillover, positive family to study spillover, negative study to family spillover, and negative family to study spillover. Using a survey inspired by previous studies measuring negative and positive spillover, audiology students from programmes across the world were invited to participate. Participants who filled out the survey came from the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Results from student parents (n=52) and non-parent students (n=52) were analysed using ANOVAs to determine any significant differences between the two groups. Results showed that student parents experience more spillover in all four categories compared to the non-parent student group. There were no significant differences in experienced spillover between the single parent and non-single parent cohorts. In conclusion, audiology student parents experience more negative and positive study-family spillover in both directions than non-parent students. This indicates the need to better understand the variables relating to spillover between study and family and how to better support student parents in their university study

Enhancing Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) through personalised triggers in virtual reality.

This research investigates the effectiveness of personalised Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) triggers in enhancing users’ ASMR sensations within virtual reality (VR), addressing the central question: Do personalised triggers enhance ASMR sensations in VR? The study compares personalised and non-personalised triggers in a VR-based ASMR application across four dimensions: effectiveness, efficiency, duration, and subjective emotional responses. A mixed-methods approach with a primary focus on quantitative analysis was employed, supplemented by qualitative insights. Participants engaged with an immersive VR application featuring ASMR content and personalised elements. They completed an in-game task, followed by a self-report questionnaire to gather quantitative data, and participated in short semi-structured interviews to provide qualitative feedback. Quantitative results revealed that personalised triggers slightly improved ASMR tingling intensity, onset time, duration, and pleasantness, though enhancements were not necessarily significant. Qualitative results concurred with these findings, as participants preferred the personalised triggers due to its customised nature and calming properties. Distraction, absence of diversity in triggers, and minor design flaws were noted as well, pointing to areas for improvement. Other findings further revealed connections between emotional tendencies and ASMR responsiveness, i.e., the pre-experiment calmness level and the likelihood of musical frisson are positively correlated with ASMR tingling intensity. The study highlights the potential of personalisation in immersive ASMR applications through VR, demonstrating its tendency to enhance the overall ASMR experience while outlining a clear pathway for future optimisation

Credible displays and the transmission of conspiracy belief.

Conspiracy beliefs shape public trust, political movements, and influence real-world decisions. Existing research has focused on understanding how individual cognitive and demographic differences explain commitment to conspiracies. Relatively little attention has been paid to the processes by which conspiracy theories are transmitted between people. Credibility Enhancing Displays (CREDs) of belief commitment has been shown to play an important role in transmitting religious beliefs/behaviours and are proposed to provide a general mechanism for explaining why some belief concepts spread through populations while others do not. I conducted two studies testing whether CREDs explain conspiracy belief transmission. In the first study, I conduct a survey (N = 146) and find that childhood exposure to conspiracies strongly predicts commitment in later life, but no evidence that CREDs explain transmission beyond general childhood exposure. In the second study (N = 297) I experimentally test whether exposure to credibility enhancing and undermining signals affect people’s belief in a novel conspiracy. I find that exposure to CREDs or Credibility Undermining Displays (CRUDs) show no evidence of influencing people’s commitment to conspiracy beliefs beyond general exposure to the conspiracy. The findings suggest that general cognitive differences, rather than specific transmission mechanisms, drive individual willingness to endorse conspiracy beliefs

Save the Children: Youth Narratives and Historical Learning in Three Taiwanese Horror Video Games

This article examines the process of historical learning in video gaming and broadens the scope of Taiwanese game culture through an in-depth analysis of three horror video games: "Detention" (2017), "pagui" (2019), and "Halflight" (2020). It offers a comparative study of these games, focusing on their shared ‘save the children’ theme, which reimagines Taiwan’s traumatic past through nightmarish settings tied to the February 28 Incident and the White Terror. Additionally, the article explores how youth narratives shape and mobilise players through interactive digital gameplay. By blending historical memory with horror aesthetics, these meticulously crafted games serve as immersive portals, allowing players to engage with Taiwan’s past in a deeply interactive and affective manner

Advancing urban forest and ecosystem service assessment through the integration of remote sensing and i-Tree Eco: A systematic review

Urban forests support the health and well-being of billions of people living in cities globally. To better manage urban forests, it is crucial to assess their ecosystem services. This systematic review analyzes two established urban forest assessment approaches—i-Tree Eco and remote sensing—which have developed independently but hold significant potential for integration. The review, comprising the years 2008 to 2022, evaluates the current status of both methods in assessing urban forest structure and ecosystem services, highlighting opportunities for synergy. The literature shows that while both approaches primarily focus on regulatory services, remote sensing offers more versatile tools for assessing a broader range of ecosystem services beyond i-Tree's standardized scope. Remote sensing holds potential to enhance i-Tree Eco by providing structural and location-specific data at scale, albeit with varying accuracies. Studies have shown that LiDAR data reliably derives tree height and crown width, and that, in combination with multispectral and hyperspectral imagery, it enhances species identification. Additionally, mobile, and terrestrial laser scanners accurately estimate diameter at breast height. However, gaps remain in using remote sensing to assess crown characteristics like crown missing and dieback, which, though not critical, are useful for enhancing ecosystem service estimates in i-Tree Eco. Despite the potential of remote sensing to automate urban tree inventories, limited research has shown its successful integration with i-Tree Eco. Future research should standardize remote sensing techniques for assessing tree crown health. Additionally, further work is needed on quantifying differences between remote sensing and groundbased measurements, with the aim of evaluating uncertainty levels and understanding how these uncertainties impact the reliability and usefulness of data for policymaking and planning

Language, emotion, and a crisis : the expression of emotion in the post-disaster narratives of the Christchurch earthquakes.

Natural disasters are highly traumatic for those who experience them, and they can have an immense and often lasting emotional impact (Cox et al., 2008). Emotion has been studied in linguistics through its enactment in language, and this field of research has increased over the past decades. Despite this, the expression of emotion in post-disaster narratives is a largely unexplored field of research. This thesis investigates how emotion is expressed in narratives taken from the QuakeBox corpus (Walsh et al., 2013), recorded, following the Christchurch earthquakes, in 2012 and rerecorded in 2019. I take a mixed methods approach, combining computer-based emotion recognition software and discourse analytic techniques, to explore the expression of emotion at both a broad and narrow level. Two emotion recognition programs, Empath (Fast et al., 2016) and Speechbrain (Ravanelli et al., 2021), are employed to measure the levels of positive and negative emotion detected in a wide dataset of participants, which are investigated in relation to the gender and age of participants, and the temporal difference between the first and second QuakeBox recordings. In a second phase, a subset of these participants’ narratives was analysed qualitatively, exploring the co-construction of emotion and identity through a social constructionist lens and examining the societal Discourses present in the earthquake narratives. The findings highlight the relevance of gender in the expression of emotion. Female speakers have higher levels of positive emotion than non-female speakers in the findings of both emotion recognition programs, and there is a clear gendered difference in the construction of identity in the narratives, influencing the expression of emotion. The expression of emotion also appears to be mediated by New Zealand culture. Within this, a Discourse of the Christchurch earthquakes emerges, with motifs of luck, gratitude, and community, which reflects the values of the people of Christchurch at the time. Findings reinforced in both phases of the analysis also indicate differences between the lexical content and acoustic features in the emotion expressions, supporting previous research that argues that the expression of emotion, as a performative act, does not reflect the speaker’s inner state directly. This research adds a new dimension to (socio)linguistic research on emotion, as well as providing insight into how crisis survivors display emotion in their post-disaster narratives