Neuroinclusive workplaces and biophilic design: Strategies for promoting occupational health and sustainability in smart cities

This study aims to investigate the impact of biophilic design on occupational health and productivity, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of diverse populations, including the neurodiverse, during the post-pandemic return to work. With an estimated 15 – 20% of the global population considered neurodiverse, it is crucial to understand and accommodate their specific needs, such as those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum condition, and learning disabilities. These individuals face increased occupational stress, necessitating the development of targeted strategies. The renewed interest in sustainability and employee well-being has led to a resurgence of biophilic design in the workplace. Grounded in the concept that humans possess an inherent inclination to affiliate with nature, the biophilic design integrates natural elements and art into the built environment. This integration has been found to reduce activity in the amygdala, promoting stress recovery, prolonged attention, and increased productivity among employees. To effectively acclimate neurodiverse individuals in the work environment, biophilic design should be complemented using extended reality (XR) technology supported by artificial intelligence. Virtual reality, in particular, has been shown to facilitate individuals’ comfort in new workspaces, aid in self-assessments through biofeedback, and enable the adjustment of surroundings for self-regulation. Furthermore, biophilic design has the potential to promote sustainability in smart cities by integrating natural elements into the built environment. This integration helps reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and enhances energy efficiency. By creating workplaces that prioritize biophilic design principles, organizations can contribute to a more inclusive, sustainable, and productive work environment

Enhancing Workplace Neuro Health and Productivity: The Synergy of Wearable Technology with Biophilic and Oxygenation Strategies

In the contemporary workplace, where a staggering 62% of employees reported experiencing burnout in 2023 according to a Medium article, the integration of wearable technology with biophilic and oxygenation strategies emerges as a vital Neurohemal initiative. This approach is particularly relevant for supporting neurodivergent individuals, as well as those recovering from stroke and long-COVID, in the context of return-to-office mandates. The article underscores the significance of research on increased hydrostatic pressure in circulation, particularly its impact on spinal and spinal cord blood flow during water immersion. This insight lays the groundwork for innovations like non-wet water massage devices, which could significantly aid in neurological recovery, thereby facilitating smoother reintegration into the workplace. Moreover, the fusion of biometrics with medical technology in wearables is explored, with a focus on enhancing interoception and proprioception. This technological synergy is key in activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), inducing a relaxed state conducive to effective digestion and oxygenation, crucial in mitigating workplace stress. The concept of ‘Interoceptive in Water’ is examined for its potential to improve blood flow and overall bodily function. In addition, the article advocates for the introduction of oxygenation bars in office spaces. These bars would offer a dedicated environment for enhanced oxygen intake, vital for cognitive function and stress alleviation, benefitting neurodivergent individuals, stroke survivors, and long-COVID patients. Wearables capable of detecting and correcting low oxygen or circulation issues are highlighted as essential tools for fostering a more inclusive, productive, and healthier workplace, thereby contributing to the overarching goal of NeuroHealth in the professional sphere

Museums and the Metaverse: Emerging Technologies to Promote Inclusivity and Engagement

Over the past two decades, museums have increasingly sought to build connections with the community and increase inclusivity of visitors. At the same time, emerging technologies, such as extended reality (XR) and virtual museums (VM) are increasingly adopted to engage with different generational expectations but also for the purposes of supporting inclusivity and neurodiverse populations. First such technologies were adopted to augment exhibitions in the physical museum space for edutainment. Since then, XR has expanded from room-size environments (CAVEs) and augmented exhibitions to the creation of entire virtual museums, such as The Museum of Pure Form and The Virtual Museum of Sculpture. Digital twins of museums are increasingly common, along with UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Such virtual experiences can be leveraged to prepare neurodiverse visitors prior to visiting a museum. This chapter will outline how existing approaches to social stories and sensory maps may be combined with XR experiences to support neurodiverse visitors and their families. While onsite, immersive technologies can be used both for engagement and to provide accommodations for greater inclusivity and diversity

Autism in Females: Understanding the Overlooked Diagnoses, Unique Challenges, and Recommendations

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects individuals of both sexes. However, females with ASC frequently remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to a range of factors, including gender bias in the medical profession, societal expectations, and a lack of knowledge about the unique challenges they face. For instance, the gendered subset of the population often struggles with social interaction and communication, relying more on analytical thinking, which can lead to difficulty in generating acceptable responses and behaviors. At the same time, females are more adept at masking their innate behaviors associated with the condition and hyper-focus on intense, immediate friendships. Compared to males, females with may also present with fewer repetitive and ritualistic behaviors and internalize emotions such as anxiety and depression, thus leading to a higher risk of suicide. Diagnosis inequality with males may be due to overshadowing by co-existing conditions, gender bias, and a lack of understanding of female-associated interests. Strategies for supporting females with the condition include providing concrete and visual information, offering incremental steps to structure transitions, understanding their aversion to change, offering guided choice options, and using social stories and factual evidence to help work through fears. Increasing awareness of the unique challenges faced by females with autism is crucial in improving support and understanding for them. Further research and training for clinicians and supportive resource materials for families and the wider community are necessary to reduce the impact of ASC on females and improve their quality of life

Impact of Heart Rate Intensity on Shooting Accuracy during Games in NCAA Division I Women Basketball Players

Shooting accuracy in basketball is key to winning games. While there are various factors as to why a team either makes or misses their shots, the intensity of play is likely a contributing factor. A player who has played the majority of the game would likely have a higher, more intense heart rate (HR). Depending on the athlete, this could impact shooting accuracy. Examining the relationship between HR intensity and shooting accuracy has not been looked at in a real game setting before. Therefore, we set out to determine the impact heart rate intensity has on shooting accuracy in a game setting. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of heart rate intensity on shooting accuracy in a game setting in NCAA Division I female basketball players. Methods: We examined the team stats for shooting accuracy from overall attempts, three point attempts, and free throws during five games. During games players wore HR monitors that transmitted to a mobile app that displayed their HR in real time. Every time a shot was attempted, we recorded what kind of shot, where on the floor it came from, whether it was made or missed, and the HR zone that the athlete was at when it took place. The HR zones that were compared were 1) 70-80% HR max, 2) 80-90% HR max, and 3) 90-100% HR max. These data were input into a spreadsheet to calculate the average team shooting percentage across these three HR zones for overall shooting, free throws, and 3-pointers. Results: As indicated in the table, the team shooting percentage was highest for all types of shooting when players were at the lowest HR intensity. Shooting accuracy declined at higher HR intensities

Enhancing Proprioception and Regulating Cognitive Load in Neurodiverse Populations through Biometric Monitoring with Wearable Technologies

This paper considers the realm of wearable technologies and their prospective applications for individuals with neurodivergent conditions, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). The study undertakes a multifaceted analysis that encompasses biomarker sensing technologies, AI-driven biofeedback mechanisms, and haptic devices, focusing on their implications for enhancing proprioception and social interaction among neurodivergent populations. While wearables offer a range of opportunities for societal advancement, a discernable gap remains: a scarcity of consumer-oriented applications tailored to the unique physiological and psychological needs of these individuals. Key takeaways underscore the emergent promise of tailored auditory stimuli in workplace dynamics and the efficacy of haptic feedback in sensory substitution. The investigation concludes with an urgent call for multidisciplinary research aimed at the development of specific consumer applications, rigorous empirical validation, and an ethical framework encompassing data privacy and user consent. As the pervasiveness of technology in daily life continues to expand, the article posits that there is an imperative for future research to shift from generalized solutions to individualized applications, thereby ensuring that the spectrum of wearable technology truly accommodates the full scope of human neurodiversity

Comparison of Heart Rate Intensity in Practice, Conditioning, and Games in NCAA Division I Women Basketball Players

Background: An athlete’s heart rate (HR) is an important variable in quantifying the intensity of exercise. Workouts that increase HR are an important stimulus for training adaptations and conditioning. At other times, workouts that do not overly stress the HR may be desired to allow for recovery. The principle of specificity emphasizes that athletes should train specific to the way they will need to perform in competition. Because of this, monitoring HR during training and competition can be a useful tool. While exercise intensity in endurance sports has been previously investigated, less is known regarding the HR response in team sports, particularly women’s basketball. Purpose: Compare the average HR response to basketball training and competition in: 1) open gym 5 on 5 scrimmage, 2) an actual basketball game against a different opponent, and 3) conditioning session. Methods: We had an NCAA Division I women’s basketball team wear heart rate monitors for open gym scrimmages, actual games, and conditioning practices. For the open gym sessions, the team scrimmaged against each other 5v5 for ~90 minutes and the average HR over 4 open gym sessions was determined. For the actual games against other opponents, the average HR response for the team was averaged over 3 games. The conditioning sessions consisted of repeated, intermittent short sprint efforts over the course of 30-60 minutes, and the average HR over 7 conditioning sessions was calculated. The data that was collected was added to a spreadsheet where we used it to find the team’s average for both the scrimmages, games, and conditioning. Results: During open gym scrimmages and conditioning sessions the women had a higher heart rate average as a whole team compared to the games. The games had the lowest HR out of all three conditions that were collected

Integrating art and AI: Evaluating the educational impact of AI tools in digital art history learning

This study delves into the burgeoning intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and art history education, an area that has been relatively unexplored. The research focuses on how AI art generators impact learning outcomes in art history for both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Ancient Art courses, covering eras from ancient Mesopotamia to the fall of Rome. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes AI-generated artworks, reflective essays, and survey responses to assess how these generative tools influence students’ comprehension, engagement, and creative interpretation of historical artworks. The study reveals that the use of AI tools in art history not only enhances students’ understanding of artistic concepts but also fosters a deeper, more nuanced appreciation of art from the periods studied. The findings indicate that engaging with AI tools promotes critical thinking and creativity, which are crucial competencies in the study of art history. Survey data further suggest that the integration of AI in art history positively influences students’ perceptions of the discipline, aligning well with contemporary digital trends. One of the significant outcomes of the study is the varied experiences of students with AI tools. While some faced challenges with the technology, particularly in accurately capturing complex artwork details and crafting effective prompts, others found success in using AI to generate detailed and creative interpretations of historical pieces. These experiences underscore the potential of AI as a valuable pedagogical tool in art history and humanities education, offering novel insights into teaching methodologies

Renaissance Proportion Theory and Cosmology: Giovanni Paolo Gallucci’s Della Simmetria and Dürerian Neoplatonism

In 1591 Giovan Paolo Gallucci (1538-1621) published his Della simmetria def carpi humani (FIG. I), an Italian translation of the Four Books on Human Proportion, or Proportionslehre (1528), by Albrecht Durer (1471-1528).1 Though passed over in modem scholarship, and not as well-known as other publications from the last two decades of the Cinquecento, the encyclopedic treatment on human proportion theory in the new edition was widely read by artists and writers on art. A. Blunt demonstrated that Nicholas Poussin (1594-1665) made extensive use of Chapter LVII in the Libra quinto of Gallucci \u27s publication in his Osservazioni sopra la pittura printed by Giovan Pietro Bellori (1613-1696) in his Life of the artist. More recently, it has been cited that there was also an extensive reutilization oftl1e chapter, noted in a section on physiognomy in Vincenzo Carducho\u27s (ca.1578-1638) Dialogos de la pintura (1633). While Durer\u27s proportion studies had been translated into French (1557) and Latin (1532), the Italian version (reprinted in 1594) greatly expanded the artistic discourse and availability of information on human anatomy in Italy and remained the version most often cited in later treatises

Book Review: Peripheries and Center: Constitutional Development in the Extended Polities of the British Empire and the United States 1607-1788. by Jack P. Greene.

Book review: Peripheries and Center: Constitutional Development in the Extended Polities of the British Empire and the United States 1607-1788. By Jack P. Greene. Athens, Ga.: The University Press of Georgia. 1986. Pp. x, 274. Reviewed by: James Hutson