Search Results (20)

This study focuses on the mechanisms of behavior and cognition, providing a comprehensive analysis of the innovative path of multimodal learning theory in the teaching practice of the “Web Front-end Development” course. This study integrates different sensory modes, such as vision, hearing, and haptic feedback, with the core objective of exploring the specific impact of this multi-sensory integration form on students’ cognitive engagement status, classroom interaction styles, and long-term learning behavior. We employed a mixed-methods approach in this study. On the one hand, we conducted a quasi-experiment involving 120 undergraduate students. On the other hand, research methods such as behavioral coding, in-depth interviews, and longitudinal tracking were also employed. Results show that multimodal teaching significantly reduces cognitive load (a 34.9% reduction measured by NASA-TLX), increases the frequency of collaborative interactions (2.3 times per class), and extends voluntary practice time (8.5 h per week). Mechanistically, these effects are mediated by enhanced embodied cognition (strengthening motor-sensory memory), optimized cognitive load distribution (reducing extraneous mental effort), and the fulfillment of intrinsic motivational needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) as framed by self-determination theory. This study fills in the gap between educational technology and behavioral science. We have developed a comprehensive framework that provides practical guidance for designing technology-enhanced learning environments. With such a framework, learners can not only master technical skills more smoothly but also maintain their enthusiasm for learning for a long time and continue to participate. Full article

People’s perceptions of architectural spaces are shaped by multiple senses, including vision and hearing. While vision has received extensive attention, hearing is often overlooked in architectural design, with a primary focus on sound insulation and noise reduction rather than on using acoustics to enhance spatial experience. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of acoustic environments on two key spatial perceptions: Spaciousness and transparency. Two laboratory experiments were conducted with 60 participants. Thirty subjects evaluated 96 audiovisual stimuli for perceived spaciousness, and another 30 subjects assessed 128 audiovisual stimuli for perceived transparency. The results indicate that sound type significantly affects perceived spaciousness, while sound type and sound pressure level (SPL) significantly influence perceived transparency. Reverberation time (RT, T60) had no effect on either spatial perception. Interaction analysis further revealed that sound type affects transparency across different space sizes and window proportions, while SPL only influences small spaces and standard window proportions, with transparency decreasing as SPL increases. Mediation analysis showed that the effects of sound type on both spaciousness and transparency are partially mediated by subjective spatial perceptions, such as building environment preference and alignment with the outdoor environment. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating acoustic considerations into architectural design, which can enhance spatial experiences and provide valuable insights for future design practices. Full article

Humans are a curious mix of biology and culture, and one interaction area between these two that has recently come into focus is located in the senses, our biological apparatus to connect with the world. In this essay, I address the variation in appreciation of the senses in various cultures, both historical and contemporaneous, in order to explore the extent to which culture steers not only our observations, but also our appreciation of the epistemological weight of those senses. I concentrate on three senses—vision, hearing, and smell—and show how the relative weight attributed to each of them shifts in different cultures or historical periods. Using data from anthropology, history, literature, psychology, and linguistics, I argue that vision, sound, and smell occupy different positions in various cultures, and that our sensory balance shifts with culture. Thus, our present epistemological dominance of sight over all other senses is neither a biological given nor a cultural necessity. Full article

Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) have excellent perception of water disturbances and can still sense targets as far as 180 m away, even when they lose their vision and hearing. This exceptional capability is attributed to the undulating structure of its vibrissae. These specialized whiskers not only effectively suppress vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) during locomotion but also amplify the vortex street signals generated by the wake of a target, thereby enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In recent years, researchers in fluid mechanics, bionics, and sensory biology have focused on analyzing the hydrodynamic characteristics of seal vibrissae. Based on bionic principles, various underwater biomimetic seal whisker sensors have been developed that mimic this unique geometry. This review comprehensively discusses research on the hydrodynamic properties of seal whiskers, the construction of three-dimensional geometric models, the theoretical foundations of fluid–structure interactions, the advantages and engineering applications of seal whisker structures in suppressing VIVs, and the design of sensors inspired by bionic principles. Full article

Part of the vision of the ISNS is ‘to enhance the quality of neonatal screening and medical services through dissemination of information, guidelines and best practices.’ Although newborn screening encompasses testing in the newborn period for critical congenital heart disease, hearing impairment, birth defects, and congenital biochemical disorders (usually on bloodspots), this guideline is specifically about bloodspot screening. The ISNS has provided neonatal screening guidelines for many years and here presents the renewed 2025 General Guidelines for Neonatal Bloodspot Screening. They are intended to provide a framework for screening programs to develop specific policies around all aspects of the newborn screening system, offering the basic set of items for consideration. These guidelines provide trusted anchors to build, expand, or maintain robustly organized neonatal or newborn screening (NBS) programs and a checklist to evaluate and improve the essential elements of those programs. For starting or developing programs, it is a set of elements for which provisions need to be in place and a checklist of items that the screening program should at a minimum have provisions for. The publication of these guidelines is meant as a starting point for interactive discussion, to further improve this document and expand where necessary. Full article

Mutations in the pathogenic gene CDH23 are known to cause Usher syndrome, affecting both auditory and visual functions. Our previous results provided valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying congenital hearing loss associated with CDH23 mutations. However, the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that influence vision remain largely unknown. In this study, transcriptional sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were conducted to compare gene expression between the control and cdh23^−/−. Additionally, RT-qPCR experiments were performed to further validate the bioinformatics analysis results. The comparative transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes associated with photoreceptor degeneration and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Embryos were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to assess their histological changes. The results showed that the cdh23^−/− retina was morphologically indistinguishable from the control. Apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL staining, which revealed an increase in total cell death in the cdh23^−/− retina. Our results revealed that the cell death was induced by Ca²⁺ and MAPK signaling interactions following photoreceptor degeneration. This study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the role of cdh23 in vision. Full article

The environmental quality of rail transit spaces has increasingly attracted attention, as factors such as train noise and visual disturbances from elevated lines can impact pedestrians’ psychological perception through the audiovisual environment in these spaces. This study first collects audiovisual materials from rail transit spaces and pedestrian perception data through on-site surveys, measurements, VR environment simulations, and custom Deep Learning (DL) models. Using cluster analysis, the environments are categorized based on visual and auditory perceptions and evaluations of rail transit stations, delineating and classifying the spaces into different zones. The study further explores the interactive effects of audiovisual environmental factors on psychological perception within these zones. The results indicate that, based on audiovisual perception, the space within 300 m of a rail transit station can be divided into three zones and four distinct types of audiovisual perception spaces. The effect of the type of auditory environment on visual indicators was smaller than the effect of the visual environment on auditory indicators, and the category of vision had the greatest effect on the subjective indicators of hearing within Zones 1 and 2. This study not only provides a scientific basis for improving the environmental quality of rail transit station areas but also offers new perspectives and practical approaches for urban transportation planning and design. Full article

Background: Usher syndrome (USH), the most common cause of combined deaf-blindness, is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous disorder characterized by congenital hearing impairment and progressive vision loss due to rod-cone dystrophy. Although the original classification in three subtypes (USH I, USH II, and USH III) is still valid, recent findings have changed and widened perspectives in its classification, genotype–phenotype correlations, and management strategies: Objective: This study aims to provide new insights into the classification of Usher syndrome, explore the genotype-phenotype correlations, and review current and emerging management strategies. Methods: A comprehensive literature review has been conducted, incorporating data from clinical studies, genetic databases, and patient registries. Results: Recent studies have led to the identification of several novel pathogenic variants in the USH genes, leading to refined subclassifications of Usher syndrome. Interactions between different genes being part of the network of this ciliopathy have been investigated and new mechanisms unveiled. Significant correlations were found between certain genotypes and the presentation of both auditory and visual phenotypes. For instance, pathogenic variants in the MYO7A gene (USH1B) were generally associated with more severe hearing impairment and earlier onset of retinal dystrophy, if compared to other USH genes-related forms. Other genes, such as USH1G, traditionally considered as causing a specific subtype, can display phenotypic heterogeneity in some patients. Conclusions: This review provides insights into a better understanding of Usher syndrome that considers recent findings regarding its genetic causes and clinical features. Precise genotype–phenotype correlations can lead to better genetic counselling, more precise characterization of the natural history of the condition, and a personalized and effective management approach. Recent progress has been made in research into gene-specific therapies that appear promising for improving the quality of life for individuals affected by Usher syndrome. Full article

Robots can be equipped with a range of senses to allow them to perceive and interact with the world in a more natural and intuitive way. These senses can include vision, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Vision allows the robot to see and recognize objects and navigate its environment. Hearing enables the robot to recognize sounds and respond to vocal commands. Touch allows the robot to perceive information about the texture, shape, and temperature of objects through the sense of touch. Smell enables the robot to recognize and classify different odors. Taste enables the robot to identify the chemical composition of materials. The specific senses used in a robot will depend on the needs of the application, and many robots use a combination of different senses to perceive and interact with the environment. This paper reviews the five senses used in robots, their types, how they work, and other related information, while also discussing the possibility of a Sixth Sense. Full article

Background: The vitality domain of intrinsic capacity (IC) represents the synthesis of biological interactions and metabolism. As part of the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) program developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), vitality focuses on the nutritional status of older adults. The objective of this work was to describe the vitality domain of IC in community-dwelling older people and to examine the associations of the vitality components (appetite loss and weight loss) with the other IC domains assessed within the framework of ICOPE. Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained between January 2020 and February 2022 through the INSPIRE-ICOPE-Care program, a real-life ICOPE implementation initiative developed in the Occitania region of France. Participants were men and women aged 60 and older, looking for primary care services within the French healthcare system. Results: Appetite loss was reported by 14.0% (2013) of the participants, and weight loss by 12.4% (1788). A total of 863 participants (6.01%) declaring weight loss also suffered from appetite loss. In total, 2910 participants (20.27%) screened positive for the domain of vitality. Appetite loss was significantly associated with positive screenings for the domains of cognition (OR = 2.14 [1.84;2.48]), vision (OR = 1.51 [1.28;1.79]), hearing (OR = 1.18 [1.01;1.37]), psychology (OR = 3.95 [3.46;4.52]), and locomotion ‘OR = 2.19 [1.91;2.51]). We found significant associations of weight loss with the IC domains of cognition (OR = 1.65 [1.42;1.93]), psychology (OR = 1.80 [1.56;2.07]), locomotion (OR = 1.64 [1.41;1.91]), vision (OR = 1.24 [1.04;1.47]), and hearing (OR = 1.32 [1.12;1.55]). People reporting simultaneous appetite and weight loss showed higher odds of screening positive for psychological (OR = 5.33 [4.53;6.27]) and locomotion impairments (OR = 3.38 [2.88;3.98]). Conclusions: Appetite and weight loss are common among older people and are related to other potential IC impairments, especially psychological and locomotion. Further studies are needed to explore the longitudinal associations of vitality with the incidence of clinically meaningful declines in the other IC domains. Full article

Haptic devices transmit information to the user, using tactile stimuli to augment or replace sensory input. People with limited sensory abilities, such as vision or hearing can receive supplementary information by relying on them. This review analyses recent developments in haptic devices for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals by extracting the most relevant information from each of the selected papers. The process of finding relevant literature is detailed using the PRISMA guidelines for literature reviews. In this review, the devices are categorized to better understand the review topic. The categorization results have highlighted several areas of future research into haptic devices for hearing-impaired users. We believe this review may be useful to researchers interested in haptic devices, assistive technologies, and human–computer interaction. Full article

This study examined the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults in central Vietnam and the roles of communication (with or without communication devices) in the association between cognitive impairment and hearing loss. This cross-sectional study was performed on 725 randomly selected community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years from Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. Participants attended a face-to-face survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, social interaction with or without communication devices, health status and cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination were reported. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to quantify the association between hearing loss and cognitive function by frequency of communication with and without devices. Mild and severe cognitive impairment had prevalence rates of 23.6% and 19.3%, respectively. Cognitive impairment was more prevalent among older adults with hearing-loss, vision loss and difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment was not significant when older adults had frequent communication with others using devices. This study presented the relatively high prevalence of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Vietnam. Frequent communication using devices attenuated the association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment. Full article

Endocannabinoid signaling depends upon the CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and intracellular proteins that mediate responses via the C-terminal and other intracellular receptor domains. The CB₁ receptor regulates and is regulated by associated G proteins predominantly of the Gi/o subtypes, β-arrestins 1 and 2, and the cannabinoid receptor-interacting protein 1a (CRIP1a). Evidence for a physiological role for CRIP1a is emerging as data regarding the cellular localization and function of CRIP1a are generated. Here we summarize the neuronal distribution and role of CRIP1a in endocannabinoid signaling, as well as discuss investigations linking CRIP1a to development, vision and hearing sensory systems, hippocampus and seizure regulation, and psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. We also examine the genetic and epigenetic association of CRIP1a within a variety of cancer subtypes. This review provides evidence upon which to base future investigations on the function of CRIP1a in health and disease. Full article

Sign language was designed to allow hearing-impaired people to interact with others. Nonetheless, knowledge of sign language is uncommon in society, which leads to a communication barrier with the hearing-impaired community. Many studies of sign language recognition utilizing computer vision (CV) have been conducted worldwide to reduce such barriers. However, this approach is restricted by the visual angle and highly affected by environmental factors. In addition, CV usually involves the use of machine learning, which requires collaboration of a team of experts and utilization of high-cost hardware utilities; this increases the application cost in real-world situations. Thus, this study aims to design and implement a smart wearable American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation system using deep learning, which applies sensor fusion that “fuses” six inertial measurement units (IMUs). The IMUs are attached to all fingertips and the back of the hand to recognize sign language gestures; thus, the proposed method is not restricted by the field of view. The study reveals that this model achieves an average recognition rate of 99.81% for dynamic ASL gestures. Moreover, the proposed ASL recognition system can be further integrated with ICT and IoT technology to provide a feasible solution to assist hearing-impaired people in communicating with others and improve their quality of life. Full article

Elders in rural areas of developing countries are particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment and gender disparities are notable. Yet, evidence related to gender differences in cognitive impairment in these settings is scarce. This study examined gender differences in cognitive impairment among elderly people aged 65 and above in rural China. A multi-site cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 550 males and 700 females were recruited. The Chinese version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination was applied for cognitive impairment screening. Demographic information, lifestyle factors, psychosocial factors, and health-related information were assessed. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 40.0%in males and 45.1% in females, respectively. Females showed significant higher prevalence after age 75 (62.7% vs. 45.4%, p < 0.005). Older age, hearing impairment, and activities of daily living dependence were common factors associated with cognitive impairment in both females and males. For males, living in a neighborhood with poor social interactions and diabetes were risk factors, while tea consumption was a protective factor. For females, vision impairment and illiteracy were additional risk factors. Individualized interventions and standardized measurements of cognitive function should be developed to suit older populations living in rural and less-developed areas, through collective efforts involving all stakeholders and multidisciplinary teamwork. Full article