Passive Observations Research Articles

Exploring Chinese and Korean American Teachers' Perceptions of Their Cultural Identity as Assets and Barriers.

The representation of Asian American teachers in schools is a unique asset in promoting diversity and advocating for social justice. However, they also face various barriers that negatively affect their work experiences. The diverse nature of the Asian American population is likely to yield different assets and barriers among teachers from different ethnic groups. To gain insight into how Chinese and Korean American teachers perceive their cultural identity in their teaching practices, we utilized a qualitative approach by conducting semi-structured interviews with nine teachers who identified as Chinese and/or Korean American in K-12 public schools in California. Findings based on thematic analyses of the interview data revealed several assets, including empathy and understanding towards minority groups, more exposure to diversity, increased representation, and shared language skills. However, there were also identified barriers, including internalized model minority beliefs, cultural expectations of being passive observers, internalized racism, an overemphasis on education, and a savior complex. Based on our findings, we provide practical suggestions for recruiting and retaining Chinese and Korean American teachers in schools.

Active production and passive observation of hand movements shift visual hand location

Which factors influence the perception of our hand location is a matter of current debate. Here, we test if sensorimotor processing contributes to the perception of hand location. We developed a novel visuomotor adaptation procedure to measure whether actively performing hand movements or passively observing them, influences visual perception of hand location. Participants had to point with a handheld controller to a briefly presented visual target. When they reached the remembered position of the target, the controller presented a tactile buzz. In adaptation trials, the tactile buzz was presented when the hand had not yet reached the target. Over the course of trials, participants adapted to the manipulation and pointed to a location between the visual target and the tactile buzz. We measured the perceived location of the hand by flashing a virtual pair of left and right hands before and after adaptation. Participants had to judge which hand they perceived closer to their body on the fronto-parallel plane. After adaptation, they judged the right hand, that corresponded to the hand used during adaptation, to be located further away from the body. We conclude that sensorimotor prediction of the consequences of hand movements shape sensory processing of hand location.

Analisis kesulitan pemecahan masalah matematika berdasarkan teori Polya pada peserta didik kelas IV sekolah dasar

<p>This reseacrh aims at explaining and describing the difficulty of mathematics problem solving based on Polya theory to the 4<sup>th</sup> grade students of elementary school. This research is a qualitative descriptive research with a case study approach. Sampling was done with research subjects. Data collection was carried out using passive participatory observation techniques, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies. The technique to test validity data is using method triangulation and source triangulation. Data analysis uses the Creswell model technique The results of this study are the difficulties that occur in students in solving problems including: (1) understanding the concept of flat shapes when changed into word problems; (2) writing information that is known and asked about; (3) misconceptions about story problems; (4) determining the solution to the problem to be used; (5) problem-solving plans are not by the questions; (6) description of how to do things that are not systematic; (7) writing methods that do not use known, asked, answered, and conclusions; (8) completeness of problem-solving answers; (9) writing units of length and conclusions; (10) attention to the little things in detail that lead to errors.</p>

Recreational beneficiaries and their landscape dependencies across national estuary program sites: Tillamook Bay (OR) and Tampa Bay (FL), USA

ABSTRACT This study aims to characterize the value associated with nature-based recreational opportunities and identify estuarine attributes most valued by users. With the National Ecosystem Service Classification System as a framework, we assessed the relationship between recreational beneficiary subclasses and ecological end-products available to beneficiaries in Tillamook Bay, OR, and Tampa Bay, FL estuaries. We used the InVEST recreation model to assess the spatial distribution and intensity of recreation in both estuaries, then inform site selection in subsequent analyses. We evaluated photo content and collected observational data at sites with the highest utilization. Surveys of location attributes helped determine the availability of ecosystem service ecological end-products. Ordination techniques were employed to evaluate similarities in natural and human-made attributes across stations and establish groups of stations that could offer comparable recreational experiences. Recreational ‘experiencers and viewers’ were the dominant beneficiary group, as they took the most photos and were most often encountered during passive onsite observations. Composite features (e.g. viewscapes) were the predominant ecological end-products. Counter to hypothesized outcomes, there was no detectable difference in the number of recreational beneficiaries predicted between estuaries after accounting for site-scale variability. Locations with multiple natural and human-made attributes, including access points, had more recreational users. Onsite observations also revealed a potential need for more safe and equitable access options in high-use locations. Findings highlight the importance of recreational ‘experiencers and viewers’ valuing habitat mosaics, even across vastly different geographical settings. This exploration of how humans derive well-being from coastal landscapes is crucial to ecosystem-based management.

An Approach to Assessing the State of Organic Waste Generation in Community Households Based on Associative Learning

The purpose of this work is to substantiate the approach to assessing the state of organic waste generation by households of a given community, which is based on passive production observations and intellectual analysis of statistical data, which ensures consideration of the factors and features of organic waste generation, as well as the development of qualitative models for forecasting their receipt. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were solved: the analysis of the state of organic waste generation by households in the EU countries was performed; an approach to assessing the state of organic waste generation by households of a given community is proposed; based on the use of the proposed approach, and models for assessing the state of organic waste generation of households in a given community were substantiated. The hypothesis of the study is to substantiate and use an approach to assessing the generation of organic waste by households in individual communities, based on the method of association learning and search for association rules, which will identify factors that have a significant impact on the volume of organic waste generated by households, the consideration of which will improve the accuracy of forecasting models and improve the quality of management of the processes of collection and processing of this waste in communities. The research methodology used allows for the use of data mining, probability theory, mathematical statistics, machine learning technology, and the Associative Rule Learning (ARL) method. Based on the use of a reasonable algorithm, they identify key trends and relationships between the factors of organic waste generation in communities in different countries, which is the basis for creating accurate models for predicting the volume of collection and processing of this waste in communities. The study found that the largest number of households produced organic waste per capita in the range of 0.14–0.25 kg/person. At the same time, most households have from two to four residents and are located on the adjoining territory from 350 m2 to 680 m2. Based on the method of learning associative rules, it was found that there are no close correlations between individual factors that determine the daily volume of organic waste generation by households per capita. The highest correlation coefficient between the type of housing and the income level of household residents is 0.13. The number of residents and the occupied area of the adjacent territory have the greatest impact on the daily volume of organic waste generated by households per capita. The substantiated associative rules of relationships, as well as the diagrams of relationships between factors, have helped to identify those factors that have the greatest impact on the volume of organic waste generation. They are the basis for creating accurate models for predicting the volume of collection and planning the processing of this waste in communities. Based on the proposed approach, Python 3.9 software was developed. It makes it possible to quickly carry out calculations and perform a quantitative assessment of the state of organic waste generation by households of a given community according to the specified rules of association between the volumes of organic waste generation and their factors. The results of the study are the basis for the further development of models for accurate forecasting of the collection and planning of the processing of organic waste from households in communities.

Sign Language Studies with Chimpanzees in Sanctuary.

Adult chimpanzees Tatu and Loulis lived at the Fauna Foundation sanctuary. They had acquired signs of American Sign Language (ASL) while young and continued to use them as adults. Caregivers with proficiency in ASL maintained daily sign language records during interactions and passive observation. Sign checklists were records of daily vocabulary use. Sign logs were records of signed interactions with caregivers and other chimpanzees. This study reports sign use from eight years of these records. Tatu and Loulis used a majority of their base vocabularies consistently over the study period. They used signs that they had acquired decades earlier and new signs. Their utterances served a variety of communicative functions, including responses, conversational devices, requests, and descriptions. They signed to caregivers, other chimpanzees, including those who did not use signs, and to themselves privately. This indicates the importance of a stimulating and interactive environment to understand the scope of ape communication and, in particular, their use of sign language.

THE CREATION OF A REGRESSION MODEL BASED ON APPROXIMATION AND DISPERSION ANALYSIS OF STATISTICAL DATA

Problem statement. The most difficult issue when creating statistical models is the choice of a mathematical form of connection, that is, an analytical function that connects the elements of the system being studied. The form of the connection equation is established on the basis of theoretical, technological considerations or intuition. When it is difficult to imagine the dependence in advance, then a correlation field of points is built for two signs, the location of which on the plane determines the direction of action and the form of communication. For a deep and comprehensive study of statistical relationships, the concepts of correlation and regression are used. The task of correlation analysis is to establish the direction of action and the form of communication type. The task of regression analysis is to build a mathematical model of regression in the form of the resulting characteristic average value dependence on factor characteristics. The parameters of the regression model should be selected in such a way that the line constructed by the model passes between the points and is located as close as possible to all points of the correlation field, that is, it passes almost through its center. The purpose of the article is to create a regression model based on approximation, correlation and dispersion analysis of observational data. Results. Data approximation for multidimensional samples of active and passive experiments was performed, approximating functions and regression models in general were obtained based on them. On specific examples, the relationship between the factor features was established, the factor feature was selected. The most significant in terms of the connection closeness with the resulting feature, and a multivariate regression model suitable for forecasting was obtained. A multivariate dispersion analysis of the active experiment data was carried out on the research example of the influence on the homogeneity coefficient of concrete cement brand, type of aggregate, test period and “production period: of concrete. Analysis of dispersion shows that the most significant factors are the cement grade, the test period, the “making period” of the concrete and their minor interaction and the type of aggregate. The proposed technique significantly simplifies the process of creating a regression model. Conclusions. The performed calculations prove that: on the basis of the approximation and correlation of the passive experiment observations, it is possible to establish a relationship between the factor characteristics, to choose the factor characteristic that is the most significant in terms of the connection closeness with the resulting characteristic, to obtain a multivariate regression model suitable for forecasting, and this allows simplify the procedure for creating a regression model by successively moving from a simple model to a complex one; dispersion analysis of active experiment data makes it possible to assess the impact of individual factors and the impact of interaction between them. The approximation proves that the regression models of the active experiment data are linear. This is also confirmed by dispersion analysis, because the interaction of factors is insignificant.

The means of optimization of dispensary monitoring of patients in psycho-neurological dispensary

The actual direction of improving provision of mental care of population is increasing of efficiency of specialized primary medical sanitary care of patients with mental disorders in conditions of implementation of biopsychosocial model of its realization. The study of mental disorders morbidity demonstrated that qualitative changes occurred in structure of contingents of mental institutions towards decreasing of number of dispensary patients and corresponding increasing of number of patients receiving medical and consultative assistance. The analysis of indicators of movement of contingents with mental disorders testifies decrease in effectiveness of dispensary observation that is confirmed by decrease of rate of de-registration due to recovery, by increase of de-registration due to death, increase in number of suicidal attempts and in disability among patients with mental illness of able-bodied age. It was established that problems in ensuring quality of medical care are conditioned manly by lack of actual organizational and methodological support of dispensary observation of patients, predominance of passive dynamic observation by local psychiatrist. Based on the results of study of organization of functioning of district psychiatrist, medical and organizational measures were developed to improve organization of dispensary observation of patients with mental disorders.

ІННОВАЦІЙНІ СПІЛЬНОТИ ТА ЇХ МОЖЛИВОСТІ У ВІДРОДЖЕННІ ПОСТРАЖДАЛИХ ВІД ВІЙНИ УКРАЇНСЬКИХ ТЕРИТОРІЙ НА ЗАСАДАХ СТІЙКОСТІ Й СТАЛОСТІ

Поглиблено розуміння природи спільнот, для чого використано різні критерії їх визначення, зокрема географічний, професійний, соціально-проблемний, екологічно-проблемний, культурно-етнічний. Визначено, що одним з видів спільнот є інноваційні спільноти – групи людей, які спрямовують свою діяльність на отримання інноваційних результатів у спільному середовищі, що здатні вплинути на вирішення значущих соціально-економічних і екологічних проблем суспільства. За результатами систематизації науково-теоретичних засад виявлення феномену інноваційних спільнот визначено їх сутнісні характеристики й переваги для розвитку територіальних громад. Інноваційні спільноти є джерелами прогресивних суспільних трансформацій, оскільки спрямовані на стійкий і сталий розвиток територій. Обґрунтовано роль і можливості інноваційних спільнот у відродженні постраждалих від війни українських територій за принципом «відбудувати краще, ніж було» (build back better). Розкрито сутність цього принципу, який полягає у відновленні, відбудові й реконструкції різних сфер суспільства після катастроф і лих не просто до попереднього (у випадку України – довоєнного) стану, а на основі впровадження якісно нових змін і вдосконалень. Підкреслено відповідність реалізації цього принципу національним інтересам України. Визначено необхідність забезпечення еволюції територіальних громад та їх населення від переважно пасивного спостерігача і споживача до активного учасника процесу відродження населених пунктів на засадах стійкості й сталості. Це потребує запровадження відкритості в державному управлінні й партнерських відносин місцевих органів влади з місцевим населенням, розвитку громадської свідомості й активності, заохочення підприємництва, соціальних і екологічних місцевих ініціатив, поширення успішних інноваційних практик і сталого способу життя.

Analysis of Elements Business Model in Coffee Shop

The study aims is to determine the elements of the canvas business model with three focuses, there are customer segment, value proposition and key resources at The Buddy House Coffee & Eatery. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. The data collection technique used is passive participant observation, semi-structured interviews and documentation. The data analysis technique used is data reduction, data display and conclusions and data validation using triangulation. The informants in this study were selected purposive sampling and snowball sampling as many as 3 people there are 1 Head Barista and 2 consumers. The results showed that the targeted customer segments are the middle social class, and the majority of consumer come from outside the area where the coffee shop was located. Meanwhile, for the value proposition element, of the 11 indicators, there are 2 indicators that have not been implemented optimally, there are newness and accessbility. In the key resource element, intellectual indicators must be maximized in terms of creating copyright on products made by The Buddy House Coffee & Eatery.

Assessment of Extreme Ocean Winds within Intense Wintertime Windstorms over the North Pacific Using SMAP L-Band Radiometer Observations

Here, we examine extreme ocean winds associated with intense wintertime extratropical windstorms over the North Pacific. The study was mainly based on NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) L-band radiometer observations allowing the retrieval of ocean wind speeds up to 70 m/s regardless of precipitation intensity. Additionally, we assessed the ability of atmospheric reanalysis ERA5 and the Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2) to reproduce high-wind features within severe windstorms, particularly those associated with “explosive” cyclogenesis. The analysis identified 145 windstorm events with hurricane-force (HF) wind zones within the SMAP L-band radiometer swath from 2015 to 2023. These windstorms develop most frequently over two areas: southeast of Kamchatka and south of Alaska, spanning 40–47°N latitudes. Both reanalysis datasets significantly underestimated HF wind speeds compared to SMAP measurements, but CFSv2 tends to reproduce more-intense windstorms than ERA5. Among the notable new findings is that the SMAP data revealed two distinct groups in maximum wind speed distribution, indicating the existence of a separate class of severe windstorm events with a distinct mechanism for extreme wind formation related probably to a Shapiro–Keyser cyclogenesis and the presence of sting jet (SJ) feature. The study highlights the potential of SMAP measurements to study wind extremes and underscores the need for improvements in operational predictive models to better reproduce the formation of SJ windstorms.

Semiologic process in the performance of a dance performance: a critical review

Literature on the semiology of dance is scarce and not well integrated so far. A comprehensive review of the scholarly research would allow showing which themes are the most critical ones, and what is still needed to develop this research field. In this article we aim to fill this gap by conducting a bibliographic review of papers published in Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, Dialnet, ÍnDICEs-CSIC, EBSCO, and Google Scholar from 2000 to 2022. Our review shows that within the field of dance, previous studies have emphasized the coexistence of various dynamic elements whose main purpose is to shape the construction of the play and facilitate understanding in the dance communication process. We highlight the relevance of focusing on the spectator as constructor of meaning and participant of the symbolism of the act, and not only as a passive observer.

Evaluation of Improvement Schemes for FY-3B Passive Microwave Soil-Moisture Estimates Retrieved Using the Land Parameter Retrieval Model

Satellite observations have provided global and regional soil-moisture estimates in the last four decades. However, the accuracy of these observations largely depends on reducing uncertainties in the retrieval algorithms. In this study, we address two challenges affecting the quality of soil-moisture estimates from a widely used soil-moisture-retrieval model, the land parameter retrieval model (LPRM). We studied two improvement schemes that were aimed at reducing uncertainties in open water signals (the LPRMv6_OWF) and vegetation signals (the LPRMv6_Veg), as well as a scheme to reduce their combined impacts (the LPRMv6_OWFVeg) on LPRM-retrieved soil moisture using the FengYun-3B (FY-3B) satellite observations. To assess the impacts of the improvement schemes, we utilized in situ soil moisture from the Jiangsu and Jiangxi provinces in China. We found that the retrievals (Rs) of the LPRMv6_Veg and the LPRMv6_OWFVeg were mainly in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 in Jiangsu and Jiangxi, with increases of 0.1 compared to those of the LPRMv6. The standard deviation (SD) of the LPRMv6_OWFVeg increased in Jiangsu, while the R of the LPRMv6_OWF increased in Jiangsu by 0.05–0.1 compared to that of the LPRMv6, but the SD tended to become worse. In Jiangxi, there was an increase of 0.1 in R. The results show that each of these algorithms improved the accuracy of soil-moisture inversion to some extent, compared to the original algorithm, with the LPRMv6_OWFVeg showing the greatest improvement, followed by the LPRMv6_Veg. The accuracy of both the LPRMv6_OWF and the LPRMv6_OWFVeg decreased to some extent when the open-water fraction (OWF) was greater than 0.2. Full areal extent analyses based on triple collocation showed significant improvements in correlations and minimized errors across different vegetation scenarios over the entire region of China in both the LPRMv6_OWF and the LPRMv6_Veg. However, reduced qualities were found in arid regions in northern China because of the nonlinear relationships between land-surface temperature, vegetation, and soil moisture in the LPRM. These results highlight important lessons for developing comprehensive improvement schemes for soil-moisture retrievals from passive microwave satellite observations.

Self-Authorship: A Pedagogical Tool for Pre-Service Teachers to Develop (Pre)Professional Identity

This article reports on the use of self-authorship as a pedagogical tool to develop pre-service teachers’ professional identities. Pre-professional identity is considered a dynamic, less mature version of professional identity. Such a notion of fluidity in the professional self necessitates the integration of both personal and professional life experiences in the process of becoming, rather than already being, a teacher. A random sample of 56 pre-service teachers from a population of first-year students at a South African university was selected for this qualitative interpretivist study. Thematic analysis of personal reflections after a professional orientation programme indicates that the pre-professional identity of first-year pre-service teachers is mostly based on external cues and naïve perceptions rather than on well-thought-through personal ideology. The authors draw on Baxter-Magolda’s theory of self-authorship to highlight this influence of past life experiences that shape the pre-professional identity that first-year pre-service teachers bring to initial teacher training programs. Self-authorship is defined as a person’s ability to conceptualise and apply their own beliefs, identity, and social relations in various contexts. Findings confirm that most first-year pre-service teachers place themselves within the first phase of self-authorship. It is postulated that higher education institutions could, through platforms such as Work Integrated Learning, shift the structure and focus of pre-service teacher training programmes away from passive observation and instruction to active partnership, engaged reflection, and critical thinking. Such an approach can then contribute to professional and personal development through the remainder of the pre-service teacher programme. It is further argued that a longitudinal study is needed to explore this required movement towards and through the three phases of self-authorship.

Strategi Komunikasi Pemasaran Hijau Dalam Pemberdayaan Kewirausahaan Masyarakat Mat Peci

Trend of marketing communication models applied in companies or institutions. This matter dueto a turnaround in the concept of economic development that it was originally focused on publicwelfare alone becomes a green economy or an economic idea that aims to improve the welfareand social equality of society, at the same time significantly reduce the risk of environmentaldamage. Green marketing or marketing Green is a concept related to all marketing activities anddevelopment, to stimulate and shape caring consumer behavior towards environmentalsustainability The Mat Peci community is a caring community to the community around theCiliwung watershed by establishing a guided MSME group to form self-reliant citizens.However, MSMEs do not yet have competitiveness, so a new marketing communication strategyis needed to be able to enter the market. Wrong One of them is by implementing green marketingcommunications This study aims to determine the Deep Green Marketing CommunicationStrategy Empowerment of Entrepreneurial Community Mat Peci Green Camp This research usesqualitative research methods with case study research design Data collection techniques usingsemi-structured interviews and passive participant observation and literature review. Thesampling technique uses the snowball sampling technique and the grand theory used namely communication planning theory. This research was conducted at the Mat Peci Community,Srengseng, South Jakarta.The result of this research is the SME community has a green marketing model, In terms ofproduction, the community has used environmentally friendly materials for the raw materials ofits products, both the main raw materials and packaging. In addition, the community has carriedout waste management for their production waste, by creating separate waste channels that can berecycled and waste segregation. On the marketing side, the community has used a targetedmarketing model through communities that care about the environment to promote and markettheir products and use social media to provide education and promote products, although this isnot currently felt to be effective.

Teachers' Efforts to Overcome Barriers to Integrated Social Studies Learning at Junior High School

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this research is to find out what obstacles there are in Integrated Social Studies learning and to find out what efforts have been made by teachers to overcome barriers to learning Integrated Social Sciences.
 Methodology: The methodology used in this research is a qualitative method. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, taking Integrated Social Sciences teachers and class 8A students at junior high school as data sources. Data was collected through passive observation by researchers and in-depth interviews.
 Main Findings: Research findings show that Integrated Social Studies learning at junior high school is considered boring by students because of the load of material presented by teachers and the lack of facilities and infrastructure, especially in terms of electronic media.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: This research contributes to the understanding of the obstacles and efforts made in Integrated Social Sciences learning. The results of this research can be a reference for related parties, such as schools and teachers, to overcome the problems faced in Integrated Social Sciences learning and improve the quality of learning.

A new global C-band vegetation optical depth product from ASCAT: Description, evaluation, and inter-comparison

Active microwave measurements have the potential to estimate vegetation optical depth (VOD), an indicator related to vegetation water content and biomass. The Advanced SCATterometer (ASCAT) provides long-term C-band backscatter data at vertical-vertical (VV) polarization from 2007. So far, very few studies have considered retrieving VOD from this active sensor. This study presents a new publicly released global long-term and continuous (2007–2020) C-band VOD dataset retrieved from the ASCAT observations, named the ASCAT INRAE-BORDEAUX or ASCAT IB VOD product. The retrieval algorithm is based on the Water Cloud Model (WCM) including the Ulaby bare soil model. The algorithm takes advantage of a multi-temporal (MT) retrieval method relying on a cost function where constraints to the retrieved parameters are implemented and a reanalysis soil moisture (SM) dataset from ERA5-Land is used as an input. The performance of ASCAT IB VOD was evaluated by inter-comparing it with ASCAT Technische Universität Wien (TUW), the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2 (AMSR2), and VOD Climate Archive (VODCA) VOD products (the last two products are estimated from passive microwave observations). Results showed that ASCAT IB VOD presented the highest spatial correlation with aboveground biomass (R ∼ 0.83) and with the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) canopy height (R ∼ 0.84–0.85). In terms of temporal performance, ASCAT IB VOD had the highest correlation R values with leaf area index (LAI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) in most parts of the globe from 2013 to 2018. This contrasts with AMSR2 VODs which correlated better with Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The new ASCAT-based VOD product on a global scale highlighted the potential benefit of combining active (namely ASCAT) and passive (namely AMSR2) VOD products for vegetation studies.

Elderly residents’ uses of fragmented outdoor spaces in public housing estates in Hong Kong——Decoding causality and heat-risk exposure

Well-designed open/semi-open spaces in public housing estates (PHEs) are important urban living rooms for urban residents to enhance well-beings, relieve from cramped homes, and cope with hotter climate. In order to understand the elderly residents' space use in light of space/neighbourhood attributes and microclimates, mobile field tests including physical measurement, passive observation, and questionnaire survey were carried out in 33 fragmented outdoor spaces (FOSs) in Choi Hung Estate (CHE) and Upper Ngau Tou Kok Estate (UNTKE) in Hong Kong from June to early October 2022. GIS application was adopted to map the vitality in association with microclimates. The ordered probit model and multilevel regression model were employed to explore the contributions of factors to the elderly's FOSs use. It is shown that the time of the day, microclimate (mPET—modified PET for hot-humid regions & wind speed), FOSs attributes (SVF, nature view, functionality, size), and neighbourhood attributes (accessibility & building density) significantly influence elderly attendance in FOSs. One degree increase in mPET is associated with around 4.7% decrease in the elderly's FOSs use. The elderly is likely exposed to unconscious heat risks under the compensatory effects of space and neighbourhood building attributes on the thermal environment of a FOS, and popular FOSs contribute to an increase in heat tolerance by approximately 5 °C in terms of mPET. A FOS that maintains mPET between 30.8 °C and 33.1 °C in summer, along with other favourable attributes (SVF, accessibility & functionality) may help mitigate the heat risks and increase overall usage rate.

The Effect of Fear of COVID-19 on Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Undergraduate Students During the Pandemic: The Mediating Role of Self-Regulation

The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020. Subsequent lockdowns and fatalities have significantly impacted individuals’ lives, social relationships, and economic conditions. While pandemics affecting populations can lead to health issues, they also give rise to psychological disturbances such as anxiety, worry, panic, loneliness, depression, fear, and traumatic symptoms. Research has demonstrated that these symptoms are commonly observed across various segments of society. Self-regulation refers to individuals’ efforts to modify their thoughts, emotions, desires, and actions in line with their desired goals. It emphasizes that individuals are active agents and decision-makers rather than passive observers in the face of events. Studies have found that self-regulation is associated with success, well-being, social competence, academic performance, peer bullying, depression, anxiety, obesity, and various psychopathological conditions. COVID-19 research has also identified relationships between emotional regulation and depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms. Covid-19 has also been associated with educational problems such as decline in student achievement, learning losses, problems with continuing education and drop-outs. In this study, the relationships between COVID-19 fear and depression, anxiety, and stress are examined, focusing on the mediating role of self-regulation in university students. Structural equation modeling and mediation analyses were conducted using collected data. The results indicate that COVID-19 fear significantly predicts depression, anxiety, and stress during the pandemic. Self-regulation partially mediates this relationship, diminishing the impact of COVID-19 fear and reducing levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Exploring the Privacy Risks of Adversarial VR Game Design

Fifty study participants playtested an innocent-looking "escape room" game in virtual reality (VR). Within just a few minutes, an adversarial program had accurately inferred over 25 of their personal data attributes, from anthropometrics like height and wingspan to demographics like age and gender. As notoriously data-hungry companies become increasingly involved in VR development, this experimental scenario may soon represent a typical VR user experience. Since the Cambridge Analytica scandal of 2018, adversarially-designed gamified elements have been known to constitute a significant privacy threat in conventional social platforms. In this work, we present a case study of how metaverse environments can similarly be adversarially constructed to covertly infer dozens of personal data attributes from seemingly-anonymous users. While existing VR privacy research largely focuses on passive observation, we argue that because individuals subconsciously reveal personal information via their motion in response to specific stimuli, active attacks pose an outsized risk in VR environments.