Renate Delucchi Danhier

Background/Objectives: Visuospatial impairments are among the earliest cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD), yet standard assessments often lack ecological validity and focus on isolated domains. This study examines whether integrating linguistic, behavioral, and eye-tracking measures provides a more comprehensive characterization of cognitive deficits within a multimodal, exploratory framework. Methods: Twenty older adults (10 with mild to moderate dementia, including AD/ADRD, and 10 age-matched controls) completed three tasks: (1) oral narrative production, (2) visuospatial behavioral tasks (manipulation, recognition, reproduction), and (3) free-viewing eye-tracking. Linguistic, behavioral (time, errors), and fixation-based measures were analyzed using non-parametric statistics, with emphasis on effect sizes and cross-domain patterns. Results: The clinical group differed consistently from controls across domains. Linguistic measures showed increased output but reduced quality, including lower syntactic complexity, more grammatical errors, greater pragmatic deviations, and reduced gist comprehension. Behavioral tasks revealed slower performance and more frequent failures. Eye-tracking differences were less pronounced, showing a tendency toward longer fixations and less efficient visual exploration. A composite multimodal index showed clear separation between groups, indicating a consistent pattern of impairment across measures. Conclusions: Cognitive differences in dementia are expressed across multiple domains, with the strongest effects in linguistic and behavioral measures. These findings highlight the value of multimodal profiles for capturing multidimensional impairment. Results should be interpreted as exploratory and require confirmation in larger, confirmatory studies.

Natural languages offer diverse means for conveying the same idea, with each language typically exhibiting a predominant way of selecting and packaging information, referred to as a language-specific preference. Cross-linguistic research on motion events has shown that native speakers tend to favor such patterns and intuitively recognize non-preferred lexicalizations, particularly in the domain of motion event description. Due to subtle differences in grammar and vocabulary, these preferences are language-specific. Acquiring the language-specific preferences of a second or foreign language poses a challenge even for advanced learners, especially when these preferences diverge from those internalized in the native language. Language teachers, however, are often unaware of both the existence of such preferences and the difficulties they pose for learners. This study therefore aims (1) to enable prospective teachers to discover language-specific preferences through a bottom-up, data-driven approach, and (2) to raise awareness of the challenges involved in acquiring them. Accordingly, the online application LexiGraph was developed to enable prospective German teachers to identify patterns in linguistic data. Using an interactive dataset, students explored the expression of motion events across languages and speaker groups. The app supports visual exploration and provides a threshold learning experience that fosters an engaging and intellectually challenging learning environment by encoding complex semantic and syntactic information. Student feedback highlights the novelty of the technological approach, although some participants perceived the material as cognitively demanding. Developing an understanding of language-specific lexicalization patterns can support prospective teachers in working with language learners and contribute to more inclusive multilingual education.

The present study investigates positional patterns in visual representations generated by two artificial intelligence (AI) models in response to textual prompts describing interactions between two animate entities. The primary objective is to assess whether the syntactic structure of a given sentence influences the spatial positioning of the agent (i.e., the entity performing the action) within the generated image. The study follows research showing that in art produced by humans, positioning of agents on the picture depends on reading-writing direction: entities mentioned first are positioned on the left side by people from cultures with left-to-right writing script disproportionately more often than on the right side. We prompted FLUX and DALL⋅E 3 with 20 English sentences, 10 passive and 10 active ones, and generated 4,000 pictures in total. In active sentences, FLUX positioned the agent to the left side of the picture significantly more often than to the right side. In passive sentences, both models positioned the agent to the right significantly more often than to the left. In general, DALL⋅E 3 placed agents to the right more often than FLUX. The models partially copied the tendencies of humans in active sentences conditions, however, in passive sentences conditions, the models had a much stronger tendency to place agents to the right than did humans. Our study demonstrates that these AI models, primarily influenced by English language patterns, may be replicating and even amplifying Western (English-specific) spatial biases, potentially diminishing the diversity of visual representation influenced by other languages and cultures. This has consequences for the visual landscape around us: AI pictorial art is overflowing our visual space and the information that we have imprinted into pictures as intrinsically human is changing.

This study examines how architectural expertise shapes visual perception, extending the “Seeing for Speaking” hypothesis into a non-linguistic domain. Specifically, it investigates whether architectural training influences unconscious visual processing of architectural content. Using eye-tracking, 48 architects and 48 laypeople freely viewed 15 still images of built, mixed, and natural environments. Visual behavior was analyzed using Shannon’s entropy scores based on dwell times within 16 × 16 grids during the first six seconds of viewing. Results revealed distinct visual attention patterns between groups. Architects showed lower entropy, indicating more focused and systematic gaze behavior, and their attention was consistently drawn to built structures. In contrast, laypeople exhibited more variable and less organized scanning patterns, with greater individual differences. Moreover, architects demonstrated higher intra-group similarity in their gaze behavior, suggesting a shared attentional schema shaped by professional training. These findings highlight that domain-specific expertise deeply influences perceptual processing, resulting in systematic and efficient attention allocation. Entropy-based metrics proved effective in capturing these differences, offering a robust tool for quantifying expert vs. non-expert visual strategies in architectural cognition. The visual patterns exhibited by architects are interpreted to reflect a “Grammar of Space”, i.e., a structured way of visually parsing spatial elements.

Background: Computerized critical care information systems (CCIS) can have a range of positive to negative impacts on clinical care in ICUs and the job satisfaction of ICU staff. Key factors influencing these effects include the usability of the IT system and the level of training provided. Resistance to using the system may arise from users due to increased control imposed by the system and from insufficient participation in its development and configuration. The usability of CCIS, along with other important barriers such as co-determination, has not been thoroughly examined. Objective: The study investigates barriers to using CCIS and aims to provide actionable recommendations for manufacturing companies and hospitals to ensure the successful implementation and use of CCIS. It focuses on known usability factors while incorporating open feedback from current users to uncover new insights and identify additional usability factors not previously documented in the literature. Methods: We conducted 10 semistructured qualitative interviews with ICU staff (4 nurses and 6 doctors) from 3 ICUs at a large German university hospital. Each interview lasted 1 hour and focused on providing a collective assessment of the CCIS. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using MAXQDA and then analyzed through both deductive and inductive content structure methods. Results: A total of 86 distinct usability issues were identified and categorized into 7 main groups and 23 subgroups. The most common usability issues were (1) unclear information presentation, especially for medication; (2) overly lengthy or small interaction steps in documentation; (3) missing or scattered information across sections; (4) redundant data entry requirements; and (5) slow system speed. Additionally, other challenges associated with system usage included training, co-determination, the perception of feeling constrained, adherence to standard operating procedures, and changes in processes. Participants in the study highlighted that the level of contentment with the system has a direct influence on their job satisfaction. Conclusions: CCIS usability greatly influences satisfaction with the information technology system. Enhancing CCIS usability requires ongoing user testing and transparent employee involvement. Adequate training and standard operating procedure implementation are crucial. Investing time and financial resources in organizational frameworks and feedback mechanisms is an imperative for the successful implementation of CCIS.

This study examines how architectural expertise shapes visual perception, extending the "Seeing for Speaking" hypothesis into a non-linguistic domain. Specifically, it investigates whether architectural training influences unconscious visual processing of architectural content. Using eye-tracking, 48 architects and 48 laypeople freely viewed 15 still images of built, mixed, and natural environments. Visual behavior was analyzed using Shannon’s entropy scores based on dwell times within 16×16 grids during the first six seconds of viewing. Results revealed distinct visual attention patterns between groups. Architects showed lower entropy, indicating more focused and systematic gaze behavior, and their attention was consistently drawn to built structures. In contrast, laypeople exhibited more variable and less organized scanning patterns, with greater individual differences. Moreover, architects demonstrated higher intra-group similarity in their gaze behavior, suggesting a shared attentional schema shaped by professional training. Notably, only architects exhibited patterns consistent with a "Grammar of Space," a structured way of visually parsing spatial elements. These findings highlight that domain-specific expertise deeply influences perceptual processing, resulting in systematic and efficient attention allocation. Entropy-based metrics proved effective in capturing these differences, offering a robust tool for quantifying expert vs. non-expert visual strategies in architectural cognition.

Background: Medication errors represent a widespread, hazardous, and costly challenge in health care settings. The lack of interoperable medication data within and across hospitals not only creates an administrative burden through redundant data entry but also increases the risk of errors due to human mistakes, imprecise data transformations, and misinterpretations. While digital solutions exist, fragmented systems and nonstandardized data hinder effective medication management. Objective: This study aimed to assess medication data available across the multiple systems of a large university hospital, identify a minimum dataset with the most relevant information, and propose a standard interoperable FHIR-based solution that can import and transfer information from a standardized drug master database to various target systems. Methods: Medication data from all relevant departments of a large German hospital were thoroughly analyzed. To ensure interoperability, data elements for developing a minimum dataset were defined based on relevant medication identifiers, the Health Level 7 Fast Health Interoperability Resources (HL7 FHIR) standard, and the German Medical Informatics Initiative (MII) specifications. To enhance medication identification accuracy, the dataset was further enriched with information from Germany’s most comprehensive drug database and European Standard Drug Terms (EDQM) to further enrich medication identification accuracy. Finally, data on 60 frequently used medications in the institution were systematically extracted from multiple medication systems used in the institution and integrated into a new structured, dedicated database. Results: The analysis of all the available medication datasets within the institution identified 7964 drugs. However, limited interoperability was observed due to a fragmented local IT infrastructure and challenges in medication data standardization. Data integrated and available in the new structured medication dataset with key elements to ensure data identification accuracy and interoperability, successfully enabled the generation of medication order messages, ensuring medication interoperability, and standardized data exchange. Conclusions: Our approach addresses the lack of interoperability in medication data and the need for standardized data exchange. We propose a minimum set of data elements aligned with German and international coding systems to be used in combination with the FHIR standard for processes such as the digital transfer of discharge medication prescriptions from intensive care units to general wards, which can help to reduce medication errors and enhance patient safety.

Carmen Schacht, Renate Delucchi Danhier. Proceedings of the 19th Linguistic Annotation Workshop (LAW-XIX-2025). 2025.

BACKGROUND Medication errors represent a widespread, hazardous, and costly challenge in health care settings. The lack of interoperable medication data within and across hospitals not only creates an administrative burden through redundant data entry but also increases the risk of errors due to human mistakes, imprecise data transformations, and misinterpretations. While digital solutions exist, fragmented systems and nonstandardized data hinder effective medication management. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess medication data available across the multiple systems of a large university hospital, identify a minimum dataset with the most relevant information, and propose a standard interoperable FHIR-based solution that can import and transfer information from a standardized drug master database to various target systems. METHODS Medication data from all relevant departments of a large German hospital were thoroughly analyzed. To ensure interoperability, data elements for developing a minimum dataset were defined based on relevant medication identifiers, the Health Level 7 Fast Health Interoperability Resources (HL7 FHIR) standard, and the German Medical Informatics Initiative (MII) specifications. To enhance medication identification accuracy, the dataset was further enriched with information from Germany’s most comprehensive drug database and European Standard Drug Terms (EDQM) to further enrich medication identification accuracy. Finally, data on 60 frequently used medications in the institution were systematically extracted from multiple medication systems used in the institution and integrated into a new structured, dedicated database. RESULTS The analysis of all the available medication datasets within the institution identified 7964 drugs. However, limited interoperability was observed due to a fragmented local IT infrastructure and challenges in medication data standardization. Data integrated and available in the new structured medication dataset with key elements to ensure data identification accuracy and interoperability, successfully enabled the generation of medication order messages, ensuring medication interoperability, and standardized data exchange. CONCLUSIONS Our approach addresses the lack of interoperability in medication data and the need for standardized data exchange. We propose a minimum set of data elements aligned with German and international coding systems to be used in combination with the FHIR standard for processes such as the digital transfer of discharge medication prescriptions from intensive care units to general wards, which can help to reduce medication errors and enhance patient safety. CLINICALTRIAL

Aim: This study investigates how simultaneous bilingual Norwegian–English children conceptualize goal-oriented motion events in their two languages, which have different and partly conflicting language-specific conceptualization patterns (the so-called holistic, endpoint-oriented perspective vs. a phasal perspective with focus on ongoingness). Design: The experiment combined three different methodologies to measure attention to endpoints: elicitation of spoken data, eye-tracking, and a subsequent memory test. A total of 23 bilingual Norwegian–English children participated on a separate day for each language. The comparison groups comprised monolingual Norwegian children ( n = 21), first language (L1) Norwegian adults ( n = 30), and L1 English adults ( n = 20). Data and analysis: The statistical analysis included calculations of endpoints mentioned and endpoints remembered in each language and for both sessions, and an event-related analysis was conducted to establish the total length of all fixations on the areas of interest (AoIs [the endpoints]), in each language and for both sessions. Findings/conclusions: The results showed an effect of the language of operation on conceptualization, independent of language dominance, but depending on the situation. In their first session, the bilingual children showed a strong awareness of the prototypical conceptualization pattern in the language they were speaking. In their second session, the children’s conceptualization was influenced by their first. Hence, we can talk about a flexible conceptual dominance linked to language, the situation, and to previous experience. Originality: This study for the first time explores simultaneous bilingual children’s conceptualization of goal-oriented motion events in their two languages and with different methodologies. Significance/implications: This study brings new insights into our understanding of early bilingualism at a conceptual level, with implications for the field, but also for parents, caregivers, and stakeholders, who at times need to be reminded about children’s unique capacity for language learning.