The concept of interoception has existed since the beginning of the 1900s. It is suggested that humans can observe feelings arising from the body that allows them to develop a sense of their emotional status and physical condition. The term interoceptive awareness appears to originate with clinicians working with individuals who had experienced trauma, in particular Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this scoping review was to provide an overview of the existing literature surrounding the combination of these two themes: interoceptive awareness and PTSD. A total of 226 articles were initially screened and 52 articles were retained for comprehensive review. Nine articles were excluded, resulting in 43 studies included in the review. The review aimed to answer: (a) how is interoceptive awareness defined? (b) how is interoceptive awareness measured? (c) what is the function of interoceptive awareness? (d) is there/what is the relationship between interoceptive awareness and PTSD? The scoping review identified nine terms that are used synonymously throughout the literature surrounding interoceptive awareness and PTSD, and three primary ways in which interoceptive awareness is measured in relation to PTSD. The primary function documented was the role interoceptive awareness played in an individual’s ability to regulate their emotions, and the most common and compelling function emerging was the association with emotion regulation. The evidence supports the utilisation of a definition of interoceptive awareness to include one that includes the quality of cognitive appraisal and focuses on the adaptive mindful approach to internal physical sensations as opposed to the heightened ruminative self-focus. Limitations and future research are suggested.

This feasibility study sought to investigate the impact of an online 9-session Prenatal Mindfulness Relationship-Based (PMRB) group treatment program upon maternal mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress), interoception, and mother-infant relationship during pregnancy and post-partum. The study was designed in two parts 1) a quantitative examination of pre, post-treatment and 10-12 weeks post-partum measures targeting 13 pregnant women from a non-clinical population and 2) a qualitative exploration of the same pregnant women’s experiences of the PMRB program reported during the sessions, including their birth stories. Responses to an open-ended question about how the program had supported them during pregnancy, labor/birth and the first post-partum trimester were summarised using thematic analysis. Women (N = 36) were recruited to the non-randomised feasibility study and 13 were allocated to the PMRB program. Women were excluded due to the online recruitment timeframe, missing baseline gestational age and unavailability for the proposed time. All the allocated women completed the program during pregnancy and the baseline and post-treatment surveys. There were 12 women who completed the post-partum follow-up. Only one participant was lost to the follow up for unknown reasons. Results revealed an improvement in mindfulness, depression, interoception and mother-infant relationship post-treatment and at postpartum follow-up. The qualitative analysis led to the identification of 16 themes, which were organized in four categories describing the experience of participants. Findings provide preliminary support for the feasibility of the PMRB program to improve maternal mindfulness, interoception, mental wellbeing and mother-infant relationship during pregnancy and post-partum. The qualitative evaluation suggested the PMRB program may help women cope with emotional challenges and be more connected to their bodies and infant. The program may also help women become more aware of their unborn infant as a sentient being and the influence of their health and mental wellbeing on the infant development and health. Furthermore, it may be a facilitator of the mother-infant relationship during pregnancy and post-partum, promoting infant’s healthy development.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of significant transition for women, with changes in maternal physical and mental health. The formation of a relationship between a mother and her baby is vital and has been recognised as laying the foundation for later child development. There is considerable evidence that this early relationship is influenced by a woman’s well-being during pregnancy and in the early post-partum period. Mindfulness-based programs have previously revealed positive outcomes, primarily in reducing maternal stress, anxiety, and depression. However, there remains a need for considering the influence of mindfulness on the mother-baby relationship and embodiment during pregnancy and the first trimester post-partum. This study aimed to conduct an in-depth exploration of pregnant women’s experiences of a nine-session prenatal mindfulness relationship-based (PMRB) program to support its feasibility. Information about pregnant women’s (n = 13) experiences of the PMRB program was collected through online interviews during the sessions, including their birth stories. Responses to an open-ended question about how the program had supported them during pregnancy, labour/birth, and the first post-partum trimester were summarised using thematic analysis. Sixteen themes were identified and organised in four categories: (1) expectations and motivations (healthy pregnancy and mental health, non-medicalised birth, contribution to the field); (2) experiences of the PMRB program (positive experiences, shared experience, engagement with mindfulness practices, pain, stress, and anxiety relief); (3) changes attributed to the PMRB program (a new way of responding to stressors, trusting the process, connecting to body, breath, and unborn baby, awareness of the unborn baby as a sentient being); (4) changes attributed to the mindfulness practice (increased mindfulness/self-awareness, stop look listen, embracing the moment, acceptance). The evaluation suggested the PMRB program may help women cope with pain and emotional challenges and be more connected to their bodies and infant. The program may also help women become more aware of their unborn baby as a sentient being and the influence of their health and mental well-being on the baby development and health. Furthermore, the program may facilitate the mother-baby relationship during pregnancy, post-partum, and breastfeeding. The trial has been successfully registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) following ethical approval from Bond University Human Research Ethics Committee (BUHREC—Application AS03534, approved 20 December 2022) and allocated the Australian clinical trials registration number (ACTRN): ACTRN12623000679684.

The increased interest in BIM and the related technologies of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Lean Construction (Lean) highlights the need for enhanced education regarding rapidly evolving technologies within integrated construction-related disciplines. Because of the importance of strong collaboration and open communications to optimal outcomes, the education involved must incorporate soft skills emphasising open mindedness, ability to adapt, teamwork, leadership and communications. In response to the lack of any integrated courses of this nature, this exploratory case study involves the novel development of a university BIM-IPD-Lean Masters-level degree course. This was developed in four phases starting with an initial investigation by thorough contemporaneous review of the relevant education literature and in-depth research to determine the industry's education requirements in full consultation with industry stakeholders, followed by a review of preliminary findings and obtaining approvals, major investigations and program structuring, final approvals and launch. 53 students graduated from the program, with every one becoming employed as a BIM professional within two months of graduation, with some employed during studies, and others immediately after graduation.

Point cloud models are prevalently utilized in the architectural and civil engineering sectors. The registration of point clouds can invariably introduce registration errors, adversely impacting the accuracy of point cloud models. While the domain of computer vision has delved profoundly into point cloud registration, limited research in the construction domain has explored these registration algorithms in the built environment, despite their inception in the field of computer vision. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of mainstream point cloud registration algorithms-originally introduced in the computer vision domain-on point cloud models, specifically within the context of bridge engineering as a category of civil engineering data. Concurrently, this study examines the influence of noise removal on varying point cloud registration algorithms. Our research quantifies potential variables for registration quality based on two metrics: registration error (RE) and time consumption (TC). Statistical methods were employed for significance analysis and value engineering assessment. The experimental outcomes indicate that the GRICP algorithm exhibits the highest precision, with RE values of 3.02 mm and 2.79 mm under non-noise removal and noise removal conditions, respectively. The most efficient algorithm is PLICP, yielding TC values of 3.86 min and 2.70 min under the aforementioned conditions. The algorithm with the optimal cost-benefit ratio is CICP, presenting value scores of 3.57 and 4.26 for non-noise removal and noise removal conditions, respectively. Under noise removal conditions, a majority of point cloud algorithms witnessed a notable enhancement in registration accuracy and a decrease in time consumption. Specifically, the POICP algorithm experienced a 32% reduction in RE and a 34% decline in TC after noise removal. Similarly, PLICP observed a 34% and 30% reduction in RE and TC, respectively. KICP showcased a decline of 23% in RE and 28% in TC, CICP manifested a 27% and 31% drop in RE and TC, respectively, GRICP observed an 8% reduction in RE and a 40% decline in TC, and for FGRICP, RE and TC decreased by 8% and 52%, respectively, subsequent to noise removal.

An area of interest for project participants is career management. Some active network to find their next consulting engagement, upskill or prepare for major life changes (e.g. marriage or promotion). We find in the literature improved results for those who pursue a sustainable career path. We examine sustainable project-oriented careers and offer error messages that indicate career turbulence such as infrequent upskilling. The sustainable project-oriented career model is reviewed within the context of the Gig Economy where significant turbulence exists (e.g. COVID-19 pandemic) with the mediating role of training and continuing education. We conclude with an overview of innovations in post secondary education that facilitate a sustainable project-oriented career. We bring together evolving career sustainability concepts within the project environment and provide guidance for developing a sustainable project-oriented career, especially important in our current tempestuous times.

More educators use serious games (e.g., games where the primary objective is learning rather than enjoyment) to enhance learning due to benefits such as improved understanding and engagement. However, using serious games within project management education is not well understood. The aim of this research is to investigate project management serious games in higher education: i) determine the extent of gamification in PMI-accredited project management programs, and ii) survey university students about their experiences playing project management serious games. Two separate mixed-method studies reveal insights about serious games in higher education and where innovations may be leveraged. Traditional statistics were used to analyze quantitative data, and coding was used to analyze the qualitative data. The results from a global survey of ten PMI-accredited university programs suggest that serious games are embryonic but promising. A case study at one university reveals that students enjoy learning through games but caution against using games to formally assess students’ learning. The paper concludes with recommendations for further research and development.

While psychologists remain divided whether ‘workplace stress’ is caused by workplace experiences or other factors, it's commonly accepted that, regardless of cause, people experiencing stress can demonstrate decreased workplace performance. From a human performance and productivity perspective, from whence stress arises is somewhat irrelevant–the relevant fact is that it's far more important to have systems and procedures in place to contribute to avoidance of undue work environment- caused stress. It is also important to identify when an employee is exhibiting signs of stress than it is to focus only on remedial measures for when stress effects have already taken their toll on a person. Many organisations engage external service providers to deal with management of stress effects on people. It has not been clear how many organisations engaged in construction or project management address workplace environment as a potential causal factor in stress as part of organisational risk management. This paper focuses more on what leading construction and project management organisations are doing (and according to benchmark practice, should be doing) to address the matter of stress impacts on employees from a three phase perspective–environmental stressors, management training to identify early signs of stress, and managing employee stress when it is clearly affecting performance. The paper also proposes an approach by which organisations in construction and project management can become more effective in this three phase approach to stress management in the workplace, based on a pilot study which is the basis of more in-depth research currently under way at Bond University.

An area of interest for project participants is one’s career. It may be as simple as looking for the next consulting contract in the Gig Economy or planning the next 5-10 years to accommodate external considerations such as retirement. Those project participants that take a sustainable approach to career management may enjoy better outcomes. We look at the sustainable project-oriented career concept and propose key error messages that signal risks to one’s career, such as the absence of substantial training or education within the past ten years. We examine the sustainable project-oriented career framework within the Gig Economy, including the need for periodic renewal through education and training. We review key innovations in education and training that project participants can leverage to improve career sustainability. The paper combines just enough theory with practical advice to develop sustainable project-oriented careers and to thrive in the Gig Economy.

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