Virtual Reality of Nature Can Be as Effective as Actual Nature in Promoting Ecological Behavior

Nature exposure is known to promote physical and mental health. However, actual nature exposure may be difficult to achieve for the population of people with physical disabilities or chronic conditions. Therefore, many attempts have been made to duplicate nature exposure via media devices, and virtual reality (VR) is deemed as a promising technology due to its advantage in creating a sense of immersion. Generally, current studies suggest that being exposed to virtual nature may contribute to psychological and physiological relaxation. Besides, some pieces of evidence indicate that virtual nature may improve attentional resources, cognitive performance, and pain experience. Although VR is deemed as an advanced media, insufficient evidence was found concerning the advantages of VR over traditional two-dimensional media when it comes to simulated nature exposure. On the other hand, computer-generated (CG) scenarios were found to be more beneficial than 360° videos, and mini-games may be useful in creating an interactive VR format for simulated nature exposure. Further research is needed because of the limited relevant studies.

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Recent applications of TEM to the study of interfaces

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100174679 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 308-309

Author(s):

C. Barry Carter

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Sample Preparation ◽

Grain Boundaries ◽

Diffuse Scattering ◽

Imaging Techniques ◽

Amorphous Material ◽

Contrast Imaging ◽

Current State ◽

Actual Nature ◽

High Resolution Images

This paper will review the current state of understanding of interface structure and highlight some of the future needs and problems which must be overcome. The study of this subject can be separated into three different topics: 1) the fundamental electron microscopy aspects, 2) material-specific features of the study and 3) the characteristics of the particular interfaces. The two topics which are relevant to most studies are the choice of imaging techniques and sample preparation. The techniques used to study interfaces in the TEM include high-resolution imaging, conventional diffraction-contrast imaging, and phase-contrast imaging (Fresnel fringe images, diffuse scattering). The material studied affects not only the characteristics of the interfaces (through changes in bonding, etc.) but also the method used for sample preparation which may in turn have a significant affect on the resulting image. Finally, the actual nature and geometry of the interface must be considered. For example, it has become increasingly clear that the plane of the interface is particularly important whenever at least one of the adjoining grains is crystalline.A particularly productive approach to the study of interfaces is to combine different imaging techniques as illustrated in the study of grain boundaries in alumina. In this case, the conventional imaging approach showed that most grain boundaries in ion-thinned samples are grooved at the grain boundary although the extent of this grooving clearly depends on the crystallography of the surface. The use of diffuse scattering (from amorphous regions) gives invaluable information here since it can be used to confirm directly that surface grooving does occur and that the grooves can fill with amorphous material during sample preparation (see Fig. 1). Extensive use of image simulation has shown that, although information concerning the interface can be obtained from Fresnel-fringe images, the introduction of artifacts through sample preparation cannot be lightly ignored. The Fresnel-fringe simulation has been carried out using a commercial multislice program (TEMPAS) which was intended for simulation of high-resolution images.

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Detection of neuronal response in a new mechatronics equipment with virtual reality images

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology ◽

10.1016/s0013-4694(97)89078-9 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 223

Author(s):

A Rovetta

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Neuronal Response

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Top-Down Processing and Visual Reorientation Illusions in a Virtual Reality Environment

Swiss Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1024/1421-0185.63.3.143 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 143-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Fred W. Mast ◽

Charles M. Oman

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Visual Processing ◽

Line Length ◽

Perceptual Cues ◽

Virtual Reality Environment ◽

Top Down ◽

Test Conditions ◽

The Subject ◽

Processing Mechanisms

The role of top-down processing on the horizontal-vertical line length illusion was examined by means of an ambiguous room with dual visual verticals. In one of the test conditions, the subjects were cued to one of the two verticals and were instructed to cognitively reassign the apparent vertical to the cued orientation. When they have mentally adjusted their perception, two lines in a plus sign configuration appeared and the subjects had to evaluate which line was longer. The results showed that the line length appeared longer when it was aligned with the direction of the vertical currently perceived by the subject. This study provides a demonstration that top-down processing influences lower level visual processing mechanisms. In another test condition, the subjects had all perceptual cues available and the influence was even stronger.

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Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Swiss Surgery ◽

10.1024/1023-9332.8.6.250 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 250-254

Author(s):

Vogelbach ◽

Bogdan ◽

Rosenthal ◽

Pfefferkorn ◽

Triponez

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy ◽

Neue Technik

Fragestellung: Die dieser Untersuchung zugrunde liegende Frage war, ob das angewandte Ausbildungskonzept geeignet war, um am Beispiel der Einführung der laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie eine neue Operationsmethode in einer universitären Ausbildungsklinik mit einer grossen Anzahl Chirurgen zu etablieren. Patienten und Methodik: Seit Einführung der ersten laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie wurden alle Cholezystektomien während zwei Jahren (Mai 1990 bis Mai 1992) prospektiv erfasst. Ein Ausbildungskonzept wurde gewählt, bei dem jeweils ein Operateur durch einen Tutor geschult wurde und so 15 konsekutive Eingriffe durchführte, um dann die Technik einem weiteren auszubildenden Chirurgen zu instruieren. Resultate: In zwei Jahren wurden 355 Patienten cholezystektomiert. 60% der Operationen wurden laparoskopisch durchgeführt oder begonnen. 40% der Operationen wurden offen durchgeführt. In den ersten zwei Jahren konnten 13 Operateure (durchschnittlich 16 Operationen / Operateur , range 1 - 60) in die neue Technik eingeführt werden. Es traten keine schweren Komplikationen, insbesondere keine Gallenwegsverletzungen in dieser Einführungsphase auf. Diskussion: In der Literatur wird dieses Vorgehen bei der Einführungsphase seit 1992 wiederholt vorgestellt, diskutiert und empfohlen. Zwischenzeitlich gibt es Richtlinien von Fachgesellschaften und nationalen Institutionen, welche die Ausbildung zur Ausführung neuer chirurgischer Techniken reglementieren. In den letzten Jahren verlagern sich die ersten Ausbildungsschritte in Richtung Trainingskurse an skill-stations und virtual reality Trainer. Schlussfolgerung: Das beschriebene Ausbildungskonzept bewährte sich in der Einführungsphase der laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie zu Beginn der 90er-Jahre.

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Assessing General Ecological Behavior

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027//1015-5759.16.1.44 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 44-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Florian G. Kaiser ◽

Anders Biel

Keyword(s):

Internal Consistency ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Questionnaire Data ◽

Situational Influences ◽

Behavior Difficulties ◽

Differential Behavior ◽

Ecological Behavior ◽

Political Actions ◽

Measurement Approach

Summary: The General Ecological Behavior (GEB) scale was developed for cross-cultural applications ( Kaiser & Wilson, in press ). The present study compares ecological behavior in Sweden and Switzerland. Questionnaire data from 247 Swedish and 445 Swiss participants are presented. Reliability and internal consistency analyses revealed that the GEB scale was applicable to both the Swedish and Swiss samples. In general, Swiss behave more ecologically than Swedes. Nevertheless, several ecological behaviors turned out to be easier to conduct in Sweden than in Switzerland and vice versa. The GEB scale takes differential behavior difficulties into account that are most likely caused by situational influences. At the same time, the proposed behavior measurement approach guides the search for potentially useful political actions that make it easier for people to behave ecologically in some societies and, thus, can be adopted by others.

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