Nature Connection and 360-Degree Video: An Exploratory Study With Immersive Technology

2021 ◽  
pp. 105382592110015
Author(s):  
John C. Sneed ◽  
S. Anthony Deringer ◽  
Adam Hanley
Keyword(s):  
Pairwise Comparisons ◽  
State University ◽  
Connection To Nature ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Nature Connection ◽  
Nature Preserve ◽  
State Dependent ◽  
Nature Relatedness Scale ◽  
Nature Experience

Background: Immersive technologies may be an avenue to explore the construct of human–nature connection more thoroughly and without some of the obstacles to accessing nature in-person. Purpose: The aim of this project was to discover if self-exposure to immersive virtual nature can lead to any change in nature connectedness. Methodology/Approach: Participants were recruited from the Texas State University campus and randomized into three experimental conditions: a filmed library or nature experience, and an in-nature experience. 360-degree videos of a nature preserve and the university library were projected within a head-mounted display in a laboratory setting. Results of pre- and postsurvey data were compared between experimental groups. Findings/Conclusions: Pairwise comparisons with the Nature Relatedness Scale indicated that participants in the in-nature experience reported significantly stronger beliefs about their connection to nature than those in either virtual condition. With respect to the State of Independence with Nature Scale, planned pairwise comparisons indicated that between participants in the in-nature experience and the virtual nature experience did not differ. Implications: This study suggests that to connect with nature, one should spend time there. In addition, here data support that a virtual immersive nature experience can affect a state-dependent measurement of nature connection, and even equal that of an in-nature experience.

scholarly journals Measuring Connection to Nature—A Illustrated Extension of the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1761
Author(s):  
Matthias Winfried Kleespies ◽  
Tina Braun ◽  
Paul Wilhelm Dierkes ◽  
Volker Wenzel
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Conservation Education ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Connection To Nature ◽  
Nature Connection ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
New Instrument ◽  
Actual Target ◽  
Similar Accuracy

The human-nature connection is an important factor that is frequently the subject of environmental education research and environmental psychology. Therefore, over the years, numerous measuring instruments have been established to quantitatively record a person’s connection to nature. However, there is no instrument specifically for children with cognitive limitations. For this reason, in this study, an established scale for connection to nature, the inclusion of nature in self scale (INS), was modified especially for the needs of this group. Study 1 investigated what students understand by the term “nature” in order to create an illustrated version of the INS. In study 2, the new instrument was tested on university students and compared with the original INS and the connectedness to nature scale (CNS). No significant differences between the original INS and the new developed scale were found (p = 0.247), from which it can be concluded that the illustrated INS (IINS) measures the connection to nature with similar accuracy as the original INS. In study 3, the instrument was tested together with other established nature connection instruments on the actual target group, students with disabilities. The correlation between the IINS, the CNS, and nature connectedness scale (NR) were in accordance with the expected literature values (rIINS-CNS = 0.570 & rIINS-NR = 0.605). The results of this study also prove effectiveness of the developed illustrated scale. This research thus provides a suitable measuring instrument for people with learning difficulties and can make a contribution to the investigation of human-nature connections and conservation education.

Multisensory Feedback Can Enhance Embodiment Within an Enriched Virtual Walking Scenario

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Leonardis ◽  
Antonio Frisoli ◽  
Michele Barsotti ◽  
Marcello Carrozzino ◽  
Massimo Bergamasco
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Sensory Feedback ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Proprioceptive Feedback ◽  
Tendon Vibration ◽  
Motion Platform ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Skin Response

This study investigates how the sense of embodiment in virtual environments can be enhanced by multisensory feedback related to body movements. In particular, we analyze the effect of combined vestibular and proprioceptive afferent signals on the perceived embodiment within an immersive walking scenario. These feedback signals were applied by means of a motion platform and by tendon vibration of lower limbs, evoking illusory leg movements. Vestibular and proprioceptive feedback were provided congruently with a rich virtual scenario reconstructing a real city, rendered on a head-mounted display (HMD). The sense of embodiment was evaluated through both self-reported questionnaires and physiological measurements in two experimental conditions: with all active sensory feedback (highly embodied condition), and with visual feedback only. Participants' self-reports show that the addition of both vestibular and proprioceptive feedback increases the sense of embodiment and the individual's feeling of presence associated with the walking experience. Furthermore, the embodiment condition significantly increased the measured galvanic skin response and respiration rate. The obtained results suggest that vestibular and proprioceptive feedback can improve the participant's sense of embodiment in the virtual experience.

405 LEVELS OF HORMONES AND NITRIC OXIDE PRESENT IN FOLLICULAR FLUID UNDER OR NOT UNDER SUPEROVULATION IN MARES

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Carmo ◽  
L. Losinno ◽  
J. Aguilar ◽  
J. Rose ◽  
G. H. M. Araujo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
State University ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Follicular Aspiration ◽  
Transvaginal Aspiration ◽  
Change In The Mean ◽  
The University

The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of 17β-estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, inibin, and nitric oxide in follicular fluid between superovulated mares (G1) using equine pituitary extract (EPE) and nonsuperovulated mares (G2) used as control. Two estrus cycles from 24 mares (G1 = 12; G2 = 12) were monitored. In G1, the first cycle was used to determine the ovulation day (Day 0), followed by the administration of PGF2 (250 μg daily of cloprostenol; Sincrocio™, Ouro Fino, São Paulo, Brazil) on the first and second day of treatment with EPE. During the second cycle, EPE (25 mg i.m.) was administered twice daily from Day 7 to the ultrasound detection of a majority of follicles at least 35 mm in diameter. At this time, 2500 IU of hCG IV (Vetecor™, Hertape Calier, Minas Gerais, Brazil) was given. The same protocol was used for G2 as was used for G1 except that EPE administration was replaced by saline injections. For follicular aspiration, the mares were sedated with xilazine (0.5 mg kg-1; Sedazine™, Fort Dodge, São Paulo, Brazil) and acepromazine (0.05 mg kg-1; Acepram 1%™, Univet, Milton, Ontario Canada); hioscin bromide (Buscofin™, Agener União, São Paulo, Brazil) was also administered to reduce intestinal motility and to make ovary manipulation by way of the rectum easier. All follicles larger than 35 mm were aspirated using a Cook® double lumen needle (12 GA) in a transvaginal aspiration probe guided by ultrasonography. The number of aspirated preovulatory follicles was 4.75 ± 2.7 and 1.0 ± 0.0 for G1 and G2, respectively. The follicular fluid collected was centrifuged at 600 × g for 10 min in order to separate the fluid from the cells. The fluid was stored at -20°C and sent to the University of California (Davis, USA) for hormonal assay. The nitric oxide dosage was determined at São Paulo State University (Botucatu, Brazil) using the luminescent reaction of Griess. The comparison between groups of hormonal levels and nitric oxide was performed using the t-test at 5% significance. The results of the present study showed that the EPE treatment (G1), under the experimental conditions, did not lead to a significant change in the mean concentrations of the evaluated hormones or of nitric oxide in the follicular fluid when compared with the levels in G2. However, differences were found among the individuals only in G1 in all hormones (P < 0.05), with exception of progesterone (P > 0.05). Table 1.Mean and standard error of the follicular fluid hormones and nitric oxide levels of groups G1 and G2 Supported by FAPESP, Brazil.

scholarly journals Telementoring in Leg Fasciotomies via Mixed-Reality: Clinical Evaluation of the STAR Platform

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 513-520
Author(s):  
Edgar Rojas-Muñoz ◽  
Maria Eugenia Cabrera ◽  
Chengyuan Lin ◽  
Natalia Sánchez-Tamayo ◽  
Dan Andersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Confidence Score ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Surgical Guidance ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Operating Field ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Expert Surgeon

ABSTRACT Introduction Point-of-injury (POI) care requires immediate specialized assistance but delays and expertise lapses can lead to complications. In such scenarios, telementoring can benefit health practitioners by transmitting guidance from remote specialists. However, current telementoring systems are not appropriate for POI care. This article clinically evaluates our System for Telementoring with Augmented Reality (STAR), a novel telementoring system based on an augmented reality head-mounted display. The system is portable, self-contained, and displays virtual surgical guidance onto the operating field. These capabilities can facilitate telementoring in POI scenarios while mitigating limitations of conventional telementoring systems. Methods Twenty participants performed leg fasciotomies on cadaveric specimens under either one of two experimental conditions: telementoring using STAR; or without telementoring but reviewing the procedure beforehand. An expert surgeon evaluated the participants’ performance in terms of completion time, number of errors, and procedure-related scores. Additional metrics included a self-reported confidence score and postexperiment questionnaires. Results STAR effectively delivered surgical guidance to nonspecialist health practitioners: participants using STAR performed fewer errors and obtained higher procedure-related scores. Conclusions This work validates STAR as a viable surgical telementoring platform, which could be further explored to aid in scenarios where life-saving care must be delivered in a prehospital setting.

Induced Obsidian Hydration Experiments: An Investigation in Relative Dating

1988 ◽  
Vol 125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim J. Tremaine ◽  
David A. Fredrickson
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Reaction Vessel ◽  
State University ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Relative Dating ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Obsidian Source ◽  
Initial Focus

ABSTRACTInduced obsidian hydration experiments have been conducted over the last six months at Sonoma State University. Our initial focus has been to assess the influence of experimental conditions on hydration development within a thermally controlled pressure reaction vessel. Although an ultimate goal is to calculate source-specific rates for local obsidians, given current uncertainties regarding the ability to reliably express hydration widths as calendar years, a more immediate goal is to develop a means to compare hydration rim measurements of samples from one obsidian source relative to another so that archaeological assemblages containing obsidians from two or more sources can be placed into a time series. Induced hydration experiments are expected to provide data that illustrate the relationship between hydration measurements of different obsidians with temporal equivalency. Results and implications of initial experiments are discussed.

scholarly journals Intraocular pressure and cardiovascular alterations investigated in artificial gravity as a countermeasure to spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome

2018 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 567-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison P. Anderson ◽  
Joseph S. Butterfield ◽  
Prem S. Subramanian ◽  
Torin K. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Intraocular Pressure ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Artificial Gravity ◽  
Pairwise Comparisons ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Gravitational Loading ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Additional Influence

Artificial gravity (AG) has been proposed as a countermeasure to spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). The etiology of SANS is unknown but mimicking gravitational loading through AG may mitigate these negative adaptations. Seventeen subjects (nine men, eight women; 18–32 yr) were analyzed in four experimental conditions: 1) standing, 2) supine, 3) AG with the center of rotation at the eye (AGEC), and 4) AG with 2 Gs at the feet (AG2G). In both AG conditions, subjects were spun to produce 1 G at their center of mass. Data included self-administered intraocular pressure (IOP, Tono-pen AVIA, Depew, NY), heart rate (HR), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP, Omron Series 10, Omron Healthcare, Kyoto, Japan). Data were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVAs with Tukey-Kramer corrections for multiple pairwise comparisons. IOP was 15.7 ± 1.4 mmHg (mean ± 95% confidence interval) standing, 18.8 ± 1.3 mmHg supine, 18.5 ± 1.7 mmHg in AGEC, and 17.5 ± 1.5 mmHg in AG2G. Postures showed a main effect [F(3,48) = 11.0, P < 0.0005], with standing significantly lower than supine ( P = 0.0009), AGEC ( P = 0.002), and AG2G (0.036). Supine, AGEC, and AG2G were not statistically different. HR and MAP were lower in supine compared with all other postures ( P = 0.002 to P < 0.0005), but there were no differences between standing, AGEC, and AG2G. IOP in supine and standing was consistent with previous studies, but contrary to our hypothesis, remained elevated in both AG conditions. Cardiovascular parameters and hydrostatic gradients determine IOP, which remain unchanged compared with standing. These results suggest additional influence on IOP from previously unconsidered factors. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study, to the authors’ knowledge, to measure intraocular pressure in short-radius centrifuge artificial gravity (AG), which has been proposed as a countermeasure to the spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). If the etiology of SANS is related to intraocular pressure, these results have implications for whether or not short-radius AG can be used to prevent ocular changes relevant to it. Our results indicate this proposed countermeasure merits further investigation.

scholarly journals Predicting cybersickness based on user’s gaze behaviors in HMD-based virtual reality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunhee Chang ◽  
Hyun Taek Kim ◽  
Byounghyun Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Substantial Improvement ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Subjective Vertical ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Position Sequence ◽  
Past Experiences

Abstract Cybersickness refers to a group of uncomfortable symptoms experienced in virtual reality (VR). Among several theories of cybersickness, the subjective vertical mismatch (SVM) theory focuses on an individual’s internal model, which is created and updated through past experiences. Although previous studies have attempted to provide experimental evidence for the theory, most approaches are limited to subjective measures or body sway. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the SVM theory on the basis of the participant’s eye movements and investigate whether the subjective level of cybersickness can be predicted using eye-related measures. 26 participants experienced roller coaster VR while wearing a head-mounted display with eye tracking. We designed four experimental conditions by changing the orientation of the VR scene (upright vs. inverted) or the controllability of the participant’s body (unrestrained vs. restrained body). The results indicated that participants reported more severe cybersickness when experiencing the upright VR content without controllability. Moreover, distinctive eye movements (e.g. fixation duration and distance between the eye gaze and the object position sequence) were observed according to the experimental conditions. On the basis of these results, we developed a regression model using eye-movement features and found that our model can explain 34.8% of the total variance of cybersickness, indicating a substantial improvement compared to the previous work (4.2%). This study provides empirical data for the SVM theory using both subjective and eye-related measures. In particular, the results suggest that participants’ eye movements can serve as a significant index for predicting cybersickness when considering natural gaze behaviors during a VR experience.

Nature connection through film

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-121
Author(s):  
Andreas Breden
Keyword(s):  
Human Beings ◽  
Connection To Nature ◽  
Nature Connection

These notes accompany two films that I have made. They are an attempt to punctuate why my connection to nature is so important to me and try to find a way to share this. I write attempt because I believe that we as human beings are ever-evolving, ever-revealing and ever-growing, and so is our relationship and connection to nature. It’s not a circular movement, but more like a spiraling one which adds one more dimension. We come back to places that are familiar but slightly different.  What can we co-learn from lighting a campfire?  https://youtu.be/NyBPVkhQjOY Following a stream towards the sea  https://youtu.be/r7W7vF2dqzI

scholarly journals Fidelity Metrics for Virtual Environment Simulations Based on Spatial Memory Awareness States

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katerina Mania ◽  
Tom Troscianko ◽  
Rycharde Hawkes ◽  
Alan Chalmers
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Human Memory ◽  
Head Tracking ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Real Scene ◽  
Memory Awareness

This paper describes a methodology based on human judgments of memory awareness states for assessing the simulation fidelity of a virtual environment (VE) in relation to its real scene counterpart. To demonstrate the distinction between task performance-based approaches and additional human evaluation of cognitive awareness states, a photorealistic VE was created. Resulting scenes displayed on a head-mounted display (HMD) with or without head tracking and desktop monitor were then compared to the real-world task situation they represented, investigating spatial memory after exposure. Participants described how they completed their spatial recollections by selecting one of four choices of awareness states after retrieval in an initial test and a retention test a week after exposure to the environment. These reflected the level of visual mental imagery involved during retrieval, the familiarity of the recollection and also included guesses, even if informed. Experimental results revealed variations in the distribution of participants' awareness states across conditions while, in certain cases, task performance failed to reveal any. Experimental conditions that incorporated head tracking were not associated with visually induced recollections. Generally, simulation of task performance does not necessarily lead to simulation of the awareness states involved when completing a memory task. The general premise of this research focuses on how tasks are achieved, rather than only on what is achieved. The extent to which judgments of human memory recall, memory awareness states, and presence in the physical and VE are similar provides a fidelity metric of the simulation in question.

Induced Obsidian Hydration Experiments: An Investigation in Relative Dating

1988 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
KIM J. Tremaine ◽  
David A. Fredrickson
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Reaction Vessel ◽  
State University ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Relative Dating ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Obsidian Source ◽  
Initial Focus

AbstractInduced obsidian hydration experiments have been conducted over the last six months at Sonoma State University. Our initial focus has been to assess the influence of experimental conditions on hydration development within a thermally controlled pressure reaction vessel. Although an ultimate goal is to calculate source-specific rates for local obsidians, given current uncertainties regarding the ability to reliably express hydration widths as calendar years, a more immediate goal is to develop a means to compare hydration rim measurements of samples from one obsidian source relative to another so that archaeological assemblages containing obsidians from two or more sources can be placed into a time series. Induced hydration experiments are expected to provide data that illustrate the relationship between hydration measurements of different obsidians with temporal equivalency. Results and implications of initial experiments are discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document