scholarly journals Difficulties in conducting research with the use of virtual reality (VR)

E-methodology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
LUBA JAKUBOWSKA ◽  
MAGDALENA KAZIMIERSKA-ZAJĄC

Introduction. Virtual reality is a technology which is increasingly more often used notonly by the entertainment industry, but also in education, medicine, trade, and tourism.Conducting research with the use of virtual reality is necessary in order to confi rm or disclaimits effectiveness as a tool in particular uses.The aim. The aim of this paper is to present and analyse the diffi culties which ariseduring research with the use of VR.Methods and materials. The authors have analysed the diffi culties mentioned by researchers,as well as those addressing their own experiences gained during research with theuse of VR.Conclusions. The diffi culties arising during the research testing the use of VR can bedivided into three groups. The fi rst group includes those connected with the research subjects.There are objections related to certain illnesses, what is more, some individuals mayfeel fear of new technologies or lack interest in them. The second group contains the problemsconnected with the features of the equipment. The cost, the space necessary to carryout the research, and the number of assistants required make it diffi cult to conduct researchon a large number of individuals at the same time, and to popularise the use of the equipment.That is why researchers often use one tool only while working with a number ofpeople, which leads to wear and tear of the equipment. There is still a shortage of softwaresolutions dedicated to therapists and educators. Researchers often use software designedfor entertainment. The third group of diffi culties is related to the persons carrying out theresearch. The researchers ought to receive suffi cient training, they may require help transportingthe equipment, and they cannot anticipate the reactions of the particular researchsubjects. When writing the article we have noticed yet another obstacle, which may proveimpossible to overcome in the near future. VR glasses are typically used by a number ofpeople, which may be a threat in the times of an epidemic.

Author(s):  
G. I. Yeshenkulova ◽  
R. Ye. Agybetova ◽  
Y. E. Galiakbarov ◽  
A. G. Gizzatzhanova

The article describes the state of museums in the past, the impact of monotonous activities in the country on the number of visitors, as well as the introduction of new technologies and their impact on museums. The importance of using new technologies in the provision of their services, quickly focused on the modern period of museums that are among the top 10 world-famous museums, is emphasized. Virtual tours in 3D format of several foreign and patronymic museums and exhibitions with the use of modern technologies and augmented virtual reality indicate that the museum's attendance is increasing both online and offline. The situation in our country shows that significant work needs to be done to increase the number of visitors to museums, including the use of new technologies, good advertising, various promotions. This idea can be confirmed by the results of a survey on the use of augmented reality and virtual reality technologies in the museum in our country. The desire of a total of 179 participants to visit the museum confirms the need to develop this area. In the near future, people's visits to museums may change, their situation shows that the industry needs to be developed in the future, there is a great opportunity to deliver art to people previously unavailable, people who do not have the opportunity to travel and visit famous museums have online access to the world's best collections. Strict restrictions due to the pandemic have increased people's interest in listening to virtual tours of museums, which, among other things, is due to the fact that the museums themselves are beginning to quickly direct visitors to online tours.


Author(s):  
Imre Horva´th ◽  
Zolta´n Rusa´k ◽  
Bram de Smit ◽  
Adrie Kooijman ◽  
Eliab Z. Opiyo

The paradigm of tangible virtuality (TV) has grown out from the paradigm of virtual reality (VR), leaving some key concepts of projective and immersive VR behind, but introducing many new ones. The ultimate objective of TV is to intuitively generate air-borne synthetic objects (SOs), share them between remote work environments in real time, simulate their physical behavior, and enable a physics-obeying interaction of humans with SOs. The major challenges for the implementation of TV originate in the need for multi-sensory integral rendering of SOs and un-instrumented generation of high fidelity sensations. These scientific and technological challenges have a strong influence on the current advancement of TV. Actually, implementation of fully featured TV environments is still in its infancy. The goal of this paper is to analyze the main implementation concepts and to make an inventory of the technological challenges and opportunities. Six major issues have been identified: (i) use of natural interaction modalities to express SOs, (ii) multi-aspect (e.g., tactile, haptic and auditory) volumetric rendering and sensation of air-borne SOs, (iii) simulation of physical behavior of interacting SOs, and (iv) manipulative human interaction with SOs. The paper investigates the opportunities of a short-term implementation based on the current technologies and of a near-future implementation based on emerging and anticipated technologies. The conclusion is that current technologies allow only a limited implementation of SOs and a low fidelity multi-sensorial experience. For a full scale implementation, radically new technologies and implementation concepts are needed, but it also requires a goal-driven extension of the existing scientific knowledge.


2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-263
Author(s):  
Maria Y. Egorova ◽  
Irina A. Shuvalova ◽  
Olga I. Zvonareva ◽  
Igor D. Pimenov ◽  
Olga S. Kobyakova ◽  
...  

Background. The organization of clinical trials (CTs) requires the participation and coordination of healthcare providers, patients, public and private parties. Obstacles to the participation of any of these groups pose a risk of lowering the potential for the implementation of CTs. Researchers are a key human resource in conducting of CT. Their motivation for participation can have a significant impact on the recruitment and retention of patients, on the quality of the data collected, which determines the overall outcome of the study. Aims to assess the factors affecting the inclusion of Russian physicians-researchers in CT, and to determine their role in relations with patients-participants. Materials and methods. The study was organized as a part of the Russian multicenter face-to-face study. A survey was conducted of researchers from 10 cities of Russia (20172018). The participation in the survey for doctors was anonymous and voluntary. Results. The study involved 78 respondents. Most research doctors highly value the importance of research for science (4,84 0,39), society (4,67 0,46) and slightly lower for participating patients (4,44 0,61). The expectations of medical researchers are related to improving their financial situation and attaining new experience (n = 14; 18,18%). However, the opportunity to work with new technologies of treatment and diagnosis (n = 41; 52,56%) acted as a motivating factor. According to the questionnaire, the vast majority of research doctors (n = 29; 37,18%) believe that the main reason for patients to participate in CT is to receive quality and free medical care. The most significant obstacle to the inclusion of participants in CT was the side effects of the study drug (n = 38; 48,71%). Conclusions. The potential of clinical researchers in Russia is very high. The patient-participant acts for the research doctor as the subject of the study, and not the object, so the well-being of the patient is not indifferent to the doctor. However, the features of the functioning of our health care system form the motivation of doctors-researchers (additional earnings, professional self-development) and the way they perceive the motivation of patients (CT as an opportunity to receive quality medical care).


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-154
Author(s):  
Katja Koelkebeck ◽  
Maja Pantovic Stefanovic ◽  
Dorota Frydecka ◽  
Claudia Palumbo ◽  
Olivier Andlauer ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesTo understand and identify factors that promote and prevent research participation among early career psychiatrists (ECPs), in order to understand what would encourage more ECPs to pursue a research career.MethodsWe conducted an electronic search of databases (PubMed and the Cochrane library) using the keywords ‘doctors’, ‘trainees’, ‘residents’, ‘physicians’ and ‘psychiatric trainees’ as well as ‘research’ (MeSH) and ‘publishing’ (MeSH). This search was complemented by a secondary hand search.ResultsWe identified 524 articles, of which 16 fulfilled inclusion criteria for this review. The main barriers included lack of dedicated time for research, lack of mentoring and lack of funding. The main facilitators were opportunities to receive mentorship and access to research funding.ConclusionsAction is needed to counteract the lack of ECPs interested in a career in research. Specific programs encouraging ECPs to pursue research careers and having access to mentors could help increase the current numbers of researching clinicians in the field.


2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Wild-Eck ◽  
Willi Zimmermann

Two large-scale surveys looking at attitudes towards forests, forestry and forest policy in the second half ofthe nineties have been carried out. This work was done on behalf of the Swiss Confederation by the Chair of Forest Policy and Forest Economics of the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. Not only did the two studies use very different methods, but the results also varied greatly as far as infrastructure and basic conditions were concerned. One of the main differences between the two studies was the fact that the first dealt only with mountainous areas, whereas the second was carried out on the whole Swiss population. The results of the studies reflect these differences:each produced its own specific findings. Where the same (or similar) questions were asked, the answers highlight not only how the attitudes of those questioned differ, but also views that they hold in common. Both surveys showed positive attitudes towards forests in general, as well as a deep-seated appreciation ofthe forest as a recreational area, and a positive approach to tending. Detailed results of the two surveys will be available in the near future.


2019 ◽  
pp. 30-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.P. Sannikova ◽  
A.V. Malysheva ◽  
F.A. Klebanov ◽  
D.G. Kozlov

The capacity of yeast to produce the highly active variants of PLA2 has been confirmed. The high-active variants were based on the original enzyme from the strain А-2688 of Streptomyces violaceoruber. To reduce the enzyme toxicity and to increase its expression, various approaches were tested including point mutations, construction of artificial N- and/or C-end pro-regions, hybridization with other proteins and engineering or inactivation of glycosylation sites. As a main result, the modified PLA2 enzymes were obtained which have the same secretion level as their low-active predecessors, but specific activity of which was at least tenfold higher. As the main feature, the selected mutants were characterized by a lower affinity for Ca2+ that probably accounts for their low toxicity (and high expression capacity) at the stage of biosynthesis and their ability to activate under special conditions, e.g. during the egg yolk fermentation. The data obtained can provide a basis for the cost reduction of highly active PLA2 enzyme preparations in industries where the application of high calcium concentrations is allowed. recombinant phospholipase А2, Streptomyces violaceoruber, yeasts, secretion, producer strain The work was initiated by the Innovation Center Biriuch - New Technologies, Ltd., and was supported within the framework of the State Assignment no. 595-00004-18 PR.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Lara

AbstractCan Artificial Intelligence (AI) be more effective than human instruction for the moral enhancement of people? The author argues that it only would be if the use of this technology were aimed at increasing the individual's capacity to reflectively decide for themselves, rather than at directly influencing behaviour. To support this, it is shown how a disregard for personal autonomy, in particular, invalidates the main proposals for applying new technologies, both biomedical and AI-based, to moral enhancement. As an alternative to these proposals, this article proposes a virtual assistant that, through dialogue, neutrality and virtual reality technologies, can teach users to make better moral decisions on their own. The author concludes that, as long as certain precautions are taken in its design, such an assistant could do this better than a human instructor adopting the same educational methodology.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4663
Author(s):  
Janaina Cavalcanti ◽  
Victor Valls ◽  
Manuel Contero ◽  
David Fonseca

An effective warning attracts attention, elicits knowledge, and enables compliance behavior. Game mechanics, which are directly linked to human desires, stand out as training, evaluation, and improvement tools. Immersive virtual reality (VR) facilitates training without risk to participants, evaluates the impact of an incorrect action/decision, and creates a smart training environment. The present study analyzes the user experience in a gamified virtual environment of risks using the HTC Vive head-mounted display. The game was developed in the Unreal game engine and consisted of a walk-through maze composed of evident dangers and different signaling variables while user action data were recorded. To demonstrate which aspects provide better interaction, experience, perception and memory, three different warning configurations (dynamic, static and smart) and two different levels of danger (low and high) were presented. To properly assess the impact of the experience, we conducted a survey about personality and knowledge before and after using the game. We proceeded with the qualitative approach by using questions in a bipolar laddering assessment that was compared with the recorded data during the game. The findings indicate that when users are engaged in VR, they tend to test the consequences of their actions rather than maintaining safety. The results also reveal that textual signal variables are not accessed when users are faced with the stress factor of time. Progress is needed in implementing new technologies for warnings and advance notifications to improve the evaluation of human behavior in virtual environments of high-risk surroundings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii461-iii461
Author(s):  
Andrea Carai ◽  
Angela Mastronuzzi ◽  
Giovanna Stefania Colafati ◽  
Paul Voicu ◽  
Nicola Onorini ◽  
...  

Abstract Tridimensional (3D) rendering of volumetric neuroimaging is increasingly been used to assist surgical management of brain tumors. New technologies allowing immersive virtual reality (VR) visualization of obtained models offer the opportunity to appreciate neuroanatomical details and spatial relationship between the tumor and normal neuroanatomical structures to a level never seen before. We present our preliminary experience with the Surgical Theatre, a commercially available 3D VR system, in 60 consecutive neurosurgical oncology cases. 3D models were developed from volumetric CT scans and MR standard and advanced sequences. The system allows the loading of 6 different layers at the same time, with the possibility to modulate opacity and threshold in real time. Use of the 3D VR was used during preoperative planning allowing a better definition of surgical strategy. A tailored craniotomy and brain dissection can be simulated in advanced and precisely performed in the OR, connecting the system to intraoperative neuronavigation. Smaller blood vessels are generally not included in the 3D rendering, however, real-time intraoperative threshold modulation of the 3D model assisted in their identification improving surgical confidence and safety during the procedure. VR was also used offline, both before and after surgery, in the setting of case discussion within the neurosurgical team and during MDT discussion. Finally, 3D VR was used during informed consent, improving communication with families and young patients. 3D VR allows to tailor surgical strategies to the single patient, contributing to procedural safety and efficacy and to the global improvement of neurosurgical oncology care.


Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 882
Author(s):  
M. Munzer Alseed ◽  
Hamzah Syed ◽  
Mehmet Cengiz Onbasli ◽  
Ali K. Yetisen ◽  
Savas Tasoglu

Civil wars produce immense humanitarian crises, causing millions of individuals to seek refuge in other countries. The rate of disease prevalence has inclined among the refugees, increasing the cost of healthcare. Complex medical conditions and high numbers of patients at healthcare centers overwhelm the healthcare system and delay diagnosis and treatment. Point-of-care (PoC) testing can provide efficient solutions to high equipment cost, late diagnosis, and low accessibility of healthcare services. However, the development of PoC devices in developing countries is challenged by several barriers. Such PoC devices may not be adopted due to prejudices about new technologies and the need for special training to use some of these devices. Here, we investigated the concerns of end users regarding PoC devices by surveying healthcare workers and doctors. The tendency to adopt PoC device changes is based on demographic factors such as work sector, education, and technology experience. The most apparent concern about PoC devices was issues regarding low accuracy, according to the surveyed clinicians.


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