scholarly journals Exploring the Development Requirements for Virtual Reality Gait Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Mohammed Soheeb Khan ◽  
Vassilis Charissis ◽  
Sophia Sakellariou
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Gait Analysis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Rural And Remote ◽  
Physical Presence ◽  
Alternative Means ◽  
Virtual Presence ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Local Proximity

The hip joint is highly prone to traumatic and degenerative pathologies resulting in irregular locomotion. Monitoring and treatment depend on high-end technology facilities requiring physician and patient co-location, thus limiting access to specialist monitoring and treatment for populations living in rural and remote locations. Telemedicine offers an alternative means of monitoring, negating the need for patient physical presence. In addition, emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and immersive technologies, offer potential future solutions through virtual presence, where the patient and health professional can meet in a virtual environment (a virtual clinic). To this end, a prototype asynchronous telemedicine VR gait analysis system was designed, aiming to transfer a full clinical facility within the patients’ local proximity. The proposed system employs cost-effective alternative motion capture combined with the system’s immersive 3D virtual gait analysis clinic. The user interface and the tools in the application offer health professionals asynchronous, objective, and subjective analyses. This paper investigates the requirements for the design of such a system and discusses preliminary comparative data of its performance evaluation against a high-fidelity gait analysis clinical application.

scholarly journals Test-Retest Reliability of PODOSmart® Gait Analysis Insoles

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 7532
Author(s):  
Andreas Loukovitis ◽  
Efthymios Ziagkas ◽  
Dimitrios Xypolias Zekakos ◽  
Alexandros Petrelis ◽  
George Grouios
Keyword(s):  
Gait Analysis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Human Locomotion ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Healthy Male ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

It is recognized that gait analysis is a powerful tool used to capture human locomotion and quantify the related parameters. PODOSmart® insoles have been designed to provide accurate measurements for gait analysis. PODOSmart® insoles are lightweight, slim and cost-effective. A recent publication presented the characteristics and data concerning the validity of PODOSmart® insoles in gait analysis. In literature, there is still no evidence about the repeatability of PODOSmart® gait analysis system. Such evidence is essential in order to use this device in both research and clinical settings. The aim of the present study was to assess the repeatability of PODOSmart® system. In this context, it was hypothesized that the parameters of gait analysis captured by PODOSmart® would be repeatable. In a sample consisting of 22 healthy male adults, participants performed two walking trials on a six-meter walkway. The ICC values for 28 gait variables provided by PODOSmart® indicated good to excellent test-retest reliability, ranging from 0.802 to 0.997. The present findings confirm that PODOSmart® gait analysis insoles present excellent repeatability in gait analysis parameters. These results offer additional evidence regarding the reliability of this gait analysis tool.

Investigation into the implementation of chloramination at Sedibeng Water

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 233-238
Author(s):  
N. Basson ◽  
D. Traut ◽  
G. Titus ◽  
C. vd Walt ◽  
J. Haarhoff
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Alternative Means ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
One Year

The Balkfontein and Virginia plants of Sedibeng Water, situated in the Free State Province of South Africa, treat water for potable purposes. Chlorine is used as disinfectant at both plants. Low levels of free chlorine measured in the water supplied from some reservoirs, logistics and costs, related to the application of chlorination at various points in the distribution system, were the main thrusts for an investigation into the use of chloramination as an alternative means of disinfection. The so-called contact time (CT)-approach from the United States Environmental Protection Agency was applied for the evaluation of disinfection efficiency. The distribution system was modelled by using a hydraulic computer system. Decay rates for both chlorine and monochloramine - a vital parameter for eventual determination of the amount of chlorine and ammonia to be dosed - were determined. The levels of disinfectant in the water at a specific location could be predicted by using the decay values. The main findings of this investigation are that chloramination is an attractive and cost-effective alternative for conventional chlorination for providing quality assurance to all. It is estimated that the capital layout will be recovered within one year of operation of the ammoniation system.

scholarly journals VR Neuro Game: a Virtual Reality Game to Support Neuroanatomy Teaching and Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-268
Author(s):  
Vinícius Souza ◽  
Anderson Maciel ◽  
Luciana Nedel ◽  
Regis Kopper ◽  
Klaus Loges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Knowledge Test ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Motivation In Education ◽  
Published Paper

Using virtual environments (VEs) is a safer and cost-effective alternative to training people in different contexts. Immersive Virtual Reality (VR), combined with game aspects, have the potential to improve the user experience in the VE by increasing realism, engagement, and motivation. In education, there is a consensus about its contribution in the teaching and learning processes. However, in Brazil, only a few research groups have developed projects that involve the development of VR for education, due to technical difficulties and high costs. This manuscript presents the development and evaluation of an VR serious game to support the learning of neuroanatomy, an extended version of our previously published paper at the SVR 2020. In this version, we present the results of four different user studies, involving 57 participants, which suggest that the VR Neuro Game is easy to use, even by inexperienced subjects in VR, and is potentially useful for teaching and learning processes, both by individual students and groups of students and also in remote learning. In addition, the game was considered fun and did not cause discomfort. When comparing the knowledge test performance before and immediately after the experiments, we found significant difference only for the virtual condition. The same could be observed for retention results.

2D Color-Intensity Representation of Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge Measurements

2020 ◽  
pp. 1192-1198
Author(s):  
M.S. Mohammad ◽  
Tibebe Tesfaye ◽  
Kim Ki-Seong
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
The Other ◽  
Thickness Gauge ◽  
Color Intensity ◽  
Digital Readout ◽  
Flat Surfaces ◽  
Video Cameras ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Ultrasonic Thickness

Ultrasonic thickness gauges are easy to operate and reliable, and can be used to measure a wide range of thicknesses and inspect all engineering materials. Supplementing the simple ultrasonic thickness gauges that present results in either a digital readout or as an A-scan with systems that enable correlating the measured values to their positions on the inspected surface to produce a two-dimensional (2D) thickness representation can extend their benefits and provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive advanced C-scan machines. In previous work, the authors introduced a system for the positioning and mapping of the values measured by the ultrasonic thickness gauges and flaw detectors (Tesfaye et al. 2019). The system is an alternative to the systems that use mechanical scanners, encoders, and sophisticated UT machines. It used a camera to record the probe’s movement and a projected laser grid obtained by a laser pattern generator to locate the probe on the inspected surface. In this paper, a novel system is proposed to be applied to flat surfaces, in addition to overcoming the other limitations posed due to the use of the laser projection. The proposed system uses two video cameras, one to monitor the probe’s movement on the inspected surface and the other to capture the corresponding digital readout of the thickness gauge. The acquired images of the probe’s position and thickness gauge readout are processed to plot the measured data in a 2D color-coded map. The system is meant to be simpler and more effective than the previous development.

JS777

Alloy Digest ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Corrosion Resistance ◽  
Austenitic Stainless Steel ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Heat Treating ◽  
Steel Company ◽  
High Alloy ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Resistance To Stress ◽  
Nickel Base

Abstract JS777 is a high-alloy, fully austenitic stainless steel developed for applications where corrosive conditions are too severe for the standard grades of stainless steel. It also provides a cost-effective alternative to more expensive nickel-base and titanium-base alloys. It has relatively high resistance to stress-corrosion cracking and to intergranular corrosion. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, elasticity, and tensile properties. It also includes information on corrosion resistance as well as forming, heat treating, machining, joining, and surface treatment. Filing Code: SS-377. Producer or source: Jessop Steel Company.

ANCORSTEEL 4300

Alloy Digest ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Toughness ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Tensile Properties ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Heat Treating ◽  
Effective Alternative ◽  
Powder Metal ◽  
Secondary Processing ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative

Abstract Ancorsteel 4300 alloy ferrous powder simulates wrought steel compositions and is a cost-effective alternative to alloys requiring secondary processing. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, and tensile properties as well as fracture toughness. It also includes information on heat treating and powder metal forms. Filing Code: SA-611. Producer or source: Hoeganaes Corporation.

scholarly journals OP0198-HPR A STRUCTURED MODEL FOR OA CARE IN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE IS A COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE COMPARED TO USUAL CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH HIP AND KNEE OA

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 119-120
Author(s):  
N. Østerås ◽  
E. Aas ◽  
T. Moseng ◽  
L. Van Bodegom-Vos ◽  
K. Dziedzic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Usual Care ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cost Utility ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Structured Model ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
The Cost

Background:To improve quality of care for patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), a structured model for integrated OA care was developed based on international treatment recommendations. A previous analysis of a cluster RCT (cRCT) showed that compared to usual care, the intervention group reported higher quality of care and greater satisfaction with care. Also, more patients were treated according to international guidelines and fulfilled recommendations for physical activity at the 6-month follow-up.Objectives:To assess the cost-utility of a structured model for hip or knee OA care.Methods:A cRCT with stepped-wedge cohort design was conducted in 6 Norwegian municipalities (clusters) in 2015-17. The OA care model was implemented in one cluster at the time by switching from “usual care” to the structured model. The implementation of the model was facilitated by interactive workshops for general practitioners (GPs) and physiotherapists (PTs) with an update on OA treatment recommendations. The GPs explained the OA diagnosis and treatment alternatives, provided pharmacological treatment when appropriate, and suggested referral to physiotherapy. The PT-led patient OA education programme was group-based and lasted 3 hours followed by an 8–12-week individually tailored resistance exercise programme with twice weekly 1-hour supervised group sessions (5–10 patients per PT). An optional 10-hours Healthy Eating Program was available. Participants were ≥45 years with symptomatic hip or knee OA.Costs were measured from the healthcare perspective and collected from several sources. Patients self-reported visits in primary healthcare at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Secondary healthcare visits and joint surgery data were extracted from the Norwegian Patient Register. The health outcome, quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), was estimated based on the EQ-5D-5L scores at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The result of the cost-utility analysis was reported using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), defined as the incremental costs relative to incremental QALYs (QALYs gained). Based on Norwegian guidelines, the threshold is €27500. Sensitivity analyses were performed using bootstrapping to assess the robustness of reported results and presented in a cost-effectiveness plane (Figure 1).Results:The 393 patients’ mean age was 63 years (SD 9.6) and 74% were women. 109 patients were recruited during control periods (control group), and 284 patients were recruited during interventions periods (intervention group). Only the intervention group had a significant increase in EQ-5D-5L utility scores from baseline to 12 months follow-up (mean change 0.03; 95% CI 0.01, 0.05) with QALYs gained: 0.02 (95% CI -0.08, 0.12). The structured OA model cost approx. €301 p.p. with an additional €50 for the Healthy Eating Program. Total 12 months healthcare cost p.p. was €1281 in the intervention and €3147 in the control group, resulting in an incremental cost of -€1866 (95% CI -3147, -584) p.p. Costs related to surgical procedures had the largest impact on total healthcare costs in both groups. During the 12-months follow-up period, 5% (n=14) in the intervention compared to 12% (n=13) in the control group underwent joint surgery; resulting in a mean surgical procedure cost of €553 p.p. in the intervention as compared to €1624 p.p. in the control group. The ICER was -€93300, indicating that the OA care model resulted in QALYs gained and cost-savings. At a threshold of €27500, it is 99% likely that the OA care model is a cost-effective alternative.Conclusion:The results of the cost-utility analysis show that implementing a structured model for OA care in primary healthcare based on international guidelines is highly likely a cost-effective alternative compared to usual care for people with hip and knee OA. More studies are needed to confirm this finding, but this study results indicate that implementing structured OA care models in primary healthcare may be beneficial for the individual as well as for the society.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Optical spin-symmetry breaking for high-efficiency directional helicity-multiplexed metaholograms

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ashar Naveed ◽  
Muhammad Afnan Ansari ◽  
Inki Kim ◽  
Trevon Badloe ◽  
Joohoon Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Spin Symmetry ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Dielectric Materials ◽  
Additional Degree ◽  
Cost Effective Alternative ◽  
Spin Orbit Interactions ◽  
Smart Mobile ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Hydrogenated Amorphous

AbstractHelicity-multiplexed metasurfaces based on symmetric spin–orbit interactions (SOIs) have practical limits because they cannot provide central-symmetric holographic imaging. Asymmetric SOIs can effectively address such limitations, with several exciting applications in various fields ranging from asymmetric data inscription in communications to dual side displays in smart mobile devices. Low-loss dielectric materials provide an excellent platform for realizing such exotic phenomena efficiently. In this paper, we demonstrate an asymmetric SOI-dependent transmission-type metasurface in the visible domain using hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) nanoresonators. The proposed design approach is equipped with an additional degree of freedom in designing bi-directional helicity-multiplexed metasurfaces by breaking the conventional limit imposed by the symmetric SOI in half employment of metasurfaces for one circular handedness. Two on-axis, distinct wavefronts are produced with high transmission efficiencies, demonstrating the concept of asymmetric wavefront generation in two antiparallel directions. Additionally, the CMOS compatibility of a-Si:H makes it a cost-effective alternative to gallium nitride (GaN) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) for visible light. The cost-effective fabrication and simplicity of the proposed design technique provide an excellent candidate for high-efficiency, multifunctional, and chip-integrated demonstration of various phenomena.

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