scholarly journals Gamification and Hazard Communication in Virtual Reality: A Qualitative Study

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4663
Author(s):  
Janaina Cavalcanti ◽  
Victor Valls ◽  
Manuel Contero ◽  
David Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Training Environment ◽  
Hazard Communication ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Compliance Behavior ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

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.

scholarly journals Virtual reality as a tool for environmental conservation and fundraising

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine M. Nelson ◽  
Eva Anggraini ◽  
Achim Schlüter
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Message Framing ◽  
Marine Conservation ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Positive Message ◽  
Negative Message ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAnecdotal evidence from philanthropic fundraisers shows that virtual reality (VR) technology increases empathy and can influence people toward pro-environmental behavior. Non-profit organizations are increasingly marketing their causes using virtual reality and they report increased donations when VR technology is employed. In VR, users are immersed in situations intended to feel more like the real world through technology, such as 360° video screened through 3D headsets that block out visual and auditory distractions. The framing of the message as either positive or negative has long shown to have an effect on behavior, although consensus on the impact of framing has not been reached in relation to encouraging contributions to public goods. This paper focuses on field experiments used to investigate the effects of varying degrees of visual immersion and positive versus negative message framing on respondents’ contributions to a conservation charity. Participants were exposed to a five-minute underwater film about coral reefs and the importance of protecting them. We employed a 2×2 experimental design using 3D head-mounted displays comparing 360° film footage vs. unidirectional film and a positive message vs. a negative message. After watching the film, each participant completed a short questionnaire and had the opportunity to donate to a marine conservation charity. In addition, we tested a control treatment where no video was observed. The video was filmed in Indonesia which is host to some of the world’s most biodiverse reefs that are under great threat from human activity. We also conducted the study in Indonesia, sampling a total of 1006 participants from the Bogor city area and tourists on the island of Gili Trawangan - which is popular for scuba diving and snorkeling. We find significant differences in observed behavior and reported emotions between all treatments compared to the control condition. Among the tourist sample, we find significant differences between the 360° film with a negative message which garnered significantly larger average donation amounts compared to the unidirectional film with both positive and negative framing. Overall, we can infer from these studies that virtual reality is an effective way to raise awareness of environmental threats and encourage behavioral action, especially when tailored to target groups. New technology, such as the VR head-mounted display, is highly effective at attracting interest which is an important point to encourage organizations to invest in new technologies.

scholarly journals SURG-03. IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY APPLICATIONS IN NEUROSURGICAL ONCOLOGY

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii461-iii461
Author(s):  
Andrea Carai ◽  
Angela Mastronuzzi ◽  
Giovanna Stefania Colafati ◽  
Paul Voicu ◽  
Nicola Onorini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Real Time ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Young Patients ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Global Improvement ◽  
3D Rendering ◽  
Before And After

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.

scholarly journals Presence Effects in Virtual Reality Based on User Characteristics: Attention, Enjoyment, and Memory

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1051
Author(s):  
Si Jung Kim ◽  
Teemu H. Laine ◽  
Hae Jung Suk
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Eye Gaze ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Eye Tracker ◽  
User Characteristics ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Different Levels

Presence refers to the emotional state of users where their motivation for thinking and acting arises based on the perception of the entities in a virtual world. The immersion level of users can vary when they interact with different media content, which may result in different levels of presence especially in a virtual reality (VR) environment. This study investigates how user characteristics, such as gender, immersion level, and emotional valence on VR, are related to the three elements of presence effects (attention, enjoyment, and memory). A VR story was created and used as an immersive stimulus in an experiment, which was presented through a head-mounted display (HMD) equipped with an eye tracker that collected the participants’ eye gaze data during the experiment. A total of 53 university students (26 females, 27 males), with an age range from 20 to 29 years old (mean 23.8), participated in the experiment. A set of pre- and post-questionnaires were used as a subjective measure to support the evidence of relationships among the presence effects and user characteristics. The results showed that user characteristics, such as gender, immersion level, and emotional valence, affected their level of presence, however, there is no evidence that attention is associated with enjoyment or memory.

How to Compare the Incomparable: An International Comparison of the Impact of Housing Costs on Levels of Social Assistance

2003 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Kuivalainen
Keyword(s):  
Social Assistance ◽  
Disposable Income ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Relative Value ◽  
Housing Costs ◽  
Family Types ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Levels Of Support ◽  
Different Levels

This article analyses the importance of housing costs in cross-national comparisons of social assistance. The article explores the model family technique, the most commonly used method of comparing levels of support, and analyses the impact of housing costs on outcomes. The importance of housing costs is assessed by using different definitions of disposable income, by comparing the level of social assistance without, before and after housing costs. Three different rent levels are specified in order to evaluate the impact of housing costs and seven different family types are considered in the analysis. The countries used for comparison are Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, during the late 1990s. The findings show that housing costs have an impact on outcomes in social assistance: when housing costs are disregarded, the differences between countries are greater. The outcomes vary with different calculations of disposable income: the relative value of assistance between countries and families varies, and the ranking of countries is also altered. Different levels of housing costs have a similar impact, showing changes in the relative position of countries. Overall the findings show that taking housing costs into account makes a difference.

scholarly journals How New Technologies Can Improve Prediction, Assessment, and Intervention in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (e-OCD): Review

10.2196/11643 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. e11643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Ferreri ◽  
Alexis Bourla ◽  
Charles-Siegfried Peretti ◽  
Tomoyuki Segawa ◽  
Nemat Jaafari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
The Impact

Background New technologies are set to profoundly change the way we understand and manage psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Developments in imaging and biomarkers, along with medical informatics, may well allow for better assessments and interventions in the future. Recent advances in the concept of digital phenotype, which involves using computerized measurement tools to capture the characteristics of a given psychiatric disorder, is one paradigmatic example. Objective The impact of new technologies on health professionals’ practice in OCD care remains to be determined. Recent developments could disrupt not just their clinical practices, but also their beliefs, ethics, and representations, even going so far as to question their professional culture. This study aimed to conduct an extensive review of new technologies in OCD. Methods We conducted the review by looking for titles in the PubMed database up to December 2017 that contained the following terms: [Obsessive] AND [Smartphone] OR [phone] OR [Internet] OR [Device] OR [Wearable] OR [Mobile] OR [Machine learning] OR [Artificial] OR [Biofeedback] OR [Neurofeedback] OR [Momentary] OR [Computerized] OR [Heart rate variability] OR [actigraphy] OR [actimetry] OR [digital] OR [virtual reality] OR [Tele] OR [video]. Results We analyzed 364 articles, of which 62 were included. Our review was divided into 3 parts: prediction, assessment (including diagnosis, screening, and monitoring), and intervention. Conclusions The review showed that the place of connected objects, machine learning, and remote monitoring has yet to be defined in OCD. Smartphone assessment apps and the Web Screening Questionnaire demonstrated good sensitivity and adequate specificity for detecting OCD symptoms when compared with a full-length structured clinical interview. The ecological momentary assessment procedure may also represent a worthy addition to the current suite of assessment tools. In the field of intervention, CBT supported by smartphone, internet, or computer may not be more effective than that delivered by a qualified practitioner, but it is easy to use, well accepted by patients, reproducible, and cost-effective. Finally, new technologies are enabling the development of new therapies, including biofeedback and virtual reality, which focus on the learning of coping skills. For them to be used, these tools must be properly explained and tailored to individual physician and patient profiles.

scholarly journals The impact of herbs and spices on the appreciation of low-salt legume-based dishes

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marine Vannereux ◽  
Agnes Giboreau ◽  
Anestis Dougkas
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Preference Ranking ◽  
Low Salt ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Interesting Approach ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Herbs And Spices

AbstractIntroductionDespite the well-documented health benefits of a dietary pattern higher in plant-based food such as legumes, their consumption remains low. Knowing that taste is the first factor in consumers’ food choice, flavoring of legumes using blends of herbs and spices (H&S) is an interesting approach to increase their consumption. This study examines the effect of H&S on the appreciation and energy intake of low salt legume-based dishes in a real context ecological environment.Materials and MethodsA 2-step pilot testing was designed to determine the most favorable recipe between 4 different blends of H&S. Firstly, 4 recipes were evaluated in a balanced order of presentation using different blends of legumes (chickpeas and lentils) and H&S by 115 participants (age 18–35) in an experimental restaurant. Overall liking was measured, followed by a preference-ranking test. Secondly, a perception assessment test was performed (n = 54) with the preferred recipe being divided into 4 variants higher (S) or lower in salt (LS) and H&S (S, LS, LSHS, SHS), according to a 2×2 factorial design (2-AFC test). In a randomized cross-over trial, 94 participants (age 18–35) attended 4 sessions 1 week apart and received the 4 variants as a mezze-type starter. Overall liking, food intake and appetite ratings (VAS) were assessed before and after the starter, main dish and dessert during lunch.ResultsParticipants significantly preferred the Spinach recipe compared with the Ginger, Paprika and Curcuma recipes and they could easily determine the different levels for salt and spices (t-test 5%). There were no significant differences in overall liking and taste between the different levels of salt and spiciness, although Principal Component Analysis showed 55% of the participants rating higher scores for the H&S recipes. Similarly, there were no differences in energy intake between S, LS, LSHS, SHS or total energy intake of the complete lunch. There was no difference in the ratings of hunger, desire to eat and prospective consumption although fullness was significantly higher followed by the S compared with LSHS (P < 0.005).DiscussionOverall appreciation was similar after the addition of H&S in low-salt starter to the high-salt starters, implying that reducing salt content without compromising acceptance is a feasible strategy at an ecological setting. However, there was no difference in energy intake of the four variants and overall appetite ratings. Further analysis, on interindividual differences in terms of eating behavior and acceptance, seems prudent.

scholarly journals The Use of Virtual Reality in Geo-Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (20) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Nurzhanat Dalelovna Shakirova ◽  
Nidal Al Said ◽  
Svetlana Mihailovna Konyushenko
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Physical Geography ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Technological Capabilities ◽  
Before And After ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Impact

The paper discusses the technological capabilities of virtual reality (VR) in the field of education as a highly developed form of computer modeling. VR is con-sidered to be able to revolutionize the education field since it provides better en-gagement in learning activities than other teaching methods. In order to study the impact of VR technology on ensuring the quality of e-learning, an experiment is conducted during the Physical Geography online course. The current research in-volves 60 third-year students from the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical Uni-versity, Moscow Pedagogical State University, and Ajman University. All the re-spondents were divided into two groups. The training of the first group is under-gone through distance learning in the Moodle e-learning system, while the educa-tional process of the second is supplemented with the technological capabilities of the latest VR services (Google Earth, Apple Maps, My Way VR, The VR Muse-um of Fine Art). During the study, students’ subjective assessment of the training is performed according to the basic, expected, and desirable criteria. The exami-nation is carried out in two stages - before and after the course. At the first stage of the assessment, the use of VR corresponds to the desired quality of the educa-tional product. However, after the course and the acquiring of virtual experience, the transfer of the students' desired training criteria into the expected can be ob-served. This indicates a high degree of adaptability of VR technology in educa-tion as well as an increase in the respondents' requirements against the quality of subsequent training courses. Consequently, a significant impact of immersive technology's evolution on the demands on the e-learning quality can be noted.

scholarly journals El potencial de las TIC para la interpretación y puesta en valor del patrimonio: la relación entre las TIC y la satisfacción de los visitantes a centros culturales

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Ana Quesada de la Rosa
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Cultural Management ◽  
New Learning ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Cultural Sector ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Culture Technology

During the last years the impact of ICT into the cultural sector has exponentially grown up. New technologies offer innovative solutions to create new experiences for a non-stopping changing audience. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) take the lead as two of the main ingredients on this recipe that we call ‘culture + technology’. The principal aim of this analysis has been to look over some of the study cases which analyze the impact of new technologies on cultural places’ visitors, aiming to glimpse part of their great potential. The results show that the use of new technologies, specially VR and AR, help to improve significantly user’s satisfaction by offering new learning experiences which makes easier for them to understand and connect with cultural heritage. In addition, the use of new technologies increases the intention of visit, as well as the return’s rate to a place they have already visited, key factors in every cultural management program.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Spatial Perspective Taking Skills using a Digital Game with Different Levels of Immersion

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Freina ◽  
Rosa Bottino ◽  
Mauro Tavella ◽  
Carlo Chiorri
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Digital Game ◽  
Spatial Perspective ◽  
Computer Screen ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Game Players ◽  
Spatial Perspective Taking ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

The present paper presents the results of an experiment aimed at assessing the impact of different levels of immersion on performance in a Spatial Perspective Taking (SPT) task. Since SPT is an embodied skill, the hypothesis was that the more immersive a tool is, the better the performance should be. Ninety-eight students from a local primary school have played with three different versions of a game: (i) completely immersive with a Head Mounted Display, (ii) semi immersive on a computer screen and (iii) non-immersive where no movements were possible for the player. Results showed that in the immersive versions of the game, players obtained higher scores than in the non-immersive version, suggesting that an immersive tool can better support performance in a SPT task.

scholarly journals Dynamics of Mental States of Learners Working with Didactic VR Programs Using Virtual Reality Technologies

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-141
Author(s):  
V.G. Anikina ◽  
E.G. Khoze ◽  
I.V. Strizhova
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Activation Parameter ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Cognitive Motivation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Different Levels

The article presents the results of studying the mental states of adolescent students involved in the work using didactic VR programs implemented using VR technologies of different levels, demonstrated using different technical means (stationary PC, VIVE helmet), causing immersive experience of different quality. Before and after work, the participants were controlled: activation, excitement, tone, well-being; mood, asthenia, euphoria; the severity of the presence effect. As a result, it was shown that the participants who were involved in the work with the help of a PC experienced a decrease in indicators at the level of reliable statistical significance for the activation parameter. When working with VIVE helmets, reliable increases are shown in terms of activation, arousal, tone, well-being, asthenic state and euphoria. In general, we can talk about the intensive and positive impact of didactic VR programs broadcast with the help of higher level VR technologies on the mental states of students, which can become a source of formation of their stable and productive educational and cognitive motivation.

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