Development and Feasibility Assessment of Virtual Reality-Based Relaxation Self-Training Program

Diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) are an effective way for relaxation training and anxiety control, but their use is not common to the general public. Today, as the need for non-face-to-face contact increases, virtual reality (VR)-based self-training is gaining attention in public health. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the newly developed VR-based relaxation training program. Both diaphragmatic breathing and PMR can be trained without an assistant using this VR application in three steps: 1) learning in a virtual clinic, 2) review in a comfortable virtual environment, and 3) practice in outdoor virtual environments. Self-training is recommended on a 3-weeks schedule with a total of 4–6 trials per day for 4 days a week. Thirty-one healthy volunteers were divided into the VR (n = 15) and worksheet (n = 16) groups, and participated in self-training under similar conditions as much as possible. Multiple evaluations were performed before, during, and after self-training. The change rates of all psychological and psychophysiological measures before and after self-training did not significantly differ between the two groups. The levels of tension after breathing practices showed no group difference, whereas those after PMR practices were significantly lower in the VR group than in the worksheet group. In the VR group, trials of outdoor practices tended to induce a decrease of the tension level, particularly after outdoor breathing trials. The VR group gave a practicable score of 70 points or more, average 43.5, and average 180.3 for usability, cybersickness, and presence of this program, respectively. These results suggest that the VR-based relaxation self-training program can be used by healthy people as a means of relaxation. In the use of this program, diaphragmatic breathing may be used more easily, but the benefit of using VR is higher in PMR. These findings provide justification for a randomized controlled study of whether this program can be used for stress relief in the general population and, furthermore, treatment of patients with anxiety disorders.

Teaching Material Development of Islamic Education in Multicultural Perspective at Smk Negeri 4 Manado

This study aims to describe the level of validity, practicality and effectiveness of Islamic Education teaching materials in a multicultural perspective. The procedure for developing teaching materials is conducted by adapting Research and Development (R&D) using the Four-D model. The research subjects were Islamic education teachers and 30 students of class XI. Data collection was conducted using interview techniques, questionnaires, and the feasibility assessment sheet, practicality, and effectiveness of the product. The results showed that the teaching material products in the form of books for students as companion books on Islamic Education subjects were in the very valid category. The results of expert tests on Islamic Education teaching material products showed very valid criteria assessment. While the learning tools which include: learning implementation plans, teacher and student observation sheets and learning outcome assessment instruments are in the very valid category. The teaching material products developed meet practical criteria based on the target user test, namely educators on the ability of educators to manage the learning process with a fully implemented category as well as educators' responses to teaching material products are very positive. Teaching material products are effective because of a positive response from students and an increase in learning outcomes after using these teaching material products.

Feasibility Assessment of Using Smart Trackers in Telemedicine Systems to Remotely Monitor the Overall Health of Patients in Real-Time

Introduction. The development of telemedicine systems intended to remotely monitor the health status of patients constitutes one of the most promising areas of contemporary science. Particularly relevant is the use of such systems to track the health of surgically treated patients. Since such patients are mobile, sensors measuring vital signs should not cause any discomfort in regular use. Thus, wearable smart trackers can be used for these purposes.Aim. The paper aims to study the possibility of using smart trackers in a telemedicine system for monitoring patient health.Materials and methods. In the study, a series of measurements was performed using GSMIN WR 41 smart bracelets in order to estimate their accuracy when measuring pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation for different research subjects at rest and during intense physical exercises. In addition, the average measurement interval of the smart bracelet was determined; the operation of the smart bracelet in the telemedicine system for monitoring vital signs was considered.Results. The studies show that an average error in the measurement of vital signs (except for systolic pressure) using the smart bracelet does not exceed 10 %. In order to avoid the high error in measuring systolic pressure, an algorithm for assessing the general health of patients was developed. In addition, it is shown that the smart bracelet can detect an abrupt change in the vital signs of patients, with the average time of their measurement and data transmission to the server of the telemedicine system coming to 45 seconds.Conclusion. The study results indicate that smart bracelets can be used to remotely monitor the health of patients in real-time. These findings are confirmed by the telemedicine system designed on the basis of the smart bracelets considered in the paper.

Feasibility Assessment of Grape Vineyards in the Midwest U.S.A.

The production of grapes in the Midwest U.S.A. is not free of challenges. Growers are presented with a long list of strategic and operational decisions when planning a vineyard. This article uses survey data and secondary data to prepare sample budgets and examine costs, expected returns, and economic feasibility of grape vineyards under different production systems. Departing from two sample budgets that resemble the reality of American-hybrid and vinifera grape growers in the Midwest, we examine the economic feasibility of 24 plausible production scenarios by simulating changes in operational and technical parameters of production. Our results show that economies of scale, level of automation, and adequate balance between capital and labor use are determining factors for economic feasibility. Small-scale hybrid vineyards (10 acres or less) are seldom feasible as a stand-alone project. Vinifera vineyards tend to reach superior performance due to scale, decisions regarding automation, and efficiency of field operations. Following the feasibility analyses and results, our discussion helps explain why grape vineyards are frequently integrated with wineries and other business units across the Midwest.