scholarly journals Using Game Engines for Visuo-Haptic Learning Simulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 4553 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Escobar-Castillejos ◽  
Julieta Noguez ◽  
Roberto A. Cárdenas-Ovando ◽  
Luis Neri ◽  
Andres Gonzalez-Nucamendi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interactive Systems ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Device Integration ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Fast Development ◽  
Game Engines ◽  
Haptic Learning ◽  
Faster Development ◽  
Haptic Simulation ◽  
Sense Of Touch

Technological advances have been the main driver of enhancing human–computer interaction and interactive simulations have experienced exponential growth in recent years. However, visual and auditory channels are usually the only ones considered for educational simulations even though the sense of touch is also an important one. Touch allows us to recognize and interact with our surroundings. A common way to develop a visuo-haptic simulation in the area of interactive systems is by using a graphic and physics-based engine orchestrated with a haptic rendering framework. However, new solutions, such as professional game engines, have enabled the development of high-quality applications in much shorter time. In this paper, a novel architecture for fast development of interactive visuo-haptic applications in game engines is discussed. To validate the proposed architecture, the Haptic Device Integration for Unity (HaDIU) plugin was implemented. Simulations were implemented to verify the operability of haptic devices. Each scenario was properly modelled and has different haptic objectives. Furthermore, to validate that the usage of this approach provides better visualizations than an existing single purpose application, an experimental study was performed. Results suggest that by using this approach faster development of interactive visuo-haptic simulators can be achieved than using traditional techniques.

scholarly journals Mathematical model for the thermal enhancement of radiation response: thermodynamic approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana M. De Mendoza ◽  
Soňa Michlíková ◽  
Johann Berger ◽  
Jens Karschau ◽  
Leoni A. Kunz-Schughart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Denaturation ◽  
Collateral Damage ◽  
Hyperthermia Treatment ◽  
Reversible Process ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Thermal Enhancement ◽  
Main Driver ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractRadiotherapy can effectively kill malignant cells, but the doses required to cure cancer patients may inflict severe collateral damage to adjacent healthy tissues. Recent technological advances in the clinical application has revitalized hyperthermia treatment (HT) as an option to improve radiotherapy (RT) outcomes. Understanding the synergistic effect of simultaneous thermoradiotherapy via mathematical modelling is essential for treatment planning. We here propose a theoretical model in which the thermal enhancement ratio (TER) relates to the cell fraction being radiosensitised by the infliction of sublethal damage through HT. Further damage finally kills the cell or abrogates its proliferative capacity in a non-reversible process. We suggest the TER to be proportional to the energy invested in the sensitisation, which is modelled as a simple rate process. Assuming protein denaturation as the main driver of HT-induced sublethal damage and considering the temperature dependence of the heat capacity of cellular proteins, the sensitisation rates were found to depend exponentially on temperature; in agreement with previous empirical observations. Our findings point towards an improved definition of thermal dose in concordance with the thermodynamics of protein denaturation. Our predictions well reproduce experimental in vitro and in vivo data, explaining the thermal modulation of cellular radioresponse for simultaneous thermoradiotherapy.

scholarly journals Gameplay, Interactive Drama, and Training: Authoring Edutainment Stories for Online Players (AESOP)

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry G Silverman ◽  
Michael Johns ◽  
Ransom Weaver ◽  
Josh Mosley
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
Educational Games ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Interactive Drama ◽  
Game Engines ◽  
And Training ◽  
Accessible Format

This paper describes initial efforts at providing some of the technological advances of the videogame genres in a coherent, accessible format to teams of educators. By providing these capabilities inside an interactive drama generator, we believe that the full potential of educational games may eventually be realized. Sections 1 and 2 postulate three goals for reaching that objective: a toolset for interactive drama authoring, ways to insulate authors from game engines, and reusable digital casts to facilitate composability. Sections 3 and 4 present progress on those tools and an in-depth case study that made use of the resulting toolset to create a large interactive drama. We close with lessons learned to date and a look at the remaining challenges: the unpleasant reality that state-of-the-art tools are not yet able to boost the productivity of edutainment authors.

scholarly journals Molecular representations in AI-driven drug discovery: a review and practical guide

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurianne David ◽  
Amol Thakkar ◽  
Rocío Mercado ◽  
Ola Engkvist
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Graph Representations ◽  
The Past ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Fast Development ◽  
Chemical Representations

Abstract The technological advances of the past century, marked by the computer revolution and the advent of high-throughput screening technologies in drug discovery, opened the path to the computational analysis and visualization of bioactive molecules. For this purpose, it became necessary to represent molecules in a syntax that would be readable by computers and understandable by scientists of various fields. A large number of chemical representations have been developed over the years, their numerosity being due to the fast development of computers and the complexity of producing a representation that encompasses all structural and chemical characteristics. We present here some of the most popular electronic molecular and macromolecular representations used in drug discovery, many of which are based on graph representations. Furthermore, we describe applications of these representations in AI-driven drug discovery. Our aim is to provide a brief guide on structural representations that are essential to the practice of AI in drug discovery. This review serves as a guide for researchers who have little experience with the handling of chemical representations and plan to work on applications at the interface of these fields.

scholarly journals Rearing methods and life cycle characteristics of Chironomus sp. Florida (Chironomidae: Diptera): A rapid-developing species for laboratory studies

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247382
Author(s):  
Roberto Reyes-Maldonado ◽  
Bruno Marie ◽  
Alonso Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Food Concentrations ◽  
Fast Development ◽  
Water Volumes ◽  
Faster Development ◽  
Rearing Methods

The species Chironomus sp. “Florida” has several qualities that make it a potential aquatic laboratory model to be used in Puerto Rico. Its use as such, however, requires a rearing protocol and life cycle description not previously reported. The present study addresses this lack of information by first describing a rearing method obtained through three years of observations. Next we describe and discuss the life cycle and the effects of temperature and feeding on development. The species has a short life cycle (typically 11 days) and larval stages easily identified using body measurements. Temperature affects the duration of the life cycle, with warm temperatures producing faster development than cold temperatures. The effects of different food concentrations vary: in large water volumes, concentrations of 2 mg/larva/day produce faster developmental times, but at low water volumes, small food concentrations of 0.5 mg/larva/day produce faster developmental times. The rearing protocol and life cycle parameters presented in this study are intended to promote the use of this species as a laboratory model. The fast development of Chironomus sp. “Florida” makes it ideal for toxicological studies.

scholarly journals The (human) science of medical virtual learning environments

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1562) ◽  
pp. 276-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Stone
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Real World ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Surgical Simulation ◽  
Interactive Systems ◽  
Graphics Hardware ◽  
Training Systems ◽  
Transfer Of Skills ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Head Mounted Displays

The uptake of virtual simulation technologies in both military and civilian surgical contexts has been both slow and patchy. The failure of the virtual reality community in the 1990s and early 2000s to deliver affordable and accessible training systems stems not only from an obsessive quest to develop the ‘ultimate’ in so-called ‘immersive’ hardware solutions, from head-mounted displays to large-scale projection theatres, but also from a comprehensive lack of attention to the needs of the end users. While many still perceive the science of simulation to be defined by technological advances, such as computing power, specialized graphics hardware, advanced interactive controllers, displays and so on, the true science underpinning simulation—the science that helps to guarantee the transfer of skills from the simulated to the real—is that of human factors, a well-established discipline that focuses on the abilities and limitations of the end user when designing interactive systems, as opposed to the more commercially explicit components of technology. Based on three surgical simulation case studies, the importance of a human factors approach to the design of appropriate simulation content and interactive hardware for medical simulation is illustrated. The studies demonstrate that it is unnecessary to pursue real-world fidelity in all instances in order to achieve psychological fidelity—the degree to which the simulated tasks reproduce and foster knowledge, skills and behaviours that can be reliably transferred to real-world training applications.

High-resolution measurement of birefringent fine structure in living cells using a new polarized light microscope

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 54-55
Author(s):  
Rudolf Oldenbourg
Keyword(s):  
Light Microscope ◽  
Fluorescent Dyes ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Video Camera ◽  
Molecular Organization ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Image Recording ◽  
Birefringent Crystal ◽  
Technological Advances

The recent renaissance of the light microsope is fueled in part by technological advances in components on the periphery of the microscope, such as the laser as illumination source, electronic image recording (video), computer assisted image analysis and the biochemistry of fluorescent dyes for labeling specimens. After great progress in these peripheral parts, it seems timely to examine the optics itself and ask how progress in the periphery facilitates the use of new optical components and of new optical designs inside the microscope. Some results of this fruitful reflection are presented in this symposium.We have considered the polarized light microscope, and developed a design that replaces the traditional compensator, typically a birefringent crystal plate, with a precision universal compensator made of two liquid crystal variable retarders. A video camera and digital image processing system provide fast measurements of specimen anisotropy (retardance magnitude and azimuth) at ALL POINTS of the image forming the field of view. The images document fine structural and molecular organization within a thin optical section of the specimen.

“Getting High Resolution Out of A High Voltage Microscope”

1980 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 822-825
Author(s):  
David J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
High Voltage ◽  
Theoretical Limit ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
High Voltage Electron Microscope ◽  
High Voltage Electron ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Potential Improvement ◽  
Lower Voltage

The initial attractions of the high voltage electron microscope (HVEM) stemmed mainly from the possibility of considerable increases in electron penetration through thick specimens compared with conventional 100KV microscopes, although the potential improvement in resolution associated with the decrease in election wavelength had been fully appreciated for many years (eg. Cosslett, 1946)1, even if not realizable in practice. Subsequent technological advances enabled the performance of lower voltage machines to be brought closer to the theoretical limit, to be followed in turn by more recent projects which have been successful, eventually, in achieving even higher resolution with dedicated higher voltage instruments such as those at Kyoto (500KV)2, Munich (400KV)3, Ibaraki (1250KV)4 and Cambridge (600KV)5. It does not necessarily follow however that the performance of journal high voltage microscopes can be easily upgraded, retrospectively, to the same level, as will be discussed in detail below.

Family Support in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Systems

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-21
Author(s):  
Patti Martin ◽  
Nannette Nicholson ◽  
Charia Hall
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Annual Conference ◽  
Federal Law ◽  
Think Tank ◽  
Learning Collaborative ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
Program Components

Family support has evolved from a buzzword of the 1990s to a concept founded in theory, mandated by federal law, valued across disciplines, and espoused by both parents and professionals. This emphasis on family-centered practices for families of young children with disabilities, coupled with federal policy initiatives and technological advances, served as the impetus for the development of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs (Nicholson & Martin, in press). White, Forsman, Eichwald, and Muñoz (2010) provide an excellent review of the evolution of EHDI systems, which include family support as one of their 9 components. The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM), the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the Center for Disease Control Centers cosponsored the first National EHDI Conference. This conference brought stakeholders including parents, practitioners, and researchers from diverse backgrounds together to form a learning collaborative (Forsman, 2002). Attendees represented a variety of state, national, and/or federal agencies and organizations. This forum focused effort on the development of EHDI programs infused with translating research into practices and policy. When NCHAM, recognizing the critical role of family support in the improvement of outcomes for both children and families, created a think tank to investigate the concept of a conference centered on support for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing in 2005, the “Investing in Family Support” (IFSC) conference was born. This conference was specifically designed to facilitate and enhance EHDI efforts within the family support arena. From this venue, a model of family support was conceptualized and has served as the cornerstone of the IFSC annual conference since 2006. Designed to be a functional framework, the IFSC model delineates where and how families find support. In this article, we will promote and encourage continued efforts towards defining operational measures and program components to ultimately quantify success as it relates to improved outcomes for these children and their families. The authors view this opportunity to revisit the theoretical underpinnings of family support, the emerging research in this area, and the basics of the IFSC Model of Family Support as a call to action. We challenge professionals who work with children identified as deaf or hard of hearing to move family support from conceptualization to practices that are grounded in evidence and ever mindful of the unique and dynamic nature of individual families.

FM Verification for the 21 st Century

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leisha Eiten ◽  
Dawna Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Current Technology ◽  
The Past ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss

Background: For children with hearing loss, the benefits of FM systems in overcoming deleterious effects of noise, distance, and reverberation have led to recommendations for use beyond classroom settings. It is important that audiologists who recommend and fit these devices understand the rationale and procedures underlying fitting and verification. Objectives: This article reviews previousguidelines for FM verification, addresses technological advances, and introduces verification procedures appropriate for current FM and hearing-aid technology. Methods: Previous guidelines for verification of FM systems are reviewed. Those recommendations that are appropriate for current technology are addressed, as are procedures that are no longer adequate for hearing aids and FM systems utilizing more complex processing than in the past. Technological advances are discussed, and an updated approach to FM verification is proposed. Conclusions: Approaches to verification andfitting of FM systems must keep pace with advances in hearing-aid and FM technology. The transparency approach addressed in this paper is recommended for verification of FM systems coupled to hearing aids.

Client Safety and Telepractice in a Clinic or Home Setting

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-43
Author(s):  
Lyn Tindall
Keyword(s):  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Speech Pathology ◽  
Professional Issues ◽  
Efficacy Data ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
Safe Environment ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Available Technology ◽  
And Gender

Telepractice is an exciting addition to the arsenal of speech-language pathologists for delivering services. Efficacy data continues to emerge proving the benefit of using available technology to provide assessment and treatment for persons with a variety of communication disorders, ages, and gender. In addition to providing assessment and treatment using telepractice technology, several professional issues have arisen which must be addressed before implementation of this service delivery system. Licensure and reimbursement have been at the forefront, as well they should. However, client safety is another issue that should also be addressed. Providing speech pathology services in a safe environment is a concept which may not have been considered before technological advances made it possible to provide services to someone while not being physically present.

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