scholarly journals Virtual Interactive Environment for Low-Cost Treatment of Mechanical Strabismus and Amblyopia

Information ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aratã Saraiva ◽  
Matheus Barros ◽  
Alexandre Nogueira ◽  
N. Fonseca Ferreira ◽  
Antonio Valente
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Visual Comfort ◽  
State University ◽  
Identification Code ◽  
Interactive Environment ◽  
Cost Treatment ◽  
Interactive Virtual Environment ◽  
The Brain

This study presents a technique that uses an interactive virtual environment for the rehabilitation treatment of patients with mechanical strabismus and/or amblyopia who have lost eye movement. The relevant part of this treatment is the act of forcing the two eyes to cooperate with each other by increasing the level of adaptation of the brain and allowing the weak eye to see again. Accordingly, the game enables both eyes to work together, providing the patient with better visual comfort and life quality. In addition, the virtual environment is attractive and has the ability to overcome specific challenges with real-time feedback, coinciding with ideal approaches for use in ocular rehabilitation. The entire game was developed with free software and the 3D environment, which is made from low-cost virtual reality glasses, as well as Google Cardboard which uses a smartphone for the display of the game. The method presented was tested in 41 male and female patients, aged 8 to 39 years, and resulted in the success of 40 patients. The method proved to be feasible and accessible as a tool for the treatment of amblyopia and strabismus. The project was registered in the Brazil platform and approved by the ethics committee of the State University of Piaui—UESPI, with the CAAE identification code: 37802114.8.0000.5209.

scholarly journals The specification and design of an interactive virtual environment for use in teacher training

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona French ◽  
Ian Cumpson ◽  
Ruth Wood
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Communications Technology ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Trainee Teachers ◽  
Interactive Environment ◽  
Interactive Virtual Environment ◽  
Original Concept

The original concept was to create a 'simulation' which would provide trainee teachers, specializing in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) with the opportunity to explore a primary school environment. Within the simulation, factors affecting the development and implementation of ICT would be modelled so that trainees would be able to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to identify appropriate strategies to overcome the limitations. To this end, we have developed Allsorts Primary - the prototype of a simulated interactive environment, representing a typical primary school.DOI:10.1080/09687760108656775 

scholarly journals Navigating Non-Playable Characters Based on User Trajectories with Accumulation Map and Path Similarity

Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1592
Author(s):  
Jong-Hyun Kim ◽  
Jung Lee ◽  
Sun-Jeong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Interactive Environment ◽  
Interactive Virtual Environment ◽  
Weight Map

In this paper, we propose a method to efficiently control the path of non-playable characters (NPC) in an interactive virtual environment such as a game or virtual reality (VR) by calculating a weight map and path similarity based on the user’s path. Our method automatically constructs a navigation mesh that provides a new route to the NPC by referring to the user’s trajectory. Our method finds more paths that users usually go through as time passes, and the number of users increases. Accordingly, the paths that NPCs can traverse automatically are updated adaptively to the virtual environment. In addition, NPC agents can move smartly by assigning high weights to the user’s preferred paths. We tested the usefulness of the proposed method through several example scenarios in an interactive environment such as a video game or VR, and this method can be easily applied to various types of navigation based on the interactive environment.

ARSENIC OCCURRENCE IN AFRICAN WATER SYSTEMS AND LOW-COST TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Filemon Irunde ◽  
◽  
Julian Ijumulana ◽  
Julian Ijumulana ◽  
Julian Ijumulana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Cost Treatment ◽  
Treatment Technologies

scholarly journals Removal of Toxic Elements and Microbial Contaminants from Groundwater Using Low-Cost Treatment Options

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana A. Da’ana ◽  
Nabil Zouari ◽  
Mohammad Y. Ashfaq ◽  
Mohammed Abu-Dieyeh ◽  
Majeda Khraisheh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Treatment Technique ◽  
Groundwater Treatment ◽  
Efficient Treatment ◽  
Treatment Techniques ◽  
Cost Treatment ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Microbial Contaminants

Abstract Purpose of Review This paper reviews various low-cost treatment techniques such as adsorption, permeable reactive barrier, and biological techniques for the simultaneous removal of chemical and microbial contaminants from groundwater and discusses treatment mechanisms of different treatment techniques. This paper also discusses the challenges of groundwater treatment, how to choose the appropriate treatment technique, and cost analysis of groundwater treatment. Recent Findings Various treatment technologies have been used for the treatment of groundwater: physical, chemical, and biological technologies with different success rates. In the literature, various adsorbents have been successfully synthesized from low-cost and environmentally friendly materials. Adsorption is considered an efficient treatment technique for the removal of both toxic elements and pathogens by utilizing different adsorbents. For example, the nanostructures of MgO with a BET surface area of up to 171 m2/g obtained a very high adsorption capacity of 29,131 mg/g for fluoride ions in water, while the incorporation of iron in activated carbon has improved its adsorption capacity to 51.3 mg/g for arsenic. Moreover, certain adsorbents have shown the capability to remove 99% of the rotavirus and adenovirus from groundwater. Summary Groundwater resources are contaminated with toxic metals and pathogens. Therefore, water treatment technologies should be evaluated for their efficiency to remove such contaminants. Determination of the most cost-effective and efficient treatment technique is not an easy task and requires the understanding of various aspects such as the contaminants present in water, the reuse options considered, and cost analysis of the treatment technique.

Neuroscience: The New English Major?

2021 ◽  
pp. 107385842110039
Author(s):  
Kristin F. Phillips ◽  
Harald Sontheimer
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Graduate Education ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Undergraduate Curriculum ◽  
Virginia Tech ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
State University ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
English Major ◽  
The Brain

Once strictly the domain of medical and graduate education, neuroscience has made its way into the undergraduate curriculum with over 230 colleges and universities now offering a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience. The disciplinary focus on the brain teaches students to apply science to the understanding of human behavior, human interactions, sensation, emotions, and decision making. In this article, we encourage new and existing undergraduate neuroscience programs to envision neuroscience as a broad discipline with the potential to develop competencies suitable for a variety of careers that reach well beyond research and medicine. This article describes our philosophy and illustrates a broad-based undergraduate degree in neuroscience implemented at a major state university, Virginia Tech. We highlight the fact that the research-centered Experimental Neuroscience major is least popular of our four distinct majors, which underscores our philosophy that undergraduate neuroscience can cater to a different audience than traditionally thought.

scholarly journals Variation in brief treatment for substance use disorder: a qualitative investigation of four federally qualified health centers with SBIRT services

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis P. Watson ◽  
Monte D. Staton ◽  
Michael L. Dennis ◽  
Christine E. Grella ◽  
Christy K. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Qualitative Investigation ◽  
Brief Treatment ◽  
Federally Qualified Health Centers ◽  
Implementation Quality ◽  
Cost Treatment ◽  
Future Work

Abstract Background Brief treatment (BT) can be an effective, short-term, and low-cost treatment option for many people who misuse alcohol and drugs. However, inconsistent implementation is suggested to result in BT that often looks and potentially costs similar to regular outpatient care. Prior research is also rife with inconsistent operationalizations regarding the measurement of BT received by patients. As such, there is a need to more explicitly identify and document variations in BT practice. Methods A qualitative investigation of BT in four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) was undertaken as a sub study of a larger clinical trial. Researchers interviewed 12 staff (administrators and clinicians) involved in BT oversight, referral, or delivery within the four FQHCs. Data were analyzed following an inductive approach guided by the primary research questions. Results Findings demonstrate considerable differences in how BT was conceptualized and implemented within the FQHCs. This included a variety of ways in which BT was presented and described to patients that likely impacts how they perceive the BT they receive, including potentially not understanding they received substance use disorder treatment at all. Conclusions The findings raise questions regarding the validity of prior research, demonstrating more objective definitions of BT and fidelity checklists are needed to ensure integrity of results. Future work in this area should seek to understand BT as practiced among a larger sample of providers and the direct experiences and perspectives of patients. There is also a need for more consistent implementation, quality assurance guidelines, and standardized stage of change assessments to aid practitioners.

Nitrogen removal in a combined system: vertical vegetated bed over horizontal flow sand bed

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kantawanichkul ◽  
P. Neamkam ◽  
R.B.E. Shutes
Keyword(s):  
Loading Rate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Nitrogen Loading ◽  
Horizontal Flow ◽  
Vertical Flow ◽  
Combined System ◽  
Cost Treatment ◽  
Pig Farm ◽  
Farm Wastewater

Pig farm wastewater creates various problems in many areas throughout Thailand. Constructed wetland systems are an appropriate, low cost treatment option for tropical countries such as Thailand. In this study, a combined system (a vertical flow bed planted with Cyperus flabelliformis over a horizontal flow sand bed without plants) was used to treat settled pig farm wastewater . This system is suitable for using in farms where land is limited. The average COD and nitrogen loading rate of the vegetated vertical flow bed were 105 g/m2.d and 11 g/m2.d respectively. The wastewater was fed intermittently at intervals of 4 hours with a hydraulic loading rate of 3.7 cm/d. The recirculation of the effluent increased total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency from 71% to 85%. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) removal efficiencies were 95% and 98%. Nitrification was significant in vertical flow Cyperus bed, and the concentration of nitrate increased by a factor of 140. The horizontal flow sand bed enhanced COD removal and nitrate reduction was 60%. Plant uptake of nitrogen was 1.1 g N/m2.d or dry biomass production was 2.8 kg/m2 over 100 days.

An Interactive Virtual Environment for Programming Modular Robots

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Gucwa ◽  
Harry H. Cheng
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Modular Robots ◽  
Programming Environment ◽  
Software Projects ◽  
Educational Environments ◽  
Software Platforms ◽  
Interactive View ◽  
Interactive Virtual Environment

The design of RoboSim, a virtual environment for modular robots which controls simulated robots with code written for the hardware robots without modification, is described in detail in this paper along with its applications in educational environments. RoboSim integrates into the Ch programming environment, a C/C++ interpreter, that provides the ability to remotely control robots through interpreted C/C++ code allowing users to alternate between hardware and virtual robots without modifying the code. Open source software projects Open Dynamics Engine, OpenSceneGraph, and Qt are employed to produce the virtual environment and user interface which provide the capability of running on all major software platforms. The design of the software includes multiple library modules each specific to a particular task; therefore the simulation library and Graphical User Interface (GUI) can link against only the necessary libraries. The GUI links against the graphical library and XML library to give an interactive view of the RoboSim Scene as users are adding robots and obstacles into both the GUI and simulation. Execution of Ch code generates a new RoboSim Scene window which has the entire simulation that utilizes the simulation, graphical, xml, and callback libraries, in addition to the identical Scene from the GUI. It generates its own window for the user to view and interact with the progress of the simulation.

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