Due to their strong immersion and real-time interactivity, helmet-mounted VR devices are becoming increasingly popular. Based on these devices, an immersive virtual geographic environment (VGE) provides a promising method for research into crowd behavior in an emergency. However, the current cheaper helmet-mounted VR devices are not popular enough and will continue to coexist with PC-based systems for a long time. Therefore, a heterogeneous distributed virtual geographic environment (HDVGE) could be a feasible solution to solve the heterogeneous problems caused by various types of clients, and support implementation of virtual crowd evacuation experiments, with large numbers of concurrent participants. In this study, we developed an HDVGE framework and put forward a set of design principles to define the similarities between the real world and the VGE. We discussed the HDVGE architecture and proposed an abstract interaction layer, a protocol-based interaction algorithm and an adjusted dead reckoning algorithm to solve the heterogeneous distributed problems. We then implemented an HDVGE prototype system focusing on subway fire evacuation experiments. Two types of clients are considered in the system, PC and all-in-one VR. Finally, we evaluated the performances of the prototype system and the key algorithms. The results showed that in a low-latency LAN environment, the prototype system can smoothly support 90 concurrent users consisting of PC and all-in-one VR clients. HDVGE could serve as a new means of obtaining observational data about individual and group behavior in support of human geography research.

Due to the unanticipated, forced migration of classroom activities to a fully remote format because of the coronavirus pandemic, there is a critical need for progress in the online education system. Not only that, but online education is the way of the future, and its infrastructure must be enhanced for teaching and learning to be effective. Engaging the students and enhancing their focus is one of the major concerns in the current video calling-based system. In this research, we propose a VR and AR-based virtual classroom environment system called "Edu VR" which encourages students to learn with a high level of involvement and attentiveness. We have divided the system into 2 distinct categories. one amongst which incorporates the virtual reality classroom, wherever the students can have a similar feel of actual school with peer-to-peer-based interactions and student-to-teacher interactions with Unity3D. We are able to conjointly deploy AR models with Vuforia, which permits the teachers to take classes more efficiently with student’s engagement. The other category involves the AI-based classroom assessment system, which enables teachers to produce assessments, which in turn are proctored by Artificial Intelligence. The results are automatically sent to the student within a short period, with the assistance of text similarity analysis for evaluating the answer scripts with Machine learning. This approach solves the drawbacks of video call-based systems with enhanced focus and engagement.

The emergence of Digital Twin (DT) technology is creating unique opportunities for human so-ciety in terms of real-time data transfer from the physical environment to its digital replica. DT technology has two-way interaction capabilities that enable data exchange between physical and virtual environments, creating bidirectional data flows. Progress has been made in different in-dustry sectors, but the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation (AECO) sector still requires further development. Recent studies have shown the potential for DT-based platform implementation in the lifecycle management of buildings and infrastructure. This paper examines the development and implementation of DT technology in the construction sector, identifying key definitions, enablers and use cases, while comparing its use with other industries and evaluating benefits and future potential.

Smart grid capabilities have grown significantly in recent years. The smart grid provides advanced real-time handling of faults, advanced automatic control for efficient electricity transmission, monitoring and collection of the electrical system's capacity, and communication for information sharing. Unfortunately, its exposure to public networks makes it increasingly vulnerable to privacy breaches, vulnerabilities, and cyber-attacks. Cyber security threats and vulnerabilities in smart grid networks have become a primary concern that needs to be addressed before deploying a smart grid. Furthermore, the wide range of protocols increases the attack surface of a smart grid. This study focuses on the vulnerability of Modbus, which is regarded as one of the most prevalent protocols in smart grid communication networks. This paper presents preliminary findings of analyzing cyber-attacks against the Modbus protocol using a virtual testbed to investigate its effects on the smart grid network protocol. The concept incorporates an emulated Modbus/TCP network environment built from open-source software components that imitate fundamental industrial control features of the smart grid. Finally, we analyze the cycle of a cyber-attack leading through Reconnaissance to a DoS attack on the Modbus/TCP protocol and propose improvements to the test bed for protocol attack detection and mitigation.

Background/Objectives: In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors implemented an innovative and alternative approach to practice learning for a Cohort of Year One Adult and Mental Health student nurses. The evaluation aimed to explore the effectiveness of virtual practice learning as a viable alternative to traditional practice placements and the impact on the student practice learning experience. Methods: All year one student nurses attending the four Simulated Practice Learning Experience (SPLE) weeks were invited to participate and complete a generated questionnaire within the virtual environment on their final day of each week. The evaluation employed a mixed methods approach to evaluate the effectiveness of the SPLE on student satisfaction and their overall practice learning experience. Results: A mean total of 205 student nurses completed the questionnaire, achieving a response rate of 98-100%. Students reported an overall satisfaction score of 88%, highlighting their preparedness and positive feedback on the organisation, delivery, and content of the SPLE. Qualitative analysis revealed key themes, including the development of transferable skills and personal growth, the value of peer learning, the benefits of a virtual environment, and appreciation of service user and healthcare professional input. Students reported significant personal growth, improved communication skills, and a deeper understanding of holistic care through interactive and collaborative learning experiences. Conclusions: This evaluation underscores the innovative potential of virtual practice learning to enhance nursing education, emphasising the importance of integrating emerging technologies and diverse pedagogical approaches. The findings suggest that SPLEs can effectively prepare nursing students for the complexities of clinical practice while addressing the evolving demands of healthcare education. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess the sustained impact of virtual learning on clinical experiences and professional development.

Background Augmented reality (AR) in surgery can offer an enhanced view of reality through the superimposition of computer-generated digital images on the real environment. It allows surgeons to integrate image visualisation, improving operative efficiency, surgical outcomes, surgical training and patient education. This review aims to evaluate the current status of augmented reality in surgery, surgical training and potential future applications. Methods We performed a non-systematic review of available literature from January 2005 to August 2021 by searching PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library using a combination of terms “augmented reality”, “virtual reality”, “surgery”, “simulation” and “training”. Articles considered for this review were identified by relevant search criteria including title, keywords, abstract, and full-text. Conclusions AR technologies present an exciting new trend with multiple potential applications in surgery. Intraoperative AR systems have shown promise in specialties involving fine movement of organs during surgical procedures, including Neurosurgery, Ears, Nose and Throat and Orthopaedic Surgery. AR has also exhibited the potential to enhance surgical training and improve knowledge acquisition; it can foster international collaborations via telesurgery and telepresence. In the near future, AR will likely work in symbiosis with surgeons, serving as a complex computer-human coalition which can improve patient outcomes, patient education and surgical training.

Purpose: This paper extends previous works to include the role of therapeutic gardens in the healing environment as an intervention for bettering the clinical outcomes of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, the positive impact of healing gardens and the innovative application of technologies with nature, for promoting cognitive rehabilitation in this particular patient population.Methods: Using ISI Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest Central, MEDLIN, Scopus and Google Scholar, a relevant literature search on the positive health implications of therapeutic gardens on Alzheimer’s and dementia patients’ in the healthcare milieu was conducted.Results: Health implication of therapeutic gardens on Alzheimer’s and dementia patients’ spans across physical, social, psychological and cognitive effects. Virtual reality (VR) technologies offer positive cognitive outcomes to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia patients.Conclusion: Therapeutic gardens should be extended for speedier recovery of other patient populations. Future directions in the design of healthcare gardens with a focus on patient experience are inferred.

Low Back Pain (LBP) is one of the most common problems among adults. The usual physiotherapy treatment is to perform physical exercises. However, some LBP patients have false beliefs regarding their pain and they tend to avoid physical movements which might increase their pain and disability. Virtual Reality (VR) has shown to be an effective intervention in improving motor functions and reducing pain perception. Existing VR interventions for LBP rehabilitation were based on a non-immersive VR, whereas to effectively reduce the pain intensity, we need an immersive VR. In this paper, we introduce the development and evaluation of a serious game called RabbitRun with an immersive experience to engage the patients in a virtual environment and distract them from the pain while performing LBP exercises. The initial usability evaluation results suggest that RabbitRun game is enjoyable and acceptable. The game is easy to play and learn and most of the participants are willing to play the game at home. This solution will enhance the rehabilitation outcome since the patients who are suffering from LBP can use the system at their home and train more for long period of time using a smartphone and low-cost virtual reality device such as Google Cardboard.

Simulation-based education is a part of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) education. The paper discusses the experimental success of using Virtual Reality (VR) technology in simulation-based ITS education to improve the quality of education while increasing immersion and motivation. The study documents the application of VR technology to a microscopic simulation model and the methodology to capture and evaluate student experiences. The study discusses findings and ways to improve the planned VR technology implementation in the ITS laboratory.

The Covid-19 pandemic caused a shift in teaching practice towards blended learning for many Higher Education institutions. This led to the rapid adoption of certain digital technologies within existing teaching structures as a means to meet student access needs and facilitate learning. Integration of these technologies caused numerous challenges for practitioners and often provided mixed results. This paper is an attempt to summarise and extend pre-Covid pedagogical research to leverage digital immersive technologies for blended teaching in the post-pandemic era. Focus is given towards the evolution of Virtual Learning Environments through elements of immersive audio-visual technologies, which are shown to be effective when coupled in a blended approach. It is both a review of these methodologies and a case study of the I-Ulysses: Virtual Learning Environment as a point of comparison for evaluating the review.

With advances in Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies have many potential applications in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. However, the AEC industry, relative to other industries, has been slow in adopting AR/VR technologies, partly due to lack of feasibility studies examining the actual cost of implementation versus an increase in profit. The main objectives of this paper are to understand the industry trends in adopting AR/VR technologies and identifying gaps within the industry. The identified gaps can lead to opportunities for developing new tools and finding new use cases. To achieve these goals, two rounds of a survey at two different time periods (a year apart) were conducted. Responses from 158 industry experts and researchers were analyzed to assess the current state, growth, and saving opportunities for AR/VR technologies for the AEC industry. The findings demonstrate that older generations are significantly more confident about the future of AR/VR technologies and they see more benefits in AR/VR utilization. Furthermore, the research results indicate that Residential and commercial sectors have adopted these tools the most, compared to other sectors and institutional and transportation sectors had the highest growth from 2017 to 2018. Industry experts anticipated a solid growth in the use of AR/VR technologies in 5 to 10 years, with the highest expectations towards healthcare. Ultimately, the findings show a significant increase in AR/VR utilization in the AEC industry from 2017 to 2018.

In this 2 x 2 between-subjects experimental study, a virtual reality (VR) laboratory simulation is paired with a VR molecular world intervention to teach chemistry concepts. The independent variables are the implementation timing of the molecular world intervention (Pre-lab vs. Integrated) and the level of embodiment (Traditional vs. VR). Eighty students (N = 80), ages 11-18 years old, from a community center in New York City participated, completing a pretest, the laboratory simulation, the molecular intervention, and a post-test. The pre- and post-test measures included multiple-choice, free-response, and drawing questions. A key finding was that integrating the intervention within the lab simulation, no matter which level of embodiment, led to significantly higher gains in learning. The combination of using physical manipulatives and integrating them within the lab exercise (Integrated Traditional condition) demonstrated the greatest gains overall. On drawing measures, the Integrated VR condition showed significant improvement in three out of the four drawing categories (i.e., molecule shape, atom quantity, and relative sizes). The implications are that even though using a VR molecular world intervention can lead to significant learning of abstract chemistry content, the use of physical manipulatives is still a more effective tool.

The aim of the study is to assess enjoyment and intensity of physical exercise while practicing physical activity (PA) in immersive virtual reality (IVR) using innovative training devices (omni-directional Omni treadmill and Icaros Pro flight simulator). The study also contains the results of subjective research on the usefulness of such a form of PA in the opinion of users. In total, 61 adults (10 women and 50 men) took part in the study. To assess the enjoyment level (EL) Interest/Enjoyment subscale of Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) was used. Exercise intensity was assessed during 10-minute sessions of active video games (AVGs) in IVR based on heart rate (HR). The average enjoyment level during physical exercise in IVR on the tested training devices was relatively high (Omni 5.74 points, Icaros 5.60 points). In the opinion of the majority of participants, AVGs on IVR training devices constitute a sufficiently useful form of movement to meet the needs of PA practiced in free time, and they can even replace some of the classic forms of movement. Intensity of PA during games on training devices was at the level recommended for health benefits for 92% (Omni) and 84% (Icaros Pro) of its duration. Based on the conducted research, it can be assumed that AVGs in IVR using a multi-directional treadmill and a flight simulator can be an effective tool for increasing participation in health-oriented PA.

We would like to suggest that, by considering three virtual gravitational constants assumed to be associated with gravitational, electromagnetic and strong interactions along with a strongly interacting virtual nuclear elementary charge, a workable model of final unification can be developed. In a verifiable approach, Newtonian gravitational constant and Fermi’s weak coupling constant can be interrelated via nuclear and electromagnetic gravitational constants.

With the emergence of new VR/AR technologies, the question arises of how they can be used in human-swarm interaction. Where are the limitations and boundaries of conventional interfaces, and how can VR/AR overcome them? To find out, a user study was conducted. The subjects were able to interact with an autonomously acting swarm of drones using both a conventional desktop interface (Desktop-HSI) and a newly developed VR interface (VR-HSI).The resulting assessments are used as a basis for determining the extent to which this new technology can be applied in human-swarm interaction. The technical basis was an already tested simulation software that was expanded with a network interface to allow interacting with a drone swarm using connected HSIs (Human-Swarm Interfaces). Standardized communication was emphasized to enable the development of HSIs with different requirements. Specifically for this work, a VR-HSI was developed with Unity and a desktop-HSI with Java and their performance regarding human-swarm interaction was evaluated.

The ancient theory of Fatio de Duillier and Lesage on pushing gravity has been mainly criticized because of the extreme heating which would be produced in the case of inelastic shocks, supposed to be necessary to produce a gravity field. Here we investigate in an extremely simplified situation the possibility of creating a virtual acceleration with purely elastic repeated shocks and we derive some estimates on the mass and velocity of gravitons based on this model.

Sirtuins are nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺)-dependent class III histone deacetylases and have been linked to the pathogenesis of numerous diseases such as HIV, metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration and cancer. Docking of the virtual pan-African natural products library (p-ANAPL), followed by in vitro testing, resulted in the identification of two inhibitors of sirtuin 1, 2 and 3 (sirt1-3). Two bichalcones; rhuschalcone IV (8) and rhuschalcone I (9), previously isolated from the medicinal plant Rhus pyroides, were shown to be active in the in vitro assay, with rhuschalcone I showing the best activity against sirt1, having an IC₅₀ = 40.8 µM. Based on the docking experiments, suggestions for improving the biological activities of the newly identified hit compounds have been provided.

This study investigates the impact of real-time emotional feedback on the quality of teamwork conducted over videoconferencing. We developed a framework that provides real-time feedback through a virtual mirror based on facial and voice emotion recognition. In an experiment with 28 teams (84 participants), teams collaborated over Zoom to set up a virtual Mars station using custom simulation software. Participants were divided into 14 experimental teams which were shown the virtual mirror, and 14 control teams without it. Team performance was measured by the improvement in the Mars simulation output quality. Our analysis using correlation, multilevel regression, and machine learning revealed that fewer interruptions but an increasing number over time correlated with higher performance. Higher vocal arousal and happiness also enhanced performance. We confirmed that female presence in teams boosts performance. SHAP values indicated that high variability in happiness, head movement, and positive facial valence—an “emotional rollercoaster”—positively predicted team performance. The experimental group outperformed the control group, suggesting that virtual mirroring improves virtual teamwork and that interrupting each other more, while speaking less, leads to better results.

Virtual Reality(VR) is an emerging technology with a broad range of application in training, entertainment, and business. To maximize the potentials of virtual reality as a medium, the unwelcome feeling of simulation sickness needs to be minimized. Even with advancements in VR, the usability concerns are barriers for a wide-spread acceptance. Several factors (hardware, software, human) play a part towards a pleasant VR experience. The reviewed scientific articles are mostly part of documents indexed in digital libraries. In this paper, we review the potential factors which cause simulation sickness and minimize the usability of virtual reality systems. We review the best practices from a developer’s perspective and some of the safety measures a user must follow while using the VR systems from existing research. Even after following some of the guidelines and best practices VR environments do not guarantee a pleasant experience for users. Limited research in VR environments towards requirement specification, design, and development for maximum usability and adaptability was the main motive for this work.

One of the most crucial aspects of the user experience in virtual reality (VR) is the sense of presence. To evaluate this, both subjective and objective methods can be employed. While subjective methods are easy to implement and interpret, they may not fully capture user feedback, and the results can sometimes lack consistency. In contrast, using objective methods, such as electroencephalography (EEG), can provide more reliable insights. To investigate the influence of realism on the sense of presence, we conducted an EEG study with 21 participants who experienced two VR environments—one realistic and one non-realistic. During the study, we continuously measured their brain activity using an EEG device. Our findings showed that alteration in the level of realism in an environment can be detected through changes in brain activity. Notably, we observed that users take longer to adapt to a non-realistic environment when transitioning from a realistic scene, compared to the reverse. Although our study has limitations, such as the total number of participants, we gained valuable initial insights into how realism may influence brain activity. These findings suggest that higher realism may lead to reduced cognitive load, increased attention, improved decision-making, and suppression of irrelevant information.

While digital libraries offer essential benefits for the digital age such as constant availability and accessibility, they often fail in providing a similarly enjoyable browsing experience that benefits engagement and serendipitous exploration inherent to traditional library experiences. In this paper, we propose a virtual reality (VR) library environment that emulates a traditional library promoting an engaging browsing experience that benefits browsing enjoyment and serendipity. The implemented system uses procedural content generation to dynamically generate a library-like environment, wherein each room corresponds to a specific category of the digital library. To assess the usability of the implemented system, we conducted an A/B study comparing the VR environment with the web interface of Project Gutenberg. The results of the study suggest that while the physical demand for using the VR environment is higher, the system can significantly benefit the browsing experience and entice users’ curiosity. Furthermore, the study suggests that the system can increase user engagement and users generally felt that using the system was rewarding.

This research presents the creation of a Virtual Reality experience for the Balzi Rossi museum, commemorating the centenary of Prince Albert I Grimaldi's archaeological work at the site. The project, a collaboration between the University of Genoa's 3D Lab Factory, Eurodrone, and the Balzi Rossi archaeological museum, aims to preserve and convey the site's heritage through advanced VR technology. Initially employing Unreal Engine 4, the team used photogrammetry for 3D reconstruction of the "Caviglione" and "Florestano" caves, notable for their ancient rock engravings. This first VR model, despite hardware limitations, provided an interactive exploration of the site. The subsequent development phase utilized Unreal Engine 5, incorporating Nanite technology for enhanced visual fidelity. This advancement resulted in a more detailed and immersive VR experience, presenting the Balzi Rossi cliff across different historical periods, including the Würm glaciation. Key to this phase was optimizing the VR experience for performance, focusing on stable frame rates and minimizing motion sickness, and integrating a multi-lingual interface for broader accessibility. Since November 2023, the VR setup at the Balzi Rossi Museum has been an educational and interactive feature, enabling visitors to explore the site's history virtually. This research demonstrates the potential of VR in cultural heritage preservation and education, providing a foundation for future technological improvements in the field.

Virtual Reality (VR) can be useful in efforts that aim to improve wellbeing of older members of the society. Within this context, the work presented in this paper aims to provide to elderly a user-friendly and enjoyable Virtual Reality (VR) application incorporating memory recalling and storytelling activities that can promote mental awareness, so that negative side effects related to brain inactivity are prevented. An important aspect of the proposed VR application is the presence of a virtual audience that listens to the stories presented by elderly users, and interacts with the user. In an effort to maximize the impact of the VR application, research was conducted to study whether the elderly are willing to use the VR application and whether they believe it can help to improve well-being and reduce the effects of loneliness and social isolation. The results show that elderly users are positive towards the use of such an application in everyday life, as a means of improving their overall well-being.

This review explores the integration of Virtual and Mixed Reality in medical training. The advent of immersive technologies has revolutionized traditional methodologies, offering immersive, interactive, and flexible learning environments. This study aims to assess the impact, efficacy, and potential of Extended Reality (XR) in medical education. Methods included a comprehensive analysis of current Metaverse’s applications in various medical fields, including surgery, diagnostics, and patient care. Results indicate a significant enhancement in learning outcomes, practical skills, and student engagement. Conclusions suggest that Virtual Reality is a valuable tool for medical training, providing realistic simulations and improving both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The intersection of virtual reality and cognitive neuroscience presents an exciting frontier for understanding the human brain's response to immersive environments. This review explores how VR impacts learning, with a particular focus on the activation and engagement of the prefrontal cortex during immersive experiences. It delves into various studies that highlight the transformative potential of VR in educational settings and therapeutic applications, demonstrating how VR can facilitate deeper and more effective learning experiences. The review will present a dedicated section on the current methodologies used to analyze the brain's response while immersed in a virtual environment.

In this paper, a special recurrent neural network (RNN) called \emph{Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)} is used to design a virtual load sensor that estimates the mass of heavy vehicles. The estimation algorithm consists of a two-layer LSTM network, with the two layers based on sequence-to-sequence and sequence-to-one logic, respectively. The network estimates the vehicle mass based on the vehicle speed, longitudinal acceleration, engine speed, engine torque, and the accelerator pedal position. The network is trained and tested with a data set collected in a high-fidelity simulation environment called Truckmaker. Training data is generated in acceleration maneuvers in a range of speeds whereas test data is obtained by simulating the vehicle in a Worldwide harmonized light vehicles test cycle (WLTC). Preliminary results show that, with the proposed approach, the heavy-vehicle mass can be estimated as accurately as commercial load sensors in a range of load mass as wide as four tons.

This study presents virtual reality (VR) videos as an effective technique for delivering extension educational materials on manure and mortality management. Virtual reality is a technology that can enable immersive distance learning. Using VR tours can enable the public to learn manure and mortality management technologies without in-person farm visits, thus saving traveling time and money and avoiding exposure to pathogens and noxious odors in farms. As the first part of this project, 360° VR tours were created on multiple aspects of manure management, including composting, anaerobic digestion, and preliminary wastewater treatment. These videos were presented to a diverse audience of agricultural producers, extension specialists, and researchers through in-person and online extension events and the Texas Manure YouTube channel. The effectiveness of videos was evaluated using surveys, which measured the audience's awareness of the topics before and after watching VR videos. Statistical analysis revealed that the increase in awareness after watching the videos was statistically significant, with a p-value of less than 0.0001. Statistical analysis also revealed that job classification and professional experience significantly impacted the change in awareness. Researchers, extension specialists/agents, and participants with less experience in manure and mortality management experienced a greater change in awareness than agricultural producers and participants with more experience. Interest and impression of the audience on the VR videos was also evaluated. According to survey data, the majority of the audience rated these videos as an effective technique for educating the public about manure and mortality management, found the VR videos interesting, were willing to learn more content through VR videos, and were likely to recommend them to their colleagues. A statistically significant correlation could be observed between the awareness change and the effectiveness rating given to the videos by the participant.

The dark energy from virtual gravitons is consistent with observational data on supernova with the same accuracy as the CDM model. The fact that virtual gravitons are capable of producing of a de Sitter accelerated expansion of the FLRW universe was established in 2008 (see references). The combination of conformal non–invariance with zero rest mass of gravitons (unique properties of the gravitational field) leads to the appearance of graviton dark energy in a mater-dominated era. Тhis fact explains the relatively recent appearance of the dark energy and answers the question “Why now?”. The transition redshifts (where deceleration is replaced by acceleration) that follow from the graviton theory are consistent with model independent transition redshifts derived from observational data. Prospects for testing the GCDM model (the graviton model of dark energy where G stands for gravitons) and comparison with the CDM model are discussed.

The intricate nature of congenital heart disease requires understanding of complex, patient-specific three-dimensional dynamic anatomy of the heart, from imaging data such as three-dimensional echocardiography for successful outcomes from surgical and interventional procedures. Conventional clinical systems use flat screens and therefore display remains two-dimensional, which undermines the full understanding of the three-dimensional dynamic data. Additionally, control of three-dimensional visualisation with two-dimensional tools is often difficult, so used only by imaging specialists. In this paper we describe a virtual reality system for immersive surgery planning using dynamic three-dimensional echocardiography, which enables fast prototyping for visualisation such as volume rendering, multi-planar reformatting, flow visualisation, and advanced interaction such as three-dimensional cropping, windowing, measurement, haptic feedback, automatic image orientation, and multi-user interactions. The available features were evaluated by imaging and non-imaging clinicians, showing that the virtual reality system can help improve understanding and communication of the three-dimensional echocardiography imaging and potentially benefit congenital heart disease treatment.

This paper explores benefits of using VR technologies in higher education. Theoretical part investigates classical education system and its features in order to compare advantages of using VR systems in education. VR technologies and its current state in industry and in education were explored as well as which branches of higher education uses these systems. Survey was conducted through online questionnaire where respondents (N = 55) gave their opinion on VR and the implementation of VR technologies in education. Three hypotheses related to the use of VR technology, student interest, and learning outcomes as well as the effectiveness, immersiveness and the effect of VR systems on the users were tested through 27 questions.

Technological advances made Virtual and Mixed Reality (VMR) accessible at our fingertips. However, only recently VMR has been explored for the teaching of biology. Here, we highlight how VMR applications can be useful in biology education, discuss about caveats related to VMR use that can interfere with learning, and look into the future of VMR applications in the field. We then propose that the combination of VMR with Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence can provide unprecedented ways to visualise how species evolve in self-sustained immersive virtual worlds, thereby transforming VMR from an educational tool to the centre of biological interest.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world of medical education, moving it years ahead of time into the future. Many concepts needed to be changed, so did the methodologies. Nevertheless, clinical assessment remained tricky. This work highlights the outcome of the work of College of Medicine and Medical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain in performing virtual clinical examination using Zoom™. Tips in this article are meant to help plan, implement and evaluate clinical assessments virtually.

With extended reality (XR) technology on the rise in aviation education, we evaluated the perceptions of Thai students on an inexpensive and classroom-friendly virtual reality (VR) system and software combination, as an introduction to flying an aircraft. In addition to cost-effectiveness, consumer grade technology also provides greater portability than traditional full-flight simulators. Third year aeronautical engineering and commercial pilot undergraduate program international students were exposed to a brief VR experience using a PlayStation 4 console (PS4) with PlayStation VR (PSVR) and Ultrawings software. Subsequently, in-depth qualitative interviews were analyzed via thematic coding. The student responses were mostly positive and enthusiastic, but also identified issues with hardware and software (screen door effect, limited peripheral vision, less than optimal interaction controls, and lack of haptic feedback). Using thematic coding, responses were categorized into; head mounted device, controls and controllers, plausibility illusion, place illusion, embodiment illusion, academic value and entertainment value. Following respondents’ positive responses on certain identified critical points, we recommend further study using other hardware and software combinations.

The rapid development of algorithms for skeleton detection with relatively inexpensive contactless systems and cameras opens the possibility of virtual exercise therapy for patients with different complications. However, evaluation and confirmation of posture classifications is still needed. The purpose of this study was therefore to find the most accurate algorithm for automatic classification of human exercise movement. A Kinect V2 with 25 joints identification was used to record movements for data analysis. A total of 10 subjects volunteered for this study. Four algorithms were tested for the classification of different postures in Matlab. These were based on: total error of vector lengths, total error of angles, multiplication of these two parameters and simultaneous analysis of the first and second parameters. A base of 13 exercises was then created to test the recognition of postures by the algorithm, and to analyse subject performance. The best results for posture classification was shown by the second algorithm with an accuracy of 94.9%. The average correctness of exercises among the 10 participants was 94.2% (SD1.8%). The algorithms tested in this study therefore proved to be effective and could potentially form the basis for developing a system for remote monitoring of rehabilitation involving exercise.

Background: This work presents Com@Rehab, a technological patient-centred activity for individuals needing a physical rehabilitation approach and with a specific loss of functionality. Within this scope, this paper focuses on the description of the activity in virtual reality (VR), its components, design and user profile, and its versatility and future adaptability regarding different ages, pathologies and rehabilitation contexts. Methods: The VR activity has been customised according to the patient's clinical needs while replicating an activity of daily living, namely showering. In addition, to validate and get feedback on the developed system, a validation questionnaire was applied to a group of healthy individuals to test the efficiency of the technology that supports the VR activity. Results: Preliminary results show that 94% of the participants recommended the experience, the performance of the various components of the system was successfully implemented, participants quickly adhered to the VR technology, and the UI assistant’s functionality should be improved. Conclusion: This solution creates a more effective, interactive, humanised rehabilitation approach based on a Virtual Reality (VR) activity. The Com@Rehab Communication Module improves human-human and human-machine communication while contributing to health literacy.

By considering three virtual gravitational constants assumed to be associated with gravitational, electromagnetic and strong interactions, Fermi’s weak coupling constant can be shown to be a natural manifestation of microscopic quantum gravity. As our approach is heuristic and completely different from the current methods of estimating the Newtonian gravitational constant, with reference to the call of ‘Ideas lab 2016’ organized by NSF, we appeal for inclusion of this theoretical work as a project under unification scheme.

As virtual reality (VR) games appeal to increasingly large audiences, many newcomers need convenient and flexible onboarding sessions. Traditional methods of creating tutorial levels can be time-consuming and require additional effort from the development team. In this paper, we present a toolkit for computer-assisted tutorial generation in VR. We conducted an interview with developers and a between-subjects user study to evaluate our toolkit compared to a manually designed onboarding experience by measuring user performance in actual gameplay. The results indicate that our toolkit performs equivalently to manual tutorials in terms of user success. Most users subjectively prefer a manually designed tutorial primarily for its aesthetic value. These results are encouraging, as they prove the feasibility of semi-automated onboarding.

This study presents a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual patients in enhancing clinical reasoning skills in medical education, utilizing a hybrid methodology that combines human reviewers and ChatGPT. By analyzing various studies involving conversational virtual patients, the review examines the impact of these digital tools on student learning outcomes and satisfaction. Consistent with previous systematic reviews, our findings suggest that conversational virtual patients can improve clinical competencies, particularly in history-taking and clinical reasoning. Regarding student feedback, satisfaction tends to be higher when virtual patients’ interactions are more realistic, often due to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) in the simulators. Furthermore, the study compares the accuracy of AI-driven reviews with human assessments, revealing comparable results. This research highlights AI’s potential to complement human expertise in academic evaluations, contributing to more efficient and consistent systematic reviews in rapidly evolving educational fields.

The incidence of right-turning pedestrian accidents is increasing in South Korea. Most of the accidents occurred when the larger vehicle was turning right, and the main cause of the accidents was found to be the driver's limited field of vision. After these accidents, the government has implemented a series of institutional measures with the objective of preventing such accidents. However, despite the institutional arrangements in place, pedestrian accidents continue to occur. We focused on the many limitations that autonomous vehicles, like humans, can face in such situations. To address this issue, we propose a right-turn pedestrian collision avoidance system by installing a LiDAR sensor in the center of the intersection to facilitate pedestrian detection. Furthermore, the urban road environment is considered, as this provides the optimal conditions for the model to perform at its best. During this research, we collected data on right-turn accidents using the CARLA simulator and ROS interface and demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach in preventing such incidents. Our results suggest that the implementation of this method can effectively reduce the incidence of right-turn accidents in autonomous vehicles.

Choosing a career path is an important decision in a person’s life and forms the basis for their future direction. It impacts the future career and influences financial stability as well as the person’s well-being. Many people struggle to find out what they are interested in and talented in, making it difficult to choose a fitting career path. Therefore, the decision-making process requires careful consideration, self-reflection, and exploring numerous options. While virtual environments provide an effective way to explore different experiences, virtual reality (VR) offers users immersive interactions with simulated 3D environments. This allows the realistic exploration of different job fields in a virtual environment without being physically present. VR 360-degree videos have been shown to significantly increase job interest among students. The ability to review and refine performance makes VR an ideal tool for career skill development as well as career guidance. In this paper, we present a tool that offers young people virtual career guidance through an immersive VR experience. The study investigates the extent to which performing occupational tasks in a virtual environment influences the career perceptions of young adults and whether it enhances their understanding of professions. In total, 23 teenagers and 8 application experts were involved to assess the teenager’s expectations and the potential of the career guidance tool.

As technology advances, the field of electrical and computer engineering continuously demands the introduction of innovative new tools and methodologies to facilitate effective learning and comprehension of fundamental concepts. This research addresses an identified gap in technology-augmented education capabilities and researches the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) technology with real-time electronic circuit simulation to enable and enhance the visualization of non-observable concepts such as voltage distribution and current flow within these circuits. In this paper, we describe the development of our immersive educational platform, which makes understanding these abstract concepts intuitive and engaging. This research also involved the design and development of a VR-based circuit simulation environment. By leveraging VR’s immersive capabilities, our system enables users to physically interact with electronic components, observe the flow of electrical signals, and manipulate circuit parameters in real-time. Through this immersive experience, learners can gain a deeper understanding of fundamental electronic principles, transcending the limitations of traditional two-dimensional diagrams and equations. Furthermore, this research focuses on the implementation of advanced and novel visualization techniques within the VR environment for non-observable electrical and electromagnetic properties, providing users with a clearer and more intuitive understanding of electrical circuit concepts. Examples include color-coded pathways for current flow and dynamic voltage gradient visualization. Additionally, real-time data representation and graphical overlays are researched and integrated to offer users insights into the dynamic behavior of circuits, allowing for better analysis and troubleshooting.

Asia has formally entered the big data era thanks to the ongoing advancement of information technology. the company business management has discovered bright operations management based on technological advances, and the arrival of the big data era has improved work efficiency and brought about a number of economic benefits while also posing a number of challenges, such as the ongoing expansion of business scope. The business's current management model is unable to keep up with the demands of development as its scope continues to grow. The primary development trend for the future is the integration of intelligence technologies with enterprise business management, big data technology application in corporate business management promotes fairness, transparency, and justice across corporate development and consumer activities; it also facilitates the production of goods and the creation of value for products in the direction of socialization. In order to further deepen the understanding of artificial intelligence among relevant personnel, we aim to further elaborate the future growth direction of the application of artificial intelligence in the field of enterprise business management in this paper, which begins with an in-depth awareness of the current situation of the combined use of artificial intelligence technology and big companies’ business management. We then focus on the utilization path of artificial cognitive ability technology in businesses business management.

Background: Immersive and non-immersive VR technology has been increasingly employed in training. This has encouraged physicians working in skill development to try using it to improve the learning, emotional recognition, and social skills of various disorders. This study aimed to explore the controlled trials employing VR in autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Methodology:A literature review has been conducted, on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Any controlled trial in the pediatric age group, involving the comparison of VR training with other types of therapies in autism, ADHD, and dyslexia was included. Results:Only four controlled trials were identified, comprising a total of 208 patients, with ages ranging from 6-16 years. Out of these studies, two involved patients with autism, one with ADHD, and one with dyslexia. VR was successful in improving emotional recognition but not social interaction in autism. All trials did not mention thoroughly possible complications of prolonged use of VR. Conclusion: Despite being a promising technology, there is still a long road to prove the validity of using VR in skills development. Few controlled trials have been tailored to explore VR advantages over conventional training and therapies, most of them have a limited sample size, a short training course, and no mention of possible setbacks, such as ocular effects and social isolation.

Cancer is a multifactorial disease that continues to increase. Lignans are known to be important anticancer agents. However, due to the structural diversity of lignans, it is difficult to associate anticancer activity with a particular subclass. Therefore, the present study sought to evaluate the association of lignan subclasses with antitumor activity, considering the genetic profile of the variants of the selected targets. For this, predictive models were built against the targets tyrosine-protein kinase ABL (ABL), epider-mal growth factor receptor erbB1 (EGFR), histone deacetylase (HDAC), Serine/threonine-protein kinase mTOR (mTOR) and Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase-1 (PARP1). Then, mapped single nucleotide polymorphisms and designed target mutations, and performed molecular docking with the lignans with the best predicted biological activity. The results showed more anticancer activity in the dibenzocyclooctadiene, furofuran and aryltetralin subclasses. The lignans with the best predictive values of biological activity showed varying binding energy results in the presence of certain genetic variants.

Active learning has demonstrated its effectiveness regarding the improvement of the capacities of abstraction, comprehension, and development of cognitive, expression and relationship skills of the students. In this study, the redesign and implementation of an electromagnetism course for engineering students is presented, under the methodology of Backward Design (BD), recognized for its attributes for the development of active learning and its possibility of specifying the fun-damentals and principles of engineering education in the development of syllabus in higher ed-ucation. The purposes of this study were: 1) To implement the Backward Design (BD) methodology to develop argumentative, purposeful and interpretive skills in an electromagnetism course; 2) Design and apply rubrics to evaluate tests and laboratory reports, determine the level that best suits the knowledge, skills and competencies of students. 3) Assess the perception of students regarding the use of the methodology, their contributions to the development and understanding of the concepts of the course. The results of this educational research experience shown that the BD teaching approach was pedagogical and significantly superior to conventional models towards improving knowledge and skills of electromagnetism based on Hake's statistic (h) reached 0.73 that allow us to conclude that there was a learning gain in the students.

Background: Immersive therapy through virtual reality represents a novel strategy used in psychological interventions, but there is still a need to strengthen the evidence on its effects on health professionals’ mental health. Objective: To analyze the results of immersive therapy through virtual reality in the levels of anxiety and secondly, well-being of the health professionals working in a regional hospital in Olot (Spain). Methods: Pilot quasi-experimental study including a group of 35 women (mean age=45.7, SD=8.43) health professionals who undertook immersive therapy for 8 weeks. The intervention was implemented through virtual reality, and its effect on anxiety levels and well-being was evaluated through the Hamilton and Eudemon scales, respectively. Data on age, gender, active pharmacological or psychological treatment, mental health disorders and number of sessions were also collected. Results: Statistically significant (p<0.001) improvement in anxiety and well-being was found, with large and moderate effect sizes (0.90 and 0.63 respectively). In addition, these changes were clinically significant. No significant associations were found between the improvements and the different variables, but a greater trend was identified among the group of professionals with untreated or unidentified levels of anxiety. Conclusion: This group of health professionals showed statistically and clinically significant improvement in anxiety and well-being after the application of immersive therapy using virtual reality. Further studies with a control group are necessary to further analyze this novel intervention.

In the contemporary business world, digital transformations have undergone vast and important developments over the last several decades, and they have aided in the development of the virtual team concept, in which geographically dispersed team members work to achieve a common goal. Virtual teams, according to the literature, suffer from process losses more frequently than their face-to-face counterparts. Although just a few studies have looked at the effects of individual differences in virtual teams, this study fills in the gaps by examining the impact of individual differences: Age Disparity (AD), Gender Disparity (GD), Language Competency (LC), and IT Competency (ITC) in management perspective on virtual team adaptation in the Sri Lankan private sector. A survey was used to collect data from a sample of 175 private sector companies in Sri Lanka during the COVID- 19 pandemic, and the data was analyzed using partial least squares path modeling (PLS) to test the study's hypotheses. The results indicated that the hypotheses were statistically significant only in the language competency and IT competency and their effects were in the expected direction. Future research could benefit from perceptions of employees in public sector organizations.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and resultant cancellation of geoscience fieldwork, as well as outstanding accessibility issues inherent in conducting fieldwork, we developed a virtual geological fieldtrip (VFT) to the Huronian age deposits in the Whitefish Falls area, Ontario, Canada. This region is a geologically significant site in which many Ontario universities conduct undergraduate teaching due to the high-quality exposures. In this contribution we describe and comment on the development of this openly available resource, the motivations in doing so, the challenges faced, its pedagogical impact and relevance, as well as provide suggestions to others in the development of such resources. Our multimedia VFT combines 360° imagery, georeferenced data on integrated maps, and multi-scale imagery (aerial/drone, outcrop, and thin section images). The VFT was built using the Esri Storymaps platform, and thus offers us the opportunity to review the effectiveness of building such resources using this medium, as well as our approach to doing so. We conclude that the Esri Storymaps platform provides a sound medium for the dissemination of multimedia VFTs, but that some aspects of in-person fieldwork remain hard to replicate. Most notably, ‘hands on experience’ and specific activities such as geological mapping. In addition, while VFTs alleviate some accessibility barriers to geoscience fieldwork, substantial barriers remain that should remain the focus of both pedagogical and geoscience work.

Concrete is a heterogeneous material with a disordered material morphology that strongly governs the behavior of the material. In this contribution, we present a computational tool called the Concrete Mesostructure Generator (CMG) for the generation of ultra-realistic virtual concrete morphologies for mesoscale and multiscale computational modeling and simulation of concrete. Given an aggregate size distribution, realistic generic concrete aggregates are generated by a sequential reduction of a cuboid to generate a polyhedron with multiple faces. Thereafter, concave depressions are introduced in the polyhedron using gaussian surfaces. The generated aggregates are assembled into the mesostructure using a hierarchic random sequential adsorption algorithm. The virtual mesostructures are first calibrated using laboratory measurements of aggregate distributions. The model is validated by comparing the elastic properties obtained from laboratory testing of concrete specimens with the elastic properties obtained using computational homogenisation of virtual concrete mesostructures. Finally, a 3D-convolutional neural network is trained to directly generate elastic properties from voxel data.

We discuss the implementation of a suite of virtual diagnostics at the FACET-II facility currently under commissioning at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The diagnostics will be used for prediction of the longitudinal phase space along the linac, spectral reconstruction of the bunch profile and non-destructive inference of transverse beam quality (emittance) using edge radiation at the injector dogleg and bunch compressor locations. These measurements will be folded in to adaptive feedbacks and ML-based reinforcement learning controls to improve the stability and optimize the performance of the machine for different experimental configurations. In this paper we describe each of these diagnostics with expected measurement results based on simulation data and discuss progress towards implementation in regular operations.

Ligand and structure based virtual screening approaches were applied to clinical stage drugs as well as those approved for human use in an attempt to repurpose drugs for potential use against COVID-19. This approach involved ligand-based shape similarity searches, structure-based docking and pharmacophore searches with the help of pharmacophore queries derived from available ligands and receptor structures. Several compounds appeared as hits in pharmacophore and shape similarity searches and those docking to the SARS-CoV-2 viral 3CL protease were then ranked on the basis of docking scores.

The rising popularity of virtual reality has seen a recent push in applications, such as, social media, educational tools, medical simulations, entertainment and training systems. With virtual realitythe ability to engage users for specific purposes, provides opportunities to entertain, develop cognitive abilities and technical skills outside of the standard mediums (e.g., the television or theclassroom) thereby optimizing exposure with realistic (live) opportunities. However, before these applications of virtual reality become more widespread, there are a number of open questions andissues that must be addressed including limitations, challenges, relationships between fidelity, multi-modal cue interaction, immersion, and knowledge transfer and retention. In this article, we begin with a brief overview of virtual reality methods, followed by a discussion of virtual reality and its applications (both historically, currently and in the future). We review virtual reality trends both from the early artistic days through to current day state of the art technological advancements. We explore emerging and futuristic breakthroughs - and their applications in virtual reality - showing how virtual reality will go way beyond anything we could envision. Infact, after reading this article, we hope the reader will agree, that virtual reality, is possibly one of the most powerful mediums of our time. While the earliest mechanistic virtual reality prototypes (e.g., Sensorama) allowed us to view stereoscopic 3D images accompanied by stereosound, smells, as well as wind effect - set the foundation and direction for future pioneers - there have been spearheaded developments which have continually pushed the concept of virtual reality to new domains. As virtual reality evolves, many new and yet-to-be-imagined applications will arise, but we must have understanding and patience as we wait for science, research andtechnology to mature and improve. The article ends with a short overview of future directions based upon recent breakthroughs in research and what this will mean for virtual reality in the coming years.

In this study, 6 residents of a long-term care facility were asked to try on Virtual Reality glasses and report their first experiences with Virtual Reality. The results show that Virtual Reality is of great interest to elderly residents of in-patient long-term care facilities. The wearing period was longer than expected and no symptoms of cyber sickness occurred. For the residents it was exciting to explore the virtual environments. Austrian destinations, nature scenes in the mountains and forests but also trips to the zoo, the museum, in churches or even densely populated areas like shopping streets or train stations would be places for the residents, they would like to explore virtually. Far-off destinations such as Rio de Janeiro or the Caribbean are more of an exception. Biographically relevant places such as the parental home or the location of their wedding were not named. Concerning the usability, an adjustment of the VR glasses is necessary for a longer-term use in any case.

Conversational spoken dialogue systems that interact with the user rather than merely reading text can be equipped with hesitations to manage the dialogue flow and the users' attention. Based on a series of empirical studies, we built an elaborated hesitation synthesis strategy for dialogue systems that inserts hesitations of scalable extent wherever needed in the ongoing utterance. So far, evaluations of hesitating systems have shown that synthesis quality is affected negatively by hesitations, but that there is improvement in interaction quality. We argue that due to its conversational nature, hesitation synthesis needs interactive evaluation rather than traditional MOS-based questionnaires. To prove this point, we dually evaluate our system’s speech synthesis component: on the one hand, linked to the dialogue system evaluation, on the other hand, in the traditional MOS way. This way we are able to analyze and discuss differences that arise due to the evaluation methodology. Our results suggest that MOS scales are not sufficient to assess speech synthesis quality, which has implications for future research that are discussed in this paper. Furthermore, our results indicate that hesitations work well to increase task performance and that an elaborated strategy is necessary to avoid likability issues.

Virtual reality (VR) describes a family of technologies which immerse users in sensorily-stimulating virtual environments. Such technologies have increasingly found applications in the treatment of neurological and mental health disorders. Depression, anxiety, and other mood abnormalities are of concern in the growing elderly population – especially those who reside in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). The transition from the familiar home environment to the foreign LTCF introduces a number of stressors that can precipitate depression. However, recent studies reveal that VR therapy (VRT) can promote positive emotionality and improve cognitive abilities in the elderly, both at home and in LTCFs. VR thus holds potential in allowing elderly individuals to gradually adapt to their new environments – thereby mitigating the detrimental effects of place attachment and social exclusion. Nevertheless, while the current psychological literature is promising, the implementation of VR in LTCFs faces many challenges. LTCF residents must gain trust in VR technologies, care providers require training to maximize the positive effects of VRT, and decision makers must evaluate both the opportunities and obstacles in adopting VR. Here, we concisely review the implications of depression related to place attachment in LTCFs, and explore the potential therapeutic applications of VR.

Multidisciplinary neurotechnology holds the promise of understanding and non-invasively treating neurodegenerative diseases. In this preclinical trial on Parkinson's disease (PD), we combined neuroscience together with the nascent field of medical virtual reality and generated several important observations. First, we established the Oculus Rift virtual reality system as a potent measurement device for parkinsonian involuntary hand tremors (IHT). Interestingly, we determined changes in rotation were the most sensitive marker of PD IHT. Secondly, we determined parkinsonian tremors can be abolished in VR with algorithms that remove tremors from patients' digital hands. We also found that PD patients were interested in and were readily able to use VR hardware and software. Together these data suggest PD patients can enter VR and be asymptotic of PD IHT. Importantly, VR is an open-medium where patients can perform actions, activities, and functions that positively impact their real lives - for instance, one can sign tax return documents in VR and have them printed on real paper or directly e-sign via internet to government tax agencies. Lastly, we generated a technical framework wherein movements in the real world can be measured side-by-side with those in virtual reality. With this framework, we observed anecdotal evidence of parkinsonian tremors being reduced in real life when our algorithms abolished digital hand tremors in VR.

Purpose: People with Williams syndrome (WS, n = 20, CA = 12.5, MA = 8.9) have strong verbal short-term memory but challenged verbal long-term memory. This study aimed to evaluate the memory abilities of people with WS and examine the possibility of improving their memory performance. Methods: Twelve navigations completed the study. Fourteen indexes were used for each navigation. Controls matched in chronological age (CA, n = 20, mean age = 12.5), mental age (MA, n = 20, mean age = 8.8), 5th graders (n = 20, mean age = 10.3), and college students (CS, n = 20, mean age = 20.2) were recruited. Results: The WS group was slowest and erred more in completing tasks than the CA and MA groups. The error patterns revealed group differences in the number of extra items purchased and missed correct items. The 5th graders erred more than the CS on extra items purchased; the CA group erred more than the CS and the 5th graders on missed correct items. The WS group erred more than the CA and MA groups for incorrect items purchased, extra items purchased, missed correct items, and incorrect types purchased. The error patterns yielded replacements and confusion. Semantic features attributed to atypical processing during navigation have emerged in people with WS. Conclusion: These findings suggest that people with WS have developmental disorders in verbal long-term memory. The current study serves as a foundation for future interventions in people with WS.

The article addresses the problem of course development in virtual teaching and learning spaces by teachers to support blended learning in the Ecuadorian unified baccalaureate. For this purpose, a documentary analysis of 465 papers selected by a search in Scopus and Google Scholar about blended learning and 145 papers selected by a search in Scopus and Google Scholar about development of virtual courses was carried out. The definition of the first concept is qualitatively different from the previous ones by analysing it as a form of organisation and assessing the configuration of face-to-face and distance learning depending on the educational objective. The second concept defined presents the unrepeatable and unique character of each course given by the configuration of its digital resources, the characteristics of these resources and the new qualities that are conferred on them. Subsequently, based on them, the methodology that contributed to the development of courses in virtual spaces as a support to blended learning is proposed. Unlike other methodologies, the proposal explicitly states its conceptual apparatus and the necessary requirements for its introduction in an educational organization. It incorporates important actions that do not appear in other methodologies such as cross-cutting processes including quality assurance with its corresponding metrics, maintenance, recall and evaluation of previous actions.

Immersive virtual reality has the potential to motivate and challenge patients that need and want to relearn movements in the process of (neuro-)rehabilitation. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and users’ acceptance of an innovative immersive virtual reality system (head-mounted display) used in combination with robot assisted gait training in subjects suffering from neurological diseases. Fifteen participants tested a single session of immersive virtual reality by means of head-mounted display during a Lokomat gait session. Training parameters and safety indicators were collected and the acceptance was investigated among the participants and the therapists. The results suggest that the immersive virtual reality system is feasible with respect to safety and tolerance. Furthermore, the very positive overall acceptance of the system suggests that it has potential to be included in a robot assisted gait training session by means of Lokomat. Taken together, this study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptance of an innovative immersive virtual reality system in combination with a robot assisted gait training in subjects suffering from stroke and spinal cord injury, as well as their therapists.

The fast-paced advancements in the technological space and its application have influenced greatly its usage in teaching especially in science and mathematics subjects. The overall objective of this study was to examine the physical proximity of learning in shaping students’ mastery of technology-enhanced mathematics and science concepts. Consequently, the study investigates how technology can promote teaching presence toward the mastery of mathematics and science concepts and how the latter can be grasped by the learners using physical proximity strategies. This research study used a mixed-method research design and was conducted in Kayonza District (Eastern Province) and Gasabo District (Kigali), Rwanda. The participants were postgraduate students at the University of Rwanda, College of Education undertaking a master degree in chemistry education, mathematics education, physics education and biology education under the Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science. A sample size of 88 students was selected from both Remera and Rukara campuses. Participants were in a range of 21-40 years old. The study used both interviews and questionnaires to collect empirical data. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis while quantitative data was analyzed using R software. The study reveals that a virtual lab is a vital tool in promoting teaching presence regarding the mastery of mathematics and science concepts. The use of virtual labs seems to foster instructional design and organization from teachers. Moreover, virtual labs seem to facilitate meaningful discourses, interactions between learners and between the learners and the teacher. The findings show also that virtual visualizing seems also to play a role in direct instruction where the teacher offers guidance and direction to learners on various subjects or issues of contention that may need the clarity. Thus 87.6% of the respondents affirm that technology integration in learning is efficient in bridging the gap of physical proximity among learners and teachers through various virtual instruments and platforms. The study also demonstrates that various forms of technology that can be used to bring mathematics and science concepts to the learners’ physical proximity including WhatsApp, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom and Webex. The study therefore recommends that visualization should be integrated in the curricula, training of teachers and students to maximize physical proximity components and sharing of best practices among teachers and students.

The present study provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of research on the Urban Metaverse, focusing on its integration into urban planning and design, as well as the ethical, social, and economic implications in urban settings. This study aims to evaluate the present standing and scope of the metaverse in the context of urban planning and city design; investigate the obstacles and remedies in integrating metaverse components into urban spaces; and explore the ethical, social, and economic ramifications of the metaverse in urban settings. The methodology involved a qualitative investigation of the relevant literature using academic databases and a review of thirty-two selected studies published between 2022 and 2024. The findings emphasise the changing nature of interpersonal relationships, potential alienation from physical spaces, and ethical implications of technology-driven urban changes. The study also highlights the potential opportunities and challenges associated with incorporating the metaverse into urban environments and offers strategies to address these challenges, including the formulation of data protection regulations, expansion of infrastructure, and ensuring equal access for all residents. The implications of the findings underscore the necessity of regulatory frameworks, technological investments, ethical considerations, and inclusive governance structures to ensure inclusive and sustainable urban development in the emerging era of the metaverse.

For the first time to optimize the creation of new neuroprotective agents based on bioflavonoids, we applied information technologies - docking analysis to calculate the binding of candidate molecules to the pharmacological target protein transthyretin, as well as the program of virtual screening of NO scavengers. As a result of this approach, the substance catechin was isolated from candidate molecules - quercetin, catechin, Epicatechin gallate, Epicatechin, Procyanidin B1, Procyanidin B2, Procyanidin B3, Catechin-3-gallate according to docking analysis. As a result of virtual screening, catechin was identified as a potential NO scavenger (55.15% prediction). The results of the prediction were confirmed by in vitro experiments. Course administration of catechin to animals with experimental multiple sclerosis (MS) against the background of methylprednisolone administration completely eliminated lethal cases, reduced the number of diseased animals by 20%, as well as prevented the development of severe neurological symptoms by 20% (compared to the methylprednisolone group) and by 60% compared to the control group. Course administration of catechin with methylprednisolone leads to decrease of neurodegradation markers in the cytosol of rats with EAE: NSE by 37%, and S-100 - by 54.8%. The combined administration of methylprednisolone significantly exceeds the combination of methylprednisolone with the reference drug mexidol by the degree of NSE reduction. The obtained results indicate a significant neuroprotective effect of ocular combinations of methylprednisolone and catechin. The above-mentioned confirms the correctness of bioflavonoid selection with the help of virtual screening program.

Point cloud acquisition systems now enable the capture of geometric models enriched with additional attribute data, providing a deeper semantic understanding of the measured environments. However, visualizing complex spatiotemporal point clouds remains computationally challenging. This paper presents a fusion methodology that aggregates points from different instants into unified clouds with reduced redundancy while preserving time-varying information. The static 3D structure is condensed using a voxel approach, while temporal attributes are propagated across the merged data. The resulting point cloud is optimized and rendered interactively in a virtual reality (VR) application. This platform allows for intuitive exploration, visualization, and analysis of the merged clouds. Users can examine thermographic properties using color maps and study graphical temperature trends. The potential of VR for insightful interrogation of point clouds enriched with multiple properties is highlighted by the system.

Previous research demonstrates that the interruption of immersive experiences may lead to a bias in the results of questionnaires. Thus, the traditional way of presenting questionnaires, paper-based or web-based, may not be compatible with evaluating VR experiences. Recent research has shown the positive impact of embedding questionnaires contextually into the virtual environment. However, a comprehensive overview of the available VR questionnaire solutions is currently missing. Furthermore, no clear taxonomy exists for these different solutions in the literature. To address this, we present a literature review of VR questionnaire user interfaces (UI) following PRISMA guidelines. Our search returned 1.109 initial results, which were screened for eligibility, resulting in a corpus of 25 papers. This paper contributes to HCI and games research with a literature review of embedded questionnaires in VR, discussing the advantages and disadvantages and introducing a taxonomy of in-VR questionnaire UIs.

In this paper, we introduce a specialized, fully automated experimental arrangement designed for assessing the effectiveness of augmented and virtual reality technologies in healthcare setting and explore its design principles focusing on depth sensor characterization. The main goal of this project is to establish a robust benchtop platform for the quantitative evaluation of extended reality technologies in a controlled environment, emphasizing the practical assessment of augmented reality head-mounted devices. We outline a design concept and considerations for an experimental configuration aimed at creating a realistic testing environment. This apparatus comprises an observation platform mounted on a three-degree-of-freedom motorized system and a test phantom stage. Focusing on real-case scenarios, we utilized a range of sensors, including readily available range-sensing cameras and commercial augmented reality headsets, such as the Intel RealSense L515 LiDAR camera, mounted on the motion control system. The setup enabled automated data collection and facilitates controlled assessments and validation of various facets of augmented reality technologies, including object, hand, and head tracking, as well as static and dynamic image registration. This paper describes the system architecture, the process of automated data collection, and presents several evaluation studies conducted with this setup, providing insights into the quality and temporal noise associated with static or moving objects or observers in augmented reality applications.

Technology can be seen everywhere and has been integrated into our lives.We are always using technology and enjoying the convenience brought by technology. However, physical retailers and e-commerce companies are also gradually adopting advanced technologies. Technology improves the purchasing environment and purchasing experience. Virtual reality and augmented reality have been hotly discussed in recent years. Technology, although virtual reality and augmented reality technology have not yet matured, it can be said that they will in the future It has great development potential. Virtual reality and augmented reality are also beginning to sprout in the retail industry. However, research on the acceptance of the use of virtual reality and augmented reality in the apparel shopping process is still lacking because This study explores how usefulness, ease of use, hedonicity, customer experience, customer engagement and satisfaction. To influence customer loyalty, this study adopted questionnaire survey and convenience sampling methods, and collected a total of 308 valid questionnaires. The analysis method used confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation model to verify the research hypothesis relationship. The results of this study found. Hedonic has a significant impact on customer loyalty, while usefulness, ease of use, customer experience, customer engagement and satisfaction Satisfaction does not have a significant impact on customer loyalty. This study explains the academic contribution of the research results. The practical implications in marketing are put forward, and specific suggestions and directions for future research are given.

The interest in virtual fencing, as opposed to traditional physical barriers, has increased since it makes it easier to move the boundaries of animal enclosures for agricultural and rewilding purposes. Despite this, the implementation of virtual fence systems, such as the Nofence© system, requires large financial investments. The necessity of individual collars also makes it more difficult to implement this system on a larger scale. If a herd of cattle tend to maintain cohesive social groups around dominant individuals, it might be possible to use fewer collars thereby making the system more cost efficient. This study investigates the pattern in spatial distribution in a herd of 17 Angus cows on Fanø in Denmark with GPS locations, using a Nofence© system. The aim of this paper is to determine how individuals position themselves in a herd, spatially, and identify a pattern in ranks. The method used in this study examines the distances between an individual to the rest of the herd mates using nearest neighbour and distribution plots. Contrary to the expectations, this study did not show a distinct pattern in herd distribution. While some tendencies in spatial distribution patterns were observed, only a low concordance could be found (W=0.15,p=3.02e−16). Therefore, interactions among individuals should be considered in future studies, rather than only investigating the herd as one unit. A cumulative curves of the ranks estimated over the entire periods allowed however a rough estimation of the hierarchy and allowed the identification of the highest ranked cows. Therefore it might be possible to use fewer collars if the high ranked cows are discovered, but the estimation of the hierarchy will require a period of observation overall several days as the hierarchical positions are fluctuating too much from days to days. Therefore the cumulative rank curves seems to be a valid solution.

Sensory integration is an essential function of human life, and its decline causes difficulties in the quality of life, especially in older adults. In this study, we proposed an arm-reaching task based on a virtual reality head-mounted display (VR-HMD) system to assess sensory integration in daily life, and examined whether reaching task performance was associated with age and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between the brain regions of interest involved in sensory integration. We hypothesized that performance during a reaching task with multiple cognitive loadings would be affected by aging. The gap angle between the reaching hand and target positions was compared between older and middle-aged adults as a measure of sensory integration function. In addition, rsFC, which was significantly correlated with the gap angles of individual participants in the older adult group, was identified using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data. The mean gap angle was significantly larger in the older adults than in the middle-aged group and was also significantly correlated with connections between the left primary motor area and the left inferior temporal gyrus, temporo-occipital part. Because the connectivity between the areas is known to be related to visuomotor integration, the results suggest the involvement of visuomotor integration in the decline of sensory integration function in old age and the validity of the gap angle during the proposed VR-HMD task as an index for the decline in function.

This research examines the effects of the implementation of an educational programme of mindfulness training using Virtual Reality (VR) with students in adapted vocational training. The aim of this programme is to instruct and strengthen attention and self-regulation skills in relation to the learning process, with the objective of reducing anxiety and impulsivity in students, contributing to promoting sustainability in education, as well as reducing inequalities. The development and implementation of this project was carried out in IES Teguise in Lanzarote (Spain) with 11 students with intellectual disabilities who used the Virtual Reality Mindfulness application called TRIPP for three months. The use of Virtual Reality offers immersive experiences, while mindfulness enables concentration, which directly contributes to higher academic performance. After the implementation of the programme, it is observed that the use of this emerging technology provides students with a sense of calm and well-being, which translates into improvements in their academic grades, promoting equal and quality education in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This research hypothesised that the use of Virtual Reality (VR) applications can be used to train people in the ability to acquire targets faster, with greater accuracy when using motion controllers than compared with a traditional pointing device (mouse) on a 2D display. User performance was defined and measured using Reaction Time and Accuracy. The research findings suggests that the use of motion controllers in VR improved Reaction Time but not Accuracy when compared against the traditional pointing device and 2D display. This suggests that VR can be used specifically in training scenarios where Reaction Times are more important than Accuracy. It is recommended that further research is conducted using a wider range of hardware and software configurations with a stratified sample that takes into account age and gender to expand the collective understanding of factors that impact on VR aiming and target acquisition in VR.

This paper investigates nonverbal communication in human interactions, with a specific focus on facial expressions. Employing a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) architecture and a custom-ized facial expression framework, our approach aims to improve virtual agent interactions by incorporating subtle nonverbal cues. The paper contributes to the emerging field of facial expres-sion generation, addressing gaps in current research and presenting a novel framework within Unreal Engine 5. The model's architecture, trained on the CANDOR corpus, captures temporal dynamics, and refines hyperparameters for optimal performance. During testing, the trained model showed a cosine similarity of -0.95. This enables the algorithm to accurately respond to non-verbal cues and interact with humans in a way that is comparable to human-human interac-tion. Unlike other approaches in the field of facial expression generation, the presented method is more comprehensive and enables the integration of a multi-modal approach for generating facial expressions. Future work involves integrating blendshape generation, real-world testing, and the inclusion of additional modalities to create a comprehensive framework for seamless hu-man-agent interactions beyond facial expressions.

In this paper, a study was conducted on the Ramsey interference and spectral line locking techniques based on rubidium-87 cold atoms. Using sequential control technique, the timing design of a three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (MOT), cold atoms’ free fall, Ramsey microwave interference, and two-level fluorescence detection was realized, achieving the state preparation of cold atoms and clock transitions. By designing an automatic peak-finding algorithm, numerical integration was performed on the time-of-flying (TOF) signal, and narrow linewidth cold atom Ramsey interference fringes were obtained. Based on this, a frequency-hopping method was used to lock the frequency of the 10MHz oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) in a closed loop, achieving a linewidth of 38Hz. This preliminary result verifies the feasibility of the system design.

Previous research has explored different models of synchronous remote learning environments supported by videoconferencing and virtual reality platforms. However, few studies have evaluated the preference and acceptance of synchronous remote learning in a course streamed in an immersive or augmented reality platform. This case study uses ANOVA analysis to examine the engineering students´ preferences for receiving instruction during the COVID19 pandemic in three classroom types: face-to-face, conventional virtual (mediated by videoconferencing) and an immersive virtual classroom (IVC). Likewise, structural equation modeling, was used to analyze the acceptance of the IVC perceived by students, this includes four latent factors: ease of receiving a class, perceived usefulness, attitude towards IVC and IVC use. The findings showed that the IVC used in synchronous remote learning has a similar level of preference to the face-to-face classroom, and higher than the conventional virtual one. Despite the high preference for receiving remote instruction in IVC, aspects such as audio delays that affect interaction still need to be resolved. On the other hand, a key aspect for a good performance of these environments is the dynamics associated with the teaching-learning processes and the instructor´ qualities.

This work is aimed at showcasing one of the most engaging geoparks in Europe, the Gole della Breggia Geopark. By following its geotrail, the visitors can observe a great deal of features that encompass a wide variety of sedimentary, stratigraphic, tectonic and paleogeographic processes. Its contents are valorized by a comprehensive geotrail that encompasses 23 geostops, enriched with explanatory panels, which enable viewers to gain an overall picture of the complex processes that led to the present-day configuration of the outcrops encountered in the Geopark. We have selected five significative outcrops, which we have regarded as fully-fledged geosites, and which encompass the whole 170-million-year interval, from Early Jurassic to Late Miocene times, during which the rocks of the Geopark were deposited and deformed. We have performed an assessment of the five geosites, using the most common criteria that can be applied for geosite evaluation. The result of the assessment show that the most valuable geosite is the Lombardian Maiolica, highly representative of a pelagic limestone, which is rich in fossil contents, marked by integrity, scien-tific interest and has a major educational value. All geosites, thanks to a QR code added to each figure along the text, can be viewed as Virtual Geosites (VGs), integrated by 360° videos.

This research paper explores the transformative potential of immersive media, specifically virtual reality (VR), in enhancing empathy among users. Empathy is vital in fostering understanding, compassion, and social cohesion. Immersive media, with its ability to transport individuals into simulated environments and perspectives, offers unique opportunities to bridge the empathy gap. This paper examines how VR can boost empathy, including perspective-taking, emotional connection, experiential learning, breaking down barriers, and empathy-building simulations. It discusses existing studies and empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of VR in promoting empathy. The paper acknowledges the ethical considerations and challenges associated with using VR for empathy enhancement, such as avoiding stereotype reinforcement and ensuring inclusive design. By highlighting the potential of immersive media in cultivating empathy, this research paper contributes to the growing field of empathy research and provides insights for the development and application of VR experiences aimed at fostering empathy and understanding in diverse contexts.

The purpose of this study is to investigate and validate the influencing factors of audiences’ attitude toward virtual concerts. To address this issue, the current study proposes a conceptual model integrating player experiences’ factors (autonomy, relatedness, and engagement) and the technology acceptance model (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment). An online questionnaire on virtual concert experiences was distributed to Chinese audiences who had attended virtual concerts. Structural equation modeling was then used to establish the relationship between variables. The results suggested autonomy, relatedness and engagement positively impacted perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment. Furthermore, the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived enjoyment were significant predictors of audiences’ attitude. The findings of this study can provide a reference for relevant virtual entertainment providers and can also serve as a point of development and exploration for technology acceptance model and player experience in the field of virtual concerts.

Simulation-Based Medical Education that uses Virtual Patients has become increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the need for social distancing and minimizing contact, medical simulation technology has provided a valuable tool for healthcare professionals to practice and improve their skills without the need for face-to-face interactions. MedSIM is a medically accurate simulation platform with Virtual Patients designed for undergraduate medical education. Our study involved two groups of students. The PreCOVID group, before the pandemic, underwent conventional teaching methods. The COVID group, during the pandemic, had students exposed to conventions skills taught earlier and were taught again with MedSIM. Students indicated high satisfaction with the clinical skills demonstrated by the Virtual Patients. More than half agreed that MedSIM had enabled them to perform all kinds of procedures on patients (PreCOVID group 68.8%, COVID group 71.3%), showed cues and consequences much like those in natural clinical environments (PreCOVID 68.4%, COVID 71.3%). Also, MedSIM allowed them to have a repetitive practice that helps in critical skills transfer to actual patients (PreCOVID 72.7%, COVID 74.7%). MedSIM met the expectations of most of the students. Students from both groups rated the online performance of the MedSIM simulator as "Very good." Analysis from a customized word cloud indicated that most students found MedSIM to be good and of educational value. MedSIM platform enhances healthcare professionals' skills and knowledge, leading to better patient outcomes and increased access to healthcare, supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). It also provides a safe and controlled environment for healthcare professionals to learn and practice essential skills, supporting SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected people from more deprived communities. The experience of Long Covid is similarly distributed but very few investigations have concentrated on the needs of this population. The aim of this project was to co-produce an acceptable intervention for people with Long Covid, living in communities recognised as more deprived. Methods: The intervention was based on a multi-disciplinary team using approaches from sport and exercise medicine and functional rehabilitation. The co-production process was undertaken with a stakeholder advisory group and patient public involvement representation. This study identified participants by postcode and the indices of multiple deprivation (IMD); recruitment and engagement were supported by an existing health and wellbeing service. A virtual ‘clinic’ was offered with a team of professional practitioners who met participants three times each; to directly consider their needs and offer structured advice. The acceptability of the intervention was based on the individual’s participation and their completion of the intervention. Results: Ten participants were recruited with eight completing the intervention. The partnership with an existing community health and wellbeing service was deemed to be an important way of reaching participants. Two men and six women ages ranging from 38 to 73 were involved and their needs were commonly associated with fatigue, anxiety and depression with overall de-conditioning. None reported serious hardship associated with the pandemic although most were in self-employment/part-time employment or were not working due to retirement or ill-health. Two older participants lived alone, and others were single parents and had considerable challenges associated with managing a household alongside their Long Covid difficulties. Conclusions: This paper presents the needs and perspectives of eight individuals involved in the process and discusses the needs and preferences of the group in relation to their support for self- managed recovery from Long Covid.

Social isolation magnified by the restriction of movement order during the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to negative psychosocial health impact among community-dwelling older adults. We evaluated the feasibility of virtual research methods and virtual group exercises among individuals aged 60 years and over in Malaysia. Participants were recruited from the Promoting Independence in Seniors with Arthritis (PISA) pilot cohort through social media messages. A four-week course of virtual group exercise was offered. Anxiety and depression were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) during the last attended follow-up of the cohort study (pre-pandemic), pre-intervention, and post-intervention. Exercise adherence was recorded using diary with daily entries and attendance to the virtual group exercise sessions were captured daily. The outcomes of interest were changes of anxiety and depression scores from baseline to pre-intervention (pandemic-related) and post-intervention (virtual exercise related). Forty-three individuals were recruited. A significant increase in anxiety scores from baseline to pre-intervention was observed. Comparisons using repeated-measures analysis of variance between those who attendance ≥14 and &lt;14 group exercise sessions revealed no between-within subjects differences in depression scores. There was a 23% dropout rate in the post intervention survey and 60.5% of diaries were returned. This study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting research entirely virtually among older persons during the peak of global first wave of a pandemic. The pandemic has led to increased anxiety among community-dwelling older adults.

Sometimes a pavement deflects only because of seasonal volume change of expansive soils in the pavement subgrade. Engineering practitioners expect an implementable and straightforward analysis method for a geosynthetic-reinforced pavement subjected to the swelling/shrinkage issue of expansive clayey subgrade, in an effort to find the bending moment, shear force and tension force distributions through the reinforced pavement, which are induced from the volumetric changes of subgrade soils. The virtual load method (VLM) was proposed in the past following the Timoshenko beam theory to analyze geosynthetic-reinforced pavement on expansive soils. In the VLM, the unknown virtual distributed load was obtained in the way by applying the inverse theory for the identification of material parameters of the pavement-foundation system. It was seen that the selection of the number of material parameters to obtain virtual load significantly affects the accuracy of the structural properties of the pavement and tensile properties of the geosynthetics if the linear least square method is used. In this paper, a unique numerical scheme was proposed in the hopes of solving the issue. After a forward problem was solved numerically, the Timoshenko beam deflection was taken as a start-up for the inverse problem to back analyze the load applied to the pavement. Solutions from forward/backward examples have explicitly shown the accuracy achieved related to the bending moment in the pavement and tension in the geosynthetic reinforcements. The proposed methodology can be applied for an in-depth understanding of the geosynthetic function for the mitigation of longitudinal cracks on pavements caused by heave/shrinkage of expansive soils.

The commercial popularity of Virtual Reality attracted educators’ interest and brought new opportunities to the educational landscape. At the same time, Learning Analytics emerged with the promise to revolutionise the traditional practices by introducing ways to systematically assess and improve the effectiveness of instruction. However, the collection of ‘big’ educational data is mostly associated with web-based platforms as they offer direct access to learners’ activities with minimal effort. On the antipode, the nature of VR limits the opportunities for such data collection. Hence, in the context of this work, we present a four-dimensional theoretical framework, that accounts the information that can be gathered from VR-supported instruction, and propose a set of structural elements which can be utilised for the development of a Learning Analytics prototype system. The outcomes of this work are expected to support practitioners to maximise the potential of their interventions and provide inspiration for new ones.

Children and adolescents with severe burns require dressing changes, associated with pain. As immersive virtual reality (VR) gained prominence as non-pharmacological adjuvant analgesia, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of full immersive VR on pain experienced during dressing changes in hospitalized children and adolescents with severe burns. This exercise included quality and risk of bias assessment. The systematic reviewsearch resulted in eight studies and 142 patients. This exercise included quality and risk of bias assessment. Due to missing data, four studies were excluded from the meta-analysis. Fixed effects meta-analysis of the four included studies (n = 104) revealed a large effect size (ES) (SMD=0.94; 95% CI=0.62, 1.27; Z=5.70; p&lt;0.00001) for adjuvant full immersive VR compared to standard care. In conclusion, adjuvant full immersive VR significantly reduces pain experienced during dressing changes in children and adolescents with burns. We therefore recommend implementing full immersive VR as an adjuvant in this specific setting and population. However, this requires further research into the hygienic use of VR appliances in health institutions. Furthermore, due to the high cost of the hardware, a cost-benefit analysis is required. Finally, research should also verify the long term physical and psychological benefits of VR.

This paper shares our work in developing and implementing an immersive gamification training platform for students who undergo manufacturing shopfloor training at the School of Engineering, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore. In this gamification training platform, we developed a virtual manufacturing shopfloor that is identical to the actual shopfloor located in the school. Students have the freedom to learn the manufacturing shopfloor operations and safety acts through the various game scenarios and training tasks which include workshop safety, CNC machine introduction, CNC machining dynamics, MES, etc. In addition, the assessment feature with immediate feedback were embedded within the gamification platform, which aim to help students to assess their level of understanding and help teachers to monitor the learning progress of their students. To investigate the impact of this gamification training platform on students’ learning outcome and motivation in manufacturing shopfloor technologies and safety acts, a pilot study was conducted in AY2018 semester 2 for a total 134 students from 4 classes of digital & precision engineering diploma. It is found that gamification can be integrated effectively into manufacturing education to motivate students and enhance their learning effectiveness. Based on the collected data from the technical quizzes and satisfactory survey, the results showed that the integration of gamification into the classroom learning not only added a stimulating and captivating game-like layer to the learning experience of the students, but also provided a safe environment for students to learn without fear of making errors. Challenges faced in implementing this gamification training platform will also be discussed in this paper.

3CL^pro is the main protease of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for their intracellular duplication. Based on virtual screening technology, we found 23 approved clinical drugs such as Carfilzomib, Saquinavir, Thymopentin and etc., which showed high affinity with the 3CL^pro active sites. These findings suggest that 3CL^pro inhibitors might be potential candidates for further activity detection and molecular modification.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been first appeared in Wuhan, China but its fast transmission, led to its widespread prevalence in various countries and make it a global concern. In addition, lack of a definitive treatment is another concern that needs to be attention. Researchers have come up with several options, which are not certain, but protease inhibitor and some antiviral agent are in the forefront. In this study a virtual screening procedure employing docking of different databases including 1615 FDA approved drugs was used to identify new potential small molecule inhibitors for protease protein of COVID-19. The docking result indicates that among all, simeprevir (Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor) could fit well to the binding pocket of protease and because of some other positive features including ADME profile, might be a helpful treatment option for COVID-19.

Molecular visualisation is fundamental in the current scientific literature, textbooks and dissemination materials, forming an essential support for presenting results, reasoning on and formulating hypotheses related to molecular structure. Visual exploration has become easily accessible on a broad variety of platforms thanks to advanced software tools that render a great service to the scientific community. These tools are often developed across disciplines bridging computer science, biology and chemistry. Here we first describe a few Swiss Army knives geared towards protein visualisation for everyday use with an existing large user base, then focus on more specialised tools for peculiar needs that are not yet as broadly known. Our selection is by no means exhaustive, but reflects a diverse snapshot of scenarios that we consider informative for the reader. We end with an account of future trends and perspectives.

Prototype of a family of at least nine members, c-src tyrosine kinase is a therapeutically interesting target, because its inhibition might be of interest not only in a number of malignancies, but also in a diverse array of conditions, from neurodegenerative pathologies to certain viral infections. Computational methods in drug discovery are considerably cheaper than conventional methods and offer opportunities of screening very large numbers of compounds in conditions that would be simply impossible within the wet lab experimental settings. We have explored the use of global QSAR models and molecular ligand docking in the discovery of new c-src tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Using a data set of 1038 compounds from ChEMBL and 19 blocks of molecular descriptors, we have developed over 200 QSAR classification models, based on six machine learning algorithms and 17 feature selection methods. We have selected 49 with reasonably good performance (positive predictive value and balanced accuracy higher than 70% in nested cross validation) and the models were assembled by stacking with a simple majority vote and used for the virtual screening of over the “named” ZINC data set (over 100,000 compounds). 744 compounds were predicted by at least 50% of the QSAR models as active, 147 compounds were within the applicability domain and predicted by at least 75% of the models to be active. The latter 147 compounds were submitted to molecular ligand docking using Vina and Ledock, and a number of 90 were predicted to be active based on the binding energy. External data from CHEMBL and PUBCHEM confirmed that at least 7.83% (in the case of QSAR) or 6.67% (in the case of integrated QSAR and molecular docking) of the compounds are active on the c-src target.

This article presents an in-depth review of Virtual Power Plant (VPP), its organization in the energy system and its prospects in the face of the promising future of the increasing bidirectional complexity exposed in the current scenario. A new paradigm for the operations of modern power distribution and transmission systems requires greater grid flexibility that is accompanying an extensive change in the structure of electricity markets, the fruit of the development of the renewable industry and of the growing photovoltaic systems popularized, but in contrast due to the intermittent nature cause variable uncertainties in the power system. Innovative concepts like VPP are becoming a reality, establishing an efficient and effective mechanism. The objectives and components are described in a comprehensive way, and some of the most important are pointed out and presented in detail to contribute with a description of the energy systems and the implicit research needed for sustainability and resilience in the eminent energy scenario with this technology. In addition, the literature and studies of this technology already indicate a direction of this new tool as a promising solution to manage the uncertainties of the renewable energies.

Lack of water resources in Iran, especially in recent years, has faced the agricultural sector as the most important consumer of water resources, with serious challenges. In Iran, the agricultural sector accounted for more than 90% of water consumption. However, the focus on domestic production and self-sufficiency policy in staples (wheat, barley, maize and rice) has been emphasized in general agriculture's policy. This study was conducted to estimate the imported virtual water from the imports of basic products in Iran using defined indicators during 1961-2013. Also this study investigated the possibility of achieving self-sufficiency due to the limited water resources in Iran. The results of this study showed with the increase in cereal imports, virtual water imports from 0.28 billion cubic meters in 1961 increased to 17.6 billion cubic meters in 2013 and on average about 60% of virtual water imports in strategic products is related to wheat imports during the past 53 years. Other products in cereal (barley, maize and rice) are also indicative of the general trend of increasing imports of virtual water in development plans. The estimated long-run elasticity of virtual water imports in the cereal group compared with the country's water resources also showed that with a one percent reduction in renewable water resources of the country, the virtual water import in the main cereal group will increase equivalent to 2.89 percent and the determination coefficient more than 90 percent also confirms this negative relationship. According to this result and the emphasis on the fact that renewable water resources per capita in the country is falling increasingly, it cannot be expected that domestic production could compensate for the imports of the cereal group and virtual water imports with current technology, without increasing the water productivity and without additional harm to water resources.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to rapid growth in telemental health services and investment in digital mental health technologies. Digital mental health technologies could expand access to mental health care amid increasing provider deficit by providing tools for expedited psychiatric symptom assessment and treatment augmentation. This systematic review explores the recent evidence for the use of scalable digital tools, including virtual reality, neurofeedback training, wearables, mobile apps, digital phenotyping, and machine learning for PTSD symptom assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods: A PubMed search identified studies on digital technologies with current or future potential for scalability (accessible through a small, digital device without the virtual or in-person presence of a mental health care provider)–and PTSD diagnosis, symptom assessment, or symptom treatment as the primary outcome. Thirty-five studies inform this review. Results: Virtual reality exposure therapy is efficacious for combat-related PTSD treatment. Conclusions of studies investigating apps and neurofeedback training are limited by low sample size and methodological heterogeneity. Machine learning models demonstrate capability in detecting PTSD symptoms via passively collected data from smartphones, wearables, and actively collected data from patient speech, writing, and videos, but standardization of data collection and modeling are needed before application to clinical settings. Conclusions: Advancements in scalable digital tools could address barriers in healthcare access and improve patient engagement by providing asynchronous assessment and treatment augmentation. Future research utilizing diverse patient populations in standardized controlled trials is needed to determine evidence-based protocols for implementation.

The development of virtual models has recently been generalized in the field of complex mechatronic product design. Virtual models have various advantages such as: the systemic design approach, most often parametric, the implementation of extreme, expensive, and perhaps risky scenarios for the operation of the designed product, the testing of a large number of variants, etc. The main contribution of the paper consists of the development of an interface family called DeSeRoI (Dedicated Serial Robot Interface). Each member of the interface family integrates Simulink libraries and is created by the programmer in accordance with user requests. It follows that the interfaces composing the DeSeRoI family can have different levels of complexity depending on user needs and constraints. We are implementing a MATLAB-based application with user-provided configuration for serial robots in order to automatically visualize the kinematics data and simulation. Within MATLAB, two scripts are created responsible for generating Simulink models that compute the kinematics problem. One of the scripts (Main) saves information about the configuration of the robot and the other one (Generates_Simulink_Models) computes the kinematics problem. Different types of functions (software module) have been developed. Using these functions, the Simulink models result as modular entities. The automated approach eases user’s interaction and understanding of serial robots’ kinematics by performing the simulation procedure in a shorter amount of time and with higher efficiency, assuring a precise outcome despite the chosen parameters.

Background. The role of exercise programs during Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment is considered particularly supportive in fostering positive psychological and behavioral changes. The aim of this feasibility study was to explore the acute effects of cycling exercise in an immersive virtual reality (IVR) environment on attentional control and self-efficacy expectations of indi-viduals undergoing SUD treatment. Methods. A total of 20 individuals (mean age of 37.75 years) enrolled in a SUD treatment program participated in the study. They were instructed to complete a single session of cycling with a self-selected duration within the IVR system. Results. Following the cycling session, pre-post measures indicated a statistically significant im-provement in self-efficacy expectations and attentional control measured with the Stroop test. The results revealed that participants expressed high levels of intention for future use, inter-est/enjoyment, and positive attitudes toward the IVR exercise system. Qualitative data indicated that participants found the IVR exercise system enjoyable, expressed a strong intention to use it, and did not encounter technical difficulties or negative emotions. Conclusions: In conclusion, it seems that engaging in a brief period of self-selected exercise within a virtual environment can result in temporary activation of cognitive changes, heightened self-efficacy expectations, and a motivating approach to increasing physical activity participation among individuals with SUD, thus suggesting the feasibility of this approach.

Existing methods for simulating missile dynamics and training often rely on three degrees of freedom (3DOF) motions, limiting their ability to represent the complex maneuvers and targeting strategies of modern missiles. This paper proposes integrating virtual reality (VR) technology with six degrees of freedom (6DOF) dynamics to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of missile simulation and training. By incorporating 6DOF dynamics, simulations can capture the full range of missile motion, providing a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and limitations. Through VR, users can immerse themselves in realistic missile scenarios, interact with dynamic behaviors in real-time, and refine their targeting and interception skills. The integration of VR with 6DOF dynamics also facilitates real-time feedback and evaluation, enhancing training efficiency and proficiency in missile operations. This approach aims to revolutionize missile training by bridging the gap between traditional simulation methods and real-world dynamics.

In areas like commercial and policy decisions—it's important to know how different treatments affect things and how well they work. However, treatments affect things on average—but now—with fancy computer methods and big sets of data, interest lies in figuring out how treatments might work differently for different people. For instance, let's say instead of just looking at what works for most people, researchers want to know which treatment is best for each person. This would help doctors to decide the right treatment for each patient. This idea isn't just for healthcare—it can help in other areas too, like deciding how to govern employees or making government policies. There are some ways people have been trying to do this already, but they struggle when there are lots of different factors to consider. New computer methods, though, are good at handling lots of factors, but they need a ton of data to work well. Therefore, this study looks at three computer methods that are—Virtual Twin Random Forest (VTRF), Causal Forest (CF), and Causal Net (CN) using real-world data about encouraging people to do manual labour. One problem this study is trying to solve is something called the "winner's curse", where a treatment might seem better than it really is because of how it's predicted by the computer. We are also testing some ideas to see if we can fix this problem and make the predictions more accurate.

Music cultural heritage, as an important component of cultural heritage, possesses significant cultural value and inheritance significance. With the development of society and the passage of time, these precious traditional music cultural heritages inevitably face the dilemma of gradual depletion or even disappearance. In the digital age, effectively protecting and inheriting these music cultural heritages has become an urgent problem to be addressed. Therefore, this paper proposes an application method based on digital twin technology, exploring how to protect and inherit music cultural heritages through digital twin technology. By leveraging digital twin technology, a virtual museum dedicated to showcasing the richness and historical connotations of music cultures is created, preserving and simulating the soundscapes of historical music eras. Through the integration of audio archives, 3D modeling, and interactive displays, users can immerse themselves in the experience of historical music in the digital space. This paper evaluates the feasibility and cultural preservation value of this digital music history museum through the creation of music digital twin technology instances and user survey feedback, and discusses the prospects of digital twins in the field of music cultural heritage.

The agricultural industry relies on physical fences to manage livestock. However, physical fences present some practical, financial, and ecological problems, that partly may be solved by virtual fencing. However, it is necessary for the livestock to be adapted to virtual fencing. This study aims to identify if adaptation to virtual fence can be improved through social facilitation between experienced cattle and the remaining herd. Moreover, which of the two different learning processes, a gradual or instant introduction to virtual fence is the most effective in associating warnings with impulses. Three pastures containing Angus (Bos taurus) will be used to examine these investigations; A, B and C. All investigations are conducted on the Danish Island of Fanø. Three methods of learning process were used, one gradual and two instant introductions to the virtual fence. The investigations had varying amounts of experienced cattle. Impulses and warnings were recorded during a learning period and the following observation period. To quantify if the cattle adapt to the warnings, impulses per warning are used. There was no evidence of improvement with the presence of experienced cattle for any pastures, indicating no social facilitation. Gradual introduction was found to be more beneficial than instant introduction. More standardized tests are necessary to discover the full effect of experienced cattle.

The shikimate pathway is crucial for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids in plants and represents a promising target for developing new herbicides. This work aimed to identify inhibitors of shikimate dehydrogenase (SDH), a key enzyme of the shikimate pathway that catalyzes the conversion of 3-dehydroshikimate to shikimate. Virtual screening and molecular docking were performed on the SDH active site of Arabidopsis thaliana (AtSDH), and 6-nitroquinazoline-2,4-diol (NQD) was identified as a potential inhibitor. In vitro assays showed that NQD decreased the activity of AtSDH by reducing Vmax while keeping KM unchanged, indicating noncompetitive inhibition. In vivo, hydroponic experiments revealed that NQD reduced the root length of soybean and maize. Additionally, NQD increased the total protein content and certain amino acids. Soybean roots uptake NQD more efficiently than maize roots. Furthermore, NQD reduced shikimate accumulation in glyphosate-treated soybean roots, suggesting its potential to restrict the flow of metabolites along the shikimate pathway in soybean. Simultaneous treatment of maize seedlings with glyphosate and NQD accumulated gallic acid in the roots, indicating that NQD inhibits SDH in vivo. Overall, the data indicate that NQD inhibits SDH both in vitro and in vivo, providing valuable insights into the potential development of herbicides targeting SDH.

Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are widely used in the retail and distribution industry, often in-corporating human-like elements such as possessing names and genders. This paper examines the influence of AI agent gender and brand concepts on trust and grounding within virtual brand spaces; exploring the correlation between user identification with AI agents and subsequent brand recommendations. The study revealed that in virtual brand spaces centered around a functional concept, male AI agents generated higher levels of trust than female AI agents, whereas, when focused on an experiential concept, female AI agents induced higher levels of grounding than male AI agents. Furthermore, this research indicates that the association between customers’ iden-tification with AI agents and recommendations for actual brand purchases is mediated by trust and grounding. These findings support the idea that users who strongly identify with AI agents are more inclined to recommend brand products after engaging in conversations within the virtu-al brand space.

The World Health Organization (WHO) documents malaria as one of the leading causes of high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The disease affects millions and kills thousands of people annually. Efforts to reduce the global burden of malaria have prompted WHO to recommend prevention strategies like using anti-malarial drugs. However, these strategies have been ineffective because of anti-malarial drug resistance. The only efficacious malaria treatment is Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT). However, the extended ACTs clearance times, linked to the emergence of artemisinin monotherapy resistance recorded most recently in Africa and the Great Mekong region, pose a danger to its efficacy. Therefore, better efficacious malaria drugs are required. Since P. falciparum heat shock protein 90 (PfHsp90) is a well-characterized malaria drugs target, this study uses it to discover more efficacious malaria drugs. An in-silico approach was used to discover PfHsp90 inhibitors with pharmacological properties against Plasmodium malaria using molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) and hierarchical virtual screening. Geldanamycin (GDM), a well-known anti-PfHsp90 compound, was used to identify PfHsp90 inhibitors with pharmacological properties against Plasmodium malaria by screening it against the ZINC database via the ZINCPHARMER web server. This virtual screening process resulted in 17 hits. These ZINCPHARMER hits were subjected to drug-likeness and pharmacokinetics properties analysis in the SwissADME web server, and 9 of them satisfied the requirements. The 9 ZINC compounds were docked with PfHsp90 using the PyRx software to understand their interactions. From the molecular docking results, ZINC09060002 (-8.2 kcal/mol), ZINC72133064 (-7.8 kcal/mol), ZINC72163401 (-7.7 kcal/mol), ZINC72358537 (-8.1 kcal/mol), and ZINC72358557 (-7.6 kcal/mol) had better binding affinities to PfHsp90 than GDM (-7.5 kcal/mol). The stability of these molecularly docked protein-inhibitor complexes was assessed through MDS using GROMACS 2022. ZINC72163401, ZINC72358537, and ZINC72358557 formed stable complexes with PfHsp90. The lead compounds were subjected to in vitro validation for their inhibitory capability. They showed promising inhibition of parasite growth with IC50 values ranging between 200 – 400 ng/ml. In this regard, the three PfHsp90 inhibitors can be used as anti-malarial drugs. However, further structural optimization studies and clinical (in vivo) tests are necessary to ascertain the antimalarial activity of these compounds in humans.

Spina bifida, a congenital neural tube defect, presents a complex set of challenges, particularly in motor function, for individuals across the lifespan. The condition is characterized by incomplete closure of the spinal column during embryonic development, leading to a spectrum of motor impairments such as gait abnormalities, muscle weakness, and compromised functional mobility. The prevalence of spina bifida remains a global concern, affecting approximately 1 in 1000 live births. This research investigates the potential impact of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation on motor function in individuals with spina bifida in Tanzania. A randomized controlled trial involving 120 participants is designed, with one group undergoing traditional rehabilitation and another engaging in a six-week VR rehabilitation program. Motor function assessments, including gait analysis, muscle strength measurements, and functional mobility tests, were conducted at baseline, midpoint, and post-intervention. Preliminary analysis suggests that VR rehabilitation may offer unique benefits, leading to improvements in motor function. The study aims to contribute valuable insights into the efficacy of VR-based interventions for enhancing the motor capabilities of individuals with spina bifida, providing a foundation for future rehabilitation strategies in this population.

Lateral vehicle control is a high importance in automated vehicles as it directly influences the vehicle’s performance and safety during operation. The Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controller stands out due to its high-performance characteristics and is used in the open source for self driving functions. However, a notable limitation of the current approach is the manual calibration of LQR controllers based on the experience and intuition of the designers, leading to empirical uncertainties. To address this issue and enhance the lateral control performance, this paper concentrates on refining the LQR by employing three optimization algorithms: Artificial Bee Colony Optimization (ABC), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). These algorithms aim to overcome the reliance on empirical methods and enable a data-driven approach to LQR calibration. By comparing the outcomes of these optimization algorithms to the manual LQR controller within an offline multibody simulation as testing platform, the study highlights the superiority of the best-performing optimization approach. Following this, the optimal algorithm is implemented on a real-time system for the full vehicle level, revealing the Model-in-the-Loop and the Hardware-in-the-Loop gap up to 78,89% with lateral velocity when we use Relative Error Criterion (REC) method to validate and 2.35m with lateral displacement when considering by maximum absolute value method.