Made available in DSpace on 2019-03-30T00:08:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-11-14 / Schizophrenia is considered a chronic mental disease that usually manifests with psychotic symptoms and damage in the individual's functionality. The stigma related to this disease shows up as an important obstacle for an adequate approach to this condition, being related, for example, delay the start of treatment and difficulties in interpersonal and professional relationships. To reduce the stigma related to schizophrenia, is proposed in this work, the development of an tool based on augmented reality capable to simulate the psychotic symptoms typical of schizophrenia, being simulated sensoperceptivas changes in order to create an immersive experience capable of generating pathological experiences of a patient with schizophrenia. The integration of the proposed environment with medicine students occurs by immersion glasses and embedded camera having the function of transmitting the real environment for screens inside the glasses with the appropriate virtual objects, being possible to incorporate audio and visual effects implemented in real time. To validate the proposed environment, medicine students were submitted to use the virtual environment, and then answered three questionnaires to assess: (i) stigmas related to schizophrenia, (ii) the efficiency and effectiveness of the tool, and, finally (iii) stigma after simulation. From the analysis of the questionnaires, it can be concluded that the proposed model is a robust tool, quite realistic and, thus, very promising for reducing the stigma associated to schizophrenia, making it occurs a greater comprehension of any person during an outbreak schizophrenic of any person, whether a patient or a family member, for example. Keywords: Environment Virtual. Virtual Reality. Schizophrenia. Stigma. / A esquizofrenia é considerada uma doença mental crônica, que geralmente se manifesta com sintomas psicóticos e prejuízo na funcionalidade do indivíduo. O estigma relacionado a essa doença mostra-se como um importante obstáculo para uma abordagem adequada dessa condição, estando relacionado, por exemplo, a retardo no início do tratamento e a dificuldades em relações interpessoais e profissionais. Para diminuir o estigma relacionado a esquizofrenia, é proposto, neste trabalho, o desenvolvimento de uma ferramenta baseada em realidade aumentada capaz de simular os sintomas psicóticos típicos da esquizofrenia, sendo simuladas alterações sensoperceptivas com objetivo de criar uma experiência imersiva capaz de gerar vivências patológicas de um portador de esquizofrenia. A integração do ambiente proposto com estudantes de medicina ocorre através de óculos de imersão e uma câmera embutida, tendo a função de transmitir o ambiente real para telas no interior dos óculos com os devidos objetos virtuais, sendo possível incorporar efeitos auditivos e visuais, executados em tempo real. Para validar o ambiente proposto, estudantes de medicina foram submetidos a utilização do ambiente virtual, e, em seguida, responderam a três questionários para avaliar: (i) estigmas relacionados à esquizofrenia, (ii) eficiência e eficácia da ferramenta desenvolvida, e, finalmente, (iii) estigma após simulação. A partir da análise dos questionários, pode-se concluir que o modelo proposto é uma ferramenta robusta, bastante realista e, consequentemente, muito promissora para reduzir o estigma relacionado à esquizofrenia, fazendo com que ocorra uma maior compreensão de qualquer pessoa durante um surto esquizofrênico de qualquer pessoa, seja ela um paciente ou um familiar, por exemplo. Palavras-chave: Ambiente Virtual. Realidade aumentada. Esquizofrenia. Estigma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictability of virtual orthodontic setup technology by comparing it with posttreatment models in terms of ABO Model Grading System (ABO OGS) scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Posttreatment models and printed virtual setups made from the corresponding initial casts of 26 cases were used. The initial models were scanned and virtual setups were fabricated using a proprietary virtual setup software program. Evaluation of the printed models of the virtual setups and final mode ls was performed using the ABO OGS. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences (p<0.001) between the posttreatment plaster models and the printed virtual setup models in total scores, marginal ridges (MR), buccolingual inclination (BLI), occlusal contacts (OC), occlusal relationship (OR), and interproximal contacts (IPC) (p<0.05). The only statistically significant correlations found were in alignment (A) and marginal ridges (MR) measurements although they were low positive correlations. CONCLUSIONS: The greatest difference between final treatment models and virtual setup models was in the OC due to overlapping of the occlusal surfaces in the virtual setup software. Printed models of virtual setups can be predictive in A and MR measurements. Overall, the 3-dimensional printed virtual setup models had better MR, BLI, and IPC, worse OC, OR, and total score, and equivalent A and OJ when compared to the posttreatment plaster models.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-03-29T23:32:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-06-22 / Os avanços na multimídia, nas redes de computadores e nos dispositivos e equipamentos utilizados para processar a Realidade Virtual, tornaram possível o seu desdobramento em uma interface melhorada e avançada, denominada de Realidade Aumentada (RA) (TORI; KIRNER; SISCOUTTO, 2006), permitindo a interação "usuário-ambiente" mais eficiente, rica e natural (FILIPPO; ENDLER; FUKS, 2005). Utilizaram-se como base teórica, os conhecimentos sobre o uso da Realidade Aumentada, além do resgate de pesquisas que envolvessem os quatro pilares teóricos do estudo: risco percebido, entendimento, resposta afetiva e eficácia da propaganda. Para alcançar os objetivos propostos, foi realizada pesquisa de caráter exploratório, predominantemente quantitativa, com aplicação de questionário entre 262 respondentes, abordados de forma não probabilística. As respostas foram dadas após este grupo assistir à apresentação de um comercial de óculos da Rayban, utilizando a RA. Outros 262 respondentes assistiram ao comercial sem o uso da Realidade Aumentada e suas respostas, após analisadas, serviram de grupo de controle. Para mensurar as respostas afetivas dos indivíduos expostos à propaganda, foi utilizada a escala de Bhat, Leigh e Wardlow (1998). O entendimento da propaganda foi avaliado pela escala de McQuarrie; Mick (1999). A percepção do risco foi avaliada com base nos estudos de Dean; Biswas (2001). Na avaliação da eficácia da propaganda, foi utilizada a escala de Moreau, Markman e Lejmann (2001). Foram utilizadas técnicas de estatística descritiva na análise de dados, além do uso de análise fatorial confirmatória e modelagem de equações estruturais.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T17:40:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo7090_1.pdf: 7379741 bytes, checksum: 04764f1d49d540dc79291e9e86063740 (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002 / O microcomputador é hoje uma ferramenta indispensável em qualquer tipo de atividade tecnológica, não só pela capacidade de analisar dados, mas também pela possibilidade de gerar e coletar sinais. Este trabalho se refere a implementação de instrumentação virtual capaz de fazer a aquisição de sinais e o controle de um microscópio de varredura, ou seja ele eletrônico, de força atômica, capacitivo ou de tunelamento. A instrumentação virtual consiste basicamente de uma placa periférica de microcomputador e uma interface gráfica. O circuito implementado utiliza um algoritmo de tempo real gravado em um PLD para gerenciar a escrita e leitura em dois bancos de memória independentes. Enquanto uma memória é escrita através do conversor analógico-digital, a outra tem seu conteúdo transferido para a memória principal do micro através de um controlador comercial de barramento PCI. Os bancos de memória são sincronizados através da utilização de um semáforo binário. O usuário pode comandar a placa facilmente, através da interface gráfica criada com o aplicativo Delphi ou Kylix. A placa oferece grande potencial para diversas outras aplicações. Por exemplo, ela pode ser utilizada como ferramenta de ensino, onde o aluno tem a oportunidade de trabalhar com os conceitos de programação orientada a objeto, barramento PCI e tempo real. Outras aplicações são a litografia eletrônica e o desenvolvimento de nanomanipuladores

Education delivered through the Internet known as E-learning is growing tremendously and attracts researchers’ attention in terms of its pedagogical merits. It is in that context of investigating the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for efficient learning that the current research was carried out. This study consists of a critical assessment at a Local Level of UNISA’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE1) in terms of Diana Laurillard’s Pedagogical Conversational Framework. It focuses on assessing how the E-learning platform (called SAKAI) used by UNISA supports the learning process of online students staying in Rwanda. A qualitative approach was followed and documentary analysis along with a questionnaire was used to collect useful data. Research findings are presented and discussed under two themes: the requirements for effective online learning and the use of the local UNISA’s VLE to support effective online learning of students based in Rwanda. It is revealed that effective online learning is a function of different aspects that can be grouped under three critical factors: Pedagogical, Technological and Managerial. Although, I have argued that the Pedagogical factor should be considered as the most important and guide all E-learning projects, the three factors mentioned are interrelated and interdependent. Findings about the use of the local UNISA VLE to support the learning process show that it provides sufficient tools to support all activities necessary for learning activities, as summarized in the Conversational Framework. However, the tools provided by the E-learning platform are underused by participants. Some necessary learning activities are not carried out, even though the E-learning platform used provides tools which could support those activities. The under usage of available tools is caused by two factors: inadequate consideration given to some necessary learning activities and the lack of skills on both usage of and information on the capability of UNISA’s VLE. These handicap the effective online learning. The gaps found in VLE used by UNISA are also mentioned. The research report ends with recommendations for more effective E-learning in local UNISA VLE. Further studies in related areas are suggested. 1

It is not always possible to provide students and new users of complex instrumentation with sufficient hands-on use to fully develop the required knowledge of the instrument. Access may also be limited when there is a need to develop data collection and processing procedures. One solution to this problem is to develop a simulation of the instrument in readily accessible computer software. Modern computer-based technology allows traditional instrumentation to be replaced with Virtual Instruments consisting of digital control/acquisition hardware and software that graphically represents the functions of the physical instrument.In this thesis, operating and analysis software to simulate the operation of complex analytical instrumentation was successfully developed using a numerical model of the instrument. The approach will reduce the need for machine time for operator training and the development of data collection processing procedures. In particular the thesis developed software to emulate the behaviour of a VG-354 Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometer. Graphical programming tools were employed to create a modular set of Virtual Instruments that formed the basis of the model. The Simulated Mass Spectrometer produced results that compared well with real data obtained from the physical instrument.Virtual Instrument peak centring and measurement modules were then developed to operate the Simulated Mass Spectrometer in peak jumping mode. Uncertainties were reduced with improved analysis techniques employing polynomial least-squares fits for peak centring and single-collector isotope ratio measurements. The techniques also have the potential to accommodate hysteresis effects in the magnetic sector analyser, further reducing uncertainty.

"A Masters Project ... Animation and Interactive Media, Faculty of Art, Design and Communication, RMIT University, Melbourne"--Title screen. Title from title screen. System requirement: CD-ROM drive, Realplayer, Beatnik, Koan audio.

The concept of the virtual corporation (VC), which describes a modern form of collaboration among organizations, was introduced in the scientific discussion in the mid 1990th. The practice shows that VCs need new forms of governance because the traditional mechanisms of control, management, and steering are hardly applicable. Until now there is only a few research related to the question how to govern VC. The main problems to govern a VC are to coordinate the communication among dispersed partners and to motivate employees to actively involve themselves into the network. Open source projects are confronted with similar problems. As several governance mechanisms are already analyzed in this context, the authors analyze and adopt governance concepts from open source projects to extract a governance framework for virtual corporations. This new approach leads to innovative insights in governing virtual corporations by using community techniques as an appropriate way for communication and collaboration purposes.

This study evaluated the transfer of training and training efficiency of two virtual reality environments (head-mounted display and personal computer) for a complex manual assembly task. Transfer of training was measured by comparing the post-training performance of two virtual training groups, a real-world training group and a control group that received no training. All training groups were taught to assemble a Lego(TM) forklift model in their respective environment. After training, participants assembled a real-world model of the forklift as well as a novel model of a racecar, which required the same parts as the forklift assembled in a different configuration. Results from this study show that virtual environments can be effective training simulators for complex assembly tasks although they are less efficient than real-world training. The results also suggest that individual differences such as general intelligence, spatial aptitude, and computer user self-efficacy influence one's ability to learn in a virtual environment. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Wichita State University, Dept. of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. / "May 2005."

In many instances of virtual machine deployments today, virtual machine instances are created to support a single application. Traditional operating systems provide an extensive framework for protecting one process from another. In such deployments, this protection layer becomes an additional source of overhead as isolation between services is provided at an operating system level and each instance of an operating system supports only one service. This makes the operating system the equivalent of a process from the traditional operating system perspective. Isolation between these operating systems and indirectly the services they support, is ensured by the virtual machine monitor in these deployments. In these scenarios the process protection provided by the operating system becomes redundant and a source of additional overhead. We propose a new model for these scenarios with operating systems that bypass this redundant protection offered by the traditional operating systems. We prototyped such an operating system by executing parts of the operating system in the same protection ring as user applications. This gives processes more power and access to kernel memory bypassing the need to copy data from user to kernel and vice versa as is required when the traditional ring protection layer is enforced. This allows us to save the system call trap overhead and allows application program mers to directly call kernel functions exposing the rich kernel library. This does not compromise security on the other virtual machines running on the same physical machine, as they are protected by the VMM. We illustrate the design and implementation of such a system with the Xen hypervisor and the XenoLinux kernel.