Search Results (4,336)

Mineralogy 4.0 can play a significant role in the future of geological research, education, and exploration by providing a more comprehensive and interactive understanding of rocks and minerals. This paper explores the application of digital photogrammetry and augmented reality (AR) technologies as part of Mineralogy 4.0. An atlas of 3D rocks and minerals with 915 high-quality models was created to showcase the potential of photogrammetry in the mineral sciences. The repository contains a wide range of sample types, featuring transparency, metallic luster, fluorescence, or millimetric-scale crystals. The three-dimensional rocks and minerals can also be accessed on-the-go through a mobile application that was developed for Android devices. Additionally, web applications have been developed with specific three-dimensional collections as well as three-dimensional storytelling. AR technology was also integrated into the 3D repository, allowing users to superimpose virtual 3D models of rocks and minerals onto real-world surfaces through their device’s camera. Also, a digital solution with 3D holograms of rocks and minerals was effectively implemented to provide an interactive and immersive experience. The 3D datasets of rocks and minerals can play a significant role in the geoscience community’s research, developing not only in-depth knowledge of specimens but also opening new frontiers in mineral sciences, leading towards a more advanced era of mineralogy. Full article

With the benefits of reduced travel time and alleviated traffic congestion, tunnel construction significantly enhances urban mobility. Meanwhile, tunnel construction accidents result in many casualties and property losses. To minimize accidents associated with tunnel construction while keeping its benefits, it is important to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of training programs for construction workers. However, there is a lack of training evaluation systems specifically designed for tunnel construction workers, along with limited research on the effectiveness and efficiency of training programs for this group. This paper targets personnel from the China Railway 14th Bureau Group Company, aiming to evaluate a training program designed for tunnel construction workers. Three popular training approaches are proposed to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of training outcomes, including WeChat push safety construction knowledge (WP), the emergency drill (ED), and the unitive lecture (UL). Additionally, a concept of study is conducted to examine the performance of the proposed approaches in eighteen schemes that vary at different levels of training intensity by using VR (virtual reality), an electroencephalogram (EEG) system, and data enveloping analysis (DEA). The results show that the ED is the most effective training method, enabling industry professionals to respond effectively to unsafe situations by equipping them with critical skills through comprehensive training. Additionally, the ED has great potential for training tunnel construction workers via the provision of simulated experiences to enhance their safety preparedness. Full article

Background/Objectives: A high number of patients who suffer the amputation of a lower limb will present psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder after surgery. This study embodies participants in a self-avatar with a right lower-limb amputation in a virtual reality environment. The aim was to determine if this experience increases anxiety levels compared to embodiment in a normal avatar. The study also examines whether body appreciation is related to anxiety levels. Methods: Subjects completed the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) questionnaire before being immersed in the virtual environment, the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) after each condition, and the Embodiment Questionnaire at the end of the experiment. Results: Univariate analysis showed that participants reported significantly higher levels of anxiety when exposed to the virtual avatar with an amputation compared to the full virtual body avatar. These results indicate that lower levels of body appreciation were associated with higher levels of anxiety across conditions, suggesting that participants with lower body appreciation experienced greater psychological maladjustment (measured by anxiety) in response to the virtual scenarios. Conclusions: The results suggest that the virtual avatar with a lower-limb amputation elicited significantly greater anxiety, and that body appreciation plays a key role in moderating this psychological response. Future research could focus on developing virtual exposure-based therapy for amputees using virtual reality to help reduce the anxiety experienced by patients during this process. Full article

Hazard recognition and prevention techniques utilize augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology for immersive training and identification of potential hazards. Currently, no scoping reviews exist specifically on hazard recognition and prevention using AR and VR, which is crucial for forming evidence-based guidelines. This scoping review aimed to identify the use of AR and VR in hazard recognition and prevention, identify research gaps, and provide future recommendations. This Joanna Brings Institute (JBI) approach was used to investigate hazard recognition and prevention with AR and VR interventions. A total of six reliable databases were included: Google Scholar, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, PubMed, Scopus, and APA PsycNet, focusing on records and publications from the last five years. The review identified 5438 publications, with 22 meeting final inclusion criteria. The major findings include the use of AR and VR for teaching new skills, ensuring health and safety, enhancing realism, developing cognitive skills, improving performance, increasing engagement, and stimulating a sense of presence. Limitations identified include limited or non-diverse sample size, absence of real-world scenarios or contextual learning, inadequate game mechanics, insufficient validation of test results, lack of dynamic game behaviour, insufficient expert inclusion, technology issues, long-term impact assessment, and cost comparisons with traditional approaches. Technological issues have emerged as an additional impediment, limiting the efficacy of AR/VR applications in hazard recognition and prevention. In light of these findings, future research should focus on integrating contextual learning, expert inclusion, sample recruitment, expert validation, long-term impact assessment, and resolving technological challenges to enhance AR/VR applications’ efficacy and real-world viability. Full article

The excessive consumption of red meat, such as beef, is a growing global health concern linked to increased risks of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The health consequences associated with red meat consumption were estimated to cost USD 285 billion globally in 2020, accounting for approximately 0.3% of total health expenditures that year. Understanding the psychological mechanisms behind food choices is crucial for changing consumption habits, fostering healthy behaviors, and achieving sustainable dietary patterns. To address these challenges, this study utilizes virtual reality (VR) as a persuasive tool to examine how empathy, as a psychological mechanism, influences the intention to reduce beef consumption and its impact on dietary attitudes. Using an experimental design with 142 participants, the study found that in the VR context, individuals with higher empathy scores experienced a stronger sense of presence, significantly influencing their attitudes toward beef consumption, mediated by the change in anti-beef-eating attitude (p = 0.029). This suggests that VR can serve as an effective medium to reduce individuals’ willingness to consume beef and consequently prevent health risks associated with excessive meat intake. This study also highlights the importance of considering individual empathy levels when designing VR interventions to maximize their effectiveness and promote healthier dietary habits, ultimately improving public health. However, one limitation of this study is that it only assessed short-term changes in attitudes following the VR intervention, without incorporating long-term follow-ups to determine if these changes are sustained over time. Full article

This paper introduces a reduced Gaussian kernel filtered-x least mean square (RGKxLMS) algorithm for a nonlinear active noise control (NANC) system. This algorithm addresses the computational and storage challenges posed by the traditional kernel (i.e., KFxLMS) algorithm. Then, we analyze the mean weight behavior and computational complexity of the RGKxLMS, demonstrating its reduced complexity compared to existing kernel filtering methods and its mean stable performance. To further enhance noise reduction, we also develop the historical error correction RGKxLMS (HECRGKxLMS) algorithm, incorporating historical error information. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is validated, using Lorenz chaotic noise, non-stationary noise environments, and factory noise. Full article

Background/Objectives: The growing incidence of cognitive impairment among older adults has a significant impact on individuals, family members, caregivers, and society. Current conventional cognitive assessment tools are faced with some limitations. Recent evidence suggests that automating cognitive assessment holds promise, potentially resulting in earlier diagnosis, timely intervention, improved patient outcomes, and higher chances of response to treatment. Despite the advantages of automated assessment and technological advancements, automated cognitive assessment has yet to gain widespread use, especially in low and lower middle-income countries. This review highlights the potential of automated cognitive assessment tools and presents an overview of existing tools. Methods: This review includes 87 studies carried out with non-neuroimaging data alongside their performance metrics. Results: The identified articles automated the cognitive assessment process and were grouped into five categories either based on the tools’ design or the data analysis approach. These categories include game-based, digital versions of conventional tools, original computerized tests and batteries, virtual reality/wearable sensors/smart home technologies, and artificial intelligence-based (AI-based) tools. These categories are further explained, and evaluation of their strengths and limitations is discussed to strengthen their adoption in clinical practice. Conclusions: The comparative metrics of both conventional and automated approaches of assessment suggest that the automated approach is a strong alternative to the conventional approach. Additionally, the results of the review show that the use of automated assessment tools is more prominent in countries ranked as high-income and upper middle-income countries. This trend merits further social and economic studies to understand the impact of this global reality. Full article

Recent research has used virtual environments (VEs), as presented via virtual reality (VR) headsets, to study human behavior in hypothetical fire scenarios. One goal of using VEs in fire scenarios is to elicit patterns of behavior which more closely align to how individuals would react to real fire emergency situations. The present study investigated whether elicited behaviors and perceived risk varied during fire scenarios presented as VEs via two viewing conditions. These included a VR condition, where the VE was rendered as 360-degree videos presented in a VR headset, and a screen condition, where VEs were rendered as fixed-view videos via a computer monitor screen. We predicted that the selection of actions during the scenario would vary between conditions, that participants would rate fires as more dangerous if they developed more quickly and when smoke was rendered as thicker, and that participants would report greater levels of immersion in the VR condition. A total of 159 participants completed a decision-making task where they viewed videos of an incipient fire in a residential building and judged what action to take. Initial action responses to the fire scenarios varied between both viewing and smoke conditions, with those assigned to the thicker smoke and screen conditions being more likely to take protective action. Risk ratings also varied by smoke condition, with evidence of higher perceived risk for thicker smoke. Several factors of self-reported immersion (namely ‘interest’, ‘emotional attachment’, ‘focus of attention’, and ‘flow’) were associated with risk ratings, with perceived presence associated with initial actions. The present study provides evidence that enhancing immersion and perceived risk in a VE contributes to a different pattern of behaviors during simulated fire decision-making tasks. While our investigation only addressed the ideas of presence in an environment, future research should investigate the relative contribution of interactivity and consequences within the environment to further identify how behaviors during simulated fire scenarios are affected by each of these factors. Full article

The monitoring and control of an assembly/disassembly/replacement (A/D/R) multifunctional robotic cell (MRC) with the ABB 120 Industrial Robotic Manipulator (IRM), based on IoT (Internet of Things)-cloud, VPN (Virtual Private Network), and digital twin (DT) technology, are presented in this paper. The approach integrates modern principles of smart manufacturing as outlined in Industry/Education 4.0 (automation, data exchange, smart systems, machine learning, and predictive maintenance) and Industry/Education 5.0 (human–robot collaboration, customization, robustness, and sustainability). Artificial intelligence (AI), based on machine learning (ML), enhances system flexibility, productivity, and user-centered collaboration. Several IoT edge devices are engaged, connected to local networks, LAN-Profinet, and LAN-Ethernet and to the Internet via WAN-Ethernet and OPC-UA, for remote and local processing and data acquisition. The system is connected to the Internet via Wireless Area Network (WAN) and allows remote control via the cloud and VPN. IoT dashboards, as human–machine interfaces (HMIs), SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), and OPC-UA (Open Platform Communication-Unified Architecture), facilitate remote monitoring and control of the MRC, as well as the planning and management of A/D/R tasks. The assignment, planning, and execution of A/D/R tasks were carried out using an augmented reality (AR) tool. Synchronized timed Petri nets (STPN) were used as a digital twin akin to a virtual reality (VR) representation of A/D/R MRC operations. This integration of advanced technology into a laboratory mechatronic system, where the devices are organized in a decentralized, multilevel architecture, creates a smart, flexible, and scalable environment that caters to both industrial applications and educational frameworks. Full article

Industrial fabricators are increasingly digitising the acquisition of measurement data to expedite the quality assurance process and reduce labour costs. The premise of this study is to clarify the fundamentals behind the workflow of projecting images to perform accurate dimensioning during the fabrication process and collection of measurement data during the quality assurance process. This study compares digital devices used to superimpose or measure dimensions during the fabrication and quality assurance steps in the manufacturing process. The physical characteristics of the positioning and measurement technologies are described. Full article

Integrating new visualization methods based on virtual reality (VR) in the design evaluation process remains a challenge despite its expanding use in architectural design in recent years. This article proposes a VR-based evaluation model to improve the efficiency and quality of the overall architectural design process. By adopting a structural equation model in conjunction with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study examines users’ intention and perceived ease of use of VR in the design evaluation process based on a questionnaire survey using the proposed VR model of architectural and non-architectural professionals and students. The findings of the study show that the output quality plays a significant role in increasing behavioral intention to use the system, and perceived ease of use has a positive effect on perceived immersion and perceived usefulness of VR in the evaluation process. The study illustrates the importance of understanding “user perspective” and “willingness to use” in the development of VR-based systems to increase their practical use in architecture and design fields. Full article

With operations in the built environment becoming increasingly data-rich (via Building Information Models and Internet of Things devices) and the rapid development of highly immersive environments, there are new opportunities for components of traditional “real-world” tasks to be undertaken in a “virtual” environment. However, an approach to compare both subjective (psychological) and objective (task-based) performance in real and virtual environments is rarely used in this context. This paper begins by introducing the industrial, technological, and psychological context of real-world and virtual tasks. A systematic review of the application of CAVE Automatic Virtual Environments (CAVEs) for “virtual” built environment tasks is conducted, and research gaps regarding the development of systems and comparison of task environments (CAVE and real-world condition) is identified. A theoretical framework to assess task performance is developed, and a novel practical experiment to compare participant(s) psychological and decision-making performance for an identical task in the real world and in a CAVE is proposed. Full article

Virtual reality provides students with the opportunity to have simulated experiences in a safe setting and is mostly used to teach direct practice skills. One of the most advanced ways of using virtual simulation in social work education is to interact with avatars. Aim: The overall aim of this scoping review was to find out what is known about the use of dialogue with avatars in virtual reality in simulation-based social work education. Materials: Using Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, 11 articles were included in this review. Results: The skills taught with the avatars varied, as did the ways of preparing students for the sessions. The training was assessed as meaningful learning in a safe and comfortable environment, offering an opportunity to train in practical skills. According to the pre- and post-tests, in several studies the students’ skills seemed to have improved after the training. The qualitative data also pointed to skill developments. Conclusion: Training with avatars seems to be a useful way of preparing students for their future profession and seems to hold great potential in preparing students for demanding situations that cannot be easily trained for in a classroom. The results also point to technical elements that would benefit from development. Full article

This review paper presents an interdisciplinary exploration of integrating emerging technologies, including digital twins (DTs), building information modeling (BIM), 3D laser scanning, machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT), in the conservation of heritage buildings. Through a comprehensive literature review spanning from 1996 to 2024, expert interviews, a bibliometric analysis, and content analysis, the study highlights a significant shift toward a preventive approach to conservation, focusing on less invasive methods to ensure long-term preservation. It highlights the revolutionary impact of detailed digital representations and real-time monitoring on enhancing conservation efforts. The findings underscore significant research gaps, such as the need for standardized information protocols and the integration of DTs with BIM, while pointing to the potential of AR and VR in enriching heritage experiences. The paper advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to effectively harness these technologies, offering innovative solutions for the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage. Full article

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. Full article