Augmented Reality for the Assessment of Children's Spatial Memory in Real Settings

Short-term memory can be defined as the capacity for holding a small amount of information in mind in an active state for a short period of time. Although some instruments have been developed to study spatial short-term memory in real environments, there are no instruments that are specifically designed to assess visuospatial short-term memory in an attractive way to children. In this paper, we present the ARSM (Augmented Reality Spatial Memory) task, the first Augmented Reality task that involves a user''s movement to assess spatial short-term memory in healthy children. The experimental procedure of the ARSM task was designed to assess the children''s skill to retain visuospatial information. They were individually asked to remember the real place where augmented reality objects were located. The children (N = 76) were divided into two groups: preschool (5–6 year olds) and primary school (7–8 year olds). We found a significant improvement in ARSM task performance in the older group. The correlations between scores for the ARSM task and traditional procedures were significant. These traditional procedures were the Dot Matrix subtest for the assessment of visuospatial short-term memory of the computerized AWMA-2 battery and a parent''s questionnaire about a child''s everyday spatial memory. Hence, we suggest that the ARSM task has high verisimilitude with spatial short-term memory skills in real life. In addition, we evaluated the ARSM task''s usability and perceived satisfaction. The study revealed that the younger children were more satisfied with the ARSM task. This novel instrument could be useful in detecting visuospatial short-term difficulties that affect specific developmental navigational disorders and/or school academic achievement.     

In Vivo versus Augmented Reality Exposure in the Treatment of Small Animal Phobia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Although in vivo exposure is the treatment of choice for specific phobias, some acceptability problems have been associated with it. Virtual Reality exposure has been shown to be as effective as in vivo exposure, and it is widely accepted for the treatment of specific phobias, but only preliminary data are available in the literature about the efficacy of Augmented Reality. The purpose of the present study was to examine the efficacy and acceptance of two treatment conditions for specific phobias in which the exposure component was applied in different ways: In vivo exposure (N = 31) versus an Augmented Reality system (N = 32) in a randomized controlled trial. “One-session treatment” guidelines were followed. Participants in the Augmented Reality condition significantly improved on all the outcome measures at post-treatment and follow-ups. When the two treatment conditions were compared, some differences were found at post-treatment, favoring the participants who received in vivo exposure. However, these differences disappeared at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Regarding participants’ expectations and satisfaction with the treatment, very positive ratings were reported in both conditions. In addition, participants from in vivo exposure condition considered the treatment more useful for their problem whereas participants from Augmented Reality exposure considered the treatment less aversive. Results obtained in this study indicate that Augmented Reality exposure is an effective treatment for specific phobias and well accepted by the participants.     

A Novel Augmented Reality Navigation System for Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery: A Feasibility Study

Objective

To verify the reliability and clinical feasibility of a self-developed navigation system based on an augmented reality technique for endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery.

Materials and Methods

In this study we performed a head phantom and cadaver experiment to determine the display effect and accuracy of our navigational system. We compared cadaver head-based simulated operations, the target registration error, operation time, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index scores of our navigation system to conventional navigation systems.

Results

The navigation system developed in this study has a novel display mode capable of fusing endoscopic images to three-dimensional (3-D) virtual images. In the cadaver head experiment, the target registration error was 1.28 ± 0.45 mm, which met the accepted standards of a navigation system used for nasal endoscopic surgery. Compared with conventional navigation systems, the new system was more effective in terms of operation time and the mental workload of surgeons, which is especially important for less experienced surgeons.

Conclusion

The self-developed augmented reality navigation system for endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery appears to have advantages that outweigh those of conventional navigation systems. We conclude that this navigational system will provide rhinologists with more intuitive and more detailed imaging information, thus reducing the judgment time and mental workload of surgeons when performing complex sinus and skull base surgeries. Ultimately, this new navigational system has potential to increase the quality of surgeries. In addition, the augmented reality navigational system could be of interest to junior doctors being trained in endoscopic techniques because it could speed up their learning. However, it should be noted that the navigation system serves as an adjunct to a surgeon’s skills and knowledge, not as a substitute.     

Virtual Reality in Chemistry

Thank you for your excellent review. Especially it was a pleasant suprise to see that the article not only mentioned VRML (which about every article within the area does) but also clearly states that VRML is not Virtual Reality. I stronly support this statement. VRML is a language which describes (in version 2.0 animated) 3D scenes. With its hyperlink capabilities (similar to HTML) it is a great tool for building Web interfaces to 3D databases. However, it is not suitable for manipulating molecules in virtual reality. E.g.: it is not possible to grab a bond of a molecule and to turn it, in order to change a torsions angle. Such things are simply beyond the scope of VRML. Maybe someday Java3D applications filling this gap will appear.Some more infos and-I fear-errata: We, my co-authors and me, are cited in the chapter Immersive VR Molecular Modeling, 12th paragraph, [53]. Im glad to announce that this article is now available online at:http://tebio3.biologie.uni-stuttgart.de:8080/himm/public/himm_gcb96.htmlHowever, we are not the Biology Department of the University of Stuttgart, but the Institute of Technical Biochemistry of the chemistry department (of the University of Stuttgart). Our institutes home page and the homepage of the project cited within the article can be found at:http://tebio3.biologie.uni-stuttgart.de:8080/http://tebio3.biologie.uni-stuttgart.de:8080/himm/index.html     

Virtual Reality in Chemistry

With the advent of ever more powerful computer graphics hardware and visualization packages, new graphical methods of scientific visualization and data exploration are beginning to be explored. This includes fully immersive environments where the chemist is surrounded by data objects in 3D space. New models of animation and interactive manipulation of graphical entities are developed to help the chemist in gaining insight from or navigating in large amounts of data. This review discusses some representative approaches and systems which demonstrate where chemistry-related visualization and data management is headed.     

Outdoor and indoor pollen grains in sofia

For frequently two years a period of the range and quantity of pollen grains in the most inhabited rooms of each of 4 dwellings in Sofia was studied, together with the outdoors air pollen spectra. Changes in the health status of the inhabitants affected by pollinosis were recorded at the same time. The characteristic pollen taxa, pollen interference periods and the way sensitive patients were affected were evaluated.     

Augmented nuclease activity during cellular senescence in vitro

The molecular correlates of the limited proliferative potential of normal human diploid fibroblasts and extensive single-strand breaks in the genomic DNA of these cells were examined by transfection analyses in which DNA replication could be uncoupled from DNA damage and repair. Both supercoiled (fmI), and restriction endonuclease-cleaved, linear (fmIII) molecules of a well-defined bacterial plasmid DNA, pBR322, were transfected into, and subsequently recovered from, early and late passage fibroblasts. Southern blot analysis revealed that fmI DNA was converted by random nicks into fmII DNA slightly more rapidly in late passage cells compared with cells at early passage. Similarly, fmII and fmIII DNAs also sustained multiple random nicks and no appreciable net religation of free ends of fmIII DNA could be detected at either passage. In addition, the efficiency of in vitro ligation of fmIII DNA recovered from late passage cells was also reduced, compared with that from early passage cells, as determined by Southern blotting. These data suggest that in the absence of DNA replication, a putative nuclease activity may contribute to DNA damage observed in senescent cells, which, in turn, may be causally related to their limited replicative potential.     

Augmented erythrocyte band-3 phosphorylation in septic mice

Infection-induced RBC dysfunction has been shown to play a role in the modulation of host response to injury and infection. The underlying biochemical mechanisms are not known. This study investigated alterations in RBC band-3 phosphorylation status and its relationship to anion exchange activity in vitro as well as under in vivo septic conditions induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice. Pervanadate treatment in vitro increased band-3 tyrosine phosphorylation that was accompanied by decreased RBC deformability and anion exchange activity. Following sepsis, band-3 tyrosine phosphorylation in whole RBC ghosts as well as in cytoskeleton-bound or soluble RBC protein fractions were elevated as compared to controls. Although anion exchange activity was similar in RBCs from septic and control animals, band-3 interaction with eosin-5-maleimide (EMA), which binds to band-3 lysine moieties, was increased in cells from septic animals as compared to controls, indicating that sepsis altered band 3 organization within the RBC membrane. Since glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is a major antioxidant enzyme in RBC, in order to assess the potential role of oxidative stress in band-3 tyrosine phosphorylation, sepsis-induced RBC responses were also compared between WT and (G6PD) mutant animals (20% of normal G6PD activity). Band-3 membrane content and EMA staining were elevated in G6PD mutant mice compared to WT under control non-septic conditions. Following sepsis, G6PD mutant animals showed lessened responses in band-3 tyrosine phosphorylation and EMA staining compared to WT. RBC anion exchange activity was similar between mutant and WT animals under all tested conditions. In summary, these studies indicate that sepsis results in elevated band-3 tyrosine phosphorylation and alters band-3 membrane organization without grossly affecting RBC anion exchange activity. The observations also suggest that factors other than oxidative stress are responsible for the sepsis-induced increase in RBC band-3 tyrosine phosphorylation.     

Augmented adrenergic vasoconstriction in hypertensive diabetic obese Zucker rats

This study examined skeletal muscle microvessel reactivity to constrictor stimuli in obese (OZR) versus lean Zucker rats (LZR). Gracilis arteries from both rat groups were isolated, cannulated with glass micropipettes, and viewed via television microscopy. Changes in vessel diameter were measured with a video micrometer. Arterial constriction to norepinephrine was elevated in OZR versus LZR, although vasoconstrictor reactivity to endothelin and angiotensin II was unaltered. Differences in reactivity between vessels of LZR and OZR were not explained by the loss of either endothelial nitric oxide synthase or beta-adrenergic receptor function. Reactivity of in situ cremasteric arterioles of OZR to norepinephrine was elevated versus LZR. Treatment with prazosin increased the diameter of in vivo gracilis arteries of OZR to levels determined in LZR and also normalized blood pressure in OZR. These results suggest that the constrictor reactivity of skeletal muscle microvessels in OZR is heightened in response to alpha-adrenergic stimuli and that development of diabetes in OZR may be associated with impaired skeletal muscle perfusion and hypertension due to microvessel hyperreactivity in response to sympathetic stimulation.     

Outdoor mass culture of Spirulina maxima in sea-water

Summary The results of a whole year experiment on the outdoor mass culture of Spirulina maxima strain 4Mx on fertilized sea-water are reported. Carbonate and phosphate precipitation in the sea-water media was prevented by maintaining a low concentration of phosphate and by controlling the pH in the range of 8.0–8.3. The mean annual yield of biomass on sea-water plus urea as nitrogen source was 7.35 g (dry weight) m^-2· day^-1, a value slightly lower than that obtained on the standard bicarbonate medium (8.14 g · m^-2 · day^-1). On sea-water plus nitrate the yield was only 5.2 g·m^-2·day^-1. The nitrogen content of the biomass was higher in summer and lower in winter. The seasonal effect was more evident when nitrate was the nitrogen source.     

Augmented lipopolysaccharide-induction of the histamine-forming enzyme in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Disorders of the microcirculation and reduced resistance to infection are major complications in diabetes. Histamine enhances capillary permeability, and may also reduce cellular immunity. Here we demonstrate that streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in mice not only enhances the activity of the histamine-forming enzyme, histidine decarboxylase (HDC), but also augments the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevation of HDC activity in various tissues, resulting in a production of histamine. The augmentation of HDC activity occurred as early as 2 days after STZ injection, but was not seen in nondiabetic mice. When given to STZ-treated mice, nicotinamide, an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, reduced both the elevation of blood glucose and the elevations of HDC activity and histamine production. These results suggest that hyperglycemia may initiate a sequence of events leading not only to an enhancement of basal HDC activity, but also to a sensitization of mice to the HDC-inducing action of LPS. We hypothesize that bacterial infections and diabetic complications may mutually exacerbate one another because both involved an induction of HDC.     

Augmented phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I in hypertensive heart failure

An altered cardiac myofilament response to activating Ca(2+) is a hallmark of human heart failure. Phosphorylation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is critical in modulating contractility and Ca(2+) sensitivity of cardiac muscle. cTnI can be phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA) at Ser(22/23) and protein kinase C (PKC) at Ser(22/23), Ser(42/44), and Thr(143). Whereas the functional significance of Ser(22/23) phosphorylation is well understood, the role of other cTnI phosphorylation sites in the regulation of cardiac contractility remains a topic of intense debate, in part, due to the lack of evidence of in vivo phosphorylation. In this study, we utilized top-down high resolution mass spectrometry (MS) combined with immunoaffinity chromatography to determine quantitatively the cTnI phosphorylation changes in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model of hypertensive heart disease and failure. Our data indicate that cTnI is hyperphosphorylated in the failing SHR myocardium compared with age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. The top-down electron capture dissociation MS unambiguously localized augmented phosphorylation sites to Ser(22/23) and Ser(42/44) in SHR. Enhanced Ser(22/23) phosphorylation was verified by immunoblotting with phospho-specific antibodies. Immunoblot analysis also revealed up-regulation of PKC-α and -δ, decreased PKCε, but no changes in PKA or PKC-β levels in the SHR myocardium. This provides direct evidence of in vivo phosphorylation of cTnI-Ser(42/44) (PKC-specific) sites in an animal model of hypertensive heart failure, supporting the hypothesis that PKC phosphorylation of cTnI may be maladaptive and potentially associated with cardiac dysfunction.     

Outdoor pilot-scale production of Botryococcus braunii in panel reactors

In this paper, the outdoor production of Botryococcus braunii in pilot-scale panel reactors (0.4?m³) is studied under uncontrolled conditions at a location close to the Atacama Desert (Chile). Discontinuous experiments were performed on different dates to determine the feasibility of the culture and the influence of environmental conditions on the system yield. Data showed that solar radiation is a major parameter in determining system yield, the average irradiance inside the culture determining both the growth rate and biomass productivity. A maximum specific growth rate of 0.09?day^?1 and biomass productivity of 0.02?g?L^?1?day^?1 (dry weight) were measured in discontinuous mode, at an average irradiance of 60?μE?m^?2?s^?1. With respect to lipids, a productivity of 2.5?mg?L^?1?day^?1 was obtained under favourable growth conditions; no accumulation of lipids at the stationary phase was observed. To confirm this behaviour, a semicontinuous culture was performed at 0.04?day^?1 in a larger reactor (1?m³). In this experiment, the biomass concentration and productivity was 0.3?g?L^?1 and 0.015?g?L^?1?day^?1, respectively. The lipid content and productivity was 15.6% and 2.4?mg?L^?1?day^?1, respectively, the mean average irradiance inside the reactor being 60?μmol photons?m^?2?s^?1. The light path of the reactor determines the light availability, thus determining also the biomass concentration and productivity of the reactor once the dilution rate is fixed. Experimentally, biomass productivity of 0.015?g?L^?1?day^?1 was determined for a light path of 0.15?m, but this can be increased by more than three times for a light path of 0.1?m. These data confirm that this alga can be produced outdoors in a secure form, the culture yield improving when optimal conditions are applied, the data reported here establishing the starting point for the development of the process.     

Culturable Airborne Bacteria in Outdoor Environments in Beijing,China

Airborne bacteria are important biological components of bioaerosol and play an important role in ecosystem. Bacteria at a high concentration in the atmosphere can result in biological air pollution and all kinds of diseases. In this study, a systematical survey on the culturable airborne bacteria was carried out for 1 year at three sites in Beijing urban area. Results showed that concentrations of culturable bacteria ranged from 71 colony forming units (CFU)/m³ to 22,100 CFU/m³, and the mean was 2,217 CFU/m³. Bacterial concentrations at the human activity-enriched site (RCEES) and the highly trafficked site (XZM) were virtually the same point. They were significantly higher than those at the greener site (BBG). Significant variation in bacterial concentrations in different seasons was observed at RCEES and XZM with higher concentrations in summer and autumn. In a single day, significantly lower concentrations were detected at 13:00 hours through all sampling sites. In this study, 165 species in 47 genera of culturable bacteria were identified. Micrococcus was one of the most dominant bacterial groups and contributed to approximately 20∼30% of the total bacterial concentration, followed by Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Corynebacterium, and Pseudomonas. The bacterial species with a high concentration percentage included Micrococcus luteus and Micrococcus roseus.     

Rendering edge enhancement tactile phenomenon by friction variation in dynamic touch

Variable friction tactile displays have been recently used to render virtual textures and gratings. Neural basis of perceptual mechanism of detection of edge-like features resulting in discrimination of virtual gratings during active touching these tactile actuators is studied using a finite-element biomechanical model of human fingertip. The predicted neural response of the mechanoreceptors, i.e. the computed strain energy density at the location of selected mechanoreceptors as a measure of neural discharge rate of the corresponding receptors, to local reduction of friction between fingerpad and surface are shown to exhibit a similar shape as the edge enhancement phenomenon, particularly in a sudden burst at the boundary of variable friction regions. This phenomenon is supposed to account for the illusion of virtual edges rendered through the modification of contact forces. The presence of this sudden burst under varied model parameters was investigated. It was shown that while the appearance of this phenomenon in simulation results was invariant to model parameters, associated alteration of the edge enhancement ratio might be considered for the purpose of the tuning of the variable friction tactile display.