The effect of virtual reality on visual vertigo symptoms in patients with peripheral vestibular dysfunction: a pilot study

Individuals with vestibular dysfunction may experience visual vertigo (VV), in which symptoms are provoked or exacerbated by excessive or disorientating visual stimuli (e.g. supermarkets). VV can significantly improve when customized vestibular rehabilitation exercises are combined with exposure to optokinetic stimuli. Virtual reality (VR), which immerses patients in realistic, visually challenging environments, has also been suggested as an adjunct to VR to improve VV symptoms. This pilot study compared the responses of sixteen patients with unilateral peripheral vestibular disorder randomly allocated to a VR regime incorporating exposure to a static (Group S) or dynamic (Group D) VR environment. Participants practiced vestibular exercises, twice weekly for four weeks, inside a static (Group S) or dynamic (Group D) virtual crowded square environment, presented in an immersive projection theatre (IPT), and received a vestibular exercise program to practice on days not attending clinic. A third Group D1 completed both the static and dynamic VR training. Treatment response was assessed with the Dynamic Gait Index and questionnaires concerning symptom triggers and psychological state. At final assessment, significant betweengroup differences were noted between Groups D (p = 0.001) and D1 (p = 0.03) compared to Group S for VV symptoms with the former two showing a significant 59.2% and 25.8% improvement respectively compared to 1.6% for the latter. Depression scores improved only for Group S (p = 0.01) while a trend towards significance was noted for Group D regarding anxiety scores (p = 0.07). Conclusion: Exposure to dynamic VR environments should be considered as a useful adjunct to vestibular rehabilitation programs for patients with peripheral vestibular disorders and VV symptoms.

The Meaning of the Virtual YMCA After School Program for Former Participants: An Exploratory Study

Research has shown that after school programs can provide children with opportunities that help foster positive development and adaptation. Current research meets the need for identifying short term outcomes, program standards, and short term evaluation techniques, however less understood is the lasting meaning of participation for previous participants after their participation. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning and perceived impacts of participation in a preventative, skill-building after school program for former participants. Using an exploratory case study approach, interviews were conducted with six previous participants of the Virtual YMCA and a former school principal. Reconstructed narratives and analyzed transcripts show that participants do still derive meaning and significance from their participation in the program, although highly individualized. Significant aspects of the program are identified, as well as the participant’s perceived impacts which are still present today. Discussion for practitioners, researchers, and funders is provided.

Implementation of training programs in self-regulated learning strategies in Moodle format : Results of a experience in higher education

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n

Computer generation and quantitative morphometric analysis of virtual neurons

An important goal in computational neuroanatomy is the complete and accurate simulation of neuronal morphology. We are developing computational tools to model three-dimensional dendritic structures based on sets of stochastic rules. This paper reports an extensive, quantitative anatomical characterization of simulated motoneurons and Purkinje cells. We used several local and global algorithms implemented in the L-Neuron and ArborVitae programs to generate sets of virtual neurons. Parameters statistics for all algorithms were measured from experimental data, thus providing a compact and consistent description of these morphological classes. We compared the emergent anatomical features of each group of virtual neurons with those of the experimental database in order to gain insights on the plausibility of the model assumptions, potential improvements to the algorithms, and non-trivial relations among morphological parameters. Algorithms mainly based on local constraints (e.g., branch diameter) were successful in reproducing many morphological properties of both motoneurons and Purkinje cells (e.g. total length, asymmetry, number of bifurcations). The addition of global constraints (e.g., trophic factors) improved the angle-dependent emergent characteristics (average Euclidean distance from the soma to the dendritic terminations, dendritic spread). Virtual neurons systematically displayed greater anatomical variability than real cells, suggesting the need for additional constraints in the models. For several emergent anatomical properties, a specific algorithm reproduced the experimental statistics better than the others did. However, relative performances were often reversed for different anatomical properties and/or morphological classes. Thus, combining the strengths of alternative generative models could lead to comprehensive algorithms for the complete and accurate simulation of dendritic morphology.

Uncovering false positives on a virtual screening search for cruzain inhibitors

Some unexpected promiscuous inhibitors were observed in a virtual screening protocol applied to select cruzain inhibitors from the ZINC database. Physical-chemical and pharmacophore model filters were used to reduce the database size. The selected compounds were docked into the cruzain active site. Six hit compounds were tested as inhibitors. Although the compounds were designed to be nucleophilically attacked by the catalytic cysteine of cruzain, three of them showed typical promiscuous behavior, revealing that false positives are a prevalent concern in VS programs. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Entrada vocabular na linguagem virtual

Pós-graduação em Letras - FCLAS

A contribuição de uma ferramenta na realização de uma experiência em educação virtual para o ensino fundamental com algumas escolas locais

Pós-graduação em Geografia - IGCE

Proposta de biomodelagem virtual utilizando softwares livres

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Escolarização de alunos com altas habilidades/superdotação: um apoio virtual

According to current legislation, is part of the Target of Special Education, students with high abilities/giftedness (HA/G). However, it appears that there are few studies on efficiency and effectiveness of diverse pedagogical practice for students with these characteristics. With increasing globalization, are multiplied opportunities for transnational education programs and educational services, particularly through the Internet, increasing the need for information services and accreditation of institutions and educational programs. This study aims to: a) develop a website containing information on high abilities/giftedness; b) evaluate the design of teachers on applicability of the site; c) analyze the contributions posted on the site. Therefore, it was available to the participants of this research produced site. Consisted on the site, among other information, those relating to HA/G indicators. Was sent a questionnaire via the Internet, with nine closed questions and two open, to 2000 teachers, registered in the database Improvement Course in Educational Practices Inclusive conducted by UNESP, under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Vera Lucia Messias Fialho Capellini. Data were considering frequency responses. For the treatment we used the Google Docs. As result Program Observed how teachers are lacking this subject deserves further Top depth. Concerning the site he was Considered by the participants as a support tool to the teacher, Which helps to identify and recognition of Individuals with HA/G and contributes to information, training and practical pedagogical way. This, is expected to Contribute to the dissemination of this issue in society as well as the Possibility of Minimizing the myths about this population, since such myths exist due to the lack of information

SimSight: A Virtual Machine Based Dynamic Call Graph Generator

One problem with using component-based software development approach is that once software modules are reused over generations of products, they form legacy structures that can be challenging to understand, making validating these systems difficult. Therefore, tools and methodologies that enable engineers to see interactions of these software modules will enhance their ability to make these software systems more dependable. To address this need, we propose SimSight, a framework to capture dynamic call graphs in Simics, a widely adopted commercial full-system simulator. Simics is a software system that simulates complete computer systems. Thus, it performs nearly identical tasks to a real system but at a much lower speed while providing greater execution observability. We have implemented SimSight to generate dynamic call graphs of statically and dynamically linked functions in x86/Linux environment. A case study illustrates how we can use SimSight to identify sources of software errors. We then evaluate its performance using 12 integer programs from SPEC CPU2006 benchmark suite.

Virtual Compton scattering in baryon chiral perturbation theory

This thesis is concerned with the calculation of virtual Compton scattering (VCS) in manifestly Lorentz-invariant baryon chiral perturbation theory to fourth order in the momentum and quark-mass expansion. In the one-photon-exchange approximation, the VCS process is experimentally accessible in photon electro-production and has been measured at the MAMI facility in Mainz, at MIT-Bates, and at Jefferson Lab. Through VCS one gains new information on the nucleon structure beyond its static properties, such as charge, magnetic moments, or form factors. The nucleon response to an incident electromagnetic field is parameterized in terms of 2 spin-independent (scalar) and 4 spin-dependent (vector) generalized polarizabilities (GP). In analogy to classical electrodynamics the two scalar GPs represent the induced electric and magnetic dipole polarizability of a medium. For the vector GPs, a classical interpretation is less straightforward. They are derived from a multipole expansion of the VCS amplitude. This thesis describes the first calculation of all GPs within the framework of manifestly Lorentz-invariant baryon chiral perturbation theory. Because of the comparatively large number of diagrams - 100 one-loop diagrams need to be calculated - several computer programs were developed dealing with different aspects of Feynman diagram calculations. One can distinguish between two areas of development, the first concerning the algebraic manipulations of large expressions, and the second dealing with numerical instabilities in the calculation of one-loop integrals. In this thesis we describe our approach using Mathematica and FORM for algebraic tasks, and C for the numerical evaluations. We use our results for real Compton scattering to fix the two unknown low-energy constants emerging at fourth order. Furthermore, we present the results for the differential cross sections and the generalized polarizabilities of VCS off the proton.

Laparoscopic-Simulator Box: a Simple Design for Surgical Residency Programs to Improve Trainees’ Laparoscopic Skills

Introduction: Since the introduction and evolution of laparoscopic surgery, there have been some concerns related to surgical training in this field. Laparoscopic box trainers and virtual simulators appear as useful devices which have been demonstrating effectiveness in learning surgical skills. However, these tools remain inaccessible for many centers around the world. Our intent is to share our experience in successful design to inspire others in surgical residency programs to build such boxes for training in laparoscopic techniques and also to encourage the use of simulators in educational centers. [See PDF for complete abstract]

La educación virtual antidoping como estrategia para desarrollar la cultura del juego limpio en el deporte mexicano : Un estudio de género

El propósito del estudio fue analizar el nivel de conocimiento y dominio sobre el doping que tienen las deportistas élite en México, para emprender acciones que permitan educar a los deportistas y su equipo de entrenamiento en el juego limpio, a través de acciones psicopedagógicas que faciliten un aprendizaje significativo, evitando que las deportistas usen de manera voluntaria o involuntaria sustancias y métodos prohibidos. Las pregunta principal que orientó la investigación fue la siguiente: ¿Qué nivel de conocimiento y dominio sobre el doping tienen las deportistas élite en México?. Para la investigación de campo, se elaboró un cuestionario de 22 preguntas para explorar el nivel de conocimiento y dominio que tenían los deportistas considerados élite por pertenecer a la selección estatal o nacional de los deportes de gimnasia olímpica, tiro con arco y hockey sobre pasto. Las respuestas encontradas demuestran que en algunos aspectos existe desconocimiento en materia de dopaje, y se devela la necesidad de profundizar en el programa de educación antidoping. Se manifiesta que la ignorancia que existe en diferentes aspectos, pone en riesgo a los deportistas en el uso inconsciente de sustancias y métodos prohibidos en el deporte

La educación virtual antidoping como estrategia para desarrollar la cultura del juego limpio en el deporte mexicano : Un estudio de género

El propósito del estudio fue analizar el nivel de conocimiento y dominio sobre el doping que tienen las deportistas élite en México, para emprender acciones que permitan educar a los deportistas y su equipo de entrenamiento en el juego limpio, a través de acciones psicopedagógicas que faciliten un aprendizaje significativo, evitando que las deportistas usen de manera voluntaria o involuntaria sustancias y métodos prohibidos. Las pregunta principal que orientó la investigación fue la siguiente: ¿Qué nivel de conocimiento y dominio sobre el doping tienen las deportistas élite en México?. Para la investigación de campo, se elaboró un cuestionario de 22 preguntas para explorar el nivel de conocimiento y dominio que tenían los deportistas considerados élite por pertenecer a la selección estatal o nacional de los deportes de gimnasia olímpica, tiro con arco y hockey sobre pasto. Las respuestas encontradas demuestran que en algunos aspectos existe desconocimiento en materia de dopaje, y se devela la necesidad de profundizar en el programa de educación antidoping. Se manifiesta que la ignorancia que existe en diferentes aspectos, pone en riesgo a los deportistas en el uso inconsciente de sustancias y métodos prohibidos en el deporte

La educación virtual antidoping como estrategia para desarrollar la cultura del juego limpio en el deporte mexicano : Un estudio de género

El propósito del estudio fue analizar el nivel de conocimiento y dominio sobre el doping que tienen las deportistas élite en México, para emprender acciones que permitan educar a los deportistas y su equipo de entrenamiento en el juego limpio, a través de acciones psicopedagógicas que faciliten un aprendizaje significativo, evitando que las deportistas usen de manera voluntaria o involuntaria sustancias y métodos prohibidos. Las pregunta principal que orientó la investigación fue la siguiente: ¿Qué nivel de conocimiento y dominio sobre el doping tienen las deportistas élite en México?. Para la investigación de campo, se elaboró un cuestionario de 22 preguntas para explorar el nivel de conocimiento y dominio que tenían los deportistas considerados élite por pertenecer a la selección estatal o nacional de los deportes de gimnasia olímpica, tiro con arco y hockey sobre pasto. Las respuestas encontradas demuestran que en algunos aspectos existe desconocimiento en materia de dopaje, y se devela la necesidad de profundizar en el programa de educación antidoping. Se manifiesta que la ignorancia que existe en diferentes aspectos, pone en riesgo a los deportistas en el uso inconsciente de sustancias y métodos prohibidos en el deporte