This study unfolds an innovative approach aiming to address the critical role of building design in global energy consumption, focusing on optimizing the Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR), since buildings account for approxi...This study unfolds an innovative approach aiming to address the critical role of building design in global energy consumption, focusing on optimizing the Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR), since buildings account for approximately 30% of total energy consumed worldwide. The greatest contributors to energy expenditure in buildings are internal artificial lighting and heating and cooling systems. The WWR, determined by the proportion of the building’s glazed area to its wall area, is a significant factor influencing energy efficiency and minimizing energy load. This study introduces the development of a semi-automated computer model designed to offer a real-time, interactive simulation environment, fostering improving communication and engagement between designers and owners. The said model serves to optimize both the WWR and building orientation to align with occupants’ needs and expectations, subsequently reducing annual energy consumption and enhancing the overall building energy performance. The integrated model incorporates Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Reality (VR), and Energy Analysis tools deployed at the conceptual design stage, allowing for the amalgamation of owners’ inputs in the design process and facilitating the creation of more realistic and effective design strategies.展开更多
The broad application of virtual reality (VR) to medicine has been of great value. The virtual surgery is one of technically difficult applications. With the expansion of the increasingly fine and complicated ear micr...The broad application of virtual reality (VR) to medicine has been of great value. The virtual surgery is one of technically difficult applications. With the expansion of the increasingly fine and complicated ear microsurgery, new methods are required to train the doctors. It is necessary and of practical significance to apply VR to the ear micro-operation, which is a functional operation with high precision and great difficulties. In this article, medical VR applications were reviewed. The application of VR to the ear microsurgery was discussed and the virtual ear microsurgery system was designed.展开更多
Although computer capabilities have been improved significantly, a large-scale virtual reality （VR） system demands much more in terms of memory and computation than the current computer systems can offer. This paper...Although computer capabilities have been improved significantly, a large-scale virtual reality （VR） system demands much more in terms of memory and computation than the current computer systems can offer. This paper discusses two important issues related to VR performance and applications in building navigation. These are dynamic loading of models based on cell segmentation for the optimal VR operation, and the route optimization based on path planning for easy navigation. The VR model of engineering and information technology complex （EITC） building at the University of Manitoba is built as an example to show the feasibility of the proposed methods. The reality, enhanced by three-dimensional （3D） real-time interactivity and visualization, leads navigators into a state of the virtual building immersion.展开更多
The proliferation of Virtual Reality-based tools has led to its increased usage in the field of education over the last decades owing to its increasingly realistic simulation and greater control over the 3D simulated ...The proliferation of Virtual Reality-based tools has led to its increased usage in the field of education over the last decades owing to its increasingly realistic simulation and greater control over the 3D simulated environment. The unique features of Virtual Reality (VR) simulation can provide learners with a hazard-free simulated environment allowing limitless failure attempts. Yet, good quality research to verify the effectiveness of VR simulation in training students of the health profession is still lacking. This literature review focuses on the effectiveness of virtual reality-based simulation in enhancing health profession students’ empathetic attitude relating to mental illness. Four databases were searched from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2018. Of 1034 articles identified eligible in the databases, a total of 6 articles have met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Findings suggested that there is a clear relationship between VR simulation and an improvement on users’ empathy, attitudes, and knowledge relating to mental Illness. With the unique characteristic of experiential learning of VR simulation, there is a potential development of the VR simulation on empathy and attitude in healthcare education. Also, VR stimulation is found having a larger impact on the users’ empathy of users with a healthcare background compared to those without. Future studies should include more in-depth examination on the effect on the specificity of empathy and attitude of people with healthcare background, and in teaching a wider range of mental illnesses such as depression and general anxiety disorder.展开更多
The major restriction for learning in science and engineering education in Africa is the absence of equipped laboratories. Where laboratory is available, there is the problem of obsolete and antiquated materials, whic...The major restriction for learning in science and engineering education in Africa is the absence of equipped laboratories. Where laboratory is available, there is the problem of obsolete and antiquated materials, which are seldom available for use. In most Universities in Africa, there is inadequate supply of laboratory space and laboratory materials. The laboratories only have the items of equipment that were provided when the universities were established, this has hampered learning. An alternative educational approach is required to address the aforementioned problems and provide a cost-effective solution for education as well as a valuable complementary or learning tool for university students. The alternative approach is the use of Virtual Reality （VR） technology to simulate virtual learning environments such as virtual reality laboratories. This is a one solution to inadequate physical laboratories in Africa.展开更多
Training in residency programs is highly competitive,it requires the formation of competent physicians that achieve the performance standards that were declared for their technical skills,attitudes and interpersonal a...Training in residency programs is highly competitive,it requires the formation of competent physicians that achieve the performance standards that were declared for their technical skills,attitudes and interpersonal abilities.The use of simulation and technology on the medical education has increased considerably.Particularly in ophthalmology the simulators used are:live models from animal or cadavers,mannequins,wet laboratories,simulated patients,part-task moles,laser or surgical models,and more recently,virtual reality(VR).VR places a person in a simulated environment that has a specific sense of self-location,where the participant interacts with the objects within the setting.Teaching with VR refers to the use of the available resources in technology and visualization of structures to improve the educational experience of medical students,residents and physicians in professional continuous development programs.Several authors highlight the benefits of assessing trainees with the tools,they argue that the key contribution of this model is in the formative assessment.Rather than evaluating and putting a score on student’s grades,VR provides a powerful experience for the acquisition of skills.A conclusion is the need to develop studies to document the effects that it has on knowledge,skills and behaviors,and to patient related outcomes.展开更多
The growing and evolving use of emerging technology including Artificial Intelligence(AI)and Virtual Reality(VR),has significantly impacted the lives of two specific groups-the elderly and the disabled.This paper inve...The growing and evolving use of emerging technology including Artificial Intelligence(AI)and Virtual Reality(VR),has significantly impacted the lives of two specific groups-the elderly and the disabled.This paper investigates potential reasons for this phenomenon.Clearly,AI and VR Technology alters the everyday lives of people with disabilities and how they navigate the world.Technological developments increasingly work to address the isolation that people with disabilities as well as the elderly experience for they are often unable or limited in how they engage with their communities.This research paper outlines the way technology has improved social communication,information distribution,and day-to-day living for those with disabilities and the elderly.Undoubtedly,the internet has transformed social communication and interaction for most people.Socially isolated individuals with disabilities have gained exposure to social environments through social media.Moreover,the broad range of information available on the internet has increased access to resources such as government services,health services,and social services support.On a related point,assistive devices have enabled disabled people including many seniors to overcome motor,sensory,or cognitive difficulties that may have previously hindered them from performing daily tasks.However,although AI and VR technology has been effectively integrated in the lives of those with disabilities,many such individuals lack access to commonplace technologies,like a personal computer.This paper examines how AI and VR technology has enhanced communication,information access,and everyday activities for the disabled and aging communities despite such socio-economic limitations.展开更多
文摘This study unfolds an innovative approach aiming to address the critical role of building design in global energy consumption, focusing on optimizing the Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR), since buildings account for approximately 30% of total energy consumed worldwide. The greatest contributors to energy expenditure in buildings are internal artificial lighting and heating and cooling systems. The WWR, determined by the proportion of the building’s glazed area to its wall area, is a significant factor influencing energy efficiency and minimizing energy load. This study introduces the development of a semi-automated computer model designed to offer a real-time, interactive simulation environment, fostering improving communication and engagement between designers and owners. The said model serves to optimize both the WWR and building orientation to align with occupants’ needs and expectations, subsequently reducing annual energy consumption and enhancing the overall building energy performance. The integrated model incorporates Building Information Modeling (BIM), Virtual Reality (VR), and Energy Analysis tools deployed at the conceptual design stage, allowing for the amalgamation of owners’ inputs in the design process and facilitating the creation of more realistic and effective design strategies.
基金The Scientific Research Fund of ShanghaiScience Committee( 0 3 411980 8) and the Science and TechnologySpecial Fund of Pudong New District( PKJ2 0 0 3 -4 1)
文摘The broad application of virtual reality (VR) to medicine has been of great value. The virtual surgery is one of technically difficult applications. With the expansion of the increasingly fine and complicated ear microsurgery, new methods are required to train the doctors. It is necessary and of practical significance to apply VR to the ear micro-operation, which is a functional operation with high precision and great difficulties. In this article, medical VR applications were reviewed. The application of VR to the ear microsurgery was discussed and the virtual ear microsurgery system was designed.
基金supported by Discovery Grants of National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Faculty of Engineering at University of Manitoba
文摘Although computer capabilities have been improved significantly, a large-scale virtual reality （VR） system demands much more in terms of memory and computation than the current computer systems can offer. This paper discusses two important issues related to VR performance and applications in building navigation. These are dynamic loading of models based on cell segmentation for the optimal VR operation, and the route optimization based on path planning for easy navigation. The VR model of engineering and information technology complex （EITC） building at the University of Manitoba is built as an example to show the feasibility of the proposed methods. The reality, enhanced by three-dimensional （3D） real-time interactivity and visualization, leads navigators into a state of the virtual building immersion.
文摘The proliferation of Virtual Reality-based tools has led to its increased usage in the field of education over the last decades owing to its increasingly realistic simulation and greater control over the 3D simulated environment. The unique features of Virtual Reality (VR) simulation can provide learners with a hazard-free simulated environment allowing limitless failure attempts. Yet, good quality research to verify the effectiveness of VR simulation in training students of the health profession is still lacking. This literature review focuses on the effectiveness of virtual reality-based simulation in enhancing health profession students’ empathetic attitude relating to mental illness. Four databases were searched from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2018. Of 1034 articles identified eligible in the databases, a total of 6 articles have met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Findings suggested that there is a clear relationship between VR simulation and an improvement on users’ empathy, attitudes, and knowledge relating to mental Illness. With the unique characteristic of experiential learning of VR simulation, there is a potential development of the VR simulation on empathy and attitude in healthcare education. Also, VR stimulation is found having a larger impact on the users’ empathy of users with a healthcare background compared to those without. Future studies should include more in-depth examination on the effect on the specificity of empathy and attitude of people with healthcare background, and in teaching a wider range of mental illnesses such as depression and general anxiety disorder.
文摘The major restriction for learning in science and engineering education in Africa is the absence of equipped laboratories. Where laboratory is available, there is the problem of obsolete and antiquated materials, which are seldom available for use. In most Universities in Africa, there is inadequate supply of laboratory space and laboratory materials. The laboratories only have the items of equipment that were provided when the universities were established, this has hampered learning. An alternative educational approach is required to address the aforementioned problems and provide a cost-effective solution for education as well as a valuable complementary or learning tool for university students. The alternative approach is the use of Virtual Reality （VR） technology to simulate virtual learning environments such as virtual reality laboratories. This is a one solution to inadequate physical laboratories in Africa.
文摘Training in residency programs is highly competitive,it requires the formation of competent physicians that achieve the performance standards that were declared for their technical skills,attitudes and interpersonal abilities.The use of simulation and technology on the medical education has increased considerably.Particularly in ophthalmology the simulators used are:live models from animal or cadavers,mannequins,wet laboratories,simulated patients,part-task moles,laser or surgical models,and more recently,virtual reality(VR).VR places a person in a simulated environment that has a specific sense of self-location,where the participant interacts with the objects within the setting.Teaching with VR refers to the use of the available resources in technology and visualization of structures to improve the educational experience of medical students,residents and physicians in professional continuous development programs.Several authors highlight the benefits of assessing trainees with the tools,they argue that the key contribution of this model is in the formative assessment.Rather than evaluating and putting a score on student’s grades,VR provides a powerful experience for the acquisition of skills.A conclusion is the need to develop studies to document the effects that it has on knowledge,skills and behaviors,and to patient related outcomes.
文摘The growing and evolving use of emerging technology including Artificial Intelligence(AI)and Virtual Reality(VR),has significantly impacted the lives of two specific groups-the elderly and the disabled.This paper investigates potential reasons for this phenomenon.Clearly,AI and VR Technology alters the everyday lives of people with disabilities and how they navigate the world.Technological developments increasingly work to address the isolation that people with disabilities as well as the elderly experience for they are often unable or limited in how they engage with their communities.This research paper outlines the way technology has improved social communication,information distribution,and day-to-day living for those with disabilities and the elderly.Undoubtedly,the internet has transformed social communication and interaction for most people.Socially isolated individuals with disabilities have gained exposure to social environments through social media.Moreover,the broad range of information available on the internet has increased access to resources such as government services,health services,and social services support.On a related point,assistive devices have enabled disabled people including many seniors to overcome motor,sensory,or cognitive difficulties that may have previously hindered them from performing daily tasks.However,although AI and VR technology has been effectively integrated in the lives of those with disabilities,many such individuals lack access to commonplace technologies,like a personal computer.This paper examines how AI and VR technology has enhanced communication,information access,and everyday activities for the disabled and aging communities despite such socio-economic limitations.
