Evaluating immersive and non-immersive VR for spatial understanding in undergraduate construction education

In this paper we explore a pedagogical value of using immersive vir-tual reality to teach construction students how to identify and evaluate the spa-tial characteristics of their design in terms of sizes, layout or structural issues. This study builds on the premise that virtual reality, though generally valuable for design understanding, cannot be treated as a monolithic system when it comes to evaluating its effectiveness for tasks that differ in their objectives. The study extends the work of similar studies that have looked into the claimed ben-efits of immersion, stereoscopy or interactivity on visual perception and spatial cognition. We compared a desktop-based environment with a fully immersive virtual reality in the form of a wearable VR headset to see if there are any no-ticeable differences in how students review and evaluate spaces. Thirty-two par-ticipants from the first year undergraduate construction program were tasked to walk through a small residential house that incorporated up to 12 intentional de-sign mistakes in terms of the size, layout, position or structural oversight. Initial results suggest that the students using the HMD-type of VR slightly better per-form compared to those using the monitor. However, observations of students’ interactions with the model while completing the tasks suggest a greater com-plexity in how the navigation patterns, domain knowledge and technology expe-rience may be affecting the way they perceive the design

Embedding green infrastructure evaluation in neighbourhood masterplans – does BREEAM Communities change anything?

Green Infrastructure (GI) evaluation is reported to improve the sustainability of neighbourhood masterplans, but there has been little research examining the links between GI evaluation and masterplan decision-making. A study of six English masterplanned sites was carried out, with paired case studies reflecting three types of neighbourhood development (estate regeneration, urban infill, rural-urban extension) to examine whether the sustainable neighbourhood standard, BREEAM Communities (BC) affected GI evaluation and masterplan decisions. In each of three pairs, one site had adopted BC and one had not. Strategy-asPractice provided a conceptual framework to analyse 13 evaluative episodes, based on 48 interviews and public documents. The analysis revealed that GI-related recommendations were typically deprioritised at later masterplan stages, despite earlier decisions or the application of BC. Potential ways to enhance the embeddedness of GI evaluative practice include improving practitioners’ understanding of GI and increasing accountability at later masterplan stages, such as through sustainability reporting

Silicon and Iron Differently Alleviate Copper Toxicity in Cucumber Leaves

Copper (Cu) toxicity in plants may lead to iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) deficiencies. Here, we investigated the effect of Si and Fe supply on the concentrations of micronutrients and metal-chelating amino acids nicotianamine (NA) and histidine (His) in leaves of cucumber plants exposed to Cu in excess. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was treated with 10 mu M Cu, and additional 100 mu M Fe or/and 1.5 mM Si for five days. High Cu and decreased Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations were found in Cu treatment. Additional Fe supply had a more pronounced effect in decreasing Cu accumulation and improving the molar ratio between micronutrients as compared to the Si supply. However, the simultaneous supply of Fe and Si was the most effective treatment in alleviation of Cu-induced deficiency of Fe, Zn and Mn. Additional Fe supply increased the His but not NA concentration, while Si supply significantly increased both NA and His whereby the NA:Cu and His:Cu molar ratios exceeded the control values indicating that Si recruits Cu-chelation to achieve Cu tolerance. In conclusion, Si-mediated alleviation of Cu toxicity was directed toward Cu tolerance while Fe-alleviative effect was due to a dramatic decrease in Cu accumulation

Framework of the Virtual Construction Simulator 3 for construction planning and management education

Teaching construction planning and management is challenging, as construction projects are dynamic due to many varying and unforeseen factors. A growing number of construction-related simulations and games demonstrate the benefits of providing students with a realistic and interactive learning experience for knowledge applicable in real world situations. Currently, the majority of construction simulation games focus on teaching managerial skills either at an organizational level, or very specific project-based activities. To encourage broader adoption of simulation games for construction planning and management education, this research effort outlines a framework for the development of the Virtual Construction Simulator (VCS) game as an open-source, customizable and expandable simulation for different learning scenarios. The VCS prototype uses a small pavilion case study to teach students the decisions involved in planning, and subsequently managing the project construction affected by varying factors such as weather and labor productivity. The current prototype has been evaluated for its usability and effectiveness as a learning tool with over two hundred students in undergraduate and graduate-level courses, demonstrating benefits in engaging students in learning the challenges and risks in efficient construction planning and management. The paper outlines the VCS development framework, the system architecture, and the functionality based on the defined learning objectives. Evaluation results and future development steps are also discussed

Establishment and in-house validation of stem-loop rt pcr method for microrna398 expression analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) belong to the class of small non-coding RNAs which have important roles throughout development as well as in plant response to diverse environmental stresses. Some of plant miRNAs are essential for regulation and maintenance of nutritive homeostasis when nutrients are in excess or shortage comparing to optimal concentration for certain plant species. Better understanding of miRNAs functions implies development of efficient technology for profiling their gene expression. We set out to establish validate the methodology for miRNA gene expression analysis in cucumber grown under suboptimal mineral nutrient regimes, including iron deficiency. Reverse transcription by "stem-loop" primers in combination with Real time PCR method is one of potential approaches for quantification of miRNA gene expression. In this paper we presented a method for "stem loop" primer design specific for miR398, as well as reaction optimization and determination of Real time PCR efficiency. Proving the accuracy of this method was imperative as "stem loop" RT which consider separate transcription of target and endogenous control. The method was verified by comparison of the obtained data with results of miR398 expression achieved using a commercial kit based on simultaneous conversion of all RNAs in cDNAs

Visualizing a new sustainable world: toward the next generation of virtual reality in the built environment

What is the future of virtual reality (VR) in the built environment? As work becomes increasingly distributed across remote and hybrid forms of organizing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to rethink how we use the set of collaborative technologies to move toward a sustainable world. We propose a new vision of VR as a discipline-agnostic platform for an interdisciplinary integration of the allied design, social, and environmental disciplines to address emerging challenges across the building sectors. We build this contribution through the following steps. First, we contextualize VR technologies within the changing digital landscape and underlying tensions in the built environment practices. Second, we characterize the difficulties that have arisen in using them to address challenges, illustrating our argument with leading examples. Third, we conceptualize VR configurations and explore underlying assumptions for their use across disciplinary scenarios. Fourth, we propose a vision of VR as a discipline-agnostic platform that can support built environment users in visualizing preferred futures. We conclude by providing directions for research and practice

Најнови сознанија за рехабилитација на пациенти со Паркинсонова болест

Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Given the progressive course and numerous motor and motor symptoms, this disorder can significantly affect person's functional status, quality of life, and disability. Possibility of treatment and prevention of parkinsonism varies depending on the type of Parkinson's disease. Medication, physical therapy and surgical treatment are used. Effective pharmacologic therapy includes comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, starting at the time of diagnosis. It can prevent and treat complications, slow the progression of symptoms, and enhance adaptation to the newly acquired condition. It is necessary to stimulate mechanisms of compensation and neuroplasticity. Experiences show that kinesiotherapy and physical agents are effective in the treatment of pain, walking disorders, postural instability and risk of falls. There are also alternative techniques such as yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, dance therapy, music therapy that have a positive impact on the disease. The efficacy of neurofeedback, art therapy in improving and maintaining cognitive functions has been demonstrated. Occupational therapy is of great importance for empowering the patient with activities of daily living, especially for self-care. Education and support from family and carers, as well as home and workplace adaptation, play an important role in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation and physical therapy for this disease is carried out systematically and for a lifetime. A multidisciplinary approach in treating patients with Parkinson's disease enables the maintenance of quality of life.Паркинсоновата болест е една од најчестите невродегенеративни заболувања. Со оглед на прогресивниот тек  и бројните моторни и немоторни симптоми, оваа болест може значително да влијае на функционалниот статус на лицето, квалитетот на животот и инвалидитетот. Можноста за лекување и превенција кај пациентите се различни и зависат  од видот на  Паркинсоновата болест. Се применува медикаментозна терапија, физикална терапија и хируршко лекување. Со ефективна фармаколошка терапија, сеопфатна физикална терапија и рехабилитација, која започнува од моментот на  дијагностицирање на болеста, можат да се спречат и лекуваат компликациите, да се забави прогресијата на симптомите и да се постигне прилагодување на новостекнатата состојба. Она што се бара е да се стимулираат механизми за компензација и невропластичност. Искуствата покажуваат дека кинезитерапијата и физикалните агенси се ефикасни во третман на болката, нарушување на одењето, постурална нестабилност и ризикот од пад. Исто така, постојат и алтернативни  техники како јога, тај чи, акупунктура, танц терапија, терапија со музика, кои позитивно влијаат на болеста. Докажана е ефикасноста на неврофидбек и арт терапијата во подобрување и одржување на конгнитивните функции. Работната терапија е од големо значење заради оспособување на пациентот за активности во  секојдневниот живот, особено за самозгрижување. Во рехабилитацијата важна улога играат едукацијата и поддршката од семејството и старателите, како и адаптацијата на домот и работното место. Рехабилитацијата и физикалната терапија кај оваа болест се спроведуваат систематски и доживотно. Мултидисциплинарниот пристап во лекувањето на пациентите со Паркинсонова болест овозможува одржување на квалитетот на живот

Performance of the Product of Three Nakagami-m Random Variables

An output signal from a multi-section wireless relay communication system is equal to the product of the signal envelopes from individual sections. In this paper, a three-sections relay system is considered in the presence of Nakagami-m fading at each section. First, random variable (RV) is formed as the product of three Nakagami-m RVs. For such product, the moments are determined in the closed forms. The first moment is the mean of the signal; the second moment is the average power of the signal, and the third moment is skewness. Then, the Amount of Fading (AoF) is calculated. AoF is a measure of the severity effect of fading in a particular channel model. Besides, all system performance are shown graphically and the parameters influence has been analyzed and discussed