Functional, Hedonic or Social? Exploring Antecedents and Consequences of Virtual Reality Rollercoaster Usage

During the last years, various media technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have gained increased attention in consumer markets and tourism. For theme parks, especially those with rollercoasters, wearable VR devices are expected to be associated with various benefits for tourists’ experience. Therefore, adventure park managers with VR rollercoasters have a keen interest in understanding the drivers and psychological mechanisms of their visitors, especially those associated with economic benefits. Against this background, this study provides a conceptual model grounded in the VR and AR literature. The model is then tested in a Finnish amusement park with a VR switchback, and analysed using structural equation modelling. Result show that entertainment value and service quality drive satisfaction and subsequently word of mouth, but results do not confirm the importance on visitors’ willingness to pay an extra fee for a VR experience. However, this economically crucial variable is determined by social presence of other people, indicating that visitors are willing to pay for experiencing an immersive experience with other people. Theoretical and managerial implications are derived, and avenues for further research discussed

Real-Time, Real World Learning—Capitalising on Mobile Technology

This chapter explores the adoption of Web 2.0 technologies to promote active learning by students and to both mediate and enhance classroom instruction. Web 2.0 refers to open source, web-enabled applications (apps) that are driven by user-manipulated and user-generated content (Kassens-Noor, 2012). These apps are often rich in user participation, have dynamic content, and harness the collective intelligence of users (Chen, Hwang, & Wang, 2012). As such, these processes create “active, context based, personalised learning experiences” (Kaldoudi, Konstantinidis, & Bamidis, 2010, p. 130) that prioritise learning ahead of teaching. By putting the learner at the centre of the education process educators can provide environments that enhance employability prospects and spark a passion for learning that, hopefully, lasts a lifetime. As such, we critique an active learning approach that makes use of technology such as mobile applications (apps), Twitter, and augmented reality to enhance students’ real world learning. Dunlap and Lowenthal (2009) argue that social media can facilitate active learning as they recreate informal, free-flowing communications that allow students and academics to connect on a more emotional level. Furthermore, their use upskills students in the technical complexities of the digital world and also the specialised discourses that are associated with online participation, suitable for real world learning and working (Fig. 16.1). Three case studies explore the benefits of Web 2.0 processes. The first details the use of Twitter chats to connect students, academics, and industry professionals via online synchronous discussions that offer a number of benefits such as encouraging concise writing from students and maintaining on-going relationships between staff, students, and industry contacts. The second details a location-based mobile app that delivers content to students when they enter a defined geographical boundary linked to an area of a sports precinct. Finally, we explore the use of augmented reality apps to enhance teaching in Human Geography and Urban Studies

A Purity Monitoring System for the H1 Liquid Argon Calorimeter

The ionization probes used for monitoring the liquid argon purity in the H1 calorimeter are described and results of their operation in tests at CERN and during the period 1992 to the end of 1998 at HERA are given. The high sensitivity of the charge measurements leads to refined charge collection models, and to the observation of a variation of the ionization yield of our electron sources with temperature.Comment: 26 pages, 14 figure

An acceptance model for the adoption of smart glasses technology by healthcare professionals

In the recent years, there has been an increase in the interest from different industries in the adoption of smart wearable devices in the light of their inevitable ubiquity. One type of these devices is the Augmented Reality Smart Glasses (ARSGs), which can have great effect in different areas through providing timely information to users. One of the industries that can significantly reap the benefits of this technology is healthcare. However, as healthcare is a very multi-dimensional industry, there is a need for a multifaceted look into the adoption and acceptance of smart glasses by health professionals. This study tends to examine the acceptance of smart glasses by healthcare professionals based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as there is an imperative for empirical studies on user perceptions, attitudes, and intentions. For this purpose, five external factors are extracted from the literature and field study, being integration with information systems, external effects, hands-free feature, technological compatibility, and documentation. The model is examined by using PLS-SEM methodology. This study found documentation to have the strongest impact on intention due to the substitution of paperwork by mobile devices and facilitation of continuous documentation

Exploring the darkverse: a multi-perspective analysis of the negative societal impacts of the metaverse

The Metaverse has the potential to form the next pervasive computing archetype that can transform many aspects of work and life at a societal level. Despite the many forecasted benefits from the metaverse, its negative outcomes have remained relatively unexplored with the majority of views grounded on logical thoughts derived from prior data points linked with similar technologies, somewhat lacking academic and expert perspective. This study responds to the dark side perspectives through informed and multifaceted narratives provided by invited leading academics and experts from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. The metaverse dark side perspectives covered include: technological and consumer vulnerability, privacy, and diminished reality, human–computer interface, identity theft, invasive advertising, misinformation, propaganda, phishing, financial crimes, terrorist activities, abuse, pornography, social inclusion, mental health, sexual harassment and metaverse-triggered unintended consequences. The paper concludes with a synthesis of common themes, formulating propositions, and presenting implications for practice and policy

Этимологический анализ специальных единиц лексико-семантического поля "интеллектуальные энергетические системы" в системе современного английского языка

В данной статье описываются результаты этимологического анализа лексико-семантического поля "Интеллектуальные энергетические системы" современного английского языка. Этимологический анализ проводится в аспекте "семантической эволюции слова", а также принадлежности слова к собственному или заимствованному языковому материалу

Исследование точности отверстий и их усадки в обрабатываемых дорнованием втулках

В работе рассмотрены область применения ,виды дорнов, схема процесса дорнования отверстия, схема параметры дорнования отверстия, плюсы и минусы дорнования, и оборудование для дорнования. Потом использование конечно-элементного программного обеспечения ANSYS для моделирования процесса обработки. Затем проведено исследование зависимости усадки отверстия от натяга, степени толстостенности, механических свойств материала, а также исследована кривизна обработанных отверстий. В заключении изложены выводы о проделанной работе и представлено уравнение описывающее исследованные зависимости.In the work, the scope of application, types of mandrels, a diagram of the mandrel process of a hole, a diagram of the parameters of a mandrel of a hole, the pros and cons of mandrel, and equipment for mandrel are considered. Then the use of ANSYS finite element software to simulate the processing process. Then the study of the dependence of the hole shrinkage on the tightness, the degree of thickness, the mechanical properties of the material was carried out, and the curvature of the machined holes was also investigated. In the conclusion, the conclusions about the work done are presented and the equation describing the investigated dependences is presented