Immersion and interaction: Creating virtual 3d worlds for stage performances

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This thesis formulates an approach towards the creation of a gesture activated and body movement controlled real time virtual 3d world in a dance performance context. It investigates immersion and navigation techniques derived from modern video games and methodologies and proposes how they can be used to further involve a performer into a virtual space as well as simultaneously offer a stimulating visual spectacle for an audience. The argument presented develops through practice-based methodology and artistic production strategies in interdisciplinary and collaborative contexts. Two choreographic performance/installations are used as cases studies to demonstrate in practice the proposed methodologies. First, the interactive dance work Suna No Onna, created in collaboration with Birringer/Danjoux and the Dap Lab, investigates the use of interactive pre-rendered animations in a real time setting and in real time by incorporating wearable sensors in the performance. Secondly, the potentials offered by the sensor technology and real time rendering engines led to the “creation scene", a key scene in the choreographic installation UKIYO (Moveable Worlds). This thesis investigates the design, creation and interaction qualities of virtual 3d spaces by exploring the potentialities offered by a shared space, between an intelligent space and a dancer in a hybrid world. The methodology applied uses as a theoretical base the phenomenological approach of Merleau-Ponty and Mark Hansen‟s mixed reality paradigm proposing the concept of the “space schema", a system which replicates and embeds proprioception, perception and motility into the space fabric offering a world which “lives”, functions and interacts with the performer. The outcome of the research is the generation of an interactive, non-linear, randomized 3d virtual space that collaborates with a technologically embedded performer in creating a 3d world which evolves and transforms, driven by the performer‟s intention and agency. This research contributes to the field of interactive performance art by making transparent the methodology, the instruments and the code used, in a non-technical terminology, making it accessible for both team members with less technological expertise as well as artists aspiring to engage interactive 3d media promoting further experimentation and conceptual discussions

Stray-Dog Control in Cyprus: Primitive and Humane Methods

In Cyprus, a dog control scheme was started in 1971 within the context of an all-inclusive anti-echinococcosis campaign. At the time, it was estimated that there were more than 100,000 dogs in the island, almost all of which were strays (even many of those that were purportedly owned ]. These had been identified as infectious agents of echinococcosis in Cyprus (the average surgical incidence in humans, over the 30-year period prior to 1970, was 12.9/100,000]. The destruction of stray dogs is accomplished by using guns that fire a syringe containing a euthanizing drug. In the past (prior to 1970), various inhumane methods used by dogcatchers or other individuals included hitting the dog on the head with a sharp tool, hanging the dog from a tree, poisoning it with baits, or shooting it with a hunting gun. Despite an initial negative reaction on the part of both the general public and dog owners, the organized destruction of stray dogs that started in 1971 was continued without interruption. At present, the dog population is under control, and all stray and unwanted dogs are euthanized. The Cyprus experience, in which the initiative for dog control was undertaken by the Department of Veterinary Services, can well serve as an example for many other countries

Stray-Dog Control in Cyprus: Primitive and Humane Methods

In Cyprus, a dog control scheme was started in 1971 within the context of an all-inclusive anti-echinococcosis campaign. At the time, it was estimated there were more than 100,000 dogs on the island; most were strays (even many of those that were purportedly owned ]. These had been identified as infectious agents of echinococcosis in Cyprus (the average surgical incidence in humans over the 30 years before 1970 was 12.9/100,000]. The destruction of stray dogs is accomplished by using guns that fire a syringe containing a euthanizing drug. In the past (before 1970), various inhumane methods used by animal control officers or other individuals included hitting the dog on the head with a sharp tool, hanging the dog from a tree, poisoning it with baits, or shooting it with a hunting gun. Despite an initial adverse reaction on the part of the general public and dog owners, the organized destruction of stray dogs that started in 1971 continued without interruption. Currently, the dog population is under control, and all stray and unwanted dogs are euthanized. The Cyprus experience, in which the Department of Veterinary Services undertook the initiative for dog control, can well serve as an example for many other countries

Determination of acceptance criteria for prestressing strand in pre-tensioned applications

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of Civil EngineeringKyle A. RidingASTM recently adopted the Standard Test Method for Evaluating Bond of Seven-Wire Steel Prestressing Strand as ASTM A1081, a pull-out test procedure developed for verifying the ability of steel strands to bond to cementitious materials prior to their use as tensile reinforcement in prestressed concrete sections. The required by ASTM International precision and bias statement has not been developed for this test method. In addition, a minimum threshold value that will ensure only adequately bonding strand sources will be accepted has not yet been applied to ASTM A1081. The test method was developed after findings that prestressing steel strand sources of identical type and grade vary significantly as far as their bonding capacity. Bond is a crucial aspect of the prestressing force being transferred into the concrete, and insufficient bonding action can result in the prestressed concrete section lacking in capacity to sustain the loads that it was designed for. After an initial survey of the pull-out strength of North American Strand in mortar, three strands of differing pull-out strengths were selected for inclusion in further testing. A precision and bias statement for ASTM A1081 was developed by first performing ruggedness testing to determine how the results are affected by allowable variations in methods and materials, and followed by an inter-laboratory study to determine the reproducibility of the test method. Once the precision and bias statement for the standard test method was developed, the same strand sources were tested for their performance in concrete beams. Statistical analysis of the flexural beam testing data and correlation with the prestressing strand sources’ ASTM A1081 test results was performed, and the industry was provided with minimum acceptance criteria for prestressing strand tested by ASTM A1081, along with recommendations regarding the standard test method and aspects of prestressed concrete design

Subclavian and Vertebral Artery Angioplasty - Vertebro-Basilar Insufficiency: Clinical Aspects and Diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for significant stenosis involving the origin of the vertebral artery is now a well established treatment for selected patients when posterior cerebral arterial circulation is compromised. We demonstrate from our short and long-term results, after transluminal treatment of subclavian and vertebral artery stenosis, the feasibility and safety of treatment with balloon angioplasty and stenting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 181 patients underwent endovascular treatment and were divided into two groups. In group A, we treated patients with chronic vertebrobasilar insufficient. In this group, 21 patients with severe vertebral artery stenosis had also concomitant severe stenosis in other supra aortic arteries. In group B we treated patients with subclavian steal syndrome. In this group 21 patients presented with coexistence of severe stenosis in other supra aortic arteries. Stent patency of subclavian and vertebral artery during follow up was assessed by duplex scan and physical examination, with comparison of brachial blood pressure of both arms especially in patients with subclavian stenosis. Digital angiography was performed in available patients. Cerebral oximetry and intracranial Doppler were used to determine the group of patients that we had to treat with balloon angioplasty and stenting. RESULTS: Successful stenting was achieved in all cases. There were no complications. The primary stenting patency during follow-up (mean 8.6 months) was 98.6%. With use of intracranial Doppler we found 31 patients with higher blood flow in the basilar artery after stenting and 24 patients were found with increased brain regional oxygen saturation in the anterior cerebral artery. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of subclavian and vertebral arteries with balloon angioplasty and stenting was found to be necessary in certain cases and a less invasive alternative to surgical repair. Long-term results must still be confirmed in further studies

VR : Time Machine

Time Machine is an immersive Virtual Reality installation that explains – in simple terms – the Striatal Beat Frequency (SBF) model of time perception. The installation was created as a collaboration between neuroscientists within the field of time perception along with a team of digital designers and audio composers/engineers. This paper outlines the process, as well as the lessons learned, while designing the virtual reality experience that aims to simplify a complex idea to a novice audience. The authors describe in detail the process of creating the world, the user experience mechanics and the methods of placing information in the virtual place in order to enhance the learning experience. The work was showcased at the 4th International Conference on Time Perspective, where the authors collected feedback from the audience. The paper concludes with a reflection on the work and some suggestions for the next iteration of the project