1,189 research outputs found
Presence and rehabilitation: toward second-generation virtual reality applications in neuropsychology
Virtual Reality (VR) offers a blend of attractive attributes for rehabilitation. The most exploited is its ability to create a 3D simulation of reality that can be explored by patients under the supervision of a therapist. In fact, VR can be defined as an advanced communication interface based on interactive 3D visualization, able to collect and integrate different inputs and data sets in a single real-like experience. However, "treatment is not just fixing what is broken; it is nurturing what is best" (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi). For rehabilitators, this statement supports the growing interest in the influence of positive psychological state on objective health care outcomes. This paper introduces a bio-cultural theory of presence linking the state of optimal experience defined as "flow" to a virtual reality experience. This suggests the possibility of using VR for a new breed of rehabilitative applications focused on a strategy defined as transformation of flow. In this view, VR can be used to trigger a broad empowerment process within the flow experience induced by a high sense of presence. The link between its experiential and simulative capabilities may transform VR into the ultimate rehabilitative device. Nevertheless, further research is required to explore more in depth the link between cognitive processes, motor activities, presence and flow
Electroweak Precision Tests in High-Energy Diboson Processes
A promising avenue to perform precision tests of the SM at the LHC is to
measure differential cross-sections at high invariant mass, exploiting in this
way the growth with the energy of the corrections induced by heavy new physics.
We classify the leading growing-with-energy effects in longitudinal diboson and
in associated Higgs production processes, showing that they can be encapsulated
in four real "high-energy primary" parameters. We assess the reach on these
parameters at the LHC and at future hadronic colliders, focusing in particular
on the fully leptonic channel that appears particularly promising. The
reach is found to be superior to existing constraints by one order of
magnitude, providing a test of the SM electroweak sector at the per-mille
level, in competition with LEP bounds. Unlike LHC Run-1 bounds, which only
apply to new physics effects that are much larger than the SM in the
high-energy tail of the distributions, the probe we study applies to a wider
class of new physics scenarios where such large departures are not expected.Comment: 35 pages, 8 Figures, Fig.7 correcte
Profiling residential water usersâ routines by eigenbehavior modelling
Developing effective demand-side management strategies is essential to meet
future residential water demands, pursue water conservation, and reduce the costs for
water utilities. The effectiveness of water demand management strategies relies on our
understanding of water consumersâ behavior and their consumption habits and routines,
which can be monitored through the deployment of smart metering technologies and
the adoption of data analytics and machine learning techniques. This work contributes
a novel modeling procedure, based on a combination of clustering and principal component
analysis, which allows performing water usersâ segmentation on the basis of
their eigenbehaviors (i.e., recurrent water consumption behaviors) automatically identified
from smart metered consumption data. The approach is tested against a dataset
of smart metered water consumption data from 175 households in the municipality of
Tegna (CH). Numerical results demonstrate the potential of the method for identifying
typical profiles of water consumption, which constitute essential information to support
residential water demand management
Transoral Approach to Parotid Tumors: A Review of the Literature
Different surgical techniques have been proposed for parapharyngeal space tumors, including transcervical, transparotid, trans-mandibular, infratemporal, and transoral. The choice of the correct approach depends on the size, localization and nature of the tumor. The transoral approach can be used for benign prestyloid masses, such as tumors of the deep lobe of the parotid gland. It guarantees a short hospitalization without skin scars. The narrowed access represents the main limitation of this technique. This review will summarize and analyze the current knowledge about the transoral approach to parotid lesions. Thirty-seven studies were included in a qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The novelty of this review is the quantitative analyses of the clinical data reported in the included studies
La realidad virtual como entorno fortalecedor para el cambio personal: la contribuciĂłn del laboratorio de tecnologĂa aplicada a la neuropsicologĂa
When we exercise real choice, we gain increased control over our lives and are able to change ourselves. However for many subjects it is not easy to exercise effective choices: patients often donât have the knowledge, skills, assertiveness, or self esteem needed. In this situation Virtual Reality (VR), an artificial reality that projects the user into a 3D space generated by the computer, may offer a critical advantage to the therapist. The enriched experience and the total level of control on its features, transform VR in an âempowering environmentâ, where patients can start to explore and act without feeling actually threatened. The attempt of defining, developing and testing VR tools supporting personal empowerment is the main goal of the Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratory âATN-P Labâ at the Istituto Auxologico Italiano. The paper describes the actual work done by the ATN-P Lab. in this area. Specifically, the open source "NeuroVR" system and its potential clinical applications âanxiety disorders, obesity and eating disordersâ are presented and discussed.La capacidad de elecciĂłn nos proporciona control sobre nuestras vidas y nos ofrece posibilidades de cambio. Sin embargo, para muchas personas no es fĂĄcil realizar elecciones efectivas; por ejemplo, los pacientes carecen muchas veces del conocimiento, la habilidad, la asertividad o autoestima necesarias. En esas situaciones, la realidad virtual (RV), una realidad artificial que coloca al sujeto en un espacio generado por el ordenador, puede ser para el terapeuta un recurso decisivo. La experiencia enriquecida y el control total sobre todos sus aspectos transforman la RV en un âentorno fortalecedorâ, en el que los pacientes pueden comenzar a explorar y actuar sin sentirse amenazados. El principal objetivo del âApplied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Laboratoryâ (ATN-P Lab), perteneciente al Instituto Auxologico Italiano, es intentar definir, desarrollar y probar aplicaciones basadas en RV que faciliten el fortalecimiento personal. En este artĂculo se describe el trabajo que se viene realizando sobre este tema en ese laboratorio. Se presenta y discute, especĂficamente, el sistema de cĂłdigo abierto denominado âNeuroVRâ, asĂ como sus aplicaciones clĂnicas potenciales sobre los trastornos de ansiedad, la obesidad y los trastornos alimentarios
Experimental multiphase estimation on a chip
Multiparameter estimation is a general problem that aims at measuring unknown
physical quantities, obtaining high precision in the process. In this context,
the adoption of quantum resources promises a substantial boost in the
achievable performances with respect to the classical case. However, several
open problems remain to be addressed in the multiparameter scenario. A crucial
requirement is the identification of suitable platforms to develop and
experimentally test novel efficient methodologies that can be employed in this
general framework. We report the experimental implementation of a
reconfigurable integrated multimode interferometer designed for the
simultaneous estimation of two optical phases. We verify the high-fidelity
operation of the implemented device, and demonstrate quantum-enhanced
performances in two-phase estimation with respect to the best classical case,
post-selected to the number of detected coincidences. This device can be
employed to test general adaptive multiphase protocols due to its high
reconfigurability level, and represents a powerful platform to investigate the
multiparameter estimation scenario.Comment: 10+7 pages, 7+4 figure
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