A model supported interactive virtual environment for natural resource sharing in environmental education

This paper introduces a realistic 3D model supported virtual environment for environmental education, that highlights the importance of water resource sharing by focusing on the tragedy of the commons dilemma. The proposed virtual environment entails simulations that are controlled by a multi-agent simulation model of a real ecosystem consisting of a lake that is being drained by a community of farmers with different types of behaviours. This resembles real-life scenarios, where farmers operate under extreme economic pressure. The virtual environment provides realistic visualization of the elements of the multi-agent model in a comprehensible manner, while keeping the details and the complexity of the ecosystem hidden from the students. Extensive experiments were conducted using students divided in a control group, exposed to conventional teaching means, and an experimental group that used the proposed virtual environment. Both groups were administered questionnaires at pre-test and post-test intervals, and conclusions were drawn after qualitative and quantitative analysis of the results. It was revealed that the proposed virtual environment provided significant cognitive advancements for the students, especially for complex inter-related notions, thus constituting a valuable tool for environment education. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Design requirements of a virtual learning environment for resource sharing

This study presents the evaluation of the design requirements of a novel model-supported virtual environment appropriate for environmental education, where the simulation process is controlled by a novel multi-agent model. The virtual environment was qualitatively evaluated by 14 students, that provided feedback about the accuracy of the graphical representations, the usability and interaction of the interface and the comprehension of the underlying process. Students suggestions were taken under consideration, modifying the virtual environment to its final form. © 2012 Springer-Verlag

Behavioural Adaptation towards Efficient Resource Sharing under the Lack of Communication

This paper introduces a novel multi-agent model for simulating water sharing scenarios under various irrigation policies, together with a novel self adaptive learning algorithm that achieves efficient resource allocation. The main contribution of this work lies in the fact that both the multi-agent model and the proposed learning algorithm operate under the lack of communication between the users of the resource, thus, no assumptions about the development of relations of trust between them are made. Moreover, the proposed learning algorithm uses only local information and operates in a decentralized manner, thus its implementation does not entail significant costs. The model was calibrated using data from a real world ecosystem and experimental results provided statistical and qualitative figures of merit for assessing typical irrigation policies. For all the irrigation policies examined, even if the users of the resource acted under profit maximization criteria, the proposed learning algorithm provided a means of achieving efficient resource allocation, despite the lack of communication. Thus, the proposed model and learning algorithm are valuable tools for assessing alternative irrigation policies and providing the best policy for any given scenario

Specially designed sound-boxes used by students to perform school-lab sensor-based experiments, to understand sound phenomena

The research presented herein investigates and records students' perceptions relating to sound phenomena and their improvement during a specialised laboratory practice utilizing ICT and a simple experimental apparatus, especially designed for teaching. This school-lab apparatus and its operation are also described herein. A number of 71 first and second grade Vocational-school students, aged 16 to 20, participated in the research. These were divided into groups of 4-5 students, each of which worked for 6 hours in order to complete all activities assigned. Data collection was carried out through personal interviews as well as questionnaires which were distributed before and after the instructive intervention. The results shows that students' active involvement with the simple teaching apparatus, through which the effects of sound waves are visible, helps them comprehend sound phenomena. It also altered considerably their initial misconceptions about sound propagation. The results are presented diagrammatically herein, while some important observations are made, relating to the teaching and learning of scientific concepts concerning sound

Ultrasound anatomy of the cervical paravertebral space: A preliminary study

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the ultrasound anatomy of the cervical paravertebral space in order to facilitate the implementation of sonographically guided regional anesthesia techniques for this region. Methods: Twenty volunteers were recruited, and the anatomic components of the cervical paravertebral space were sonographically examined. The transducer was positioned in the axial and coronal plane at the posterior cervical triangle. The cervical transverse processes with their respective nerve roots, the deep cervical fascia and the paravertebral muscles were identified. Results: There was excellent visualization of the C-3, C-4, C-5, C-6 and C-7 transverse processes in all cases. Excellent visualization of the scalene muscles, vertebral artery and deep cervical fascia was also achieved in all cases. Visualization of the levator of scapula muscle was difficult in 9 and excellent in 11 out of the 20 cases. In all cases, visualization of the C-1, C-2 and C-3 nerve roots was unfeasible. The identification of the C-4 nerve root was excellent in 3, difficult in 6 and unfeasible in 11 out of the 20 cases. The C-5, C-6 and C-7 nerve roots were excellently identified in all cases. The C-8 nerve root was identified only in 8 of the 20 cases. The cervical nerve roots also showed high variation, dividing into more than one branch as they exited the cervical transverse processes. Conclusion: Cervical paravertebral anatomy can be depicted with ultrasound imaging techniques. This could be highly clinically significant for the implementation of regional anesthesia techniques. © 2010 Springer-Verlag

Anatomic variations of the obturator nerve in the inguinal region: Implications in conventional and ultrasound regional anesthesia techniques

Background and Objectives: This study was conducted to provide a thorough description of the variability in the obturator nerve branching pattern in the inguinal region. Methods: The anatomic variability of obturator nerve branching among 84 dissected embalmed cadavers was investigated. Ultrasound examination of the inguinal region was undertaken in 20 cases and the location of the obturator nerve was identified. Results: The point of division for the obturator nerve into the anterior and posterior branches was intrapelvic (23.22%), within the obturator canal (51.78%), or in the thigh (25%). Most commonly, the anterior branch was divided among 3 major muscular branches (66.66%) that innervated the adductor longus, adductor brevis, and gracilis muscles. Four, and 2 subdivisions of the anterior branches were observed, in 4.76% and 28.57% of cases, respectively. The posterior branch predominantly separated into 2 divisions (60.11%), which provided innervation to the adductor brevis and adductor magnus muscles. In addition, either 1 (13.69%), 3 (19.04%), or 4 (7.14%) muscular divisions of the posterior branch were observed. The articular branch of the obturator nerve showed 9 different branching patterns, which most frequently arose from the common obturator nerve. The fascias medial to the femoral vessels and deep to the pectineus muscle were clearly visualized (100%) by ultrasound imaging. This region was used as an "imaging" landmark for localization (success rate of 80%) of the common obturator nerve. Conclusions: High anatomic variability in the obturator nerve's divisions and subdivisions does exist, and explains the difficulty frequently encountered in the application of regional anesthetic techniques. Copyright © 2009 by American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine