Health And Safety Issues Of Immersive Virtual Reality Technologies Essay Example

Health And Safety Issues Of Immersive Virtual Reality Technologies Paper Gupta, Wantland and Klien (1996) propose that many of the peripheral equipments used in VR are possible fomites. A fomite is a safe object that is capable to harbour pathogenic organisms and as such, may work as an agent for the transmission of infectivity. They then propose that airborne pathogens and skin flora flourish in atmospheres as similar to those of HMDs and hand controller devices. An added thought at this point is that HMDs are frequently of enclosed design and produce a substantial heat in powering the displays. This can regularly lead to some sweating for the user particularly if the immersive task needs a definite amount of physical activity. Immersion Injuries Both Gupta et al. (1996) and Viirre (1993) propose that there may also be a chance of injury while the user is using a fully immersive HMD. As Viirre proposes, when a user is using an HMD, they are operationally blind in actual terms. This can cause problems due to conflict with real world objects or probably the VR system cabling and even if the user has some external vision, the forceful immersive scene may divert attention from the real world. Additional, many HMDs also offer sound cues for the user that effectively reduce aural stimulation from the real world. Physiological Physiological problems are probably the most well documented and at present, well researched sickness problem recently credited to VR systems. In fact some accounted physiological side-effects such as simulator sickness have been studied for some time. Of the probable physiological side-effects, visual symptoms and motion sickness type symptoms emerge to cause the most concern. As a result, majority of the studies into physiological results has been focussed in these areas. Visual Issues The visual presentation of the virtual atmosphere is very significant. The processing and organisation of visual input engages the use of a larger portion of the brain than for any other sense. North (1993) approximated that for a complicated task such as driving, 90 per cent of the received information is visual. It is therefore not astonishing that producers go to great lengths to offer a compelling visual atmosphere. As proposed however, stereoscopic semi-immersive systems may have added side-effects. One of the prime causes for the origin of side-effects is proposed to be the dissociation of accommodation and union in the visual system. Indication of Near Market Development In 1993, Mon-Williams, Wann and Rushton accounted physiological symptoms in many subjects pursued by immersion in an HMD. Of the 20 subjects who contributed in their experiment, 12 complained of symptoms such as headache, eyestrain and nausea and 4 displayed a transient decrease in binocular visual acuity. The subjects also displayed symptoms of binocular stress that included modifications in heterophoria and an increment in near point of junction. Mon-Williams and Pascal (1995) proposed that these symptoms of visual/binocular stress were connected, not only to poor image quality and close working distance of the screens, but more primarily with the inconsistency between space and convergence requirement when using a stereoscopic HMD. This problem will take place in any stereoscopic system where the main image is shaped on a flat screen and stereo images are presented by demonstrating slightly dissimilar images to each eye. In the natural atmosphere, focus and union are essentially connected. If one accommodates (focuses) on a near object, the eyes will automatically unite. Likewise, if focus is transformed to a distant object, the eyes will mechanically deviate slightly (see Figure 1). Using stereoscopic display devices such as shutter glasses or HMDs, this will not happen. In this situation, the focal demand is always invariable but the convergence demand modifies as the user regards objects at different geometric depths in the virtual world. This accommodation/ convergence is not a natural occurrence and has been said to result in visual stress. Probable Health Benefits Mutually Howarth (1994) and Wilson (1996) point out that in addition to looking for problems; it is significant to make out that VR methods may also attest helpful in various applications. Recently there is much investigation work being carried out in the VR field that will be of benefit to users. In terms of physical issues, more usual interface methods may reduce static posture problems, the use of LCD displays may minimise vision problems associated with CRT displays and physical loads associated with keying (Wilson, 1996). VR also presents a much improved method for health and safety training, even though as Howarth (1994) proposes, this function is largely concealed. VR methods can be used in ergonomic assessment of workspace plan, for fast prototyping of control interfaces, for the simulation of probably dangerous surroundings such as nuclear plant maintenance and in education and training of users in parts such a s the maintenance of complicated machinery. As Howarth says, the fact that the use of VR has helped an operator avoid an accident or react correctly in the event of a crisis is largely unseen. VR also has numerous applications that can be directly linked to healthcare. In a white paper on the usage of Virtual Surroundings for Health Care, Moline (1995) shows numerous parts where patient care can be assisted by VR methods. These include:  · The use of VR for remote telesurgery.  · VR methods used in local surgery such as endoscopy, where the surgeon manipulates instruments by viewing a TV monitor.  · VEs used as surgical simulators or trainers.  · VEs used as therapy devices to reduce anxiety or fear. One example is dentists using 3D eyeglasses to divert a patients attentiveness during dental operations  · VEs are also being used to reduce phobias such as agoraphobia and vertigo. North, North and Coble (1996) present an indication of existing work in the use of VR methods t o decrease phobias in their book VR Therapy. Conclusion Investigation into the side effects of VR use is a complicated and difficult business and it is clear that concerns do remain about the outcomes of using such systems. Educational investigation does show that some indications happen whilst using VR tools and that these outcomes (such as nausea) can be quite incapacitating in the interim. Whether or not there is a lasting outcome is difficult to find out, partly because of the fact that VR methods are comparatively new and are constantly evolving. References Bolas, M.T. (1994). Human elements in the design of an immersive system. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 14, pp 55-59. Cobb, S.V.G., Nichols, S.C. and Wilson, J.R. (1995). Health and Safety Implications of Virtual Reality: In Search of an Experimental Methodology. Proceedings of FIVE ‘95 Conference. London, Dec. 1995. Costello, P.J. and Howarth, P.A. (1996a). Visual issues in virtual atmospheres – Part 1. Optometry Today, March 11 1996 pgs 34-36. Costello, P.J. and Howarth, P.A. (1996b). Visual issues in virtual atmospheres – Part 2. Optometry Today, April 8 1996 pgs 38-40. Costello, P.J. and Howarth, P.A. (1996c). The visual results of immersion in four virtual atmospheres. VISERG Internal Report 9604. Dain, S.J., A.K. McCarthy, and T. Chan-Ling. (1988). Symptoms in VDU Operators. American Journal of Optometry and Physiological Optics, 65(3): 162-167. Daum, K.M., G. Good, and L. Tijerina. (1988). Symptoms in Video Display Terminal Fatigue in Visual Display Terminal (VDT) Work. Acta Ophthalmologica, Supplement 185:175-176. Delaney, B. (1996). Drivers in Virtual Rigs. Cyberedge Journal Vol. 6, No. 6, Nov/Dec, pp 1, 4. Grandjean, E. (1987). Ergonomics in computerised offices. London, Taylor and Francis. Operators and the Presence of Small Refractive Errors. Journal of the American Optometric Association, 59(9): 691-697. Gupta, S.C., Wantland, C.A. and Klein, S.A. (1996). Cybe rpathology: Medical Concerns of VR Applications. Journal of Medicine and Virtual Reality 1996: 1 (2) 8-11. Havron, M. and Butler, L. (1957). Evaluation of training efficientness of the 2FH2 helicopter flight trainer research tool. Naval Training Device Centre, Port Washington, New York, NAVTRADEVCEN 1915-00-1. Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations. (1992). No. 2792. London, HMSO. Howarth, P.A. (1994). Virtual Reality: an occupational health hazard of the future? Presented at RCN Occupational Nurses Forum, Glasgow, Scotland, â€Å"Working for Health†, 22 April 1994. Howarth, P.A. (1996) Empirical Studies of Accommodation, Convergence, and HMD Use. Proceedings of the Hoso-Bunka Foundation Symposium, Tokyo, December 3 1996 Howarth, P.A. (1996). Virtual Reality (VR) Spans the Atlantic. Optometry Today, June 3 1996 pgs 37-38. Howarth, P.A. (1997). Oculomotor Changes within Virtual Atmospheres. In Press. Howarth, P.A. and Costello, P.J. (1996). Visual Results of Immersion in Virtual Atmospheres: Interim Results from the UK Health and Safety Executive Study, Presented at the Society for Information Display International Symposium, San Diego, Howarth, P.A. and Costello, P.J. (1997). The Occurrence of Virtual Simulation Sickness Symptoms when an HMD was used as a Personal Viewing System. Accepted for publication in Displays.. Howarth, P.A. and Istance, H.O. (1985). The association between visual discomfort and the use of visual display units. Behaviour and Information Technology, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp 131-149. Howarth, P.A. and Istance, H.O. (1986). The validity of subjective reports of visual discomfort. Human Elements 28(3) pgs 347-352. Kalawsky, R.S. (1996). Exploiting Virtual Reality Techniques in Education and Training: Technological Issues. SIMA Report Series ISSN 1356-5370. Kellogg, R.S., Castore, C. and Coward, R. (1980). Psychological results of training in a full vision simulator. Annual Scientific Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Associ ation. California, May 12-17, pgs 885-888. Kennedy, R.S. and Frank, L.H. (1985). A review of motion sickness with special reference to simulator sickness. (AD-A155 975), p.45. Canyon Research Group, Inc., Westlake Village, CA, 15th Apr. Kennedy, R.S., Berbauum, K.S., Lilienthal, M.G., Dunlap, W.P., Mulligan, B.F. and Funaro, J.F. (1987). Guidelines for alleviation of simulator sickness symptomatology. (NAVTRASYSCEN TR-87007) (AD-A182 554), p.68, March. Kolasinski, E.M. (1995). Simulator Sickness in Virtual Atmospheres. U.S. Army Research Institute, Technical Report 1027. Leuder, R. (1986). Work station design. In R. Leuder (ed.), The ergonomics payoff: Designing the electronic office. Toronto, Ont., Canada: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Maddox, E.E. (1893). The Clinical Use of Prisms; and the Decentring of Lenses. John Wright and Sons, Bristol, England. McCauley, M.E. and Sharkey, T.J. (1991). Cybersickness: Perception of Self-Motion in Virtual Atmospheres. Presence, 1, pp 311-317. Mo line, J. (1995). Virtual Atmospheres for Health Care. White Paper for the Advanced Technology Program (ATP). National Institute of Standards and Technology. Mon-Williams, M. and Pascal, E. (1995). Virtual Reality Displays, Implications for Optometrists. Optometry Today, Jan. 30th, pp 30-33. Mon-Williams, M., Wann, J.P. and Rushton, S. (1993). Binocular Vision in a Virtual World: Visual Deficits Following the Wearing of a Head-Mounted Display. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics. 13th Oct, pp 387-391. National Research Council. (1983). Visual Display, Work and Vision. National Academy Press. North, M., North, S. and Coble, J. (1996). Virtual Reality Therapy. IPI Press, Colorado Springs, CO, USA. North, R. (1993). Work and the Eye. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Pausch, R., Crea, T. and Conway, M. (1992). A Literature Survey for Virtual Atmospheres: Military Flight Simulator Visual Systems and Simulator Sickness. Presence, Vol. 1, No. 3, pp 344-363. Peli, E. (1995). Real vision and virtual reality. Optics and Photonics News, July, pp 28-34. Peli, E. (1996). Health and Safety Issues with Head Mounted Displays (HMD). Proceedings of the Hoso-Bunka Foundation Symposium, Tokyo, December 3, 1996. Pickwell, D., Jenkins, T. and Yekta, A.A. (1987). The result on fixation disparity and associated heterophoria of reading at an abnormally close distance. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp 345-347. Regan, E. and Price, K. (1993a). Some side-effects of Immersion Virtual Reality. APRE Report 93R010. Regan, E. and Price, K. (1993b). Some side-effects of Immersion Virtual Reality: An Investigation Into the Relationship between Inter-Pupillary Distance and Ocular Related Problems. APRE Report 93R023. Riva, G. (1996). But, Look at it This Way. Cyberedge Journal Vol. 6, No. 6, Nov/Dec, pp 10-11. Robinett, W. and Rolland, J.P. (1992). A Computational Model for the Stereoscopic Optics of a Head-Mounted Display. Presence 1, pp45-61. Schor, C.M. (1986). The Glenn A. Fry Award Lecture: Adaptive Regulation of Accommodative Vergence and Vergence Accommodation. American Journal of Optometry and Physio. Optics, 63, pp 587-609. Sethi, B. (1986). Vergence Adaptation: A Review. Documenta Ophthalmologica, 63, pp 247-263. Sheehy, J.B. and Wilkinson, M. (1989). Depth Perception after Prolonged Usage of Night Vision Goggles. Aviation, Space and Environ. Med., June, pp573-579. Shen, C.S., S.B. Chiu, A.H. Wang, and L.S. Ko. (1988). Accommodation and Visual Shotton, M.A. (1989). Computer Addiction? A Study of Computer Dependency. Taylor and Francis. So, R.H.Y. (1994). An investigation of the results of lags on motion sickness with a Head-Coupled Visual Display. In: Proceedings of the UK Informal Group Meeting on Human Response to Vibration. Alverstaoke, Gosport, Hants. 19-21 Sept. Viirre, E. (1994). A Survey of Medical Issues and Virtual Reality Technology. Virtual Reality World, August, pp 16-24. Wilson, J.R. (1996). Results of participating in virtual at mospheres: A review of current knowledge. Safety Science, Vol. 23, No.1, pp 39-51. Wilson, J.R., Nichols, S.C. and Ramsey, A. (1995). Virtual Reality Health and Safety: Facts, Speculation and Myths. VR News, Vol. 4, Issue. 9, pp 20-24. Youngblut, C., Johnson, R.E., Nash, S.H., Wienclaw, R.A. and Will, C.A. (1996). Review of Virtual Atmosphere Interface Technology, Institute for Defence Analyses (IDA), Paper P-3186.

Creativity Solves The Problems †Creative Writing Journal Entry 1

Creativity Solves The Problems – Creative Writing Journal Entry 1 Free Online Research Papers Creativity Solves The Problems Creative Writing Journal Entry 1 1. On the first question, she answered that she would be holding a white pebble while she is putting her hand inside the bag to choose one pebble, and would take it out after several moments, pretending that she had picked the white pebble. This is a possible solution to the problem, but also a rather dangerous one, as the merchant might notice the trick while she is still holding the white pebble in her hand and cancel the offer of withdrawing her fathers debt. While solving this, Maya didnt think for too long. After I repeated the question for the second time, she had already come up with the answer. 2. She didnt offer an answer to this question. The process of recombination took her more than 5 minutes, after which she rejected to continue thinking about the problem. 3. Again, she wasnt able to respond to this problem either. She kept on connecting the dots with five straight lines, but didnt stop trying and asked me to hide the answer from her, as she wanted to come to it by herself. I left her to practice the different combinations 4. Maya found this problem rather bizarre. According to her, the fact that the number of times for the boat to cross the river was not limited, it was very easy to respond to the question. She said that the kids would get off the boat, and the soldiers will, one by one, get on it. Then the children could continue with their play. However, she disregarded the fact that after the last soldiers gets to the other side, the boat will stay on his side, and the kids on the other one. 5. This was probably the most difficult problem for Maya. After a short period of time she became very inpatient and started to ask me about the answers right after I had posed the question. Her answers went in this order: brown; candle; empty; ghost; clock; honey; old man; poker; murder; artist; tsunami; hand; safe; summer; sword; prison; talk; dog; Christmas; interview. Apparently, she didnt get none of them correct. *Alex (creativity/solved most of the problems) 1. Alexs answer to the first question was identical to the one offered in the book. I was surprised by how fast he came to the answer, and he said that he hadnt heard of the problem before. 2. In order to place a burning candle vertically on the wall, Alex said that first he would place it inside the box of the candles and then light it and move the box next to a wall. In that way the candle would be burning in a vertical position and would still be touching the wall. It took him more than 5 minutes to come to this solution and he offered several very illogical solutions in between. 3. Alex connected the nine dots after a minute. He said he had done this before, and needed a minute to recollect the memory. He was very satisfied when the answer came to him. 4. The problem with the soldiers and the boat with the two children was the most time-consuming from all. It took him around fifteen minutes to come to the right solution. He suggested that one of the boys gets off on the other side and the other boy gets off at the side where the soldiers are. Then, the soldier would pass the river. After that, the boy thats on the other side would come and take the one that stayed with the soldiers and leave it on the side where theres only one soldier. Then he would get off on the side with the seven soldiers, and another soldier would get in the boat. etc. 5. Alex missed almost all of the answers on this exercise. This is what he answered: water; winter; Sisyphus; boxing; waiting; Ireland; England; hidden ace; paper; polish; flood; posh; photograph; sun; surprise; bell; Johnny; rabbit; jewelry; boring. He thought that the exercise was extremely culturally biased and that he didnt feel guilty for having given so many wrong answers. Research Papers on Creativity Solves The Problems - Creative Writing Journal Entry 1Mind TravelThe Hockey GameThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsCapital PunishmentWhere Wild and West MeetNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceThe Spring and AutumnBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationEffects of Television Violence on Children

Khomeini vs. the International Community Research Paper

Khomeini vs. the International Community - Research Paper Example The consequences and the overall aftermath of the crisis shall be evaluated. This paper is being carried out in order to establish a clear understanding of the US-Iran relations, especially during Khomeini rule and after the Iran hostage crisis. Iranian Revolution The Iranian revolution involves the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty under the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Demonstrations and protests were started in October 1977 mostly against what was viewed by the people as the oppressive and corrupt regime of Pahlavi (Kurzman, 2004). These protests escalated into a widespread civil disturbance leading into January 1978. These strikes severely compromised the stability of the country and culminated in the exile of Pahlavi by January of 1979 (Kurzman, 2004). Two weeks later, Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran and the regime of Pahlavi collapsed a month after Khomeini’s return. After a few months, a referendum was held and resulted in the establishment of the Islamic Rep ublic under Khomeini’s Supreme Leadership (Kurzman, 2004). ...His ideas, however, were largely objected to by the international community, especially in the face of human rights violations and other actions which were against international human rights and related laws. Khomeini was in exile before the revolution broke out, and when he finally returned to Iran, it was to a victorious revolution and to the highest political seat in Iran. He was lauded as a political and religious leader. Even if he was not involved directly in the revolution, he was a major part of it (Moin, 2000). His letters and messages spurred the revolutionary ideals of the Iranians who were not faring well under American-supported Shah Pavlavi. Khomeini, in other words, represented a leader for Iran who was committed to the revolutionary ideas, which the people were clamoring for (Chauvel, 1979). Hostage crisis background Before the US-supported Shah of Iran was deposed in 1979, Iran relations and the US were more or less diplomatic (Christopher and Mosk, 2007). At that point, the US considered itself an ally of Iran and the Shah. President Carter was especially expressive of his support for the Shah, even if in actuality, the latter was highly disfavored by the people (Scott, 2000). The revolution by the people against the Shah eventually led to the unseating of the Shah. The US persisted in its support for Shah Pavlavi by allowing him entry into the US for cancer treatment. However this backfired on the U.S. at it led to strong anti-American sentiments from the people of Iran who wanted the Shah to be returned to their country to face trial for his crimes against his people (Scott, 2000).