Search for: All records

Background. Simulation has revolutionized teaching and learning. However, traditional manikins are limited in their ability to exhibit emotions, movements, and interactive eye gaze. As a result, students struggle with immersion and may be unable to authentically relate to the patient. Intervention. We developed a new type of patient simulator called the Physical-Virtual Patients (PVP) which combines the physicality of manikins with the richness of dynamic visuals. The PVP uses spatial Augmented Reality to rear project dynamic imagery (e.g., facial expressions, ptosis, pupil reactions) on a semi-transparent physical shell. The shell occupies space and matches the dimensions of a human head. Methods. We compared two groups of third semester nursing students (N=59) from a baccalaureate program using a between-participant design, one group interacting with a traditional high-fidelity manikin versus a more realistic PVP head. The learners had to perform a neurological assessment. We measured authenticity, urgency, and learning. Results. Learners had a more realistic encounter with the PVP patient (p=0.046), they were more engaged with the PVP condition compared to the manikin in terms of authenticity of encounter and cognitive strategies. The PVP provoked a higher sense of urgency (p=0.002). There was increased learning for the PVP group compared to the manikin group on the pre and post-simulation scores (p=0.027). Conclusion. The realism of the visuals in the PVP increases authenticity and engagement which results in a greater sense of urgency and overall learning. 

Multi-modal wearable sensors monitoring physiology and environment simultaneously would offer a great promise to manage respiratory health, especially for asthmatic patients. In this study, we present a preliminary investigation of the correlation between ozone exposure, heart rate, heart rate variability, and lung function. As the first step, we tested the effect of low-level ozone exposure in a sample size of four healthy individuals. Test subjects underwent controlled exposure from 0.06 to 0.08 ppm of ozone and filtered air on two separate exposure days. Our results indicate an increment in mean heart rate in three out of four test subjects when exposed to ozone. We have also observed that changes in mean heart rate has a positive correlation with changes in lung function and a negative correlation with changes in neutrophil count. These results provide a baseline understanding of healthy subjects as a control group. 

Embodied virtual agents serving as patient simulators are widely used in medical training scenarios, ranging from physical patients to virtual patients presented via virtual and augmented reality technologies. Physical-virtual patients are a hybrid solution that combines the benefits of dynamic visuals integrated into a human-shaped physical form that can also present other cues, such as pulse, breathing sounds, and temperature. Sometimes in simulation the visuals and shape do not match. We carried out a human-participant study employing graduate nursing students in pediatric patient simulations comprising conditions associated with matching/non-matching of the visuals and shape. 

Conventional Intelligent Virtual Agents (IVAs) focus primarily on the visual and auditory channels for both the agent and the interacting human: the agent displays a visual appearance and speech as output, while processing the human’s verbal and non-verbal behavior as input. However, some interactions, particularly those between a patient and healthcare provider, inherently include tactile components.We introduce an Intelligent Physical-Virtual Agent (IPVA) head that occupies an appropriate physical volume; can be touched; and via human-in-the-loop control can change appearance, listen, speak, and react physiologically in response to human behavior. Compared to a traditional IVA, it provides a physical affordance, allowing for more realistic and compelling human-agent interactions. In a user study focusing on neurological assessment of a simulated patient showing stroke symptoms, we compared the IPVA head with a high-fidelity touch-aware mannequin that has a static appearance. Various measures of the human subjects indicated greater attention, affinity for, and presence with the IPVA patient, all factors that can improve healthcare training. 

Smart windows in which the transmittance can be controlled on demand are a promising solution for the reduction of energy use in buildings. Windows are often the most energy inefficient part of a building, and so controlling the transmittance has the potential to significantly improve heating costs. Whilst numerous approaches exist, many suitable materials are costly to manufacture and process and so new materials could have a significant impact. Here we describe a gel-based device which is both photo- and electrochromic. The gel matrix is formed by the self-assembly of a naphthalene diimide. The radical anion of the naphthalene diimide can be formed photo or electrochemically, and leads to a desirable transition from transparent to black. The speed of response, low potential needed to generate the radical anion, cyclability of the system, temperature stability and low cost mean these devices may be suitable for applications in smart windows.

 

Tissue engineering has emerged as an important research area that provides numerous research tools for the fabrication of biologically functional constructs that can be used in drug discovery, disease modeling, and the treatment of diseased or injured organs. From a materials point of view, scaffolds have become an important part of tissue engineering activities and are usually used to form an environment supporting cellular growth, differentiation, and maturation. Among various materials used as scaffolds, hydrogels based on natural polymers are considered one of the most suitable groups of materials for creating tissue engineering scaffolds. Natural hydrogels, however, do not always provide the physicochemical and biological characteristics and properties required for optimal cell growth. This review discusses the properties and tissue engineering applications of widely used natural hydrogels. In addition, methods of modulation of their physicochemical and biological properties using soft nanoparticles as fillers or reinforcing agents are presented.