Virtual Sphere Research Articles

River blockage and impulse wave evolution of the Baige landslide in October 2018: Insights from coupled DEM-CFD analyses

On 11 October 2018, the Baige landslide in Southwest China blocked the Jinsha River and induced waves amplifying the landslide-affected area significantly. Devastating flood damage was caused by the consequent dam breach. Such a complex sequence can lead to catastrophic consequences but has rarely been fully reproduced. This paper investigates the landslide-river interaction of the first Baige landslide based on coupled discrete element method (DEM) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses. To this end, the volume of fluid (VOF) and virtual sphere model are adopted to realise impacted river tracing and accurate terrain modelling. The damming process and impulse wave evolution of the first event are well represented. In addition, the simulated cumulative landslide spreading path, deposit geometry, maximum wave elevation and cumulative wave erosion area satisfactorily match the survey results. Our findings further indicate that the movement path and deposit morphology of the Baige landslide are mainly affected by local terrain, while the propagation of impulse waves is driven by the sliding mass and modulated by the riverbank and hydrodynamic conditions. In particular, we discussed the evolution patterns of impulse waves caused by river damming landslides, encompassing run-up on the opposite bank and quasi-3D propagation along the river direction. This research provides a valuable guide for the practical simulation of river blockage and impulse wave evolution and supports the mitigation of landslide disasters in mountainous areas.

The show must go on(line): Livestreamed concerts and the hyper-ritualisation of genre conventions

This paper examines audience engagement at livestreamed concerts, a form of mediatised cultural consumption that saw an immense growth in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerts, as events that draw large groups of people with similar intentions, are the perfect location for the establishment of large-scale interaction rituals – moments of group behaviour characterised by a highly intense collective emotion. Furthermore, as social occasions, concerts are organised around a set of routine interactions that construct and define the collective experience. We argue that in moving online, the definition of the (concert) situation is highly impaired due to a context collapse. In comparing two distinct audiences (classical and Dutch popular music), the first aim of this research is to explore how these differing audiences adapt their cultural behaviour to the virtual sphere. Secondly, by adopting a microsociological perspective, we aim to broaden the theoretical understanding of virtual large-scale interaction rituals, an area becoming increasingly important due to the growth in online communication. This paper uses discourse analysis of the synchronised comments, left on livestreamed concerts on Facebook Live (n = 2,075), to examine the interaction between audience members. We find that both classical and Dutch popular music audiences use a form of hyper-ritualised interaction. In an attempt to combat the plurality of meanings online, they explicitly refer back to the central conventions of the face-to-face concert. This emphasises not only the significance of genre conventions, but also presents a form of virtual interaction distinct form interpersonal interaction.

USES SOCIAL NETWROKS PAVED THE WAY FOR SCIENTFIC EMERGENCE TECHNO-SOCIOLOGY AND TECHNO-PSYCHOLOGY

This research paper aims to shed the light on the effects of technology in formulating new concepts such as techno-sociology and techno-psychology. The purpose is to push researchers in disciplines such as sociology and psychology to search for the impact of social networks on the social sphere, as these networks have become part of the real social sphere and are no longer a virtual or digital sphere, but rather a living and realistic sphere that depends on technology that has become an infrastructure for this Communication is an essential component of all aspects of life and its daily requirements. Social networks have become part of the social and personal sphere, which is expressed in terms of techno-sociology and techno-psychological. This research paper relies on secondary sources in answering the main question, which is how the social and psychological formation of the new human being can be, and more precisely how the Internet, specifically social media, contributes to working on the formation of a different social and psychological personality associated with achieving the goals of the paper.

MP26-04 DEVELOPMENT OF VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) SIMULATION OF ROBOT-ASSISTED PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY USING METAVERSE

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP26-04 DEVELOPMENT OF VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) SIMULATION OF ROBOT-ASSISTED PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY USING METAVERSE Atsushi Okada, Kazuya Ohashi, Yuya Ota, Teruaki Sugino, Shoichiro Iwatsuki, Toshiki Etani, Kazumi Taguchi, Taku Naiki, Shuzo Hamamoto, Ryosuke Ando, Noriyasu Kawai, Keiichi Tozawa, and Takahiro Yasui Atsushi OkadaAtsushi Okada More articles by this author , Kazuya OhashiKazuya Ohashi More articles by this author , Yuya OtaYuya Ota More articles by this author , Teruaki SuginoTeruaki Sugino More articles by this author , Shoichiro IwatsukiShoichiro Iwatsuki More articles by this author , Toshiki EtaniToshiki Etani More articles by this author , Kazumi TaguchiKazumi Taguchi More articles by this author , Taku NaikiTaku Naiki More articles by this author , Shuzo HamamotoShuzo Hamamoto More articles by this author , Ryosuke AndoRyosuke Ando More articles by this author , Noriyasu KawaiNoriyasu Kawai More articles by this author , Keiichi TozawaKeiichi Tozawa More articles by this author , and Takahiro YasuiTakahiro Yasui More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003254.04AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: We have developed a virtual reality (VR) simulation for safe performance for robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). In order to share VR images with the surgical team, we developed a simulation that utilizes the virtual space (Metaverse). METHODS: Stereolithography (STL) files of skin, bone, renal parenchyma after nephrectomy, tumor, resection margin, artery, vein, and urinary tract were created from preoperative contrast-enhanced CT using the Ziostation®2 medical imaging workstation. Along with these files, we also integrated the STLs of 4 virtual trocars and a 7 cm virtual sphere for port-to-port measurements in the application Holoeyes XR. Three to four doctors wore immersive 3D goggles and became avatars in the metaverse to observe patient anatomy constructed in VR. RESULTS: In the Metaverse, not only did all doctors simultaneously observe the patient's unique three-dimensional anatomy as avatars, but there were also scenes where instructors instructed surgeons on approach methods. We were able to discuss the method of suturing from the location of the vessels and urinary collecting system exposed on the resected surface by partial nephrectomy. In addition, the virtual trocars could be used to determine the optimal port position for da Vinci operation. CONCLUSIONS: VR simulation for RAPN using Metaverse was shown to be useful not only for achieving safe surgery by sharing information about the surgical process with the team, but also for surgeon education. Source of Funding: Japanese Society of Endourology Grant © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e353 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Atsushi Okada More articles by this author Kazuya Ohashi More articles by this author Yuya Ota More articles by this author Teruaki Sugino More articles by this author Shoichiro Iwatsuki More articles by this author Toshiki Etani More articles by this author Kazumi Taguchi More articles by this author Taku Naiki More articles by this author Shuzo Hamamoto More articles by this author Ryosuke Ando More articles by this author Noriyasu Kawai More articles by this author Keiichi Tozawa More articles by this author Takahiro Yasui More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Bridging the urban-rural digital divide: taxonomy of the best practice and critical reflection of the EU countries’ approach

ABSTRACT This paper explores and interrogates existing approaches to urban-rural digital divide reduction. The EU and its member states are applying fragmented and diverse digitalization of territories. Any systematic review of best practice and the juxtaposition of urban and rural areas is lacking. The authors present a taxonomy of key European rural digitalization approaches and determined EU country clusters according to the extent of their use, with a critical analysis of the context of their successes or failures. The key finding is identification of digital infrastructure and virtual sphere coherence as a challenge for bridging the urban-rural digital divide.

Dithering Eyes: Or, Correspondences with Erratic Bodies

AbstractThis article discusses an experimental seeing machine and its spatial, sensorial, and technical implications. By examining this real-time motion tracking and visualization system and reflecting on how it engendered embodied experiences of sharing movement across physical and virtual bodily spheres, the author raises questions about the construction of identity, visibility regimes, technical glitches, indeterminacy, and error. The mediating space, emerging through the coexistence of and interference between these distinct technologies/bodies brought together in common points of view, also suggests another mode of perception, perhaps unsettling what it means to “see.”

‘Virtual sphere’ in the framework of knowledge strategy and the function as common educational tool: Knowledge societies in COVID-19 era

Habermas’ (1974) concept of the ‘public sphere’ (öffentlichkeit) enabled the bourgeoisie to participate in the process of discussing social issues and making various decisions which were influential in the formation of the laws regulating social life. Same time, it is an important common educational tool. Although the public sphere refers to citizens expressing their idea in a society, the virtual sphere has rapidly moved on to the Internet environment using social media. Within the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread to many countries and has been causing serious repercussions as a pandemic. The use of digital technologies has increased significantly during the pandemic, and they have helped transform people’s lives. In this context, Discussion of virtual sphere has also gained importance. Codification and personalization types of knowledge strategy will be followed in this study by conceptualizing a framework, which will be designed by understanding the virtual sphere in a society. There is still a literature gap the relationship between public sphere and virtual sphere as well as the lack of understanding for the integration of knowledge strategies (codification and personalization) with virtual sphere 1.0 and 2.0 in the context of tacit and explicit knowledge. The main problematic issue of this study revolves around how two type of knowledge strategies could be used by virtual spheres 1.0 and 2.0. Two propositions which will be expected to contribute to the literature were developed in the study to understand the roles of two types of knowledge strategies in relation to virtual sphere variants regarding the digital society and knowledge society.

Fenomena Meme dan Ruang Publik Dalam Media Sosial

Social media is communication space allowing person to discus about an issue, especially public issues interactively. One of the unique social media messages is Meme. Meme is a term in explaining a phenomenon of communication messages by modified images, text and so on to convey the messages, views, opinions to the ideology of the creator. Memes spread and become viral through redistribution by other. This article aims to explain memes and its spreading (mimetic communication) in the social media. The main source of this research is a book entitled “communicating with memes: consequences in post truth civilization” written by Grant Kien. From analysis of this book, then it is used to describes the phenomena of Memes in the virtual public sphere. The results of analysis show that memes are a manifestation of the the social media development. Social media allows each individual have freedom to design and create the content of social media especially memes. Memes is a messages that created by individuals intentionally, then it is distributed in social media with various characters and functions. In the virtual public space, memes is used to convey messages regarding the Creator’s and disseminator’s view, stance and opinion about social issues. However, memes sometimes tend to break the standard of ethic, might get offensive for some people, and shallow. Keywords :Memes, Social Media And Virtual Public Speher

The Web 2.0 social media as a space for the creation of classical music experiences in the time of the pandemic: The case of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra

This paper shows how classical music left its canon-guaranteed spaces of the concert hall and stepped toward a broader community of audience using the virtual sphere of Web 2.0 social media tools, on the example of the work of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. We analyze how this orchestra uses social media to present and promote its repertoire and work during the period of pandemic measures and restrictions. The analysis indicates that in all its social media activities the orchestra was guided by the preservation of an autonomous aesthetic quality of classical music, as its value must remain present in whatever tools and formats an art institution presents itself. Various tactics of using social media tools were the opportunity to position classical music from the art of performance into a system of mediated and information-distributed culture along with the development of participatory turn as a wider audience engagement in classical music through producing social media user-generated content. The orchestra's use of social media during the time of the pandemic reflects several ways of changing classical music practice: connecting to new audiences in new ways, moving out of the concert hall, redefining the community relevance of a classical music institution, and initiating paths for collaboration between performers and the audiences.

Analysis and Discussion on Ellipsoidal and virtual sphere models used for transverse arrangement INS

AbstractTransverse arrangement is one of the main methods used in the polar inertial navigation system (INS). In the traditional algorithm, the calculation of using the earth ellipsoid model is complex, while using the earth sphere model cannot satisfy a high-accuracy application. Therefore, an approach based on the virtual sphere model is proposed, which has been proved in simulation experiments to reduce the computational complexity and maintain the same accuracy as the ellipsoid algorithm, but its accuracy has not yet been proved in theory. Starting from the basic principles of the ellipsoid and virtual sphere model algorithm, this paper compares the key formulations of the two. Finally, it is proved that the two arrangements are actually the same.

A Tale of Two Languages in Blogging: Code-Switching Analysis in Pakistani Blogosphere

Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) have brought about a new medium for information sharing and communication and weblogs are becoming more and more popular in the virtual sphere. The process of code- switching can be traced in this fast evolving medium of communication. This paper aims at investigating the existence of code-switching patterns by examining the categories and frequency of Urdu code-switches in Pakistani English weblogs authored by Pakistani bloggers. The quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in this study. The blog entries of 10 Pakistani bloggers were analyzed by using the descriptive research paradigm. The findings illustrated that the linguistic choices of Pakistani bloggers as bilingual internet users are living in between two worlds, two cultures, and two languages which they employ in this mode of communication to fully express themselves. The findings showed the linguistic features that are particular to the context of CMC. The study concluded that the presence of code-switching in CMC have to be considered and treated as a unique and different entity from spoken form or written form of code-switching to capture its fundamental attributes.

The Catholic Church and Media: Promoting the Church’s Presence in Social Media

Christ’s mandate to go and make disciples of all nations requires new ways of evangelization that use the cyberspace, including social media as the most recent technology with an increasing number of users. Spreading the Gospel on social media is clearly different from the ways of the past when preachers had to travel hundreds or thousands of miles, sometimes taking months, to reach their audience. Just as there have been people promoting the importance of social media to the growth and benefit of the Church, however, there have also been those doomsaying about the dangers of social media and the damage that it can inflict on the society’s stance towards religion as well as the negative influence that it can have on individuals: making people physically antisocial and destroying the traditions and basic institutions of the Church. Examples of such dangers include not attending Mass to hear the word of God since the Bible and sermons are readily available in the virtual sphere. But the fact is that digital media, including social media, are happening, and it will be to the Church’s disadvantage if she chooses to be in denial and not use them for the greater good, thus risking being left behind in a constantly and rapidly modernizing world.

Quantifying stress level reduction induced by urban greenery perception

Urban stress is one of today’s most critical health challenges that urban stakeholders need to urgently address. However, while the positive role of nature for mental health and stress level reduction has been widely reported, the role distinct urban green infrastructure design characteristics play in citizen stress level reduction is yet to be understood. This paper presents a novel methodology where virtual reality, eye-tracking technologies, biometric sensing for heart rate variability, and participant questionnaires have been combined, to evaluate the psychological and physiological stress level reduction capacity of urban green infrastructure. 30 subjects have participated in a virtual reality immersion of 12 urban squares. 360° images were captured for each square, and mapped on a virtual sphere surrounding the participant. For each urban square, the green view index was computed using semantic image classification, and based on the obtained green view index values, the images were organized in two blocks: green >35% and non-green <20%. The eye-tracking data showed significant differences between green and non-green blocks. Fixation counts decreased in the green image block, which is an indicator of stress reduction. The perceived restorativeness scale questionnaire also reported highly significant differences with higher global scores for the green image block.

Web 2.0 at the Heart of Myanmar’s Turmoil

As digitalization has transformed arguably all aspects of human existence and co-existence, it has obviously made its way into the realms of politics, diplomacy, and the dynamics of emerging social tendencies on all levels – global, regional and local. This study takes a look at how Web 2.0 has affected Myanmar’s public conflicts during the last two decades – and does so from the standpoint of social sciences, examining the unique nature of Burmese online development compared to other parts of the world, analyzing the interrelated nature of civil and government actions in the virtual sphere and on the streets alike. Looking at the related details of recent and partially ongoing social tragedies of Myanmar, this paper shows both how deeply Web 2.0 can infiltrate offline reality, and how obvious its limits are still in the hands of humans.

მცირე ბიზნესში ციფრული და კოგნიტური ტექნოლოგიების გამოყენების აქტუალურობა გლობალური პანდემიის პირობებში

მცირე ბიზნესში ციფრული და კოგნიტური ტექნოლოგიების გამოყენების აქტუალურობა გლობალური პანდემიის პირობებში

“What a nasty girl!” incivility and gendered symbolic violence in news discussions

ABSTRACT This study examines conversations developed in the virtual public sphere to identify if a user’s gender affects the presence of incivility in news comment sections. By relying on a mixed-method analysis of 1,961 news comments published on a Chilean news website, we observed the extent to which uncivil speech and gendered symbolic violence traits are used to reinforce stereotypes against women. Our results show men are more likely to post uncivil comments, while women use fewer profanities, insulting language, and stereotypes. One of our most intriguing findings is that men tend to receive more uncivil replies that women, mostly because they are more likely to initiate uncivil conversations, which in turn triggers uncivil replies and increases the odds of uncivil comment threads. As such, news outlets looking for enhancing healthy discussions should encourage greater participation of female users in their comment sections. We also identified the presence of hegemonic masculinity discourses referring to women and their gender roles in society. These findings reveal that comment sections mirror a social hierarchy in which men have a position of power that allows them to be more uncivil. Consequently, the virtual public sphere replicates the dominant-subordinate relationships described by previous research.

Twitter as a Public Sphere for COVID-19 Vaccine Discussion

This study aims to discover how Gen Z discusses the COVID-19 vaccine through social media discussion, participation, and ideas in a virtual public space. Recently, online media coverage has been massive, especially regarding the COVID-19 vaccine produced in Indonesia or purchased by the Indonesian government from foreign countries. Another thing that was also discussed was the priority of the vaccine recipients, which ministers in Indonesia presented with different approaches. Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, emphasized that lecturers and teachers are prioritized to receive vaccines. Previously, the coordinating minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, said medical personnel was prioritized. The Chief Executive of COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee (KPCPEN), Erick Thohir, also stated that health workers were a priority. Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Terawan, noted that the priority for vaccine recipients is medic, paramedic, public services, TNI/Polri, and all educators. This variety of information and news is understood differently by the Indonesian people, including among Gen Z. Using the virtual public sphere, where freedom of expression in a democratic manner is the key to the emancipatory communication process. This research method uses extensive data analysis to collect conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine on social media, especially on Twitter, from 1-31 March 2021. The results show that although Generation Z is actively involved in the COVID-19 Vaccine discussion, they are not The Prominent Key Opinion Leader (KOL), who is the key player in communicating this issue via Twitter.

Creation of an Internet public sphere by South Africa's Independent Electoral Commission and Elections Canada

A prerequisite for a healthy, sustainable democracy is an informed citizenry that participates inthe democratic process (see Habermas, 1989:49). In recent years much discourse on the mediaand democracy correlation has focused on the potential role of the Internet in facilitating politicalcommunication by establishing a virtual public sphere.This article investigates the extent to which the South African (IEC) and Canadian electoralcommissions’ websites have succeeded in establishing a virtual public sphere. The ElectionsCanada web site (representing an established democracy) has succeeded better at resemblingsome of the normative principles of the public sphere theory than has the IEC.

Business innovations in Poland’s tourism sector during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the tourism and hospitality industry. Lockdowns undermined the existence of many companies in this sector; some businesses were forced to shut down. Everyone was looking for alternative ways to continue doing business and survive the crisis. One of the obvious choices regarding the necessary transformation of activities was the Internet. Since it was impossible to go on doing business the usual way, many companies moved their activity to the virtual sphere. This, however, required developing new business models and the Internet turned out to have a lot of potential in this regard. The following article contains a comparison of Internet-based business models used in the hotel, tourism and catering industries. The study is based on a review of literature, the trade press and regulations as well as case studies. The comparison focuses on new information content added to websites, ways of maintaining contact / relationship, provision of basic services and marketing communication. The pandemic created many new opportunities and forced companies to develop new ways of implementing existing services or introduce new solutions, which were identified in the study. The most important finding is that while the pandemic was a difficult period for the industry, it has generated some added value that can expand the range of available services.

Web 2.0 at the Heart of Myanmar’s Turmoil

As digitalization has transformed arguably all aspects of human existence and co-existence, it has obviously made its way into the realms of politics, diplomacy and the dynamics of emerging social tendencies on all levels – global, regional and local. This study takes a look at how Web 2.0 has affected Myanmar’s public conflicts during the last two decades – and does so from the standpoint of social sciences, examining the unique nature of Burmese online development compared to other parts of the world, analyzing the interrelated nature of civil and government actions in the virtual sphere and on the streets alike. Looking at the related details of recent and partially ongoing social tragedies of Myanmar, this paper shows both how deeply Web 2.0 can infiltrate offline reality, and how obvious its limits are still in the hands of humans.