Designing and Evaluating a VR Lobby for a Socially Enriching Remote Opera Watching Experience.

The latest social VR technologies have enabled users to attend traditional media and arts performances together while being geographically removed, making such experiences accessible despite budget, distance, and other restrictions. In this work, we aim at improving the way remote performances are shared by designing and evaluating a VR theatre lobby which serves as a space for users to gather, interact, and relive the common experience of watching a virtual opera. We conducted an initial test with experts ($\mathrm{N}=10$, i.e., designers and opera enthusiasts) in pairs using our VR lobby prototype, developed based on the theoretical lobby design concept. A unique aspect of our experience is its highly realistic representation of users in the virtual space. The test results guided refinements to the VR lobby structure and implementation, aiming to improve the user experience and align it more closely with the social VR lobby's intended purpose. With the enhanced prototype, we ran a between-subject controlled study ($\mathrm{N}=40$) to compare the user experience in the social VR lobby between individuals and paired participants. To do so, we designed and validated a questionnaire to measure the user experience in the VR lobby. Results of our mixed-methods analysis, including interviews, questionnaire results, and user behavior, reveal the strength of our social VR lobby in connecting with other users, consuming the opera in a deeper manner, and exploring new possibilities beyond what is common in real life. All supplemental materials are available at https://github.com/cwi-dis/IEEEVR2024-VRLobby.

A real-world dataset of group emotion experiences based on physiological data.

Affective computing has experienced substantial advancements in recognizing emotions through image and facial expression analysis. However, the incorporation of physiological data remains constrained. Emotion recognition with physiological data shows promising results in controlled experiments but lacks generalization to real-world settings. To address this, we present G-REx, a dataset for real-world affective computing. We collected physiological data (photoplethysmography and electrodermal activity) using a wrist-worn device during long-duration movie sessions. Emotion annotations were retrospectively performed on segments with elevated physiological responses. The dataset includes over 31 movie sessions, totaling 380 h+ of data from 190+ subjects. The data were collected in a group setting, which can give further context to emotion recognition systems. Our setup aims to be easily replicable in any real-life scenario, facilitating the collection of large datasets for novel affective computing systems.

Is that My Heartbeat? Measuring and Understanding Modality-Dependent Cardiac Interoception in Virtual Reality.

Measuring interoception ('perceiving internal bodily states') has diagnostic and wellbeing implications. Since heartbeats are distinct and frequent, various methods aim at measuring cardiac interoceptive accuracy (CIAcc). However, the role of exteroceptive modalities for representing heart rate (HR) across screen-based and Virtual Reality (VR) environments remains unclear. Using a PolarH10 HR monitor, we develop a modality-dependent cardiac recognition task that modifies displayed HR. In a mixed-factorial design (N=50), we investigate how task environment (Screen, VR), modality (Audio, Visual, Audio-Visual), and real-time HR modifications (±15%, ±30%, None) influence CIAcc, interoceptive awareness, mind-body measures, VR presence, and post-experience responses. Findings showed that participants confused their HR with underestimates up to 30%; environment did not affect CIAcc but influenced mind-related measures; modality did not influence CIAcc, however including audio increased interoceptive awareness; and VR presence inversely correlated with CIAcc. We contribute a lightweight and extensible cardiac interoception measurement method, and implications for biofeedback displays.

Towards socialVR: evaluating a novel technology for watching videos together.

Social VR enables people to interact over distance with others in real-time. It allows remote people, typically represented as avatars, to communicate and perform activities together in a shared virtual environment, extending the capabilities of traditional social platforms like Facebook and Netflix. This paper explores the benefits and drawbacks provided by a lightweight and low-cost Social VR platform (SocialVR), in which users are captured by several cameras and reconstructed in real-time. In particular, the paper contributes with (1) the design and evaluation of an experimental protocol for Social VR experiences; (2) the report of a production workflow for this new type of media experiences; and (3) the results of experiments with both end-users (N = 15 pairs) and professionals (N = 22 companies) to evaluate the potential of the SocialVR platform. Results from the questionnaires and semi-structured interviews show that end-users rated positively towards the experiences provided by the SocialVR platform, which enabled them to sense emotions and communicate effortlessly. End-users perceived the photo-realistic experience of SocialVR similar to face-to-face scenarios and appreciated this new creative medium. From a commercial perspective, professionals confirmed the potential of this communication medium and encourage further research for the adoption of the platform in the commercial landscape. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10055-022-00651-5.

CorrNet: Fine-Grained Emotion Recognition for Video Watching Using Wearable Physiological Sensors.

Recognizing user emotions while they watch short-form videos anytime and anywhere is essential for facilitating video content customization and personalization. However, most works either classify a single emotion per video stimuli, or are restricted to static, desktop environments. To address this, we propose a correlation-based emotion recognition algorithm (CorrNet) to recognize the valence and arousal (V-A) of each instance (fine-grained segment of signals) using only wearable, physiological signals (e.g., electrodermal activity, heart rate). CorrNet takes advantage of features both inside each instance (intra-modality features) and between different instances for the same video stimuli (correlation-based features). We first test our approach on an indoor-desktop affect dataset (CASE), and thereafter on an outdoor-mobile affect dataset (MERCA) which we collected using a smart wristband and wearable eyetracker. Results show that for subject-independent binary classification (high-low), CorrNet yields promising recognition accuracies: 76.37% and 74.03% for V-A on CASE, and 70.29% and 68.15% for V-A on MERCA. Our findings show: (1) instance segment lengths between 1-4 s result in highest recognition accuracies (2) accuracies between laboratory-grade and wearable sensors are comparable, even under low sampling rates (≤64 Hz) (3) large amounts of neutral V-A labels, an artifact of continuous affect annotation, result in varied recognition performance.

Comparación estadística entre modelo de yeso, digitalizado e impreso en 3D / Statistic comparison of digitalized plaster models and printed in 3D

Se realizaron mediciones en los ejes x, y, z sobre modelos dentales de yeso, digitalizados e impresos con impresoras 3D, con fines comparativos, estadísticos y evaluativos, cuyo objetivo fue estimar el grado de coincidencia significativa entre los modelos, realizados por dos profesionales, en dos momentos diferentes. Los resultados arrojaron datos de gran precisión en forma y tamaño en los tres estudios, con mínima distorsión (no significativa, p =0,05), lo que determinó la importancia de implementación en forma institucional o privado el estudio digital de los mismos, para realizar comparaciones, mediciones, diagnósticos y acopio de modelos virtuales en un ordenador, siendo estos más precisos y de menor tiempo de trabajo (AU)

Measurements were made in the x, y, z axes on gypsum dental models, digitized and printed with 3D printers, for comparative, statistical and evaluative purposes, whose objective was estimate the degree of significant coincidence between models, that were made by two professionals, at two different times.The results were the achieve of data with a great shape´s and size´s precisionat the three studies, with minimal distortion (not significant, p = 0.05), which determined the importance of the institutional or private way of an implementation of the model´s digital studies, with the aim of doing comparisons, measurements, diagnostics, and collection of virtual models in a computer, to being more precise and with less work time (AU)

Implantología digital con guías quirúrgicas 3D / Digital implantology with 3D surgical guides

Se utilizaron métodos digitales de fabricación para guías quirúrgicas de restricción absoluta, para la colocación asistida de implantes dentales que facilitaron la predicción y planificación de la rehabilitación protética virtual a través de protocolos de CAD-CAM con impresoras 3D de escritorio, aditivas, de bajo costo-eficiencia, obteniendo exactitud controlada y alta precisión, lo que permitió reproducibilidad y predecibilidad implantológica. Con el fin de universalizar, promover y difundir el uso de la tecnología 3D como herramienta facilitadora que la práctica dental actual requiere, se investigó la desviación entre la posición planeada y la final encontrada de los implantes colocados bajo asistencia guiada, dando como resultado una discrepancia clínicamente insignificante que sugiere que la guía quirúrgica en impresoras 3D puede ser utilizada como herramienta clínica para posicionar adecuadamente los implantes dentales.

Superposición de modelos en 3D / 3D models overlay

Se superpusieron archivos digitales 3D de modelos dentales en un ordenador, con fines comparativos. Para lograr dicho objetivo se usaron 18 modelos dentales digitalizados por método de escaneo directo, en el Círculo Argentino de Odontología. El archivo exportable se dirigió por software de código abierto Meshlab, donde se observó exactitud, reproducibilidad e inalterabilidad de las muestras; dicho resultado determinó la importancia de difundir, a nivel institucional y particular, dicha práctica, considerando, en el diagnóstico, que las visualizaciones o mediciones directas sobre modelos estándar son, no solamente más imprecisas, sino que implican un mayor tiempo de rabajo.

Unnoticed biloma due to liver puncture after Veress needle insertion.

Laparoscopic surgery has become more widespread in the last years. Creating the pneumoperitoneum is the first surgical procedure but it is still responsible for many of the adverse events described in this field. Until now, liver puncture producing a delayed biloma has not been described. We present a case where a biloma was developed after liver puncture by the Veress needle, during a laparoscopic procedure, and detected on the 3rd day. It was detected by CT scan and treated by laparoscopy. Biloma due to Veress needle is a new entity in the context of adverse events related to Veress needle insertion, which needs a high suspicious index. We recommend to do Palmer's test and to check the insertion and to look for possible lesions below with the camera in order to minimize incidence of such injuries. Should this happen, laparoscopic or percutaneous drainage are both suitable alternatives to solve this complication.

Multiple nodal locoregional recurrence of pheochromocytoma.

INTRODUCTION: Malignancy is present in 10% of pheochromocytomas (PCC) and is defined as local/vascular infiltration of surrounding tissues or the presence of chromaffin cells deposits in distant organs. The presence of isolated nodal recurrence is very rare and only 7 cases have been reported in the medical literature. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: The case of a 32-y male with a symptomatic recurrence of a previously operated (2-years ago) PCC is presented. Radiological and functional imaging studies confirmed the presence of multiple nodules in the surgical site. A radical left nephrectomy with extensive lymphatic clearance in order to get an R0 resection was performed. The pathologist confirmed the diagnosis of massive locoregional nodal invasion. DISCUSSION: A detailed histological report and a thorough genetic study must be considered in every operated PCC in order to identify mutations and profiles of risk for malignancy. When recurrence or metastastic disease is suspected, imaging and functional exams are done in order to obtain a proper staging. Radical surgery for the metastatic disease is the only treatment that may provide prolonged survival. If an R0 resection is not possible, then a debulking surgery is a good option when the benefit/risk ratio is acceptable. CONCLUSION: Isolated lymph nodal recurrence is very rare in malignant PCC, with only 7 cases previously published. The role of surgery is essential to get long-term survival because provides clinical and functional control of the disease.

Thyroid metastasis as initial presentation of clear cell renal carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Metastatic tumors account for 1.4-2.5% of thyroid malignancies. About 25-30% of patients with clear cell renal carcinoma (CCRC) have distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis, being the thyroid gland a rare localization [5%]. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: A 62-year woman who underwent a cervical ultrasonography and a PAAF biopsy reporting atypical follicular proliferation with a few intranuclear vacuoles "suggestive" of thyroid papillary cancer in the context of a multinodular goiter was reported. A total thyroidectomy was performed and the histology of a clear cell renal carcinoma (CCRC) was described in four nodules of the thyroid gland. A CT scan was performed and a renal giant right tumor was found. The patient underwent an eventful radical right nephrectomy and the diagnosis of CCRC was confirmed. DISCUSSION: Thyroid metastasis (TM) from CCRC are usually apparent in a metachronic context during the follow-up of a treated primary (even many years after) but may sometimes be present at the same time than the primary renal tumor. Our case is exceptional because the TM was the first evidence of the CCRC, which was subsequently diagnosed and treated. CONCLUSION: The possibility of finding of an incidental metastatic tumor in the thyroid gland from a previous unknown and non-diganosed primary (as CCRC in our case was) is rare and account only for less than 1% of malignancies. Nonetheless, the thyroid gland is a frequent site of metastasis and the presence of "de novo" thyroid nodules in oncologic patients must be always considered and studied.

Abdomen agudo secundario a complicación de miomatosis uterina gigante / Acute abdomen secondary to complication of a giant uterine myoma

No disponible

Results of adrenal surgery. Data of a Spanish National Survey.

PURPOSE: Given the availability of laparoscopy and the rising detection of incidentalomas, indications for adrenalectomy may be changing. The Endocrine Surgery Section of the Spanish Association of Surgeons designed a survey to assess its indications, techniques, and results in Spanish Surgical Departments. METHODS: Collected data included hospital and department type, yearly hospital volume of procedures; location studies and preoperative preparation performed, indications, surgical approach and instruments used, and results in terms of morbidity and overall hospital stay. The analysis included a comparison between results of high- or low-volume centers and surgeons, using the Student's t test for quantitative and chi-square test for qualitative variables. Level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Nineteen centers returned the questionnaire, including 155 adrenalectomies performed in 2008. Most frequent indications were pheochromocytoma (23.2%), aldosteronoma (16.7%), incidentaloma (12.2%), metastasis (10.3%), Cushing adenoma (9.6%), and carcinoma (3.8%). Laparoscopy was performed in 83.9% of cases (9.4% required conversion to laparotomy). Four patients required urgent reoperation. Average hospital stay: 4.6 days (3.3 days after laparoscopy, 7 days after laparotomy). High-volume centers had a greater proportion of laparoscopically treated cases (p = 0.008), more malignant lesions treated (p = 0.03), a shorter overall stay (p < 0.0001), and a shorter stay after laparotomic adrenalectomy (p = 0.01). High-volume surgeons had similar results, and less in-hospital morbidity (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, adrenalectomy is performed in hospitals of varying complexity. Laparoscopic approach is the rule, with good results in terms of morbidity and stay. High-volume centers and surgeons had best results in terms of use of minimally invasive surgery and hospital stay.

[Detection of neoplastic lesions in cirrhotic patients waiting for liver transplantation]. / Detección de lesiones neoplásicas en pacientes cirróticos candidatos a trasplante hepático.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a frequent complication of cirrhosis. Liver transplantation is a valid therapeutic option for this disease providing that certain morphologic selection criteria (Milan criteria) are fulfilled. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of pretransplantation imaging examinations in the detection and characterization of neoplastic lesions in cirrhotic candidates for liver transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective study of 250 cirrhotic patients who underwent liver transplantation. The preoperative radiological diagnosis was compared with the definitive pathological diagnosis, allowing the diagnostic sensitivity of the different techniques, as well as the degree of agreement between pre- and postoperative tumoral staging, to be identified. RESULTS: Analysis of 250 specimens from total hepatectomy identified 58 patients with hepatic tumors, with a total of 136 nodules. Fifty-three patients had hepatocarcinoma, nine of which were found incidentally. There were six radiological false positive diagnoses. Sixty-two percent of patients with hepatocarcinoma had multiple lesions. The most sensitive technique for the diagnosis of tumors smaller than 1 cm was magnetic resonance imaging. Agreement between pre- and postoperative staging was found in only 63.6% of cases; consequently, 43% of the patients who exceeded the Milan criteria (20% stage T3 and 23% stage T4a) underwent transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Currently used imaging techniques lead to a substantial proportion of incorrect stagings in terms of the size and number of lesions in cirrhotic patients.

Detección de lesiones neoplásicas en pacientes cirróticos candidatos a trasplante hepático / Detection of neoplastic lesions in cirrhotic patients waiting for liver transplantation

Introducción. El hepatocarcinoma es una complicación frecuente de la cirrosis. El trasplante hepático es una opción terapéutica válida para esta enfermedad siempre que se cumplan unos criterios morfológicos de selección (criterios de Milán). Objetivo. Valorar la eficacia de las pruebas de imagen en la detección y caracterización preoperatoria de lesiones neoplásicas en pacientes cirróticos candidatos a trasplante hepático. Pacientes y método. Estudio retrospectivo de 250 pacientes cirróticos trasplantados, en el que se compara el diagnóstico radiológico preoperatorio con el anatomopatológico definitivo, lo que permite conocer la sensibilidad diagnóstica de las diferentes pruebas, así como identificar el grado de concordancia entre la estadificación tumoral preoperatoria y la postoperatoria. Resultados. El estudio de las 250 piezas de hepatectomía total permitió identificar a 58 pacientes con tumor hepático, con un total de 136 nódulos tumorales. En 53 casos se trataba de hepatocarcinomas, 9 de los cuales fueron incidentales. Hubo 6 casos falsos positivos radiológicos. Los pacientes con hepatocarcinoma presentaban lesiones múltiples en el 62% de los casos. La resonancia magnética fue la técnica más sensible para el diagnóstico de lesiones menores de 1 cm. Sólo hubo concordancia entre la estadificación preoperatoria y la postoperatoria en el 63,6% de los casos, y ello condicionó que hubiera un 43% de pacientes que fueron trasplantados superando los criterios de Milán (el 20% en estadio T3 y el 23% en estadio T4a). Conclusiones. Las técnicas de imagen presentan un importante porcentaje de incorrecta estadificación en cuanto al diagnóstico del tamaño y el número de lesiones tumorales (AU)

Introduction. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a frequent complication of cirrhosis. Liver transplantation is a valid therapeutic option for this disease providing that certain morphologic selection criteria (Milan criteria) are fulfilled. Objective. To evaluate the accuracy of pretransplantation imaging examinations in the detection and characterization of neoplastic lesions in cirrhotic candidates for liver transplantation. Patients and method. We performed a retrospective study of 250 cirrhotic patients who underwent liver transplantation. The preoperative radiological diagnosis was compared with the definitive pathological diagnosis, allowing the diagnostic sensitivity of the different techniques, as well as the degree of agreement between pre- and postoperative tumoral staging, to be identified. Results. Analysis of 250 specimens from total hepatectomy identified 58 patients with hepatic tumors, with a total of 136 nodules. Fifty-three patients had hepatocarcinoma, nine of which were found incidentally. There were six radiological false positive diagnoses. Sixty-two percent of patients with hepatocarcinoma had multiple lesions. The most sensitive technique for the diagnosis of tumors smaller than 1 cm was magnetic resonance imaging. Agreement between pre- and postoperative staging was found in only 63.6% of cases; consequently, 43% of the patients who exceeded the Milan criteria (20% stage T3 and 23% stage T4a) underwent transplantation. Conclusions. Currently used imaging techniques lead to a substantial proportion of incorrect stagings in terms of the size and number of lesions in cirrhotic patients (AU)

[Pancreatic transplantation. Results of the Málaga group]. / Trasplante de páncreas: resultados del grupo Málaga.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic transplantation is currently the only therapeutic alternative able to restore normal blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Moreover, this procedure can halt or even reverse diabetes-related complications. The aim of this study was to present our experience and the results of the first 4 years of a pancreatic transplantation program in our center. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From February 2000 to June 2004, 43 pancreatic transplantations were performed in 42 recipients in the Carlos Haya Regional Hospital in Malaga (Spain). In all patients, the technique of enteric drainage of exocrine pancreatic secretions and systemic venous shunting of endocrine secretions (to the inferior vena cava) was used. RESULTS: There were 37 (88.1%) simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantations, 4 (9.5%) in patients with prior kidney transplantation and 1 retransplantation (2.4%). In all patients, glycosylated hemoglobin and C-peptide levels returned to normal. Patient and pancreatic graft survival were 91% and 84%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 19 months. The reintervation rate was 31%, with an overall rate of graft loss of 16%. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in our series are similar to those reported for large series.

Trasplante de páncreas: resultados del grupo Málaga / Trasplante de páncreas: resultados del grupo Málaga

Introducción. El trasplante de páncreas supone, hoy día, la única alternativa terapéutica capaz de restablecer una absoluta normalidad en las cifras de glucemia en el paciente diabético; además, va a frenar e incluso revertir las complicaciones derivadas de la diabetes. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es presentar la experiencia y los resultados de los 4 primeros años del programa de trasplante pancreático en nuestro centro. Material y método. Desde febrero de 2000 hasta junio de 2004 se han realizado en el Hospital Regional Carlos Haya de Málaga 43 trasplantes de páncreas en 42 receptores. En todos los pacientes se ha utilizado la técnica de drenaje entérico de la secreción exocrina y la derivación venosa sistémica (a cava inferior) para la endocrina. Resultados. Treinta y siete (88,1%) casos fueron trasplantes simultáneos páncreas-riñón (SPR), 4 (9,5%) en pacientes con riñón previamente trasplantado (PDR) y en 1 (2,4%) caso se trató de un retrasplante. En todos los casos se consiguió la normalización de la hemoglobina glucosilada y del péptido C. La supervivencia del paciente y del injerto pancreático han sido del 91 y del 84%, respectivamente, con una mediana de seguimiento de 19 meses. La tasa de reintervenciones ha sido del 31%, con un 16% del global de pérdida del injerto. Conclusiones. Nuestros resultados obtenidos son equiparables a lo publicado por las grandes series (AU)

Introduction. Pancreatic transplantation is currently the only therapeutic alternative able to restore normal blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. Moreover, this procedure can halt or even reverse diabetes-related complications. The aim of this study was to present our experience and the results of the first 4 years of a pancreatic transplantation program in our center. Material and method. From February 2000 to June 2004, 43 pancreatic transplantations were performed in 42 recipients in the Carlos Haya Regional Hospital in Malaga (Spain). In all patients, the technique of enteric drainage of exocrine pancreatic secretions and systemic venous shunting of endocrine secretions (to the inferior vena cava) was used. Results. There were 37 (88.1%) simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantations, 4 (9.5%) in patients with prior kidney transplantation and 1 retransplantation (2.4%). In all patients, glycosylated hemoglobin and C-peptide levels returned to normal. Patient and pancreatic graft survival were 91% and 84%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 19 months. The reintervation rate was 31%, with an overall rate of graft loss of 16%. Conclusions. The results obtained in our series are similar to those reported for large series (AU)

Adenomatosis hepática como causa excepcional de un hemoperitoneo espontáneo en el varón / Hepatic adenomatosis as an exceptional cause of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in a male

Los adenomas hepatocelulares son tumores muy infrecuentes, benignos y se describen como lesiones solitarias. Se han asociado al uso de anabolizantes, anticonceptivos orales y a las enfermedades causadas por la acumulación de glucosa.La adenomatosis hepática se considera una entidad distinta del adenoma hepatocelular, caracterizada por la presencia de lesiones múltiples y por no tener relación con los factores hormonales y metabólicos antes descritos. El propósito de nuestro trabajo es describir el caso de un varón de 25 años, sin historia previa de uso de anabolizantes, que ingresa en el hospital por presentar un dolor abdominal agudo debido a la rotura espontánea de un adenoma hepático. El paciente requirió cirugía urgente, y se realizó una hepatectomía derecha y una resección de otro nódulo presente en el segmento II. El examen histológico (mostró 5 nódulos) posibilitó el diagnóstico de adenomatosis hepática. Revisamos la bibliografía para documentarnos sobre los casos de varones (11 casos descritos) con adenomatosis hepática, su presentación clínica y su tratamiento (AU)