Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are good source of several biologically active compounds and antioxidants, especially lycopene, phenolic compounds, and vitamins. Tomatoes are found all over the world and are cultivated in a wide variety of environmental conditions. Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps are increasingly being used in the cultivation of tomatoes due to their cost-effectiveness and wide range of possibilities to adapt the spectrum of light emitted to the needs of plants. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different additional lighting used in the greenhouse on the accumulation of biologically active compounds in different varieties of tomato fruit. Chemical composition—content of organic acids, lycopene, total carotenoids, total phenolics and flavonoids as well as dry matter, soluble solids content, and taste index were determined in five tomato cultivars (“Bolzano F1,” “Chocomate F1,” “Diamont F1,” “Encore F1,” and “Strabena F1”), which were cultivated in greenhouse in an autumn-spring season by using additional lighting with 16 h photoperiod. Three different lighting sources were used: LED, induction (IND) lamp, and high-pressure sodium lamp (HPSL). Experiments were performed during 3 years. Results showed that tomato varieties react differently to the supplemental lighting used. Cultivars, such as “Encore” and “Strabena,” are the most unresponsive to supplemental light. Experiments have shown that HPSL stimulates the accumulation of primary metabolites in tomato fruit. In all the cases, soluble solids content was 4.7–18.2% higher as compared to other lighting sources. As LED and IND lamps emit about 20% blue-violet light, the results suggest that blue-violet light of the spectrum stimulates the accumulation of phenolic compounds in the fruit by 1.6–47.4% under IND and 10.2–15.6% under LED compared to HPSL. Red fruit varieties tend to synthesize more β-carotene under supplemental LED and IND light. An increase of blue promotes the synthesis of secondary metabolites.

Traditional biochemical methods are resource- and time-consuming; therefore, there is a need for cost-effective alternatives. A spectral analysis is one of the non-destructive techniques that are more widely used for fruit quality determination; however, references are needed for traditional methods. In this study, visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy was used to analyze the internal quality attributes of tomatoes. For the first time, 80 varieties with large differences in fruit size, shape, color, and internal structure were used for an analysis. The aim of this study was to develop models suitable to predict a taste index, as well as the content of lycopene, flavonoids, β-carotene, total phenols, and dry matter of intact tomatoes based on Vis-NIR reflectance spectra. The content of phytochemicals was determined in 80 varieties of tomatoes. A total of 140 Vis-NIR reflectance spectra were obtained using the portable spectroradiometer RS-3500 (Spectral Evolution Inc.). Partial least squares regression (PLS) and multiple scatter correction (MSC) were used to develop calibration models. Our results indicated that PLS models with good prediction accuracies were obtained. The present study showed the high capability of Vis-NIR spectroscopy to determine the content of lycopene and dry matter of intact tomatoes with a determination coefficient of 0.90 for both parameters. A regression fit of ${\mathrm{R}}^2$= 0.86, ${\mathrm{R}}^2$= 0.84, ${\mathrm{R}}^2$= 0.82, and ${\mathrm{R}}^2= 0$.73 was also achieved for the taste index, flavonoids, β-carotene, and total phenols, respectively.

SPIE Digital Library Proceedings

Virtual reality (VR) can challenge the visual system, leading to temporary oculomotor changes, though the degree of change varies among individuals. While the vergence and accommodation system plays a crucial role in VR perception, it remains unclear whether individuals whose visual functions fall outside clinical norms experience larger changes. Thus, our study aimed to investigate whether changes in vergence and accommodation responses following VR gameplay differ between individuals with and without non-strabismic binocular and accommodative disorders. To assess this, both subjective and objective measurements were conducted before and after 20 min of playing Beat Saber. Results revealed significant alterations across both subjective measurements—near point of convergence and near point of accommodation—and objective measurements, including eye refraction, accommodation lag, and accommodative microfluctuations at far. Moreover, individuals with non-strabismic binocular and accommodative disorders exhibited larger accommodative microfluctuations at far compared to the control group. Overall, these findings indicate that considering individual differences in vergence and accommodation responses is important when evaluating the impact of VR on the visual system and can be helpful in the design and use of VR systems, particularly for individuals with binocular and accommodative disorders.

The study investigated the cortical activity associated with 3D and 2D image perception on a volumetric multiplanar display by analyzing event-related potentials (ERPs) and power spectral density (PSD). In this study, we used a volumetric multiplanar display to present visual targets, and the brain signals were recorded via an EEG amplifier and analyzed using the EEGLAB toolbox on MATLAB. The study found no significant differences in amplitude between the 3D and 2D conditions across five occipital and parietal electrodes. However, there was a significant difference in latency of the P3 component on the Pz electrode. The analysis of PSD showed no significant differences between the two conditions, although there was a slightly higher alpha and beta activity observed in the 2D visualization. The study concluded that 3D image representation on a volumetric multiplanar display has no more sensory or cognitive load on the human brain than 2D representation, and that depth perception on a multiplanar display requires less brain activity.

Headset-based simulator training is increasingly utilised in eye care education, offering opportunities to improve clinical skills in a controlled, reproducible environment. These tools support the development of innovative training approaches in eye care. While the educational advantages of headset-based simulators are recognised, the potential challenges and limitations that users may encounter remain understudied. This study investigated changes in user comfort and vision functionality following a 40-minute headset-based simulator training of indirect ophthalmoscopy. Fifty-four participants aged 20 to 45 years (21 eye care professionals and 33 optometry students, analysed as a single group) underwent a 40-minute training session using the Eyesi binocular indirect ophthalmoscope simulator. User comfort with a custom-designed symptom questionnaire and visual functions using the RAF ruler, von Graefe technique, and prism bars were assessed before and immediately after the headset-based simulator training session. Following the headset-based simulator training, there was a significant recession of both the near point of convergence (p < .001) and the near point of accommodation (p < .001). Baseline visual functions correlated with changes following headset-based simulator training, specifically near point of accommodation (r = 0.32, p = .02), horizontal near heterophoria (r = -0.37, p = .01), horizontal far heterophoria (r = 0.27, p = .04), blur point in positive fusional reserves (r = -0.61, p < .001), recovery point in negative fusional reserves (r = -0.36, p = .01), and AC/A ratio (r = -0.51, p < .001). Questionnaire results indicated a significant increase in discomfort following the headset-based simulator training (p < .001). Forty-minute headset-based simulator training can lead to altered vision functionality and pronounced discomfort in some individuals, highlighting the variability in individual responses to training indirect ophthalmoscopy skills in video see-through augmented reality.