Spatial orientation during gondola centrifugation with subjects upright versus supine: Evidence for Gestalt psychological mechanisms in vestibular perception

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Arne Tribukait ◽  
Ola Eiken
Keyword(s):  
Angular Displacement ◽  
Single Stimulus ◽  
Motion Pattern ◽  
Canal System ◽  
Stimulus Component ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Vestibular Perception ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Self Motion

BACKGROUND: Recent theories suggest that perception of complex self-motion is governed by familiarity of the motion pattern as a whole in 3D. OBJECTIVE: To explore how familiarity determines the perceived angular displacement with respect to the Earth during a simulated coordinated turn in a gondola centrifuge. METHOD: The centrifuge was accelerated to 2G (gondola displacement 60°) within 12.5 s. Using visual indicators in darkness, responses to the gondola displacement were recorded with subjects (n = 10) in two positions: sitting-upright, facing-forward versus lying-supine, feet-forwards. Each subject underwent 2×2 6-minute runs. RESULT: When upright, subjects indicated a tilt of initially 18.8±11.3°, declining with T = 66±37 s. In the supine position (subject’s yaw plane coinciding with the plane of gondola displacement) the indicated displacement was negligible (–0.3±4.8°). CONCLUSION: Since the canal system is most responsive to stimuli in yaw, these findings are difficult to explain by bottom-up models. Rather, the motion pattern during acceleration would be recognized as a familiar or meaningful whole (entering a co-ordinated turn) only when the subject is upright. Presumably, the degree of familiarity is reflected in the subject’s ability to discern and estimate a single stimulus component. Findings are discussed in connection with human factors in aviation and the principles of Gestalt psychology.

“The heart above the ruins”: Miriam Waddington’s Poetry, the Spanish Civil War, and Jewish Canadian Literature

1969 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Robins Sharpe
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
World War Ii ◽  
Civil War ◽  
Spanish Civil War ◽  
World War ◽  
Canadian Literature ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Holocaust ◽  
The Subject ◽  
War Consequences

The Jewish Canadian writer Miriam Waddington returned repeatedly to the subject of the Spanish Civil War, searching for hope amid the ruins of Spanish democracy. The conflict, a prelude to World War II, inspired an outpouring of literature and volunteerism. My paper argues for Waddington’s unique poetic perspective, in which she represents the Holocaust as the Spanish Civil War’s outgrowth while highlighting the deeply personal repercussions of the war – consequences for women, for the earth, and for community. Waddington’s poetry connects women’s rights to human rights, Canadian peace to European war, and Jewish persecution to Spanish carnage.

scholarly journals Sensorimotor impairment from a new analog of spaceflight-altered neurovestibular cues

2020 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-223
Author(s):  
Jordan B. Dixon ◽  
Torin K. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Head Tilt ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Head Restraint ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Sensorimotor Impairment ◽  
Self Motion ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Extended Exposure ◽  
Sensorimotor Performance

Exposure to microgravity during spaceflight causes central reinterpretations of orientation sensory cues in astronauts, leading to sensorimotor impairment upon return to Earth. Currently there is no ground-based analog for the neurovestibular system relevant to spaceflight. We propose such an analog, which we term the “wheelchair head-immobilization paradigm” (WHIP). Subjects lie on their side on a bed fixed to a modified electric wheelchair, with their head restrained by a custom facemask. WHIP prevents any head tilt relative to gravity, which normally produces coupled stimulation to the otoliths and semicircular canals, but does not occur in microgravity. Decoupled stimulation is produced through translation and rotation on the wheelchair by the subject using a joystick. Following 12 h of WHIP exposure, subjects systematically felt illusory sensations of self-motion when making head tilts and had significant decrements in balance and locomotion function using tasks similar to those assessed in astronauts postspaceflight. These effects were not observed in our control groups without head restraint, suggesting the altered neurovestibular stimulation patterns experienced in WHIP lead to relevant central reinterpretations. We conclude by discussing the findings in light of postspaceflight sensorimotor impairment, WHIP’s uses beyond a spaceflight analog, limitations, and future work. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We propose, implement, and demonstrate the feasibility of a new analog for spaceflight-altered neurovestibular stimulation. Following extended exposure to the analog, we found subjects reported illusory self-motion perception. Furthermore, they demonstrated decrements in balance and locomotion, using tasks similar to those used to assess astronaut sensorimotor performance postspaceflight.

scholarly journals V.—Further Excavations at Lanuvium

Archaeologia ◽  
1892 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-154
Author(s):  
Lord Savile
Keyword(s):  
The Earth ◽  
The Subject

Since the last communication on the subject of my excavations at Lanuvium, which the Society of Antiquaries did me the honour to publish in 1886, those excavations have been carried on continuously, but very slowly, in consequence of the difficulties arising from the necessity of devising some means for disposing of the earth extracted in the course of excavation.

Convection tectonics: some possible effects upon the Earth's surface of flow from the deep mantle

1988 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1199-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Tuzo Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Land Surface ◽  
Angle Of Incidence ◽  
Gulf Of Aden ◽  
Upward Flow ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Ocean Ridges ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Mid Ocean Ridge ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Ocean Ridge

Until a little more than a century ago the land surface not only was the only part of the Earth accessible to humans but also was the only part for which geophysical and geochemical methods could then provide any details. Since then scientists have developed ways to study the ocean floors and some details of the interior of the Earth to ever greater depths. These discoveries have followed one another more and more rapidly, and now results have been obtained from all depths of the Earth.New methods have not contradicted or greatly disturbed either old methods or old results. Hence, it has been easy to overlook the great importance of these recent findings.Within about the last 5 years the new techniques have mapped the pattern of convection currents in the mantle and shown that these rise from great depths to the surface. Even though the results are still incomplete and are the subject of debate, enough is known to show that the convection currents take two quite different modes. One of these breaks the strong lithosphere; the other moves surface fragments and plates about.It is pointed out that if expanding mid-ocean ridges move continents and plates, geometrical considerations demand that the expanding ridges must themselves migrate. Hence, collisions between ridges and plates are likely to have occurred often during geological time.Twenty years ago it was shown that the effect of a "mid-ocean ridge in the mouth of the Gulf of Aden" was to enter and rift the continent. This paper points out some of the conditions under which such collisions occur and in particular shows that the angle of incidence between a ridge and a coastline has important consequences upon the result. Several past and present cases are used to illustrate that collisions at right angles tend to produce rifting; collisions at oblique angles appear to terminate in the lithosphere in coastal shears, creating displaced terrane, but in the mantle the upward flow may continue to uplift the lithosphere far inland and produce important surface effects; collisions between coasts and mid-ocean ridges parallel to them produce hot uplifts moving inland. For a time these upwellings push thrusts and folds ahead of them, but they appear to die down before reaching cratons.

Evwie (Kola Nut) and its socio-religious values among Idjerhe people of Nigeria PEOPLE OF NIGERIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-63
Author(s):  
Peter O. O. Ottuh ◽  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Religious Values ◽  
Mutual Trust ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Edible Fruit ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The People ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Participatory Observation

The popular edible fruit called kola nut that is found all over the Earth is native to the people of West Africa. In Idjerhe (Jesse) culture, the kola nut is part of the people’s traditional religious activities and spirituality. The presentation, breaking, and eating of the kola nut signifies hospitality, friendship, love, mutual trust, manliness, peace, acceptance, happiness, fellowship, and communion with the gods and spirits. These socio-religious values of the kola nut among the Idjerhe people are not well documented,however, and this paper aims to fill the lacuna. It employs participatory observation and oral interviews, supported by a critical review of scholarly literature on the subject. The research posits that churches can use the kola nut as a Eucharistic element that would be meaningful and indigenous to the Idjerhe people.

Project rAn:  Games to promote awareness of natural disasters in young students

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Saraiva ◽  
Priscila Doran ◽  
Rosa Doran
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Human Settlements ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Young Students

<p>The Earth is an amazing planet. However, it is also an unpredictable and wild one – part of its many charms. Atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere are alive, and can unleash awesome forces on the whole planet, including the biosphere, of which we humans are part. It’s important to make young students aware of the fact that we all live in a planet that was not made specifically for humans, and that it is absolutely imperative that our species learns to respect it and its rhythms and cycles.</p><p>Human settlements are often located in pleasant areas, with little or no concern about their vulnerability to natural disasters. Authorities, local, regional and national, should make preparations to prevent and mitigate their occurrence, of course. But at least as important is the need to create awareness in the citizens, so they can face any disaster and react in a calm and orderly way. That task must begin at an early age. Other than learning to deal with natural disasters and avoiding panic, schoolkids can exert a powerful influence in the adult members of their families and alert them to the measures they should adopt to prepare for any future occurrence.</p><p>In project rAn, EU-funded, we aim to develop a serious game, adjusted to the age of the targets, that will teach them about four types of natural disaster (earthquakes, floods, fires and storms) and make them aware of how to prepare and react in case of one of them striking their city or village. The game will be easy to play, and given the small age of the players will not feature complex interactions. It will include contributions from teachers and groups of students from all Europe, that will be challenged to create small games on the subject, using the Scratch language.    </p>

Perceived self-motion in two visual contexts: Dissociable mechanisms underlie perception

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Geoffrey Wright ◽  
Paul DiZio ◽  
James R. Lackner
Keyword(s):  
Motion Perception ◽  
Path Integration ◽  
Visual Input ◽  
Visual Scene ◽  
Spatial Context ◽  
Immersive Virtual Environment ◽  
Physical Context ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Self Motion ◽  
Visual Acceleration

We evaluated the influence of moving visual scenes and knowledge of spatial and physical context on visually induced self-motion perception in an immersive virtual environment. A sinusoidal, vertically oscillating visual stimulus induced perceptions of self-motion that matched changes in visual acceleration. Subjects reported peaks of perceived self-motion in synchrony with peaks of visual acceleration and opposite in direction to visual scene motion. Spatial context was manipulated by testing subjects in the environment that matched the room in the visual scene or by testing them in a separate chamber. Physical context was manipulated by testing the subject while seated in a stable, earth-fixed desk chair or in an apparatus capable of large linear motions, however, in both conditions no actual motion occurred. The compellingness of perceived self-motion was increased significantly when the spatial context matched the visual input and actual body displacement was possible, however, the latency and amplitude of perceived self-motion were unaffected by the spatial or physical context. We propose that two dissociable processes are involved in self-motion perception: one process, primarily driven by visual input, affects vection latency and path integration, the other process, receiving cognitive input, drives the compellingness of perceived self-motion.

ON THE THEORY OF SCHUMANN RESONANCES IN THE EARTH–IONOSPHERE CAVITY

1964 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 575-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Wait
Keyword(s):  
Cavity Resonator ◽  
Current Work ◽  
Alternative Derivation ◽  
Schumann Resonances ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Cavity Resonances ◽  
Concentric Region ◽  
The Subject

The concept that the concentric region between the earth and the ionosphere acts as a cavity resonator was proposed by Schumann over a decade ago. It is the purpose of this paper to review the theory of these cavity resonances. Some of the assumptions used in current work on the subject are also discussed. An alternative derivation is presented which appears to be more general than any given heretofore.

The Effect of Earthworms on Soil Productiveness

1910 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward John Russell
Keyword(s):  
The Earth ◽  
The Subject

Gilbert White devotes one of his letters to earthworms. “Worms,” he says “ seem to be the great promoters of vegetation, which would “ proceed but lamely without them, by boring, perforating, and loosen-“ing the soil, and rendering it pervious to rains and the fibres of plants, “by drawing straws and stalks of leaves and twigs into it; and, most of “ all, by throwing up such infinite numbers of lumps of earth called “ worm-casts, which, being their excrement, is a fine manure for grain “and grass… the earth without worms would soon become cold, hard-“ bound, and void of fermentation, and consequently sterile.” Sixty years later, in 1837, Darwin published a paper, in which he showed the important part played by worms in the formation of vegetable mould. Further observations were recorded by Hensen in 1877. Agricultural chemists did not, however, generally make use of any of this work, and it was not till 1881 that the publication of Darwin's Earthworms and Vegetable Mould directed so much attention to the subject that the action of earthworms could no longer be disregarded. Several investigations have since been made into the part played by earthworms in promoting fertility, perhaps the best known being those recorded in Wollny's Zersetzung der organischen Stoffe.

scholarly journals BULLYING E SUAS DIMENSÕES PSICOLÓGICAS EM ADOLESCENTES

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 289
Author(s):  
Luciene R.P. Tognetta ◽  
José Mª Avilés Martínez ◽  
Pedro Rosário
Keyword(s):  
School Violence ◽  
Moral Education ◽  
Social Problem ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Moral Values ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Psychological Mechanisms ◽  
Moral Point ◽  
The Subject

Abstract.Understanding the psychological mechanisms acting in shares of specific violence, such as bullying, constitutes an important step in the educational interventions that promote moral education objectified by educational institutions. In this sense, the current research aimed to relate bullying to representations of self and the ways in which the subject is self regulating to choose justifications for their commitments or moral disengagements in situations where bullying is present. The results indicate that subjects whose self-representations are individualistic also present more morally disengaged and more likely to be perpetrators in bullying situations, showing how little their identities incorporate moral values. It thus appears that more than a social problem, the issues of coexistence should be treated under the moral point of view.Keywords: bullying; self-representations; school violence; ethics; moral disengagements.Resumo.Compreender os mecanismos psicológicos atuantes em ações de violência específica, como o bullying, constitui-se um importante passo para as intervenções educacionais que promovam a formação moral objetivada pelas instituições de cunho educativo. Nesse sentido, a investigação atual teve como objetivos relacionar o bullying às representações de si e às formas pelas quais os sujeitos se autorregulam para escolher justificativas para seus engajamentos ou desengajamentos morais em situações em que o bullying esteja presente. Os resultados indicam que sujeitos cujas representações de si são individualistas também se apresentam mais desengajados moralmente e mais propensos a serem autores em situações de bullying, denotando o quanto suas identidades pouco incorporam valores morais. Constata-se assim que mais do que um problema social, as questões de convivência devem ser tratadas sob o ponto de vista moral.Palavras-chave: bullying; representações de si; violência na escola; ética; desengajamentos morais.

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