Heterotopian Disorientation: Intersectionality in William Oldroyd’s Lady Macbeth

This article reads William Oldroyd’s Lady Macbeth (2016) through the lens of Michel Foucault’s concept of the heterotopia to explore the film’s ambivalent gender and racial politics. The country house that Katherine Lester is locked away in forms a quasi-heterotopia, mediated through a disorienting cinematography of incarceration. Although she manages to transgress the ideological boundaries surrounding her, she simultaneously contributes to the oppression of her Black housemaid, Anna. On the one hand, the film suggests that the coercive space of the colony—another Foucauldian heterotopia—may threaten white hegemony: While Mr Lester’s Black, illegitimate son Teddy almost manages to claim his inheritance and, hence, contest the racialised master/servant relationship of the country house, Anna’s voice threatens to cause Katherine’s downfall. On the other hand, through eventually denying Anna’s and Teddy’s agency, Lady Macbeth exposes the pervasiveness of intersectional forms of oppression that are at play in both Victorian and twenty-first-century Britain. The constant spatial disorientation that the film produces, this article suggests, not only identifies blind spots in Foucault’s writings on heterotopian space as far as intersectionality is concerned, but also speaks to white privilege as a vital concern of both twenty-first-century feminism and neo-Victorian criticism.

The perception threshold of the vestibular Coriolis illusion

BACKGROUND: The vestibular Coriolis illusion is a disorienting sensation that results from a transient head rotation about one axis during sustained body rotation about another axis. Although often used in spatial disorientation training for pilots and laboratory studies on motion sickness, little is known about the minimum required rotation rate to produce the illusion. OBJECTIVE: This study determined the perception threshold associated with the Coriolis illusion. METHODS: Nineteen participants performed a standardized pitching head movement during continuous whole-body yaw rotation at rates varying between 5 to 50 deg/s. The participants reported their motion sensation in relation to three hypothesized perception thresholds: 1) any sense of motion, 2) a sense of rotation, and 3) a sense of rotation and its direction (i.e., the factual Coriolis illusion). The corresponding thresholds were estimated from curves fitted by a generalized linear model. RESULTS: On average threshold 1 was significantly lower (8 deg/s) than thresholds 2 and 3. The latter thresholds did not differ from each other and their pooled value was 10 deg/s. CONCLUSIONS: The Coriolis illusion is perceived at yaw rates exceeding 10 deg/s using a pitching head movement with 40 deg amplitude and 55 deg/s peak velocity. Model analysis shows that this corresponds to an internal rotation vector of 6 deg/s. With this vector the Coriolis perception threshold can be predicted for any other head movement.

Architecture of a Spatial Disorientation Platform and Serious Game

In recent years there have been several applications for the study of stabilometric mainly in the analysis of disorder, using mechanical structures of one or two degrees of freedom. An architecture of a stabilometric platform is proposed, which can acquire data through a virtual environment, in this case, a Snowboarding environment, since this sport provides greater balance, increases flexibility and strength in the muscles, and strengthens the lower limbs since it can have a displacement movement in one direction. Thanks to this environment, an architecture is proposed to execute several applications, focused on balance rehabilitation. As a result of this proposal, mathematical models were made by applying the Euler Lagrangian theory, and architecture was obtained that can acquire data in real-time, allowing to visualize this data through a sensor, which shows the position of the person with its respective movement. Also, with the implementation of the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) a preliminary study was conducted with 10 people in which 70% presented a discussion of different errors in the design and development stage in the virtual environment, also, 10% of the study population showed greater spatial disorientation to one side of the platform. Thanks to this, it was possible to modify the virtual environment and obtain a more efficient response by implementing this method. As future work, it is proposed to develop variable control systems on the platform and a trajectory variation in the virtual environment.

ANÁLISE, ATRAVÉS DA TÉCNICA DE RASTREAMENTO OCULAR, DE INTERFACES DE FÓRUM VIRTUAL QUE FAVORECEM A APRENDIZAGEM ON-LINE

O artigo apresenta os resultados do mapeamento da interação de 30 alunos universitários ao utilizarem três distintas interfaces de fórum virtuais para estudar. A pesquisa utilizou o método do rastreamento ocular e entrevistas semi-estruturadas para documentar e analisar o processo de navegação dos alunos ao participarem e publicarem comentários nos fóruns. A análise dos dados indicou que interfaces de fórum virtual com design mais tradicional, intuitivo e minimalista, e com menor e mais racional disposição de elementos imagéticos, beneficia o aluno em situações de aprendizagem. Esse tipo de interface evita a frustração, perda de tempo e de foco na tarefa, permitindo o uso efetivo da atenção e memória do aluno na compreensão de conteúdos e resolução de problemas. Movimentos oculares indesejáveis dos alunos indicaram desorientação espacial e sobrecarga cognitiva causada por elementos clicáveis da interface dos fóruns, que foram prejudiciais à navegação dos alunos e, por isso, devem ser evitados, podendo levá-los a abandonar o fórum. Elementos imagéticos acessórios presentes na interface não interferiram negativamente com a tarefa dos alunos, pois foram ignorados por eles durante a navegação nos fóruns, como comprovado pela ausência de fixação ocular. O uso de um fórum de um ambiente virtual de aprendizagem (AVA) padrão tradicional não indicou vantagens para a navegação e realização de atividades quando comparado, pelos alunos, a um fórum generalista de design intuitivo, consistente e minimalista.Palavras-chave: Aprendizagem on-line; Navegação; Fórum virtual; Rastreamento ocular.Analysis, through the eye tracking technique, of virtual forum interfaces features that raise on-line learningAbstractThe article presents the results of mapped interaction of 30 university students using three different digital forum interfaces to study. The research utilized the eye tracking method and semi-structured interviews to document and analyze the students' browsing process as they participated in and published on the forums. Data analysis indicated that virtual forum interfaces with a more traditional, intuitive and minimalist design, and with a smaller and more rational array of imaging elements, benefit the student in learning situations. This type of interface avoids frustration, wasted time, and it increases focus on the task, allowing effective use of student attention and memory in understanding content and problem solving. Undesirable eye movements of the students indicated spatial disorientation and cognitive overload caused by clickable elements of the forum interface, which were detrimental to student navigation and therefore should be avoided and may lead them to leave the forum. Imaging elements accessories present in the interface did not interfere negatively with the students' task, as they were ignored by them during navigation in the forums, as evidenced by the absence of ocular fixation. The use of a traditional standard learning management system (LMS) forum did not indicate advantages for browsing and performing activities when compared to an intuitive, consistent and minimalist generalist designed forum.Keywords: Online learning; Navigation; Virtual fórum; Eye tracking.Análisis, a través de la técnica de rastreo ocular, de interfaces de foro virtual que favorece el aprendizaje on-lineResumenEl artículo presenta los resultados de la interacción mapeada de 30 estudiantes universitarios que utilizan tres interfaces de foros digitales diferentes para estudiar. La investigación utilizó el método de seguimiento ocular y entrevistas semiestructuradas para documentar y analizar el proceso de navegación de los estudiantes a medida que participaban y publicaban en los foros. El análisis de los datos indicó que los foros virtuales interactúan con un diseño más tradicional, intuitivo y minimalista, y con una gama más pequeña y más racional de elementos de imagen, beneficiando al estudiante en situaciones de aprendizaje. Este tipo de interfaz evita la frustración, el tiempo perdido y aumenta el enfoque en la tarea, permitiendo el uso efectivo de la atención y la memoria del alumno para comprender el contenido y la resolución de problemas. Los movimientos oculares indeseables de los estudiantes indicaron desorientación espacial y sobrecarga cognitiva causada por elementos seleccionables de la interfaz del foro, que fueron perjudiciales para la navegación del estudiante y, por lo tanto, deben evitarse y pueden llevarlos a abandonar el foro. Los accesorios de elementos de imagen presentes en la interfaz no interfirieron negativamente con la tarea de los estudiantes, ya que fueron ignorados por ellos durante la navegación en los foros, como lo demuestra la ausencia de fijación ocular. El uso de un foro de anbiente virtual de aprendziagen estándar tradicional no indicaba ventajas para navegar y realizar actividades en comparación con un foro diseñado por un general intuitivo, coherente y minimalista. Palabras clave: Aprender en línea; Navegación; Foro virtual; Registro visual.

Sleep disturbances in craniopharyngioma: a challenging diagnosis

Craniopharyngiomas are rare solid or mixed solid and cystic tumors that arise from Rathke’s pouch remnants along the pituitary-hypothalamic axis, from the sella turcica to the brain third ventricle. Both the tumor and its treatment can lead to significant neurological and endocrinological complications. Due to the essential role of the hypothalamus in the complex neurophysiologic process of sleep, tumors involving the hypothalamic area may be responsible for disturbances in sleep–wake regulation with alterations in the circadian rhythm, sleep fragmentation, and increased daytime sleepiness. We report two cases of patients with craniopharyngioma, who came to our attention due to the occurrence of episodes characterized by psychomotor slowing and afinalistic limb movements, temporal and spatial disorientation, psychomotor agitation, and oneiric stupor like episodes. A comprehensive clinical data collection and a targeted diagnostic work-up led to a diagnosis of severe sleep disorder characterized by hypersomnia, altered sleep–wake rhythm, and sleep-related breathing disorder. In addition, the polysomnography revealed peculiar alterations in the sleep structure. The diagnostic work-up lead to an accurate differential diagnosis between epileptic seizures and episodes expressions of sleep disturbances. These clinical features can be challenging to diagnose and can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Diagnosis of sleep disorders is crucial, considering the impact of sleep on general health, cognition, and neuropsychological functioning. These findings support the need to incorporate a comprehensive sleep evaluation in childhood brain tumor involving the suprasellar/hypothalamic region.

Against the leans: Overcoming spatial disorientation through galvanic vestibular stimulation

Leans illusion is a type of Spatial Disorientation (SD) that pilots often experience which can adversely affect flight performance. For pilots’ flight safety, research on how to effectively overcome SD such as leans illusion is important. The purpose of this study is to identify the overcoming effect of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) technology on leans illusion. Twenty-one Air Force pilots participated in a flight simulation experiment where leans illusion was induced through a specialized SD simulator. In the with-GVS condition, GVS was given during the roll-out phase. Data was analyzed using roll angle error and subjective SD scales by two conditions (with-GVS, without-GVS). Results showed that both the roll angle error and the subjective SD scale scores were found to be lower in the with-GVS condition than in the without-GVS condition. This study suggests that the use of GVS technology can potentially contribute in overcoming leans illusion.

Human Factors Advances in Naval Aviation Survival Training

This panel will provide an overview of challenges and advances underway for aviation survival training. Navy instruction (Department of the Navy, 2019, CNAF M-3710.7) outlines a variety of training requirements that are addressed during aviation survival training. Two presentations will provide an overview of enhancements related to Dynamic Altitude Breathing Threats Training. For normobaric hypoxia training, presenters will provide an overview of a preliminary analysis of a software product designed to give students relevant tasking to complete while experiencing the effects of hypoxia in order to highlight symptoms. The next presentation, focused on dynamic altitude breathing threats training will provide an overview of differences identified between available training solutions from the perspective of both students and instructors. The third presentation will provide the preliminary results of a spatial disorientation curriculum analysis focused on identifying available technologies. The presentation will provide recommendations for how modernizing training in a way that provides increased training effectiveness for aviators. The fourth and final presentation will provide an overview of parachute training, including a review of training objectives and results of a market research analysis, as well as an outline of an upcoming training effectiveness evaluation of existing training solutions.

Effect of acute normobaric hypoxia on passively simulated illusions: A double-blind randomized study

Introduction: Number of accidents in the past four decades in rotary wing flying in high altitude areas in the Indian Air Force have been attributed to spatial disorientation (SD) or hypoxia or both. Although the two aviation stressors; hypoxia and SD, have been studied independently, literature is scant on the combined effects of the two notorious factors in military aviation. Material and Methods: In a double-blind randomized control design, 32 healthy volunteers divided into two groups (hypoxia group and normoxia group) of 16 subjects each, participated in the study. Subjects in the hypoxia group were exposed to normobaric hypoxia with pre-mixed gases in cylinders with nitrox gas (simulating altitude of 22,000 ft) and the normoxia group was exposed to normal air. Autokinesis time (AT) and vestibular adaptation time (VAT) during acceleration and deceleration, in both clockwise and counter-clockwise turns, were studied as surrogates for SD in both hypoxia group and normoxia group in Disorientation Simulator. Results: Mean AT showed a statistically significant decrease (t = −2.2, P = 0.039) in hypoxia group compared to normoxia group. Similarly, a statistically significant reduction (F = 5.989, P = 0.016) in mean VAT was observed in in hypoxia group compared to normoxia group. There was no significant difference in the VAT in clockwise and counter-clockwise yaw rotation in both the groups. Conclusion: A significant reduction in AT indicates that hypoxia may increase the onset of autokinesis early. The changes in VAT in hypoxic conditions bring out a possible effect of hypoxia on the adaptability of the vestibular system in the angular motion environment.

A New Presenilin 1 (Psen1) Mutation (p.Cys263Trp) as a Cause of Both Early and Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in a Large Italian Family

Mutations in the PSEN1 gene are the most common cause of autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, and are characterized by a high phenotype variability. This study describes a five-generation family, with a prevalent late-onset of the disease and a high frequency of depression, in which a new missense mutation (c.789T > G, p.Cys263Trp) in exon 8 of the PSEN1 gene was found. Only the proband presented an early onset at the age of 45 with attention deficit, followed by spatial disorientation, psychiatric symptoms and parkinsonian signs. The other two cases had a late onset of the disease and a typical presentation with memory loss. Both were characterized by a high level of anxiety and depression. The disease course was different with signs of Lewy body dementia for the proband’s mother, and pyramidal involvement and a shorter disease duration for the proband’s maternal aunt. The other eight cases with late-onset dementia and three cases with a long history of depression have been reported in the family pedigree, underlying the high phenotype variability of PSEN1 mutations.