bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of electrical vestibular stimulation to alter genioglossal muscle activity in awake cats
Authors: Anker A.R. , Ali A. , Arendt H.E. , Cass S.P. , Cotter L.A. , Jian B.J. , Tamrazi B. , Yates B.J.
Published: September 2021

Prior work has shown that the vestibular system contributes to regulating activity of upper airway muscles including the tongue protruder muscle genioglossus. The goal of the present experiments was to determine whether electrical vestibular stimulation could potentially be used to alter genioglossal activity in awake animals. Six adult cats were instrumented for recording of EMG activity from genioglossus, abdominal musculature, and triceps. In addition, a silver ball electrode was implanted on the round window for stimulation of vestibular afferents. Subsequently, stimulation and recordings were conducted while animals were awake. In all cases, stimulation using single shocks or trains of pulses > 100 μA in intensity produced responses in all muscles, including genioglossus. The latency of the genioglossal response was approximately 12 msec, and delivering continuous current trains to the labyrinth chronically elevated the muscle's activity. Although a number of muscles were affected by the stimulus, animals experienced no obvious distress or balance disturbances. Vestibular stimulation remained effective in producing genioglossal responses until experiments were discontinued 1–2 months following onset. These data suggest that electrical vestibular stimulation could potentially be used therapeutically to alter upper airway muscle activity.
The interutricular distance determined from external landmarks
Authors: Nowé Vicky , Wuyts Floris L. , Hoppenbrouwers Mieke , Van de Heyning Paul H. , De Schepper Arthur M. , Parizel Paul M.
Published: September 2021

Knowledge of the exact distance between the utricles is important in new vestibular tests, such as the unilateral centrifugation (UC) test for the unilateral examination of the utricles. During this test, subjects are rotated at constant velocity and simultaneously laterally displaced along an interaural axis so that one labyrinth becomes aligned with the axis of rotation. When the axis of rotation crosses precisely through one labyrinth, only the opposite labyrinth is stimulated. To achieve this setup, precise knowledge of the interutricular distance is needed. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between the interutricular distance (IUD), measured on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images, and specific external measures of head dimensions such as distance nasion-inion, intermastoid distance (IMD), distances between the temporomandibular joints and between the lateral margins of the orbits. Data have been collected in a series of 50 subjects (25 men and 25 women). On MR images we found a mean IUD of 7.22 cm ([Formula: see text] cm). There was a strong correlation between the IUD measured on MR images and the intermastoid distance. A linear combination of the IMD, nasion-inion distance and height of the subjects could predict the IUD very satisfactory (R=0.85, adjusted [Formula: see text]). We also determined a measure of eccentricity of the vestibular labyrinths. The 95% prediction interval for the asymmetry appeared to be less than 4.3%.
Adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, subjective tilt, and motion sickness to head movements during short-radius centrifugation
Authors: Young Laurence R. , Sienko Kathleen H. , Lyne Lisette E. , Hecht Heiko , Natapoff Alan
Published: September 2021

Head movements made while the whole body is rotating at unusually high angular velocities (here with supine body position about an earth-vertical axis) result in inappropriate eye movements, sensory illusions, disorientation, and frequently motion sickness. We investigated the acquisition and retention of sensory adaptation to cross-coupled components of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) by asking eight subjects to make headturns while being rotated at 23 rpm on two consecutive days, and again a week later. The dependent measures were inappropriate vertical VOR, subjective tilt, and motion sickness in response to 90° yaw out-of-plane head movements. Motion sickness was evaluated during and following exposure to rotation. Significant adaptation effects were found for the slow phase velocity of vertical nystagmus, the reported magnitude of the subjective tilt experienced during head turns, and motion-sickness scores. Retention of adaptation over a six-day rest period without rotation occurred, but was not complete for all measures. Adaptation of VOR was fully maintained while subjective tilt was only partially maintained and motion-sickness scores continued to decrease. Practical implications of these findings are discussed with particular emphasis on artificial gravity, which could be produced in weightlessness by means of a short-radius (2 m) rotator.
Gravity and spatial orientation in virtual 3D-mazes
Authors: Vidal Manuel , Lipshits Mark , McIntyre Joseph , Berthoz Alain
Published: September 2021

In order to bring new insights into the processing of 3D spatial information, we conducted experiments on the capacity of human subjects to memorize 3D-structured environments, such as buildings with several floors or the potentially complex 3D structure of an orbital space station. We had subjects move passively in one of two different exploration modes, through a visual virtual environment that consisted of a series of connected tunnels. In upright displacement, self-rotation when going around corners in the tunnels was limited to yaw rotations. For horizontal translations, subjects faced forward in the direction of motion. When moving up or down through vertical segments of the 3D tunnels, however, subjects facing the tunnel wall, remaining upright as if moving up and down in a glass elevator. In the unconstrained displacement mode, subjects would appear to climb or dive face-forward when moving vertically; thus, in this mode subjects could experience visual flow consistent with rotations about any of the 3 canonical axes. In a previous experiment, subjects were asked to determine whether a static, outside view of a test tunnel corresponded or not to the tunnel through which they had just passed. Results showed that performance was better on this task for the upright than for the unconstrained displacement mode; i.e. when subjects remained "upright" with respect to the virtual environment as defined by subject's posture in the first segment. This effect suggests that gravity may provide a key reference frame used in the shift between egocentric and allocentric representations of the 3D virtual world. To check whether it is the polarizing effects of gravity that leads to the favoring of the upright displacement mode, the experimental paradigm was adapted for orbital flight and performed by cosmonauts onboard the International Space Station. For these flight experiments the previous recognition task was replaced by a computerized reconstruction task, which proved to be more efficient in terms of the time required to achieve reliable results. Suppressing gravity did not immediately affect relative performance between the two modes, indicating that on-line graviceptor information is not directly responsible for this differential effect. Trends in the evolution of responses over the course of a 10-day mission, however, suggest that human subjects might adapt their ability to represent internally complex 3D displacements.
Relative role of visual and non-visual cues in determining the direction of “up”: Experiments in the York tilted room facility
Authors: Jenkin H.L. , Dyde R.T. , Jenkin M.R. , Howard I.P. , Harris L.R.
Published: September 2021

Perceiving a direction as “up” is fundamental to human performance and perception. Astronauts in microgravity frequently experience reorientation illusions in which they, or their world, appear to flip and ‘up’ becomes arbitrarily redefined. This paper assesses the relative importance of visual cues in determining the perceived up direction. In the absence of information about the origin of illumination, people interpret surface structure by assuming that the direction of illumination is from above. Here we exploit this phenomenon to measure the influence of head and body orientation, gravity and visual cues on the perceived up direction. Fifteen subjects judged the shape of shaded circles presented in various orientations. The circles were shaded in such a way that when the shading was compatible with light coming from above, the circle appeared as a convex hemisphere. Therefore, by finding which shaded circle appeared most convex, we can deduce the direction regarded as “up”. The different cues contributing to this percept were separated by varying both the orientation of the subject and the surrounding room relative to gravity. The relative significance of each cue may be of use in spacecraft interior design to help reduce the incidence of visual reorientation illusions.
Adaptation to rotating artificial gravity environments
Authors: Lackner James R. , DiZio Paul A.
Published: September 2021

A series of pioneering experiments on adaptation to rotating artificial gravity environments was conducted in the 1960s. The results of these experiments led to the general belief that humans with normal vestibular function would not be able to adapt to rotating environments with angular velocities above 3 or 4 rpm. By contrast, our recent work has shown that sensory-motor adaptation to 10~rpm can be achieved relatively easily and quickly if subjects make the same movement repeatedly. This repetition allows the nervous system to gauge how the Coriolis forces generated by movements in a rotating reference frame are deflecting movement paths and endpoints and to institute corrective adaptations. Independent mechanisms appear to underlie restoration of straight movement paths and of accurate movement endpoints. Control of head movements involves adaptation of vestibulo-collic and vestibulo-spinal mechanisms as well as adaptation to motor control of the head as an inertial mass. The vestibular adaptation has a long time constant and the motor adaptation a short one. Surprisingly, Coriolis forces generated by natural turning and reaching movements in our normal environment are typically larger than those elicited in rotating artificial gravity environments. They are not recognized as such because self-generated Coriolis forces during voluntary trunk rotation are perceptually transparent. After adaptation to a rotating environment is complete, the Coriolis forces generated by movements within it also become transparent and are not felt although they are still present.
Plastic changes in processing of graviceptive signals during spaceflight potentially contribute to postflight orthostatic intolerance
Authors: Yates B.J. , Holmes M.J. , Jian B.J.
Published: September 2021

Immediately following spaceflight, many astronauts are unable to maintain adequate perfusion of the brain after assuming an upright posture; this condition is called post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance (PSOI). Considerable evidence shows that inputs from otolith organs and other graviceptors play an important role in regulating blood pressure during changes in posture in a 1-g environment. However, reflexes elicited by graviceptors, presumably including those affecting the cardiovascular system, are attenuated during spaceflight. Thus, PSOI could be related to effects of microgravity on the processing of inputs from otolith organs and other graviceptors by the central vestibular system. It is likely that successful countermeasures for PSOI must address the plastic changes induced in the nervous system by changes in the patterns of graviceptive inputs that occur during spaceflight.
Update on the status of rehabilitative countermeasures to ameliorate the effects of long-duration exposure to microgravity on vestibular and sensorimotor function
Authors: Cohen Helen S.
Published: September 2021

This paper is an overview of current research on development of rehabilitative countermeasures to ameliorate the effects of long-term exposure to microgravity on sensorimotor function during space flight. After many years of work we do not yet have operational countermeasures, probably for several reasons: 1) changes in the use of vestibular input are manifested in many ways, 2) due to multiple mechanisms for funding research, investigators doing related research may not coordinate their work, and 3) relatively few scientists work on this problem. The number of investigators and physicians who routinely deal with the functional problems of astronauts and the limitations of working in the space environment is tiny; the number of investigators who are therapists, and who therefore have experience and expertise in developing rehabilitation programs, is miniscule. That's the bad news. The good news is that as a group, we are little but mighty. Therefore, the entire group of investigators can plan to take a more coordinated, collaborative approach than investigators in larger fields. Also, serendipitously, individual research groups have begun approaching different rehabilitative aspects of this problem. If we make a greater effort toward a coordinated, multidimensional approach, guided by rehabilitation concepts, we will be able to provide operational sensorimotor countermeasures when they are needed.
Caloric response does not decline with age
Authors: Mallinson A.I. , Longridge N.S.
Published: September 2021

Complaints of imbalance in the elderly are commonly heard by clinicians, and pathology of the vestibular system may play an important role in these complaints. While there is solid anatomical evidence for age related decline of some vestibular structures, a corresponding deterioration in physiologic function has not been convincingly demonstrated.

Vestibular function is traditionally measured with caloric irrigations. Although there has been some age dependent change in caloric response shown, there is no good parallel between caloric response and imbalance in the elderly patient.

Our experiment confirms that slow phase velocity of caloric responses does not decline with age. Calorics measure only one part of the vestibular system, and so should not be regarded as representative of balance system function. As a result, measured caloric response does not parallel documented anatomic age-related decline of the vestibular system.
Vestibular coriolis effect differences modeled with three-dimensional linear-angular interactions
Authors: Holly Jan E.
Published: September 2021

The vestibular coriolis (or "cross-coupling") effect is traditionally explained by cross-coupled angular vectors, which, however, do not explain the differences in perceptual disturbance under different acceleration conditions. For example, during head roll tilt in a rotating chair, the magnitude of perceptual disturbance is affected by a number of factors, including acceleration or deceleration of the chair rotation or a zero-g environment. Therefore, it has been suggested that linear-angular interactions play a role.

The present research investigated whether these perceptual differences and others involving linear coriolis accelerations could be explained under one common framework: the laws of motion in three dimensions, which include all linear-angular interactions among all six components of motion (three angular and three linear).

The results show that the three-dimensional laws of motion predict the differences in perceptual disturbance. No special properties of the vestibular system or nervous system are required. In addition, simulations were performed with angular, linear, and tilt time constants inserted into the model, giving the same predictions. Three-dimensional graphics were used to highlight the manner in which linear-angular interaction causes perceptual disturbance, and a crucial component is the Stretch Factor, which measures the "unexpected" linear component.
Influence of acute unilateral vestibular lesions on the respiratory rhythm after active change of posture in human subjects
Authors: Jáuregui-Renaud K. , Villanueva P.L. , del Castillo M.S.
Published: September 2021

The influence of acute unilateral vestibular lesions on respiratory rhythm after active change of posture, was evaluated by comparing responses from patients with acute vestibular neuritis, with those from normal subjects with minor injuries other than vestibular (e.g. epistaxis, headache) and patients with chronic bilateral vestibular dysfunction. Respiratory movements of the thorax-abdomen were recorded during 5 minutes in supine position, 5 minutes of back-unsupported sitting and 5 minutes of upright stance. Compared to supine position, sitting-up induced different responses in each group (p < 0.05, ANOVA). The healthy subjects showed a consistent decrease in the mean respiratory frequency related to an increase of the expiration time, which was absent in patients with vestibular neuritis. Subjects with minor injuries showed the opposite changes of expiration time and inspiration time with no change of the respiratory frequency and patients with bilateral vestibular dysfunction showed a trend to increase their respiratory frequency. Standing-up did not evoke any further changes in any group. We conclude that the vestibular system modulates the respiratory response to reorientation of the head and trunk to upright position and this influence is reduced during the acute stage of a vestibular lesion.
Vestibular function at the end of intratympanic gentamicin treatment of patients with Ménière's disease
Authors: Perez Nicolas , Rama-Lopez Julio
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of intratympanic gentamicin injections on vestibular function in 33 patients with unilateral Meniere's Disease (according to AAO-HNS guidelines 1995) that had been unresponsive to medical therapy for at least one year. In such patients, the results of bedside examination of vestibular function vestibular examination is compared to those from laboratory tests. Intratympanic gentamicin injections (27 mg/ml) were performed at weekly intervals until symptoms or signs of vestibular hypofunction developed in the treated ear. Vestibular function was evaluated in two different rotatory chair tests. The parameters that were specifically considered were the time constant of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) after impulse rotation with a peak chair velocity of 100°s-1, and the phase and gain of the VOR after the sinusoidal harmonic acceleration (SHA) test with a peak chair velocity of 50°s-1. After treatment, both the time constant of the VOR after rotation towards the treated side and the gain in the SHA test were significantly reduced. These reductions were in accordance with the number of additional signs observed upon bedside examination at the end of the treatment. The changes observed in the VOR correlate well with the results of bedside examination of vestibular function, which in turn reflects the damage induced by intratympanic gentamicin injection.
Development and evolution of the vestibular sensory apparatus of the mammalian ear
Authors: Beisel Kirk W. , Wang-Lundberg Yesha , Maklad Adel , Fritzsch Bernd
Published: September 2021

Herein, we will review molecular aspects of vestibular ear development and present them in the context of evolutionary changes and hair cell regeneration. Several genes guide the development of anterior and posterior canals. Although some of these genes are also important for horizontal canal development, this canal strongly depends on a single gene, Otx1. Otx1 also governs the segregation of saccule and utricle. Several genes are essential for otoconia and cupula formation, but protein interactions necessary to form and maintain otoconia or a cupula are not yet understood. Nerve fiber guidance to specific vestibular end-organs is predominantly mediated by diffusible neurotrophic factors that work even in the absence of differentiated hair cells. Neurotrophins, in particular Bdnf, are the most crucial attractive factor released by hair cells. If Bdnf is misexpressed, fibers can be redirected away from hair cells. Hair cell differentiation is mediated by Atoh1. However, Atoh1 may not initiate hair cell precursor formation. Resolving the role of Atoh1 in postmitotic hair cell precursors is crucial for future attempts in hair cell regeneration. Additional analyses are needed before gene therapy can help regenerate hair cells, restore otoconia, and reconnect sensory epithelia to the brain.
Effect of fluid forcing on vestibular hair bundles
Authors: Nam J.-H. , Cotton J.R. , Grant J.W.
Published: September 2021

A dynamic 3-D hair bundle model including inertia and viscous fluid drag effects based on the finite element method is presented. Six structural components are used to construct the hair bundle – kinocilium, stereocilia, upper lateral links, shaft links, tip links, and kinocilial links. Fluid drag is distributed on the surface of cilia columns. Bundle mechanics are analyzed under two distinct loading conditions: (1) drag caused by the shear flow of the surrounding endolymph fluid (fluid-forced), (2) a single force applied to the tip of the kinocilium (point-forced). A striolar and a medial extrastriolar vestibular hair cell from the utricle of a turtle are simulated. The striolar cell bundle shows a clear difference in tip link tension profile between fluid-forced and point-forced cases. When the striolar cell is fluid forced, it shows more evenly distributed tip link tensions and is far more sensitive, responding like an on/off switch. The extrastriolar cell does not show noticeable differences between the forcing types. For both forcing conditions, the extrastriolar cell responds serially – the nearest tip links to the kinocilium get tensed first, then the tension propagates to the farther tip links.
Pulse-step-sine rotation test for the identification of abnormal vestibular function
Authors: Peterka Robert J.
Published: September 2021

This study illustrates the use of a novel "pulse-step-sine" (PSS) rotational stimulus to identify abnormal function of the horizontal semicircular canals in human subjects with unilateral and bilateral vestibular deficits. The cyclic PSS stimulus includes a "bias component" and a "probe component". The bias component, consisting of a short duration pulse of acceleration followed by an acceleration step, is designed to produce a large change in canal afferent discharge rates that silences the neural activity in one canal during the step portion of the PSS stimulus. The pulse and step components are then repeated with opposite sign to silence afferent activity in the opposite canal. The probe component, consisting of a ∼1 Hz sine wave superimposed on the step portions of the stimulus, is designed to test the ability of canal afferents in the excited canal to encode the probe stimulus. Various response measures are developed that characterize the horizontal slow phase eye movements evoked by the PSS stimulus. Results show that these measures can distinguish subjects with normal vestibular function from those with unilateral and bilateral vestibular loss, can identify the side-of-lesion in subjects with well compensated unilateral vestibular loss, and can possibly identify the side-of-greater-loss in subjects with asymmetric bilateral loss.
Perceived self-motion in two visual contexts: Dissociable mechanisms underlie perception
Authors: Wright W. Geoffrey , DiZio Paul , Lackner James R.
Published: September 2021

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.
Determining the effectiveness of a vibrotactile balance prosthesis
Authors: Peterka Robert J. , Wall Conrad , Kentala Erna
Published: September 2021

We present a quantitative method for characterizing the effectiveness of a balance prosthesis based on tactile vibrators. The balance prosthesis used an array of 12 tactile vibrators (tactors) placed on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the torso to provide body orientation feedback related to the angular position and velocity of anterior-posterior body sway. Body sway was evoked in subjects with normal sensory function and in vestibular loss subjects by rotating the support surface upon which a test subject stood with eyes closed. Tests were performed both with (tactor trials) and without (control trials) the prosthesis activated. Several amplitudes of support surface stimulation were presented with each stimulus following a pseudorandom motion profile. For each stimulus amplitude, a transfer function analysis characterized the amplitude (gain) and timing (phase) of body sway evoked by the support surface stimulus over a frequency range of 0.017 to 2.2 Hz. A comparison of transfer function results from the control trials of normal subjects with results from tactor trials of vestibular loss subjects provided a quantitative measure of the effectiveness of the balance prosthesis in substituting for missing vestibular information. Although this method was illustrated using a specific balance prosthesis, the method is general and could be applied to balance prostheses that utilize other technology.
Unilateral labyrinthectomy induced changes on GDNF receptor complex proteins in the rat medial vestibular nuclei
Authors: Lozada Adrian , Karlstedt Kaj , Panula Pertti , Aarnisalo Antti A.
Published: September 2021

In the auditory periphery, GDNF has been shown to have a trophic effect to spiral ganglion neurons, both during development and in adult animals. We have studied the effect of unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) on protein levels and expression of GDNF multicomponent receptor complex: the ret tyrosine kinase and coreceptor GFRα-1 in the medial vestibular nucleus of the adult rat. GFRα-1 protein levels display an increasing trend in ipsilateral medial vestibular nucleus culminating at 48 h post UL. On the other hand, GFRα-1 mRNA expression levels in ipsi- and contralateral medial vestibular nucleus show a steadily decreasing trend that is significant at 1 week post-lesion. Protein levels for c-Ret isoforms also show an initial bilateral decreasing trend that ceases at 48 h in ipsilateral medial vestibular nucleus but persists on the contralateral side. c-Ret mRNA expression levels show a significant decrease at 4 h post UL followed by another significant decrease 1 week post UL. Our data would suggest that neurotrophins belonging to the GDNF family are involved in this model of post-lesional CNS plasticity.
Spatial orientation of periodic alternating drift (PAD)
Authors: Ferraresi Aldo , Azzena Gian Battista , Troiani Diana
Published: September 2021

Sinusoidal vestibular stimulation induces in the intact rabbit in prone position a periodic alternating drift (PAD), evident in the earth horizontal plane when the animal is rotated about the vertical axis but weak in the vertical one when the animal is rotated about the longitudinal axis. It has been hypothesized that these oscillations are related to an intrinsic instability of the velocity storage, due to the length of its time constant. The velocity storage has the longest time constant aligned with the vertical axis, and it changes its orientation with the gravity vector. The present research examined the spatial orientation of PAD in relation to changes of the animal position with respect to gravity. Normal pigmented rabbits were sinusoidally oscillated about their longitudinal axes to evoke vertical eye responses. The stimulation was carried out with the animal in prone position and with the animal in nose-up condition. With the animal in prone position, PAD had a weak vertical component, but an evident horizontal component was visible. When the animal was in nose-up position, the horizontal component of PAD was clearly visible, while the vertical component was negligible. In both stimulation conditions PAD period and peak velocity were not modulated by the stimulus characteristics. These results are consistent with a model of PAD based on an interaction between velocity storage and the cerebellar adaptation-habituation circuit.
The lesion site of vestibular dysfunction in Ramsay Hunt syndrome: A study by click and galvanic VEMP
Authors: Ozeki Hidenori , Iwasaki Shinichi , Ushio Munetaka , Takeuchi Naonobu , Murofushi Toshihisa
Published: September 2021

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is characterized by vestibulocochlear dysfunction in addition to facial paralysis and auricular vesicles. The present study investigated the lesion site of vestibular dysfunction in a group of 10 RHS patients. Caloric testing, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials by click sound (cVEMP) and by galvanic stimulation (gVEMP) were used to assess the function of the lateral semicircular canal, saccule, and their afferents. The results of caloric testing (all 10 cases showed canal paresis) mean the existence of lesion sites in lateral semicircular canal and/or superior vestibular nerve (SVN). Abnormal cVEMPs in 7 patients mean the existence of lesions in saccule and/or inferior vestibular nerve (IVN). Four of the 6 patients with absent cVEMP also underwent gVEMP. The results of gVEMP (2 absent and 2 normal) mean that the former 2 have lesions of the vestibular nerve, and the latter 2 have only saccular lesions concerning the pathway of VEMPs. Thus, our study suggested that lesion sites of vestibular symptoms in RHS could be in the vestibular nerve and/or labyrinth, and in SVN and/or IVN. In other words, in the light of vestibular symptoms, there is the diversity of lesion sites.
Assessment of the Statutory Duties of Federal Road Safety Corps Aimed at Reducing Crashes and Carnages in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Ajiboye Araoye Olarinkoye , Kolawole Olusola Joseph , Adebanjo Adeola Adebanji
Published: September 2021

The recent road crashes along the main routes in Oyo State have drawn the attention of people towards the role and statutory responsibilities of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Therefore, this research was conducted to assess the statutory duties of FRSC aimed at limiting the number of road crashesin Oyo State. This work was limited to 3 Local Government Areas (LGAs) out of 11 LGAs that make up Ibadan and its environs. The study adopted simple random sampling technique using well-structured questionnaires to elicit information regarding the statutory duties of FRSC, a major road transport enforcement agency in Nigeria. From110 respondents ranging from commercial drivers, private vehicle owners, commercial motorcyclists, commuters, and road accident victims, 103 questionnaires were retrieved and were found analysable. The collected data was processed using descriptive data analysis techniques. It was found that out of 22 statutory duties of FRSC, only seven were being discharged effectively. Hence, it can easily be inferred that the operational performance of FRSC is not satisfactory. Therefore, this study recommends that the authorities should give prompt medical attention and care to accident victims on the road and should also enforce speed limits with the use of speed limit devices. The use of mobile phone while driving should be discouraged and the use of seatbelts should be promoted. At the same time, individuals, NGOs and corporate bodies should be given a free hand to contribute in reducing the number of road accidents. The use of sirens, beacon lights and flashers should be well-controlled and the struggle against fake driving licences should be enhanced.
Psychological Impacts of Architectural Design on Living Spaces
Authors: Salam Madiha
Published: September 2021

With the advancement of modern era, architects have seen the architectural spaces as aesthetical masterpieces focusing more on their style, composition, pedigree, form, symbolism, allegory etc and how wonderful they look from the street then their design having an impact on its user and its value in terms of cognitive health, functionality and social determinant of mental and physical wellbeing. It is a well-known fact that our environment and surroundings play a vital role on our moods and health. More aesthetically improved, but not very smartly designed space affects our disposition and vigor. This situation leads to various health issues which can easily be curtailed with the proper use of architectural techniques employed. The Aim of the research paper is to identify the situation on hand around the city of Karachi and to focus upon the fact that people are socially, morally, ethically and physically at a state of ultimate distress and how the environment responsive architectural spaces can be wholesome for the human if they are more nearer to natural instincts then phoniness. The adopted methodology for this research was observational with qualitative comparisons of stakeholders with conversational interviews from the context of Pakistan specifically Karachi. Information for this was gathered through concentrated primary and secondary research methods both qualitative and quantitative.
Analytical Study of Uniqueness of Culture of Pakistan
Authors: Muiz Khalifa Ahmad
Published: September 2021

This paper deals with the culture of Pakistan and specifically the uniqueness of the Pakistani culture. When we study Pakistan we find that there are five provinces namely: Punjab; Sindh; Khyber Pakhtunkhawa; Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan. Every province has a different and unique culture even; within a province there are different regional cultures which are unique in themselves. The culture of Lahore is different from that of Karachi or Peshawar. Similarly, the culture of Lahore is different from Faisalabad and Sahiwal. In this paper, the culture of the walled city Lahore is discussed and some of its factors that are unique are dug out. As discussed above, culture can be studied through tools, ornaments, art, customs etc. This paper uses one form of art i.e. architecture to study the culture of walled city of Lahore. It includes all of the factors that influence architecture e.g. climate, norms and values etc. Various locations of the walled city were visited and pictorial survey was carried out in order to look for the architectural elements in planning, sections and elevations that have been developed as a result of a particular culture and whose study can actually lead us to that particular unique cultural value of the people of the area understudy.
To the issue of the probable role of plant protection chemicals in the formation of population oncological incidence
Authors:   State Institution ", Chernychenko I.O. ,   O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Lytvychenko O.M. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Babii V.F. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Fedorenko Z.P. ,   National Cancer Institute of MHU, Tsymbaliuk S.M. ,   Kyiv City Clinical Endocrinology Center of MHU, Balenko N.V. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Kondratenko O.Ye. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU", Hlavachek D.O. ,   State Institution "O.M. Marzіeiev Institute for Public Health of the NAMSU"
Published: September 2021

Objective: We assessed a probable role of pesticides as generalized products of plant protection means in the formation of the hormone-dependent oncological incidence in the population. Materials and methods: In the work we analyzed the territorial features of plant protection chemicals use and the population endocrine cancer incidence data (breast and thyroid cancer in men and women, prostate cancer in men, ovarian and uterine cancer in women, calculated according to the Ukrainian standard) based on the materials from National Cancer Registry of Ukraine. Results: Territorial dependences between gross indicators of the used chemical protection means, rates of their increase in the agriculture and indicators of the population endocrine cancer incidence were revealed. The most intensive growth was shown to be observed in the regions with a predominantly agricultural mode of production. The performed linear regression analysis confirmed a direct strong correlation between the volume of pesticide at the household use and the incidence of ovarian cancer (r = 0.89; p>0.01) and prostate cancer (r = 0.87; p>0.01). Conclusion: Although the results of the analytical consideration of the problem and the data of linear-regression analysis indicate a possible role of pesticides in the induction of endocrine cancer, further research is needed in this field. In the future, it is important to consider the problem by classes and groups of pesticides with the possibility of the approach to the definition of the effect mechanisms.
ECOLOGIST’S PERFORMANCE IN THE HEALTH SERVICE
Authors: Barbosa Filho Waldner Gomes , Diniz dos Santos Gabrielle , José Gonçalves Daniel , Alves dos Santos Anderson , Costa Teodózio Gilberto
Published: September 2021

Environmental awareness is emerging in society, and with this, managers, commercial activities, institutions and health services are no different, especially when there are legal environmental requirements related to monitoring and mandatory environmental management for its operation. This fact makes professions linked to environmental monitoring essential for carrying out these jobs in these services. Therefore, the objective of this study is to elucidate the participation of the ecologist working professionally in health services, more specifically in hospital units. The study is characterized as a qualitative research, it does not intend to achieve what is right or wrong, only to understand the reality of its actions and transformations. It was noticed that a hospital management signals as benefits for management the performance of the ecological professional, mainly in the development of actions on environmental issues: Waste from Health Services RSS, preparation of the Health Waste Management plan, monitoring of water quality, monitoring and control of pests and insects, assistance in epidemiological surveillance actions and monitoring and control of hospital infections, composting projects, recycling projects, solidarity economy, and continuing education actions such as training on RSS and biosafety, all of which are fundamental to fostering sustainability within the hospital environment. Considering this, the performance of the ecology professional in health units, innovative in hospital units, this can be an aggregator to the interdisciplinary model to seek environmental improvements considered complex, but that achieve a successfully hospital environmental management.
INCREASED PM2.5 LEVELS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED INCIDENCE OF COVID-19: THE WASHINGTON WILDFIRES OF 2020
Authors: Mace Firebaugh Casey , Beeson Tishra , Wojtyna Amie , Arboleda Ryan
Published: September 2021

Yakima County, Washington was subject to the extrordinary Washington Wildfire Season of 2020 in which unhealty air (PM2.5) persisted for a 14-day period. This remarkable fire and smoke season began in tandem with the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 virus, like inhaled particulate matter is known to cause respiratory illness or injury. This study sought to determine through publicly available data whether increased levels of PM2.5 were associated with increased cases of COVID-19. Using a 12-day lag analysis, Pearson product correlations were performed between PM2.5 24-hour averages in Yakima County Washington and daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 for data available on March 1, 2020-October 15, 2020. In addition, total running cases of confirmed COVID-19, daily mortality and total running mortality rates were compared in the lag analyses. All days (PM2.5) in the lag analysis were found to have a statistically significant positive correlation with COVID-19 case counts and total running counts of COVID-19 (p<.001) with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.24-0.28. The total running mortality rates were also significantly associated with daily PM2.5 (p<.001); however, the daily mortality rates were not found to be statistically significantly related to PM2.5. This simple analysis provides preliminary evidence that increased air pollution (PM2.5) is associated with higher rates of confirmed COVID-19 cases. However, further research is required to determine the potentially confounding factors in this relationship.
TREATMENT OF A TEXTILE WASTEWATER USING AN ELECTROCOAGULATION REACTOR POWERED BY PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY
Authors: De Jesus Edson Alves , Meneses Janaina Moreira , De Araújo Marcos Alexandre Cavalcante , Christoffersen Martin Lindsey
Published: September 2021

The textil industry uses a variety of dyes in the stage of coloring. The liquid effluent resulting at the end of the process has high turbidity and a large chemical oxygen demand. If these byproducts are dumped into natural water bodies, even in small quantities, they may produce damage to the aquatic environment and to human health. Electrocoagulation is becoming an efficient technique for the removal of pollutants from industrial effluents, it is easy to operate, and produces little sludge at the end of the treatment. In the present study, the use of an electrocoagulation reactor with aluminum electrodes proved efficient for turbidity removal from synthetic industrial effluents. The use of a solar plate of photovoltaic electricity for the functioning of the reactor was evaluated. Ideal time of treatment was 20 minutes. The use of a conventional energy source removed 63% of the turbidity. Using the voltaic solar energy source, a removal of 72% of turbidity was attained. We conclude that it is possible to use the alternative solar energy source in order to minimize costs resulting from electrical energy consumption, and, at the same time, to obtain the best results in the removal of pollutants.
Desarrollo sostenible en la actividad minera: un estudio de caso en la provincia de Uige, Angola
Authors: André Afonso Bambi André Afonso , Montero Peña Juan Manuel
Published: September 2021

El desarrollo sostenible de la industria minera extractiva constituye una necesidad para el desarrollo de las zonas mineras en la provincia de Uige, Angola. Esta investigación tiene el objetivo de elaborar un sistema de indicadores de sostenibilidad capaz de medir y contribuir en el desarrollo minero sostenible en la explotación de materiales para la construcción, a partir de una metodología que operacionaliza la participación del gobierno, empresas y las comunidades que viven en la zona de desarrollo minero (grupos decisores). En el sistema se consideran los indicadores geológicos y mineros, de crecimiento económico, compensación y desarrollo. Mediante la aplicación del método Delphi se validó el sistema para su aplicación en un caso de estudio, la utilización del proceso analítico jerárquico del análisis multicriterio permitió establecer ecuaciones para determinar los índices de sostenibilidad de la empresa a partir de las emisiones de juicios de los grupos decisores. El resultado de las valoraciones demostró prioridad hacia la dimensión social y los indicadores de desarrollo. A partir de las evaluaciones del cumplimiento de las acciones hacia el desarrollo sostenible, se determinaron los índices de sostenibilidad de los indicadores en el desarrollo sostenible, y finalmente se determinó el índice de sostenibilidad total que resultó de un cumplimiento de 44,6 % hacia el desarrollo sostenible calificando la empresa “caso de estudio” de desempeño medio que satisface parcialmente la condición de sostenibilidad.
Determination of virtual reality as an architectural tool
Authors:   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Igibayeva M.S. , Chekayeva R.U. ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Published: September 2021

The subject of study is the phenomenon of "virtual reality" in architectural industry. The article provides an overview of VR (virtual reality) ideas in the connection with science, philosophy and architecture. The flow of metaphorical content at various levels of the humanitarian approach is examined in detail. The article focuses on the theoretical issues of the emergence of the term, the characteristic features of VR and interaction with architectural foundations, as a new trend, both philosophical and fundamental theories. Also, there is considered a new concept of digital and technical thinking as a modern innovative method of researching shaping within the boundaries of virtual reality. The article presents difference between "3D" architecture, virtual architecture, and augmented reality.
Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma Thyroid with Regional Recurrence
Authors: Akhbar Nugroho , Benny Issakh
Published: September 2021

Background. Primary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) of the thyroid is a very aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. There is no consensus for the management of primary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) of the thyroid, and this is based on rare cases in which the frequency of occurrence is less than 1% of thyroid malignancies. How squamous cell carcinoma originates in the thyroid gland is an interesting topic to discuss, because the thyroid gland does not have a squamous cell epithelium.

Case Presentation. A 43-year-old man was admitted to the DR Kariadi Hospital with complaints of a lump on the right neck. In June 2020, the patient complained of a lump in the right neck area with a diameter of about 1x1x1 cm, no pain. Ultrasound of the colli at the regional hospital showed the impression of multiple lymphadenopathy of the right colli level 2-5, and there were cystic nodules with solid parts in the right and left lobes of the thyroid suspected of being benign. An adenectomy operation was performed at a regional hospital and the impression of metastatic squamous undifferentiated carcinoma was obtained.

Conclusion. The management of thyroid PSCC is a multimodality therapy, namely surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
A New Objective Method for Comfort Assessment of Sportswear Knitted Fabrics
Authors: BABALIK Esin , GÜNEŞOĞLU Sinem , ÜTEBAY Burçin , ÇETMELİ BAKADUR Ayşegül , GÜNEŞOĞLU Cem
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study is to develope a new approach for objective comfort assesment of knitted fabrics used in sportswear industry. The method is based on measurement of various mechanical and heat / mass transfer properties and converting the test results into the axis values to draw multi-axial graphics. The graphic area is used to calculate unitless Total Comfort Value (TCV); the higher the TCV the higher the clothing comfort performance the fabric has.