Manifestations of Higher Mental Functions in Actors in Virtual Reality

Background. The study of the professional activities of actors from the standpoint of modern psychological theories is an urgent task for psychology of art. In particular, the question of whether there is a significant difference in the functioning of cognitive processes in actors as a result of training in acting techniques is considered. The answer can be revealed not only by classical measurements of the development of higher mental functions using standardized methods, but also, to a large extent, by the assessment of cognitive abilities in special conditions of virtual reality. Objectives. The study is aimed at measuring success parameters for actors performing tasks to assess the level of cognitive functioning in virtual reality in comparison with a group of students who are not actors. Methods. During the experiment, the control (students who are not actors) and experimental (novice actors) groups were asked to complete tasks to assess the level of cognitive functioning in two-dimensional and virtual reality formats. In order to do this, the experiment participants first performed two-dimensional tests to assess visual attention and working memory, and then did tasks to assess attention and memory in the HTC Vive Pro virtual reality helmet in a special virtual environment “Upgrade VR”. Sample. Two groups of subjects took part in the experiment. The experimental group consisted of 10 students of the O. Tabakov School (average age 17 years). The control group included 20 subjects (18 women, 2 men, average age 18 years) — students of the Faculty of Psychology at Lomonosov Moscow State University. Results. Comparing the performance of actors before and after immersion in virtual reality on two-dimensional computerized task assessing working memory, no significant differences were found (t = –1.35, df = 9, p = 0.209). Also, no significant differences were found when comparing the results of actors performing tasks to assess attention parameters (t = –0.070, df = 9, p = 0.946). When comparing the results of actors and students in performing tasks in virtual reality, significant differences were revealed in the success of completing a spatial orientation task (t = –4.44, df = 28, p < 0.001) and a task assessing working memory (t = –2.34, df = 28, p = 0.027). In addition, significant differences were identified in the average success rates in completing two-dimensional tasks between actors and students before immersion in VR according to the results of the N-back technique (t = 2.4, df = 28, p < 0.023) and the SART technique (t = –3.95, df = 28, p < 0.001). Conclusions. The study revealed differences in parameters of cognitive functioning between actors and students, especially noticeable when performing tasks in virtual reality related to spatial orientation and working memory. The use of virtual reality allows you to simulate a stage situation and create training conditions for the development of cognitive skills, reactions to unexpected events and emotional expression of actors. The results of the study showed that the use of digital technologies in art opens up new opportunities for the creative process and for the construction of unique artistic images

Visually-declarative language for pro jection of the software of information systems

Visually-declarative language, N-Visual Language (NVL), intended for projection of the software of information systems: database structure and a code realising business logic, is in-process introduce

Investigation of the production and dietary features of oyster mushrooms for a planned lunar farm

In our previous work, we organized a project mainly to design a lunar mushroom farm. In this work, we proceeded to study the features of the production and consumption of oyster mushrooms in that project. Oyster mushrooms were grown in cultivation vessels containing a sterilized substrate. The fruit yield and mass of the spent substrate in the cultivation vessels were measured. A three-factor experiment was carried out with the subsequent application of the steep ascent method and correlation analysis in the R program. These factors included the density of the substrate in the cultivation vessel, its volume, and the number of harvesting flushes. The data obtained was used to calculate the process parameters: productivity, speed and degree of substrate decomposition, and biological efficiency. The consumption and dietary features of oyster mushrooms were modeled in Excel using the Solver Add-in. In the three-factor experiment, the highest productivity amounting to 272 g of fresh fruiting bodies/(m3*day) was obtained with a substrate density of 500 g/L, a cultivation vessel volume of 3 L, and two harvest flushes. The application of the method of steep ascent showed that it is possible to increase the productivity by increasing the substrate density and reducing the volume of the cultivation vessel. In production, there is a need to tally the substrate decomposition speed with the substrate decomposition degree and the biological efficiency of growing oyster mushrooms, since these process parameters have a negative correlation. Most of the nitrogen and phosphorus passed from the substrate into the fruiting bodies. These biogenic elements could limit the yield of oyster mushrooms. It is safe to set the daily intake of oyster mushrooms at 100–200 g while maintaining the antioxidant capacity of the food set

Use efficiency of dynamic stabilizer in the post-repair period of railways in Ukraine

Purpose. To analyze the interaction forces of the track and rolling stock at application of dynamic stabilizers, as well as the determination of the area, on which the track stabilization is necessary not only according to the technical indices but also according to the economic ones. Methodology.To achieve the research purpose the methods of analysis of material flows, peculiar to the places that need applications of dynamic stabilizers on railway transport tracks are used. Findings. Researches of relatively economic efficiency of dynamic stabilizers application, which were conducted by scientists during the last years, do not spread to comparison of cost of works on the track stabilizing and losses of railway for period of running. During the running period the trains move with a limited speed that causes corresponding financial losses. Speed limitation result in the both the motion time increase and in some occasions in the heavy consumption of fuel and energy resources. The more intensive track discord and expenses increase for its maintenance are observed in the sections of braking and acceleration immediately in front of and after the areas of limitation. The methodology relative to the estimation of economic efficiency of dynamic stabilizers application after completion of track repairs for the areas of Ukrainian railways with different operational conditions was developed. This methodology includes the losses calculation of railroad, which are predefined by extra motion time, heavy consumption of fuel and energy resources and charges for current maintenance. Originality. The methodology of cost effectiveness evaluating of the dynamic stabilizers application in the post-repair period was developed. Such an approach would allow one to take the rational decisions taking into account the features of the track sections, which were reconstructed. Practical value. The obtained results will rationally assign the works on the dynamic track alignment accounting the operational characteristics of the railway sections and the economic feasibility of the planned works completion

Studies of interstate electric ties in Northeast Asia

The formation of common electric power space (CEPS) in Northeast Asia (NEA) is considered; the prospective electric power demand of the NEA countries and potential electricity market niches in the region up to the year 2020 are evaluated; export power projects from Russia to other NEA countries are analysed and ranked by priority; the mathematical model for economic effectiveness assessment of interstate electric ties (ISETs) in Northeast Asia is developed; model-based calculations and their analysis for the economic effectiveness assessment of one of the primary ISETs in the region are carried out, and a reliability study and analysis of some ISETs and electric power systems (EPSs) to be interconnected are fulfilled.common electric power space; power systems interconnection; electricity demand; power generation; mathematical model; economic effectiveness; reliability analysis.