scholarly journals Cognitive map formation through haptic and visual exploration of tactile city-like maps

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Loes Ottink ◽  
Marit Hoogendonk ◽  
Christian F. Doeller ◽  
Thea M. Van der Geest ◽  
Richard J. A. Van Wezel
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Cognitive Map ◽  
Visual Exploration ◽  
Distinct Advantage ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Map Learning ◽  
Scale Models ◽  
Spatial Tasks ◽  
Tactile Maps

AbstractIn this study, we compared cognitive map formation of small-scale models of city-like environments presented in visual or tactile/haptic modalities. Previous research often addresses only a limited amount of cognitive map aspects. We wanted to combine several of these aspects to elucidate a more complete view. Therefore, we assessed different types of spatial information, and consider egocentric as well as allocentric perspectives. Furthermore, we compared haptic map learning with visual map learning. In total 18 sighted participants (9 in a haptic condition, 9 visuo-haptic) learned three tactile maps of city-like environments. The maps differed in complexity, and had five marked locations associated with unique items. Participants estimated distances between item pairs, rebuilt the map, recalled locations, and navigated two routes, after learning each map. All participants overall performed well on the spatial tasks. Interestingly, only on the complex maps, participants performed worse in the haptic condition than the visuo-haptic, suggesting no distinct advantage of vision on the simple map. These results support ideas of modality-independent representations of space. Although it is less clear on the more complex maps, our findings indicate that participants using only haptic or a combination of haptic and visual information both form a quite accurate cognitive map of a simple tactile city-like map.

Differences in Spatial Knowledge of Individuals With Blindness When Using Audiotactile Maps, Using Tactile Maps, and Walking

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 330-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Papadopoulos ◽  
Marialena Barouti ◽  
Eleni Koustriava
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Information ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Cognitive Maps ◽  
Cognitive Map ◽  
Spatial Knowledge ◽  
Spatial Coding ◽  
Direct Experience ◽  
Tactile Maps ◽  
Experimental Trials ◽  
Blind Individuals

To examine how individuals with visual impairments understand space and the way they develop cognitive maps, we studied the differences in cognitive maps resulting from different methods and tools for spatial coding in large geographical spaces. We examined the ability of 21 blind individuals to create cognitive maps of routes in unfamiliar areas using (a) audiotactile maps, (b) tactile maps, and (c) direct experience of movement along the routes. We also compared participants’ cognitive maps created with the use of audiotactile maps, tactile maps, and independent movement along the routes with regard to their precision (i.e., the correctness or incorrectness of spatial information location) and inclusiveness (i.e., the amount of spatial information included correctly in the cognitive map). The results of the experimental trials demonstrated that becoming familiar with an area is easier for blind individuals when they use a tactile aide, such as an audiotactile map, as compared with walking along the route.

scholarly journals Comparing Map Learning between Touchscreen-Based Visual and Haptic Displays: A Behavioral Evaluation with Blind and Sighted Users

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Hari Prasath Palani ◽  
Paul D. S. Fink ◽  
Nicholas A. Giudice
Keyword(s):  
Test Performance ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Design Guidelines ◽  
Cognitive Map ◽  
Smart Devices ◽  
Map Learning ◽  
Visual Maps ◽  
Haptic Displays ◽  
Tactile Maps ◽  
Learning Test

The ubiquity of multimodal smart devices affords new opportunities for eyes-free applications for conveying graphical information to both sighted and visually impaired users. Using previously established haptic design guidelines for generic rendering of graphical content on touchscreen interfaces, the current study evaluates the learning and mental representation of digital maps, representing a key real-world translational eyes-free application. Two experiments involving 12 blind participants and 16 sighted participants compared cognitive map development and test performance on a range of spatio-behavioral tasks across three information-matched learning-mode conditions: (1) our prototype vibro-audio map (VAM), (2) traditional hardcopy-tactile maps, and (3) visual maps. Results demonstrated that when perceptual parameters of the stimuli were matched between modalities during haptic and visual map learning, test performance was highly similar (functionally equivalent) between the learning modes and participant groups. These results suggest equivalent cognitive map formation between both blind and sighted users and between maps learned from different sensory inputs, providing compelling evidence supporting the development of amodal spatial representations in the brain. The practical implications of these results include empirical evidence supporting a growing interest in the efficacy of multisensory interfaces as a primary interaction style for people both with and without vision. Findings challenge the long-held assumption that blind people exhibit deficits on global spatial tasks compared to their sighted peers, with results also providing empirical support for the methodological use of sighted participants in studies pertaining to technologies primarily aimed at supporting blind users.

Yield prediction in apples using Fuzzy Cognitive Map learning approach

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.I. Papageorgiou ◽  
K.D. Aggelopoulou ◽  
T.A. Gemtos ◽  
G.D. Nanos
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Map ◽  
Fuzzy Cognitive Map ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Yield Prediction ◽  
Map Learning

scholarly journals Roughness Lengths for Momentum and Heat Derived from Outdoor Urban Scale Models

2007 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1067-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kanda ◽  
M. Kanega ◽  
T. Kawai ◽  
R. Moriwaki ◽  
H. Sugawara
Keyword(s):  
Wind Direction ◽  
Roughness Length ◽  
Scale Dependence ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Physical Scale ◽  
Scale Models ◽  
Roughness Lengths ◽  
Urban Sites ◽  
Obstacle Height

Abstract Urban climate experimental results from the Comprehensive Outdoor Scale Model (COSMO) were used to estimate roughness lengths for momentum and heat. Two different physical scale models were used to investigate the scale dependence of the roughness lengths; the large scale model included an aligned array of 1.5-m concrete cubes, and the small scale model had a geometrically similar array of 0.15-m concrete cubes. Only turbulent data from the unstable boundary layers were considered. The roughness length for momentum relative to the obstacle height was dependent on wind direction, but the scale dependence was not evident. Estimated values agreed well with a conventional morphometric relationship. The logarithm of the roughness length for heat relative to the obstacle height depended on the scale but was insensitive to wind direction. COSMO data were used successfully to regress a theoretical relationship between κB−1, the logarithmic ratio of roughness length for momentum to heat, and Re*, the roughness Reynolds number. Values of κB−1 associated with Re* for three different urban sites from previous field experiments were intercompared. A surprising finding was that, even though surface geometry differed from site to site, the regressed function agreed with data from the three urban sites as well as with the COSMO data. Field data showed that κB−1 values decreased as the areal fraction of vegetation increased. The observed dependency of the bulk transfer coefficient on atmospheric stability in the COSMO data could be reproduced using the regressed function of Re* and κB−1, together with a Monin–Obukhov similarity framework.

scholarly journals The Fear to Move in a Crowded Environment. Poor Spatial Memory Related to Agoraphobic Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 796
Author(s):  
Micaela Maria Zucchelli ◽  
Laura Piccardi ◽  
Raffaella Nori
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Exploratory Activity ◽  
Visuospatial Working Memory ◽  
Spatial Tasks ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Crowded Environment ◽  
Active Processing

Individuals with agoraphobia exhibit impaired exploratory activity when navigating unfamiliar environments. However, no studies have investigated the contribution of visuospatial working memory (VSWM) in these individuals’ ability to acquire and process spatial information while considering the use of egocentric and allocentric coordinates or environments with or without people. A total of 106 individuals (53 with agoraphobia and 53 controls) navigated in a virtual square to acquire spatial information that included the recognition of landmarks and the relationship between landmarks and themselves (egocentric coordinates) and independent of themselves (allocentric coordinates). Half of the participants in both groups navigated in a square without people, and half navigated in a crowded square. They completed a VSWM test in addition to tasks measuring landmark recognition and egocentric and allocentric judgements concerning the explored square. The results showed that individuals with agoraphobia had reduced working memory only when active processing of spatial elements was required, suggesting that they exhibit spatial difficulties particularly in complex spatial tasks requiring them to process information simultaneously. Specifically, VSWM deficits mediated the relationship between agoraphobia and performance in the allocentric judgements. The results are discussed considering the theoretical background of agoraphobia in order to provide useful elements for the early diagnosis of this disorder.

Fine-Scale Fire Spread in Pine Straw

Fire ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Daryn Sagel ◽  
Kevin Speer ◽  
Scott Pokswinski ◽  
Bryan Quaife
Keyword(s):  
Fire Spread ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Natural Setting ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Prescribed Burn ◽  
Fire Dynamics ◽  
Rate Of Spread ◽  
Scale Models ◽  
Fire Front ◽  
Visible Images

Most wildland and prescribed fire spread occurs through ground fuels, and the rate of spread (RoS) in such environments is often summarized with empirical models that assume uniform environmental conditions and produce a unique RoS. On the other hand, representing the effects of local, small-scale variations of fuel and wind experienced in the field is challenging and, for landscape-scale models, impractical. Moreover, the level of uncertainty associated with characterizing RoS and flame dynamics in the presence of turbulent flow demonstrates the need for further understanding of fire dynamics at small scales in realistic settings. This work describes adapted computer vision techniques used to form fine-scale measurements of the spatially and temporally varying RoS in a natural setting. These algorithms are applied to infrared and visible images of a small-scale prescribed burn of a quasi-homogeneous pine needle bed under stationary wind conditions. A large number of distinct fire front displacements are then used statistically to analyze the fire spread. We find that the fine-scale forward RoS is characterized by an exponential distribution, suggesting a model for fire spread as a random process at this scale.

Different trait markers for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a neurocognitive approach

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 915-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. KÉRI ◽  
O. KELEMEN ◽  
G. BENEDEK ◽  
Z. JANKA
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Spatial Information ◽  
Target Location ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Visual Information Processing ◽  
Verbal Recall

Background. The aim of this study was to assess visual information processing and cognitive functions in unaffected siblings of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and control subjects with a negative family history.Methods. The siblings of patients with schizophrenia (N = 25), bipolar disorder (N = 20) and the controls subjects (N = 20) were matched for age, education, IQ, and psychosocial functioning, as indexed by the Global Assessment of Functioning scale. Visual information processing was measured using two visual backward masking (VBM) tests (target location and target identification). The evaluation of higher cognitive functions included spatial and verbal working memory, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, letter fluency, short/long delay verbal recall and recognition.Results. The relatives of schizophrenia patients were impaired in the VBM procedure, more pronouncedly at short interstimulus intervals (14, 28, 42 ms) and in the target location task. Marked dysfunctions were also found in the spatial working memory task and in the long delay verbal recall test. In contrast, the siblings of patients with bipolar disorder exhibited spared performances with the exception of a deficit in the long delay recall task.Conclusions. Dysfunctions of sensory-perceptual analysis (VBM) and working memory for spatial information distinguished the siblings of schizophrenia patients from the siblings of individuals with bipolar disorder. Verbal recall deficit was present in both groups, suggesting a common impairment of the fronto-hippocampal system.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document