Positioning Localities for Vague Spatial Location Description: A Supervaluation Semantics Approach

In the big data era, spatial positioning based on location description is the foundation to the intelligent transformation of location-based-services. To solve the problem of vagueness in location description in different contexts, this paper proposes a positioning method based on supervaluation semantics. Firstly, through combing the laws of human spatial cognition, the types of elements that people pay attention to in location description are clarified. On this basis, the source of vagueness in the location description and its embodiment in the expression form of each element are analyzed from multiple levels. Secondly, the positioning model is constructed from the following three aspects: spatial object, distance relation and direction relation. The contexts of multiple location description are super-valued, respectively, while the threshold of observations is obtained from the context semantics. Thus, the precisification of location description is realized for positioning. Thirdly, a question-answering system is designed to the collect contexts of location description, and a case study on the method is conducted. The case can verify the transformation of a set of users’ viewpoints on spatial cognition into the real-world spatial scope, to realize the representation of vague location description in the geographic information system. The result shows that the method proposed in the paper breaks through the traditional vagueness modeling, which only focuses on spatial relationship, and enhances the interpretability of semantics of vague location description. Moreover, supervaluation semantics can obtain the precisification results of vague location description in different situations, and the positioning localities are more suitable to individual subjective cognition.

A Bionic Spatial Cognition Model and Method for Robots Based on the Hippocampus Mechanism

The hippocampus and its accessory are the main areas for spatial cognition. It can integrate paths and form environmental cognition based on motion information and then realize positioning and navigation. Learning from the hippocampus mechanism is a crucial way forward for research in robot perception, so it is crucial to building a calculation method that conforms to the biological principle. In addition, it should be easy to implement on a robot. This paper proposes a bionic cognition model and method for mobile robots, which can realize precise path integration and cognition of space. Our research can provide the basis for the cognition of the environment and autonomous navigation for bionic robots.

Implementation of Straw Racks in Commercial Pig Housing—Impact on Straw Availability and Pig Behaviour

This study investigated if straw racks, which enable larger straw rations, induced a more straw-directed behaviour in pigs, as a mean to facilitate the provision of manipulable material and natural behaviour. It was conducted on a commercial farm (459 pigs, 42 pens, 30–120 kg) where half of the pens received 25 L of straw on the floor (CONTROL) and the other half of the pens received straw in a rack holding 44 L of straw (RACK). The pig behaviour in five randomly assigned pens per treatment were recorded for 24 h, during three periods of production. Pig activity levels, exploratory behaviour, pen utilization and available clean straw were scan sampled. During period 1, no pigs were observed interacting with the straw racks. During this period, CONTROL pigs conducted more straw-directed behaviour and less pen-directed behaviour compared to pigs in the pens with a rack during period 1. The lack of rack interactions may imply an underdeveloped spatial cognition in the pigs. Apart from period 1, there were no significant difference in behaviour between RACK and CONTROL pigs. The racks did not disturb the use of the pen. The absent treatment effect in periods 2 and 3 may reflect that there was a too small difference in straw ration between the treatments. In order to design and implement straw racks that promote straw interaction, future studies should focus on understanding pigs’ spatial cognition.

Jazyk a krajina v antropologickém výzkumu

Language is a key element in the perception, formation, and reproduc- tion of landscapes and group boundaries. It is effective in at least three dimensions, namely, the inner/cognitive, the outward/appropriative, and the collective/identitarian. The inner dimension refers to the fact that our perception of landscape and our spatial cognition are determined, to a large extent, by the linguistic terms and grammatical structures specific to our language. The outward dimension refers to the capacity of language to project linguistically- and culturally-determined understandings into the physical world and create and appropriate places and landscapes by the act of naming. Finally, the collective dimension points to the importance of the linguistic delimitation of landscapes and their association with group identities. The article summarizes crucial recent findings in all three of the aforementioned dimensions and suggests possibilities for further research

The Differential Effects of Acute Right- vs. Left-Sided Vestibular Deafferentation on Spatial Cognition in Unilateral Labyrinthectomized Mice

This study aimed to investigate the disparity in locomotor and spatial memory deficits caused by left- or right-sided unilateral vestibular deafferentation (UVD) using a mouse model of unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) and to examine the effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on the deficits over 14 days. Five experimental groups were established: the left-sided and right-sided UL (Lt.-UL and Rt.-UL) groups, left-sided and right-sided UL with bipolar GVS with the cathode on the lesion side (Lt.-GVS and Rt.-GVS) groups, and a control group with sham surgery. We assessed the locomotor and cognitive-behavioral functions using the open field (OF), Y maze, and Morris water maze (MWM) tests before (baseline) and 3, 7, and 14 days after surgical UL in each group. On postoperative day (POD) 3, locomotion and spatial working memory were more impaired in the Lt.-UL group compared with the Rt.-UL group (p < 0.01, Tamhane test). On POD 7, there was a substantial difference between the groups; the locomotion and spatial navigation of the Lt.-UL group recovered significantly more slowly compared with those of the Rt.-UL group. Although the differences in the short-term spatial cognition and motor coordination were resolved by POD 14, the long-term spatial navigation deficits assessed by the MWM were significantly worse in the Lt.-UL group compared with the Rt.-UL group. GVS intervention accelerated the vestibular compensation in both the Lt.-GVS and Rt.-GVS groups in terms of improvement of locomotion and spatial cognition. The current data imply that right- and left-sided UVD impair spatial cognition and locomotion differently and result in different compensatory patterns. Sequential bipolar GVS when the cathode (stimulating) was assigned to the lesion side accelerated recovery for UVD-induced spatial cognition, which may have implications for managing the patients with spatial cognitive impairment, especially that induced by unilateral peripheral vestibular damage on the dominant side.

HOW THE INTEGRATED YOGA PRACTICE IMPACTS THE VISUAL PROCESSING OF SPECIALLY ABLED CHILDREN?

Background and objectives: To investigate if integrated yoga practice affect the Visuo-spatial Cognition of Specially Abled Children. Material and method: Eighty clinically diagnosed mentally challenged persons aged between 12 - 25 years were randomly allotted to control and study groups. Study group practiced Pranayama (Nadishodhan and Kapalbhati),Aum chanting and Meditation for 30 minutes daily, 6 days in a week for 3 weeks.Control group carried on with their normal school routine.Visual Processing was studied for a) Visual- Spatial Relation b) Picture Recognition and c) Planning.The parameters were measured twice,once before the starting of the intervention and later at the end of follow-up period. Results: Both the groups were comparable in their baseline scores.At follow-up,scores of the visual- spatial relation and picture recognition showed significant improvements in both the groups,but,the change in the scores of planning was significant only in study group. However,the improvement in all three categories were significantly higher in the study group as compared to the control group. Interpretation and Conclusion: This study demonstrates the beneficial influences of pranayama and meditation on Visual Processing, suggests that pranayama and meditation improves the performance of prefrontal lobe and other cortical and subcortical areas and their neuronal connection involved in this process. It may further contribute in improvement of overall intelligence of mentally retarded persons.