A Spatial Cognitive Model that Integrates the Effects of Endogenous and Exogenous Information on the Hippocampus and Striatum

Reproducing the spatial cognition of animals using computational models that make agents navigate autonomously has attracted much attention. Many biologically inspired models for spatial cognition focus mainly on the simulation of the hippocampus and only consider the effect of external environmental information(i.e., exogenous information) on the hippocampal coding. However, neurophysiological studies have shown that the striatum, which is closely related to the hippocampus, also plays an important role in spatial cognition and that information inside animals(i.e., endogenous information) also affects the encoding of the hippocampus. Inspired by the progress made in neurophysiological studies, we propose a new spatial cognitive model that consists of analogies between the hippocampus and striatum. This model takes into consideration how both exogenous and endogenous information affects coding by the environment. We carried out a series of navigation experiments that simulated a water maze and compared our model with other models. Our model is self-adaptable and robust and has better performance in navigation path length. We also discuss the possible reasons for the results and how our findings may help us understand real mechanisms in the spatial cognition of animals.

Cognitive effects of long-term residence in the Antarctic environment

This study examined whether prolonged residence in the Antarctica had a significant impact on cognitive performance. Participants were members of the 24th and 25th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expeditions. Cognitive performance was measured with tests designed to evaluate short-term recognition, memory search and spatial cognition, measured four times： January, March, April, and June 2010. Age was controlled as a covariate, and data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. The results revealed that subjects＇ short-term memory and recognition ability remained stable, while 82% of team members exhibited improved scores on a spatial cognitive ability test. These findings have important implications for furthering our understanding of cognitive functioning in extreme environments.

Spatial Cognition of Chinese“Qian/Hou”and English“Front/Back”

“Front/back”orientation is a basic understanding of the spatial relationship between people and objects and represents a dimensional spatial relationship in the relative horizontal direction.The“front/back”orientation is judged based on human body experience both in Chinese“qian/hou”and English“front/back”.The spatial cognition of Chinese“qian/hou”and English“front/back”orientation can be analyzed from two aspects:topological space and reference space.

DEFICIENT INFORMATION MODELING OF MECHANICAL PRODUCTS FOR CONCEPTUAL SHAPE DESIGN

In allusion to the deficient feature of product information in conceptualdesign, a framework of deficient information modeling for conceptual shape design is put forward,which includes qualitative shape modeling (a qualitative solid model), uncertain shape modeling (anuncertain relation model) and imprecise shape modeling (an imprecise region model). In theframework, the qualitative solid model is the core, which represents qualitatively (using symbols)the conceptual shapes of mechanical products. The uncertain relation model regarding domainrelations as objects and the imprecise region model regarding domains as objects are used to dealwith the uncertain and imprecise issues respectively, which arise from qualitative shape modeling orexist in product information itself.

Proliferation of Cartographic Education in the Age of Big Data

Maps have long been a part of everyday life for the general public,and even more so in today’s knowledge society.No doubt,cartography as a profession of map design is assuming a more important role in the formation of intellectual skills in terms of spatial reasoning.Since its emergence as an academic discipline about 100 years ago,cartography has undergone many paradigm shifts.Its interaction with other disciplines has also constantly unfolded.These changes have left traces in cartographic education programs.In the age of big data,however,we are facing four fundamental challenges:(1) cartographic courses are being marginalized or even disappearing from degree programs in geospatial sciences;(2) the role of cartographers is increasingly eclipsed as a side effect of participatory cartography;(3) cartographers are blamed whenever something goes wrong with map use;and(4) professional map publishers can hardly compete with online mapping platforms dominated by Internet giants.Based on a contextual analysis of this seemingly gloomy situation,the paper reveals a number of proliferation points for the design of future cartographic curricula.First,cartography,once dedicated to supporting geospatial sciences,is thriving in the soil of data science,mapping not only the earth or other celestial bodies,but literally any kind of virtual space.Second,cartography has benefited from theoretical and technological advances in cognitive sciences,especially non-intrusive user studies,so that spatial cognition is becoming an integral component of cartographic education.Third,the role of scapegoat for wrongdoing of maps has accentuated cartographer’s overarching responsibility for quality and ethical issues in the geodata value chain.Finally,the diversification of the labor market requires new approaches to prepare future talents for a coopetition-oriented ecosystem in the marketplace.

Schematic Road Network Map Progressive Generalization Based on Multiple Constraints

Multiple constraints for schematic road network map cartographic design are analyzed and summarized. Based on this, a set of quantitative criteria are set up and a new road network generalization method including progressive selection and displacement is proposed. Furthermore, topological checking methods for road networks are researched. Based on these constraints, the points in a road network are classified, and a satisfactory and effective schematic map is designed in a con- crete experiment while maintaining topological consistency of the road network between the original and the schematic map

Comparison of Developmental Stages in Relation to Way Finding Behavior in an Immersive Virtual Reality Space

To establish a proper evaluation method for spatial cognitive deficits and a form of developmental disorder, we have used an immersive virtual reality (VR) device to develop a game that involves actually walking through a VR space to search for a target object. In this paper, we presented the results of control experiment with 22 healthy elementary school students as participants. The complexity of the VR space was controlled according to the number of pillars present and whether an overall view was possible (controlled by the height of the pillars). For each set of conditions, 24 trials were performed, and the route and time taken to search for the target were recorded. The starting point was changed in each subsequent trial. Results showed that the search time decreased as the number of trials increase, suggesting a process whereby a cognitive map was formed. We also compared the present results to results from our previous experiment with university students using the same experimental conditions, and we discussed the influence of developmental stage on spatial cognition.

Earth Observation Brain(EOB):an intelligent earth observation system

Since the twenty-first century,with the rapid development of high-resolution earth observation satellites,the earth observation satellite system has developed from the initial single satellite observation model to the current satellite constellation formed by light and small satellites observation model.All-weather and all-directional fine earth observation can now be realized.In the future,the satellite constellation,communication satellites,navigation satellites,and aircrafts are linked through dynamic linking network to form an air-space information network to realize real-time services of intelligent air-space information.To further enhance the perception,cognition,and quick response ability of the network,we propose the concept and model of the Earth Observation Brain(EOB)−the intelligent earth system based on events perception in this paper.Then,some key technologies needed to be solved in the EOB are also described.An application example is illustrated to show the process of perception and cognition in the primary stage of the EOB.In the future,EOB can observe what change of what object,the when and where to push these right information to mobile terminal of right people at the right time and right place.Global users can obtain any data,information,and knowledge in real-time through the EOB.