The menstrual cycle has been a topic of interest in relation to behavior and cognition for many years, with historical beliefs associating it with cognitive impairment. However, recent research has challenged these be...The menstrual cycle has been a topic of interest in relation to behavior and cognition for many years, with historical beliefs associating it with cognitive impairment. However, recent research has challenged these beliefs and suggested potential positive effects of the menstrual cycle on cognitive performance. Despite these emerging findings, there is still a lack of consensus regarding the impact of the menstrual cycle on cognition, particularly in domains such as spatial reasoning, visual memory, and numerical memory. Hence, this study aimed to explore the relationship between the menstrual cycle and cognitive performance in these specific domains. Previous studies have reported mixed findings, with some suggesting no significant association and others indicating potential differences across the menstrual cycle. To contribute to this body of knowledge, we explored the research question of whether the menstrual cycles have a significant effect on cognition, particularly in the domains of spatial reasoning, visual and numerical memory in a regionally diverse sample of menstruating females. A total of 30 menstruating females from mixed geographical backgrounds participated in the study, and a repeated measures design was used to assess their cognitive performance in two phases of the menstrual cycle: follicular and luteal. The results of the study revealed that while spatial reasoning was not significantly related to the menstrual cycle (p = 0.256), both visual and numerical memory had significant positive associations (p < 0.001) with the luteal phase. However, since the effect sizes were very small, the importance of this relationship might be commonly overestimated. Future studies could thus entail designs with larger sample sizes, including neuro-biological measures of menstrual stages, and consequently inform competent interventions and support systems.展开更多
Epilepsy frequently leads to cognitive dysfunction and approaches to treatment remain limited.Although regular exercise effectively improves learning and memory functions across multiple neurological diseases,its appl...Epilepsy frequently leads to cognitive dysfunction and approaches to treatment remain limited.Although regular exercise effectively improves learning and memory functions across multiple neurological diseases,its application in patients with epilepsy remains controversial.Here,we adopted a 14-day treadmill-exercise paradigm in a pilocarpine injection-induced mouse model of epilepsy.Cognitive assays confirmed the improvement of object and spatial memory after endurance training,and electrophysiological studies revealed the maintenance of hippocampal plasticity as a result of physical exercise.Investigations of the mechanisms underlying this effect revealed that exercise protected parvalbumin interneurons,probably via the suppression of neuroinflammation and improved integrity of blood-brain barrier.In summary,this work identified a previously unknown mechanism through which exercise improves cognitive rehabilitation in epilepsy.展开更多
“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”orienta...“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.展开更多
Haptic(vibration)information expression is an effective human-computer interaction mode and information transfer method.It makes up shortcomings of sound under certain conditions and is an important channel of informa...Haptic(vibration)information expression is an effective human-computer interaction mode and information transfer method.It makes up shortcomings of sound under certain conditions and is an important channel of information transfer for route guidance field.As a special kind of walkers,the visually impaired pedestrians have a specific type of cognition or perception of route guidance environment(including spatial orientation,distance and walking speed etc.)and they have sharp sense of touch resources form the ordinary.This work integrated application of GPS,GIS and Haptic(vibration)technology to develop more reliable mode route guidance for the visually impaired.It provides different vibration to the user under two circumstances:key nodes of roads ahead and deviation planning path.It resists environmental noise,reflects timely and has high effectiveness.Based on Google Legend phone,we developed the prototype and realized the designed functions,and verified the effectiveness of the system.We initially determined the thresholds of deviating from the path,those at road junctions and other nodes through experiments,interviews etc.And we used the thresholds for experiments testing and guiding.Then they were inspected,corrected and improved in the field practice.Finally,more reasonable thresholds were drawn out for future applications in reality.展开更多
Natural geological conditions and geo-tourism resources in Jilin Province were introduced,and distribution features of the local major tourist resources(vegetation-covered eastern region,grass swamp on western plain) ...Natural geological conditions and geo-tourism resources in Jilin Province were introduced,and distribution features of the local major tourist resources(vegetation-covered eastern region,grass swamp on western plain) were studied.Jingyu Volcanic Mineral Spring Geo-park,Changbai Mountain Geo-park and Qian'an Mud Forest Geo-park were studied as typical geo-tourism resources,so as to provide basic data for the systematic development and construction of geo-tourism resources in Jilin Province.展开更多
As populations age, prevalence of Alzheimer＇s disease（AD） is rising. Over 100 years of research has provided valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the disease, for which age is the principal risk factor. Ho...As populations age, prevalence of Alzheimer＇s disease（AD） is rising. Over 100 years of research has provided valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the disease, for which age is the principal risk factor. However, in recent years, a multitude of clinical trial failures has led to pharmaceutical corporations becoming more and more unwilling to support drug development in AD. It is possible that dependence on the amyloid cascade hypothesis as a guide for preclinical research and drug discovery is part of the problem. Accumulating evidence suggests that amyloid plaques and tau tangles are evident in non-demented individuals and that reducing or clearing these lesions does not always result in clinical improvement. Normal aging is associated with pathologies and cognitive decline that are similar to those observed in AD, making differentiation of AD-related cognitive decline and neuropathology challenging. In this mini-review, we discuss the difficulties with discerning normal, age-related cognitive decline with that related to AD. We also discuss some neuropathological features of AD and aging, including amyloid and tau pathology, synapse loss, inflammation and insulin signaling in the brain, with a view to highlighting cognitive or neuropathological markers that distinguish AD from normal aging. It is hoped that this review will help to bolster future preclinical research and support the development of clinical tools and therapeutics for AD.展开更多
Concerning about the rapid urban growth in recent China, this study takes Beijing as a case and puts forward that urban sprawl can be measured from spatial configuration, urban growth efficiency and external impacts, ...Concerning about the rapid urban growth in recent China, this study takes Beijing as a case and puts forward that urban sprawl can be measured from spatial configuration, urban growth efficiency and external impacts, and then develops a geo-spatial indices system for measuring sprawl, a total of 13 indicators. In order to calculate these indices, different sources data are selected, including land use maps, former land use planning, land price and floor-area-ratio samples, digitized map of the highways and city centers, population and GDP statistical data, etc. Various GIS spatial analysis methods are used to spatialize these indices into 100mx100m cells. Besides, an integrated urban sprawl index is calculated by weight sum of these 13 indices. The application result indicates that geo-spatial indices system can capture most of the typical features and interior differentia of urban sprawl. Construction land in Beijing has kept fast growing with large amount, low efficiency and disordered spatial configuration, indicating a typical sprawling tendency. The following specific sprawl features are identified by each indicator： （1） typical spatial configuration of sprawling： obvious fragmentation and irregularity of landscape due to unsuccessful enforcement of land use planning, unadvisable pattern of typical discontinuous development, strip development and leapfrog development; （2） low efficiency of sprawl： low development density, low population density and economic output in newly developed area; and （3） negative impacts on agriculture, environment and city life. According to the integrated sprawl index, the sprawling amount in the northern part is larger than that in the southern, but the sprawling extent is in converse case; most sprawling area include the marginal area of the near suburbs and the area between highways, etc. Four sprawling patterns are identified： randomly expansion at urban fringe, strip development along or between highways, scattered development of industrial land, leapfrog development of urban residence and industrial area.展开更多
Spectrum sensing is the key problem for Cognitive Radio(CR) systems.A method based on the Peak-to-Average Amplitude-Ratio(PAAR) of the Spatial Spectrum(SS) of the received signals is proposed to sense the available sp...Spectrum sensing is the key problem for Cognitive Radio(CR) systems.A method based on the Peak-to-Average Amplitude-Ratio(PAAR) of the Spatial Spectrum(SS) of the received signals is proposed to sense the available spectrum for the cognitive users with the help of the multiple antennas at the receiver of the cognitive users.The greatest advantage of the new method is that it requires no information of the noise power and is free of the noise power uncertainty.Both the simulation and the analytical results show that the proposed method is robust to noise uncertainty,and greatly outperform the classical Energy Detector(ED) method.展开更多
The searching method of spatial information on traditional geo-archives catalog database(TGCD) is based on the text,and the result of retrieval can be only from the text of fields of relational database.The informatio...The searching method of spatial information on traditional geo-archives catalog database(TGCD) is based on the text,and the result of retrieval can be only from the text of fields of relational database.The information queried must be input into the relational database as a text form in advance,otherwise,the visitors would not get any result from it.So。展开更多
Theoretical frameworks used to explain the location of services include central place theory, aspects of industrial location theory and spatial diffusion theory. They are all described as normative theories which opti...Theoretical frameworks used to explain the location of services include central place theory, aspects of industrial location theory and spatial diffusion theory. They are all described as normative theories which optimize with respect to defined criteria operating in prescribed environmental conditions (Rushton, 1979). However, recent advancement in geospatial technologies has led to several applications in geographically orientated challenges, hence, the adoption of an effective decision tool like Geographic Information System (GIS), high resolution products of satellite remote sensing as well as the Global Positioning System (GPS) in solving the rather challenging task of optimal location for facilities with respect to necessary criteria. Minna metropolis is being affected adversely by the problem of appropriate location of public facilities. These facilities are either too far from their market zone or they are too congested in a particular location and in some cases, political consideration to the siting of these facilities dominate without given considerations to the necessary criteria for demands and public interest. The study is an investigation into the “optimal determination of the locations of some public facilities in Minna metropolis of Niger State, using geospatial techniques”. The fusion of remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS) and GPS techniques was explored. Geodata base of existing facilities was created and Euclidean-distance geometry used to spatially analyze the appropriate locations with regards to the set of standard criteria. The results showed the haphazard and uncontrolled pattern of development of schools location. However, petrol stations met the evaluated criteria and optimal location indexes.展开更多
Regarding the special potential of ports located on international coastlines such as Makoran Sea (Iran) for goods and human smuggling, national level of coastline security is very important. They can play a significan...Regarding the special potential of ports located on international coastlines such as Makoran Sea (Iran) for goods and human smuggling, national level of coastline security is very important. They can play a significant role in the development of power and security. Based on military reviews and analyses, police location and monitoring field view in the coastlines are strategic issues in modern security development. This research proposes a tool for development of coastal roads and coastal walking routes in the deployment of police. The main focuses are monitoring field view and accessibility to the strategic coastline. GIS tool plays an essential role in producing important security maps. Chabahar Port in Iran, as the most important port of Makoran Sea, has been selected as the study area, regarding its strategic role in the national economy and security. Research method focused on these major axes: successful establishment of police stations in shoreline for increasing monitoring and coastal security and suitable patrol of patrol police car in the coastal roads. This study adopts a scientific approach to the analysis of the present and future development in urban and security planning in coastal towns in the national and regional levels.展开更多
In integrating geo-spatial datasets, sometimes layers are unable to perfectly overlay each other. In most cases, the cause of misalignment is the cartographic variation of objects forming features in the datasets. Eit...In integrating geo-spatial datasets, sometimes layers are unable to perfectly overlay each other. In most cases, the cause of misalignment is the cartographic variation of objects forming features in the datasets. Either this could be due to actual changes on ground, collection, or storage approaches used leading to overlapping or openings between features. In this paper, we present an alignment method that uses adjustment algorithms to update the geometry of features within a dataset or complementary adjacent datasets so that they can align to achieve perfect integration. The method identifies every unique spatial instance in datasets and their spatial points that define all their geometry;the differences are compared and used to compute the alignment parameters. This provides a uniform geo-spatial features’ alignment taking into consideration changes in the different datasets being integrated without affecting the topology and attributes.展开更多
Introduction: Despite serious interventions worldwide, malaria remains a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality. Malaria endemic zones are predominant in the poorest tropical regions of the world, especia...Introduction: Despite serious interventions worldwide, malaria remains a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality. Malaria endemic zones are predominant in the poorest tropical regions of the world, especially in continental Africa and South-Asia. Major Indian population reside in malaria endemic zones which are tribal dominated and inaccessible. Lack of suitable data, reporting and medical facilities in malaria vulnerable regions handicaps the decision makers in taking adequate steps. Natural resources were mapped to establish their possible linkage with malaria incidence and to delineate malaria hotspots using geo-spatial tools. Methods: Remote sensing data along with various ancillary data such as socio-economic (population in general, child population, tribal population, literacy), epidemiology (Malaria API and Pf cases) and environmental parameters (wetness, forest cover, rainfall, aspect, elevation, slope, drainage buffer, and breeding sites) were integrated on GIS platform using a designed weight matrix. Multi criteria evaluation was done to generate hotspot for effective monitoring of malaria incidences. Results: Various thematic layers were utilized for integrated mapping, and the final map depicted 59.1% of the study area is vulnerable to high to very high risk of malaria occurrence. Manoharpur Administrative Block consisted of 89% of its area under high to very high probability of malaria incidence and it needs to be prioritized first for preventing epidemic outbreak. Various village pockets were revealed for prioritizing it for focused intervention of malaria control measures. Conclusions: Geospatial technology can be potentially used to map in the field of vector-borne diseases including malaria. The maps produced enable easy update of information both spatially and temporally provide effortless accessibility of geo-referenced data to the policy makers to produce cost-effective measures for malaria control in the endemic regions.展开更多
Background: Mobility limitations and cognitive impairments which are common with ageing often coexist, causing a reduction in the levels of physical and mental activity and are prognostic of future adverse health even...Background: Mobility limitations and cognitive impairments which are common with ageing often coexist, causing a reduction in the levels of physical and mental activity and are prognostic of future adverse health events and falls. Consequently, multi-task training paradigms that simultaneously address both mobility and cognition benefit healthy ageing are important to consider in rehabilitation as well as primary prevention. Objectives: An exploratory RCT is being conducted to: a) describe the feasibility and acceptability of the study design and process, procedures, resources and management in two game-based dual-task training programs delivered in the community;b) to explore the lived experiences of the study participants who completed their respective exercise programs. A secondary objective is to obtain preliminary data on the therapeutic effectiveness of the two dual-task training programs. Methods: Thirty healthy older community dwelling participants aged 70 - 85 with previous history of falls will be recruited and randomized to either dual- task treadmill walking (experimental group) or dual-task recumbent bicycle (control group). Data analysis: The qualitative data will be analyzed by two investigators using a content analysis approach. For the quantitative data, outcome measures will be collected pre and post intervention and included measures to assess core balance, spatial-temporal gait variables, visual tracking and cognitive function, as well as, balance and gait analysis under dual-task conditions. Discussion: This research will demonstrate the feasibility of the dual-task training programs in the community, and demonstrate the system’s ability to improve targeted and integrated (dual-task) aspects of balance, mobility, gaze, and cognitive performance. A blended analysis of balance, mobility gaze and cognition will also contribute to a better understanding of the functional consequences of decline in physical and mental skills with age. Trial registration: This pilot clinical trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System: NCT01940055.展开更多
Spatial models joint external and internal aspects of human activity,mental schemas of thinking,and spatial structures of things.These models represent objects of knowledge,valuation,and transformation due to similari...Spatial models joint external and internal aspects of human activity,mental schemas of thinking,and spatial structures of things.These models represent objects of knowledge,valuation,and transformation due to similarity with them in various relations,and they participate in inter-subject communication using schemata common for many people.The spatial models can reproduce a modelled object or be productive regarding it.These models are created in cognitive modus of comprehension as images of objects known at various mental levels;in projective modus,they appear as projects of object’s transformation and planes of subject’s actions;in communicative modus,they are interpreted as spatial texts expressing certain senses.All of them interact in spatial thinking,which deals with the relationship of parts and the whole,unlike logical thinking operating with genus-species relations.Both practical and theoretical thinking use common spatial schemas as means of internal modelling,which are elaborated in collective and individual experience.Due to their simplicity and unification,these schemas can serve also as units of spatial codes mediating the objects representation and inter-subject communication through spatial texts created in the semiotized space.展开更多
文摘The menstrual cycle has been a topic of interest in relation to behavior and cognition for many years, with historical beliefs associating it with cognitive impairment. However, recent research has challenged these beliefs and suggested potential positive effects of the menstrual cycle on cognitive performance. Despite these emerging findings, there is still a lack of consensus regarding the impact of the menstrual cycle on cognition, particularly in domains such as spatial reasoning, visual memory, and numerical memory. Hence, this study aimed to explore the relationship between the menstrual cycle and cognitive performance in these specific domains. Previous studies have reported mixed findings, with some suggesting no significant association and others indicating potential differences across the menstrual cycle. To contribute to this body of knowledge, we explored the research question of whether the menstrual cycles have a significant effect on cognition, particularly in the domains of spatial reasoning, visual and numerical memory in a regionally diverse sample of menstruating females. A total of 30 menstruating females from mixed geographical backgrounds participated in the study, and a repeated measures design was used to assess their cognitive performance in two phases of the menstrual cycle: follicular and luteal. The results of the study revealed that while spatial reasoning was not significantly related to the menstrual cycle (p = 0.256), both visual and numerical memory had significant positive associations (p < 0.001) with the luteal phase. However, since the effect sizes were very small, the importance of this relationship might be commonly overestimated. Future studies could thus entail designs with larger sample sizes, including neuro-biological measures of menstrual stages, and consequently inform competent interventions and support systems.
基金supported by STI2030-Major Projects,No.2022ZD0207600 (to LZ)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.821 71446 (to JY),U22A20301 (to KFS),32070955 (to LZ)+1 种基金Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation,No.202381515040015 (to LZ)Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou of China,No.202007030012 (to KFS and LZ)
文摘Epilepsy frequently leads to cognitive dysfunction and approaches to treatment remain limited.Although regular exercise effectively improves learning and memory functions across multiple neurological diseases,its application in patients with epilepsy remains controversial.Here,we adopted a 14-day treadmill-exercise paradigm in a pilocarpine injection-induced mouse model of epilepsy.Cognitive assays confirmed the improvement of object and spatial memory after endurance training,and electrophysiological studies revealed the maintenance of hippocampal plasticity as a result of physical exercise.Investigations of the mechanisms underlying this effect revealed that exercise protected parvalbumin interneurons,probably via the suppression of neuroinflammation and improved integrity of blood-brain barrier.In summary,this work identified a previously unknown mechanism through which exercise improves cognitive rehabilitation in epilepsy.
文摘“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.
文摘Haptic(vibration)information expression is an effective human-computer interaction mode and information transfer method.It makes up shortcomings of sound under certain conditions and is an important channel of information transfer for route guidance field.As a special kind of walkers,the visually impaired pedestrians have a specific type of cognition or perception of route guidance environment(including spatial orientation,distance and walking speed etc.)and they have sharp sense of touch resources form the ordinary.This work integrated application of GPS,GIS and Haptic(vibration)technology to develop more reliable mode route guidance for the visually impaired.It provides different vibration to the user under two circumstances:key nodes of roads ahead and deviation planning path.It resists environmental noise,reflects timely and has high effectiveness.Based on Google Legend phone,we developed the prototype and realized the designed functions,and verified the effectiveness of the system.We initially determined the thresholds of deviating from the path,those at road junctions and other nodes through experiments,interviews etc.And we used the thresholds for experiments testing and guiding.Then they were inspected,corrected and improved in the field practice.Finally,more reasonable thresholds were drawn out for future applications in reality.
基金Supported by Social Development Foundation of Jilin Provincial Department of Science and Technology(20090478)~~
文摘Natural geological conditions and geo-tourism resources in Jilin Province were introduced,and distribution features of the local major tourist resources(vegetation-covered eastern region,grass swamp on western plain) were studied.Jingyu Volcanic Mineral Spring Geo-park,Changbai Mountain Geo-park and Qian'an Mud Forest Geo-park were studied as typical geo-tourism resources,so as to provide basic data for the systematic development and construction of geo-tourism resources in Jilin Province.
基金supported by the Department of Education and Learning,Northern Ireland,UK
文摘As populations age, prevalence of Alzheimer＇s disease（AD） is rising. Over 100 years of research has provided valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the disease, for which age is the principal risk factor. However, in recent years, a multitude of clinical trial failures has led to pharmaceutical corporations becoming more and more unwilling to support drug development in AD. It is possible that dependence on the amyloid cascade hypothesis as a guide for preclinical research and drug discovery is part of the problem. Accumulating evidence suggests that amyloid plaques and tau tangles are evident in non-demented individuals and that reducing or clearing these lesions does not always result in clinical improvement. Normal aging is associated with pathologies and cognitive decline that are similar to those observed in AD, making differentiation of AD-related cognitive decline and neuropathology challenging. In this mini-review, we discuss the difficulties with discerning normal, age-related cognitive decline with that related to AD. We also discuss some neuropathological features of AD and aging, including amyloid and tau pathology, synapse loss, inflammation and insulin signaling in the brain, with a view to highlighting cognitive or neuropathological markers that distinguish AD from normal aging. It is hoped that this review will help to bolster future preclinical research and support the development of clinical tools and therapeutics for AD.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40571056 Sustentation Fund on Doctoral Thesis from Beijing Science and Technology Committee, No.ZZ0608
文摘Concerning about the rapid urban growth in recent China, this study takes Beijing as a case and puts forward that urban sprawl can be measured from spatial configuration, urban growth efficiency and external impacts, and then develops a geo-spatial indices system for measuring sprawl, a total of 13 indicators. In order to calculate these indices, different sources data are selected, including land use maps, former land use planning, land price and floor-area-ratio samples, digitized map of the highways and city centers, population and GDP statistical data, etc. Various GIS spatial analysis methods are used to spatialize these indices into 100mx100m cells. Besides, an integrated urban sprawl index is calculated by weight sum of these 13 indices. The application result indicates that geo-spatial indices system can capture most of the typical features and interior differentia of urban sprawl. Construction land in Beijing has kept fast growing with large amount, low efficiency and disordered spatial configuration, indicating a typical sprawling tendency. The following specific sprawl features are identified by each indicator： （1） typical spatial configuration of sprawling： obvious fragmentation and irregularity of landscape due to unsuccessful enforcement of land use planning, unadvisable pattern of typical discontinuous development, strip development and leapfrog development; （2） low efficiency of sprawl： low development density, low population density and economic output in newly developed area; and （3） negative impacts on agriculture, environment and city life. According to the integrated sprawl index, the sprawling amount in the northern part is larger than that in the southern, but the sprawling extent is in converse case; most sprawling area include the marginal area of the near suburbs and the area between highways, etc. Four sprawling patterns are identified： randomly expansion at urban fringe, strip development along or between highways, scattered development of industrial land, leapfrog development of urban residence and industrial area.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 60602053)Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (NCET-08-0891)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province (2010JQ80241)the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (2009 CDB308)the Fund from Education Department of Shaanxi Government (2010JK836)
文摘Spectrum sensing is the key problem for Cognitive Radio(CR) systems.A method based on the Peak-to-Average Amplitude-Ratio(PAAR) of the Spatial Spectrum(SS) of the received signals is proposed to sense the available spectrum for the cognitive users with the help of the multiple antennas at the receiver of the cognitive users.The greatest advantage of the new method is that it requires no information of the noise power and is free of the noise power uncertainty.Both the simulation and the analytical results show that the proposed method is robust to noise uncertainty,and greatly outperform the classical Energy Detector(ED) method.
文摘The searching method of spatial information on traditional geo-archives catalog database(TGCD) is based on the text,and the result of retrieval can be only from the text of fields of relational database.The information queried must be input into the relational database as a text form in advance,otherwise,the visitors would not get any result from it.So。
文摘Theoretical frameworks used to explain the location of services include central place theory, aspects of industrial location theory and spatial diffusion theory. They are all described as normative theories which optimize with respect to defined criteria operating in prescribed environmental conditions (Rushton, 1979). However, recent advancement in geospatial technologies has led to several applications in geographically orientated challenges, hence, the adoption of an effective decision tool like Geographic Information System (GIS), high resolution products of satellite remote sensing as well as the Global Positioning System (GPS) in solving the rather challenging task of optimal location for facilities with respect to necessary criteria. Minna metropolis is being affected adversely by the problem of appropriate location of public facilities. These facilities are either too far from their market zone or they are too congested in a particular location and in some cases, political consideration to the siting of these facilities dominate without given considerations to the necessary criteria for demands and public interest. The study is an investigation into the “optimal determination of the locations of some public facilities in Minna metropolis of Niger State, using geospatial techniques”. The fusion of remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS) and GPS techniques was explored. Geodata base of existing facilities was created and Euclidean-distance geometry used to spatially analyze the appropriate locations with regards to the set of standard criteria. The results showed the haphazard and uncontrolled pattern of development of schools location. However, petrol stations met the evaluated criteria and optimal location indexes.
文摘Regarding the special potential of ports located on international coastlines such as Makoran Sea (Iran) for goods and human smuggling, national level of coastline security is very important. They can play a significant role in the development of power and security. Based on military reviews and analyses, police location and monitoring field view in the coastlines are strategic issues in modern security development. This research proposes a tool for development of coastal roads and coastal walking routes in the deployment of police. The main focuses are monitoring field view and accessibility to the strategic coastline. GIS tool plays an essential role in producing important security maps. Chabahar Port in Iran, as the most important port of Makoran Sea, has been selected as the study area, regarding its strategic role in the national economy and security. Research method focused on these major axes: successful establishment of police stations in shoreline for increasing monitoring and coastal security and suitable patrol of patrol police car in the coastal roads. This study adopts a scientific approach to the analysis of the present and future development in urban and security planning in coastal towns in the national and regional levels.
文摘In integrating geo-spatial datasets, sometimes layers are unable to perfectly overlay each other. In most cases, the cause of misalignment is the cartographic variation of objects forming features in the datasets. Either this could be due to actual changes on ground, collection, or storage approaches used leading to overlapping or openings between features. In this paper, we present an alignment method that uses adjustment algorithms to update the geometry of features within a dataset or complementary adjacent datasets so that they can align to achieve perfect integration. The method identifies every unique spatial instance in datasets and their spatial points that define all their geometry;the differences are compared and used to compute the alignment parameters. This provides a uniform geo-spatial features’ alignment taking into consideration changes in the different datasets being integrated without affecting the topology and attributes.
文摘Introduction: Despite serious interventions worldwide, malaria remains a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality. Malaria endemic zones are predominant in the poorest tropical regions of the world, especially in continental Africa and South-Asia. Major Indian population reside in malaria endemic zones which are tribal dominated and inaccessible. Lack of suitable data, reporting and medical facilities in malaria vulnerable regions handicaps the decision makers in taking adequate steps. Natural resources were mapped to establish their possible linkage with malaria incidence and to delineate malaria hotspots using geo-spatial tools. Methods: Remote sensing data along with various ancillary data such as socio-economic (population in general, child population, tribal population, literacy), epidemiology (Malaria API and Pf cases) and environmental parameters (wetness, forest cover, rainfall, aspect, elevation, slope, drainage buffer, and breeding sites) were integrated on GIS platform using a designed weight matrix. Multi criteria evaluation was done to generate hotspot for effective monitoring of malaria incidences. Results: Various thematic layers were utilized for integrated mapping, and the final map depicted 59.1% of the study area is vulnerable to high to very high risk of malaria occurrence. Manoharpur Administrative Block consisted of 89% of its area under high to very high probability of malaria incidence and it needs to be prioritized first for preventing epidemic outbreak. Various village pockets were revealed for prioritizing it for focused intervention of malaria control measures. Conclusions: Geospatial technology can be potentially used to map in the field of vector-borne diseases including malaria. The maps produced enable easy update of information both spatially and temporally provide effortless accessibility of geo-referenced data to the policy makers to produce cost-effective measures for malaria control in the endemic regions.
文摘Background: Mobility limitations and cognitive impairments which are common with ageing often coexist, causing a reduction in the levels of physical and mental activity and are prognostic of future adverse health events and falls. Consequently, multi-task training paradigms that simultaneously address both mobility and cognition benefit healthy ageing are important to consider in rehabilitation as well as primary prevention. Objectives: An exploratory RCT is being conducted to: a) describe the feasibility and acceptability of the study design and process, procedures, resources and management in two game-based dual-task training programs delivered in the community;b) to explore the lived experiences of the study participants who completed their respective exercise programs. A secondary objective is to obtain preliminary data on the therapeutic effectiveness of the two dual-task training programs. Methods: Thirty healthy older community dwelling participants aged 70 - 85 with previous history of falls will be recruited and randomized to either dual- task treadmill walking (experimental group) or dual-task recumbent bicycle (control group). Data analysis: The qualitative data will be analyzed by two investigators using a content analysis approach. For the quantitative data, outcome measures will be collected pre and post intervention and included measures to assess core balance, spatial-temporal gait variables, visual tracking and cognitive function, as well as, balance and gait analysis under dual-task conditions. Discussion: This research will demonstrate the feasibility of the dual-task training programs in the community, and demonstrate the system’s ability to improve targeted and integrated (dual-task) aspects of balance, mobility, gaze, and cognitive performance. A blended analysis of balance, mobility gaze and cognition will also contribute to a better understanding of the functional consequences of decline in physical and mental skills with age. Trial registration: This pilot clinical trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System: NCT01940055.
文摘Spatial models joint external and internal aspects of human activity,mental schemas of thinking,and spatial structures of things.These models represent objects of knowledge,valuation,and transformation due to similarity with them in various relations,and they participate in inter-subject communication using schemata common for many people.The spatial models can reproduce a modelled object or be productive regarding it.These models are created in cognitive modus of comprehension as images of objects known at various mental levels;in projective modus,they appear as projects of object’s transformation and planes of subject’s actions;in communicative modus,they are interpreted as spatial texts expressing certain senses.All of them interact in spatial thinking,which deals with the relationship of parts and the whole,unlike logical thinking operating with genus-species relations.Both practical and theoretical thinking use common spatial schemas as means of internal modelling,which are elaborated in collective and individual experience.Due to their simplicity and unification,these schemas can serve also as units of spatial codes mediating the objects representation and inter-subject communication through spatial texts created in the semiotized space.
