Preliminary Map Research Articles

Temperature-sensitive splicing defects in Arabidopsis mitochondria caused by mutations in the ROOT PRIMORDIUM DEFECTIVE 1 gene.

Group II introns in plant organelles have lost splicing autonomy and require the assistance of nuclear-encoded trans-factors whose roles remain to be elucidated. These factors can be mono- or poly-specific with respect to the number of introns whose splicing they facilitate. Poly-acting splicing factors are often essential and their genetic identification may benefit from the use of conditional mutations. Temperature-sensitive (TS) mutations in the ROOT PRIMORDIUM DEFECTIVE 1 (RPD1) gene were initially selected for their inhibitory effect on root formation in Arabidopsis. Further analysis revealed that RPD1 encodes a mitochondria-targeted RNA-binding protein family member, suggesting a role in mitochondrial gene expression and making its role in root formation enigmatic. We analysed the function of RPD1 and found that it is required for the removal of 9 mitochondrial group II introns and that the identified TS mutations affect the splicing function of RPD1. These results support that the inhibition of adventitious root formation at non-permissive temperature results from a reduction in RPD1 activity and thus mitochondrial activity. We further show that RPD1 physically associates in vivo with the introns whose splicing it facilitates. Preliminary mapping indicates that RPD1 may not bind to the same regions within all of its intron targets, suggesting potential variability in its influence on splicing activation.

Gene Mapping of a Yellow-to-Lethal Mutation Based on Bulked-Segregant Analysis-Seq in Soybean

Plant photosynthesis is mainly dependent on leaf color, and this has an impact on yield. Mutants lacking in chlorophyll have been analyzed to gain insight into the genetic processes involved in photosynthesis, chloroplast development, and chlorophyll metabolism. A yellow-to-lethal mutant, ytl, was selected from the M6 generation of the 60Coγ ray irradiation-treated soybean cultivar Nannong 1138-2. The mutant exhibited reduced chlorophyll content, with the thylakoid structure disrupted. Segregation of the cross between Williams 82 (W82) and ytl indicated that a recessive allele controlled yellow-to-lethal traits. The bulked-segregant analysis (BSA)-Seq method performed preliminary mapping, followed by simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker validation and further mapping. The candidate gene was mapped to a 418 Kb region containing 53 genes. High-throughput sequencing and first-generation sequencing results showed a two bp deletion in the second exon of Glyma.08g106500, leading to a frameshift mutation in ytl. As a promising candidate gene, Glyma.08g106500 encoded a chloroplast-localized pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) domain-containing protein involved in the assembly of chloroplast proteins. These results will contribute to cloning the mutant ytl gene and provide insight into the regulatory processes controlling photosynthesis and chloroplast development and growth in soybean.

Influence of Forest Strips on Changes in Soil Properties in the Agrolandscape

Background: In Russia 5.2 million hectares of protective forest plantations were created on agricultural land. Forest strips optimize moisture turnover, heat and gas exchange of the territory and transform agrarian landscapes into more sustainable forest-agrarian ecosystems (agroforest landscapes). Studying the impact of shelterbelt forests on the transformation of soil properties in the context of climate change (organic carbon storage) is an important problem. The aim of our research was to study the effect of shelterbelt forests on soil indicators and to digitally map the contours of forest-meliorated soils on the test site using GIS-technology and field studies. Methods: In the present study, the methodology of soil studies in agroforested soils (1978) and the methodology of assessing the accumulation of substances in plants and soils in agroforested landscapes were used to study forest-meliorated soils. We proceeded from the position that the reclamation effect of forest belts occurs at a distance of 30 heights. The research was conducted from 2016 to 2022. Result: Research has established, that the soil profile under the forest belt has an organogenic horizon A0 (forest floor); the thickness of the humus horizon (A+B1) under the forest belt is 8-10 cm higher compared to other zones. Spatial distribution of humus content in the A+B1 horizon from the forest belt to the centers of inter-belt squares (zone 20H) is not characterized by great variability and clear patterns and on average makes 1.15-1.2%. The increase in calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content in the soil occurs in the direction from the forest belt to the 20H zone. The indicator of dense residue in terms of the content of readily soluble salts is not relevant in estimating the forest belt’s influence on transformation of soil properties. A preliminary digital map of the contours of forest-reclaimed soils has been compiled. The obtained materials will serve as a basis for modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of soils under forest belts in the zonal section and improving soil fertility in the interstrip space.

Portable XRF applied to regional bedrock mapping in Quebec, Canada

Whole-rock geochemistry yields better geological maps of the bedrock, since it allows, for example, visually similar lithologies to be distinguished. However, conventional laboratory geochemistry is not available in the field during a mapping campaign. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analyzers can produce fit-for-purpose data rapidly, and constitute a useful complement to conventional geochemistry in a bedrock mapping project. The pXRF data can be employed (i) while still in the field, to orient the mapping campaign; (ii) to prepare a preliminary geological map back in the office; and (iii) to interpolate between conventional whole-rock analyses on the final map. The latter application requires a matrix-matched secondary calibration of the pXRF data to improve its accuracy. Attention must also be given to precision issues, as well as potential instrument drift and analytical interferences.This paper summarizes recent efforts to systematically integrate quantitative pXRF data in government mapping projects within the Province of Quebec (Canada). We first demonstrate how an Olympus Vanta series M pXRF analyzer was commissioned and calibrated. We then show how the pXRF data was systematically acquired and utilized during a 1:50,000 to 1:20,000 mapping campaign in a Precambrian greenstone belt setting (Abitibi Subprovince). Before the mapping began in 2021, volcanic rocks in the study area were supposed to consist of only two mafic tholeiitic formations, called Obatogamau and Bruneau. Integrating pXRF into this project meant that while still in the field and immediately afterwards during preparation of the preliminary map: (1) a marker horizon representing the top of the Obatogamau Formation was chemically identified and then traced laterally; (2) the felsic Waconichi Formation was recognized despite the high metamorphic grade and also traced laterally just above the marker horizon; (3) the Bruneau Formation was shown to be much more continuous than previously known and to have Mg-tholeiites at its base, like in the type locality; (4) the Blondeau Formation was shown to occur above the Bruneau Formation. Within the volumetrically dominant Obatogamau Formation, Fe-tholeiites were also distinguished from visually similar Mg-tholeiites, which allowed these subunits to be traced while still in the field, leading to a more detailed map. Later, after the conventional laboratory chemistry had been received, the final geological map was prepared, but it was very similar to the preliminary map, confirming the satisfactory performance of the pXRF method for this application. However, we do note some issues and limitations even with the latest generation of analyzers.

PUSHING BACK: DIGITAL RESISTANCE AS A SENSITIZING CONCEPT

This paper thus aims to contribute to media, communication, and digital technology studies by proposing a more systematic conceptualization of digital resistance. While the notion of resistance in relation to technology is often connoted negatively and associated the rejection of innovation of change, our approach to digital resistance takes here a new meaning: political and critical. Indeed, the notion of digital resistance is often used in academia and public discourse to describe practices of using, subverting, and creating technologies, usually in a progressive and anti-oppressive perspective (Russell, 2005). However, the term is still relatively undefined, and many practices could be categorized as digital resistance if the term was better defined. We propose in this paper a preliminary but formal conceptualization of digital resistance. Our theorization takes place in the context of a research project on the cartography of digital resistance. Different data collection and analysis activities will be implemented to have a wide and panoramic empirical view of the phenomenon of digital resistance. In this project, the cartographic approach takes on a dual meaning, namely a broad and systematic description of a phenomenon, and the implementation of an original digital device allowing its visualization and potentially participatory enrichment. Our preliminary empirical mapping identified six dimensions to analyze digital resistance that we will present in this paper.

Morpho-Hydrological Analysis and Preliminary Flash Flood Hazard Mapping of Neom City, Northwestern Saudi Arabia, Using Geospatial Techniques

Neom city is a unique cross-border city connecting Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt. Although Neom city is of great and critical importance for Saudi Arabia, few hydrological, natural hazard, and geomorphological studies have been undertaken on this region. This work aims to investigate the hydro-geomorphological characteristics and assess the flash flood hazards in Neom city by investigating several valuable morphometric parameters. The Shutter Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model and hydrological and geological data were analyzed in this study using ArcGIS software. Based on the morphometric parameter results, total stream lengths and stream orders were relatively high (17,956.03 km and 5, respectively), whereas the average bifurcation ratio was recorded to be low at 3.54. Basins 10, 12, 17, 30, 31, 32, and 34 were described as large basins, coarse-textured, elongated, with a medium drainage density, low infiltration values, long overland flows, and high values of constant maintenance. Additionally, the El-Shamy approach for flood hazard assessment was applied side by side with the morphometric analysis, which indicated that the possibility of an intense flood hazard is very low. In general, this study suggests that most of the studied basins cover similar and resistant rocks and soils. They have minimal conditions for flooding events and suitable conditions for underground and surface water resources. Therefore, they display high signals of susceptibility to erosion. The morphometric analysis and flash flood assessment techniques applied in this study were time- and cost-effective for the morphometric characterization of landforms. This text deals with the analysis of several environmental characteristics including hydro-morphological characteristics, drainage topography and lithology, soil erosion, groundwater recharge impact, and flash flood signals. Excellent sustainability plans should be reliant on extensive and varied information about the environment. Thus, integrated analyses incorporating environmental characteristics and flood hazard assessment play an important role in adjusting and adapting the suitable socioeconomic and scientific sustainability of the development of the study city. They build up the basic and essential information required to help decision-makers and sustainability managers design and adjust the most suitable sustainability plans for the study city over the long term.

Advanced integrated segmentation approach for semi-supervised infrared ship target identification

Infrared ship target segmentation is the important basis of infrared guided weapon in the sea-air context. Typically, accurate infrared ship target segmentation relies on a large number of pixel-level labels. However, it is difficult to obtain them. To this end, we present a method of Semi-supervised Infrared Ship Target Segmentation with Dual Branch (SeISTS-DB), which utilizes a small amount of labeled data and a large amount of unlabeled data to train model and improve segmentation performance. There are three main contributions. First, we design a target segmentation branch to generate the pseudo labels for unlabeled data. It consists of a dual learning network and a segmentation network. The dual learning network generates pseudo labels with weights for unlabeled data. The segmentation network is trained using both labeled data and unlabeled data with pseudo labels to achieve target segmentation of infrared ship, obtaining the preliminary segmentation results. Secondly, we introduce an error segmentation pixel correction branch, which contains a student network and a teacher network, to modify the pixel category error of the preliminary segmentation map. Finally, the outputs of the two branches are combined to obtain the final segmentation result. The SeISTS-DB is compared with other fully-supervised and semi-supervised methods on the infrared ship images dataset. Experimental results demonstrate that when the labeled data accounts for 1/8 of the training data, the mean Intersection over Union (mIou) is respectively improved by 15.35% and 6.19% at most. Besides, it is also compared with other methods on the public IRSTD-1k dataset, when the proportion of labeled images is 1/8, the mIoU is respectively improved by 11.76% at most compared to the state-of-the-art semi-supervised methods, demonstrating its effectiveness.

ALTERNATIVE GCP SOURCES FOR ACCURATE HD MAP PRODUCTION

Abstract. In Taiwan, map companies have to referenced the HD Maps guideline and standard which published in TAICS, Taiwan to make ensure the quality of data. The procedure costs lots of times and resources. In order to increase the capability and mileage of HD Maps, this study try to use diverse surveying method and different kinds of sources for ground control points to produce the maps. The test field is National expressway No.8 in Taiwan. With different ground control points sources issue, we measure the features as ground control points and check points from UAS orthophoto. The preliminary results show that the absolute accuracy is suitable the requirement of HD Maps guidelines. With the diverse surveying method topic, we use sensor data from autonomous vehicle and SLAM algorithms to make HD Maps. The preliminary map results can be used as a base map to accomplish the concept of ground control point cloud. It can be used as ground control point to establishment, update, and overlay other point cloud data. On the other hand, these point clouds can be provided for application of SAE Level 3 autonomous vehicle to achieve the positioning accuracy of where in lane (0.5 meter). The flexible producing methods are helpful for formulating and renewing our HD Maps guideline and standard. These experiences will improve the efficiency and integrity for making map.

The mid‐latitude hydrolaccolith of the Spanish Central System (Southern Europe): A top‐to‐bottom integration of geomatic, geophysical and sedimentary datasets for characterising a singular periglacial landform

AbstractPermafrost study in the Spanish Central System (~41°N) has remained elusive in past decades. Although numerous periglacial features have been described, none has yielded conclusive information about the existence/distribution of permafrost across these mountains. This work focuses on integrating light detection and ranging and unmanned aerial vehicle data with geophysical methods and sedimentary records, along with preliminary thermal information, for the comprehensive study of a frost mound. The singularity of this feature resides in its location, currently dominated by a seasonal frost regime, and its size reaching 59 m long, 22.5 m wide and 4 m high, representing the largest landform of this type in Iberia. From top‐to‐bottom, the internal structure comprises three resistivity units (G1, G2 and G3). The most superficial unit (G1) consists of a sequence of burial soils alternating with sand and silts, with pebbles and gravel at the bottom, followed by a high porous layer that belongs to a landslide deposit (G2), likely composed of gravel and pebbles laying over unit G3 (bedrock). Calibrated 14C ages suggest this landform formed at least ~4300 years ago during the mid‐Holocene. Finally, the preliminary surface thermal map indicates the presence of sectors affected by strong thermal gradients likely driven by water table variations. Our results conclude that the dynamics are primarily controlled by the seasonal frost regime influencing local subsurface drainage, which allows us to classify this landform as a hydrodynamic pingo‐like structure. We also demonstrate that our approach is suitable for assessing the evolution of this type of periglacial landform. Implementing long‐lasting annual monitoring programmes would help to understand local periglacial dynamics better.

Mapping multi-stakeholder initiatives for public governance and transparency: a comparative assessment of trends and motivations

ABSTRACT Global multi-stakeholder initiatives aiming to strengthen public governance and transparency (PGMSIs) in participating countries are increasingly prominent but little researched and undertheorized. This analysis provides a preliminary mapping of the 121 countries that participate in the six most prominent initiatives (CoST, EITI, OCP, OGP, IATI). Rates of participation in single and multiple initiatives are characterized according to contextual factors of geography, economic development, and democratic governance. This mapping is complemented by 31 interviews with government focal points in countries that participate in multiple initiatives, assessing national motivations for participation. Interview results suggest that countries are motivated by considerations related both to technical capacity development and reputational effects, and that in many countries these motivations are mutually reinforcing. Interview responses further highlight how different types of actors are associated with different motivations, including government agencies, domestic civil society, international donor organizations, and PGMSIs themselves. Findings indicate that national decisions to participate in PGMSIs are perceived to be driven by both capacity and reputational motivations, but primarily by national actors (heads of state, ministries, and to a lesser extent civil society). The particular role of the World Bank, different types of government actors, and the PGMSIs themselves are given particular attention.

Process Mining Organization (PMO) Modeling and Healthcare Processes

Process mining organizatioQn (PMO) is an innovative approach based on artificial intelligence (AI) decision making suitable for designing healthcare processes for human resource (HR) organizations. The proposed work suggests some examples of PMO-based Business Process Modeling and Notation (BPMN) workflows by highlighting the advances in HR management and in risk decrease according to healthcare scenarios. Specifically proposed are different examples of “TO BE” process pipelines related to an upgrade of the organizational healthcare framework, including digital technologies and telemedicine. Important elements are provided to formulate HR management guidelines supporting PMO design. The proposed BPMN workflows are the result of different consulting actions in healthcare institutions based on the preliminary mapping of “AS IS” processes highlighting bottlenecks and needs in HR organization. A pilot experimental dataset is used to show how it is possible to apply AI algorithms providing organization corrective actions. The paper is mainly focused on discussing some validated BPMN models managing HR in the healthcare sector. The methodology is based on the application of the BPMN approach to deploy human resource organizational processes. The results show AI data-driven workflows adopted in healthcare and examples of AI fuzzy c-means outputs addressing organizational actions.

Civil Society Organizations and Harm Reduction Policy: The Mexican Case

The present study offers an outlook on the current situation of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the field of harm reduction in Mexico. Analyzing Mexican harm reduction civil society organizations (HRCSOs) is necessary for three reasons: because they have historically represented a sensible alternative to drug policy proposals that emanate from the logic of the State; because they have the organizational and cognitive potential and the legitimacy to protect illicit substance users (with or without problematic use) from the risks and harms that drug policies may pose to this population; and because they are in a crisis that not only threatens the viability of their healthcare projects aimed at vulnerable populations but also, potentially, their own existence. The present article seeks to answer two questions—one descriptive and one explanatory: (a) What are the characteristics of Mexican CSOs that work in the field of harm reduction? (b) How do these organizations operate in a complex and dangerous environment? To answer these questions, the study uses data on the organizations’ structures and dynamics that were obtained through 20 semistructured interviews that were conducted with members of these organizations. The article describes HRCSOs on three levels: (a) the individual that establishes a radical habitus and acquires the identity of a harm reduction activist through identity construction; (b) the collective of activists that, through the creation of trust, becomes an HRCSO with its structures, programs, and resources; and (c) the harm reduction social movement that, through cooperation and conflict, becomes a field of activism. The study seeks to have two contributions to literature: (a) providing a preliminary mapping of the anatomy of HRCSOs and the field in which they operate; and (b) sensitizing society and decision-makers on the transcendence of these organizations for social and political life.

Reaction path in the mechanosynthesis of calcium phosphates using a biogenic calcium source

Calcium phosphates were produced by mechanosynthesis, using eggshell, H3PO4 and 6–83 wt%-H2O. Mixtures were milled at 600 rpm during 0.5–12 h. Resulting calcium phosphates occur within specific milling domains; H2O concentration determines onset and stability of monophasic hydroxyapatite. Within the tested conditions, brushite is the first detected calcium phosphate precipitated from solution. In 6, 40 and 56 wt%-H2O, monetite intermediates brushite's transformation to hydroxyapatite; in 71 and 83 wt%-H2O transformation is direct. Hydroxyapatite formation is favoured at the H2O extremes tested, 6 and 83 wt%. CO2 build-up in the confined jar and nucleation-and-growth events during drying are possible obstacles upon control of morphology and composition of synthesised particles. The potential of chicken eggshell as direct biogenic source and the ability of high-energy milling as corresponding processing route to produce calcium phosphates was demonstrated. This signals a route for reliable production of brushite, monetite and hydroxyapatite. A preliminary milling map was built, allowing to obtain desired final product under specific milling conditions.

Field and petrographic studies of Basement Complex rocks in Saigbe and Environs, North-Central, Nigeria

Geological mapping and petrographic studies of rocks provide useful information on texture and mineralogical composition of rocks which can be used in the exploration and exploitation of any associated mineralization. However, few regional studies have been conducted in Minna and environs. Here, preliminary field mapping and petrography of out crops in Saigbe environ were conducted to determine their identification, structural and mineralogical composition. Twenty-one rock samples were collected, eight of which were used for thin section analysis. Joint directions were measured and plotted on rose diagram. Results show that Saigbe is underlain by schist, amphibolite and granite with minor pegmatite intrusions. Joints, faults, fold and foliations constitute main structures. Joints in the schists trend NE-SW, while those in the granites trend NW-SE, suggesting different episodes of emplacement for both rocks. Petrography revealed that the schists comprised quartz, biotite, muscovite, plagioclase and opaque mineral, while the amphibolites are composed largely of quartz, hornblende, plagioclase feldspar and opaque minerals. The granites are composed of quartz, microcline, plagioclase feldspar, muscovite and opaque minerals. The pegmatite dykes in the granites comprised quartz, plagioclase feldspar, orthoclase feldspar, muscovite and gemstones, hence interpreted as product of residual melt. The pegmatites make interesting target for mineral exploration.

The Importance of Uncertainty in Health Scenarios: A Scoping Review on COVID-19 Scenarios.

Scenarios are the most efficient methods to explore our uncertainty about the future. Even with increasing utilization, the majority of scenarios still fall short of meeting the future "uncertainties" in health. This article examines one of the most sensitive encounters of the health system with uncertainties-COVID-19 pandemic-and the type of uncertainty analysis in health scenarios to discuss the importance and determine the existing gaps while providing a better mechanism for scenario planning in the health system. To examine the extent, range, and nature of scenario research, a preliminary mapping of the existing literature, summarizing research findings, and identifying research gaps, we have taken help from the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) model and to improve the quality of the results, we have also used the PRISMA framework. To identify the studies relevant to the issue, the PubMed and Embase databases were searched for peer-reviewed published articles. All peer reviewed articles from January 01, 2020, to December 31, 2020, were included in this review. The search strategy was mainly the systematic use of English keywords such as "coronavirus," "covid-19," "SARS-CoV-2," "2019-ncov," and scenario. To improve the search sensitivity, subject searching based on MeSh and Emtree keywords was used. It is crucial to identify the health domains where the scenarios can be used. The major ideas that were covered and their variations would also be identified using these different scenarios. Based on the selected articles, we can answer some critical questions. First, in which health fields is the scenario method used? Second, what are the key concepts in these studies, and third, what is the difference between them? Policy, epidemiology, and economics use futures studies scenarios more than other social science disciplines in health. Furthermore, we have looked at the fact that selecting the appropriate kind, utilizing new methodologies, and emphasizing uncertainty analysis are the core difficulties associated with health case scenarios. Based on examining the existing indicators in the health scenarios, establishing the "uncertainty analysis" as the basis can improve scenario planning in this field. Also, if scenario planning is done as a process based on uncertainty analysis, it is more accurate and helps make better decisions in the field of health.

After the epistemological turn: A framework for studying populism as a knowledge phenomenon

The recent epistemological turn in populism studies has produced many valuable insights pertaining to populist knowledge practices, conspiracy theories, information bubbles, and cognitive biases. However, various elements of populist epistemology are still studied separately, and there are no common theoretical assumptions that would arrange them into a comprehensive epistemic theory of populism. Thus, apart from presenting a preliminary mapping of recent changes in the field, the article proposes a basic theoretical framework for an epistemic approach to studying populism by conceptualising populism as a set of epistemic interventions: discursive and non-discursive practices that construe the people as a political subject and result in the emergence of a populist epistemic community. The article discusses how the latter concept may help to link discursive, performative, communicative, and cognitive elements of populism, along with describing key features of populist epistemic communities and indicating possible directions for future research on populist epistemology.

4DME: A Spontaneous 4D Micro-Expression Dataset With Multimodalities

Micro-expressions (ME) are a special form of facial expressions which may occur when people try to hide their true feelings for some reasons. MEs are important clues to reveal people’s true feelings, but are difficult or impossible to be captured by ordinary persons with naked-eyes as they are very short and subtle. It is expected that robust computer vision methods can be developed to automatically analyze MEs which requires lots of ME data. The current ME datasets are insufficient, and mostly contain only one single form of 2D color videos. Researches on 4D data of ordinary facial expressions have prospered, but so far no 4D data is available in ME study. In the current study, we introduce the 4DME dataset: a new spontaneous ME dataset which includes 4D data along with three other video modalities. Both micro- and macro-expression clips are labeled out in 4DME, and 22 AU labels and five categories of emotion labels are annotated. Experiments are carried out using three 2D-based methods and one 4D-based method to provide baseline results. The results indicate that the 4D data can potentially benefit ME recognition. The 4DME dataset could be used for developing 4D-based approaches, or exploring fusion of multiple video sources (e.g., texture and depth) for the task of ME analysis in future. Besides, we also emphasize the importance of forming a clear and unified criteria of ME annotation for future ME data collection studies. Several key questions related with ME annotation are listed and discussed in depth, especially about the relationship between AUs and ME emotion categories. A preliminary AU-Emo mapping table is proposed with justified explanations and supportive experimental results. Several unsolved issues are also summarized for future work.

Mapping psychological provision across Level 1 and 2 NHS neurorehabilitation services in England, February 2023

This article outlines a preliminary mapping exercise of psychological staffing provision across Level 1 and 2 NHS neurorehabilitation services in England in February 2023, with the aim of understanding current provision and how it aligns with national service standards. Twenty services contributed clinical psychology/neuropsychology staffing information. This was audited against national recommendations for clinical psychology/neuropsychology staffing provision in specialist neurorehabilitation services (British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine Specialised Neurorehabilitation Service Standards, 2015). The results indicate that, on average, neurorehabilitation services are understaffed by approximately 2 full-time equivalent psychologists. As a result, patients are at risk of receiving substandard care, with poor optimisation of rehabilitation through evidence-based interventions and increased possibility of long-term disability. Staff are not being provided with psychological consultation and services are hence not providing appropriate and efficient multidisciplinary care. This is a call for action to support sufficient funding for clinical psychology/neuropsychology provision within specialist neurorehabilitation services.

What Forms Could Introspective Systems Take? A Research Programme

We propose a new approach to the study of introspection. Instead of asking what form introspection actually takes in humans or other animals, we ask what forms it could take, in natural or artificial minds. What are the dimensions along which forms of introspection could vary? This is a relatively unexplored question, but it is one that has the potential to open new avenues of study and reveal new connections between existing ones. It may, for example, focus attention on possible forms of introspection radically different from the human one and help to integrate competing theories of human introspection in a non-adversarial manner. We introduce and motivate the project, provide a preliminary mapping of the space of possible forms of introspection, and sketch a programme for interdisciplinary research on the topic.

Improving autonomous robotic navigation using IFC files

The navigation of robotic systems in construction sites often relies on sensor data from the robot. While mapping and navigation protocols such as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) are quite useful for navigation, they often require a preliminary mapping of the site, which is usually done manually. Waypoint generation for certain tasks, such as 3D scanning, cannot be done before obtaining said preliminary map, which can be tedious. Building information model (BIM) files contain rich semantic information about buildings; therefore, it is worth considering an approach where the information in BIM is leveraged to minimize the need for manual preliminary mapping of sites. This study proposes a methodology to get information from BIM—in the form of IFC files—to an autonomous robotic system (ARS) in the form of navigation maps, simulation environments, JSON files with useful semantic information, and proposed waypoints for stop-and-go missions. The schedule element present in IFC is used to generate obstacle maps relevant to the level of construction progress at the time the ARS is deployed. The results are validated with a case study of the entire process from the IFC file input to the waypoint generation for an ARS to complete a 3D reconstruction of an indoor space.