Spatial Awareness Research Articles

What Faculty and Students Value When Evaluating Human Digital Anatomy Platforms: A Mixed-Methods Study.

There is an increasing availability of digital technologies for teaching and learning of human anatomy. Studies have shown that such applications allow for better spatial awareness than traditional methods. These digital human anatomy platforms offer users myriad features, such as the ability to manipulate 3D models, conduct prosection, investigate anatomical regions through virtual reality, or perform knowledge tests on themselves. This study examined what faculty members' value when using digital human anatomy platforms for teaching and what students value when using these platforms for learning. Six anatomy faculty members and 21 students were selected to participate in this study. After using the three digital anatomy platforms for at least 1 week, a survey was conducted to record their feedback in 4 categories: usability, interactive features, level of detail, and learning support. Respondents' Qualitative feedback within each category was also analyzed to strengthen the study's findings. The study's findings showed that faculty members and students have different priorities when evaluating digital anatomy platforms. Faculty members valued platforms that provided better accuracy and detailed anatomical structures, while students prioritized usability above the rest of the features. Given that faculty and students have different preferences when selecting digital anatomy platforms, this article proposed that educators maximize the specific affordances offered by the technology by having a clear pedagogy and strategy on how the technology will be incorporated into the curriculum to help students achieve the desired learning outcomes.

An Evaluation of View Rotation Techniques for Seated Navigation in Virtual Reality.

Head tracking is commonly used in VR applications to allow users to naturally view 3D content using physical head movement, but many applications also support turning with hand-held controllers. Controller and joystick controls are convenient for practical settings where full 360-degree physical rotation is not possible, such as when the user is sitting at a desk. Though controller-based rotation provides the benefit of convenience, previous research has demonstrated that virtual or joystick-controlled view rotation to have drawbacks of sickness and disorientation compared to physical turning. To combat such issues, researchers have considered various techniques such as speed adjustments or reduced field of view, but data is limited on how different variations for joystick rotation influences sickness and orientation perception. Our studies include different variations of techniques such as joystick rotation, resetting, and field-of-view reduction. We investigate trade-offs among different techniques in terms of sickness and the ability to maintain spatial orientation. In two controlled experiments, participants traveled through a sequence of rooms and were tested on spatial orientation, and we also collected subjective measures of sickness and preference. Our findings indicate a preference by users towards directly-manipulated joystick-based rotations compared to user-initiated resetting and minimal effects of technique on spatial awareness.

Anatomy and function: Understanding the parietal lobe’s role in psychiatry

ABSTRACT Background: This essay explores the complex structure of the parietal lobe, explaining its distinct characteristics and their role in cognitive processes. The relationship between parietal lobe abnormalities and psychiatric symptoms is also examined in this article. Methods: A thorough examination of the anatomy, physiology, and function of the parietal lobe, as well as its involvement in a range of mental conditions, is given in the research article. These are based on the review of literature of several relevant and ground breaking research papers on parietal lobe dysfunction, as well as an informative and concise summation of the structure and function of the parietal lobe. Result: One of the most important parts of the human brain, the parietal lobe, is in charge of several cognitive processes, such as information processing, sensory perception, and spatial awareness. This article seeks to explore the complex structure of the parietal lobe, explaining its distinct characteristics and their role in cognitive processes. The relationship between parietal lobe abnormalities and psychiatric symptoms is also examined in this article. It offers strong proof that anomalies in the parietal lobe are connected to a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. Conclusion: The healthcare system faces challenges in managing parietal lobe diseases due to limited resources, health-care access disparities, insufficient comprehensive data, and insufficient neuropsychological assessments. Holistic management requires understanding patients’ neuropsychological impairments and cognitive retraining techniques. Further research is needed to understand the disease burden, address health-care gaps, and enhance health-care infrastructure.

SpatialTouch: Exploring Spatial Data Visualizations in Cross-reality.

We propose and study a novel cross-reality environment that seamlessly integrates a monoscopic 2D surface (an interactive screen with touch and pen input) with a stereoscopic 3D space (an augmented reality HMD) to jointly host spatial data visualizations. This innovative approach combines the best of two conventional methods of displaying and manipulating spatial 3D data, enabling users to fluidly explore diverse visual forms using tailored interaction techniques. Providing such effective 3D data exploration techniques is pivotal for conveying its intricate spatial structures-often at multiple spatial or semantic scales-across various application domains and requiring diverse visual representations for effective visualization. To understand user reactions to our new environment, we began with an elicitation user study, in which we captured their responses and interactions. We observed that users adapted their interaction approaches based on perceived visual representations, with natural transitions in spatial awareness and actions while navigating across the physical surface. Our findings then informed the development of a design space for spatial data exploration in cross-reality. We thus developed cross-reality environments tailored to three distinct domains: for 3D molecular structure data, for 3D point cloud data, and for 3D anatomical data. In particular, we designed interaction techniques that account for the inherent features of interactions in both spaces, facilitating various forms of interaction, including mid-air gestures, touch interactions, pen interactions, and combinations thereof, to enhance the users' sense of presence and engagement. We assessed the usability of our environment with biologists, focusing on its use for domain research. In addition, we evaluated our interaction transition designs with virtual and mixed-reality experts to gather further insights. As a result, we provide our design suggestions for the cross-reality environment, emphasizing the interaction with diverse visual representations and seamless interaction transitions between 2D and 3D spaces.

Mastering Balance: A Systematic Review on The Effectiveness of Enhancing Balance Skills Through Balance Board

A systematic review on tactile sensitivity through the use of a tactile balance board holds significant implications for both research and practical applications in various fields. Tactile sensitivity, the ability to process and respond to tactile stimuli, is a crucial aspect of sensory processing that influences motor skills, spatial awareness, and overall well-being. This review serves as a comprehensive synthesis of existing literature, providing a nuanced understanding of the current state of research on tactile balance boards and their impact on tactile sensitivity. By systematically analysing and summarizing findings from multiple studies, it aims to identify patterns, trends and gaps in knowledge. This process enables researchers and practitioners to build upon existing evidence, fostering a more informed approach to further investigations. In the realm of research, the systematic review can serve as a foundational resource for scholars and scientists interested in the intersection of tactile sensitivity and balance board interventions. It allows them to identify areas where further exploration is needed, encouraging the development of targeted research questions and methodologies. Additionally, the review may highlight inconsistencies or variations in existing studies, prompting researchers to address these discrepancies in future investigations. Practically, the findings of this systematic review can have direct implications for professionals in fields such as rehabilitation, occupational therapy and neurology. Understanding the impact of tactile balance board interventions on tactile sensitivity can guide the development of evidence-based practices aimed at improving sensory processing and motor skills in individuals with sensory challenges. This, in turn, may enhance therapeutic interventions and contribute to the design of tailored rehabilitation programs. Furthermore, the review may inform educators and practitioners working with populations that commonly experience tactile sensitivity issues, such as individuals with autism spectrum disorders or sensory processing disorders. Insights from this synthesis of literature can be translated into practical strategies for the design of sensory-friendly environments and the implementation of interventions that incorporate tactile balance boards.

A Robust Pose Optimization Scheme With Spatial Geometry Awareness for Hybrid Bronchoscopic Navigation

A Robust Pose Optimization Scheme With Spatial Geometry Awareness for Hybrid Bronchoscopic Navigation

The utilization of 3D printing in surgery as an innovative approach to preoperative planning.

3D printing, a concept over 40 years old, is finding broader application in clinical practice thanks to technological advancements. At University Hospital Ostrava, 3D printing is utilized to create anatomically accurate models of specific patients before surgical procedures based on imaging data. 3D printing is employed as a complement to conventional imaging methods to produce morphologically precise models of anatomical structures of individual patients. These models primarily serve for preoperative planning in elective abdominal, vascular, and thoracic surgery. They are also used in planning osteosynthesis of complex fractures and corrective osteotomies. Multicolor printing, although increasing the process's time demands, allows better clarity and differentiation of individual anatomical structures within a single model. Compared to 2D images, 3D models provide better spatial orientation and awareness of the operated structures, contributing to improved surgical outcomes. The benefits of 3D printing in preoperative planning and patient education are confirmed by studies across the fields ranging from cardiac surgery to traumatology. After overcoming initial challenges, 3D printing has become a reliable component of the surgical arsenal at University Hospital Ostrava for elective surgery. While 3D printing does not represent a universal answer to all medical challenges, its role is highly beneficial and promising in many indicated cases.

Towards Persistent Spatial Awareness: A Review of Pedestrian Dead Reckoning-Centric Indoor Positioning with Smartphones

Towards Persistent Spatial Awareness: A Review of Pedestrian Dead Reckoning-Centric Indoor Positioning with Smartphones

Context Spatial Awareness Remote Sensing Image Change Detection Network Based on Graph and Convolution Interaction

Context Spatial Awareness Remote Sensing Image Change Detection Network Based on Graph and Convolution Interaction

Bridging Visual and Textual Semantics: Towards Consistency for Unbiased Scene Graph Generation.

Scene Graph Generation (SGG) aims to detect visual relationships in an image. However, due to long-tailed bias, SGG is far from practical. Most methods depend heavily on the assistance of statistics co-occurrence to generate a balanced dataset, so they are dataset-specific and easily affected by noises. The fundamental cause is that SGG is simplified as a classification task instead of a reasoning task, thus the ability capturing the fine-grained details is limited and the difficulty in handling ambiguity is increased. By imitating the way of dual process in cognitive psychology, a Visual-Textual Semantics Consistency Network (VTSCN) is proposed to model the SGG task as a reasoning process, and relieve the long-tailed bias significantly. In VTSCN, as the rapid autonomous process (Type1 process), we design a Hybrid Union Representation (HUR) module, which is divided into two steps for spatial awareness and working memories modeling. In addition, as the higher order reasoning process (Type2 process), a Global Textual Semantics Modeling (GTS) module is designed to individually model the textual contexts with the word embeddings of pairwise objects. As the final associative process of cognition, a Heterogeneous Semantics Consistency (HSC) module is designed to balance the type1 process and the type2 process. Lastly, our VTSCN raises a new way for SGG model design by fully considering human cognitive process. Experiments on Visual Genome, GQA and PSG datasets show our method is superior to state-of-the-art methods, and ablation studies validate the effectiveness of our VTSCN.

THE EFFECTS OF AN 8-WEEK BALL GAME INTERVENTION ON THE MOTOR ABILITIES OF 6-7-YEAR-OLDS

In the early childhood stages of development, ball games prove to be a crucial catalyst for improving motor abilities by actively engaging children in various physical movements that promote improved coordination, balance, and spatial awareness, while supporting important social interactions and cognitive skills essential for comprehensive growth. This study examines the effects of an 8-week ball game intervention program (tennis, football, basketball etc.) on the motor abilities of 6- to 7-year-old children (n = 47) in their regular physical education classes. The experimental group (n = 24) participated in 45-minute sessions twice weekly, while the control group (n = 23) received no additional organized physical activities. The hypotheses underlying the study suggest that the experimental group participating in the 45-minute sessions of the structured ball game program twice a week will show statistically significant improvements in these motor abilities compared to the control group.Motor abilities were assessed using the BOT-2 subtests for fine motor integration, manual dexterity, balance, and bilateral coordination and were assessed both before and after the intervention period in both groups. The BOT-2 subtests are standardized measures developed to comprehensively assess specific motor abilities. They were selected for their proven reliability and validity in assessing the motor abilities affected by the intervention and provide a solid basis for the outcome analysis of the study. Data was subjected to repeated-measures ANOVA analysis using a 2×2 design, with partial eta squared (η) used to assess the difference between the EXP and CON groups. Results showed remarkable improvements in fine motor integration (p = 0.016), general fine motor skills (0.021), bilateral coordination (0.004), balance (0.000), and body coordination (0.000) among participants in the intervention group. This study highlights the transformative potential of just two additional weekly sessions of various ball games to improve motor abilities in 6- to 7-year-olds.

ANALYSIS OF 8 GRADER STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE AT SMP AM IN UNDERSTANDING THE TRIANGLE CONCEPT BASED ON NCTM GEOMETRY STANDARD

Geometry plays a pivotal role in mathematics education, contributing significantly to the development of students' spatial awareness, intuition, and visualization skills. Despite its importance, there are reported challenges in students' understanding of geometry, with the Merdeka curriculum geometry standard noted for not adequately emphasizing the fundamental understanding of triangle properties before introducing congruence. Conversely, studies have highlighted the effectiveness of incorporating NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) standards in fostering mathematical comprehension in this domain. This research study delves into the performance of eighth-grade students in comprehending triangle concepts, guided by the NCTM geometry standard. Employing a content analysis technique on student work, created based on NCTM indicators and assessed accordingly, the study reveals deficiencies in students' understanding. These challenges include difficulties in describing and categorizing triangles, identifying angle relationships, constructing logical arguments using both inductive and deductive reasoning, and recognizing relationships between side lengths. These findings underscore the urgent need to address these knowledge gaps and bridge the disparity between NCTM standards and students' current comprehension levels regarding triangle concepts.

SAN ANTONIO TRANSPORTATION PLANNING SYSTEM: MAPPING INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY AND COORDINATION

Abstract Ride Connect Texas and its partnering agencies seek to develop an expanded senior mobility management system supported by a One Call One Click transportation planning system. Its purpose is to enhance on-demand transportation system coordination and the application of technology, providing consumers, service providers, and mobility managers with direct access to comprehensive transportation information. GIS mapping is used to help develop a spatial awareness of the transportation challenges among older people and individuals with a disability and the current system capacity. Interviews with transit, non-transit, and health and human service agencies will reveal factors that influence coordination among providers and opportunities for capacity expansion. Surveys and focus groups of older adults and individuals with disability will show differentiating characteristics of riders and transportation needs and challenges. GIS mapping will allow us to geocode these findings relative to the user’s street address and zip code, illustrating variations in specialized client needs, service availability, travel behavior, and available amenities for basic daily living. Mapping will identify gaps in transportation services, hot zones revealing high user demand and low system capacity, and the ability to reduce fragmentation of service through seamless technology-based coordination. The mapping element informs the measurement of a community’s transportation system capacity for this user group. The value proposition of this tool is its ability to help any community measure its readiness toward developing a comprehensive implementation strategy for coordinated demand response transportation, including resource mobilization strategies, capacity augmentation, phasing of the system, and implementation timeline.

VISUALIZING AGING EQUITY: CROSS-SECTORAL PARTNERSHIPS TO CREATE MAPPING TOOLS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Abstract This symposium will feature ways in which gerontologists are advancing the development of online, interactive mapping tools on aging. Utilizing GIS mapping technology and leveraging cross-sectoral partnerships, the speakers will present case illustrations of efforts to develop aging-focused mapping tools that aggregate data sources at the municipal, state, and national levels to advance a spatial awareness of supports for older adults across diverse communities. First, as an example from the nonprofit sector, the New York Academy of Medicine will present on IMAGE:NYC, The Interactive Map of Aging. This presentation will describe the utility of this tool for policymakers, planners, researchers, and social service providers. Representing work from within the academic sector, the Rutgers School of Social Work will describe an academic-public sector partnership to adapt the IMAGE:NYC map for two counties in New Jersey. Next, presenters from the University of North Texas will describe their partnership with the City of San Antonio to develop an intelligent demand responsive transportation system for older adults and individuals with disabilities. This project involves the use of GIS mapping tools and qualitative research methods to identify place-based transportation gaps and strategies for improvement. Focusing on the national level, the National Council on Aging will describe its work developing mapping tools, including a map that displays area-level rates in eligibility gaps for three federal benefit programs. With an orientation to aging equity, these tools hold promise for fostering inclusive and healthy communities where older adults of diverse intersectional socio-spatial positions can age well. This is an Environmental Gerontology Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

Development of a synchronous motion-tracking and video capture tool for flexible ureteroscopy.

Hand/instrument motion-tracking in surgical simulation provides valuable data to improve psychomotor skills and can serve as a formative evaluation tool. Motion analysis has been well-studied in laparoscopic surgery; however, there are essentially no studies looking at motion-tracking for flexible ureteroscopy (fURS ), a common surgical procedure requiring hand dexterity and 3D spatial awareness. We aimed to design a synchronized motion-tracking and video capture system for fURS capable of collecting objective metrics for use in surgical skills training. Motion tracking of the ureteroscope was performed using a motion-tracking platform, inertial measurement units (IMUs), and an optical sensor. Position (x, y, z) and orientation (roll, pitch, yaw) of the ureteroscope handle, lever deflection, and translation of the scope insertion point were collected. Video capture of the operator's hands was collected with a Raspberry Pi camera. All peripherals were controlled on a Raspberry Pi 4 and synchronized to its system clock. Our system demonstrated good accuracy in detecting translation of the ureteroscope in the x- and y-axes, and yaw, pitch and roll of the ureteroscope at discrete orientations of 0, ±30, ±60, and ±90 degrees. Unique to fURS, deflection of the lever was captured by the difference in IMU static accelerations with good accuracy. The optical sensor detected translation of the ureteroscope at the insertion point with good precision and an average error of 5.51%. We successfully developed a motion-tracking and video-capture system capable of collecting motion-analysis parameters unique to fURS . Future studies will focus on establishing the construct validity of this tool.

Integrating Primary Source Analysis in Remote Teaching of Earth and Environmental Science During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted learning, and obstructed social connections and spatial awareness. To rectify, an interdisciplinary curriculum integrated remote teaching of earth and environmental science with primary source analysis. Two professional development workshops trained 20 teachers and librarians who designed 17 cross-curricular activities for 540 students. In semi-structured interviews, the participants reflected that primary source analysis engages students in active learning and inquiry, develops critical thinking, provides multiple perspectives, and advances spatial skills by investigating real-world situations. Teachers concluded that teaching with primary sources enhances instruction and saves their time because activities can be adapted for any mode of instruction.

Measures in Rural Education in China

This paper focuses on the issues of rural education development in China. Education is the cornerstone of development. As a populous and developing country, China pays great attention to education issues. The Chinese government and people have made many directional efforts for the development of education, but there are still many regional, cultural, and linguistic problems in the practical stages of policy implementation due to China's vast territory. Especially in the aspect of rural education, there are still many problems, and the revival of rural education also promotes the development of rural revitalization. This paper analyzes and introduces the current education environment and the problems of uneven education resources based on various education policies in China today, and proposes solutions to rural education problems, including localized curriculum setting for rural education, directed training for rural teachers, organic integration of new media and education, and the creation of spatial awareness in rural education.

Application of SLAM technology combined with AR in minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is revolutionizing the medical field, offering patients faster recovery times and reduced risk of complications. However, MIS demands precise navigation and visualization of the surgical site, which can be challenging due to the limited field of view and constrained working space. In this study, we investigate the integration of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technology with augmented reality (AR) to enhance the capabilities of MIS and improve surgical outcomes. SLAM technology enables real-time 3D mapping and tracking of the surgical environment, while AR overlays crucial information, such as anatomical structures and surgical guidance, onto the surgeon's view. The proposed system combines these technologies to create a comprehensive, interactive representation of the patient's anatomy, providing surgeons with a more intuitive and accurate understanding of the surgical site. We assess the performance of the integrated SLAM-AR system based on a review of relevant literature, focusing on its accuracy, usability, and impact on surgical efficiency. The findings suggest that the SLAM-AR system has the potential to significantly improve spatial awareness and navigation during MIS, potentially reducing procedure times and complication rates. Furthermore, the system shows promise for enhancing surgeon training and promoting the adoption of MIS techniques in various surgical fields.

A Dynamic STEM-Driven Approach through Mobile Robotics to Enhance Critical Thinking and Interdisciplinary Skills for Empowering Industry 4.0 Competencies

This study presents an innovative pedagogical approach aimed at enhancing the teaching of robotics within the broader context of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education across diverse academic levels. The integration of mobile robotics kits into a dynamic STEM-focused curriculum offers students an immersive and hands-on learning experience, fostering programming skills, advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and spatial awareness. The motivation behind this research lies in improving the effectiveness of robotics education by addressing existing gaps in current strategies. It aims to better prepare students for this rapidly evolving field’s dynamic challenges and opportunities. To achieve this, detailed protocols were formulated that not only facilitate student learning but also cater to teacher training and involvement. These protocols encompass code documentation and examples, providing tangible representations of the practical outcomes of the course. In addition to the presented curriculum, this paper introduces the developed methodology that strategically leverages 3D-printing technology. The primary focus of this approach is to create captivating add-ons and establish a versatile workspace, actively promoting heightened engagement and facilitating the acquisition of knowledge among students. The research involves the development of tailored laboratory protocols suited to various academic levels, employing a systematic methodology aimed at deepening students’ comprehension of STEM concepts. Furthermore, an adaptable infrastructure for laboratory protocols and in-class testing was developed. The efficacy of this teaching/learning methodology is evaluated through student surveys, ensuring its continuous improvement. These protocols are to be integrated into both the robotics courses and teacher-training initiatives. This study aims to contribute to the field by using a dynamic STEM-driven approach based on mobile robotics. It outlines a strategic vision for better-preparing students and educators in the ever-evolving landscape of robotics education demanded by Industry 4.0 technologies.

Where is my hand? Proprioceptive disturbances in posterior cortical atrophy and typical Alzheimer’s disease

AbstractBackgroundPosterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome most commonly caused by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. PCA is often considered the canonical ‘visual dementia’, characterised by the progressive loss of visual and posterior cortical functions corresponding to parieto‐occipital and occipito‐temporal atrophy. However, patient reports of difficulties finding sleeves of clothes, transferring between postures and determining heading direction imply non‐visual disturbances, consistent with the multisensory role of the posterior parietal cortex. Such reports raise questions regarding AD clinical heterogeneity, representing a substantial challenge to patients' independence and management of PCA and typical AD (tAD).MethodPatient (total n = 39; PCA n = 23; tAD n = 16) and control (n = 19) participants repeatedly reached to a proprioceptive target (their non‐dominant thumb) (Fig.A) with and without vision and tactile feedback (n = 40 trials per participant). The target was positioned passively behind a screen apparatus at five positions using an adjustable foam handrest. The primary outcome measure was absolute (medio‐lateral) error determined using whole‐body motion capture data (Fig.B).ResultAbsolute error was greater without than with vision across groups. However, the effect of removing vision on absolute error was smallest in the control group (estimated mean error with vision [95%CI]: 15mm [6,25]; without vision: 23mm [14,32]), greatest in PCA (with vision: 39mm [30,49]; without vision: 76mm [67,86]) and intermediate in the tAD group (with vision: 26mm [16,37]; without vision: 49mm [39,60]) (vision‐by‐group interaction: p<.001; Fig.C). For ∼5% of trials, absolute error exceeded 200mm in PCA and 120mm in tAD participants (Fig.B; control range: 0.01‐80mm). There was no evidence of an effect of tactile feedback in any group.The effect of target location differed between groups (location‐by‐group interaction: p<.001). Patient reaching errors were particularly apparent under postures where the target arm crossed the body midline (e.g. left arm in right hemispace); this effect was notably evident in the PCA group even with available vision (Fig.C).ConclusionFindings emphasise disturbed spatial awareness in PCA and tAD in the absence of vision, consistent with diminished body position sense‐ proprioception ‐ which may be mediated centrally through posterior parietal vulnerability. Findings suggest implications for assessment and management of disabling dressing, mobility, navigation and balance difficulties.