Spatial Planning Task Research Articles

Relativizacija konflikata na području Svetske baštine UNESCO - slučaj manastira Studenica, Srbija

Conflicts in space encountered by participants in the development of spatial plans for special purpose areas of cultural or natural assets are numerous, and the most significant are between protection and development. The relativization of the conflict implies the harmonization, neutralization or minimization of mutually opposing interests and goals in that area. This paper investigates conflicts in the area of the Studenica monastery, a cultural property inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, as well as in the area of the cultural landscape that surrounds it. In this particular case, conflicts were identified between the protection of cultural heritage on the one hand and the development of transport infrastructure, water management and the exploitation of mineral resources on the other. The task of spatial planning, as carried out for special purpose areas, is the relativization of conflicting interests in space. This paper shows that in relation to conflicting interests in the area of a world heritage site, not everything is contingent on the creation of spatial plans of special purpose areas, but rather on their realization, monitoring and evaluation, as well as on the corresponding capacities in general. The aim of the research presented in this paper is to point out the importance of spatial planning in the relativization of conflicting interests and goals using the example of the world heritage site planning of the Studenica monastery.

OBJECTIVES OF SPATIAL PLANNING IN SELECTED CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. ANALYSIS OF SELECTED CASE STUDIES

The aim of this article is to determine how spatial planning tasks are addressed at the central level in the spatial planning systems of selected Central and Eastern European countries. The article is of a review nature. Based on the literature review, the central-level approaches to spatial planning in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, and Romania are characterized. Countries that are members of the European Union and countries where there is in-depth scientific literature on the indicated issue were selected. At the same time, for each country, the approaches analyzed were selected in a slightly different way, adapted to the systemic framework. The focus was on a synthetic content analysis of spatial planning documents at the central level.

APPROACHES TO SPATIAL PLANNING: RETROSPECTIVE AND CURRENT STATUS

During the time of Ukraine's independence, there was a constant transformation and evolution of approaches to spatial planning. But the study of this process made it possible to identify three, relatively complete in terms of time, significant stages: 1991- 2000; 2000-2011; 2011-2021. The article examines in detail the prerequisites for the transformation of approaches to spatial planning at the local level at each of the stages. The first stage is characterized by the establishment of the state foundations of urban planning in Ukraine, the adaptation of Soviet approaches to spatial planning to the conditions of a market economy. The features of the second stage are efforts to maximally adapt the existing approaches to the conditions of the market economy. During the third stage, there is a need to rebuild sustainable methods and mechanisms of spatial planning, which were aimed at conceptual changes in land and urban planning legislation adopted in 2020-2021. The main changes can be recognized as the inclusion of a new document – a comprehensive plan for the spatial development of the territory of the territorial community. An important step towards an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to spatial planning tasks was the definition of comprehensive plan for the spatial development of the territory of the territorial community, general and detailed plans at the same time as a type of urban planning documentation at the local level and land management documentation. The fourth stage begins its countdown from 2022.

ML models and neural networks for analyzing 3D data spatial planning tasks: Example of Khasansky urban district of the Russian Federation

The article addresses the issue of the Earth's surface surveillance. It was determined that artificial intelligence tools and machine learning methods are required to enhance the effectiveness of image recognition. Cores, Era 5, and ArcGIS cloud computing services (APIs) were installed to evaluate spatial data quality. The article presents the results of analyzing climate data received through applications developed by the authors. Raster terrain images of Slavyanka city located in Khasansky District of the Russian Federation were obtained, and corresponding graphs of temperature regimes were built. The root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) value calculated using machine learning techniques served as the basis for developing a neural network. It was later used to define the land features of the Khasansky city district to evaluate the possibility of construction works in this area. The map received allowed setting the designation purpose of the land plots and their rating in terms of suitability for construction works and defining areas not serviceable for any civil engineering activities. Complex climatic factors and obtained raster images of the terrain were considered. Testing the neural network for terrain recognition showed the model's training error of up to 1.3%. In terms of statistics, RSSD (2.5 ± 0.95), the Pearson's criterion, the Student's criterion, and the statistical significance of the results were estimated. The obtained results can be used for terrain recognition and expert evaluation of land plots.

Individualized theta-burst stimulation modulates hippocampal activity and connectivity in patients with major depressive disorder

BackgroundWhile intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) has been shown to improve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD), research has been largely limited to targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). New approaches utilize patients’ individual resting state fMRI data in order to identify superficial cortical stimulation targets functionally connected to deeper brain regions, thus enabling the modulation of previously inaccessible targets for antidepressant therapy. ObjectiveTo improve iTBS treatment of MDD by inducing plasticity in the hippocampus through stimulation of an individually mapped, functionally interconnected site in the parietal cortex. MethodsFifty-three MDD patients were randomized to three treatment groups and underwent 15 sessions of iTBS to the left DLPFC. This was augmented by adding a second daily session of (i) stimulation over individualized parietal targets functionally connected to the hippocampus, (ii) left DLPFC stimulation, or (iii) sham stimulation. To evaluate the improvement of treatment, we assessed depression severity, neuropsychological performance, functional connectivity and neural activation during an associative memory paradigm pre- vs. post-treatment. ResultsAugmentation of left DLPFC stimulation by parieto-hippocampal stimulation increased functional connectivity between hippocampus and DLPFC as well as encoding-related hippocampal activation; the latter was associated with better performance during a spatial planning task dependent on prefrontal and hippocampal contributions. Depressive symptoms improved in all groups after treatment, with best clinical outcomes following twice-daily left DLPFC stimulation. ConclusionFunctional connectivity-guided stimulation of the hippocampus may serve as an adjunct to iTBS in order to target the cognitive symptoms of MDD.

Human hippocampal theta oscillations reflect sequential dependencies during spatial planning

ABSTRACT Movement-related theta oscillations in rodent hippocampus coordinate ‘forward sweeps’ of location-specific neural activity that could be used to evaluate spatial trajectories online. This raises the possibility that increases in human hippocampal theta power accompany the evaluation of upcoming spatial choices. To test this hypothesis, we measured neural oscillations during a spatial planning task that closely resembles a perceptual decision-making paradigm. In this task, participants searched visually for the shortest path between a start and goal location in novel mazes that contained multiple choice points, and were subsequently asked to make a spatial decision at one of those choice points. We observed ~4–8 Hz hippocampal/medial temporal lobe theta power increases specific to sequential planning that were negatively correlated with subsequent decision speed, where decision speed was inversely correlated with choice accuracy. These results implicate the hippocampal theta rhythm in decision tree search during planning in novel environments.

Distinctive Pattern of Cognitive Disorders During Multiple Sclerosis Relapse and Recovery Based on Computerized CANTAB Tests.

Background: Cognition may be affected at least as seriously as physical function during multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse, however MS relapse related cognitive disorders are still underdiagnosed and poorly characterized. The limited number of paper-pencil tests were used for assessment, and nevertheless, some significant changes were found. Unlike the paper-pencil tests, computerized batteries and tests are more sensitive and highly standardized, produce instant scoring and can minimize the learning and practice effects on follow-up. We investigated the cognition during MS relapse with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), which has shown sensitivity to cognitive dysfunction across different clinical groups, including patients with MS.Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the cognitive functions with CANTAB battery in MS patients during relapse, in stable MS patients, and healthy controls, and to establish the timing and pattern of cognitive recovery after relapse.Methods: Sixty relapsing, thirty stable MS patients, and thirty controls were assessed with CANTAB. The relapse group was assessed during multiple sclerosis relapse and 1 and 3 months after the first assessment.Results: The score of the difficult task of spatial planning was worse in MS relapse group than in MS stable group (p < 0.05). The scores of medium difficulty tasks of spatial planning, episodic visual recall and working memory were worse in the relapse group than in the control group (p < 0.05), while in stable MS and control groups, the scores of these tasks didn't differ. The most significant improvement of speed of response, spatial planning, episodic visual recall memory and spatial working memory, was established at 1 month after the first assessment, additional improvement of spatial planning and working memory was observed at 3 months after the first assessment.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that cognitive function is affected during MS relapse. The difficult task of CANTAB battery, which assesses the spatial planning, showed MS relapse related cognitive dysfunction. The changes in scores of episodic visual recall and working memory may be related to MS relapse. A significant improvement in the speed of response, spatial planning, episodic visual recall and working memory was established at 1 month after MS relapse. The additional improvement in spatial planning for the most difficult task and working memory was observed at 3 months after MS relapse. It may be possible that the practice effect had the impact on the improvement of cognitive scores that was noted in relapsing MS patients.

Color map design for visualization in flood risk assessment

ABSTRACTVisualizations of flood maps from simulation models are widely used for assessing the likelihood of flood hazards in spatial planning. The choice of a suitable type of visualization as well as efficient color maps is critical to avoid errors or bias when interpreting the data. Based on a review of previous flood uncertainty visualization techniques, this paper identifies areas of improvements and suggests criteria for the design of a task-specific color scale in flood map visualization. We contribute a novel color map design for visualizing probabilities and uncertainties from flood simulation ensembles. A user study encompassing 83 participants was carried out to evaluate the effects of this new color map on user’s decisions in a spatial planning task. We found that the type of visualization makes a difference when it comes to identification of non-hazardous sites in the flood risk map and when accepting risks in more uncertain areas. In comparison with two other existing visualization techniques, we observed that the new design was superior both in terms of task compliance and efficiency. In regions with uncertain flood statuses, users were biased toward accepting less risky locations with our new color map design.

An integrated approach of analytical network process and fuzzy based spatial decision making systems applied to landslide risk mapping

Landslides in mountainous areas render major damages to residential areas, roads, and farmlands. Hence, one of the basic measures to reduce the possible damage is by identifying landslide-prone areas through landslide mapping by different models and methods. The purpose of conducting this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of two models of the analytical network process (ANP) and fuzzy logic in landslide risk mapping in the Azarshahr Chay basin in northwest Iran. After field investigations and a review of research literature, factors affecting the occurrence of landslides including slope, slope aspect, altitude, lithology, land use, vegetation density, rainfall, distance to fault, distance to roads, distance to rivers, along with a map of the distribution of occurred landslides were prepared in GIS environment. Then, fuzzy logic was used for weighting sub-criteria, and the ANP was applied to weight the criteria. Next, they were integrated based on GIS spatial analysis methods and the landslide risk map was produced. Evaluating the results of this study by using receiver operating characteristic curves shows that the hybrid model designed by areas under the curve 0.815 has good accuracy. Also, according to the prepared map, a total of 23.22% of the area, amounting to 105.38 km2, is in the high and very high-risk class. Results of this research are great of importance for regional planning tasks and the landslide prediction map can be used for spatial planning tasks and for the mitigation of future hazards in the study area.

Modafinil and cognitive enhancement in schizophrenia and healthy volunteers: the effects of test battery in a randomised controlled trial.

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia have major functional impacts. Modafinil is a cognitive enhancer whose effect in healthy volunteers is well-described, but whose effects on the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia appear to be inconsistent. Two possible reasons for this are that cognitive test batteries vary in their sensitivity, or that the phase of illness may be important, with patients early in their illness responding better. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled single-dose crossover study of modafinil 200 mg examined this with two cognitive batteries [MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)] in 46 participants with under 3 years' duration of DSM-IV schizophrenia, on stable antipsychotic medication. In parallel, the same design was used in 28 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy volunteers. Uncorrected p values were calculated using mixed effects models. In patients, modafinil significantly improved CANTAB Paired Associate Learning, non-significantly improved efficiency and significantly slowed performance of the CANTAB Stockings of Cambridge spatial planning task. There was no significant effect on any MCCB domain. In healthy volunteers, modafinil significantly increased CANTAB Rapid Visual Processing, Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shifting and verbal recall accuracy, and MCCB social cognition performance. The only significant differences between groups were in MCCB visual learning. As in earlier chronic schizophrenia studies, modafinil failed to produce changes in cognition in early psychosis as measured by MCCB. CANTAB proved more sensitive to the effects of modafinil in participants with early schizophrenia and in healthy volunteers. This confirms the importance of selecting the appropriate test battery in treatment studies of cognition in schizophrenia.

‘Who else would we speak to?’ National Policy Networks in post-devolution Britain: The case of spatial planning

The implementation of the devolution process that started in 1999 was frequently assumed by contemporary commentators and scholars to lead to a fractured relationship with the national centre and a fragmented state as a consequence. However, discourse analysis and policy reviews in relation to spatial planning policies demonstrates that agendas and legislation implemented by central and devolved governments since devolution are characterised by marked similarities in intention and type (albeit with some differences in name and delivery route). In investigating the potential sites and sources of these policy similarities and possible mobilities, and drawing on research data, we suggest that the British Irish Council’s spatial planning task group as one of the potential candidates to be considered as a national policy community or network. Alongside a range of other factors following devolution, this has contributed to development and delivery in one specific policy area that has taken a convergent rather than divergent character.

A spatial genetic algorithm for automating land partitioning

Land fragmentation is a widespread situation which may often hinder agricultural development. Land consolidation is considered to be the most effective land management planning approach for controlling land fragmentation and hence improving agricultural efficiency. Land partitioning is a basic process of land consolidation that involves the subdivision of land into smaller sub-spaces subject to a number of constraints. This paper explains the development of a module called LandParcelS (Land Parcelling System) that is a part of an integrated planning and decision support system called LACONISS (LAndCONsolidation Integrated Support System) which has been developed to assist land consolidation planning in Cyprus. LandParcelS automates the land partitioning process by designing and optimising land parcels in terms of their shape, size and value. The methodology integrates geographical information systems and a genetic algorithm that has been applied to two land blocks that are part of a larger case study area in Cyprus. Partitioning is treated as either a single or multi-objective problem for various optimisation cases. The results suggest that a step forward has been made in solving this complex spatial problem, although further research is needed to improve the algorithm. This approach may have relevance to other spatial planning tasks that involve single or multi-objective optimisation problems, especially those dealing with space partitioning.

Virtual Team Work

This study investigates how three-dimensional virtual environments (3DVEs) support shared understanding and group decision making. Based on media synchronicity theory, we pose that the shared environment and avatar-based interaction allowed by 3DVEs aid convergence processes in teams working on a decision-making task, leading to increased shared understanding between team members. This increases team performance. An experiment was conducted in which 70 teams of three participants had to decide on a spatial planning issue. The teams interacted using synchronous text-based chat, a 3D virtual decision room, or were present in the virtual environment (VE) mirroring the spatial planning task. Results revealed that in the virtual decision room and the VE, shared understanding was higher than in the text-based chat condition. This led to higher task performance in terms of consensus, satisfaction, and cohesion. Our results show that 3DVEs offer potential for team collaboration over more traditional text-based collaboration technologies.

GIS-based ordered weighted averaging and Dempster–Shafer methods for landslide susceptibility mapping in the Urmia Lake Basin, Iran

In this paper, GIS-based ordered weighted averaging (OWA) is applied to landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) for the Urmia Lake Basin in northwest Iran. Nine landslide causal factors were used, whereby the respective parameters were extracted from an associated spatial database. These factors were evaluated, and then the respective factor weight and class weight were assigned to each of the associated factors using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). A landslide susceptibility map was produced based on OWA multicriteria decision analysis. In order to validate the result, the outcome of the OWA method was qualitatively evaluated based on an existing inventory of known landslides. Correspondingly, an uncertainty analysis was carried out using the Dempster–Shafer theory. Based on the results, very strong support was determined for the high susceptibility category of the landslide susceptibility map, while strong support was received for the areas with moderate susceptibility. In this paper, we discuss in which respect these results are useful for an improved understanding of the effectiveness of OWA in LSM, and how the landslide prediction map can be used for spatial planning tasks and for the mitigation of future hazards in the study area.

The role of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the Tower of London task performance: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation study in patients with Parkinson’s disease

We studied whether one session of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied over either the right or left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex would induce any measurable changes in the Tower of London spatial planning task performance in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Ten patients with PD (with no dementia and/or depression) entered the randomized, sham-stimulation-controlled study with a crossover design. Active and placebo rTMS were applied over either the left or the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (in four separate sessions) in each patient. The order of sessions was randomized. The Tower of London task was performed prior to and immediately after each appropriate session. The "total problem-solving time" was our outcome measure. Only active rTMS of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex induced significant enhancement of the total problem-solving time, p=0.038. Stimulation of the left prefrontal cortex or sham stimulations induced no significant effects. Only rTMS applied over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex induced positive changes in the spatial planning task performance in PD, which further supports the results of functional imaging studies indicating the causal engagement of the right-sided hemispheric structures in solving the task in this patient population.

The Dutch Layers Approach to Spatial Planning and Design: A Fruitful Planning Tool or a Temporary Phenomenon?

In 1998, a stratified model that distinguished spatial planning tasks on the basis of the differing spatial dynamics of substratum, networks and occupation patterns—i.e. three layers—was introduced in the national debate on spatial planning in the Netherlands. Although using layered models was not a new thing, this model hit a nerve in spatial planning practice, initially, in particular, on a national level, but later also on provincial and municipal levels. Since 1998, this “layers model” has developed into an approach to spatial planning and design: the Dutch layers approach. In the process, it got transformed in different ways. In this paper, we aim to provide information on and insight into the development of the layers approach between 1998 and 2009 both from a theoretical angle and from its application in practice, focusing on the variations of the layers approach that have been constructed since its introduction. We then add our own comments to the ongoing Dutch discourse concerning the layers approach, both in general and from the point of view of the relation between “time” and “space”. Concluding, we also answer the question posed in the title.

Raumordnung und Kulturlandschaft aus institutioneller Perspektive

With the adoption of the guiding principles and policy strategies of spatial development in Germany the development of cultural landscapes has become a central task of spatial planning. State and regional planning are not concerned with direct land-use regulation. Their coordination mechanism is meta-regulation, the regulation of other regulation processes. A meta-regulatory strategy aims not to control individual land-use decisions but the planning processes of other public planning organisations. State and regional plans set rules for organisations and project developers, monitor them and seek to bring about compliance with those rules. But there is a shift toward policy making and implementation through networks. Regional collaboration in policy networks have grown in importance, in part because no single planning organisation on the local or regional level is usually capable of regulating complex landscape development processes.

Dopamine Release in the Human Striatum: Motor and Cognitive Tasks Revisited

Striatal dopamine (DA) release has been shown during behavioural tasks, but the relative contribution of motor, reward, and cognitive components is unclear. Dopamine release was quantified using [(11)C]-raclopride in two studies using a triple-scan approach, comprising active task, motor control, and rest. In the first, bolus radiotracer was delivered during a sequential motor learning paradigm; in the second, a spatial planning task, bolus plus constant infusion was applied. [(11)C]-raclopride binding potentials (BP(ND)s) in striatal functional subdivisions were compared across conditions. [(11)C]-raclopride BP(ND) was significantly reduced in active task compared with rest in both the sensorimotor and associative striatum in both studies, because of differences between rest and motor control conditions. In both regions, the motor control BP(ND) fell between the rest and active task in the planning study, but the difference between motor control and active task conditions was not significant. No such changes were observed in the limbic striatum. Using rigorous methodology, this study validates earlier evidence that striatal DA release occurs during behavioural challenges. Increased DA release during movement was reliably detected in the sensorimotor and associative striatum, supporting use of the functional subdivision model in humans. No additional DA release was observed specific to the cognitive component of either task.

An Online Course Introducing GIS to Urban and Regional Planners

The adoption of geographical information technology (GIS) in spatial planning has until recent times, fallen short of expectations. Part of the problem may be attributed to a lack of experience by planners in using the technology to perform common planning tasks. The paper describes the timely development of an online course for introductory urban and regional planning using GIS. The course covers approximately 100 theoretical planning concepts, which are supplemented with more than 20 practical examples and exercises. The course was made available through a commercial GIS vendor in 2001 and has been has been completed by a large number of professionals and university students. The paper describes a framework for spatial planning tasks and pedagogical underpinnings for the online course. This is reviewed in the light of feedback obtained through student surveys to assess successful and unsuccessful aspects of the course. The online course provides the flexibility for both students and professionals to learn GIScience concepts and further realise the potential of GIS in supporting a broad range of planning tasks.

Discriminant validity and neuroanatomical correlates of rule monitoring in frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Despite the predominant frontal neuropathology of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), traditional measures of executive functioning do not reliably distinguish FTD from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Performance monitoring is an executive function that is associated with frontal lobe integrity and may be disrupted in FTD. The current study adopted a component process approach to evaluate the discriminant validity and neuroanatomical correlates of performance monitoring (i.e., rule monitoring) during an executive spatial planning task. Forty-four participants with FTD, 30 with AD, and 27 healthy comparison (HC) subjects completed the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (D–KEFS) Tower task. A subset of patients underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging to obtain regional measures of cortical volumes. FTD and AD groups demonstrated significantly poorer overall achievement scores on the Tower test relative to the HC sample, but did not differ from one another. In contrast, the FTD group committed significantly more rule violation errors than both HC and AD groups, indicating poorer performance monitoring. In addition, poorer overall achievement correlated with smaller brain volumes in several regions, including bilateral frontal and parietal regions, whereas an increased number of rule violations correlated specifically with decreased bilateral frontal volume. Both left and right frontal volumes remained significant predictors of rule violation errors after controlling for the contribution of overall achievement on the task and all other brain regions. Findings are consistent with literature implicating the frontal lobes in performance monitoring and highlight the importance of characterizing the component processes of performance failures in the cognitive assessment of FTD and AD.