Visual Organization Research Articles

Organization measures in the Enhanced Baking Tray Task.

The ecological assessment and the analysis of spatial organization behaviors, like the organization of objects in an empty space, in clinical and neurotypical conditions, is crucial. The Enhanced-Baking Tray Task (E-BTT) is as simple as that - placing objects inside a frame as evenly as possible, as if they were "cookies" to be baked in the oven. The E-BTT is the enhanced version of a task for neglect assessment, the Baking Tray Task, and has the advantage to register the coordinates of each object and their temporal order, meaning that it is easy to reconstruct the sequence of their placement. This sequence could be further analyzed, and, in this paper, we aim to do that with a series of indexes. Moreover, since they investigate the visual search organization of the sequence itself, their validity will be tested with a convergent measure of subjective organization. Therefore, we asked 100 observers (76 women) to evaluate the subjective organization of each of 97 E-BTT plots, on a scale that ranged from 0 = not at all to 100 = well organized. A multiple regression model showed a significant association between subjective organization ratings (dependent variable) and Intersection rate, Total time of performance and distance to both optimal sequences (independent variables). Therefore the above-mentioned indexes can be considered measures of the overall organization in the E-BTT.

Dynamics in cognition and health-related quality of life in grade 2 and 3 gliomas after surgery

BackgroundThe focus of clinical management and research in gliomas has been on survival, but the interest in the treatment effects on cognition and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is emerging. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics in cognition after brain tumor surgery for astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas grade 2 and 3. The secondary aim was to investigate the association of postoperative changes in cognition with changes HRQoL.MethodsIn this observational study, 48 patients operated for an astrocytoma or oligodendrogliomas, grade 2 or 3, at the Department of Neurosurgery, Uppsala, Sweden, 2016–2021, were included. Cognitive and language skills were assessed with a selected test battery and HRQoL was patient-reported as assessed with RAND-36 pre- and approximately 3 months postoperatively.ResultsThere was a significant postoperative decrease in attention span and verbal learning, but the patients improved in the test for visual memory. There was no change in visual attention, executive function, verbal memory, visual organization and construction, verbal fluency, and confrontation naming. The RAND-36 variables physical function, role physical, general health, vitality, and social functioning decreased significantly after surgery. Patients operated for tumor recurrence exhibited greater deterioration in attention and a greater extent of resection correlated with a less pronounced decrease in verbal memory, but there were otherwise weak associations between the dynamics in cognition and patient-, tumor-, and treatment-variables. A decline in cognitive variables was not associated with worse HRQoL.ConclusionsAlthough both several cognitive and HRQoL domains deteriorated postoperatively, these changes did not correlate with each other. This highlights the complexity of cognitive and HRQoL dynamics in the early postoperative phase.

Cell types and molecular architecture of the Octopus bimaculoides visual system

Cephalopods have a remarkable visual system, with a camera-type eye and high acuity vision that they use for a wide range of sophisticated visually driven behaviors. However, the cephalopod brain is organized dramatically differently from that of vertebrates and invertebrates, and beyond neuroanatomical descriptions, little is known regarding the cell types and molecular determinants of their visual system organization. Here, we present a comprehensive single-cell molecular atlas of the octopus optic lobe, which is the primary visual processing structure in the cephalopod brain. We combined single-cell RNA sequencing with RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization to both identify putative molecular cell types and determine their anatomical and spatial organization within the optic lobe. Our results reveal six major neuronal cell classes identified by neurotransmitter/neuropeptide usage, in addition to non-neuronal and immature neuronal populations. We find that additional markers divide these neuronal classes into subtypes with distinct anatomical localizations, revealing further diversity and a detailed laminar organization within the optic lobe. We also delineate the immature neurons within this continuously growing tissue into subtypes defined by evolutionarily conserved developmental genes as well as novel cephalopod- and octopus-specific genes. Together, these findings outline the organizational logic of the octopus visual system, based on functional determinants, laminar identity, and developmental markers/pathways. The resulting atlas presented here details the "parts list" for neural circuits used for vision in octopus, providing a platform for investigations into the development and function of the octopus visual system as well as the evolution of visual processing.

Progressive attenuation of visual global precedence across healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease.

In the perception of Navon hierarchical stimuli (e.g., large letters made up of small letters), young adults identify large letters faster than small ones (known as ‘global advantage’) and identify more slowly small letters when they form a different (or incongruent) large letter (known as ‘unidirectional global interference’). Since some global/local perceptual alterations might be occurring with aging, we investigated whether these effects vary across healthy aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, the Navon letter task was administered to 26 healthy elderly (HE), 21 adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 26 adults with AD. The same task was administered 1 year later, and different neuropsychological variables were incorporated into the analyses. The cross-sectional study revealed no global advantage but did reveal both global and local interferences in all groups when response times were analyzed. Regarding discrimination sensitivity, HE showed unidirectional global interference, while AD displayed better discrimination of local than global letters in the incongruent condition, which denotes less interference by global distractors than by local ones. The longitudinal study revealed that 1 year later the participants with MCI showed a slowdown in inhibiting local distractors in the global task, revealing a certain bias toward focus in their attention on small stimuli. The elders with AD reflected a generalized slowing of their responses with a clear bias toward local analysis of stimuli, also suggested by their better discrimination in the incongruent local task at the second moment of assessment. Furthermore, all response timing measures in the Navon task were correlated with several neuropsychological indexes of highly sensitive neuropsychological tests, suggesting that performance in this task may also have a potential diagnostic value for differentiating typical from atypical cognitive aging. All these results support the need for a multidomain approach to define neuropsychological markers of progression toward AD, including visual perceptual organization evaluated via measures of performance quality.

A-302 Identi-Fi: Development and Validation of a Visual Organization Test

Abstract Objective: Visual organization measures are critical to assess accurately neuropsychological integrity. The Identi-Fi was developed to improve upon existing measures of visual organization by providing updated norms, updated visual stimuli, and reducing the need for motor responses. Method: The Identi-Fi requires examinees to recognize illustrations which have been cut up and rearranged in the stimulus book. It consists of two subtests: Visual Recognition and Visual Matching, comprising the Visual Organization Index (VOI). The Identi-Fi was standardized utilizing a nationally-representative sample of 901 participants, aged 5 to 79 years. Multiple lines of reliability and validity evidence were examined. Results: Cronbach’s alpha for the VOI was .90; the test-retest correlation was .81. The VOI had a significant negative correlation (r = -.62; p < .01) with Hooper Visual Organization Test (VOT). This was expected given the similarity in construct and that on the Hooper VOT, higher T scores indicate worse performance, while on Identi-Fi, higher T scores and standard scores indicate better performance. The Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test, Second Edition (RIST-2) Index was also significantly correlated with the Identi-Fi VOI (r = .41) demonstrating correlations with intelligence (p < .05). All clinical groups observed significant mean differences on the VOI compared to the control group (p < .01) with the largest effect sizes for the intellectual disability (d = 2.59) and dementia (d = 1.88) groups. Conclusion(s): Evidence suggests Identi-Fi provides a reliable and valid measurement of visual organization when used as described. Independent research is sought for additional evidence.

A-220 Hooper Visual Organization Test: Item Analyses and Scale Performance in a Nonclinical Adult Sample

Abstract Objective: The 30-item Hooper Visual Organization Test (HVOT) measures visuospatial synthesis. While satisfactory reliability estimates have been reported, some items show poor discrimination and items do not appear to be ordered by increasing difficulty level. Little psychometric evidence, however, has been gathered with healthy nonclinical adults in North America. Examination of item performance in healthy adult samples aids in understanding what might be clinically noteworthy in neurological or psychiatric patients. Thus, we examined HVOT total score performance, item difficulty and discrimination, internal consistency reliability, and correlations of HVOT total scores with demographic and neuropsychological variables in a healthy adult sample in Canada. Method: Participant were 71 cognitively intact, non-depressed men and women ages 21-82 years (M=51.5, SD=18.3), with 9-21 years of education (M=15.0, SD=2.79), recruited from the general community. Participants were tested individually on various neuropsychological tests (HVOT, MMSE, Block Design, ROCF, Trails, Five Point Test, FAS/Animals, Vocabulary). Results: Items ranged in difficulty (0.16-1.00) but tended to be easy (M=0.82). Item discrimination ranged from -.17 to.47. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.62. Total scores ranged from 17-29.5 out of 30 (M=25.4) and correlated significantly with age, MMSE, Block Design, ROCF, Trails, and Animals (r=|.29|-|.44|). Conclusions: Our results suggest that some HVOT items are too easy and/or show poor discrimination. Items are not well-ordered by difficulty. We discuss some notable divergences from proposed re-orderings from clinical samples. Demographic results fit with the literature; correlations with other measures extend previous findings. Our results serve as a guide for revisions and a useful baseline for clinical comparison.

Studi Komparatif Fungsionalitas, Performance dan User experience pada Website Geopark

Indonesia has great natural resources. UNESCO recognized at least six geoparks, and Indonesia will continue to develop more geoparks in the future. However, currently, Indonesia's geoparks are not widely known. One of the reasons is that the existing websites do not pay attention to performance guidelines, information, economics, and search engine optimization even though the website is a vital marketing medium so that geoparks can be promoted widely and effectively. A comprehensive study of the website contents is required to build a good geopark website. In addition, it is also necessary to study user experience when visiting web pages. This study aims to find the standard website content on the geopark website and compare existing website performance and user experience. This study compares three geopark websites. The three websites include the Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu, Hongkong geopark, and Cliff of Fundy Geosite website. Three indicators are used: website performance, user experience, and what information should be on the geopark website. These three indicators are essential as an attraction for website visitors so they can enjoy the content of the website and they can stay longer so that the visitors can turn into potential geopark tourists. Good website performance is supported by consistent ease of providing information and speed in providing information to website visitors. In comparison, the user experience visiting the website relates to the interactive visual design, organization, and navigation structure of the website framework and the completeness of the content. We use performance and user experience metrics as evaluation tools for the three selected websites. As a result, the general availability of information is as follows: information about geoparks, UNESCO, list of tourist attractions, activities, itinerary, tourist accommodation, education, contacts, language choices, news articles, pamphlets, maps, and virtual tours. In terms of performance, the three websites have slow speeds, but in cumulative layout shifts, they have good scores.

The Kolam Drawing: A Point Lattice System

Abstract Kolam is the 5,000-year-old art of making geometric floor drawings with rice flour, practiced by the Dravidian women of South India. This article introduces a point lattice-based method of visual organization that is derived from Kolam drawings. In it, a point lattice formed by a regularly spaced array of points is used to structure visual compositions, as an alternative to a network of orthogonal lines (also known as the grid). First, I show how the point lattice system is used to structure Kolam drawing compositions, including the lattice's construction, types, and uses. Second, through a formal analysis of such a points system in structuring forms, patterns, letters, and layouts in graphic design, I show that this system offers a whole alternate universe of compositional possibilities that are not apparent when graphic designers see a grid not as points, but as a series of constraining straight lines. Through this research, I look inward into the design ethos and tools present in Indian arts and crafts and present its application in contemporary design practice.

Preliminary normative data for the Hooper Visual Organization Test for a South African sample

The Hooper Visual Organization Test (HVOT) was designed to measure an individual’s ability to organise visual stimuli and assess visual-spatial abilities and synthesis. The current investigation sought to explore the psychometric properties of the HVOT and develop normative data for South Africans who do not speak English as a first language and who received primary and secondary public education. The research design was cross-sectional and the HVOT was administered to healthy adults (n = 111) and a clinical group (n = 17) whose ages ranged between 19 and 70 years and had an education of between 6 and 22 years. The clinical group was made up of Huntington’s Disease patients (HD/HDL2). Reliability indicators (McDonald’s omega and Rasch person reliability index) were satisfactory. The HVOT fit the Rasch model well, although item locations deviated somewhat from the expected monotonic increase in item difficulties. Statistically significant differences in total scores were observed across age, education and gender groups, forming the basis of the norms presented in this paper. A few items across these groups were flagged for potential differential item functioning. Several statistically significant associations with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) were observed. These were consistent with theoretical expectations and provided evidence of convergent validity. The clinical group performed worse than the control group when mean total HVOT scores were compared. Preliminary norms stratified by age, gender and years of education are presented. Future studies should include larger sample sizes and additional research on the influence of gender on the total HVOT score is needed.

The Role of Visual Experience in Individual Differences of Brain Connectivity.

Visual cortex organization is highly consistent across individuals. But to what degree does this consistency depend on life experience, in particular sensory experience? In this study, we asked whether visual cortex reorganization in congenital blindness results in connectivity patterns that are particularly variable across individuals, focusing on resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) patterns from the primary visual cortex. We show that the absence of shared visual experience results in more variable RSFC patterns across blind individuals than sighted controls. Increased variability is specifically found in areas that show a group difference between the blind and sighted in their RSFC. These findings reveal a relationship between brain plasticity and individual variability; reorganization manifests variably across individuals. We further investigated the different patterns of reorganization in the blind, showing that the connectivity to frontal regions, proposed to have a role in the reorganization of the visual cortex of the blind toward higher cognitive roles, is highly variable. Further, we link some of the variability in visual-to-frontal connectivity to another environmental factor—duration of formal education. Together, these findings show a role of postnatal sensory and socioeconomic experience in imposing consistency on brain organization. By revealing the idiosyncratic nature of neural reorganization, these findings highlight the importance of considering individual differences in fitting sensory aids and restoration approaches for vision loss.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The typical visual system is highly consistent across individuals. What are the origins of this consistency? Comparing the consistency of visual cortex connectivity between people born blind and sighted people, we showed that blindness results in higher variability, suggesting a key impact of postnatal individual experience on brain organization. Further, connectivity patterns that changed following blindness were particularly variable, resulting in diverse patterns of brain reorganization. Individual differences in reorganization were also directly affected by nonvisual experiences in the blind (years of formal education). Together, these findings show a role of sensory and socioeconomic experiences in creating individual differences in brain organization and endorse the use of individual profiles for rehabilitation and restoration of vision loss.

A BIM-IoT and intelligent compaction integrated framework for advanced road compaction quality monitoring and management

The road construction industry is undergoing a continuous digital transformation due to higher construction quality control and management requirements to improve efficiency and reduce cost consumption. IC (Intelligent compaction) is an emerging and developing technology that can overcome the limitations of current quality control and quality assurance approaches, such as detection hysteresis and incompleteness. However, IC is mainly used in a vehicle system to realize real-time quality inspection, while its further potential is not fully exerted in advanced construction control and management as a comprehensive, continuous and nondestructive testing tool. This paper proposes a BIM (Building Information Model)-IoT (Internet of things) and IC integrated framework to provide a fundamental platform for advanced compaction quality monitoring and management. Specifically, BIM provides high-fidelity virtual assets of road infrastructure for data integration, visualization and construction organization management. IC is used to provide comprehensive compaction quality monitoring data and quality control methods. IoT (Internet of things) is adopted to connect physical and cyber assets by capturing real-time data from the actual operations in construction. Finally, a prototype system is developed as an implementation of the framework. The case demonstration of the system shows that the proposed framework can effectively integrate BIM and IC to realize the monitoring of road compaction quality and data in combination with IoT data, and the construction schedule can be rearranged and optimized based on the monitoring results. This study can facilitate to realize road compaction quality real-time monitoring and management, as well to offer a basic BIM-IoT platform that can be utilized as a prototype of road infrastructure digital twin to achieve more intelligent and sustainable management of the entire construction process in the future.

Merry-or-Worry, Illusion.

Ambiguous figures (aka bistable, multistable, or reversible images) have fascinated scientists as well as laypersons for centuries. It may be surprising indeed how one and the same physical depiction can be experienced in perceptual awareness in cardinally different ways. In the most well-known examples of such illusions of multistability, the phenomenal change relates just to visual organization. Much less common are perceptions of alternating emotional content in the ambiguous visual image. Here, I introduce one such example.

Review: Molecular Capture: The Animation of Biology, by Adam Nocek

Review: <i>Molecular Capture: The Animation of Biology</i>, by Adam Nocek

Talking about landscape spaces. Towards a spatial-visual landscape design vocabulary

Spatial-visual landscape design vocabulary is important for landscape architects to understand, design, and communicate about landscape spaces. Despite the importance, there is no comprehensive overview available. This article aims to fill this gap by reviewing and categorising the spatial-visual design vocabulary for the field of landscape architecture and to provide a systematic framework for understanding landscape spaces inter-subjectively. Based on the analysis of the vocabulary used in the extensive body of literature available in landscape architecture and related disciplines, four dominant categories are selected in describing spatial and visual organisation. The categories identified and discussed are sequence, orientation, continuity, and complexity. In addition, a landscape design syntax is developed to understand and to describe the visual manifestation of landscape spaces, how space is organised, and what ordering principles play a role from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives.

The Correlation Between Computerized Cognitive Tests Scores With Functional Cognitive Tests in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Objectives: In order to rehabilitate cognitive disorders, it is necessary to carefully evaluate cognitive function. Given the variety of assessments, including computerized and functional tests, the aim of this study was to determine whether computerized test scores really reflect a person’s functional ability. In this study, we measured the correlation between computerized and functional evaluation results Methods: In this cross-section study, 45 people (9 males and 36 females) with multiple sclerosis with an Expanded Disability Score (EDSS) of 1 to 5 were recruited. To assess their cognitive function, the CANTAB tests (SOC, DMS, and SSP tests) and the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) battery were used. The data were then processed with SPSS software v. 22. Results: The results showed that the CANTAB test is well correlated with the LOTCA battery. A high correlation was observed between LOTCA’s “visual perception” with delayed matching to sample (r=0.909), LOTCA’s “spatial perception” with spatial span test (r=0.907), LOTCA’s “visual organization” with stocking of Cambridge (r=0.961), and “mental operations” in LOTCA with “stocking of Cambridge” (r=0.835). Discussion: Due to the very good convergence of these two tests, in many cases, computerized tests can be used instead of functional tests.

Solar Powered Water Quality Monitoring System Using Zig-bee

This work presents a solar power based water quality monitoring wireless sensor network (WSN) technology, to screen water quality over various destinations as an ongoing application, an astounding framework engineering comprised by disseminated sensor nodes and a base station is proposed. The model and base station are associated utilizing WSN innovation like Zig-Bee. Modeling and implementation of a proposed model using one node powered by solar cell and WSN technology is the challenging work. Data collection by different sensing element at the node side like pH, turbidity conductivity, saltiness and temperature is sent by means of WSN to the base station. Information gathered from the distant site can be shown in visual organization too as it very well may be examined utilizing diverse reproduction apparatuses at base station. This original framework has benefits like no fossil fuel byproduct, low power utilization, more adaptable to send data at far off site, etc.

Quantitative characterization of the human retinotopic map based on quasiconformal mapping.

The retinotopic map depicts the cortical neurons' response to visual stimuli on the retina and has contributed significantly to our understanding of human visual system. Although recent advances in high field functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have made it possible to generate the in vivo retinotopic map with great detail, quantifying the map remains challenging. Existing quantification methods do not preserve surface topology and often introduce large geometric distortions to the map. In this study, we developed a new framework based on computational conformal geometry and quasiconformal Teichmüller theory to quantify the retinotopic map. Specifically, we introduced a general pipeline, consisting of cortical surface conformal parameterization, surface-spline-based cortical activation signal smoothing, and vertex-wise Beltrami coefficient-based map description. After correcting most of the violations of the topological conditions, the result was a "Beltrami coefficient map" (BCM) that rigorously and completely characterizes the retinotopic map by quantifying the local quasiconformal mapping distortion at each visual field location. The BCM provided topological and fully reconstructable retinotopic maps. We successfully applied the new framework to analyze the V1 retinotopic maps from the Human Connectome Project (n=181), the largest state of the art retinotopy dataset currently available. With unprecedented precision, we found that the V1 retinotopic map was quasiconformal and the local mapping distortions were similar across observers. The new framework can be applied to other visual areas and retinotopic maps of individuals with and without eye diseases, and improve our understanding of visual cortical organization in normal and clinical populations.

It is time to get virtual: limitations of shared e-scooter mobility points, case study in Cracow (Poland)

Underpinned by the shift towards implementing solutions supporting sustainable mobility, shared e-scooter services are evergreen in many urban areas worldwide. However, their growing use leads to new challenges connected with their operation in the urban space. This article showcases instruments called mobility points, designated to define, and improve parking practices of shared e-scooters. To evaluate the potential of mobility points fieldwork was conducted into the vectorization of shared e-scooters’ operational zones and mobility points in Cracow. The study proves that the mobility points’ visual and technical organization is adequate and thought-out in ways based on functions of the areas they are placed in. However, due to insufficient cooperation between the private and public sectors that would ensure the mobility points are virtually implemented into the service operation, the mobility points’ potential to solve parking issues is low. This calls into question their role in the sustainable mobility agenda.

Aesthetic principle and visual perception model of urban visual design

In urban visual design, aesthetic principles are particularly important to ensure the harmony between the design object and the natural environment, to create maximum visual comfort, and thus enhance the public's emotional belonging and value identification with the city. This paper outlines the three stages of the visual perception experience model, namely the cognitive stage, the comparison stage, and the dialogue stage, through theoretical research and case studies. The study of the visual perception model reveals the visual organization characteristics and semantic connotations of design objects as well as the mechanisms by which people generate emotional responses, providing a new theoretical path and design direction for urban visual design.

Misappraisal of sleep quality is associated with lower cognitive functioning

AbstractBackgroundSelf‐reported sleep quality often does not strongly correlate with objective measurements of sleep, and thus, other factors such as cognitive ability might contribute in the self‐awareness of one’s own sleep. Although sleep disturbances are increasingly recognized as risk factor for dementia, individuals with lower cognitive performance might present with an impaired ability to appropriately report their sleep, reducing the importance of self‐reported data. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether misappraisal of sleep consolidation and quality was associated with poorer cognitive performance.MethodWe studied 265 participants (58.0±8.9 years, 50.2 % men) in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort who had an overnight in‐home polysomnography and neuropsychological testing 3.5 years later on average. Self‐reported sleep quality regarding the night of the polysomnography was compared to objective sleep efficiency (cut‐off at 85%). Four groups were created representing those with consistent appraisal of good sleep (n=75, good self‐reported and objective sleep); consistent appraisal of poor sleep (n=72, poor self‐reported and objective sleep); misappraisal of poor sleep (n=41, good self‐reported sleep but poor objective sleep); misappraisal of good sleep (n=77, poor self‐reported sleep but good objective sleep). We evaluated global cognition (composite score), verbal memory (Logical Memory immediate and delayed recall), executive function (Trail Making Test B minus A) and visual organization (Hooper Visual Organization Test). Models were adjusted for age, sex, education, time between polysomnography and neuropsychology, APOE4 allele status, body mass index, sleeping pills, depression, and stroke risk.ResultParticipants that misappraised poor sleep, i.e., reported good sleep quality but had lower sleep efficiency, had lower global cognitive performance (β±SE=‐0.34±0.17; p=0.047), worse immediate verbal memory recall (‐1.39±0.67; p=0.039) and poorer executive functioning (‐0.16±0.05; p=0.003) compared to participants with consistent appraisal of good sleep. No other between‐group differences were observed.ConclusionIndividuals with misappraisal of poor sleep had poorer cognitive performance than individuals with consistent appraisal of good sleep. This type of sleep misappraisal could be occurring when cognitive functions are declining and self‐awareness is impaired. Further studies comparing self‐report to objective measures of sleep are required in patients in preclinical stages of dementia and with cognitive impairment.