THE NEW RADIOCARBON DATASET FOR TRILITH MONUMENTS OF SOUTHEASTERN ARABIA

Radiocarbon ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
R Garba ◽  
P Demján ◽  
I Svetlik ◽  
D Dreslerová

ABSTRACT Triliths are megalithic monuments scattered across the coastal plains of southern and southeastern Arabia. They consist of aligned standing stones with a parallel row of large hearths and form a space, the meaning of which is undoubtedly significant but nonetheless still unknown. This paper presents a new radiocarbon (14C) dataset acquired during the two field seasons 2018–2019 of the TSMO (Trilith Stone Monuments of Oman) project which investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of the triliths. The excavation and sampling of trilith hearths across Oman yielded a dataset of 30 new 14C dates, extending the use of trilith monuments to as early as the Iron Age III period (600–300 BC). The earlier dates are linked to two-phase trilith sites in south-central Oman. The three 14C pairs collected from the two-phase trilith sites indicated gaps between the trilith construction phases from 35 to 475 years (2 σ). The preliminary spatio-temporal analysis shows the geographical expansion of populations using trilith monuments during the 5th to 1st century BC and a later pull back in the 1st and 2nd century AD. The new 14C dataset for trilith sites will help towards a better understanding of Iron Age communities in southeastern Arabia.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 853-868
Author(s):  
Yasser ElSayed Fouda ◽  
Deena Mohamed ElKhazendar

Villages located today in the peri-urban area, are in continuous agglomeration. The lack of proper guidelines and monitoring systems to define, promote, regulate and manage the pattern of development in these areas, causes massive deteriorations to the environment and quality of life. In Egypt, very few states have a dedicated legal framework that addresses the need for planned development in the peri-urban areas. A Spatio-temporal model framework consisting of a set of geospatial indicators is required to regulate and direct the growth and development of these areas and prevent further spill across administrative boundaries. This article responds to the lack of a geo-spatial quantifiable criterion as a key to detect, analyze, and better govern spatial and temporal patterns of urban growth in peri-urban areas, where the results are to be represented dynamically in forms of spatial patterns evolving in time. The research aims to develop a process-wise, contextual mapping of peri-urban dynamics using GIS to detect and analyze spatial and temporal patterns of urban growth. It has been applied to one of the peri-urban areas in Egypt, in Meet Assas Village, chosen as a case study. Miscellaneous primary and secondary data sources together with the methods used for monitoring: UN Criteria (Goal 11) targets, thematic headlines, village’s problems and geo-spatial indicators were the main constitutions of the model frame work. The results show that the village is characterized by a dispersed pattern of development with the absence of basic infrastructure and services. Besides that, the study reveals, through temporal patterns, that the future and unplanned growth will continue to intensify; posing numerous threats on the environment and the quality of life. A harmonized standardized measurement framework for planning, development, and management is crucial rather than demolishing these areas.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256204
Author(s):  
Matthew McKitrick ◽  
Nadine Schuurman ◽  
Valorie A. Crooks ◽  
Jeremy Snyder

Online charitable crowdfunding has become an increasingly prevalent way for Canadians to deal with costs that they would otherwise not be able to shoulder on their own. With the onset of COVID-19 and related lockdown measures, there is evidence of a surge in crowdfunding use relating to the pandemic. This study gathered, classified, and analysed Canadian crowdfunding campaigns created in response to COVID-19 from GoFundMe.com, a popular crowdfunding platform. Spatio-temporal analysis of classified campaigns allowed for observation of emergent trends in the distribution of pandemic-related need incidence and financial support throughout the pandemic. Campaigns raising money on behalf of established charities were the most common in the sample, and accounted for the greatest portion of funding raised, while campaigns for businesses made up a small proportion. Dense metropolitan areas accounted for the vast majority of campaign locations, and total sample funding was disproportionately raised by campaigners in Ontario and British Columbia.


Author(s):  
S. Baig ◽  
M. S. Sarfraz

Malaria is a vector borne disease which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It is one of the major diseases in the category of infectious diseases. The survival and bionomics of malaria is affected by environmental factors such as climatic, demographic and land-use/land-cover etc. Currently, a very few under developing countries are using Geo-informatics approaches to control this disease. Gujrat a district of Pakistan, is still under threat of malaria disease. Current research is carried on malaria incidents obtained from District Executive Officer of Health Gujrat. The objective of this study was to explore the spatio-temporal patterns of malaria in district Gujrat and to identify the areas being affected by Malaria. Furthermore, it has been also analyzed the relationship between malaria incident and environmental factors in highly favorable zones. Data is analyzed based on spatial and temporal patterns using (Moran’s I). Moreover cluster and hot spots analysis were performed on the incident data. This study shows positive correlation with rainfall, vegetation index, population density and water bodies; while it shows positive and negative correlation with temperature in different seasons. However, variation between amount of vegetation and water bodies were observed. Finding of this research can help the decision makers to take preventive measures and reduce the morbidity and mortality related with malaria in Gujrat, Pakistan.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1999-2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Sava ◽  
B. Edwards ◽  
G. Cervone

Abstract. Large chlorophyll anomalies are observed after the 2011 Japanese tsunami using the NASA MODIS instrument onboard the TERRA and AQUA satellites. These anomalies are observed both along the eastern coast of Japan, where the tsunami wave hit with maximum force, and in the deep water surrounding the epicentral region. Although both satellites show agreeing spatio-temporal patterns, larger anomalies are detected using the AQUA satellite. A temporal analysis shows increased chlorophyll concentrations immediately after the tsunami, and higher values are observed for nearly one month before reversing to pre-tsunami levels.


Author(s):  
Wentao Yang ◽  
Min Deng ◽  
Chaokui Li ◽  
Jincai Huang

Understanding the spatio-temporal characteristics or patterns of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) epidemic is critical in effectively preventing and controlling this epidemic. However, no research analyzed the spatial dependency and temporal dynamics of 2019-nCoV. Consequently, this research aims to detect the spatio-temporal patterns of the 2019-nCoV epidemic using spatio-temporal analysis methods at the county level in Hubei province. The Mann–Kendall and Pettitt methods were used to identify the temporal trends and abrupt changes in the time series of daily new confirmed cases, respectively. The local Moran’s I index was applied to uncover the spatial patterns of the incidence rate, including spatial clusters and outliers. On the basis of the data from January 26 to February 11, 2020, we found that there were 11 areas with different types of temporal patterns of daily new confirmed cases. The pattern characterized by an increasing trend and abrupt change is mainly attributed to the improvement in the ability to diagnose the disease. Spatial clusters with high incidence rates during the period were concentrated in Wuhan Metropolitan Area due to the high intensity of spatial interaction of the population. Therefore, enhancing the ability to diagnose the disease and controlling the movement of the population can be confirmed as effective measures to prevent and control the regional outbreak of the epidemic.


Author(s):  
Plinio Moreno ◽  
Dario Figueira ◽  
Alexandre Bernardino ◽  
José Santos-Victor

The goal of this work is to distinguish between humans and robots in a mixed human-robot environment. We analyze the spatio-temporal patterns of optical flow-based features along several frames. We consider the Histogram of Optical Flow (HOF) and the Motion Boundary Histogram (MBH) features, which have shown good results on people detection. The spatio-temporal patterns are composed of groups of feature components that have similar values on previous frames. The groups of features are fed into the FuzzyBoost algorithm, which at each round selects the spatio-temporal pattern (i.e. feature set) having the lowest classification error. The search for patterns is guided by grouping feature dimensions, considering three algorithms: (a) similarity of weights from dimensionality reduction matrices, (b) Boost Feature Subset Selection (BFSS) and (c) Sequential Floating Feature Selection (SFSS), which avoid the brute force approach. The similarity weights are computed by the Multiple Metric Learning for large Margin Nearest Neighbor (MMLMNN), a linear dimensionality algorithm that provides a type of Mahalanobis metric Weinberger and Saul, J. MaCh. Learn. Res.10 (2009) 207–244. The experiments show that FuzzyBoost brings good generalization properties, better than the GentleBoost, the Support Vector Machines (SVM) with linear kernels and SVM with Radial Basis Function (RBF) kernels. The classifier was implemented and tested in a real-time, multi-camera dynamic setting.


Hacquetia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christakis Evangelou ◽  
Maria Yiakoulaki ◽  
Vasilios Papanastasis

Abstract Grazing animals explore different forage resources to satisfy their daily nutrient needs, following specific spatial and temporal patterns throughout the year. In this study four different flocks of sheep and goats (two of each species) were selected to record their spatial location with a handheld GPS during spring, summer and winter. At the same time, three animals in each flock were followed to study their grazing activities by direct observation. These data with the time information and a detailed land use map were manipulated in a GIS to assign animal activities to different forage resources. Sheep and goats were travelling long distances (7.5 km and 9.0 km, respectively) to satisfy their nutritional needs throughout the year. They were found to graze in two main forage resources, rangelands (grasslands, shrublands and forest ranges) and agricultural land (fallow land, stubble fields and temporary pastures). Both grazer species spent significantly less time (P≤ 0.05) feeding in rangelands (38.9% & 18.1%) than in agricultural land (63.6% & 53.4%) during spring and summer. It appears that a heterogeneous landscape is necessary for supporting extensive farming systems of small ruminants since rangelands and agricultural land complement each other in providing forage throughout the year.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Cunze ◽  
Judith Kochmann ◽  
Thomas Kuhn ◽  
Raphael Frank ◽  
Dorian D. Dörge ◽  
...  

Background Worldwide, the number of recorded human hantavirus infections as well as the number of affected countries is on the rise. In Europe, most human hantavirus infections are caused by the Puumala virus (PUUV), with bank voles (Myodes glareolus) as reservoir hosts. Generally, infection outbreaks have been related to environmental conditions, particularly climatic conditions, food supply for the reservoir species and land use. However, although attempts have been made, the insufficient availability of environmental data is often hampering accurate temporal and spatially explicit models of human hantavirus infections. Methods In the present study, dynamics of human PUUV infections between 2001 and 2015 were explored using ArcGIS in order to identify spatio-temporal patterns. Results Percentage cover of forest area was identified as an important factor for the spatial pattern, whereas beech mast was found explaining temporal patterns of human PUUV infections in Germany. High numbers of infections were recorded in 2007, 2010 and 2012 and areas with highest records were located in Baden-Wuerttemberg (southwest Germany) and North Rhine-Westphalia (western Germany). Conclusion More reliable data on reservoir host distribution, pathogen verification as well as an increased awareness of physicians are some of the factors that should improve future human infection risk assessments in Germany.


2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham H. Pyke ◽  
Judit K. Szabo

Much untapped potential exists for research based on wildlife rescues and surveys by citizen scientists. Many vertebrate animals are injured or threatened with injury through human activities and warrant ‘rescue’, generally by volunteers. Faunal surveys, involving citizen scientists, yield complementary biologically relevant information. Research using these databases can indicate spatial and temporal patterns in abundance and risk of mishap, potentially informing management and conservation for threatened species. However, little research has utilised such databases, with few implications for conservation, leaving a wealth of available information. We used the masked lapwing (Vanellus miles), an Australian shorebird, to illustrate the research potential of a rescue database combined with bird survey data. This species nests and feeds on the ground, has flightless young dependent on parents for protection, and is commonly observed in urban and agricultural areas. Consequently, it is often recorded during bird surveys and is frequently rescued. Combining rescue information with abundance estimates from bird surveys should confirm or refine knowledge about abundance and reproductive biology, and indicate spatio-temporal patterns in the risks encountered. To evaluate these expectations, we obtained date, location and age for lapwings rescued by NSW Wildlife Information Research and Education Service during 2005–2013, and monthly reporting rates from New Atlas of Australian Birds during 1999–2010. Numbers of rescued lapwing chicks, juveniles and adults per month were consistent with the life cycle of this species, and risks from vehicles, pets and other human activities. Our results illustrate how research utilising rescue and fauna survey databases could inform management and conservation of threatened species.


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