scholarly journals Characteristic spatial scales of SARS-CoV-2 pandemics: lessons from mass rapid antigen testing in Slovakia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarína Boďová ◽  
Richard Kollár
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Spatial Characteristic ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Important Data ◽  
Geographical Patterns ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Good Proxy ◽  
Distributed Test ◽  
Antigen Testing

AbstractMass antigen testing in Slovakia conducted in October and November 2020 is a source of important data. We perform its statistical analysis and study epidemic geographical patterns. We observe exponentially distributed test positivity and exponential trends in its geographical distribution, and its approximately 10 km spatial characteristic correlation length. A small correlation between positivity in two consecutive testing rounds appeared on the municipalities level but it significantly increased on the counties level. Recent 7-day PCR tests incidence per capita served as a good proxy for antigen test positivity. Positivity of non-residents was higher than of residents when mass testing was offered only in municipalities with the highest positivity in previous rounds. Reduction in positivity in repeated testing increased with the positivity in the earlier round. Our results contribute to better understanding of pandemic data, and aid an assessment of mass testing efficiency, and planning of mitigation measures.

Frequency of Mountain Waves Over Kanto Area Revealed by Imaging Observations of OH Airglow

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Ishii ◽  
Yoshihiro Tomikawa ◽  
Masahiro Okuda ◽  
Hidehiko Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Horizontal Wind ◽  
Leeward Side ◽  
Mountainous Areas ◽  
Wind Fields ◽  
Mountain Waves ◽  
The World ◽  
Geostationary Meteorological Satellite ◽  
Good Proxy

Abstract Imaging observations of OH airglow were conducted at Meiji University, Japan (IN, mE), from May 2018 to December 2019. Mountainous areas, including Mt. Fuji, are located to the west of the imager, and westerly winds are dominant in the lower atmosphere throughout the year. Mountain waves (MWs) are generated on the leeward sides of mountains and occasionally propagate to the upper atmosphere. However, during the observation period (about 1 year and 8 months), only four possible MW events were identified. Based on previous reports, this incidence is considerably lower than expected. There are two possible reasons for the low incidence of MW events: (1) The frequency of MW excitation is small in the lower layers of the atmosphere, and/or (2) MWs do not propagate easily to the upper mesosphere due to background wind conditions. This study verified the likelihood of the former case. Under over-mountain airflow conditions, wavy clouds are often generated on the leeward side. Since over-mountain airflow is essential for the excitation of MWs, the frequency of wavy clouds in the lower atmosphere can be regarded as a measure of the occurrence of MWs. The frequency and spatial distribution of MWs around Japan were investigated by detecting the wavy clouds from color images taken by the Himawari-8 geostationary meteorological satellite (GSM-8) for one year in 2018. The wavy clouds were detected on more than 70 days a year around the Tohoku region, but just 20 days a year around Mt. Fuji. This suggests that few MWs are generated around Mt. Fuji. The differences between these two regions were examined focusing on the relationship between the local topography and dominant horizontal wind fields in the lower atmosphere. Specifically, the findings showed that the angle between the dominant horizontal wind direction and the orientation of the mountain ridge is a good proxy of the occurrence of wavy clouds, i.e., excitation of MWs in mountainous areas. We have also applied this proxy to topography in other areas of the world to investigate areas where MWs would be occurring frequently. Finally, we discuss the likelihood of "MW hotspots" at various spatial scales in the world.

scholarly journals Wavelet-based spatial comparison technique for analysing and evaluating two-dimensional geophysical model fields

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Saux Picart ◽  
M. Butenschön ◽  
J. D. Shutler
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Data ◽  
Fishery Management ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Original Method ◽  
Precipitation Forecast ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Geographical Patterns ◽  
Marine Ecosystem Model

Abstract. Complex numerical models of the Earth's environment, based around 3-D or 4-D time and space domains are routinely used for applications including climate predictions, weather forecasts, fishery management and environmental impact assessments. Quantitatively assessing the ability of these models to accurately reproduce geographical patterns at a range of spatial and temporal scales has always been a difficult problem to address. However, this is crucial if we are to rely on these models for decision making. Satellite data are potentially the only observational dataset able to cover the large spatial domains analysed by many types of geophysical models. Consequently optical wavelength satellite data is beginning to be used to evaluate model hindcast fields of terrestrial and marine environments. However, these satellite data invariably contain regions of occluded or missing data due to clouds, further complicating or impacting on any comparisons with the model. This work builds on a published methodology, that evaluates precipitation forecast using radar observations based on predefined absolute thresholds. It allows model skill to be evaluated at a range of spatial scales and rain intensities. Here we extend the original method to allow its generic application to a range of continuous and discontinuous geophysical data fields, and therefore allowing its use with optical satellite data. This is achieved through two major improvements to the original method: (i) all thresholds are determined based on the statistical distribution of the input data, so no a priori knowledge about the model fields being analysed is required and (ii) occluded data can be analysed without impacting on the metric results. The method can be used to assess a model's ability to simulate geographical patterns over a range of spatial scales. We illustrate how the method provides a compact and concise way of visualising the degree of agreement between spatial features in two datasets. The application of the new method, its handling of bias and occlusion and the advantages of the novel method are demonstrated through the analysis of model fields from a marine ecosystem model.

scholarly journals Spatial scales, patterns, and positivity trends of SARS-CoV-2 pandemics in mass rapid antigen testing in Slovakia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256669
Author(s):  
Katarína Boďová ◽  
Richard Kollár
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Length ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Mean Reversion ◽  
Spatial Trend ◽  
Geographical Data ◽  
Mean Reversion Process ◽  
Data Surveillance ◽  
Direct Guidance ◽  
Epidemic Response ◽  
Antigen Testing

We study geographical epidemic scales and patterns and positivity trends of SARS-CoV-2 pandemics in mass antigen testing in Slovakia in 2020. The observed test positivity was exponentially distributed with a long scale exponential spatial trend, and its characteristic correlation length was approximately 10 km. Spatial scales also play an important role in test positivity reduction between two consecutive testing rounds. While test positivity decreased in all counties, it increased in individual municipalities with low test positivity in the earlier testing round in a way statistically different from a mean-reversion process. Also, non-residents testing influences the mass testing results as test positivity of non-residents was higher than of residents when testing was offered only in municipalities with the highest positivity in previous rounds. Our results provide direct guidance for pandemic geographical data surveillance and epidemic response management.

scholarly journals Indoor Microbiome: Quantification of Exposure and Association with Geographical Location, Meteorological Factors, and Land Use in France

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffi Rocchi ◽  
Gabriel Reboux ◽  
Emeline Scherer ◽  
Audrey Laboissière ◽  
Cécile Zaros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Spatial Description ◽  
Geographical Patterns ◽  
Cladosporium Sphaerospermum ◽  
Streptomyces Spp ◽  
Indoor Microbiome ◽  
Cryptococcus Spp

The indoor microbial community is a mixture of microorganisms resulting from outdoor ecosystems that seed the built environment. However, the biogeography of the indoor microbial community is still inadequately studied. Dust from more than 3000 dwellings across France was analyzed by qPCR using 17 targets: 10 molds, 3 bacteria groups, and 4 mites. Thus, the first spatial description of the main indoor microbial allergens on the French territory, in relation with biogeographical factors influencing the distribution of microorganisms, was realized in this study. Ten microorganisms out of 17 exhibited increasing abundance profiles across the country: Five microorganisms (Dermatophagoïdes pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoïdes spp., Streptomyces spp., Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Epicoccum nigrum) from northeast to southwest, two (Cryptococcus spp., Alternaria alternata) from northwest to southeast, Mycobacteria from east to west, Aspergillus fumigatus from south to north, and Penicillium chrysogenum from south to northeast. These geographical patterns were partly linked to climate and land cover. Multivariate analysis showed that composition of communities seemed to depend on landscapes, with species related to closed and rather cold and humid landscapes (forests, located in the northeast) and others to more open, hot, and dry landscapes (herbaceous and coastal regions, located in the west). This study highlights the importance of geographical location and outdoor factors that shape communities. In order to study the effect of microorganisms on human health (allergic diseases in particular), it is important to identify biogeographic factors that structure microbial communities on large spatial scales and to quantify the exposure with quantitative tools, such as the multi-qPCR approach.

scholarly journals RS & GIS-Based Spatialtemporal Analysis of Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity Pattern of Jinghe River Watershed in China: Does Supply Meet Demand?

2011 ◽  
Vol 356-360 ◽  
pp. 2820-2832
Author(s):  
Dong Xia Yue ◽  
Jin Hui Ma ◽  
Jian Jun Guo ◽  
Jia Jing Zhang ◽  
Jun Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Spatiotemporal Dynamics ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Jinghe River

The Ecological Footprint methodology is a framework that tracks Ecological Footprint (humanity’s demands on the biosphere) by comparing human demand against the regenerative capacity (Biocapacity) of the planet (WWF, 2010) to advance the science of sustainability. As such, the spatiotemporal dynamics of the Ecological Footprint (EF) and Biocapacity (BC) in a given watershed are important topics in the field of sustainability research based on remote sensing (RS) data and geographic information system (GIS) techniques．This paper reports on a case study of the Jinghe River Watershed using improved EF methodology with the help of GIS and high resolution remote sensing data, to quantitatively estimate the relationship between EF demand and BC supply and analyze their spatial distribution patterns at multiple spatial scales for four periods (1986, 1995, 2000 and 2008). We predict the future BC both overall, and of six categories of biological productivity area for the next four decades using the Markov Chain Method．The results showed that the spatial distribution of EF demand and BC supply were significantly uneven in the region, in which the per-capita EF of all counties located in the watershed increased continually from 1986 to 2008, and the EF per person of counties in the middle and lower reaches area was markedly greater than that in the upper reaches over time. On the supply side, the per-capita BC of all counties decreased gradually from 1986 to 2008, and the per-capita BC of counties in the upper reaches area was greater than that in the middle and lower reaches during the period, causing the uneven spatial distribution of Ecological budget-the gap between supply and demand, showed that the Jinghe River Watershed on the whole has begun to be unsustainable since 2008, with each county exhibiting differential temporal patterns. The prediction results showed that the total BC will increase continually from 2020 to 2050, and the BC of six categories will reduce, indicating that unsustainability in the region will escalate. As a whole, The EF demand has exceeded the BC supply, and the gap was widening in the Jinghe Watershed. This paper provided an in-depth portrait of the spatiotemporal dynamics of EF and BC, as well as their interactions with humanity and ecosystems.

Spatio-temporal Patterns of the Precipitation Response to Aerosol Perturbations from an Energetic Perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shipeng Zhang ◽  
Philip Stier ◽  
Duncan Watson-Parris ◽  
Guy Dagan
Keyword(s):  
Energy Transport ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Radiative Cooling ◽  
Regional Patterns ◽  
Geographical Patterns ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Absorbing Aerosols ◽  
Global Mean

<p>Absorbing and non-absorbing aerosols have distinct effects on both global-mean and regional precipitation. Local changes of precipitation in response to aerosol perturbations are more complex than global-mean changes, which are strongly constrained by global energy budget. This work examines the changes of atmospheric energetic budget terms to study effects of large perturbations in black carbon (BC) and sulphate (SUL) on precipitation. Both cases show decrease of global-mean precipitation but with different geographical patterns. Decreased atmospheric radiative cooling contributes to the majority of decreased global-mean precipitation. It is caused by increased aerosols absorption in BC case but decreased cooling from clean-clear sky (without clouds and aerosols) in SUL case. Fast responses, which are independent of changes in sea surface temperature (SST), dominate the precipitation changes in the BC case, not only for global mean but also for regional patterns. Slow responses, which are mediated by changes in SST, dominate the precipitation responses in SUL case, both globally and regionally.</p><p> </p><p>Relationships between temporal responses of local precipitation and diabatic cooling and precipitation are also examined for both BC and SUL perturbations. Both cases show remarkable similar pattern of correlations despite of essentially different patterns of changes in precipitation and diabatic cooling. Strong positive correlations are found over mid-latitude land and this is mainly due to the changes from surface sensible heat fluxes. Negative correlations are found over tropical oceans, mainly contributed by (longwave) radiative cooling from clouds and clean-clear sky. Further analysis shows this similarity is caused by the natural variability which is independent from external forcing. It indicates that the temporal relationship between changes in local precipitation and diabatic cooling is forcer-independent. This correlation is examined as a function of increasing spatial scales, which demonstrates the scale at which the dominating energetic term on regional precipitation shifts from energy transport to atmospheric diabatic cooling.</p>

scholarly journals COVID-19 testing systems and their effectiveness in small, semi-isolated groups for sports events

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masashi Kamo ◽  
Michio Murakamo ◽  
Watar Naito ◽  
Jun-ichi Takeshita ◽  
Tetsuo Yasutaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Compartment Model ◽  
Small Region ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Sports Teams ◽  
Sports Events ◽  
Sport Teams ◽  
Group A ◽  
Frequent Testing ◽  
Group B ◽  
Antigen Testing

In this study, we quantitatively assessed the effectiveness of systems for COVID-19 testing in small groups of sport teams that are semi-isolated from the general population by countermeasures against infection. Two types of group were assumed, and the dynamics of infection within each group was modeled by using a compartment model of infectious disease. One group (Group A) comprised domestic professional sports teams that play many games over a season while remaining within a relatively small region. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were routinely conducted once every 2 weeks, and the number of infected individuals that could not be removed after identification by testing or checking for symptoms was defined as the risk. The other group (Group B) comprised teams that travel across borders for mass-gathering events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The teams were isolated for 2 weeks at their destination; frequent testing and checking for symptoms was conducted, and any infected individuals were removed. The number of infected individuals participating in games after the isolation period was defined as the risk. In Group A, the number of infected individuals detected by routinely conducted PCR testing was lower than the number of infected individuals detected by checking for symptoms, indicating that routine testing every 2 weeks was not very effective. In Group B, daily PCR testing was the most effective, followed by daily antigen testing. Dual testing, in which individuals with a positive antigen test were given an additional PCR test, was the least effective with an effect equal to PCR testing every other day. These results indicate that repeated testing does not necessarily increase the detection of infected individuals.

scholarly journals Land Quality, Development and Space: Does Scale Matter?

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-112
Author(s):  
Luca Salvati
Keyword(s):  
Capita Income ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Per Capita Income ◽  
Land Quality ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Market Areas

This study analyzes empirically the relationship between land quality decline and the spatial distribution of per capita income observed in Italy at different spatial scales and geographical divisions. The aim of this contribution is to verify if a decline in land quality has higher probability to occur in economically disadvantaged areas and if scale may influence this relationship. Per capita income was considered a proxy indicator for the level of socio-economic development and life quality in the investigated area. Changes over time (1990–2000) of a composite index of land quality and per capita income in Italy were regressed at four spatial scales: (i) 20 NUTS-2 regions, (ii) 103 NUTS-3 prefectures, (iii) 784 local districts designed as Local Labour Market Areas (LLMAs), and (iv) 8,101 LAU-1 municipalities. Different specifications were tested, including first, second and third order polynomial equations. Linear models allowed the best fit for data examined at all spatial scales. However, elasticity of the dependent variable to per capita income varied considerably according to scale suggesting that developmental policies may have a limited impact on land quality in vulnerable southern Italian areas compared to northern and central Italy. This study suggests that geographically disaggregated data simulating different spatial levels of governance may offer further insights compared to cross-country datasets indicating targets for multi-scale policies possibly preventing a poverty-desertification spiral.

Extraordinary variation in a simple song: No geographical patterns in initial phrase variation of the Yellowhammer, a passerine with pronounced dialects

The Auk ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 136 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharina J van Boheemen ◽  
Lucie Diblíková ◽  
Jana Bílková ◽  
Adam Petrusek ◽  
Tereza Petrusková
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Song Learning ◽  
Reproductive Barriers ◽  
Central European Country ◽  
Model Species ◽  
Central European ◽  
Geographical Patterns ◽  
Emberiza Citrinella ◽  
Behavioral Studies ◽  
Song Acquisition

Abstract Geographical variation of birdsong is used to study various topics from cultural evolution to mechanisms responsible for reproductive barriers or song acquisition. In species with pronounced dialects, however, patterns of variation in non-dialect parts of the song are usually overlooked. We focused on the individually variable initial phrase of the song of the Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella), a common Palearctic passerine which became a model species for dialect research. We used a quantitative method to compare the similarity of initial phrases from the repertoires of 237 males recorded at different spatial scales in a central European country covering all main dialect types. We hypothesized that patterns of initial phrase sharing and/or phrase similarity are affected by dialect boundaries and geographical proximity (i.e. that birds from the same dialect regions use more similar phrases or share them more often). Contrary to our expectations, initial phrase variation seems unrelated to dialects, as we did not find higher similarity either among recordings from the same dialect areas or among those from the same locality. Interestingly, despite the immense variability of phrase types detected (only 16% of 368 detected initial phrase types were shared between at least 2 males), a relatively high proportion of males (45%) was involved in sharing, and males using the same initial phrase were located anywhere from tens of meters to hundreds of kilometers apart. The patterns of variation suggest that precise copying during song learning as well as improvisation play important roles in forming individual repertoires in the Yellowhammer. Our data also confirm previous indications that the repertoires of Yellowhammer males (i.e. the composition of initial phrases) are individually unique and temporally stable. This makes the species a good candidate for individual acoustic monitoring, useful for detailed population or behavioral studies without the need for physical capture and marking of males.

scholarly journals Incorporating Archaeological Resources in Landscape-Level Planning and Management

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Doelle ◽  
Pat Barker ◽  
David Cushman ◽  
Michael Heilen ◽  
Cynthia Herhahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Scale Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Archaeological Record ◽  
Key Drivers ◽  
Multiple Resource ◽  
Landscape Level

AbstractThe increasing importance of landscape-scale research and preservation goals within the archaeological profession coincides with expanded threats to the archaeological record through massive energy exploration and infrastructure projects and through the cumulative effects of smaller-scale development. It is further stimulated by the recognition that conservation strategies that span multiple resource classes and disciplines are best formulated at multiple and larger spatial scales. These are key drivers behind efforts to improve the ways that archaeological resources are considered in the context of development-related planning and implementation, including mitigation measures. In a prominent example, recent department-level direction from the Secretary of the Interior calls specifically for landscape-level planning as a critical component of responses to both large-scale development and climate change. This article reviews three current approaches to landscape-level planning in archaeology and calls for increased commitment to advancing their development and effectiveness.

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