An evaluation of GIS tools for generating area cartograms

Abstract The purpose of this article is to report a study aimed at systematic assessment of the functionality of commercially available software for the automatic generation of area cartograms. The issue of the wide choice of algorithms developed over the years for generating various types of surfaces has also been raised. Cartograms (called also anamorphic maps) are constructed by changing the surface area of each spatial unit in step with the corresponding value of the mapped thematic variable (area cartogram) or changing accordingly the distance between the preselected focal point and other points on the map (distance cartogram). Depending on the shape of mapping units, the following three types of area cartograms can be distinguished: proportional symbol cartograms were the original shapes of mapping units have been replaced with simple geometric shapes such as squares, rectangles or circles (for example, Dorling Circle Cartograms, square cartogram); continuous regular cartograms where the shapes of areal units on the map resemble the actual shapes of the mapped units but their boundaries have been geometrized to consist of perpendicular sections; continuous irregular cartograms where the shapes of areal units on the map resemble the actual shapes of the mapped units but unit boundaries are not straight lines. Cartograms can also be constructed to preserve spatial contiguity (continuous cartograms) or not (noncontinuous cartograms), with the latter often preserving the underlying neighborhood relationships to some degree. While constructing area cartogram, one needs to decide first the type of a surface to be developed, and therefore, the algorithm to be applied. The next step in map construction is the choice of software, where tool selection depends often on the predetermined type of the cartogram. The study surveyed five programs for the construction of area cartograms – all available free of charge. Each of those software tools was used to generate area cartograms portraying data from the 2010 presidential election in Poland. Two groups of area cartograms where generated for the purpose of this study: maps of the entire Poland by voivodships, showing the number of valid votes cast for the two presidential candidates in each voivodship, and maps of the Mazowieckie voivodship by county, portraying the number of valid votes cast for the individual candidates in each county. The subsequent in-depth assessment of surveyed programs took into account eleven criteria including the number of cartogram types that might be developed using each program, availability of tools for the proper legend construction and display, possibility of supplementing the cartogram with complementary choropleth maps, the option for inserting map labels, the type of spatial data that can be used in the software (reference to points, lines, polygons) and so on. The study has demonstrated that the tool included in the ArcGIS (Cartogram Utility for ArcGIS) best met the survey criteria scoring 9 points. The application Scape Toad placed second (7.5 pts.), while MapViewer 7 came third (6.25 pts.). When generating cartograms in the available GIS programs, one should also pay attention to the visual qualities of the generated maps, and in particular, to the resemblance of shapes of spatial units on the map to the their actual geographic boundaries. Since the shape outlines obtained on the map vary depending on the underlying geodetic reference system, the best coordinate system for the mapped area should be selected. However, if such system cannot be used within a given cartogram generating tool, then the obtained cartogram should be exported and refined with some general software package for graphic editing.

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Fostering the Creation of Personalized Content for Cultural Visits

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11167401 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (16) ◽

pp. 7401

Author(s):

Riccardo De Benedictis ◽

Carlo De Medio ◽

Augusto Palombini ◽

Gabriella Cortellessa ◽

Carla Limongelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cultural Heritage ◽

Intelligent Tutoring System ◽

Automatic Generation ◽

Machine Learning Techniques ◽

Online Information ◽

Communication Services ◽

Aggregate Information ◽

Wide Range ◽

Information And Communication ◽

The Individual

Among more dramatic effects, the COVID-19 scenario also raised the need for new online information and communication services, promoting the spread of software solutions whose usefulness will last well beyond the pandemic situation. Particularly in the cultural heritage domain, it has been unveiled the relevance of new AI-based approaches, able to dynamically aggregate information and making them available for a customized fruition aimed to the individual cultural growth. Here, we integrate machine learning techniques for the automatic generation of contents for an intelligent tutoring system grounded on automated planning techniques. We present a solution for semantic, intelligent creation of personalized cultural contents, born as a lesson-making assistant, but developed as to become a multi-function “cultural crossover”, useful in the frame of a wide range of planning, dissemination, and managing activities for cultural heritage contents.

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Pooling size sorted malaise trap fractions to maximise taxon recovery with metabarcoding

10.1101/2020.06.09.118950 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vasco Elbrecht ◽

Sarah J. Bourlat ◽

Thomas Hörren ◽

Angie Lindner ◽

Adriana Mordente ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Size Fraction ◽

Sequencing Depth ◽

List Type ◽

Malaise Trap ◽

Size Fractions ◽

Size Classes ◽

Size Sorting ◽

The Individual ◽

Size Heterogeneity ◽

Wet Sieving

AbstractSmall and rare specimens can remain undetected when metabarcoding bulk samples with a high size heterogeneity of specimens. This is especially critical for malaise trap samples, where most of the biodiversity is often contributed by small specimens. How to size sort and in which proportions to pool these samples has not been widely explored. We set out to find a size sorting strategy that maximizes taxonomic recovery but remains highly scalable and time efficient.Three 3 malaise trap samples where size sorted into 4 size classes using dry sieving. Each fraction was homogenized and lysed. The corresponding lysates were pooled to simulate samples never sorted, pooled in equal proportions and in 4 different proportions favoring the small size fractions. DNA from the pooled fractions as well as the individual size classes were extracted and metabarcoded using the FwhF2 and Fol-degen-rev primer set. Additionally wet sieving strategies were explored.The small size fractions harbored the highest diversity, and were best represented when pooling in favor of small specimens. Not size sorting a sample leads to a 45-77% decrease in taxon recovery compared to size sorted samples. A size separation into only 2 fractions (below 4 mm and above) can already double taxon recovery compared to not sorting. However, increasing the sequencing depth 3-4 fold can also increase taxon recovery to comparable levels, but remains biased toward biomass rich taxa in the sample.We demonstrate that size fractionizing bulk malaise samples can increase taxon recovery. The most practical approach is wet sieving into two size fractions, and proportional pooling of the lysates in favor of the small size fraction (80-90% volume). However, in large projects with time constraints, increasing sequencing depth can also be an alternative solution.

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A MODULAR MOBILE MAPPING PLATFORM FOR COMPLEX INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

ISPRS - International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences ◽

10.5194/isprs-archives-xliii-b1-2020-243-2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol XLIII-B1-2020 ◽

pp. 243-250

Author(s):

I. Kalisperakis ◽

T. Mandilaras ◽

A. El Saer ◽

P. Stamatopoulou ◽

C. Stentoumis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Data ◽

Modular Design ◽

Physical World ◽

Remote Access ◽

Mobile Mapping ◽

Motion Trajectories ◽

Multiple Sensors ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Individual ◽

Indoor And Outdoor Environments

Abstract. In this work we present the development of a prototype, mobile mapping platform with modular design and architecture that can be suitably modified to address effectively both outdoors and indoors environments. Our system is built on the Robotics Operation System (ROS) and utilizes multiple sensors to capture images, pointclouds and 3D motion trajectories. These include synchronized cameras with wide angle lenses, a lidar sensor, a GPS/IMU unit and a tracking optical sensor. We report on the individual components of the platform, it’s architecture, the integration and the calibration of its components, the fusion of all recorded data and provide initial 3D reconstruction results. The processing algorithms are based on existing implementations of SLAM (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) methods combined with SfM (Structure-from-Motion) for optimal estimations of orientations and 3D pointclouds. The scope of this work, which is part of an ongoing H2020 program, is to digitize the physical world, collect relevant spatial data and make digital copies available to experts and public for covering a wide range of needs; remote access and viewing, process, design, use in VR etc.

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Disentangling age-dependent DNA methylation: deterministic, stochastic, and nonlinear

10.1101/2020.10.07.329987 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

O. Vershinina ◽

M. Ivanchenko ◽

M.G. Bacalini ◽

A. Zaikin ◽

C. Franceschi

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Environmental Factors ◽

Methylation Level ◽

Signal To Noise Ratio ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ample Evidence ◽

Systematic Assessment ◽

Relative Contribution ◽

Age Dependent ◽

The Individual

ABSTRACTDNA methylation variability arises due to concurrent genetic and environmental influences. Each of them is a mixture of regular and noisy sources, whose relative contribution has not been satisfactorily understood yet. We conduct a systematic assessment of the age-dependent methylation by the signal-to-noise ratio and identify a wealth of “deterministic” CpG probes (about 90%), whose methylation variability likely originates due to genetic and general environmental factors. The remaining 10% of “stochastic” CpG probes are arguably governed by the biological noise or incidental environmental factors. Investigating the mathematical functional relationship between methylation levels and variability, we find that in about 90% of the age-associated differentially methylated positions, the variability changes as the square of the methylation level, whereas in the most of the remaining cases the dependence is linear. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the methylation level itself in more than 15% cases varies nonlinearly with age (according to the power law), in contrast to the previously assumed linear changes. Our findings present ample evidence of the ubiquity of strong DNA methylation regulation, resulting in the individual age-dependent and nonlinear methylation trajectories, whose divergence explains the cross-sectional variability. It may also serve a basis for constructing novel nonlinear epigenetic clocks.

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4 Designing dying well: toward a new architectural approach of in-patient palliative care environments

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care ◽

10.1136/bmjspcare-2018-mariecurie.4 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 361.1-361

Author(s):

Annie Bellamy

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Design Research ◽

Ethnographic Study ◽

List Type ◽

Yale University ◽

Body Memory ◽

The Social ◽

The Individual ◽

Architectural Research

Neither a ‘hospital’ nor a ‘home’; the in-patient hospice has a unique architectural identity remaining largely undocumented. There is a plethora of architectural research regarding more common-place healthcare buildings such as hospitals and care-homes. (RIBA n.d) However the architecture of in-patient hospices is misunderstood in the role it can play in supporting the holistic principles of palliative care as backdrops for ‘not just a good death but a good life to the very end’ (Gawande 2014, pg. 245).Reconciling the social and spatial this research aims to establish an authentic identity for in-patient hospices; developing opportunities and situations for environments that become ‘sympathetic extensions of our sense of ourselves’ (Bloomer KC + Moore CW 1977, pg. 78) enabling those at the end of their life to dwell with dignity.An ethnographic study involving practise led design research; the research engages with experiences of the researcher and users of Welsh in-patient hospices alongside interrogations of existing architectural strategies. This inter-disciplinary methodology will provide a ‘back and forth’ movement to reflect with the community of practise upon design projects and fieldwork.Foundation work concluded that ‘homely’ is a too broad and subjective concept with which to define meaningful architectural responses for the variety of users and uses of in-patient hospices. Building upon this initial visits to Welsh in-patient hospices and design primers of key moments of inhabitation aims to provide conclusions on how architecture can create and balance the individual phenomenological experiences and needs of patients family and staff.References. RIBA. Health buildings and hospitals [Online] (n.d). Available at https://www.ribabookshops.com/books/health-buildings-and-hospitals/010503/ (Accessed: 31 May 2018). Gawande A. Being mortal: Medicine and what matters in the end2014;245. New York: Metropolitan Books Henry Holt and Company.. Kent BC, Charles MW. Body memory and architecture1977;78. New Haven & London: Yale University Press.

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O09 Drug delivery kinetics of intravenous gentamicin in a population of neonates

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2019-esdppp.9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 104 (6) ◽

pp. e4.2-e4

Author(s):

G Salis ◽

N Medlicott ◽

D Reith

Keyword(s):

Drug Delivery ◽

Time Lag ◽

Medical Science ◽

Compartment Model ◽

Pharmacokinetic Parameters ◽

List Type ◽

First Order ◽

Model Drug ◽

The Individual ◽

Kinetics Of

BackgroundGentamicin is commonly used in the NICU setting and is often administered via long lines, which increases variability in the rate of administration. We aimed to model drug delivery pharmacokinetic parameters for intravenous gentamicin administered via umbilical venous catheters (UVCs).MethodsData was modelled from infusion simulations of gentamicin delivery using UVCs with a background flow rate of 0.5 ml/h.1 Different combinations of dose (2 mg, 5 mg) were given by bolus injection over 3–5 minutes, followed by a normal saline flush (1 ml, 2 ml). Gentamicin levels were measured at 5 minute intervals over an hour via high pressure liquid chromatography.Phoenix Certara (version 8.1) was used for modelling. An extravascular model with clearance removed was used to predict parameters: absorption constant (Ka), time lag (Tlag), and bioavailability (F). F was used to enable an estimate of the variability in dose administered. Different error models were tested to ascertain which best described the data.ResultsAn extravascular one compartment model with first order absorption and additive error best described the data. Estimates for the model with a 2 mg dose and 1 ml flush were Ka 0.34L/min, Tlag 1.28min, F 0.97, standard deviation (stdev) 0.14. For 2 mg, 2 ml flush, estimates were Ka 0.86L/min, Tlag 3.01min, F 0.87, stdev 0.01. For 5 mg, 1 ml flush, estimates were Ka 0.48L/min, Tlag 3.13min, F 1.03, stdev 0.12. For 5 mg, 2 ml flush, estimates were Ka 0.83L/min, Tlag 3.29min, F 1.09, stdev 0.02. For each model epsshrinkage and nshrinkage for Tlag and F were low, however nshrinkage for ka was 0.9999.ConclusionThis is the first known modelling of gentamicin delivery kinetics. The studies all had high nshrinkage for Ka, therefore the individual estimates of ka may be unreliable. Further studies with a higher number of replicates would provide more favourable data for estimating Ka.ReferenceLala AC ( 2016). Variability in neonatal gentamicin administration influencing drug delivery kinetics (Thesis, Master of Medical Science). University of Otago.Disclosure(s)No conflict of interest declared. Funding for research via the Freemasons Society of New Zealand.

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In defence of a single body of clinical and public health, medical ethics

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-020-05887-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (S2) ◽

Author(s):

Jean-Pierre Unger ◽

Ingrid Morales ◽

Pierre De Paepe ◽

Michel Roland

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Public Health Practice ◽

Public Health Ethics ◽

List Type ◽

Health Practice ◽

Health Ethics ◽

Medical Associations ◽

Patient’S Autonomy ◽

The Individual

Abstract Background Since some form of dual clinical/public health practice is desirable, this paper explains why their ethics should be combined to influence medical practice and explores a way to achieve that. Main text In our attempt to merge clinical and public health ethics, we empirically compared the individual and collective health consequences of two illustrative lists of medical and public health ethical tenets and discussed their reciprocal relevance to praxis. The studied codes share four principles, namely, 1. respect for individual/collective rights and the patient’s autonomy; 2. cultural respect and treatment that upholds the patient’s dignity; 3. honestly informed consent; and 4. confidentiality of information. However, they also shed light on the strengths and deficiencies of each other’s tenets. Designing a combined clinical and public health code requires fleshing out three similar principles, namely, beneficence, medical and public health engagement in favour of health equality, and community and individual participation; and adopting three stand-alone principles, namely, professional excellence, non-maleficence, and scientific excellence. Finally, we suggest that eco-biopsychosocial and patient-centred care delivery and dual clinical/public health practice should become a doctor’s moral obligation. We propose to call ethics based on non-maleficence, beneficence, autonomy, and justice – the values upon which, according to Pellegrino and Thomasma, the others are grounded and that physicians and ethicists use to resolve ethical dilemmas – “neo-Hippocratic”. The neo- prefix is justified by the adjunct of a distributive dimension (justice) to traditional Hippocratic ethics. Conclusion Ethical codes ought to be constantly updated. The above values do not escape the rule. We have formulated them to feed discussions in health services and medical associations. Not only are these values fragmentary and in progress, but they have no universal ambition: they are applicable to the dilemmas of modern Western medicine only, not Ayurvedic or Shamanic medicine, because each professional culture has its own philosophical rationale. Efforts to combine clinical and public health ethics whilst resolving medical dilemmas can reasonably be expected to call upon the physician’s professional identity because they are intellectual challenges to be associated with case management.

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Spatial scale in environmental risk mapping: A Valley fever case study

Journal of Public Health Research ◽

10.4081/jphr.2017.886 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Heidi E. Brown ◽

Wangshu Mu ◽

Mohammed Khan ◽

Clarisse Tsang ◽

Jian Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Land Cover ◽

Spatial Scale ◽

Environmental Risk ◽

Spatial Data ◽

Risk Mapping ◽

Valley Fever ◽

Income Status ◽

The Individual ◽

Design And Methods

Background. Valley fever is a fungal infection occurring in desert regions of the U.S. and Central and South America. Environmental risk mapping for this disease is hampered by challenges with detection, case reporting, and diagnostics as well as challenges common to spatial data handling. Design and Methods. Using 12,349 individual cases in Arizona from 2006 to 2009, we analyzed risk factors at both the individual and area levels. Results. Risk factors including elderly population, income status, soil organic carbon, and density of residential area were found to be positively associated with residence of Valley fever cases. A negative association was observed for distance to desert and pasture/ hay land cover. The association between incidence and two land cover variables (shrub and cultivated crop lands) varied depending on the spatial scale of the analysis. Conclusions. The consistence of age, income, population density, and proximity to natural areas supports that these are important predictors of Valley fever risk. However, the inconsistency of the land cover variables across scales highlights the importance of how scale is treated in risk mapping.

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Some New Methods of Precision X-Ray Spectrometry

Advances in X-ray Analysis ◽

10.1154/s0376030800004080 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

pp. 251-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K. Das Gupta ◽

Herbert Welch ◽

P.F. Gott ◽

John F. Priest ◽

Sunny Cheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focal Point ◽

Spectral Lines ◽

Background Intensity ◽

List Type ◽

Crystal Spectrometer ◽

X Ray ◽

Bent Crystal ◽

The Third ◽

Light Gathering Power ◽

In Series

AbstractThree novel methods of x-ray spectrometry have been developed in recent years at Texas Tech University. These are:1. Three crystal spectrometer2. Two curved crystal spectrometer3. Spherically bent crystal spectrometer.In this paper the new design features, and experimental results will be discussed to indicate the usefulness of the new instruments. The three crystal spectrometer is a modified two crystal instrument. A third crystal is used to analyze the output of the two crystal spectrometer. The first two crystals are operated as a standard two crystal spectrometer. The third crystal is swept through the spectrum transmitted by the first two crystals for each setting of the first two crystals. The peak intensity of the third crystal sweep corresponds to the energy setting of the two crystal spectrometer, and is the intensity used to plot the spectral lines. The two curved crystal spectrometer utilizes two transmission spectrographs with radii having a 2:1 ratio in series, the crystal with the smaller radius being set so that its focal point falls on the Rowland circle of the larger radius crystal, This instrument has a very low background intensity and is suitable for precision scattering and diffraetion work. The spherically bent crystal spectrometer makes use of high light gathering power and high orders of reflection to allow high resolution studies of weak spectral lines. It also has the advantage of ease of alignment and operation.

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Analysis of Emergency Situations in the Russian Federation

Prehospital and Disaster Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1049023x19002073 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (s1) ◽

pp. s101-s101

Author(s):

Sergei Aleksanin ◽

Vladimir Evdokimov

Keyword(s):

Russian Federation ◽

Natural Phenomenon ◽

Individual Risk ◽

List Type ◽

Emergency Situations ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

The Russian Federation ◽

The Individual ◽

Terrorist Acts ◽

Polynomial Trends

Introduction:Emergency situations (ES) are situations within a certain territory, which have arisen because of an accident, a dangerous natural phenomenon, natural disaster, or other that may cause or have caused human casualties, damage to human health or the environment, significant material losses, and unbalance of living conditions of people. Important characteristics of ES are suddenness and involvement of a significant number of victims who need first aid and emergency medical care. These characteristics determined the organization of the Unified State System for Emergency Prevention and Elimination of the Russian Federation.Aim:To study the structure of ES in Russia. By the scale of spread and damage caused, ES can be local, municipal, inter-municipal, regional, interregional, or federal, by the source of origin – technogenic, natural, biological, or social. The terrorist acts are usually allocated in a separate group of ES. The structure of ES, according to the EMERCOM of Russia in 2005-2017, is as follows: 1.Technogenic (59.61%)2.Natural (29.42%)3.Biological and social (9.91%)4.Major terrorist acts (1.06%)Methods:Statistical analysis was conducted. According to the EMERCOM of Russia, every year in 2005-2017 there were 422.5 ± 46.5 ES, resulting in the death of 796 ± 56 people. Polynomial trends in the number of ES and deaths, according to the EMERCOM of Russia, (with significant coefficients of determination R2 = 0.85 and R2 = 0.64, respectively) show a decrease in the number of ES and deaths.Discussion:The resulting analysis of the structure and number of ES, the number of deaths, the risk of being in an emergency, and the individual risk of death in an emergency can predict the forces and means necessary for the elimination of the consequences of ES.

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