A framework for statistical inferential decisions in spatial pattern analysis

The desire of many geographical information science (GIS) practitioners to undertake sophisticated spatial pattern analysis has been facilitated by the increasing availability of specialised software and the appearance of pedagogic papers illustrating the application of various techniques. However, the appropriate use of these techniques also requires an understanding of the nature of hypothesis testing and statistical inference for spatial data. Since there is little information currently available to aid the GIS practitioner in this regard, we offer such guidance here. We do so by revisiting the steps involved in spatial pattern analysis. Our perspective is based on the notion of spatial stochastic models and is presented as a decision tree. The four levels of the tree (i.e., sequential decisions) are associated with the assumptions, the type of data representation and the types of questions asked by the analyst. We emphasise the scientific and educational challenges involved.     

Some aspects of ULF electromagnetic wave relations in a stratified ionosphere by the method of boundary value problem

Formulation and boundary conditions are developed to solve for the electromagnetic waves in a stratified ionosphere and atmosphere as a two-point boundary value problem. In the general case there are up-going and down-going Alfvén modes, up-going and down-going fast modes. It is shown that while large horizontal structure of the perturbation can be attributed to both the fast wave and the Alfvén mode, small horizontal structure can only be attributed to the Alfvén mode. The ratios of the electric field to magnetic field are given for various altitudes, frequencies and horizontal scale sizes. The results show that the magnetic field leads the electric field for the Alfvén mode and the electric field leads the magnetic field for the fast mode. The results also show that the ratio of the electric field to the magnetic field is varied and is not the Alfvén speed of the local medium. Analytical solutions are presented as tests against the numerical ones.     

The valley problem in bottomside ionogram analysis

The use of ordinary and extraordinary ray vitrual height data to estimate valley parameters is studied using a least-squares single-polynomial analysis. For any assumed valley depth this technique enables direct determination of the best-fitting valley ‘width’ and F-region real-height profile. Tests on model profiles show that the method can satisfy the virtual height data, to within normal experimental error, over a considerable range of assumed depths. Thus iteration of valley depth to achieve best agreement with the virtual height data is unsound in the presence of typical scaling uncertainties: there is insufficient information in a standard ionogram to provide useful estimates of both valley width and valley depth. A sample of 130 daytime ionograms have been analysed assuming a zero-depth valley. The resulting valley widths were generally between 0 and 25 km with an average of 11 km.     

The multivariate statistical analysis and XRD analysis of pottery at Xigongqiao site

A series of pottery samples excavated from the Xigongqiao site in Tengzhou city of Shandong province was determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Together with excavation data and archaeological analysis, the potential for provenance and technology of unearthed ancient pottery was studied by using multivariate statistical analysis and X-ray powder diffraction pattern (XRD) analysis. In order to characterize and classify these earthenware samples, the major and minor/trace element concentrations were studied with both cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The results showed that there were three different groups in cluster analysis dendrogram in good correlation with their colors. This indicated that the potteries were made from clays of different composition. These results were in agreement with the results of principal component analysis. XRD analysis further assessed the validity of multivariate statistical analysis.     

Stochastic process and archaeological mechanism in spatial analysis

Statistical techniques for the study of spatial patterns (“spatial analysis”) are reviewed, and their foundations are examined so that archaeologists can more readily judge how appropriate they are for dealing with particular problems. The concept of “association” is seen as crucial to this question, and some archaeological interpretations of it are critically examined. The potential usefulness of various techniques is discussed. Details of the simpler techniques are given in an Appendix.     

The statistical politics of exceptional territories

The so-called Rotterdam Act enables municipal governments in the Netherlands to bar poor households with no or limited residential history in the metropolitan area from moving into certain neighborhoods. Although evidently at odds with principles of equality enshrined in law, the Act has emerged as a standard part of the policy tool kit. This article seeks to explain how the Rotterdam Act came to pass. Asking this question sets us on the path of reconstructing how specific urban areas suffering from extraordinary problems were identified and how using exceptional measures to exclude specific groups were instituted. In a word, we are interested in the construction of exceptionality. We show that the construction of exceptional territories is based on the interplay of discretionary power and statistical calculation. We discuss the wider relevance of our analysis to the emerging field of critical data studies and for understanding the links between sovereignty, territory and statistics in constitutional democracies.     

The Antarctic problem

Pioneering in New Guinea. By James Chalmers. London : The Eeligious Tract Society, 1887. Price 16s.

Australian Defences and New Guinea. Compiled from the Papers of the late Sir Peter Scratchley, R.E., K.O.M.G. By C. Kinloch Gooke, B.A., L.L.M., Barrister‐at‐Law. London : Macmillan, 1887. Price 14s.

Shores and Alps of Alaska. By H. W. Seton Kaee, F.R.G.S. Pp. xiv. + 248. London : Sampson Low and Co., 1887. Price 16s.

The Ancient Cities of the Neiv World, being Travels and Explorations in Mexico and Central America, from 1857–1882. By Désiré Charnay. With numerous Illustrations. Translated from the French by J. Gonino and Helen S. Conant. London : Chapman and Hall, 1887. Pp. xxxii. and 514.

Report on the Administration of the Punjab and its Dependencies for 1885–86. Lahore, 1887.

Précis de Géographic Élémentaire. Par Paul Chaix. Onzième. Édition, revue et modifiée. Geneva : Cherbuliez. 1887.

Lonqmani New Geographical Readers: The Seventh Reader.—The Ocean, Currents, Tides, the Planetary System, and Phases of the Moon. London : Longmans, Green, and Co., 1887. Price 18. 9d.     

The parry problem

Injuries classified as parry fractures, normally the result of a direct blow when the forearm is raised to shield the face, are significant in bioarcheological interpretations because the parry fracture is perceived as an indicator of interpersonal (or extramural) violence. It is therefore necessary that these injuries be correctly identified in order to properly interpret the trauma pattern and its social implications for abuse, gender and power relations among ancient people. Common acute forearm fractures are reviewed here and quantitative guidelines that define the parry fracture configuration are presented. The parry criteria include: (1) an absence of radial involvement, (2) a transverse fracture line, (3) a location below the midshaft (<0.5 adjusted distance to the lesion's center), and (4) either minor unalignment (<10°) in any plane or horizontal apposition from the diaphysis (<50%). A sample of 278 adults from northern Sudan dated to the Nubian Bronze Age (ca. 2500–1500 BC) contained 38 individuals with forearm fractures. Of these fractures, 21 out of the 28 ulna injuries were identified as parry fractures using the parry criteria. Fewer females suffered from parry fractures than when ulna injuries were identified by location on the ulna alone. The use of the parry criteria may not always affect the results significantly, but here interpersonal violence directed against women and amongst ancient Nubians was found to be less prevalent than implied in earlier studies. The absence of perimortem parry fractures suggests that the Kermans interred within mass burials were not physically forced to their graves. Chronic ulna stress fractures associated with sports and habitual activities must also be considered as a differential diagnosis of this injury.     

《祖堂集》的文献学价值

《祖堂集》是继《宝林传》、《续宝林传》之后,又一部十分宝贵的早期南宗禅史籍,其文献价值难以估量。文章分别从文献辑佚、提供新说、文本校勘、文字宝典等四个方面对《祖堂集》的文献价值进行了论述。     

An analysis of spatial patterns of toponyms in Guangdong,China

The unique geographical environment and the historical waves of immigration of the northern Han Chinese to the Lingnan region have contributed to the development of a complex and unique culture in Guangdong Province. Four ancient ethnic groups, the Zhuang, Cantonese, Hoklo and Hakka, have resided in this area for centuries. As an important part of local culture, toponyms often survive changes in history and can reveal the temporal differences between the past and present in landforms and the spatial differences in the distribution of different ethnic group populations. In this study, two goals were sought: (1) the adoption of spatial smoothing and interpolation methods to reveal the spatial patterns of the Zhuang, Cantonese, Hoklo and Hakka toponyms based on comparisons among the proportions of those who speak various languages and (2) the investigation of the differences among toponymic layers under regional environmental conditions and the influences of geographic factors using an independent samples t-test and a binary logistic regression.     

The use of statistical size estimations in minimum number calculations

Analyses of archaeological faunal assemblages often require the use of varied quantitative techniques for reconstructing aspects of the harvested populations. This is particularly important with the increasing use of zooarchaeological data outside of the realm of traditional archaeological inquiry. Detailed size estimations of archaeological faunal specimens can be used to distinguish between the remains of individual animals, aiding in the reconstruction of minimum number calculations. Statistical regression provides a particularly useful technique for generating size estimations which may then be used to calculate such modified MNI values. This paper outlines a methodology for utilising regression estimated sizes in MNI calculations, and tests the methodology in the context of a case study involving fish remains from Aleutian Islands archaeological sites. The use of this methodology to generate modified MNI values results in consistent increases over values calculated using traditional MNI approaches. Such an approach, while more costly in terms of required effort, is felt to be preferable to traditional approaches in contexts where detailed size estimations are usefully calculated to answer other research questions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The problem of runrig

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Continental Drift. By D. H. and M. P. Tarling. 8 1/2 x 6. 112 pp., 43 illustrations. Bibliography. G. Bell, London. £1–50.

Introduction to Geomorphology. By A. F. Pitty. xvi + 526 pp. Numerous illustrations, Bibliography. Index. Methuen, London, 1971. £5.

ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

The Logic of Unity. By Geoffrey Parker. 8 1/2 x 5 1/2, xviii + 178 pp., 36 maps and diagrams. Longmans Geography Paperbacks. Second impression, 1970. £1.15.

Seaports and Seaport Terminals. By James Bird. 5 1/4 x 8 1/2, 240 pp., 22 maps, diagrams. Hutchison &; Co., London, 1971. 90p (paper).

Seaports and Development in Tropical Africa. Edited by B. S. Hoyle and D. Hilling. 8 3/4 x 6, xvi+271 pp. Macmillan, London. £4.

ISLANDS SERIES. Each volume approximately 13.5 x 21.7 cms., 250 pp., plates and maps, bibliographies. David and Charles, Newton Abbot, 1970/71. £2.50.

1. Orkney. By Patrick Bailey

2. Arran. By Robert McLellan

3. The Isle of Mull, By P. A. Macnab

4. St. Kilda and Other Hebridean Outliers. By Francis Thompson

The Industrial Archaeology of Galloway. By Ian Donnachie. 8 1/2 x 6. Pp. 271, 32 plates, 39 illustrations. David &; Charles, Newton Abbot, 1971. £3–50.