Bayesian Point Process Modeling to Quantify Geographic Regions of Excess Stillbirth Risk

Motivated by the paucity of high‐quality stillbirth surveillance data and the spatial analysis of such data, we describe the pattern of stillbirth events as a step toward increased understanding of risk factors which can better guide future measures to mitigate these events. A challenge in such an analysis is that some mothers experience stillbirth events from independent pregnancies within a defined study period. To account for these dependencies, we parameterize our model to include a maternal contextual effect and broaden the appeal of Bayesian Poisson point process modeling to quantify excess stillbirth risk while considering a form of a log‐Gaussian Cox process. In the presence of extra unobserved spatial variation in risk, we demonstrate a pragmatic methodologic strategy to model the risk surface in relation to covariates and that there is a variance‐bias trade‐off associated with the use of a maternal contextual effect. We applied our strategy to the spatial distribution of stillbirth in Iowa during the years 2005–2011 using data obtained from an active, statewide public health surveillance program. We identified areas of excess risk for further investigation based on model components that captured important features of the data.     

Social Spaces of Daily Life: A Reflexive Approach to the Analysis of Chemical Residues by Multivariate Spatial Analysis

Studying human activities requires an examination of the inherent epistemological problems in building arguments about the past based on chemical residues and modern observations. A reflexive approach to the analysis of chemical residues at the San Lucas archaeological site, a Classic Hohokam settlement located in Marana, Arizona, represents a unique opportunity to evaluate current techniques and paradigms for the interpretation of daily life activities. By incorporating an innovative program rooted in satellite remote sensing image analysis and spatial statistics, including new techniques, such as bulk density, loss on ignition, electrical conductivity, and salinity, results suggest that soil chemical analysis will benefit more from learning about structure and agency than from one single activity.     

A Bayesian Approach to Modeling Binary Data: The Case of High‐Intensity Crime Areas

This paper reports the fitting of a number of Bayesian logistic models with spatially structured or/and unstructured random effects to binary data with the purpose of explaining the distribution of high‐intensity crime areas (HIAs) in the city of Sheffield, England. Bayesian approaches to spatial modeling are attracting considerable interest at the present time. This is because of the availability of rigorously tested software for fitting a certain class of spatial models. This paper considers issues associated with the specification, estimation, and validation, including sensitivity analysis, of spatial models using the WinBUGS software. It pays particular attention to the visualization of results. We discuss a map decomposition strategy and an approach that examines properties of the full posterior distribution. The Bayesian spatial model reported provides some interesting insights into the different factors underlying the existence of the three police‐defined HIAs in Sheffield.     

A Factorial Model of Aggregate Spatio-Temporal Behavior: Application to the Diurnal Cycle

The cross-sectional nature of much social data, coupled with the static view provided by maps and current spatial data handling software, have produced a tradition of research on urban spatial structure that is largely two-dimensional and derived from residential locations. The paper presents an analysis of a space-time diary data set collected in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A series of transformations are used to convert the individual diary records to a three-mode matrix of intensities, which is then analyzed using the PARAFAC three-mode factor model. Home/work is found to be the strongest organizing dimension of the urban space-time, followed by entertainment, shopping, and education / work. We show how these dimensions appear to varying degrees in different locations, time periods, and human activities. The paper argues for a dynamic view of urban spatial structure in which only the physical facilities remain static.     

多维视角下中国饮食的地理学解读——以《舌尖上的中国》中的美食为例

本文融合了人地关系认识论与西方饮食地理学的相关成果,基于“自然—社会—文化—经济”四个维度,构建了饮食地理的多维视角分析框架,将饮食的基本属性解读为人与自然交互作用的产物、社会关系的纽带、地方文化的载体、全球化的地方商品等四个方面,进而以《舌尖上的中国》解说词为基础数据,通过语义网络分析,探析了中国美食的地理特征与多重属性。研究发现：(1)中国美食主要集中在胡焕庸线以东,并呈现南多北少、东多西少的基本格局,与农耕文化区和城市群的分布高度一致。(2)在自然属性方面,气候条件被认为是影响中国美食地域性的关键因子;在社会属性方面,美食对增进家庭凝聚力具有重要作用;在文化属性方面,美食是产生地方认同和地方依恋等情感的催化剂;在经济属性方面,美食可以促进地方就业和全球化的深化。     

改革开放以来芜湖市城市空间扩展及驱动力分析

以landsat MSS/TM/ETM+遥感影像为数据源,借助Arc GIS平台,选取城市空间扩展速度、扩展强度、紧凑度、分形维数、重心坐标、扩展弹性系数等指标,运用空间形态分析、叠加分析、等扇分析等方法,分析了改革开放以来芜湖市城市空间扩展时空特征,结合统计数据探究了扩展驱动力。结果表明:1979-2012年间,芜湖市城市空间扩展速度与强度具有较大波动性;人口增长与城市空间扩展的关系渐趋合理;城市空间形态由紧凑型向分散型转变;城市空间沿长江及主要交通线非均衡拓展;城市重心东偏北移;经济、人口、交通建设等是芜湖市空间扩展的主要驱动力。     

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.     

Clarifying the Standard Deviational Ellipse

For a set of geographical units in the Cartesian coordinate system, the locus of the standard deviation of the x coordinates of the set forms a closed curve as the system is rotated about the origin. This curve, often referred to as “standard deviational ellipse” (SDE), is not in fact an ellipse. The actual shape of the curve has remained unclear since the issue was mentioned initially by Lefever in 1926. In the present paper this closed curve, referred to as “standard deviation curve” (SDC), is clarified mathematically, and some of its applications in spatial analysis are discussed. The shape of SDC changes from a single circle to double circles when the distribution of the set of geographical units changes from an even condition to a straight line. The shape of SDC is determined explicitly by the ratio of its minor axis to its major axis. This ratio, therefore, is a useful index to show to what extent the distribution of a set of geographical units is circular, or linear. In addition, the size and radius of SDC can be used to indicate the distribution density of geographical units. The major axis of SDC, whose angle is determined explicitly for the first time, indicates the major orientation of geographical units. A program has been developed to apply SDC to spatial analysis (mean center, major orientation, distribution density, circular condition, etc.). The program is available from jx_gong@hotmail.com . It is written in the MapBasic language, and runs under MapInfo.     

Refining the definition of cultural levels at Karabi Tamchin: a quantitative approach to vertical intra-site spatial analysis

The visual identification of archaeological levels can be difficult when stratigraphy is complex. This study emphasizes the importance of three-dimensional intra-site spatial analysis as a means of testing the integrity of archaeological levels, including the identification of palimpsest deposits. A geographical information system (GIS) is applied to a three-dimensional spatial analysis of lithic and bone distributions from Karabi Tamchin, a Middle Palaeolithic site from the Crimea, Ukraine. K-means statistical clustering is combined with a series of data transformations to identify and interpret the vertical and horizontal spatial organization of the site. The results indicate that K-means cluster analysis, used in conjunction with GIS, provides an exceptional method of identifying discrete clusters of archaeological materials in three dimensions. Through an analysis of cluster contents within levels, it is possible to reconstruct and compare patterns of spatial organization at Karabi Tamchin, contributing to current debates regarding the cognitive complexity of Neanderthal populations.     

The Making of Mitteldeutschland. On the Function of Implicit and Explicit Symbolic Features for Implementing Regions and Regional Identity

Abstract: According to the theory of 'significative regionalisation' (Werlen), territorial entities may be understood as products of symbolic practices. However, the assumption that regions are not only made but also continuously performed in acts of communication effects the character of substantial research into ostensible and latent spatial imaginations apparent in communication processes. In this article, the reactivation of Mitteldeutschland (literally the 'centre of Germany') in a televisionseries about the region's history is the empirical starting point for conceptualizing contemporary processes of symbolic regionalization. The approach taken covers the entire communication chain from the editorial process to the film material up to everyday language use of the programs target group. Three empirical studies with specific methods of research (hermeneutics, argumentation analysis and semi-structured interviews) illustrate this interlinked process. As an analytical tool, a fundamental distinction between implicit 'common places' of spatial representation and more obvious and thus negotiable explicit features of spatial signification is suggested. The analysis elucidates that — even under conditions of contemporary globalization — the massmedia reproduce traditional practices of spatial representation, as, for instance, a persistent and taken-for-granted use of container images indicates. Regarding the explicit features, however, the medias' influence seems to be quite low. Mitteldeutschland's geography, as proposed by the television program, is questioned and negotiated in everyday symbolic practice. Up until now, the region thus remains continuously 'under construction'.     

POPULATION GEOGRAPHY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC PLANNING

Population geographers are urged to get involved in the program of socio-economic planning that is expected to supplement the present economic planning process in the Soviet Union. So far socio-economic plans have been drawn up only for a few large cities like Moscow, Leningrad and Sverdlovsk. In general, there is a need for integrating the social planning process with purely economic planning, and to supplement the present sectoral planning system with an integrated system of spatial planning entities. At the present time, city and regional plans are derived by simply collating sectoral data at the city and regional level rather than by a separate integrated spatial planning procedure. A system of intra-oblast regions, or okrugs, numbering perhaps 500 or more, is recommended as a new level suitable both for government administration and for socio-economic planning.     

Spatial/temporal mismatch: a conflation protocol for Canada Census spatial files

The Canada census is one of the chief sources of demographic and socio-economic data for researchers in this country. Census variables are linked to geography files that allow researchers using geographic information systems (GIS) to view and analyze spatial data. Some of the most useful analysis, however, is based on changes in attribute values over time and space. Analysis of spatio- temporal events such as shifting migration patterns or changes in the distribution of health status permits a more dimensioned perspective than the viewing of static spatial phenomena. The analysis of spatio-temporal phenomena is limited by major changes in the spatial framework (e.g., location of road networks and other spatial entities) between national censuses. This paper addresses this limitation by (i) illustrating the extent of spatial mismatch between the 1996 and the 2001 census; (ii) examining attempts to rectify this problem in other jurisdictions and (iii) presenting a 'made-in-Canada' solution for conflation of census geometries. We believe that this solution will enhance the ability of Canadian researchers to describe and analyze socio-economic, health and demographic shifts across time and space. The research is supported by an ftp site for downloading the census geography rectification software presented in this paper.     

大都市中心区生产性服务业集群的空间溢出——以广州市天河区为例

空间溢出对产业集群形成发展具有重要意义。但空间溢出对生产性服务业集群的影响机制并不清楚。本文基于1 km×1 km网格和2013年广州市中心区--天河区的企业经济普查数据，采用空间数据分析技术，识别生产性服务业集群，分析集群特征，探测集群溢出类型。结果发现：①生产性服务业集群区位指向大城市中心区的核心地域，具有五种集群类型分异，空间呈不完全耦合。②生产性服务业集群空间规模受Jocobs型和MAR型两种溢出调控，在MAR型溢出作用下的集群空间规模相对较小。③信息服务业集群的溢出为负效应说明溢出作为一种潜在利益，在转化为集群优势的过程中存在过滤效应。     

Potential Contributions of Spatial Analysis to Geographic Information Systems for Transportation (GIS-T)

Geographic information systems (GIS) are having tremendous impacts on many scientific and application domains. The traditional subfield of spatial analysis is witnessing a major resurgence and enhancement due to GIS and geographical information science (GISci), an interdisciplinary field focusing on the theory and methodology underlying GIS software. The interdisciplinary field of geographic information systems for transportation (GIS-T) has emerged to focus on the role of GIS in transportaton analysis and planning. This paper suggests the benefits of closer linkages between spatial analysis, GISci, and transportation through a focused review of spatial analytical issues and their potential contributions to GIS-T. Specifically, this paper reviews the following issues: (i) modifiable areal units; (ii) boundary problems and spatial sampling; (iii) spatial dependence and spatial heterogeneity; and (iv) alternative representations of geographic environments. The discussion highlights the general issues as well as identifies their specific relevance to GIS-T. In addition, this paper identifies some emerging tools from GISci that can address these spatial analytical issues in GIS-T.     

ChoroWare: A Software Toolkit for Choropleth Map Classification

Choropleth mapping plays an important role in exploratory spatial data analysis. Several objectives have been suggested to guide choropleth map construction. These objectives, however, often conflict and, consequently, a choropleth map that is best for one objective may not be best for others. Choosing a set of choropleth class intervals is thus a multiobjective problem. This article describes an open-source software toolkit, called ChoroWare that is designed to help cartographers identify class intervals that are suitable for a specific application. The software uses a genetic algorithm to generate a set of nondominated solutions to the multiobjective choropleth class interval problem and uses an interactive visualization tool to display members of this classification set. Using ChoroWare, cartographers can examine trade-offs between alternatives and find desirable choropleth classifications that meet their objectives.     

风景名胜区土地经济密度差异特征研究——以中国国家级风景名胜区为例

风景名胜区土地经济密度是衡量旅游用地效益的关键指标.为掌握中国风景名胜区土地利用经济状况、类型和空间差异特征,本文以国家级风景名胜区为研究对象,应用土地经济密度指数、变差异系数和Arcgis空间分析法对中国2003年～ 2009年26个省（市、区）国家级风景名胜区土地经济密度及其差异特征进行分析.结果表明：（1）从全国层面来看,我国国家级风景名胜区土地经济密度总体上呈现逐年上升的趋势,其中陵寝类、壁面石窟类、历史圣地类等三类风景名胜区土地经济密度相对较大;（2）分省层面来看,我国国家级风景名胜区土地经济密度的区域差异明显,区域时间差异变化上大致呈现“整体上升型”、“有升有降型”和“整体下降型”三种类型;区域差异动态特征显示,26个省（市、区）国家级风景名胜区土地经济密度的区域差异随着时间的变化呈现先缩小后扩大的趋势.     

基于分形理论的江苏省南通市城镇体系空间结构研究

基于非线性科学分形理论以及运用GIS相关软件,通过计算南通城镇体系的首位指数、中心城市吸引力以及城镇交通网络长度-半径维数、网络分枝维数,探讨了南通城镇体系等级规模结构分形、城镇体系空间关联性分形以及南通城镇交通网络分形特征,从描述城镇等级体系、城镇交通网络分布入手,通过对南通城镇具体区域指标的分析和处理,并以分形理论中的二城市指数、三城市指数、四城市指数和十一城市指数为定量依据,将分形理论引入城镇体系研究的实践中,结果表明:南通城镇体系空间结构呈现分形特征,从而有效验证了分形特征不仅存在于大城市空间结构,中等城市的城镇体系依然存在,进而为指导南通城镇体系空间上合理布局提供定量依据与决策参考,并据此提出了南通城镇体系空间结构合理化的建议。     

景观空间尺度对游客满意度的影响及情绪体验的中介作用研究

本研究构建了景观空间尺度、游客体验中的新奇感和愉悦感及游客满意度的关系模型,并进行实证检验。研究表明：①景观空间尺度中的实体要素尺度、空间场所尺度、空间序列长度与空间转换频率对游客的新奇感、愉悦感与满意度存在显著的影响;②游客的愉悦感和新奇感对游客满意度存在显著的影响;③游客的愉悦感与新奇感通过实体要素尺度、空间场所尺度、空间序列长度与空间转换频率对游客满意度具有中介作用。该文探讨景观空间尺度对游客满意度的影响,扩展了游客满意度理论,并提出面向景观空间尺度的管理对策。     

New Developments in the Use of Spatial Technology in Archaeology

Spatial technology is integral to how archaeologists collect, store, analyze, and represent information in digital data sets. Recent advances have improved our ability to look for and identify archaeological remains and have increased the size and complexity of our data sets. In this review we outline trends in visualization, data management, archaeological prospecting, modeling, and spatial analysis, as well as key advances in hardware and software. Due to developments in education, information technology, and landscape archaeology, the implementation of spatial technology has begun to move beyond superficial applications and is no longer limited to environmental deterministic approaches. In the future, spatial technology will increasingly change archaeology in ways that will enable us to become better practitioners, scholars, and stewards.