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As the research and application of three‐dimensional (3D) Geographic Information Science (GIS) continue to advance, the abstract representation and symbolic modeling of geological entities in three dimensions have become one of the research focuses in the current GIS field. To address the need for the symbolic representation of complex and diverse fault structures, this paper proposes a parametric modeling method for 3D fault symbols. This method includes (1) constructing a 3D stratum model and a fault plane model based on stratum and fault plane parameters, (2) performing a 3D cutting operation based on the fault plane model to generate the fault block model, and (3) translating the strata in two faultblocks according to the parameters of fault motion to generate a fault symbol model. The experimental results show that the proposed method requires only a small number of parameters to efficiently and intuitively construct diverse 3D fault symbol models. This method breaks through the excessive dependence on geological survey data in the process of 3D geological modeling. It is suitable for 3D geological symbol modeling of folds, joints, intrusions, and other geological structures, as well as 3D modeling of typical geological structures with relatively simple spatial morphology. This paper's parametric modeling method has essential research significance and application value in various applications such as digital earth, digital city, and virtual geoscience exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most high-mountain regions worldwide are susceptible to snow avalanches during the winter or all year round. In this study, a Universal Snow Avalanche Modeling Index is developed, suitable for determining avalanche hazard in mountain regions. The first step in the research is the collection of data in the field and their processing in geographic information systems and remote sensing. In the period 2023–2024, avalanches were mapped in the field, and later, avalanches as points in geographic information systems (GIS) were overlapped with the dominant natural conditions in the study area. The second step involves determining the main criteria (snow cover, terrain slope, and land use) and evaluating the values to obtain the Snow Avalanche Formation Index (SAFI). Thresholds obtained through field research and the formation of avalanche inventory were used to develop the SAFI index. The index is applied with the aim of identifying locations susceptible to avalanche formation (source areas). The values used for the calculation include Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI > 0.6), terrain slope (20–60°) and land use (pastures, meadows). The third step presents the analysis of SAFI locations with meteorological conditions (winter precipitation and winter air temperature). The fourth step is the modeling of the propagation (simulation) of other parts of the snow avalanche in the Flow-R software 2.0. The results show that 282.9 km2 of the study area (Šar Mountains, Serbia) is susceptible to snow avalanches, with the thickness of the potentially triggered layer being 50 cm. With a 5 m thick snowpack, 299.9 km2 would be susceptible. The validation using the ROC-AUC method confirms a very high predictive power (0.94). The SAFI–Flow-R approach offers snow avalanche modeling for which no avalanche inventory is available, representing an advance for all mountain areas where historical data do not exist. The results of the study can be used for land use planning, zoning vulnerable areas, and adopting adequate environmental protection measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiential exercise provides an opportunity for students to learn how accounting and audit practices can be augmented using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We illustrate how GIS aids in the collection of accounting data, verification of assets, risk assessment, and internal controls. Using a GIS field collection app, the students were provided a list of assets to locate and audit at their college/university. After completing the exercise, 70 senior-level accounting students at a public university provided feedback related to their experience and the effectiveness of GIS as a data collection and audit tool. The results of the questionnaire revealed that students found the GIS technology useful in data collection and analysis for both accounting and auditing, as well as for reinforcing the audit concepts taught in the classroom. Data Availability: Efficacy data are available from the authors upon request. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of insects, particularly endangered species such as the Apollo butterfly, is a pressing global concern. Understanding the habitat requirements and factors influencing species occupancy is crucial for designing effective conservation strategies. We focused on investigating the habitat characteristics expected to affect the occupancy of the nationally endangered Apollo butterfly in Southwest Finland. We conducted field surveys and GIS analysis to assess the impact of larval host plant and adult nectar resources, habitat encroachment, elevation, connectivity, and spatial variation on Apollo larval occupancy in rocky outcrop habitats. We found that rocky outcrops with abundant host plants and those less isolated from nectar patches play a significant role in supporting Apollo reproduction, whereas encroachment, specifically increased tree volume, negatively affected occupancy. We additionally observed spatial variation in occupancy across different blocks within the study area. Our findings emphasise the importance of resource availability for Apollo butterflies and highlight the dynamic nature of their habitat requirements. Maintaining a network of intact rocky outcrops with suitable resources is essential for the long-term persistence of the Apollo butterfly population in the region. Implications for insect conservation: Our research underscores the critical need to protect and restore habitats for the Apollo butterfly, particularly by addressing threats such as habitat encroachment and construction projects that pose risks to their breeding sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Black individuals in the U.S. face increasing racial disparities in drug overdose related to social determinants of health, including place-based features. Mobile outreach efforts work to mitigate social determinants by servicing geographic areas with low drug treatment and overdose prevention access but are often limited by convenience-based targets. Geographic information systems (GIS) are often used to characterize and visualize the overdose crisis and could be translated to community to guide mobile outreach services. The current study examines the initial acceptability and appropriateness of GIS to facilitate data-driven outreach for reducing overdose inequities facing Black individuals. Methods: We convened a focus group of stakeholders (N = 8) in leadership roles at organizations conducting mobile outreach in predominantly Black neighborhoods of St. Louis, MO. Organizations represented provided adult mental health and substance use treatment or harm reduction services. Participants were prompted to discuss current outreach strategies and provided feedback on preliminary GIS-derived maps displaying regional overdose epidemiology. A reflexive approach to thematic analysis was used to extract themes. Results: Four themes were identified that contextualize the acceptability and utility of an overdose visualization tool to mobile service providers in Black communities. They were: 1) importance of considering broader community context; 2) potential for awareness, engagement, and community collaboration; 3) ensuring data relevance to the affected community; and 4) data manipulation and validity concerns. Conclusions: There are several perceived benefits of using GIS to map overdose among mobile providers serving Black communities that are overburdened by the overdose crisis but under resourced. Perceived potential benefits included informing location-based targets for services as well as improving awareness of the overdose crisis and facilitating collaboration, advocacy, and resource allocation. However, as GIS-enabled visualization of drug overdose grows in science, public health, and community settings, stakeholders must consider concerns undermining community trust and benefits, particularly for Black communities facing historical inequities and ongoing disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe rapid advancement of technology and widespread access to digital resources have transformed teaching practices and enhanced educators’ competencies. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer new avenues for understanding global events and conducting multidimensional analyses. This study aimed to evaluate teachers’ potential use of geospatial technologies by analyzing the objectives of geography curricula for grades 7–11 in Kazakhstan. Additionally, this study investigated barriers to GIS adoption among geography teachers and strategies for cultivating geospatial thinking skills. The research employed curriculum analysis and a teacher survey involving 208 respondents from across Kazakhstan. The results indicated moderate adoption of geospatial technologies, with mobile GIS applications being most prevalent. However, obstacles such as equipment costs, lack of experience, and time constraints hinder their utilization. This study underscores the importance of integrating geospatial technologies in geography education to foster students’ spatial thinking, creativity, and information literacy. Moreover, this study highlights the role of a GIS in enhancing educators’ and students’ proficiency in modern geoinformation systems and digital technologies. The findings offer practical insights for educators and serve as a valuable resource for enhancing geography instruction and promoting geospatial technology integration in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ENDO 2024 World Congress, organized by the World Endoscopy Organization (WEO) and the International Digestive Endoscopy Network (IDEN), will be held in Seoul, Korea from July 4-6, 2024. The conference will feature live demonstrations, hands-on stations, scientific symposia, educational courses, and special attention to the topics of Women in Endoscopy and International Outreach. The goal of the conference is to promote safe and high-quality endoscopic medicine worldwide and support the next generation of endoscopists. The text also mentions honorary lectures and abstract awards that will be presented at the congress. The abstract book provides an overview of the presenters and topics, but any updates or changes can be found online after May 15, 2024. [Extracted from the article]

The article is a review of two books in the Women and GIS series: Volume 2: Stars of Spatial Science and Volume 3: Champions of a Sustainable World. The books highlight the achievements and experiences of women in the field of GIS, featuring diverse women from various backgrounds and career stages. Each chapter focuses on a different woman's personal journey in GIS, providing engaging and detailed stories. The books include photographs and emphasize the importance of representation and diversity in inspiring the next generation of women in GIS. The review praises the books for their format, storytelling, and celebration of individuality and diversity within the field. [Extracted from the article]

Context: A geographic information system (GIS) is a framework for gathering, managing, and analyzing data. Department of Community Medicine was tasked with SARS-CoV2-IgG antibody serosurvey by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, sampling 5000 people spread over an area of 181 sq. km. There were no real-time mapping apps available for field surveys. Aims: Our aim was to develop an easy-to-use GIS system with a shallow learning curve and real-time mapping for field surveys which could be easily deployed. Materials and Methods: The program was developed using PHP hosted on a virtual private server and using Google Maps Application Programming Interface (API). The field investigator shares location through telegram to a bot which parses message, decodes geo-coordinates, team information, and time stamp. The program then passes the information for further processing, viewing, or analyzing. The map is generated using Google Maps API at user request. The teams are segregated using color coding. Results: The data can be accessed at http://test.techlabel.in/. Over 638 households from which samples were taken were plotted by the data from ten teams over ten days. Real-time feedbacks were possible as the study progressed. Households plotted on the maps were verified by the respective field investigators after the study had completed and showed good accuracy. Conclusion: The introduction of GIS software such as ours could bring about a positive impact on small- and medium-scale field researches. The quality and internal validity of small-scale field researches could certainly be improved by using GIS programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving campus walkability can encourage students to walk and may inhibit the development of sedentary lifestyle habits, obesity, diabetes, and other health issues. This study aimed to formulate an optimized campus Walk Score (WS) measurement system that combines students' weekly demand for the use of facilities and unique campus environments. Bivariate correlation analysis and regression models were used to verify this system. The verified system was further applied to assess campus walkability and its influencing factors. The facility weight and walking time were established through questionnaires distributed on eight campuses in Tianjin, China. GIS and field audits were utilized to collect data on the objective built environment (BE), subjective environmental quality variables, and pedestrian volume (PV). Pearson's correlation analysis and Negative binomial regression models without spatial autocorrelation were used to verify the campus WS measurement system. The significant relationships between BE features and overall WS were found. PV was significantly correlated with overall WS and classified WSs. These findings were all found in the overall and three types of campuses. Therefore, our optimized system can be verified. Additionally, the WS was closely associated with facility distribution, planning mode, and other spatial attributes. Based on our results, how our findings can be utilized to promote campus walkability was proposed. • This study presented and verified a campus walkability measurement system based on the optimized Walk Score method. • Campus Walk Scores significantly correlated with built environment features and pedestrian volume. • The campus WS is closely associated with facility distribution, planning mode, and other spatial attributes. • Applications of the presented campus WS measurement system were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On a global scale, flooding is the most devastating natural hazard with an increasingly negative impact on humans. It is necessary to accurately detect flood-prone areas. This research introduces and evaluates the Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE) integrated with GIS in the field of flood susceptibility in comparison with two conventional multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methods: analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The Spercheios river basin in Greece, which is a highly susceptible area, was selected as a case study. The application of these approaches and the completion of the study requires the creation of a geospatial database consisting of eight flood conditioning factors (elevation, slope, NDVI, TWI, geology, LULC, distance to river network, rainfall) and a flood inventory of flood (564 sites) and non-flood locations for validation. The weighting of the factors is based on the AHP method. The output values were imported into GIS and interpolated to map the flood susceptibility zones. The models were evaluated by area under the curve (AUC) and the statistical metrics of accuracy, root mean squared error (RMSE), and frequency ratio (FR). The PROMETHEE model is proven to be the most efficient with AUC = 97.21%. Statistical metrics confirm the superiority of PROMETHEE with 87.54% accuracy and 0.12 RMSE. The output maps revealed that the regions most prone to flooding are arable land in lowland areas with low gradients and quaternary formations. Very high susceptible zone covers approximately 15.00–19.50% of the total area and have the greatest FR values. The susceptibility maps need to be considered in the preparation of a flood risk management plan and utilized as a tool to mitigate the adverse impacts of floods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Navigation assistance has become part of our daily lives and its implementation in medicine has been going on for the last 3 decades. Navigation is defined as the determination of a position in space in the context of its surroundings. While routing applications used in cars highlight the street to follow, in medical applications the real-world perception of the user is enriched by digital elements that provide guidance and help the user navigate. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR) solutions, which are mainly used for training, Augmented Reality systems (AR) do not require the user to wear specific headsets/goggles, but the virtual elements are overlaid over the real image displayed on a monitor. Depending on the application and the indication, there are large differences in how much these solutions have entered clinical routine. Especially in the fields of GI endoscopy and laparoscopy, AR navigation solutions are less prominently employed in clinical practice today and still hold significant potential to elevate patient care by improved physician support. This review touches upon why AR navigation systems are currently just starting to become implemented in the GI/laparoscopic clinical routine and which applications can be expected in the GI endoscopy and laparoscopy field. By taking the practitioner's perspective and following the intuitive navigation workflow, it gives an overview of major available and potential future AR-applications in the GI endoscopy and laparoscopy space, the respective underlying technologies, their maturity level and their potential to change clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an algorithm for the conversion of raster data to hexagonal DGGSs in the GPU by redevising the encoding and decoding mechanisms. The researchers first designed a data structure based on rhombic tiles to convert the hexagonal DGGS to a texture format acceptable for GPUs, thus avoiding the irregularity of the hexagonal DGGS. Then, the encoding and decoding methods of the tile data based on space-filling curves were designed, respectively, so as to reduce the amount of data transmission from the CPU to the GPU. Finally, the researchers improved the algorithmic efficiency through thread design. To validate the above design, raster integration experiments were conducted based on the global Aster 30 m digital elevation dataDEM, and the experimental results showed that the raster integration accuracy of this algorithms was around 1 m, while its efficiency could be improved to more than 600 times that of the algorithm for integrating the raster data to the hexagonal DGGS data, executed in the CPU. Therefore, the researchers believe that this study will provide a feasible method for the efficient and stable integration of massive raster data based on a hexagonal grid, which may well support the organization of massive raster data in the field of GIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the relations among space, caste and gender in Dalit massacres by locating the female survivors of the Kilvenmani massacre (1968) using feminist geocriticism and digital cartography. The introduction explores feminist scholarship in the field of GIS in order to situate the present study within the broader scholarship. This is followed by a section on the background and existing research on the Kilvenmani massacre. The next section summarizes the hybrid/mixed methodology which is a combination of feminist geocriticism (locating the female survivors in the place of violence) and digital cartography (physically locating the survivors in geographical maps and analyzing the relations). The section also details the materials that are considered in this article to identify the female survivors. The materials consist of both fictional (novels, films) and non-fictional (documentary, newspaper reports) texts that are closely read to understand the Dalit female experiences of the massacre. The next section gives the mapping of the female survivors using QGIS software along with the analysis of the data and the results to foreground the relation among caste, space, and gender in Dalit massacres. Both case studies, I (on the Marichjhapi massacre) and II (on the Kilvenmani massacre), are part of a larger study that aims to create a comprehensive spatial archive on the female survivors of selected Dalit massacres in independent India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the dissolution of the online/offline distinction and the impact of information technologies on space and time. It introduces the concept of hybrid space, where physical reality and virtual significance intertwine. The role of digital objects and their relation to spatiality is discussed, as well as the reorganization of space and the concept of diachronic time through Flusser's technical image. The text argues that apparatuses and people are mutually dependent, shaping each other's intentions and actions. It also highlights the temporal aspects of technical images and their role in externalizing culture and memory. The circulation and significance of technical images are emphasized, drawing parallels between their circular temporality and the circulation of capital. The text also discusses the role of information in mediating between machines and workers in cognitive capitalism, but acknowledges the continued exploitation and suffering in industrial capitalism, particularly for marginalized groups. [Extracted from the article]

Garlic is one of the horticultural commodities with diverse benefits and high consumption. The challenge in improving the quality and production of garlic is the difficulty in determining suitable land, as garlic cannot thrive in just any location. The assessment of land suitability for garlic production is required to support the government's self-sufficiency program for garlic from 2030 to 2045. This study aims to develop the backend module of the Agro-ecological Land Suitability Assessment System for Garlic. The result of land assessment from this backend system will be visualized using mobile and web-based GIS applications. Different from other previous land suitability assessment systems, the determination of garlic land suitability in this system is based on twelve primary garlic growth requirements grouped into three factors: factors that are uncontrollable and uncorrectable, factors that can be corrected, and factors that can be controlled. The use cases implemented in this system include user registration, land suitability assessment, viewing land suitability assessment results on the map, viewing a list of previously assessed lands, viewing all lands assessed by users, viewing the history of a land's class, reading the glossary of garlic growth requirement's terms, viewing user profiles, logging in and out. The backend system resulted in a database with 16 tables and 37 Application Programming Interfaces, along with 1 scheduler, which has been successfully tested using black box testing methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental noise is a major environmental concern in metropolitan cities. The rapid social and economic growth in the 20th century is not always accompanied by adequate land planning and environmental management measures. As a consequence of rapid urbanization processes, cities are facing an increase in noise pollution. Noise is being recognized as a serious environmental problem and one which must be accounted for in a sustained development policy designed to improve the quality of life for citizens. Therefore, the monitoring of noise is a crucial aspect of urban planning to allow urban planners to create harmonious and livable environments for communities worldwide. This research aims at assessing the noise levels and associated sources of noise in downtown areas through the involvement of crowdsourcing techniques. The incorporation of noise mapping and increased public awareness are achieved by a framework that enables a comparative scheme between two cities: Alexandria, Egypt and Zagreb, Croatia. The methodology depends on combining crowdsourcing techniques using mobile applications and geographic information system (GIS) tools to detect and analyze noise. Finally, this research provides a comparison between the two cities using the adopted methodology and introduces recommendations to enhance urban planning decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geospatial techniques play a crucial role in geomorphic studies, particularly in the challenging terrains like mountainous regions, inaccessible areas and densely vegetated landscapes, where geomorphic features cannot be recorded easily. Tectono‐geomorphologic observations provide important clues regarding the landscape evolution, morpho‐dynamics and ongoing tectonism of the region. The present study has been carried out in the Zanskar Basin (ZB), located to the south of the Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ), in the hinterland of the NW Himalaya. This study has been carried out to assess and evaluate active tectonics by employing tectono‐geomorphic analysis, dynamics in drainage networks, geomorphological field observations and the Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. High‐resolution satellite images, topographic maps and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were used to generate primary data sets, which were corroborated with field investigations for valid inferences. The geometry of the ZB suggests that continuous tectonic activity exerts first‐order control on the overall shape, size and structure of the ZB. This first‐order response is clearly reflected in the landforms modified by tectonic processes, namely, linear mountain fronts, elongated shape and tilting of the basin, braided and meandering river courses and lower stream length gradient index values in hard rock terrain. The ZB exhibits several eye‐catching geomorphic features, such as well‐defined triangular facets with wide base lengths and wine‐glass valleys with small outlets along the footwall block of the Zanskar Shear Zone/South Tibetan Detachment System (ZSZ/STDS), as well as the presence of wind gaps, water gaps, bedrock incision, incised and entrenched valleys, narrow gorges and a high incision rate inferring active tectonics and recent uplift in the region. In addition, the existence of uplifted river terraces, as well as the stepped morphology of fans and strath terraces, suggests that the region is experiencing recent activity and ongoing tectonic uplift. These modified geomorphic characteristics suggest that the hinterland, which is part of the NW Himalaya, is tectonically quite active and has experienced a differential rate of tectonics during its evolution. The quantified geomorphic indices and their relations with the tectonics, climate and erosion activity infer that the basin geometry is mostly controlled by the ZSZ/STDS that dips 20°–70° NE, the south‐dipping Zanskar Counter Thrust (ZCT) and other local tectonic elements like the Choksti Thrust (CT), Stondgey Thrust, Zangla Thrust and tectonic structures. The synergised results of quantified geomorphic indices and tectono‐geomorphic evidence in the ZB strongly indicate that both the past and ongoing tectonism have significantly shaped and modified geomorphology of the ZB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Land use and land cover changes are affected by massive construction, urban expansion, and exploitative agricultural management. These pressures threaten the potential of aboveground carbon storage in Rancakalong District, West Java, Indonesia. In that massive construction and agricultural expansion are ongoing, it is critical to detect the potential changes in carbon stocks in the region. This study evaluated the impact of land use and land cover changes on aboveground carbon stock potential in Rancakalong District, West Java, Indonesia, by incorporating several groundbased carbon inventories into geographic information systems and remote sensing approaches. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the aboveground carbon stocks were assessed using Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs models. METHODS: Aboveground carbon stocks were estimated using the integrated approach of field inventory and geographic information systems. Land use and land cover changes were assessed from remotely sensed imagery data recorded in 2009 and 2021 using the maximum likelihood classification method in the geographic information as a collection of layers and other elements in a map 10.6 package. Tree height and diameter were collected within the purposively distributed plots with a size of 30 × 30 square meters. Vegetation biomass was assessed using an allometric equation, and aboveground carbon stock data were extrapolated to the landscape scale using a linear regression model of measured carbon stocks and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index derived from recent satellite imagery. FINDINGS: Vegetated areas were predominant in 2009 and 2021. Vegetation covered 51 percent of the total area in 2009, increasing to 57 percent in 2021. Regarding agricultural area, mixed gardens and drylands decreased between 2009 and 2021. Meanwhile, paddy fields were the only agricultural land use to increase between 2009 and 2021. The bare land and built-up expansion related to the observed land clearing for the Cisumdawu Highway mainly came from the conversion of mixed gardens, paddy fields, and drylands. The results show that the land use and land cover changes in Rancakalong District have caused a reduction in aboveground carbon stocks by 11,096 tons between 2009 and 2021. The highest reduction in aboveground carbon stocks occurred in mixed gardens, while a slight increase in aboveground carbon stocks occurred in forests, shrubs, and paddy fields. The results highlight the contribution of mixed gardens to carbon storage as they are visually similar to forests in the structure and composition of vegetation. CONCLUSION: Land use and land cover changes directly affected the aboveground carbon stock potential in Rancakalong District, indicated by an 11,096-ton reduction in the stocks. This shortage of carbon stock potential was mainly attributed to the massive reduction in mixed garden areas between 2009 and 2021 by 12 percent, which caused a significant decrease in aboveground carbon stocks. The application of the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs model is efficient in analyzing the effect of land use and land cover change on aboveground carbon stock dynamics and can be widely used in environmental engineering studies involving remote sensing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographic information system (GIS) education empowers engineering students to make informed decisions, integrate comprehensive data, and communicate effectively through maps and visualizations. In GIS education, it is common to employ problem-based learning, which can benefit from the advantages of peer assessment methods. Among the benefits of peer assessment are the enhancement of students' capacity for analysis and synthesis, improvement in organizational and professional communication skills, and the development of critical judgement. However, a consequence of its application is that there may be variation in students' final grades, with no consensus in the literature on this matter. This paper explores the extent to which the application of peer ratings among students can modify student grades in the field of GIS education. This was achieved by conducting an experiment in which undergraduate engineering students assessed two problem-based learning activities carried out by their peers in two different basic GIS courses. The ratings obtained after the peer assessment were compared with the grades given by the instructors. The results allowed us to debate whether the teaching benefits of this strategy compensate for the differences between the students' grades and those given by instructors. Although no clear pattern was found in the mean ratings awarded by the two groups of evaluators, the results show that student engagement in peer assessment was high. This experience has demonstrated that the assessments of the two groups complement each other and allow students to gain a better understanding of their ratings and how to improve their skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the development of ecotourism in the Ulytau Nature Park using innovative Geographi c information systems technologies. The main purpose of the study is to create a favorable and innovative environment for the development of the tourist experience, including the search and discovery of historical sites, the development of optimal routes and infrastructure improvements. The use of GIS maps in ecological tourism contributes to the development of optimal routes, improvement of tourist infrastructure and provision of informative services. The analysis of the study makes it possible to identify recommendations for public and private organizations in the field of using GIS technologies for the sustainable development of ecotourism. The created GIS map provides information about the park's territory, the location of objects and routes, which contributes to a more informative and oriented tourist experience. The experience of working with GIS technologies enhances the ability of tourists to navigate, discover and obtain information about historical sites and attractions in ecotourism and help enrich the tourist experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human disturbance, social interactions and habitat constraints usually influence the behavior of wild ungulates. Poaching and habitat degradation are threats to the guanaco, a native South-American herbivore adapted to arid environments. Flight and vigilance behaviors, and guanaco–observer distances, were seasonally surveyed in mountain Andean environments, inside a protected area and surroundings. Field surveys and GIS analyses estimated environmental variables. Linear mixed models estimated probability of the mentioned behaviors and distance based on predictions about influences of human disturbance, social interactions, environmental constraints, and their changes over time. Flight and vigilance behaviors and guanaco–observer distance were higher in less protected landscapes, and near urban sites. Flight probability and guanaco–observer distance decreased over the years, being this distance shorter within the protected area. Flight decreased in summer, while vigilance increased. Vigilance was higher in groups with young, and lower in larger groups. Flight and vigilance behaviors were lower in slopes and higher in tall shrublands. These results are in agreement with hypotheses of risk-allocation, learning habituation, fitness maximization, risk detection strategy and foraging hypothesis. Social and environmental influences on guanaco behavior will probably prevail over anthropogenic influences insofar as current efforts to discourage disruptive activities are maintained in these mountain environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GNSS is used to determine the point positions on the earth with high accuracy. The accuracy that can be achieved with GNSS depends on the satellite system, processing software, logging interval, observation time, etc. varies depending on the effects. In the study, the impact of the Aegean Sea Earthquake that occurred on November 30, 2020, on TUSAGA was investigated. For this purpose, 7 TUSAGA stations located in the earthquake-affected area were selected. The 24-hour RINEX data for these stations were obtained both 15 days before and after the earthquake. The 24-hour RINEX data of 7 TUSAGA were processed using the GAMIT/GLOBK, based on 14 IGS stations. Furthermore, the evaluations were repeated by dividing the 24-hour RINEX data into 2, 4, and 12-hour intervals. In the evaluation, the GPS+GLONASS+Galileo (MIX) satellite configuration was utilized. The daily solutions obtained to reveal the effect of the earthquake are divided into two parts as before/after the earthquake. For each of TUSAGA stations, pre- and post-earthquake coordinates and RMSE were calculated. With statistical tests, whether the changes in the points are significant or not, the amount and direction of the changes were determined with 95% statistical confidence. As a result, it was concluded that the changes before/after the earthquake were mostly in the MNTS, which is the closest to the earthquake base, the changes in the points generally decrease as you move away from the earthquake center, and the evaluation before/after the earthquake can be made more healthy as the observation time increases. In addition, 30-day coordinates were examined through time series, and only the graph of the change in MNTS was given since it was the closest station to the epicenter of the earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, New Jersey has experienced several droughts and declared several critical water shortage areas, spurring interest in reducing freshwater resource depletion. Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica Houtt.) is an invasive plant species that may have a significant effect on stream water loss. In order to assess the impact of this species on river‐level water flow, we estimated total knotweed distribution along two tributaries of the Passaic River in New Jersey, USA using a combination of field measurements and GIS to calculate total daily water loss to the atmosphere from three stands of knotweed along these rivers. We measured total leaf area of each stand and transpiration rates across each stand from sun‐up to sun‐down. The average water loss was 8.5 L wate/day/m2 of ground area covered in knotweed. Knowing the total distribution of knotweed along each river, the amount of river length covered by knotweed stands and the total water lost to the atmosphere per amount of knotweed along each river we were able to estimate the total amount of water transpired to the atmosphere by knotweed per river on a daily basis during its growing season. These results were compared to summer low flow rates to assess the impact on river flow during the growing season for Japanese knotweed. Our results suggest that knotweed along these rivers is reducing total flow by an average of 8% (approximately 800,000–1,400,000 L/day) during the summer months. This is important as the impact of invasive species on water resources in temperate areas is currently under‐studied in ecohydrology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the potential of TanDEM-X DEM and geoinformation technology for mapping and assessing avalanche hazard along the North-South alternative road. This new 433kilometer long transportation corridor connects the northern part (from the Balykchy city) with the southern part (to the JalalAbad city) of Kyrgyzstan, separated by the Fergana Mountain range. The North-South road under construction should become an strategic automobile route between two parts of the country, an alternative to the existing Bishkek-Osh road, which passes through high mountainous regions. The existing road is subject to congestion and closures in natural emergencies, in cases of territorial disputes of neighbor countries, and affected economic development of the country. The road construction in the high mountainous areas requires a detailed study of all types of natural and man-made hazards and risk assessment. There are many road sections under potential hazards of avalanches, landslides and rock falls. Research and mapping of all types of natural hazards requires the use of modern engineering survey technologies, remote sensing data, geographic information systems and field research. Digital Elevation Models and Digital Surface Models have many advantages providing detailed information about the terrain's topography, which is essential for assessing avalanche hazard and risk. The TanDEM-X DEM gives detailed topographic information, including elevation, surface slope, aspect, and curvature used to identify potential avalanche release areas for assessing avalanche risk and implementing mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) are an integral part of global positioning. However, because GNSS performance is impacted by signal obscuration and the presence of multipath in urban and deep urban environments, it is not accurate, reliable, and widely available enough to be a standalone system in all environments. This creates two problems: (1) the GNSS user does not know when or where GNSS performance may be degraded and (2) the GNSS user has limited ability to mitigate these issues. No mitigation strategy exists to improve the availability of GNSSs themselves. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) and sensor fusion provide other costly methods to improve positioning performance, but most systems still rely on GNSSs for absolute position. Spirent's GNSS Foresight service aims to solve both issues. As a cloud-based solution, GNSS Foresight provides satellite and signal information, and this can be employed to support the decision-making strategy and calculations in the GNSS receiver to improve its positioning solution performance, integrity, and reliability. In this paper, GNSS Foresight is introduced, and a performance evaluation of GNSS Foresight in dense urban areas is presented. Using the data collected from two urban areas in North America, we evaluated GNSS Foresight and compared the performance of GNSS positioning solutions with and without Foresight-aided data. The comparison results show the observed improvements in GNSS receiver operation. Foresight can also be used to develop measurement engine performance enhancements in the acquisition of new satellites and the tracking/re-acquisition of current satellites using line-of-sight (LOS) satellite information. In the positional computation process, Foresight enables receivers to prioritize LOS signals over degraded non-line-of-sight (NLOS) signals, hence significantly reducing positioning errors and outperforming conventional GNSS positioning, particularly in difficult urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (ARAIM) is an evolution of the currently used aviation-focused Global Navigation Satellite System integrity service, Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM). Where RAIM supports only lateral navigation, with its adaptations including multiple frequencies and constellations, and with the use of Integrity Support Messages (ISMs), ARAIM also supports vertical guidance. Although these techniques were designed to serve the aviation community, ARAIM could be used in a wide range of applications, especially safety-critical applications. With further evolutions, ARAIM could also be extended to cover more demanding applications in various sectors. This work reports the outcomes of the study of the applicability of ARAIM for the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the results showing the improvement of the performance of a Galileo receiver processing the new I/NAV words 16–20 and SSP in comparison to the performance using the previous legacy I/NAV configuration. The results were obtained by replaying GNSS signals recorded in Urban and Open Sky mobile environments when at least four satellites broadcasting the new words were visible. The results show an improvement of Time to First Fix values using RedCED (word 16) and FEC2 (words 17–20) in cold start conditions and a reduction in time needed to converge using SSP when coarse time (within 3 s error) is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience against signal disturbances is an important characteristic of GNSS-based PNT solutions. In particular, for critical infrastructures, failure to provide correct PNT information in these domains may have a major societal impact. The Resilience Framework by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides a set of requirements and guidelines to design a PNT solution of a certain level of resilience. Over the lifetime of the applications, it will be of prime importance to assess the resilience of the PNT solutions on a regular basis. Given how often GNSS-based solutions are being applied, partly automating the assessment process will be needed to make this task feasible. To automate the generative process, a machine-readable structure with well-established meaning is required. In this work, the use of fault trees as a formal system to encode the resilience framework is investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, commercial aeronautical Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers are more and more exposed to Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) threats from GNSS jammers and spoofers. On commercial aircraft GNSS, receiver outputs, in general, are integrated or cross-monitored with other navigation sensors such as IRS and DME, etc., and, in many cases, the GNSS receiver outputs are used directly by on-board aircraft systems. The advent of modernized dual-frequency and multi-constellation signals will improve the availability and integrity of GNSS receivers in the presence of RFI. To be further resilient to the various types of RFI threats, the airborne GNSS receiver will need to perform additional receiver-based detection/mitigation techniques and should be able to determine position integrity in the presence of spoofers. This paper focuses specifically on two techniques under development that will be incorporated via a field loadable software update to the GLU-2100. The first method, Receiver Autonomous Signal Authentication (RASA), and a second type of technique, Staggered Examination of Non-Trusted Receiver Information (SENTRI). The paper will provide a brief description of the RASA and SENTRI algorithms, followed by results from both simulation and real-world tests. Finally, the limitations of the algorithms will also be provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In just one year, Spaceopal and its partners developed the Galileo HAS Performance Characterization User Algorithm for the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). The Galileo HAS User Terminal (HAUT) hosts the Galileo HAS Performance Characterization User Algorithm. The Galileo HAS User Terminal is a portable, configurable and autonomous device powered by a triple-frequency Galileo and GPS receiver and calculates a single- (Galileo) or multi-constellation (Galileo + GPS) Galileo HAS and Open Service (OS) positioning, velocity and time (PVT) solution. The User Terminal can be configured to retrieve Galileo HAS corrections either from Galileo Signal-in-Space (SIS) over E6-B or Internet Data Distribution (IDD) over NTRIP in an RTCM3 format and works in different frequency combinations that can be configured by the user. The User Terminal is a robust device (IP64) with multiple communication and logging capabilities. The Galileo HAS Initial Service was declared on 24 January by the European Commission, and provides free-of-charge, high-accuracy Precise Point Positioning (PPP) corrections (orbits, clocks) and code biases for Galileo and GPS to achieve real-time improved user positioning performance. The Galileo HAS Service Definition Document (SDD) and the HAS SIS Interface Control Document (HAS SIS ICD) are freely available to users on the web portal of the European GNSS Service Centre and HAS Internet Data Distribution Interface Control Documents (HAS IDD ICD) are available after registration. Using the Galileo HAS User Terminal, this article presents the results of Galileo HAS User Terminal's performance, configuring the User Algorithm to assume static dynamics. It is to be noted that this configuration provides a significant performance benefit with respect to a configuration compatible with kinematic operation. Preliminary results indicate the Galileo HAS User Terminal achieves excellent accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smartphones are usually equipped with simple, cost-effective GNSS chips and antennas. They provide mainly single-frequency, low-quality, and challenging GNSS measurements. We demonstrate the difficulties of processing raw GNSS data from Android devices and introduce solutions to break the one-meter accuracy level with smartphones and Precise Point Positioning. With the logged data of a Samsung Galaxy S23+ and a Google Pixel 7 smartphone, a horizontal position accuracy of around one meter and a few decimeters was accomplished, respectively. These results were achieved after about two minutes of convergence time with our open-source software raPPPid in quasi-real-time settings. Furthermore, the corrections provided by the Galileo High-Accuracy Service proved to be sufficient to achieve sub-meter accuracy with smartphones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLA) R&D Directorate has, for some time, advocated that alternate position navigation and timing (PNT) systems should be established to offset critical dependency on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), both in the maritime world and across wider industry. The maritime world already has a number of viable systems that may provide a ship's navigator with position-fixing information independent of GNSS. A promising option is radar. Depending on size, merchant vessels are required to fit radar operating in the X-band (9 GHz) and, optionally S-band (3 GHz). The radar return from the shoreline provides a unique and identifiable fingerprint that depends on the location of the vessel. GRAD has developed a number of different processes that can convert a series of images from the ship's radar into a series of output position-fixes, independent of having access to satellite (GNSS) positioning. This report describes the methods we investigated and presents the results from a number of ship trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have gained numerous applications due to their low cost, ease of use, vertical takeover and landing, and ability to operate in high-risk or hard-to-reach areas. The contribution of this review is that of building the bridge between drone technology and its application and advancements in the field of Geographic Information System (GIS). The integration of drones and GIS is valuable as it reduces costs and improves accessibility for geospatial data collection. Traditional methods involving aircraft for aerial photography are expensive, requiring the hiring of aircraft, pilots, and photographers. Drones equipped with advanced cameras and artificial intelligence software can replace the conventional technique and at the same time, be economical and time-efficient. The integration of drones and GIS is expected to bring revolutionary benefits in the fields of precision agriculture, urban planning, emergency health response, disaster management, the development of smart cities, food delivery, etc. In this paper, a state-of-the-art review of the deployment of drone-integrated GIS applications in different fields is presented. Numerous techniques and associated challenges related to their development, formulation, implementation, and regulation are highlighted. It has been concluded that drone-integration solutions in GIS improve efficiency and accuracy, enhance the decision-making process, and facilitate better real-time monitoring. The findings of this review paper are intended to help and benefit researchers, business developers, emergency service providers, industrialists, and policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the changes made in the second edition of the ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data. These changes were made based on user feedback, advancements in technology, and the need for more accurate and cost-effective geospatial products. Some of the key changes include eliminating the use of the 95% confidence level as a measure of accuracy, relaxing the accuracy requirements for ground control and checkpoints, and introducing a new accuracy term called "three-dimensional positional accuracy" to account for the increasing use of three-dimensional models. The article also mentions the addition of Best Practices and Guidelines for various mapping techniques. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of E-International Journal of Educational Research is the property of E-International Journal of Educational Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Given the complex characteristics of city structure, the analysis of tourists' activities in urban space is challenging. Previous studies on urban tourists' activities were mostly limited to official administrative units, such as attractions, blocks, and administrative districts, and rarely considered the multi-scale characteristics of urban tourism space. This study offered insights into urban tourism by depicting multi-scale tourism spaces from the perspective of tourists' activities. Based on a spatial conceptual model, the urban destination was divided into multi-scale spaces, including tourist areas of interest (areas of intensive tourist activity), attraction-community complexes (comprising tourist attractions and supporting service facilities), and tourism districts (subregions with different tourism types). The Geographic Information System field and spatial interaction models were combined to identify multi-scale tourist activity spaces using digital footprints from geolocated social media data. The proposed framework was verified in Suzhou, a typical urban destination in China, which confirmed that the systematic and comprehensive methodology could be used as a tool for smart urban destination management and planning based on tourists' demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eruption of the most active volcano in Indonesia, Mount Merapi, has resulted in a very dynamic landscape as a form of ecosystem succession. This study aimed to analyze the carbon stock and vegetation composition in the secondary forest with variations in the level of disturbance after the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi. Data collection was carried out in January 2020, in which biomass, necromass, and soil organic carbon data were taken in plot transect and Geographic Information Systems carbon stock products compared field data. The results showed that secondary forests at stations A and B with low and medium disturbance levels had carbon stocks in the high category. In contrast, station C at Cangkringan Resort, with high disturbance levels, still had carbon stock with a low category. Furthermore, the comparison of 2020 field data with GIS carbon stock products concluded a similar pattern between carbon stock from aboveground biomass WHRC 2010 and belowground biomass NASA 2010. This research concludes that the disturbance affected forest carbon stocks ten years after the 2010 Merapi eruption. Therefore, monitoring the vegetation community needs to be carried out annually through a combination of spatial and direct checks in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archival maps are an important source of information on the state of glaciers in polar zones and are very often basic research data for analysing changes in glacier mass, extent, and geometry. However, basing a quantitative analysis on archival maps requires that they be standardised and precisely matched against modern-day cartographic materials. This can be achieved effectively using techniques and tools from the field of geographic information systems (i.e. GIS). The objective of this research was to accurately register archival topographic maps of the area surrounding the Hornsund fjord (southern Spitsbergen) published by the Polish Academy of Sciences and to evaluate their potential for use in studying changes in the geometry of glaciers in the north-western part of the Sørkapp Land peninsula in the following periods: 1961–1990, 1990–2010, and 1961–2010. The area occupied by the investigated glaciers in the north-western Sørkapp Land decreased in the years 1961–2010 by 45.6 km 2 , i.e. by slightly over 16 %. The rate of glacier area change varied over time and amounted to 0.85 km 2 yr -1 in the period 1961–1990 and sped up to 1.05 km 2 yr -1 after 1990. This process was accompanied by glacier surface lowering by about 90–100 m for the largest land-terminating glaciers on the peninsula and by up to more than 120 m for tidewater glaciers (above the line marking their 1984 extents). The dataset is now available from the Zenodo web portal: 10.5281/zenodo.4573129 (Dudek and Pętlicki, 2021). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuzzy spatiotemporal reasoning is extensively used in various application fields such as Geographic Information Systems, Geospatial Artificial Intelligence, and Remote Sensing Systems. However, providing a tractable reasoning mechanism for fuzzy spatiotemporal knowledge is a challenging research problem. Description logics (DLs) are a type of logic-based tractable knowledge representation formalism that allow for describing knowledge structure of an application domain, but they are limited in their ability to express fuzzy spatiotemporal knowledge. To address this limitation, we propose a tractable temporal DL named f- ALC (S) -LTL, which expands linear temporal logic (LTL) by utilizing fuzzy spatial DL f- ALC (S) . In this article, we first define the syntax and formal-semantic model of our logic and investigate a tableau rule-based reasoning procedure to verify satisfiability. We further show the correctness and computational complexity of the reasoning procedure and demonstrate a running example of its application. Finally, we implement a prototype reasoning tool that can determine the satisfiability problem. Our case studies show that our logic f- ALC (S) -LTL is feasible and the prototype reasoning tool actually works. The logic f- ALC (S) -LTL enables tractable reasoning about the dynamic evolution of fuzzy RCC relations over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Conservar Património is the property of Associacao Profissional de Conservadores-Restauradores de Portugal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the development of economy, the urbanization process is accelerated and the infrastructure construction is increased, which leads to the widespread occurrence of landslides in mountain areas all over the world. However, due to the complex geological environment or some other reasons, the lack of landslide-related data in some mountainous areas makes it more difficult to predict landslides. At the same time, the existing models have different prediction effects in different regions, and it is difficult for a single model to objectively and accurately evaluate landslide hazard. The purpose of this research is to complete the landslide hazard assessment (LHA) in data-deficient areas by proposed a combination model with help of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) technology. Firstly, 146 landslides and 10 LHA conditioning factors in Tumen City were obtained by using RS, GIS and field investigation. To increase the amount of model training data, 386 landslides (including 146 landslides in Tumen City) in some areas of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture with similar landslide conditions to Tumen City were obtained. Secondly, three combination models for LHA are proposed, which make full use of the effective information provided by logistic regression (LR), artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM), and the evaluation effect and applicability of the three combination models are discussed. Finally, the three combination models and three single models of logistic regression (LR), artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM) are analyzed and compared through the overall accuracy (OA), confusion matrix and landslide density. The results show that it can effectively complete the landslide hazard assessment in data-deficient areas with help of RS and GIS, and the three combination models proposed in this research are superior to the other three single models, and the evaluation effect of the LA-SVM combination model is the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are the most important vectors of several serious diseases. They can transmit filaria, malaria, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever virus, West Nile virus zika (ZIKV) and chikungunya (CHIKV). The spatial distribution analysis of mosquito occurrence increases our understanding of the Nile Valley transmitted diseases locality, which helps the decision makers to find alternative plan to reduce the diseases spread. This paper examined patterns of environmental variability of mosquito species locality using spatial distribution models. The present study aimed to identify environmental characteristics associated with mosquito breeding sites in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt using geographical information system (GIS), field surveys and analyses of mosquito larvae and breeding water. Spatial distribution models were performed by ArcGIS (10.8) and statistically analyzed by R package. The results recorded the occurrence of Culex pipiens, Cx. Perexiguus, Cx. antennatus and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in El Gharbia Governorate, Egypt, and the most common species was Culex pipiens. The highest diversity was (D = 0.831), and the species richness (S) recorded was 13 in Tanta City. The results revealed that regarding TDS, an insignificant variation (P> 0.05) was detected between all studied sites and (Temperature and PH), (TDS), (PH), (TDS and Temperature) and (TDS) that were the most effective parameters in controlling species abundance within each studied site, compared to the remaining parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of The Planner & Development is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy becomes more and more common now in order to diagnose and treat GI diseases, and anesthesia/sedation plays an important role. We aim to discuss the developmental trends and evaluate the research hotspots using bibliometric methods for GI endoscopy anesthesia/sedation in the past two decades.Methods: The original and review articles published from 2001 to December 2022 related to GI endoscopy anesthesia/sedation were extracted from the Web of Science database. Four different softwares (CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix, Online Analysis Platform of Literature Metrology (Bibliometric)) were used for this comprehensive analysis.Results: According to our retrieval strategy, we found a total of 3154 related literatures. Original research articles were 2855, and reviews were 299. There has been a substantial increase in the research on GI endoscopy anesthesia/sedation in recent 22 years. These publications have been cited 66,418 times, with a mean of 21.04 citations per publication. The US maintained a leading position in global research, with the largest number of publications (29.94%), and China ranked second (19.92%). Keyword burst and concurrence showed that conscious sedation, colonoscopy and midazolam were the most frequently occurring keywords.Conclusion: Our research found that GI endoscopy anesthesia/sedation was in a period of rapid development and demonstrated the improvement of medical instruments and surgical options that had significantly contributed to the field of GI endoscopy anesthesia/sedation. The US dominates this field, and the selection and dosage of sedative regimens have always been the foci of disease research to improve comfort and safety, while adverse events and risks arouse attention gradually. In the past 20 years, hotspots mainly focus on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, gastroscopy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. These data would provide future directions for clinicians and researchers regarding GI endoscopy anesthesia/sedation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a computational ghost imaging (GI) scheme that utilizes sequenced random speckle pattern illumination. The primary objective is to develop a speckle pattern/sequence that improves computational time without compromising image quality. To achieve this, we modulate the sequence of speckle sizes and design experiments based on three sequence rules for ordering the random speckle patterns. Through theoretical analysis and experimental validation, we demonstrate that our proposed scheme achieves a significantly better contrast-to-noise rate (CNR) compared to traditional GI at a similar resolution. Notably, the sequential GI method outperforms conventional approaches by providing over 10 times faster computational speed in certain speckle composition groups. Furthermore, we identify the corresponding speckle sizes that yield superior image quality, which are found to be geometrically proportional to the reference object area. This innovative approach utilizing sequenced random speckle patterns demonstrates potential suitability for imaging objects with complex or unknown shapes. The findings of this study hold great promise for advancing the field of computational GI and pseudo-thermal GI, addressing the need for improved computational efficiency while maintaining high-quality imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of climate element distribution models under complex terrain conditions is a popular topic in the field of GIS application in climatology, especially in plateau areas with a complex topography and scarce meteorological station information. In this paper, the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of temperature and precipitation at the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau was analyzed by taking the northeastern edge of the plateau as the study area and constructing a topographic spatial statistical model using 47 meteorological stations and digital elevation models from 1981 to 2010. The following conclusions were drawn from the study: (1) The ME of the temperature distribution model for each month is below 0.9 °C; the maximum ME of the precipitation distribution model for each month is −5.808 mm in July, and the precipitation distribution model has similar error characteristics with the temperature distribution model, which can reflect the horizontal zone distribution pattern of meteorological data and can clearly show the changes of temperature and precipitation as the altitude increases. (2) The spatial distribution pattern of temperature is as follows: the temperature in the study area gradually increases from the southwest to the northeast, with Zhouqu County in Linxia Prefecture and Gannan Prefecture as the main high-temperature areas; the spatial distribution of precipitation is as follows: the precipitation in the southwest of the study area is significantly higher than that in the north, and the precipitation in Linxia Prefecture is significantly lower than that in Gannan Prefecture. (3) The temporal distribution pattern of the temperature distribution model is as follows: the overall temperature in the study area is at its lowest level in January, and the maximum temperature is only 2.6 °C, until July, when the maximum temperature rises to 24.2 °C and then gradually starts to decline; the spatial distribution of precipitation is as follows: the precipitation in the study area gradually rises from January, and the maximum precipitation rises to July and then starts to decline, and in December the precipitation falls to the lowest level. The temporal distribution characteristics of the precipitation distribution model are similar to those of the air temperature model, with obvious hydrothermal synchronization characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecogeographic rules describe spatial patterns in biological trait variation and shed light on the drivers of such variation. In animals, a consensus is emerging that 'pioneering' traits may facilitate range shifts via a set of bold, aggressive and stress‐resilient traits. Many of these same traits are associated with more northern latitudes, and most range shifts in the northern hemisphere indicate northward movement. As a consequence, it is unclear whether pioneering traits are simply corollaries of existing latitudinal variation, or whether they override other well‐trodden latitudinal patterning as a unique ecogeographic rule of phenotypic variation.The tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor is a songbird undergoing a southward range shift in the eastern United States, in direct opposition of the poleward movement seen in most other native species' range shifts. Because this organic range shift countervails the typical direction of movement, this case study provides for unique ecological insights on organisms and their ability to thrive in our changing world.We sampled female birds across seven populations, quantifying behavioural, physiological and morphological traits. We also used GIS and field data to quantify a core set of ecological factors with strong ties to these traits as well as female performance.Females at more southern expansion sites displayed higher maternal aggression, higher baseline corticosterone and more pronounced elevation of corticosterone following a standardized stressor, contrary to otherwise largely conserved latitudinal patterning in these traits. Microhabitat variation explained some quantitative phenotypic variation, but the expansion and historic ranges did not differ in openness, distance to water or breeding density.This countervailing range shift therefore suggests that pioneering traits are not simply corollaries of existing latitudinal variation, but rather, they may override other well‐trodden latitudinal patterning as a unique ecogeographic rule of phenotypic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]