Contribution towards understanding the categorisation of landforms.

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.Categorisation in the geographic domain, including landform categorisation, is more subject to influence by cultural, linguistic, environmental and individual factors, than other domains. The study presented in this dissertation investigates the influence of landscape variation on the landform categories used by non-experts. Video-elicitation methods were used in interviews with inhabitants of two distinct landscape types, in Portugal. One study site was mountainous and topographically varied, while the other consisted of more homogenous, gently undulating terrain. Interview responses indicated that participants used more landform terms in descriptions of familiar landscapes. Specific place recognition was another stimulant for an increase in landform categorisation detail. Additionally, the participant group from the more homogeneous landscape had a smaller landform vocabulary, and primarily used variations on a core set of landform terms to describe topographic eminences. The other group had a much larger and more varied vocabulary.(...

An ontology for the generalisation of the bathymetry on nautical charts

On nautical charts, undersea features are portrayed by sets of soundings (depth points) and isobaths (depth contours) from which map readers can interpret landforms. Different techniques were developed for automatic soundings selection and isobath generalisation from a sounding set. These methods are mainly used to generate a new chart from the bathymetric database or from a large scale chart through selection and simplification however a part of the process consists in selecting and emphasising undersea features on the chart according to their relevance to navigation. Its automation requires classification of the features from the set of isobaths and soundings and their generalisation through the selection and application of a set of operators according not only to geometrical constraints but also to semantic constraints. The objective of this paper is to define an ontology formalising undersea feature representation and the generalisation process achieving this representation on a nautical chart. The ontology is built in two parts addressing on one hand the definition of the features and on the other hand their generalisation. The central concept is the undersea feature around which other concepts are organised. The generalisation process is driven by the features where the objective is to select or emphasise information according to their meaning for a specific purpose. The ontologies were developed in Proteg´ e and a bathymetric database server integrating the ontology was ´ implemented. A generalisation platform was also developed and examples of representations obtained by the platform are presented. Finally, current results and on-going research are discussed

Identification automatique des vallées glaciaires à partir d'un modèle numérique de terrain

La vallée glaciaire est une forme de relief associée aux montagnes qui ont été affectées par une glaciation régionale. L’étude de cette forme de relief aide les chercheurs à mieux connaitre le développement du système glaciaire régional qui reflète les changements climatiques globaux. La tâche d’identification de ces formes sur un modèle numérique de terrain est primordiale pour toutes les études géomorphologiques ou environnementales. Avec le développement desSystèmes d’Information Géographique et des outils informatiques, l’automatisation de cette tâche devient une solution pour la diminution de la durée et du coût exigés par la méthode manuelle. Cependant, les méthodes automatiques actuelles comme la classification morphométrique ou l'analyse d’images par objets (Object Based Image Analysis) sont limitées pour l'identification d'une forme de relief entière comme la vallée glaciaire. Ces méthodes sont basées en général sur des approches de classification du terrain en éléments de relief sans la prise en considération du contexte géomorphologique. À cet égard, nous avons comme objectif le développement d'une méthode automatique d'extraction des formes des vallées glaciaires. Notre méthode est basée sur l’idée de la saillance issue de la cognition humaine en matière des formes de relief. Nous admettons que la vallée glaciaire est définie par l’assemblage spatial du fond et des versants dans un contexte géomorphologique donné. L’identification de ces formes est réalisée à partir de l’identification des cours d’eau et des contreforts comme éléments saillants de ces composants et par leur assemblage autour d’une saillance globale, le talweg. Nous avons appliqué notre méthode automatique sur des modèles numériques de terrain de différentes zones glaciaires parmi lesquelles la vallée Jacques-Cartier au Québec. Nous avons obtenu des entités spatiales qui caractérisent l'étendue géographique de la vallée glaciaire et de ses éléments composants accompagnées de leurs indicateurs de forme.The glacial valley is a landform associated with mountains that have been affected by regional glaciation. The study of this kind of valley helps researchers to better understand the development of the regional glacial system that reflects global climate change. The task of identifying these forms on a digital elevation modelis essential for all geomorphological or environmental studies. With the development of GIS and IT tools, the automation of this task becomes a solution for reducing the time and cost required by the manual method.However, current automatic methods like morphometric classification or Object Based Image Analysis are limited when trying to identify an entire landform such as the glacial valley. These methods are generally based on land classification approaches of terrain elements without taking into consideration the geomorphological context. In this respect, we aim to develop an automatic method for extracting glacial valleys. Our method is based on the idea of salience resulting from human cognition of relief. We admit that the glacial valley is defined by the spatial assembly of the bottom and slopes in each geomorphological context. The identification of these forms is based on the identification of streams and foothills as salient elements of its components and their assembly around a global salience, the thalweg. We applied our automatic method on digital terrain models of different glacial zones, including the Jacques-Cartier Valley in Quebec. We obtained spatial entities that characterize the geographic extent of the glacial valley and its component elements accompanied with form indicators

Proceedings of the GIS Research UK 18th Annual Conference GISRUK 2010

This volume holds the papers from the 18th annual GIS Research UK (GISRUK). This year the conference, hosted at University College London (UCL), from Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 April 2010. The conference covered the areas of core geographic information science research as well as applications domains such as crime and health and technological developments in LBS and the geoweb. UCL’s research mission as a global university is based around a series of Grand Challenges that affect us all, and these were accommodated in GISRUK 2010. The overarching theme this year was “Global Challenges”, with specific focus on the following themes: * Crime and Place * Environmental Change * Intelligent Transport * Public Health and Epidemiology * Simulation and Modelling * London as a global city * The geoweb and neo-geography * Open GIS and Volunteered Geographic Information * Human-Computer Interaction and GIS Traditionally, GISRUK has provided a platform for early career researchers as well as those with a significant track record of achievement in the area. As such, the conference provides a welcome blend of innovative thinking and mature reflection. GISRUK is the premier academic GIS conference in the UK and we are keen to maintain its outstanding record of achievement in developing GIS in the UK and beyond

Understanding modes of dwelling: A transdisciplinary approach to phenomenology of landscape

This transdisciplinary PhD addresses the research question: Can some form of phenomenology provide an effective over-arching paradigm for transdisciplinary research in ethnophysiography? Ethnophysiography studies the way people within a language community conceptualise natural landscape, including terms for landscape features and toponyms (placenames). Dwelling involves conceptualisations and affects regarding physical, utilitarian, cultural, spiritual and ethical relationships with landscape. A key achievement is development of an enhanced ethnophysiography case study methodology, supporting the Ethnophysiography Descriptive Model (EDM). Summary phenomenographic tables were prepared from literature reviews of ethnophysiography, transdisciplinarity, phenomenology, concepts of place and relationships with place. The use of tables, summarising key results of literature reviews (via a phenomenographic approach), is integral to the methodology, to operationalize transdisciplinarity. Some tables are utilised in the PTM-ECS, facilitating identification of relevant issues, collection of appropriate data, and hermeneutic analysis processes. To facilitate comparison of landscape terms and toponyms between languages, the EDM was developed and tested. A key contribution is interpretation of the phenomenological concepts of ‘lifeworld’, ‘topology’ and ‘habitus’. Creation of landscape, as place, involves synergistic integration, in a non-deterministic and emergent manner, of the physical attributes of an area of topographic environment (terrain and ecosystem) with the socio-cultural characteristics of a group of people (including linguistic and spiritual aspects). This produces a particular topo-socio-cultural-spiritual mode-of-dwelling (topology). A partial trial of the new methodology is provided, via an ethnophysiography case study with Manyjilyjarra Aboriginal people in Australia’s Western Desert (undertaken by this author with linguist Clair Hill). It demonstrates how the adopted approach facilitates understanding of traditional forms of dwelling and how this relates to Jukurrpa (The Dreaming), the law, lore and social structure of their society. Review of research processes indicates they effectively utilised key features of transdisciplinarity. A summary of the findings, their potential application, a statement of research limitations, and proposals for further research, are provided

IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF CODING GENES AND LONG NON-CODING RNAS INVOLVED IN NEURONAL DEVELOPMENT

Neuronal differentiation is a complex process characterized by different cellular events. It is finely regulated by numerous transcription factors, many of which have been identified while others remain unknown. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of gene expression, with an essential role in cell differentiation. Therefore, the identification and characterization of these transcripts and the functional relationships between mRNA and lncRNA are fundamental to the understanding the complex transcriptional processes underlying gene regulation. In this regard, an essential molecule for neuronal development, the neurotrophin BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), is known for its action in post-transcriptional regulation, while little is known about the transcriptional programs it triggers and through which it influences the development and survival of neurons. The results presented in this thesis concerns the identification of several Immediate Early Genes (IEGs), belonging to both coding and non-coding that, engaged by BDNF, can play a fundamental role in the biology of this neurotrophin. Among coding genes, the involvement of the transcription factor EGR1 (Early growth response protein 1) in neuronal differentiation was investigated. Taking advantage of genome editing techniques (CRISPR-Cas9) and the SH-SY5Y cell line as a human neuronal model, I showed that the knockout cells for EGR1 are unable to differentiate, underlining an essential role of the transcriptional programs regulated by EGR1 in the survival of neurons. Furthermore, I identified a new alternative splicing isoform for EGR1 likely involved in neuronal differentiation. The preliminary results suggested that this isoform may act as a dominant negative of the canonical isoform, contributing to a fine regulation of its effect on transcriptional regulation. In the final part of my thesis, I focused my efforts on a primary characterization of the most differentially expressed lncRNA under BFNF stimulation, the LINC00473 gene. I provided evidence that this gene may encode for a little protein highly conserved in primate species. Functional analysis by the use of a KO cell line generated by CRISPR/Cas9 showed that the putative protein affected the transcript level of the IEGs with a relevant impact on the regulation of gene expression

Monuments in search of a landscape: the landscape context of monumentality in Late Neolithic Malta.

From the mid-4th to the mid-3rd millennium BC, the Maltese archipelago was characterized by a dense concentration of monumental activity. Archaeological research has generally focussed on the monumental buildings themselves, paying less attention to the environment that surrounded these structures. The present thesis is aimed at addressing this lacuna. The history of approaches to Maltese prehistory is reviewed, and it is argued that the neglect of the landscape setting is related to the practice of archaeology in a colonial context. Chapter 3 considers the physical characteristics and dynamics of the island environment. The landscape context of megalithic buildings is analysed using a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) model of the archipelago. Chapter 4 uses a bivariate approach, while Chapter 5 uses multivariate techniques. A number of environmental variables that influence site location are identified, and a model for the choice of monument location is proposed. It is demonstrated that the location of megalithic monuments was closely determined by windows of opportunity in the natural landscape. The resulting insights into the decision-making processes of this period contribute to a better understanding of the priorities and values of the builders. It is argued that megalithic monuments played an important role in transforming natural divisions in the landscape into cultural units of organisation. The following chapters continue the analysis at a different scale, focussing on the buildings themselves. The organisation of architectural space and the deployment of images within these buildings are examined. It is argued that these spaces and images make ordered references to the island environment. This relationship may be better understood in the light of the landscape setting of the buildings. A fresh interpretative model for this evidence is proposed, where it is argued that these architectural forms may be better understood in terms of symbolic storage, movement and performance