Geolinguistics: The Incorporation of Geographic Information Systems and Science

Modern geographic information systems (GIS) and its incorporated spatial analysis tools allow sophisticated and efficient analysis of spatial data by researchers in many fields . Although the field of linguistics has long been of interest to geographers and spatial variation of language to linguists, researchers have made little use of the power of GIS and GIScience theory to address hypotheses regarding spatial variation of language and correlated physical and social variables . Discussion of modern GIS tools for spatial analysis, quantitative analysis, and cartography in geolinguistics has been largely absent from the literature . Linguists have applied GIS technology in language atlases, including recent on-line atlases; however, analytic and data processing capabilities are seldom discussed . Following a review of geolinguistics work incorporating GIS, this article discusses potentially useful GIS tools and techniques for geolinguistics . The article concludes with reflection on the future role of GIS in geolinguistic thought and practic

Comparing Spatial Measures of the Built Environment for Health Research

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Research on the association between health and the built environment often delineates environmental exposure using different spatial forms and distances surrounding points of interest, such as residences or schools. Examples from the literature include Euclidian and network buffers, administrative and census boundaries, and other arbitrary geographies, such as grid cells. There is a lack, however, of reports that describe the justifications or implications for using different methods. This research compares different forms and distances for measuring environmental variables surrounding residential locations in the context of adult walking behavior in Marion County, Indiana. Walkability index and vegetation greenness variables were evaluated within 400-meter, 1-kilometer, and 2-kilometer Euclidian and network buffers, census block groups and tracts, and 805- X 805-meter grid cells. Results of analyses using each of these methods to test walkability and greenness as correlates of self-reported walking behavior were compared. Significant differences were observed in measurements of environmental variables as a function of both size and form. There were also significant differences between spatial measure methods when measuring components of walkability and NDVI. Census geographies, widely used in the public health literature, yielded environmental variable measurements differently than did similarly-sized residence-based measure methods. In logistic regressions, the walkability index did not exhibit a significant relationship with self-reported walking behavior. NDVI exhibited a negative relationship with self-reported walking, although the relationship was reversed and significant when stratifying by residential density

Using GPS-enabled cell phones to track the travel patterns of adolescents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Few tools exist to directly measure the microsocial and physical environments of adolescents in circumstances where participatory observation is not practical or ethical. Yet measuring these environments is important as they are significantly associated with adolescent health-risk. For example, health-related behaviors such as cigarette smoking often occur in specific places where smoking may be relatively surreptitious.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We assessed the feasibility of using GPS-enabled cell phones to track adolescent travel patterns and gather daily diary data. We enrolled 15 adolescent women from a clinic-based setting and asked them to carry the phones for 1 week. We found that these phones can accurately and reliably track participant locations, as well as record diary information on adolescent behaviors. Participants had variable paths extending beyond their immediate neighborhoods, and denied that GPS-tracking influenced their activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>GPS-enabled cell phones offer a feasible and, in many ways, ideal modality of monitoring the location and travel patterns of adolescents. In addition, cell phones allow space- and time-specific interaction, probing, and intervention which significantly extends both research and health promotion beyond a clinical setting. Future studies can employ GPS-enabled cell phones to better understand adolescent environments, how they are associated with health-risk behaviors, and perhaps intervene to change health behavior.</p

Non-structural carbohydrates in woody plants compared among laboratories

Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) in plant tissue are frequently quantified to make inferences about plant responses to environmental conditions. Laboratories publishing estimates of NSC of woody plants use many different methods to evaluate NSC. We asked whether NSC estimates in the recent literature could be quantitatively compared among studies. We also asked whether any differences among laboratories were related to the extraction and quantification methods used to determine starch and sugar concentrations. These questions were addressed by sending sub-samples collected from five woody plant tissues, which varied in NSC content and chemical composition, to 29 laboratories. Each laboratory analyzed the samples with their laboratory-specific protocols, based on recent publications, to determine concentrations of soluble sugars, starch and their sum, total NSC. Laboratory estimates differed substantially for all samples. For example, estimates for Eucalyptus globulus leaves (EGL) varied from 23 to 116 (mean = 56) mg g⁻¹ for soluble sugars, 6–533 (mean = 94) mg g⁻¹ for starch and 53–649 (mean = 153) mg g⁻¹ for total NSC. Mixed model analysis of variance showed that much of the variability among laboratories was unrelated to the categories we used for extraction and quantification methods (method category R² = 0.05–0.12 for soluble sugars, 0.10–0.33 for starch and 0.01–0.09 for total NSC). For EGL, the difference between the highest and lowest least squares means for categories in the mixed model analysis was 33 mg g⁻¹ for total NSC, compared with the range of laboratory estimates of 596 mg g⁻¹. Laboratories were reasonably consistent in their ranks of estimates among tissues for starch (r = 0.41–0.91), but less so for total NSC (r = 0.45–0.84) and soluble sugars (r = 0.11–0.83). Our results show that NSC estimates for woody plant tissues cannot be compared among laboratories. The relative changes in NSC between treatments measured within a laboratory may be comparable within and between laboratories, especially for starch. To obtain comparable NSC estimates, we suggest that users can either adopt the reference method given in this publication, or report estimates for a portion of samples using the reference method, and report estimates for a standard reference material. Researchers interested in NSC estimates should work to identify and adopt standard methods.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Oxford University Press. The published article can be found at: http://treephys.oxfordjournals.org/Keywords: soluble sugars, starch, particle size, reference method, standardization, non-structural carbohydrate chemical analysis, extraction and quantification consistenc

Efficacy evaluation of current and future Naval Mine Warfare neutralization method

This capstone report analyzes the expected mine countermeasures (MCM) performance of legacy and emerging mine neutralization systems on multiple platforms. The systems evaluated are the SLQ-48 Mine Neutralizing System, the SLQ-60 SeaFox, the AN/AQS-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization System/Archerfish, and the Improved Mine Neutralization System–Barracuda currently being developed by Raytheon. The platforms in which these systems are to be supported on are the Avenger MCM ship, the MH60S Knighthawk helicopter, and the littoral combat ship (LCS). The study focused on three measures of effectiveness (MOEs): mission time, weapon expenditures, and mission effectiveness. Using an operational simulation and design of experiments (DOE), our team determined which configuration variations of these systems on supported platforms appeared to be the most effective. The study found that the performance of the Improved Mine Neutralization System–Barracuda presented an increase in capability over legacy systems. In addition, the simulation analysis results depicted a significant performance increase from aerial-deployed neutralizers and neutralizers deployed simultaneously in parallel configurations. This report suggests that, when possible, mine neutralization should be conducted in a parallel configuration from multiple platforms with the most capable neutralizer available.http://archive.org/details/efficacyevaluati1094551729Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Application of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to Compare Legacy and Future Systems in Mine Warfare (MIW) Missions

This research analyzes the expected mine countermeasures (MCM) performance of legacy and emerging mine neutralization systems on multiple platforms. The systems evaluated are the SLQ-48 “Mine Neutralizing System (MNS)”, the SLQ-60 “SeaFox”, AN/AQS-235 “Airborne Mine Neutralization System/ Archerfish”, and the “Improved Mine Neutralization System - Barracuda” currently being developed by Raytheon. The platforms in which these systems are to be supported on are the Avenger MCM ship, the MH60S “Knighthawk” helicopter, and the littoral combat ship (LCS). The study focused on three measures of effectiveness (MOEs): mission time, weapon expenditures, and mission effectiveness. Using an operational simulation, the team determined which configuration variations of these systems on supported platforms appeared to be the most effective. The study found that the performance of the “Improved Mine Neutralization System – Barracuda” presented an increase in capability over legacy systems. In addition, the simulation analysis results depicted a significant performance increase from aerial-deployed neutralizers and neutralizers deployed simultaneously in parallel configurations. This report suggests that, when possible, mine neutralization should be conducted in a parallel configuration from multiple platforms with the most capable neutralizer available.Naval Research ProgramPrepared for: CAPT John Howard; Topic Sponsor: Expeditionary Warfare Division, OPNAV N952; Research POC Name: LCDR Jason Anders, Expeditionary Warfare Division, OPNAV N952CNPS-N16-N264-

Investigation of Indoor and Outdoor Fine Particulate Matter Concentrations in Schools in Salt Lake City, Utah

Although there is mounting evidence that suggests that air pollution is impactful to human health and educational outcomes, this is especially problematic in schools with higher air pollution levels. To understand whether all schools in an urban area are exposed to similar outdoor air quality and whether school infrastructure protects children equally indoors, we installed research-grade sensors to observe PM2.5 concentrations in indoor and outdoor settings to understand how unequal exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution impacts indoor air quality among high- and low-income schools in Salt Lake City, Utah. These data and resulting analysis show that poor air quality may impact school settings and the potential implications with respect to environmental inequality. Based on this approach, we found that during atmospheric inversions and dust events, there was a lag ranging between 35 and 73 min for the outdoor PM2.5 concentrations to follow a similar temporal pattern as the indoor PM2.5. This lag has policy and health implications and may help to explain rising concerns regarding reduced educational outcomes related to air pollution in urban areas