Provisions on electronic commerce in regional trade agreements

This paper reviews the different types of provisions explicitly addressing electronic commerce (e-commerce) in regional trade agreements (RTAs). The analysis covers the 275 RTAs currently in force and notified to the WTO as of May 2017. The analysis shows that e-commerce provisions have become increasingly more detailed but remain highly heterogeneous. The most common types of e-commerce provisions refer to the promotion of e-commerce, cooperation activities and the moratorium on customs duties. Other e-commerce provisions concern the domestic legal framework as well as more specific issues, such as electronic authentication, consumer protection, personal information protection and paperless trading

Developing an interoperable cloud-based visualization workflow for 3D archaeological heritage data. The Palenque 3D Archaeological Atlas

In archaeology, 3D data has become ubiquitous, as researchers routinely capture high resolution photogrammetry and LiDAR models and engage in laborious 3D analysis and reconstruction projects at every scale: artifacts, buildings, and entire sites. The raw data and processed 3D models are rarely shared as their computational dependencies leave them unusable by other scholars. In this paper we outline a novel approach for cloud-based collaboration, visualization, analysis, contextualization, and archiving of multi-modal giga-resolution archaeological heritage 3D data. The Palenque 3D Archaeological Atlas builds on an open source WebGL systems that efficiently interlink, merge, present, and contextualize the Big Data collected at the ancient Maya city of Palenque, Mexico, allowing researchers and stakeholders to visualize, access, share, measure, compare, annotate, and repurpose massive complex archaeological datasets from their web-browsers

A statistical analysis of selected population characteristics for ninety settlements in Manitoba

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a methodology whereby a large volume and variety of population data can be selected and organized to present a comprehensive picture of the settlements in Manitoba. In particular, 74 variables are used to analyse the socio-economic and demographic conditions of the 90 major settlements. The main source of data is the 1961 Dominion Bureau of Statistics Census Enumeration Area 'print-outs'. The data are arranged in the form of a matrix and analysed statistically with the aid of a computer. The analysis is conducted in the following steps; (a) the inter-relationships of the 74 variables are studied systematically by means of correlation analysis; (b) the settlements are then classified into groups according to their regional distribution, population size and change, family income and economic functions, and the variation of these characteristics between the settlement groups are examined; and (c) a multivariate analytic approach is applied to the data matrix in order to indentify a set of basic, independent dimensions for the settlements. Based on these resulting dimensions, a system of classification and a principal component regression model is designed. The results of the analysis indicate that the settlements behave like interdependent entities of a general system because they are characterised by patterns and associations of functionally interrlated variables. The demographic characteristics such as the age structure of settlements are statistically related to many socio-economic variables. For example, settlements with an aged population structure are generally associated with a large proportion of population immigrated to Canada before 1946, and their labour force is made up of a large percentage of self-employed and unpaid family workers engaged mainly in agriculture and tertiary industries. On the other hand, settlements with a younger population structure are associated with a rapid rate of population growth, a relatively large family size and location in the northern parts of the province..

Santarém: o ponto de partida para o (ou de retorno) urbano utopia

Este artigo discute o progressivo descolamento observado entre cidade, urbano, rural e natureza em contexto amazônico. Partiu-se da geo-história, abordagem lefebvriana de análise da formação espacial, do sítio de Santarém (PA) e adjacências, para explicitar a natureza híbrida de um tecido urbano extensivo, formado por tipologias urbanas descontínuas (cidade e vilas), periurbanas (comunidades e assentamentos) e rurais (campo de soja, floresta e comunidades extrativistas), segundo arranjos socioespaciais herdeiros de diferentes matrizes culturais. A partir da revisão de literatura, da análise de cartografia histórica e de dados digitais, observa-se que o urbano, orientado por processos globais e pelo interesse econômico, nega e desestrutura territórios, nos quais a sociobiodiversidade e as práticas desenvolvidas ao longo dos séculos são portadoras de potencial reconciliação entre urbano e natureza, bem como valiosas em contexto de mudanças climáticas. O estudo detalha a análise para a mancha urbana da cidade de Santarém, assumida como um amálgama que espelha a diversidade socioespacial da região e que melhor ilustra a forma como a concepção hegemônica de cidade, aplicada ao urbano periférico amazônico, tem distanciado Santarém do potencial de expressar o urbano utopia, o qual será capaz de resgatar a indissociabilidade de pessoas, biodiversidade, solo e água, que já vem sendo manifestada há séculos na Amazônia

Patrón de asentamiento y uso del espacio. Precordillera de Arica, extremo norte de Chile, siglos X-XV

Sobre la base de un trabajo previo de prospección y análisis de un conjunto de más de treinta sitios arqueológicos se presenta una aproximación a los patrones de asentamientos existentes en la precordillera de Arica, norte de Chile durante los siglos X al XV. Se proponen dos grandes patrones arquitectónicos: circular y rectangular, cada uno asociado a diferentes momentos de la prehistoria regional; el primero al período Intermedio Tardío y el segundo al período Tardío u Horizonte Inca. Se presenta una distribución espacial de ambos patrones y la forma de utilización del espacio productivo. Ambas situaciones, patrones arquitectónicos y uso del espacio constituye lo que denominamos en este trabajo patrones de asentamiento.À partir d’un travail préalable de prospection et d’analyse d’un ensemble de plus de trente sites archéologiques, l’auteur présente un essai de modèle d’aménagements existants dans la précordillère d’Arica, au nord du Chili, du Xe au XVe siècles. Deux grands modèles architecturaux s’offrent à nous : circulaire ou rectangulaire, chacun associé à différents moments de la préhistoire régionale : le premier à la période Intermédiaire Récente et le deuxième à la période Récente ou l’époque Inca. La distribution spatiale des deux modèles est présentée ainsi que le mode d’utilisation de l’espace productif. Les deux cas, modèles architecturaux et d’utilisation de l’espace, constituent ce que nous appelons dans cet article un modèle d’aménagement.On the basis of the survey and analysis of a set of about of thirty archaeological sites, an approach is offered to the settlements patterns existing in the premountain range of Arica, northern Chile during centuries X to the XV. Two great architectonic patrons are identified: circular and rectangular, each one associated with different moments of regional prehistory- the first is linked to the Late Intermediate Period and the second to the Late Horizon Period or Horizon Inca. A spatial distribution of both patterns can be identified and it gives form to the use of productive space. Both situations- architectural patterns and use of the space -constitute what we refer to in this work like settlements pattern

Infinite Procedural Infrastructured World Generation

Käesolev magistritöö kirjeldab uudset algoritmi lõpmatu deterministliku maailma genereerimiseks koos üldlevinud tehislike ja looduslike struktuuridega, mis leiduvad parasvöötme asustatud piirkondades. Kuna lõpmatuid maailmu tuleb genereerida jupikaupa ning ilma ühegi naabruses oleva tüki olemasoluta, on genereeritavate struktuuride järjepidev ja deterministlik genereerimine keeruline. Kirjeldatav algoritm kasutab eksponentsiaalse genereerimise metoodikat, mis võimaldab genereerida erineva suurusega struktuure alates liiklusmärkidest kuni pikkade jõgedeni. Algoritm genereerib erinevat tüüpi lõpmatuid teede võrgustikke, nimedega linnu ja külasid, elektriliine ja levinumaid liiklusmärke nagu kiiruspiirangud ja suunamärgid. Asulatest väljaspool olev maastik genereeritakse kolme üldlevinud maakasutuse kategooria vahel – metsandus, viljakasvatus ning looduskaitsealad. Lisaks kirjeldatavale algoritmile antakse ülevaade eelnevast teadustööst lõpmatu protseduurilise maailma genereerimise valdkonnas ning kirjeldatakse edasiarendusvõimalusi lõpmatute asustatud maailmade genereerimiseks.This Master's thesis describes and provides an implementation of a novel algorithm for generating infinite deterministic worlds with both man-made and natural features commonly found in the civilized regions of the temperate climate zone. Considering that infinite worlds have to be generated in a piecewise manner without any of the neighbouring pieces necessarily existing, ensuring continuity and deterministic results for the generation of such features can be challenging. The algorithm uses an exponential generation technique, which enables the generation of varying sized features from traffic signs to rivers. The algorithm generates infinite road networks of different tiers, named cities and villages, power lines between them and common traffic signs like speed limits and navigation signs. Rural areas are generated based on three types of land usage – forestry, cultivation of crops and untouched nature reserves. The thesis also gives an overview of the previous work in the field of procedural world generation and proposes multiple new ideas for further expansion of infinite infrastructured terrain generation

Visual Assessment of Rivers and Marshes: An Examination of the Relationship of Visual Units, Perceptual Variables and Preference

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship of two approaches to visual assessment of landscape--the qualitative descriptive inventory and the theoretically-based empirical perceptual preference approach. Three levels of landscape visual units based on bio-physical similarities (landscape units, setting units, and waterscape units) were identified in a marsh (CUtler Reservoir, Cache County , Utah), and its tributary streams. Color slide photographs were taken from five of the visual units. These slides were rated on a 5- point scale by panels of judges for the expression of four perceptual variables--coherence, complexity, mystery, and legibility. The same slides were rated on a 5-point scale by 98 respondents according to their preference for each slide. The relationship of the visual units, perceptual variables, and preference was evaluated by analytical and statistical procedures. Results showed significant differences in the expression of the four perceptual variables between rivers and marshes and between setting units~ Both rivers and marshes were considered coherent when there were similarities in vegetation within the respective types; however, the strong horizontal organization of the marsh scenes necessary for coherence contrasted with the edge definition and orderliness considered necessary in rivers. Mystery was also related to similar factors in rivers and marshes (such as obscuring vegetation, particularly in the marsh) but the presence of riverbanks and bends in the river corridor had a distinct effect on mystery ratings in the river scenes . Complexity in both rivers and marshes was primarily dependent on diversity of vegetation and visual depth , but the number of different visual elements in river scenes also influenced complexity. Legibility was related to straight, enclosed and simple corridors in river images and to simple spaces with regular vegetation in marsh images. Fine textures and clear spatial definition enhanced legibility. Preference ratings were significantly different between rivers and marshes, but not between river setting units or waterscape units. River scenes received higher preference ratings than marsh scenes. Mystery , complexity, and visual depth were especially important to preference. Demographic variables of age, sex, academic major, and home state did not significantly affect preference. Statistical analysis indicated each perceptual variable was an independent predictor, and that compared to visual units, perceptual variables were more strongly related to preference

The Eastern Mail (Vol. 02, No. 12): October 12, 1848

Continues The Waterville Union (April-July 1847).Published weekly, July 19, 1847-Aug. 28, 1863.Publishers: E. Maxham, 1847-1849; Maxham & Wing, 1849-1863. Independent, 1847-1856; Republican, 1856-1863.Editors: E. Maxham & D.R. Wing, 1849-1863.Continued by The Waterville Mail (September 1863-May 1906). See Gerould, W.G.: American newspapers, 1821-1836; Whittemore, E.C.: Centennial history of Waterville.Colby Libraries catalog record (CBBcat): http://cbbcat.net/record=b1228542~S19WorldCat record (OCLC): http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1048691