Representing the visibility structure of a polyhedral terrain through a horizon map

Abstract

We present a model for describing the visibility of a polyhedral terrain from a fixed viewpoint, based on a collection of nested horizons. We briefly introduce the concepts of mathematical and digital terrain models, and some background notions for visibility problems on terrains. Then, we define horizons on a polyhedral terrain, and introduce a visibility model, that we call the horizon map. We present a construction algorithm and a data structure for encoding the horizon map, and show how it can be used for solving point visibility queries with respect to a fixed viewpoint.     

农村土地规模化经营的模式、困境与路径

通过定性分析我国部分地区农村土地规模化经营实践,梳理出现阶段农村土地规模化经营的两种主要模式:市场主导和政府主导。基于我国农村土地规模化经营的现有模式,发现农村土地规模化经营过程中存在的主要问题,在此基础上,结合农村土地规模化经营实际,构建农村土地规模化经营的相关指标体系。依托该指标体系,借助制度经济学分析方法对土地经营的规模进行剖析,继而将分析结论与土地经营规模的成本—效益曲线进行拟合,得出土地规模经营需注意的4个关键点。并根据在天津市宝坻区黄庄镇某村的实地调研情况,对该村土地规模化经营的最佳规模和最大规模进行分析,分析结果对提出的理论进行实证检验,发现理论能够较好地与实际结合。依据分析结论及农村土地规模化经营存在的问题,提出未来农村土地规模化经营的发展路径。     

塔中春季水平能见度变化及影响因子分析

利用2004、2005年3月至5月塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地塔中气象站的能见度仪自动监测资料,气温、气压、风速、相对湿度等地面气象常规沙尘观测记录以及PM10自动监测仪观测资料,分析了塔中水平能见度变化特征以及与气象因子、PM10的相关关系,气象因子与PM10对水平能见度有一定的制约关系,但并非简单的线形关系,不同时段,不同天气条件下,各因素的作用不同。     

Multi-objective spatially constrained clustering for regionalization with particle swarm optimization

Regionalization is an important part of the spatial analysis process, and the solution should be contiguity-constrained in each region. In general, several objectives need to be optimized in practical regionalization, such as the homogeneity of regions and the heterogeneity among regions. Therefore, multi-objective techniques are more suitable for solving regionalization problems. In this paper, we design a multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm for solving regionalization problems. Towards this goal, a novel particle representation for regionalization is proposed, which can be expressed in continuous space and has flexible constraints on the number of regions. In the process of optimization, a contiguous-region method is designed that satisfies the constraints and improves the efficiency. The decision solution is selected in the Pareto set based on a trade-off between the objective functions, and the number of regions can be automatically determined. The proposed method outperforms six regionalization algorithms in terms of both the number and the quality of the solutions.     

Mineral Prospectivity Prediction from High-Dimensional Geoscientific Data Using a Similarity-Based Density Estimation Model

Assuming a study region in which each cell has associated with it an N-dimensional vector of values corresponding to N predictor variables, one means of predicting the potential of some cell to host mineralization is to estimate, on the basis of historical data, a probability density function that describes the distribution of vectors for cells known to contain deposits. This density estimate can then be employed to predict the mineralization likelihood of other cells in the study region. However, owing to the curse of dimensionality, estimating densities in high-dimensional input spaces is exceedingly difficult, and conventional statistical approaches often break down. This article describes an alternative approach to estimating densities. Inspired by recent work in the area of similarity-based learning, in which input takes the form of a matrix of pairwise similarities between training points, we show how the density of a set of mineralized training examples can be estimated from a graphical representation of those examples using the notion of eigenvector graph centrality. We also show how the likelihood for a test example can be estimated from these data without having to construct a new graph. Application of the technique to the prediction of gold deposits based on 16 predictor variables shows that its predictive performance far exceeds that of conventional density estimation methods, and is slightly better than the performance of a discriminative approach based on multilayer perceptron neural networks.     

对一些沙尘暴强度划分标准中存在问题的讨论

研究发现,目前被我国一些学者采用的沙尘暴强度划分标准和气象观测规范中关于水平能见度观测记录的规定有明显差异,这个问题导致沙尘暴强度划分标准与50 a气象能见度观测资料不匹配,从而引起资料统计上的混乱和强沙尘暴、特强沙尘暴分析上很容易出现的错误。为此,就这个问题进行了分析讨论。     

Functional analysis of landscape connectivity at the landscape,component, and patch levels: A case study of Minqing County,Fuzhou City,China

Maintaining forest landscape connectivity is one of the most effective ways to alleviate natural forest fragmentation and biodiversity loss problems. Recently, graph theory based metrics have been used as powerful tools in the assessment of landscape connectivity. However, the functional features of landscape units at different structure levels, based on which outcomes can be enriched and advice can be given for practical applications, have been overlooked. In this study, a series of graph-based connectivity indices was calculated to 1) evaluate the optimal threshold distance, 2) identify the key landscape units at the component and patch levels, and 3) classify the functional types of components and patches and analyze functional patterns at different structural levels. The relationship between patch size and patch functional performance in maintaining landscape connectivity was discussed. With a natural forest area in Minqing County of China as the study area, recommendations regarding forest conservation and connectivity enhancement were provided based on the research conclusions. This study provides a way to comprehensively analyze habitat fragmentation and functional patterns for local forest conservation.     

Ranking spaces for predicting human movement in an urban environment

A city can be topologically represented as a connectivity graph, consisting of nodes representing individual spaces and links if the corresponding spaces are intersected. It turns out in the space syntax literature that some defined topological metrics can capture human movement rates in individual spaces. In other words, the topological metrics are significantly correlated to human movement rates, and individual spaces can be ranked by the metrics for predicting human movement. However, this correlation has never been well justified. In this paper, we study the same issue by applying the weighted PageRank algorithm to the connectivity graph or space–space topology for ranking the individual spaces, and find surprisingly that: (1) the PageRank scores are better correlated to human movement rates than the space syntax metrics, and (2) the underlying space–space topology demonstrates small world and scale free properties. The findings provide a novel justification as to why space syntax, or topological analysis in general, can be used to predict human movement. We further conjecture that this kind of analysis is no more than predicting a drunkard's walking on a small world and scale free network.     

Plain move predicate and its consistency concerning the moving agents in a network

Advances in GIS and databases for dealing with spatiotemporal frameworks are leading to efficient querying, analyzing, and reasoning about moving objects/agents. However, contemporary frameworks on spatiotemporal logics are usually limited to qualitative approaches, such as the numerous studies on spatiotemporal databases that focus on observations, ignoring the intended movements of the agents. Moving object databases, on the other hand, can handle queries about the location, velocity, and time by assuming some agents to be targets. However, reasoning about the plan of moving agents, especially on the network and the achievability of such a plan, still remains a challenge. Studies on vehicle routing are often about the centralized planning of moving agents from scratch and do not deal with intended plans. Based on a plain move predicate, this paper presents a generic framework that can be used for representing and reasoning about plans of moving agents. Concepts from motion, network structure, graph theory, predicate logic, and constraint satisfaction are used to create the framework. We have also provided efficient algorithms for checking the consistency of the movement and extracting compatible plans along with some discussions on computational analysis, logical deduction, and flexibility. Finally, we have demonstrated the application of the methodology by developing NETwork-based Move Atoms Planning System (NETMAPS). The experiments show how NETMAPS can overcome an inconsistent movement plan and deliver advantageous suggestions to an executive agent.     

基于社会网络理论的旅游系统空间结构优化研究

基于交通网络和旅游资源禀赋的旅游系统空间结构研究具有一定欠缺性。借鉴Shih研究成果,基于旅游者行走游线和旅游流量,分析社会网络理论的程度中心性、接近中心性和中介中心性3个指标作为衡量区域旅游进出通道和中心性、可进入性和旅游集散中心的意义,将目的地划分为区域旅游核心区、缓冲区和边缘区,并对区域旅游分工和设施配备要求提供理论指导。旅游核心区应配备旅游中心、信息中心和口岸交通设施,旅游缓冲区应加强旅游景区建设,旅游边缘区在加强景区建设的同时还应强化宣传工作。探讨旅游系统空间结构的影响因素及其优化措施,并对福建进行实证研究。     

Environmental Governance Meets Reality: A Micro-Scale Perspective on Sustainability Certification Schemes for Oil Palm Smallholders in Jambi,Sumatra

Abstract

Multi-stakeholder sustainability certification schemes have become a favorite instrument for applying good governance, though studies indicate their inefficiency at the producer level. In this study, we used a mixed-method approach to first, map the institutional context of independent oil-palm smallholders in rural Sumatra while, second, reflecting upon the impact of the Smallholder Standard proposed by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil on smallholder management practices. We hold that non-recognition of micro-scale perspectives within governance processes may partially explain noncompliance with certification principles among smallholders. The Smallholder Standard appears unable to mitigate challenges important for smallholders, who in turn cannot properly comply with it, due to problems including weather instability and high management costs. We suggest that certification schemes need to work on some overlooked but essential preconditions of good governance, namely gaining micro-level visibility and acceptance.     

基于GIS的任意发生元Voronoi图逼近方法

许多地理问题的空间分析中需要采用Voronoi图,但是目前我们尚缺乏一些简单的易于实现的构建任意发生元Voronoi图的方法,也缺乏一个能直接生成任意发生元Voronoi图的软件,为此我们提出了一种基于GIS的构建任意发生元的未加权Voronoi图的逼近方法。首先用有限点来逼近原始发生元,然后构建这些点发生元Voronoi图,最后消除那些属于同一发生元的顶点和边,即得到原始发生元的逼近的Voronoi图。在该算法的具体实现过程中,充分利用了现有GIS软件可以生成点发生元Voronoi图的特性和处理空间数据的能力。试验结果表明,这种方法可以生成未加权的任意形状发生元的逼近Voronoi图,能满足地理问题空间分析的需要。如地理客体可以是点状地理客体(城市、县城、交通枢纽、商业中心和金融中心等)、线状地理客体(交通运输线、经济地带和河系等)、面状地理客体(经济区、公园和绿地等)或者它们的组合,它们的空间影响范围或空间服务范围都可以采用Voronoi图来界定。     

江苏省民用机场可达性及其服务能力评价

为了定量地研究江苏省民用机场的可达性及其服务能力,首先基于江苏省的公路路网结构和最短时间路径选择算法,运用ArcGIS的Spatial Analyst模块功能对江苏省民用机场可达性进行实证研究,对"7+2"民用机场形成前后的可达性进行分析。结果表明,江苏省7个民用机场整体可达性较好,在地域分布上呈现以民用机场为中心的圈层空间结构。目前88.5%的区域的机场可达性在1.5 h之内,但其内部差异比较明显,苏南地区民用机场可达性较好,而苏北地区由于内陆腹地机场尚属空白,其可达性较差,且服务范围呈现南大北小的规律;"7+2"民用机场极大地改善了苏北内陆腹地的机场可达性,服务范围也均发生不同程度的缩小,而可达性较好的区域比例明显增加,较差的区域比例均趋于下降;最后近似测算"7+2"民用机场的服务能力并进行分级,并从经济和可达性两方面对不同等级服务能力的机场存在的问题和不足进行分析,并提出相应的优化措施。     

乡村精明增长——起源与实践

精明增长提倡在生态优先基础上,依据实际条件合理规划和调整经济发展的结构和规模,实现城乡经济社会环境综合效益最大化。当前,精明增长主要应用于城市发展实践中,伴随着乡村发展问题凸显和乡村重要性重新被发现,许多地区也开始尝试将精明增长运用到乡村转型与可持续发展中。论文在回顾国内外精明增长理论与实践研究的基础上,对精明增长的内涵和原则进行梳理总结,系统分析了乡村精明增长的内容框架和实施路径等方面的研究和实践进展,结合中国乡村振兴战略实施的现实需要,提出未来乡村精明增长研究需要关注的几个科学问题,以期为地理学相关研究提供参考,为科学实施乡村振兴战略提供借鉴。     

生态系统服务研究动态及地理学研究范式

生态系统服务是目前国际上相关研究热点之一.本文综述了国内外生态系统服务研究的进展、存在问题和发展趋势.在此基础上,针对目前生态系统服务研究生态学范式存在的问题,提出了地理学在此领域的研究范式和优先主题.研究认为,从地理学视角研究生态系统服务,应当以空间异质性和区域差异作为切入点,紧紧围绕生态系统结构与功能-生态系统服务-人类社会福祉这一主线,始终将"自然系统提供生态服务与社会经济系统内化消费"之间的耦合联系作为研究核心,综合集成分析社会经济系统对自然资本内化的响应.通过建构生态系统服务的地理学研究范式,不仅可以拓展生态系统服务研究的深度和广度,而且有助于提升自然和社会经济系统的集成分析水平,进而推动地理学综合研究进程.同时,也为地理学的核心命题--人地关系研究提供重要的实践领域.     

Legal Geographies—Controlling Sexually Oriented Businesses: Law,Licensing, and the Geographies of a Controversial Land Use

In this article, we explore both a neglected geography (the location of sexually oriented business) and a neglected instrument of sociospatial control (premises licensing). Arguing the former is increasingly shaped by the latter, we suggest that licensing provides a flexible means by which the state is able to reconcile the growing demand for "adult entertainment" with concerns about community standards, urban aesthetics, public safety, and property prices. We demonstrate this through an examination of the role of UK licensing legislation in controlling the location and visibility of such controversial businesses in London's West End. It is demonstrated that, in this case, licensing has encouraged the "upscaling" of sex-related businesses while reducing their overall number and visibility. We conclude that licensing, as a means of controlling contentious urban land uses, constitutes a "field of governance" whose legal geographies remain to be adequately theorized and explored.     

非均质空间随机扩散方程及其在城市基准地价评估中的运用

本文通过在非均质空间条件下，革新随机游动扩散模式的理论推导，建立了非均质空间随机扩散方程，并对其参数的确定进行了讨论。同时，将此方程应用于城市基准地价评估，予以实验验证。     

国内外耕地利用与保护的理论基础及其进展

文章较系统地总结了国内外耕地保护相关的理论及研究进展 ,分析了耕地保护的科学基础和历史演变过程。指出土地生产力是制定耕地保护数量的科学依据 ,土地评价是耕地保护规划的科学基础 ,土地规划、法规体系的落实是耕地保护顺利实施的保障。在此基础上 ,进一步分析了我国耕地利用与保护中面临的几个理论和实践问题 ,并提出相应的对策和建议。     

Doing household research: interviewing couples together and apart

Summary The question of whether household members should be interviewed together or apart is hotly debated in 'family' studies. In this paper, I use my own experiences of both methods of interviewing in order to explore some of the practical problems, ethical issues and power dynamics of conducting household research, and to demonstrate how a household focus can contribute to the understanding of gender relations.     

The Trade and Industries of Western South America

Abstract

Most discussions of humidity involve a number of scientific terms which are not easily understood and data obtained from instruments which are not readily available. This article demonstrates how a simple graph can be effectively used in explaining the concept, measurement, and use of humidity. The graph is based on information available to most people—temperature and relative humidity. Terms associated with humidity are so common that educators should provide students with the opportunity to understand the terms and their practical applications. The activities suggested here might be successfully used by teachers in the upper elementary grades as well as at higher educational levels.