Predicting the visualization intensity for interactive spatio-temporal visual analytics: a data-driven view-dependent approach

The continually increasing size of geospatial data sets poses a computational challenge when conducting interactive visual analytics using conventional desktop-based visualization tools. In recent decades, improvements in parallel visualization using state-of-the-art computing techniques have significantly enhanced our capacity to analyse massive geospatial data sets. However, only a few strategies have been developed to maximize the utilization of parallel computing resources to support interactive visualization. In particular, an efficient visualization intensity prediction component is lacking from most existing parallel visualization frameworks. In this study, we propose a data-driven view-dependent visualization intensity prediction method, which can dynamically predict the visualization intensity based on the distribution patterns of spatio-temporal data. The predicted results are used to schedule the allocation of visualization tasks. We integrated this strategy with a parallel visualization system deployed in a compute unified device architecture (CUDA)-enabled graphical processing units (GPUs) cloud. To evaluate the flexibility of this strategy, we performed experiments using dust storm data sets produced from a regional climate model. The results of the experiments showed that the proposed method yields stable and accurate prediction results with acceptable computational overheads under different types of interactive visualization operations. The results also showed that our strategy improves the overall visualization efficiency by incorporating intensity-based scheduling.     

MapStats for Kids: Making Geographic and Statistical Facts Available to Children

Abstract

Concern about the health of American democracy mounts as a result of the large body of literature documenting chronically low levels of voter turnout among young people in particular. A volunteer, nonprofit organization called “Kids Voting, USA” was formed in the late 1980s to try to tackle the specific problem of encouraging young adults to vote. In cooperation with school districts, the program includes some grade-specific curricula and culminates on Election Day with kids voting in polling booths set up alongside official ones. Existing assessments of the program's impact have been very positive. Particularly hopeful is one study that concludes that the program's strongest effects are found in mobilizing those least advantaged in terms of the customary correlates of political participation. Our ecological analysis, based on the actual turnout rates in the Kids Voting elections for participating schools in Erie County, NY (N = 222), suggests that such conclusions are perhaps overly optimistic. Patterns in the geography and social ecology of participation in Kids Voting elections unfortunately look quite similar to those related to variations in the official electoral process. Although Kids Voting programs may have a salutary effect stimulating political involvement among the young, further reforms seem necessary if they are to reach their full potential.     

Investigation of insulation layer dynamic characteristics for high-speed railway

Dynamic performance of insulation is one of the key parameters during the insulation application for high-speed railway subgrade. This paper conducted laboratory and field tests for the materials and dynamic load,especially for thermal performance, elastic deformation, and accumulated deformation of insulation materials.Experiment results show that mechanical properties of insulation layer structure are stable, which satisfies the requirements of the high speed railway.     

An analytic expression for wind-velocity profile within the saltation layer

The vertical wind-velocity profile within the saltation layer is investigated theoretically. New equations for the fluid shear stress distribution in the saltation layer and the velocity profile affected by saltation are derived. The dependence of the velocity profile on the threshold shear velocity, the vertical variations of sand grain velocity, the vertical sand-mass-flux distribution, and the fluid shear stress within the saltation are demonstrated. Velocity profiles with or without Bagnold's focus are predicted. These velocity profiles are not very sensitive to the vertical distribution of sand-mass flux. Predicted velocity profiles are compared with profiles measured in the wind tunnel, and satisfactory agreement has been achieved.     

Calculation method for thickness of discontinuous boundary layer of engineering pavement

The boundary layer is a buffer layer of water and heat exchange between the atmosphere and permafrost.Based on the atmospheric boundary layer and heat transfer theory,we established a method for determining the boundary layer thickness of engineering pavement(asphalt and sand pavement)in permafrost region.The boundary layer can be divided into the Boundary Layer Above Surface(BLAS)and the Boundary Layer Below Surface(BLBS).From in-situ monitoring data,the thickness of BLAS was determined through the laminar thickness,and the thickness of BLBS was determined through ground temperature,the heat conduction function,and the mean attenuation function(α).For asphalt pavement,the BLAS thickness varied between 2.90 and 4.31 mm and that of BLBS varied between 28.00 and 45.38 cm.For sand pavement,the BLAS thickness varied between 2.55 and 3.29 mm and that of BLBS varied between 15.00 and 46.44 cm.The thickness varied with freezing and thawing processes.The boundary layer calculation method described in this paper can provide a relatively stable boundary for temperature field analysis.     

A proposal for the theoretical analysis of the interactive coupled effects between urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations

Mega-urban agglomerations are strategic core areas for national economic development and the main regions of new urbanization. They also have important roles in shifting the global economic center of gravity to China. However, the development of mega-urban agglomerations has triggered the interactive coercion between resources and the eco-environment. The interactive coupled effects between urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations represent frontier and high-priority research topics in the field of Earth system science over the next decade. In this paper, we carried out systematic theoretical analysis of the interactive coupling mechanisms and coercing effects between urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations. In detail, we analyzed the nonlinear-coupled relationships and the coupling characteristics between natural and human elements in mega-urban agglomerations. We also investigated the interactive coercion intensities between internal and external elements, and the mechanisms and patterns of local couplings and telecouplings in mega-urban agglomeration systems, which are affected by key internal and external control elements. In addition, we proposed the interactive coupling theory on urbanization and the eco-environment in mega-urban agglomerations. Furthermore, we established a spatiotemporal dynamic coupling model with multi-element, multi-scale, multi-scenario, multi-module and multi-agent integrations, which can be used to develop an intelligent decision support system for sustainable development of mega-urban agglomerations. In general, our research may provide theoretical guidance and method support to solve problems related to mega-urban agglomerations and maintain their sustainable development.     

城市精明发展与生态效率的协同测度及交互响应——以中国276个地级以上城市为例

城市发展与生态环境存在复杂的动态交互耦合过程,厘清精明发展与生态效率的协同发展关系及交互响应机理,是区域可持续发展的关键环节。本文以2003—2015年中国276个地级以上城市为研究对象,采用多指标综合评价法、Super-SBM模型、灰色关联模型和面板VAR模型对中国城市精明发展与生态效率的协同发展和交互响应关系进行综合测度。研究表明：① 城市精明发展呈现从沿海向内陆阶梯递减的空间演变趋势,多个城市群具有较高的城市精明发展指数。② 生态效率与精明发展的空间变化具有一定的耦合特征,沿海地区南北方向呈现出较高水平的“生态弧线”城市带。③ 城市精明发展与生态效率具有显著的关联性特征,协同发展关系有下降趋势。④ 城市精明发展与生态效率存在双向交互的Granger因果关系,具有正向的交互响应关系,且存在一定的路径依赖特征和惯性发展趋势。⑤ 长期而言,城市精明发展对生态效率变动的影响更大。     

Usability evaluation for geographic information systems: a systematic literature review

The growing dissemination of geographic information systems (GIS) in recent years has increased the availability and use of geospatial tools. Despite this trend in GIS, usability is often not considered, and studies on usability are relatively rare. However, it has been shown that the effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction of these tools when used for geospatial tasks may be impacted by their design and terminology. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of the relevant literature. We analyze and compare publications of GIS usability evaluations, the methods that were used, and the findings reported. We thus produce a more detailed picture of GIS usability evaluations. Our contributions are (1) an overview of methods applied in case studies for evaluating the usability of GIS; (2) the identification of gaps and resulting weaknesses of previous studies; and (3) challenges and opportunities for future GIS usability studies. Our findings reveal a lack of usability guidelines for GIS, a lack of methods for analyzing complex workflows, and a lack of usage studies over longer periods of time. These contributions can help GIS developers and designers to improve the usability of their systems.     

北京市制造业分布的圈层结构演变——基于第一、二次基本单位普查资料的分析

基于第一、二次基本单位普查的企业数据,以邮区为基本空间单元,以制造业密度突变和总量增减为标准,将北京市划分为三个圈层:制造业衰退的中心城区已蔓延至四环;投资和外迁企业的集中区也已不限于城八区,而是迅速扩展至平原地区大部;远郊区县和山区的制造业发展缓慢。各产业类型、所有制类型和规模等级的制造业圈层结构及其演变均有较大差异。因素分解表明,北京市制造业圈层结构演变的主要推动力是电气电子和金属与矿物类产业、私有企业和大中型企业;企业规模结构的小型化和产业结构调整也有一定的促进作用。研究认为应充分重视产业结构调整与空间布局调整的结合,遏止和扭转各圈层内产业结构均衡化和圈层间产业结构同质化的趋势。近郊平原制造业的核心地位仍将长期保持,用地集约化至关重要;中心城区可以适度发展都市型制造业,促进就业多样化;远郊化的谨慎推进则应以生态保育为前提。     

Influence of thin liquid films on polar ice chemistry: Implications for Earth and planetary science

The polar snowpack (and sea-ice) plays a major role in affecting overlying boundary layer chemistry and has only recently come to light. Furthermore, the understanding of this system and its importance is steadily growing. Investigations done thus far, nonetheless, examined the subsets of the polar environment as an uncoupled system. Analogous to some materials, the surface of snow/ice exhibits thin liquid layers (e.g., the quasi-liquid layer (QLL) and brine layer (BL)). This paper gives an overview of thin liquid films and illustrations of their function in Earth science. The impact of such films in polar science (i.e., polar snowpack photochemistry) is discussed within the context of how field data has been elucidated through laboratory data and modeling techniques. Specifically, what laboratory and modeling investigations have revealed about the effect of thin liquid layers on constraining field observations and, more importantly, the physicochemical mechanisms that govern the behavior of trace gases within the snowpack (and sea-ice) and how they are released from the polar snowpack. Current and future impacts of these findings are discussed, along with putative implications of the effect of thin liquid films in planetary science.     

Interplay between subduction and continental convergence: a three-dimensional dynamic model for the Central Mediterranean

The Mediterranean region is attracting considerable attention due to the complexities of its tectonic setting, which is considered, worldwide, a unique natural laboratory for studying the occurrence of extensional tectonics in a general context of continental convergence. The Tyrrhenian–Apennine system is controlled by the west-dipping subduction of the Adria-Ionian lithosphere and by the near north-south convergence between the African and Eurasian plates. We provide the first 3-D dynamic model of the Central Mediterranean that quantifies the effects of subduction and convergence on surface deformation, in simplified geometry. The axis of the model extends from Sicily to the Alps along the subduction hinge line. A convergence rate of 1 cm yr^-1parallel to the subduction hinge has been applied to the Tyrrhenian block, in agreement with global plate-motion models. Density contrasts within the slab cause the gravitational sinking and roll-back of the slab in the southern Tyrrhenian domain. Modelling results show a gradual decrease of hinge retreat from south to north, with values ranging between 8 and 2 mm yr^-1, indicating that the arculate geometry of the hinge line along the Italian peninsula is ultimately controlled by the interplay between subduction and convergence. The pattern of vertical velocity along directions perpendicular to the hinge, with subsidence in the foredeeps and uplift at the eastern border of the Tyrrhenian domain, is maintained along the whole Italian peninsula, with higher values in the southern areas.     

Geological and geophysical investigation of the Mid-Cayman Spreading Centre: seismic velocity measurements and implications for the constitution of layer 3

Summary . In this paper we present laboratory measurements of compressional and shear wave velocities of a diverse suite of gabbroic rocks collected from the walls of the Mid-Cayman Spreading Centre with DSRV Alvin. The degree of deformation and alteration affecting these gabbros is quite variable, and we believe that they are typical of plutonic rocks emplaced at shallow levels (upper portion of seismic layer 3 and shallower) of the oceanic crust. The compositional and textural variations are reflected in the wide range of laboratory velocities which span most of the range of seismic velocities reported for oceanic and ophiolite rock samples including basalts, gabbros, ultramafics, and their altered derivatives. Based upon the laboratory velocities and the geological setting of the Mid-Cayman gabbros, it is argued that no unique lithology, except anhydrous peridotite, can be unequivocally identified in the oceanic lithosphere from seismic velocity data alone. Furthermore, these data allow for the possibility of considerable lithologic heterogeneity within portions of the oceanic crust at the scale of a few centimetres to a few hundred metres. Such heterogeneities would go unrecognized because seismic refraction studies mask these variations resulting in a picture of apparent uniformity.