Cartography Research Articles

Drone-based medical delivery in the extreme conditions of Himalayan region: a feasibility study

IntroductionUnmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, have emerged as versatile tools across various sectors, including defence, agriculture, surveillance, mining, infrastructure, emergency response, transportation, geospatial mapping and notably medical supply delivery to...

Geospatial mapping and entropy-based analysis for groundwater evaluation with estimation of potential health risks due to nitrate and fluoride exposure.

Groundwater is a vital source of freshwater, but its quality is often compromised by various physiochemical factors. In the Mid-Gangetic Plains, there is a concerning escalation in the degradation of groundwater quality due to anthropogenic interventions. However, there remains a paucity of comprehensive knowledge concerning groundwater quality and the associated health hazards it poses. In response to this gap, the current study focuses on Nalanda district (Bihar), where 78 groundwater samples were collected across district in the month of May 2022 and their various water quality parameters were quantified as per standard methods. The adequacy of groundwater for human use was assessed using an entropy-based water quality index (EWQI), which also evaluated the potential human health risk stemming from nitrate and fluoride contamination. Furthermore, an empirical Bayesian kriging (EBK) driven geostatistical approach was utilized to predict water quality parameters at ungauged sites. The analysis of results disclosed that the ionic dominance in groundwater followed the sequence as cations Ca2+ > Mg2+, and anions HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3- > F- > PO43-. The concentration of NO3- and F- exceeded the permissible BIS levels by 11.5% and 6.5% of the samples respectively. The analysis of EBK models suggested K-Bessel as the best-fit model for pH, Mg2+, TH, F-, NO3-, and SO42- spatial interpolation while exponential EBK model for EC, Cl-, and PO43- and whittle EBK model for TDS, Ca2+, and HCO3- spatial interpolation. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that elevated TDS and EC levels, coupled with correlations between NO3-, SO42-, and Cl-, suggest anthropogenic influences. The EWQI of the groundwater samples ranged from 36.28 to 180.80. The analysis of EWQI values revealed predominantly fair to good groundwater quality across the study area, suitable for drinking purposes. The hazard quotients for NO3- and F- indicate that non-carcinogenic health risks are more significant with nitrate pollution. The combined health impact was assessed using total hazard index (HI), ranging from 0.20 to 3.29 for children, 0.19 to 3.05 for males, and 0.17 to 2.70 for females. The cumulative probability distribution revealed total hazard index (HI) > 1 in 41.56%, 34.62%, and 28.21% of samples for children, males, and females. The HI analysis indicated a substantially higher risk for children compared to adults within the study area. This study offers a novel combination of entropy-based water quality assessment and geostatistical EBK modeling to evaluate groundwater quality and health risks in ungauged areas. The findings provide valuable insights for improved groundwater management and health risk mitigation.

Validation of the effectiveness of pig farm repopulation protocol following African swine fever outbreaks in the Philippines

The African swine fever (ASF) epidemic has severely challenged the Philippines’ swine industry since 2019. The National African Swine Fever Prevention and Control Program (NASFPCP), launched in 2021, aims to provide guidance for managing ASF through surveillance, monitoring, and swine repopulation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of post-outbreak disinfection protocols and government-mandated measures for repopulation standard. Surveillance data from three repopulation phases—(I) depopulation, cleaning, and disinfection; (II) downtime (20 days); and (III) sentinel animals (40 days)—were collected from February 2020 to December 2021 in the province of Batangas. Time-to-detection of positive events were analyzed for different farm types, seasons, or location using survival analysis modeling. Probability of detecting infected farms at different sampling times was estimated in terms of sensitivity of the sampling time. Data from 145 swine farms, including 99 backyard and 46 commercial farms, revealed positive rates of 10.1 and 8.7%, respectively. The failure rate during repopulation surveillance was 9.66%, whereas 90.34% farms remained ASF negative. Sensitivity estimate increased from 18–21 to 89% by day 27, with sentinel animals on that day exhibiting the highest estimated sensitivity. This highlights the importance of sentinel pigs in the NASFPCP for effective ASF control in the Philippines. Survival analysis showed no statistically significant differences in the results between either farm type, season, or municipality level. Geographic mapping of surveyed farms and those with positive detections identified high-risk locations including San Juan and Lipa City as key areas of concern. Enhancing targeted surveillance is critical for improving an early ASF detection and national response in the Philippines.

Taxonomic revision of Siculodes Guenée and revalidation of Aziba Walker (Lepidoptera, Thyrididae, Siculodinae, Siculodini).

The taxonomy of Siculodes Guenée, 1858 and Aziba Walker, 1865 gen. rev., is revised. A new taxonomic arrangement is proposed for these genera reflecting morphological evidence. Siculodes comprises six valid taxa: S. aurorula Guenée, 1858 (type species), S. avicula Guenée, 1877, S. eurymenana (Walker, 1865), S. satellifera (Gaede, 1936), S. straminula Pagenstecher, 1892, and S. subchalybaea (Walker, 1865) stat. rev.; while Aziba Walker, 1865 gen. rev., since a long time considered a junior synonym of Siculodes is here revalidated and comprises six valid taxa: A. falcata (C. Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875) comb. rev., A. mediula (Guenée, 1877) comb. nov., A. roseobrunneata (Heppner & Thiele, 2017) comb. nov., A. substrigata Warren, 1900 comb. rev., A. transversa Walker, 1865 comb. rev. (type species), and A. vehemensaria (H. Edwards, 1884) stat. rev. et comb. nov. Siculodes serpula Guenée, 1877 syn. reinst. and Risama falcata matusi Köhler, 1940 syn. nov. are considered junior synonymies of A. falcata comb. rev. Lectotypes are designated to Siculodes aurorula Guenée, 1858, Siculodes straminula Pagenstecher, 1892, Aziba falcata (C. Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875), and Risama falcata matusi Köhler, 1940. In addition, all species are redescribed and figured, habitats of some species are reported, and geographical distribution maps are provided for all species.

Mapping Europe in war and peace, 1915–1919: B. C. Wallis and the 1919 Peoples of Austria-Hungary geographical handbook and atlas

The paper examines The Peoples of Austria-Hungary geographical handbook and the accompanying Atlas of Austria-Hungary, published by Britain's Naval Intelligence Division in 1919 and, in greater detail, the antecedent mapping and statistical studies of Bertie Cotterell Wallis, a London schoolteacher, who undertook to study Hungary's nationalities and demography from 1915 as part of the 1:1 M mapping project coordinated by Arthur Hinks in the Royal Geographical Society in London. The paper is the first study of a geographical handbook for World War I and the first to recognise Wallis's involvement and significance. The paper extends geographical studies of mapping and border-making in Europe during and after the First World War. The paper addresses the implications of Wallis's work on the 1919 Handbook and Atlas: for studies of geographical authorship and map making, understanding the nature of the British geographical community at this time, and for illuminating the connections between geography, mapping and military intelligence in Britain.

Geospatial mapping of groundwater potential zones using multi-criteria decision-making AHP approach: A Study of Kadugli District, South Kurdufan, Sudan

Geospatial mapping of groundwater potential zones using multi-criteria decision-making AHP approach: A Study of Kadugli District, South Kurdufan, Sudan

Geographic Determinants and Spatial Epidemiology of Prescription Drug Abuse: A Comprehensive Analysis of Distribution Patterns, Treatment Accessibility and Intervention Strategies

This study examines the complex spatial patterns and geographic variations in prescription drug abuse, analyzing their impact on treatment outcomes and public health interventions. Through comprehensive spatial epidemiological analysis, we investigate how geographic factors influence abuse patterns across urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. The research synthesizes data on healthcare accessibility, socioeconomic conditions, and regional policy frameworks to understand their collective impact on prescription drug misuse. Our findings reveal significant geographic disparities in treatment accessibility, with rural areas facing substantial barriers to addiction services compared to urban centers. Analysis of prescription drug monitoring programs demonstrates varying effectiveness across regions, highlighting the need for spatially-tailored interventions. The study identifies distinct regional profiles of drug misuse, influenced by factors including healthcare infrastructure, cultural norms, and local regulatory environments. Advanced spatial analysis techniques, including geospatial mapping and hotspot analysis, revealed significant correlations between geographic determinants and abuse patterns. Results indicate that proximity to healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical distribution networks, and demographic characteristics contribute to localized risk profiles. The integration of multiple data sources, including prescription records and treatment admissions, provided insights into space-time clustering of abuse patterns. This research emphasizes the importance of developing geographically-informed approaches to combat prescription drug abuse, suggesting that intervention strategies should be tailored to specific regional contexts while addressing broader systemic issues. The findings have significant implications for public health policy, healthcare resource allocation, and the development of targeted prevention strategies.

Trends in gestational diabetes in Manitoba from 1981 - 2019: A descriptive study with geospatial mapping

BackgroundThere is little information describing trends in gestational diabetes incidence within sub-groups that often experience health inequities. MethodsWe leveraged provincial administrative health data to describe trends in gestational diabetes incidence between 1981-2019, stratified by sub-populations based on age, urbanicity, and neighbourhood-level average household income. We calculated yearly incidence across sub-groups and annual percent change in incidence to assess trends over time. Geospatial mapping was used to visualize changes by neighbourhood cluster. ResultsGestational diabetes incidence increased from 1.3% to 8.6% between 1981 and 2019, with an upward inflection occurring around 2010. The annual percent change (APC) between 1981-2009, prior to the inflection point, was 1.9% (95% CI: 1.4-2.5%) and was 11.7% (95% CI: 8.9-14.7%) post inflection – from 2010-2019. After 2010, gestational diabetes incidence increased most among urban residents (APC= 18.1%; 95%CI: 13.9-22.5), among those >35 years (APC = 12.0%; 95% CI: 8.4-15.7%), and among individuals in the highest SES group (APC = 14.8%; 95% CI: 9.4-20.4%).Geospatial mapping showed that incidence increased more in neighbourhoods with the highest proportion of recent immigrants to Canada. ConclusionIncidence of gestational diabetes increased six-fold in Manitoba over the last 20 years, particularly among those with high SES and higher age. Further research is required to clarify the role of screening practices in the trends observed here.

Geospatial Mapping of Head and Neck Cancer Research: Assessing Access, Disparities, and Characteristics of Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Trials Across the United States.

To report geographic distribution and characteristics of head and neck cancer (HNC) clinical trials in the United States. We conducted a retrospective analysis of U.S. HNC clinical trials searching ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021 using the terms "head and neck cancer" or "head and neck neoplasms." A total of 381 clinical trials met inclusion criteria with 2181 trial opportunities, which were correlated with population density. Of the U.S. population, 72% live within a 25-mile radius of trials. California, Pennsylvania, and New York had the greatest number of clinical trial entries. The majority of patients living more than 25 miles from an HNC clinical trial site are located in rural areas. One hundred sixty-five (43.3%) trials were about systemic therapy, of which 138 (83.6%) involved targeted immunotherapy. There were 286 unique principal investigators. One hundred six (37.1%) were females and 180 (62.9%) were males. We demonstrate disparity in the geographic distribution of HNC trials favoring densely populated urban areas, which may limit patient access due to travel burden. Studies are skewed towards immunotherapy drug trials, with fewer radiation and surgery investigations. Level III.

Pediatric palliative care in Brazil: reflections on end of life based on geographic mapping

IntroductionIn Brazil, a country of continental dimensions, the lack of services in the different regions is a major barrier that prevents patients from accessing Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC). If accessing PPC is already challenging, end-of-life care for these patients may also be difficult. Therefore, this study is based on a recent mapping effort, aimed at reflecting on the end-of-life care for children in Palliative Care in Brazil.MethodDescriptive, cross-sectional study, and online survey research, based on a larger study of Palliative Care Network.ResultsThe final sample comprised 90 Pediatric Palliative Care services, which proved to be unevenly distributed across the country. Many services lack a minimum team, 40% face difficulties accessing opioids, and one-third do not provide bereavement care.DiscussionThere should be more services with better distribution across the country, and a minimum team should be required to provide adequate care for children and adolescents. Strategies to improve symptom control and grief support should be introduced.ConclusionsIt is concluded that continuing education and the inclusion of relevant topics in health courses are necessary. Additionally, health service managers must expand their focus to address these issues effectively.

Geographic information system mapping and predictors of glycemic control in children and youth with type 1 diabetes: a study from Western India.

Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, is a novel way to provide insights into spatial distribution of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and associations between T1D outcomes and potential predictors. We aimed to explore GIS in children with T1D, and identify predictors of poor glycemic control. Design: Cross-sectional; Participants: 402 children and youth (187 boys) with T1D. Place of residence (coordinates) of participants were geocoded in GIS. They were divided into two groups living in urban or peri-urban areas using ArcGIS Pro. The characteristics of urban/peri-urban living were linked to sociodemographic and biochemical data and spatial autocorrelation analysis was performed. Association between glycemic control and distance to our unit was studied. Mean age was 13.2±4.7 years; 196 children were living in urban areas, 206 in peri-urban areas. There was significant difference in HbA1c between groups (Urban 9.9 (9.7, 10.2) %, Peri-urban 10.5 (10.1, 10.8) %) (p=0.004); mean difference 0.5 (0.1, 1.0) with poorer glycemic control and higher prevalence of vitamin D sufficiency in peri-urban and higher prevalence of hypothyroidism in urban areas. There was significant correlation between glycemic control (HbA1c) and distance to our unit r=0.108 (0.023, 0.218) (p=0.031). Individuals with an HbA1c≥9.5 were residing farther away (58.9 (49.4, 68.5) km) as compared to those with HbA1c <9.5 (44.5 (35.1, 53.9) km) (p<0.05). Children with T1D when grouped using GIS had differences in glycemic control and comorbidities; peri-urban participants and those residing further away from our unit had poorer glycemic control. Future efforts may be aimed at identifying centers and channelizing resources towards children showing poor glycemic control, thus optimizing disease management.

Adaptive fuzzy logic for gap filling in UAV orthomosaics: A methodology for accurate geospatial mapping

Adaptive fuzzy logic for gap filling in UAV orthomosaics: A methodology for accurate geospatial mapping

Geographic Information System of Early Childhood School Mapping Using Android-Based Dijkstra Algorithm

Geographic Information System of Early Childhood School Mapping Using Android-Based Dijkstra Algorithm

The geological maps of Italy at the Natural History Museum of Milan

The Library of the Museum of Natural History and Aquarium of Milan possesses approximately 3,200 geographical, topographical, and geological maps. In the present catalog, 630 geological maps related to the Italian territory, with particular regard to Lombardy, published since the late 18th century, are listed. Most of these belong to the series published by the Geological Survey of Italy; a considerable number also comes from monographic works or periodicals. [...]

A study on the distribution and scale evolution of Jiangnan’s thatched cottages from Tang to Ming Dynasties

ABSTRACT The Thatched Cottage represents a form of garden where ancient Chinese literati lived in seclusion in the mountains and forests. Currently, research on thatched cottages primarily focuses on individual case studies, lacking a comprehensive examination of their historical trajectory. This article focuses on the historical development and scale evolution of thatched cottages, aiming to draw people’s attention to the cultural heritage of thatched cottages. Through literature analysis, 92 thatched cottages in the southern region of the Yangtze River in China from the Tang Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty were sorted out. Draw a geographical distribution map of thatched cottages and study their development. Further research on Suzhou city revealed that during the Ming Dynasty, the distribution of thatched cottages in Suzhou tended to shift from suburban areas to urban areas. While the number of thatched cottages increased, their scale also decreased. Research has shown that the large-scale thatched cottages in the Tang and Song dynasties were related to the privatization of land policies, while the reduction of thatched cottages in the Ming dynasty was related to the intensification of the contradiction between people and land and the rapid development of urbanization.

Predicting Leptospirosis Using Baseline Laboratory Tests and Geospatial Mapping of Acute Febrile Illness Cases Through Machine Learning-Based Algorithm

Predicting Leptospirosis Using Baseline Laboratory Tests and Geospatial Mapping of Acute Febrile Illness Cases Through Machine Learning-Based Algorithm

Study of the application of UAV and LiDAR to topographic survey of mountainous forest areas – Case study of Win 3 Wind Power Plant Project, Huong Hoa District, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam

Abstract Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology in conjunction with aerial photography and aerial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) was used for topographic surveying of the Win 3 Wind Power Project area, a complex mountainous terrain situated in the Huong Hoa district of Quang Tri province, Vietnam with the primary objective to produce a map with a scale of 1:1,000 with a contour interval of 1.0 m, accompanied by 3D point clouds, a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and an orthomosaic. Employing the UAV LiDAR system of DJI Matrice 300 RTK, we conduct ed survey flights, achieving a high point density laser scanning of 229 points/m2 and capturing ultra-high-resolution imagery at 4.22 cm/pixel. The integration of aerial LiDAR and photographic data results in a rich and detailed information repository regarding the surveyed terrain demonstrating that UAV LiDAR technology is a robust tool for geographic data collection, particularly in challenging terrain conditions in Vietnam. We also evaluated the accuracy of the created topographic map, achieving results that surpass the technical requirements and quality standards of the project. This underscores the potential and effectiveness of UAV LiDAR technology in the field of large-scale geographic data collection and mapping in Vietnam.

Captive swedes and the formation of mathematical cartography in Siberia (1711–1722)

After the defeat of Charles XII at Poltava, thousands of soldiers and officers of his army ended up in Russian captivity. Many of them were then exiled beyond the Urals, where they lived from 1711 to 1722. It is the Swedish officers that the beginnings of mathematical cartography of Siberia are associated with. The article analyzes the aspects of the work of the best known Swedish cartographer, Captain Philip Johan Tabbert (Philipp Johann von Strahlenberg) and provides information about other Swedes who engaged in cartography. At the early stage of the formation of mathematical cartography, an important problem was converting Russian linear measures into degrees. Various ratios used by both the Swedish captives and the Russian land surveyors are given. The methodology for longitude coordinates determination was studied based on the analysis of the maps and diary entries, made by Tabbert during D. G. Messerschmidt’s expedition. Indirect evidence of measurements of latitudinal coordinates, carried out by Swedish captives before the arrival of Russian surveyors in Siberia, has been collected. All of this enabled the analysis of mathematical basis of the two manuscript maps made by the Swedes in Siberia. It is concluded that the geographical maps, drawn in the Siberian captivity by Charles XII’s officers, continued the European tradition of mapping Siberia, being a separate stage in this process. What distinguished such maps was that their authors lived in the region they mapped. The Swedish captives became the first cartographers of Siberia, who created mathematically precise geographical maps with a grade grid, rather than hand-drawn, artistic maps. At the same time, Swedish officers’ efforts associated with creating geographical maps of Siberia had no impact on the development of Russian cartography. It was not the Swedes who broke the tradition of cartographic isography but, rather, the Russian graduates of the Maritime Academy who began working in Siberia in 1719.

Quantifying supply and demand of cultural ecosystem services from a dynamic perspective

This study introduces a dynamic perspective to assess Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) supply and demand, addressing the limitations of previous research. We take a park as a case study, paying special attention to key CES types such as aesthetics, recreation, social relations, and education. We employed various data acquisition methods, including behavioral observations, and public participatory Geographic Information System mapping to collect data. Our research revealed that the park primarily offers aesthetics and recreational services, while the provision of social relations and educational services is relatively limited. This emphasizes the need for urban park planning to address a wider range of diverse needs, including social relations and educational activities. Furthermore, the study uncovers how the supply-demand ratios of different CES types vary throughout the day, offering valuable insights for the effective allocation of resources and their rational arrangement. The broad applicability and dynamic perspective of this method open up new possibilities for CES assessment in various contexts. This innovative method provides fresh perspectives and tools for urban planning and environmental management, allowing decision-makers to better meet the diverse CES needs of human societies.

DRN-DSA: A hybrid deep learning network model for precipitation nowcasting using time series data

Precipitation nowcasting involves short-term weather forecasting, predicting rain or snow within the next two hours. By analyzing current atmospheric conditions, it aids meteorologists in identifying weather patterns and preparing for severe events such as flooding. These nowcasts are typically displayed on geographical maps by weather services. However, the rapidly changing climate conditions make precipitation nowcasting a formidable challenge, as accurate short-term forecasts are hindered by immediate weather fluctuations. Traditional nowcasting methods, like numerical models and radar extrapolation, have limitations in delivering highly detailed and timely precipitation nowcasts. To overcome this issue, an effective solution is framed for precipitation nowcasting using a hybrid network approach named Deep Residual Network-Deep Stacked Autoencoder (DRN-DSA). Initially, the input time series data is acquired from the dataset. Thereafter, the effective technical indicators are extracted at the feature extraction stage. Later on, precipitation-type nowcasting is carried out using the proposed hybrid DRN-DSA, which is developed by incorporating a Deep Stacked Autoencoder (DSA) and Deep Residual Network (DRN). Finally, Weather nowcasting is carried out using the same proposed hybrid DSA-DRN. Moreover, when compared to other traditional models, the proposed DRN-DSA has gained superior results with a Relative Absolute Error (RAE) of 0.295, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.154, low Mean Square Error (MSE) of 0.0236, Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 0.295, and False Acceptance Rate (FAR) of 0.0118.