APPLICATION OF THE GIS-BASED 3D MODELING OF MULTIFLAT BUILDINGS TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS ON A CITY SCALE

This article is aimed at expanding and deepening knowledge in GIS analysis for medical professionals. Key task of described research is to elaborate a methodology of 3D mapping and visualization of the multiflat buildings in order to study most socially valuable diseases on the apartment scale in the St. Petersburg city. The use of this methodology allows to avoid the aggregation of geographical information within one building, and, on the other hand, allows to move from a general assessment of the prevalence of the disease to specific cases. In this case, the methodology is considered as primary health care support. The paper describes elaborated approach to detailed 3D mapping of multiple disease hotbeds in multiflat buildings. Main benefit of the proposed set of data processing and mapping techniques is the capability of apartment-scale connectivity evaluation of the hotbeds inside multiflat buildings.

Tájhasználati érdekek és ellenérdekek az Alföldön – a természetvédelem, a mezőgazdaság és a turizmus kapcsolata a Kiskunsági Nemzeti Park példáján

Protecting nature and conserving biodiversity in habitats are now important principles worldwide. However, the use of conservation areas in many cases are affected by agriculture and tourism, too. In this paper, we aim to summarise the cooperation and conflicts between nature conservation, agriculture and tourism in the Kiskunság National Park (KNP), looking back over the past decades. Based on document reviews, in-depth interviews and GIS analysis we scrutinize how the economic interests are reflected in the use of the conservation areas. Our results show that the 'margin of manoeuvre' for nature conservation is continuously narrowing and many factors – such as the EU’s agricultural and rural development support schemes – influence the processes in protected areas. Thus, the recognition of the interdependence of the three sectors and the necessity of cooperation provide the basis for successful rural development in the areas of nature conservation.

Land-cover change in the department of Vichada, Colombia, from 1985 to 2017

Contextualization: Colombia has experienced multiple land-cover changes derived from socio-economic policies that have reduced the high biodiversity of the country. Knowledge gap: In the Orinoquía region, the pressure to expand the agricultural frontier is increasing, without considering the importance of its natural resources. Purpose: This paper aimed to analyze the land-cover variations associated with agricultural practices, in the department of Vichada, with a special interest in vulnerable ecosystems, such as the Bita’s river basin, using Geographic Information System [GIS] analysis of historical images taken by a remote sensor from the United States Geological Service [USGS] Earth Explorer portal. Methodology: Documental review and an analysis of satellite images from 1985 to 2017. Results and conclusions: The results showed that in Vichada, during a 32-year period, there was a transition from forest to cropland and pastures, in which 60% of the forest cover got lost. Moreover, areas of natural savannas were also replaced with pastures for livestock production. These land-cover changes were associated with government policies that fomented illegal occupation of land, monocultures, and non-native plantation forests. Bita’s river basin also lost a significant part of forest cover because of agribusiness development in the municipality of Puerto Carreño (Vichada). These land-cover changes have an impact on the ecological integrity of significant ecosystems and in their functionality in the region, that is why, conservation measures must be implemented.

Household Quarry-Reservoirs at the Ancient Maya Site of Yaxnohcah, Mexico

In this study, we present new data from the ancient Maya site of Yaxnohcah in southern Mexico. These data, which are drawn from lidar-based GIS analysis, field inspection, and the excavation of two small, closed depressions, suggest that many of this site's features served a dual function. Quarrying to extract construction materials left behind closed depressions that were then sealed to create household reservoirs. We classify these water-storage features as quarry-reservoirs. The ubiquity of these small quarry-reservoirs represented an important community water source outside the sphere of direct elite control.

Serological Survey of Canine Vector-Borne Infections in North-Center Spain

Various factors are currently causing an increase in vector-borne parasitic diseases at a global scale; among them, some stand out, such as climatic disturbances derived from global change, the increase in movements of reservoir animals, or changes in land made by human activity. In the European continent, there have been an increasing number of epidemiological studies focused on the detection of these diseases, especially in dogs. In Spain, there are few epidemiological studies focused on the evaluation of the biotic and abiotic factors that may influence the distribution, such as climatic zones, orography, or presence of water reservoirs. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and distribution of several canine vector-borne diseases caused by Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma platys, and Ehrlichia canis in the autonomous community of Castilla y León, the largest region of the Iberian Peninsula, providing a geospatial approach based on a geographic information system (GIS) analysis. Blood from a total of 1,475 domestic dogs from the nine provinces of Castilla y León were analyzed. Also, a GIS analysis of the sample locations was carried out, taking into account the most important predictor variables. The prevalence in dogs infected by D. immitis was 7.19%, and the seroprevalence by L. infantum was 4.61 and 1.56% for A. platys and E. canis. Most of the infected animals were located in areas with stagnant water, irrigated agriculture, or riverbanks, always close to forest and woodland vegetation. These results indicate that dogs living in Castilla y León should take prophylactic measures to avoid infections.

Application of GIS: Maritime Accident Analysis in Malaysian Waters Using Kernel Density Function

Statistics from the Marine Department in Malaysian Territorial waters has shown an increase in maritime accidents. The data of maritime accidents, including latitude and longitude of the locations, are analysed using Geographical Information System with Kernel Density function. This is to visualise, locate and identify the high-risk location of maritime accidents in Malaysian waters. Using the GIS analysis, the findings suggest that the data of the high-risk maritime location is at Malacca Straits. The results showed that GIS analysis is a useful tool to analyse maritime accidents data and can be used as a guidance for navigators to plan their passage in order to avoid maritime accidents.

ToxPi*GIS Toolkit: Creating, viewing, and sharing integrative visualizations for geospatial data using ArcGIS

Background: Presenting a comprehensive picture of geographic data comprising multiple factors is an inherently integrative undertaking. Visualizing such data in an interactive form is essential for public sharing and geographic information systems (GIS) analysis. The Toxicological Prioritization Index (ToxPi) framework has been used as an integrative model layered atop geospatial data, and its deployment within the dynamic ArcGIS universe would open up powerful new avenues for sophisticated, interactive GIS analysis. Objective: We propose an actively developed suite of software, the ToxPi*GIS Toolkit, for creating, viewing, sharing, and analyzing interactive ToxPi figures in ArcGIS. Methods: The ToxPi*GIS Toolkit is a collection of methods for creating interactive feature layers that contain ToxPi diagrams. It currently includes an ArcGIS Toolbox (ToxPiToolbox.tbx) for drawing geographically located ToxPi diagrams onto a feature layer, a collection of modular Python scripts that create predesigned layer files containing ToxPi feature layers from the command line, and a collection of Python routines for useful data manipulation and preprocessing. We present workflows documenting ToxPi feature layer creation, sharing, and embedding for both novice and advanced users looking for additional customizability. Results: Map visualizations created with the ToxPi*GIS Toolkit can be made freely available on public URLs, allowing users without ArcGIS Pro access or expertise to view and interact with them. Novice users with ArcGIS Pro access can create de novo custom maps, and advanced users can exploit additional customization options. The ArcGIS Toolbox provides a simple means for generating ToxPi feature layers. We illustrate its usage with current COVID-19 data to compare drivers of pandemic vulnerability in counties across the United States. Significance: Development of new features, which will advance the interests of the scientific community in many fields, is ongoing for the ToxPi*GIS Toolkit, which can be accessed from www.toxpi.org.

Solar Irradiation Evaluation through GIS Analysis Based on Grid Resolution and a Mathematical Model: A Case Study in Northeast Mexico

The estimation of the solar resource on certain surfaces of the planet is a key factor in deciding where to establish solar energy collection systems. This research uses a mathematical model based on easy-access geographic and meteorological information to calculate total solar radiation at ground surface. This information is used to create a GIS analysis of the State of Nuevo León in Mexico and identify solar energy opportunities in the territory. The analyzed area was divided into a grid and the coordinates of each corner are used to feed the mathematical model. The obtained results were validated with statistical analyses and satellite-based estimations from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The applied approach and the results may be replicated to estimate solar radiation in other regions of the planet without requiring readings from on-site meteorological stations and therefore reducing the cost of decision-making regarding where to place the solar energy collection equipment.