Successional stage and geographic features determine floristic similarity among Atlantic Forest remnants, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Analysis of floristic similarity relationships between plant communities can detect patterns of species occurrence and also explain conditioning factors. Searching for such patterns, floristic similarity relationships among Atlantic Forest sites situated at Ibiuna Plateau, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, were analyzed by multivariate techniques. Twenty one forest fragments and six sites within a continuous Forest Reserve were included in the analyses. Floristic composition and structure of the tree community (minimum dbh 5 cm) were assessed using the point centered quarter method. Two methods were used for multivariate analysis: Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN). Similarity relationships among the study areas were based on the successional stage of the community and also on spatial proximity. The more similar the successional stage of the communities, the higher the floristic similarity between them, especially if the communities are geographically close. A floristic gradient from north to south was observed, suggesting a transition between biomes, since northern indicator species are mostly heliophytes, occurring also in cerrado vegetation and seasonal semideciduous forest, while southern indicator species are mostly typical ombrophilous and climax species from typical dense evergreen Atlantic Forest.

Vancouver's discovery of Puget Sound; portraits and biographies of the men honored in the naming of geographic features of northwestern America,

Chapters 5-12 (p. 60-334) include a portion of Vancouver's journal, reprinted from v. 2 of his Voyage of discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and round the world: 2d edition. London, 1801. The reprint "is designed to follow that explorer from the time he strikes the shore of the present state of Washington ... on into Puget Sound, and around Vancouver Island, and, finally, through the negotiations at Nootka".

Proposal for the Management of temporal and semantic components of Geographic Information

This poster raises the issue of a research work oriented to the storage, retrieval, representation and analysis of dynamic GI, taking into account The ultimate objective is the modelling and representation of the dynamic nature of geographic features, establishing mechanisms to store geometries enriched with a temporal structure (regardless of space) and a set of semantic descriptors detailing and clarifying the nature of the represented features and their temporality. the semantic, the temporal and the spatiotemporal components. We intend to define a set of methods, rules and restrictions for the adequate integration of these components into the primary elements of the GI: theme, location, time [1]. We intend to establish and incorporate three new structures (layers) into the core of data storage by using mark-up languages: a semantictemporal structure, a geosemantic structure, and an incremental spatiotemporal structure. Thus, data would be provided with the capability of pinpointing and expressing their own basic and temporal characteristics, enabling them to interact each other according to their context, and their time and meaning relationships that could be eventually established

Proposal for the Management of temporal and semantic components of Geographic Information

This poster raises the issue of a research work oriented to the storage, retrieval, representation and analysis of dynamic GI, taking into account the semantic, the temporal and the spatiotemporal components. We intend to define a set of methods, rules and restrictions for the adequate integration of these components into the primary elements of the GI: theme, location, time [1]. We intend to establish and incorporate three new structures (layers) into the core of data storage by using mark-up languages: a semantictemporal structure, a geosemantic structure, and an incremental spatiotemporal structure. The ultimate objective is the modelling and representation of the dynamic nature of geographic features, establishing mechanisms to store geometries enriched with a temporal structure (regardless of space) and a set of semantic descriptors detailing and clarifying the nature of the represented features and their temporality. Thus, data would be provided with the capability of pinpointing and expressing their own basic and temporal characteristics, enabling them to interact each other according to their context, and their time and meaning relationships that could be eventually established

Settlement geography of African refugee communities in Southeast Queensland : an analysis of residential distribution and secondary migration

Before 2001, most Africans immigrating to Australia were white South Africans and Zimbabweans who arrived as economic and family-reunion migrants (Cox, Cooper & Adepoju, 1999). Black African communities are a more recent addition to the Australian landscape, with most entering Australia as refugees after 2001. African refugees are a particularly disadvantaged immigrant group, which the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (in the Community Relations Commission of New South Wales, 2006) suggests require high levels of settlement support (p.23). Decision makers and settlement service providers need to have settlement data on the communities so that they can be effective in planning, budgeting and delivering support where it is most needed. Settlement data are also useful for determining the challenges that these communities face in trying to establish themselves in resettlement. There has been no verification of existing secondary data sources, however, or previous formal study of African refugee settlement geography in Southeast Queensland. This research addresses the knowledge gap by using a mixed-method approach to identify and describe the distribution and population size of eight African communities in Southeast Queensland, examine secondary migration patterns in these communities and assess the relationship between these geographic features and housing, a critical factor in successful settlement. Significant discrepancies exist between the primary data gathered in the study and existing secondary data relating to population size and distribution of the communities. Results also reveal a tension between the socio-cultural forces and the housing and economic imperatives driving secondary migration in the communities, and a general lack of engagement by African refugees with structured support networks. These findings have a wide range of implications for policy and for groups that provide settlement support to these communities.

Landscape Genetics of Raccoons (Procyon lotor) Associated with Ridges and Valleys of Pennsylvania: Implications for Oral Rabies Vaccination Programs

Raccoons are the reservoir for the raccoon rabies virus variant in the United States. To combat this threat, oral rabies vaccination (ORV) programs are conducted in many eastern states. To aid in these efforts, the genetic structure of raccoons (Procyon lotor) was assessed in southwestern Pennsylvania to determine if select geographic features (i.e., ridges and valleys) serve as corridors or hindrances to raccoon gene flow (e.g., movement) and, therefore, rabies virus trafficking in this physiographic region. Raccoon DNA samples (n = 185) were collected from one ridge site and two adjacent valleys in southwestern Pennsylvania (Westmoreland, Cambria, Fayette, and Somerset counties). Raccoon genetic structure within and among these study sites was characterized at nine microsatellite loci. Results indicated that there was little population subdivision among any sites sampled. Furthermore, analyses using a model-based clustering approach indicated one essentially panmictic population was present among all the raccoons sampled over a reasonably broad geographic area (e.g., sites up to 36 km apart). However, a signature of isolation by distance was detected, suggesting that widths of ORV zones are critical for success. Combined, these data indicate that geographic features within this landscape influence raccoon gene flow only to a limited extent, suggesting that ridges of this physiographic system will not provide substantial long-term natural barriers to rabies virus trafficking. These results may be of value for future ORV efforts in Pennsylvania and other eastern states with similar landscapes.

Notebook on geography, navigation, mensuration, and other subjects, ca. 1723-1743

This heavily illustrated notebook contains entries on the following topics, among others: geography; mensuration; navigation and the history of navigation; "the use of Gunter's Scale in plain sailing;" compasses; quadrants and their use; "the refraction of the stars observed by the famous Tycho Brahe;" the latitude and longitude of coasts in America, Europe, and Africa; oceans and islands; mountains and "burning mountains" (volcanoes); rivers and lakes; forests and deserts; maps and sea charts; and the uses of geometry and other measurements by carpenters, joiners, painters, glaziers, masons, and bricklayers. Many pages contain navigational problems and their detailed solutions, as well as chronologies of global exploration and lists of all known rivers, mountains, and other geographic features across the world, many with vivid descriptions. The last pages of the notebook contain entries made in December of 1743 regarding celestial measurements Prince took in Stratford, Connecticut, where he was staying with his brother.

Characteristics of aerosols over the Indian region and their variability associated with atmospheric conditions

The aerosols in the atmosphere play major role in the radiation balance of the Earthatmosphere system. Direct and indirect impact of aerosols on the weather and climate still remains as a topic to be investigated in detail. The effect of aerosols on the radiation budget and thereby circulation pattern is important and requires further study. A detailed analysis of the aerosol properties, their variability and meteorological processes that affect the aerosol properties and distribution over the Indian region is performed in the thesis. The doctoral thesis entitled “Characteristics of aerosols over the Indian region and their variability associated with atmospheric conditions” contains 7 chapters. This thesis presents results on the analysis on the distribution (spatial and temporal) and characteristics of the aerosols over the Indian region and adjoining seas. Regional and stationwise data were analysed and methods such as modeling and statistical analysis are implemented to understand the aerosol properties, classification and transportation. Chapter-1 presents a brief introduction on the aerosols, their measurement techniques, impact of aerosols on the atmospheric radiation budget, climatic and geographic features of the study area and the literature review on the previous studies. It provides a basic understanding in the field of study and objective of the thesis. Definition of the aerosols, their sources/sinks and classification of the particles according to optical and microphysical properties are described. Different measurement techniques such as sampling and remote sensing methods are explained in detail. Physical parameters used to describe aerosol properties and effect of aerosols on the radiation distribution are also discussed. The chapter also explains the objectives of the thesis and description of climatic features of the study area.

Using crowdsourced imagery to detect cultural ecosystem services: a case study in South Wales, UK

Within ecological research and environmental management, there is currently a focus on demonstrating the links between human well-being and wildlife conservation. Within this framework, there is a clear interest in better understanding how and why people value certain places over others. We introduce a new method that measures cultural preferences by exploring the potential of multiple online georeferenced digital photograph collections. Using ecological and social considerations, our study contributes to the detection of places that provide cultural ecosystem services. The degree of appreciation of a specific place is derived from the number of people taking and sharing pictures of it. The sequence of decisions and actions taken to share a digital picture of a given place includes the effort to travel to the place, the willingness to take a picture, the decision to geolocate the picture, and the action of sharing it through the Internet. Hence, the social activity of sharing pictures leaves digital proxies of spatial preferences, with people sharing specific photos considering the depicted place not only “worth visiting” but also “worth sharing visually.” Using South Wales as a case study, we demonstrate how the proposed methodology can help identify key geographic features of high cultural value. These results highlight how the inclusion of geographical user-generated content, also known as volunteered geographic information, can be very effective in addressing some of the current priorities in conservation. Indeed, the detection of the most appreciated nonurban areas could be used for better prioritization, planning, and management.

Le Mississipi ou la Louisiane dans l'Amérique septentrionale.

Hand colored.

Breaking Images, Widening Perceptions : Reflections on Horacio Quiroga in Translation

Horacio Quiroga (1878-1937) es uno de los escritores más logrados por sus cuentos y sigue siendo aclamado por la crítica en el mundo de habla hispana. Sus obras son consideradas parte del canon dentro de la tradición literaria sudamericana. Algunas de sus historias más renombradas circulan para la audiencia más global, publicadas en diversas colecciones y antologías que han sido posibles por haber sido traducidas al inglés. La versión más disponible en inglés es la traducción realizada por Margaret Sayers Peden ((1976) 2004), Quiroga habla por medio de las elecciones que realizó la traductora. Sin embargo, cabe preguntarse: ¿es este el Horacio Quiroga que las generaciones anteriores conocieron, apreciaron y alabaron? ¿Han logrado sobrevivir a la operación traductológica en inglés su prosa exquisita y su narrativa fotográfica para los lectores en inglés? Este artículo intenta abordar temas centrales de la traducción literaria en cuanto los textos de Quiroga y de Sayers Peden. También trata sobre las estrategias de domesticación, sobre cómo la manipulación del original puede traer consecuencias para la legibilidad, además la importancia de conocer bien los rasgos sociopolíticos y las características geográficas y, no menor, la responsabilidad profesional implícita en el rol del traductor como mediador cultural ya que selecciona, edita y publica literatura que no pertenece a lo convencional y establecido.

The association between objectively measured neighbourhood features and walking for transport in mid-aged adults

The aim of this paper is to examine the association between a range of objectively measured neighbourhood features and the likelihood of mid-aged adults walking for transport. Increased walking for transport would bring multiple benefits, including improved population and environmental health. As part of the baseline HABITAT study, 10,745 residents of Brisbane, Australia, aged 40–65 years, from 200 neighbourhoods were asked about the time they spent walking for transport. Walking data were collected by mail survey and the physical environmental features of neighbourhoods were compiled using a geographic information systems database. Walking for transport was categorised into four levels and the association between walking and each neighbourhood characteristic was examined using multilevel multinomial models. A number of threshold trends were evident; for example, off-road bikeways were consistently associated with walking between 60 and 150 min per week. Living within 500 m of public transit was also an important predictor but only for those who walked for less than 150 min per week. Interventions targeting these neighbourhood characteristics may lead to improved environmental quality, lower rates of overweight and obesity and associated chromic disease.

Geographic co-distribution of influenza virus subtypes H7N9 and H5N1 in humans, China

Human infection with a novel low pathogenicity influenza A(H7N9) virus in eastern China has recently raised global public health concerns (1). The geographic sources of infection have yet to be fully clarified, and confirmed human cases from 1 province have not been linked to those from other provinces. While some studies have identified epidemiologic characteristics of subtype H7N9 cases and clinical differences between these cases and cases of highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1), another avian influenza affecting parts of China (2–4), the spatial epidemiology of human infection with influenza subtypes H7N9 and H5N1 in China has yet to be elucidated. To test the hypothesis of co-distribution of high-risk clusters of both types of infection, we used all available data on human cases in mainland China and investigated the geospatial epidemiologic features...

Morphological and molecular characterization of an equine isolate of Pythium insidiosum and comparison with the first human isolate from the same geographic region

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)