Geographies of Chemical Warfare in Vietnam: The Merry Band of Retirees

This review explores the recent development of research on rainbow herbicides as chemical weapons and the geographies of chemical warfare in what is now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. While the use and impacts of Agent Orange have previously been well documented, the production and extensive application of five other rainbow agents by the United States military has only recently been investigated in detail. What is exceptional about this research of chemical warfare landscapes is that the 23 refereed journal publications in this review were designed, implemented, and published in a unique collective research project by Ken Olson and a Merry Band of Military Retirees. Their groundbreaking research portfolio includes many geographical dimensions and the political ecology of chemical warfare. This includes the extensive exposure of civilians in Vietnam to these chemical agents, exposure of US military personnel in Southeast Asia and Panama, exposure of civilians near the private industrial sites that produced these rainbow agents in North America and the hazardous soil contamination that perseveres at these sites in Vietnam and the US. Given this impressive research depth and global scope, this review explores the unique way this research portfolio was developed by a Merry Band of Retirees through an interview with its leader, Ken Olson. It examines the goals and ethical orientation of these military veterans, the political ecology involved, the creative strategies they utilized to produce this innovative research, and how they changed the way Veterans exposed to chemical warfare agents are treated by the US government.

Some Reflections of the Geographies of Socio-Economic Impact of the Kosi River Floods, 2008

In India, floods remain a natural recurrent event of many major rivers of the sub-continent. Most frequently, it occurs during the ＂monsoon season＂ when precipitation remains very heavy and the natural watercourses fail to accommodate excess water. The river Kosi, located in Bihar, India too bears a long history of annual floods and is often labeled as a ＂Sorrow of Bihar＂ due to its strange behavioural attributes and the extensive damage it causes as a result of severe flood inundation. The river Kosi is one of the megafans of the Gangetic plains. Geologic evidence demonstrates that the megafans are prone to devastating flood hazards. On August 18, 2008, the river Kosi burst through its banks to flow into a channel it had abandoned more than 200 years ago, drowning towns, numerous villages and rendering over a million homeless and many were reported to have died. The research is an attempt to reflect on the geographies of socio-economic impact of the Kosi flood, 2008. For this, the research uses a holistic approach. The findings suggest that the rescue and rehabilitation operation continue in the post flood region. However, operations were significantly delayed as the result of inept bureaucratic process and insufficient funding. The final sections draw together, the threads of analysis and suggest suitable measures, so that the floods of such magnitude can be managed better in near future.

Spatio-Temporal Trend and Geographic Disparity of Infertility Prevalence in Burkina Faso, 2011 to 2020

Background: Infertility affected 10% to 25% of couples globally, and about half of the infertility cases were reported in sub-Saharan Africa. Infertility poses significant social, cultural, and health challenges, particularly for women who often face stigmatization. However, comprehensive and nationally representative data, including prevalence, temporal trends, and risk factors, are lacking, prompting a study in Burkina Faso to address the need for informed policies and programs in infertility care and management. Objectives: This study aims to better understand the spatiotemporal trend of infertility prevalence in Burkina Faso. Methodology: This is a retrospective population-based study of women infertility from healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso, during January 2011 to December 2020. We calculated the prevalence rates of infertility and two disparity measures, and examined the spatiotemporal trend of infertility. Results: Over the 10-year period (2011 to 2020), 143,421 infertility cases were recorded in Burkina Faso healthcare facilities, resulting of a mean prevalence rate of 3.61‰ among childbearing age women and 17.87‰ among women who consulted healthcare facilities for reproductive issues (except contraception). The findings revealed a significant increase of infertility, with the prevalence rate varied from 2.75‰ in 2011 to 4.62‰ in 2020 among childbearing age women and from 13.38‰ in 2011 to 26.28‰ in 2020 among women who consulted healthcare facilities for reproductive issues, corresponding to an estimate annual percentage change of 8.31% and 9.80% respectively. There were significant temporal and geographic variations in the prevalence of infertility. While relative geographic disparity decreased, absolute geographic disparity showed an increasing trend over time. Conclusion: The study highlights an increasing trend of infertility prevalence and significant geographic variation in Burkina Faso, underscoring the urgent necessity for etiologic research on risk factors, psychosocial implications, and economic consequences to inform effective interventions and mitigate the socioeconomic impact of infertility.

Hepatocellular carcinoma national burden across different geographical regions in the United States between 2001 and 2020

BACKGROUND While prior data showed an increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in the United States,there are limited comprehensive and comparative data on the geographical variations of HCC trends in different demographicspecific populations.AIM To evaluate sex and age-specific incidence rates and time trends in different geographical regions in the United States.METHODS Age-adjusted HCC incidence rates were collected from the United States Cancer Statistics(USCS)database which covers approximately 98%of the population in the United States.HCC rates were stratified by sex,age,and geographical region.annual percentage change(APC)and average APC(AAPC)were estimated using Joinpoint Regression.A pairwise comparison was conducted between sex-specific trends.RESULTS There were 467344 patients diagnosed with HCC in the United States in the USCS database between 2001 and 2020.The rates and trends varied by geographical region.When looking at the West region(115336 patients),incidence rates of HCC were overall increasing and also increasing in older adults.However,when evaluating younger adults,HCC incidence rates decreased in men but not in women with a sex-specific absolute AAPC-difference of 2.15(P=0.005).When evaluating the Midwest region(84612 patients),similar results were seen.While incidence rates were increasing in the overall population and in older adults as well,they were decreasing in younger men but not in women with a sex-specific absolute AAPC-difference of 1.61(P<0.001).For the Northeast region(87259 patients),the analysis showed similar results with decreasing HCC incidence rates in younger men but not counterpart women(Sex-specific AAPC-difference=3.26,P<0.001).Lastly,when evaluating the south(180137 patients),the results were also decreasing in younger men but not in women(Sex-specific AAPC-difference=2.55,P<0.001).CONCLUSION Nationwide analysis covering around 98%of the United States population shows an increasing incidence of HCC across all geographical regions,most notably in the South.While younger men experienced decreasing HCC incidence,younger women had a stable trend and this was noted across all regions as well.Our study offers insight into the epidemiology of HCC in different demographic groups across various United States geographical regions.While the reasons contributing to our findings are unclear,they can be related to sex and regional disparities in healthcare access and utilization.Future research is warranted to characterize the temporal change in HCC risk factors across different United States regions.

Urban China in Transformation:Hybrid Economy,Juxtaposed Space,and New Testing Ground for Geographical Enquiries

History has brought us into a significant moment when the majority of the human kind has taken up resi-dence in urban settlements. The focus of global urbanization has shifted to the developing world and the center of manufacturing is no longer confined to the Global North. This paper provides a periodical assessment of the current status of China's urban transformation in the global context of a shifting emphasis of industrialization and urbaniza-tion. China's phenomenal urban transformation deserves a special attention not only because of its unparalleled scale and speed but also because of its distinct trajectory of growth that does not conform to normal theoretical ex-pectations. The results of assessment revealed an urban economy with remarkable hybridity, a society that is in-creasingly stratified, polarized, and segregated, and a juxtaposed urban space undergoing restless and pervasive transformation. A decentering world should entail a decentering knowledge production. A critical reflection upon the Chinese patterns and processes of urban transformation has identified 4 main issues with great potentials for inno-vative knowledge production, namely: 1) privatization and economic development; 2) state, society, and space; 3) urbanization of capital, labor, and land; and 4) the environment and Chinese political ecology. The paper closes with the remark that a rapidly transforming urban China has presented itself as a fertile and resourceful testing ground for critical and innovative geographic enquiries.

Geographic integration of hepatitis C virus: A global threat

AIM To assess hepatitis C virus(HCV) geographic integration, evaluate the spatial and temporal evolution of HCV worldwide and propose how to diminish its burden. METHODS A literature search of published articles was performed using Pub Med, MEDLINE and other related databases up to December 2015. A critical data assessment and analysis regarding the epidemiological integration of HCV was carried out using the meta-analysis method. RESULTS The data indicated that HCV has been integrated immensely over time and through various geographical regions worldwide. The history of HCV goes back to 1535 but between 1935 and 1965 it exhibited a rapid, exponential spread. This integration is clearly seen in the geo-epidemiology and phylogeography of HCV. HCV integration can be mirrored either as intra-continental or trans-continental. Migration, drug trafficking and HCV co-infection, together with other potential risk factors, have acted as a vehicle for this integration. Evidence shows that the geographic integration of HCV has been important in the global and regional distribution of HCV.CONCLUSION HCV geographic integration is clearly evident and this should be reflected in the prevention and treatment of this ongoing pandemic.

Effects of Geographic and Topographic Factors on First Frost in Shanxi Province from 1961 to 2010

Based on day-to-day minimal ground temperatures in 1961-2010 from 62 meteorological stations in Shanxi province,the variation characteristics of Shanxi＇s first frost were analyzed.The results show：Shanxi＇s average first frost date was October 7,and the first frost date of the north was generally earlier than the south; the average first frost date had obvious negative correlations with altitude and latitude,and the correlation coefficients were respectively-0.85 and-0.82.M-K mutation test shows that the first frost date of most meteorological stations had mutations from 1961 to 2010,mainly in the years from 1981 to 2000,and the mutation year of the central area was generally later than the north and the south; the mutation year had negative correlations with altitude and latitude,and the correlation coefficients were respectively-0.45 and-0.51.The first frost dates of most stations had a delaying trend.Specifically,the large delaying scope region was located in the north and the mid-east,and the large advancing scope region was located in the south and the south central.The changing trend had negative correlations with altitude and latitude,and the correlation coefficients were respectively-0.30 and-0.37.Probabilities of the mild,the moderate and the severe first frost were 62％-82％,6％-26％ and 4％-22％,respectively,and the maximum probabilities appeared in the south central ＆ northeast,the central ＆ north central and the west ＆ north central.Correlation of altitude with first frost tends to be volatile upon frost grade and latitude has bigger impacts on first frost probabilities.

Geographic Information Systems Used as a Practical Way of Teaching Mathematics

This paper presents reflections on proposals to merge Mathematics and Geography when teaching undergraduates from inter- and trans-disciplinary spatial models using mathematical modeling to enable spatial analysis and visualization through GIS—Geographic Information Systems. It brings forward an approach to Geography with new technologies integrating it with Statistics and Computer Science among other subjects. Thus, it describes some practical cases that are examples of geographical problems solved mathematically. The results show that GIS can be an educational tool for teaching both Geography and Mathematics.

On the geographical value of geomancy and its position in the ancient Chinese geography

Geomancy has long been neglected in the geographical circle in China because it was simply treated as superstition and its geographical value was not recognized correctly So, from the angle of geography (both physical and human geography), this treatise analyses the geographical thoughts and value of geomancy, expounds the relationship between it and the ancient Chinese geography and makes the former position in the latter clear It is pointed out that: (1) There were two levels of geographytheoretical geography and applied geography, and three main cluesofficial geography, scholar's geography and folk geography in the development of ancient Chinese geography (2) However, although usually interacted, the above three main clues of the ancient Chinese geography had their own specific features respectively and had never become a synthetic geography (3) As to geomancy, it existed among all these kinds of ancient Chinese geography, but mainly belonged to the level of applied geography and was embodied in the folk geography essentially (4) There were plenty of geographical thoughts in geomancy, especially in the respect of practice It had special, unreplacable effect on the transformation of the natural landscape and creation of the human landscape in China

ON THE CHANGING AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURE AND ITS GEOGRAPHIC STUDIES

The aghcultural structure is defined as an interactive combination of controllable factors, which constitutes a supporting framework of agricultural system. It is a dynamic structure which changes with economic development Currentiy in China, the traditional aghculture is gradually transforming into the modern one, and the changing agricultural structure attracts attention of experts from different disciplines. The authors of this artide sopt that geographers should actively take part in the Studies of agricultural structure changes, and the conopt of 'major agricultural system' should be accepted for the purpose of expanding the area of their sclentific investigation, encouraging theoredcal innovation, improving research methods and techniques, and serving agricultural modernization.

The concept, structure and characteristics of the distributed virtual coal-mine geographical environment

Distributed virtual coal-mine geography environment（CM-DVGE） researches the virtual reality simulation of coal-mine environment in cyberspace and the performance of coal production process. The goal is to deal with the practical safety problems of observation, analysis, design and training during the underground coal production process. This paper first probed into the evolution of CM-DVGE from a historical point of view, then respectively analyzed the characteristics of its physical progressive levels according to the cognitivd law and its logical structure of data on the basis of data flow, and concluded by putting forward the prospect of the application of CM-DVGE, thus enriched and developed the method of synthetic study of coal mine.

略论自然地理与人文地理的融合发展

21世纪以来,中国地理学者发表的论文数量呈几何级数增长,但社会影响力并未随之高涨。相反,在面对重大科学问题和社会发展问题时,地理学家的声音日趋微弱。出现这一现象的一个重要原因是:以论文和纵向研究项目数量为导向的学术评价体系严重阻碍了中国地理学的融合发展,使得地理学者——尤其是年轻一代学者——在远离地理学主干的细枝末节上越走越远,逐渐淡忘了地理学解决重要问题时所倚赖的“综合性”和“区域性”。为加强地理学解决重要问题的能力,提高其学科地位和社会地位,中国地理学应走融合发展道路。应加强地理学综合教育,尽快建立中国地理学的引领性问题体系,围绕问题体系,指明自然地理学与人文地理学走向融合的具体路径,并发挥“中国地理科学十大研究进展”等评选活动的引导作用,借此传播地理学融合发展的方式、机制和成果。

Urban Ruralities. A Geographical Perspective

Usually rural geography has associated the city and the countryside in a binary and unequal way. The city concentrates power and draws the domain in terms of material and representation. In this way urban ruralities have had a minor consideration and have been left in the shadow in the field of rural geography. In the present contribution, three geographic research areas of new urban ruralities are proposed, above all in the global north: individual urban rurality, embedded urban rurality or garden rurality and edge rurality.

地理学的时代特征、二元论与可持续发展

地理学作为一门学科总体上与科学体系的发展亦步亦趋。20世纪自然地理学与人文地理学的分裂曾严重消解了地理学的整体性和统一性,同时专业分化与研究主题的纵深发展造成了学科的空心化。面对21世纪复杂性科学、地球系统科学和新的科学综合体的到来,在全球化和可持续发展的大背景下,我们应该在大学课堂上让自然与人文再度融合,通过学术语言的规范、学科理论的构建、研究范式的转换,将二元论的影响消融于无形,能以一种整体化、系统性的观念来应对人类的未来和地球的可持续性发展这一艰巨而复杂的任务。

A Literary Geographical Analysis of Odour of Chrysanthemums

D.H.Lawrence is one of the most prominent writers in the history of English literature,his works have received widespread attention and criticism.Living in the era of the Industrial Revolution,D.H.Lawrence has a deep understanding of the process of industrialization.This study interprets his work Odour of Chrysanthemums from the perspective of literary geography.The colliery,the miner’s house,and the tavern,the three most representative geographical spaces,are selected to explore the literary geographic genes,geographic memories,and geographic roots in this novel.Through analyzing the methods of geographic elements in setting themes,shaping characters,and promoting the plotsin the novel,this paper explores the theme of industrial civilization’s damage and distortion to individuals,families,and communities.

Geographical, Historical, Political and Economical Structure of

The research of the Russian issue in academic level has a great importance. The Putin-term Russian economy is inadvance, and it reminds of the great economy of the old Soviet Union. For that reason, Putin was given the nicknameof the new Russian Tsar. Putin is well-liked by the Russian citizens; as a person he is liked by a vast majority of theRussian population. Putin is indepted his great personality both to the successes achived from the Chechen War andto the numerous successes he has achieved in the economic stabilization since he undertook the management of Rsia. It is true that today Russia has no enough political and economical power to maintain the bipolar world as Ria has an economy of smaller than the one-tenth of the US economy. Nonetheless, Russia is still the secondsuper power of the world as she has nuclear weapons and more than 20 satellites in the space. Russia, today, is aself-sufficient country in having the technology of launching her own satellites, and the very first inventors of therocket technology are Russians. Today, Turkey has a lot to learn from Russia. Putin has been able to attract foreigncapital. The removal of the bureaucratic obstacles affecting the foreigners can be an example to this. Today, Turkeychooses the way of selling of the lands to attract the foreign capital. I think the selling of the lands is not a sensiblepolicy to attract foreign capital, and if the Russian model is adopted more efficient results can be obtained.

地理学视角下中国农业功能研究进展与展望

伴随中国城镇化、工业化、市场化的快速推进及乡村振兴战略的深入实施,中国农业发展迈入转型升级的新时期。国内学者高度重视农业发展及农业产业为全社会所提供的服务,地理学者充分发挥学科优势,逐步融合多学科理论与方法针对农业功能的概念内涵、理论基础、分类体系、测度评价、时空过程、影响因素及优化路径等开展了诸多研究。文章通过梳理中国知网平台上近10年核心期刊中关于农业功能的学术论文,选取了151篇高质量文献进行研究,得到以下几点结果:1)地理学者聚焦于农业的生产功能、经济功能、及生态功能等方面研究,更加关注农业功能空间分布、地理特征及其与环境的关系;2)人地关系地域系统理论、农业多功能理论、农业区位理论和农业功能阶段论等是农业功能研究的基础,地理学者正不断完善和丰富农业功能相关理论;3)基于GIS和RS技术以及地理数学模型,地理学者进一步研究了农业功能的空间变化与地域特征;4)地理学者科学诊断了不同地理环境下各因子的作用方式、方向与强度,并针对地区地理环境与影响因子进行功能区划与优化;5)未来地理学视角下的农业功能研究需要进一步完善理论框架体系,推动多要素、多尺度、多目标的体系研究;聚焦农业功能转型,强化多学科、大数据、新技术手段的集成研究。

地理学中自然与人文耦合的挑战与前景

进入人类世以来,随着重大自然与社会问题的涌现,作为一门典型的交叉学科,地理学面临着前所未有的挑战与机遇。地理学研究的是复杂交织的人地关系问题,所以需要先在内部摒除二元论的偏见,实现自然(包括GIS)与人文的耦合。对中国地理学而言,自然与人文耦合的关键或难点在于方法论。应对挑战,地理学共同体应该鼓励面向重大问题的、多元化的交叉研究,促进数据、技术与社会的融合,共创治理科学新范式,逐步改变重理轻文的学科评价导向。在全球可持续发展的大背景下,地理学内部的交叉融合以及地理学与其他学科的交叉合作至关重要,人文与自然的耦合是地理学应该始终坚持的方向。

Old Geographical Materialities. Recover the Past and the Heritage in the Present of Pheripherical European Rural Spaces: A Research Proposal

The past has had a minor consideration in geographic studies the transformation of rural areas,usually dominated by socioeconomic analysis.Incorporating the old and in many cases,the materialities of the past through a reconsideration of heritage to the future of rural space requires an adequate conceptualization and reconsideration of rural materialities and especially of popular housing.In this way,it is intended to decentralize the human and functionalist point of view to give a life of their own to rural cultural and natural materialities in the context of more-than-human-geographies.The renewed study of heritage and the historical past acquires a notable value in the present and future of rural areas through:(1)the interpretation of dissymmetrical realities where the old confronts new activities;(2)for adequate and realistic management of rural heritage and the processes of selective recovery of heritage in certain historical places.