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Common Spatial Data Models (SDMs) such the vector, raster, and quadtree have well understood and widely practiced conventions of storage and visualization. This paper explores what happens when the conventions of visualization are not strictly adhered to, and the SDMs are used in an atypical fashion. A framework based on a quasi similarity measure is presented, which quantifies (in terms of 'distance') the relationship between the storage format and the visualization output, following an accepted protocol. This research used a transformation process (Tp) to define this distance. Then, the atypical use of the quadtree SDM to represent choropleth spatial boundary uncertainty and attribute uncertainty was quantified using the same framework. This research shows that if a SDM is used outside of its original context, then the distance between the storage format and its visual output can alter; in our case, the distance decreased. This result was interpreted as evidence for the creation of a new spatial data structure. The formalization of the relationship between an SDM and its visual output will be valuable for future exploration of the non-conventional visualization of common SDMs. KEYWORDS: Spatial data model, storage, display, uncertainty, transformation, Introduction Before visualization, spatial data are stored as text or numbers. Decisionmakers viewing raw data must perform their own mental visualization if they wish to discover relationships or patterns in [...]

In the modern context sustainable health systems are being developed using the newest technological and communication technologies. This is proving to be a great success for the growth of Health Informatics and healthcare improvement. However this revolution is not being reached by a lot of the world population. This paper will address the importance of closing the Digital Divide, Empowerment of health consumers and the importance of converging communications. Key areas in the development of a truly sustainable health system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) numbers and distribution were reduced by human exploitation but the species is now re-colonizing much of its former range. Pinnipeds occupy two different habitat media: the marine (feeding) and terrestrial (breeding) environments. Measures of geographic variation in both these environments can be modelled together to predict coastline suitability for colonization (i.e. potential availability of breeding sites). To avoid problems of non-linear modelling, we used an artificial neural network (ANN) to: (1) predict the suitability of coastline in South Island, New Zealand to support breeding A. forsteri colonies by creating a model using pup condition (measured from 20 breeding colonies during 1996–98), prey distribution and abundance, bathymetry, and the type of coastal substrate; (2) compare the predicted distribution of suitable coastline for colonization from the model to the current distribution of A. forsteri colonies (n=198 colonies); and (3) using ANN inference rule extraction, determine which factors are the most influential in predicting coastline suitability. ANN model predictions overlapped current distributions of A. forsteri colonies in South Island. Inference rule extraction gave good predictions of colony performance (i.e. the ability to predict observed pup condition); however, they were not consistent among years in terms of the prey species constituting the rules or in the direction of the relationships. Arrow squid and octopus were important model terms in 1996 and 1997, but the direction of their coefficients in the inference rules were opposite between years. Hoki was an important term in 1997 and 1998, but it also varied in direction between years. Terms of secondary importance include the distance from sample colonies to 250 m-, 500 m- and 1000 m-isobaths. Variation in model predictions may result from climatic variation, the constant index of prey availability that was used and the potential for A. forsteri to switch main prey species among year. Resource availability appears to be a good predictor of the potential distribution of A. forsteri colonies, but future models should attempt to incorporate indices of temporal variation in resource availability as well as population density to better predict the colonization process and understand the ecological mechanisms operating within. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the modern context sustainable health systems are being developed using the newest technological and communication technologies. This is proving to be a great success for the growth of Health Informatics and healthcare improvement. However this revolution is not being reached by a lot of the world population. This paper will address the importance of closing the Digital Divide, Empowerment of health consumers and the importance of converging communications. Key areas in the development of a truly sustainable health system.