Body Outline Research Articles

Telling visual stories of loss and hope: body mapping with mothers about contact after child removal

Visual research methods reduce reliance on verbal communication and offer an avenue for non-verbal storytelling. Body mapping is a visual arts-based research method with its origins in art therapy and community development. It has been successfully used to explore embodied experiences of marginalised social groups. Participants engage in sensory and multimodal storytelling by tracing a life-size body outline and adorning it with fabrics, drawings and images to symbolise their views during a guided interview. This approach was used in research to explore birth family contact experiences in New South Wales, where children have ongoing direct contact with birth relatives in long-term care, guardianship and open adoption. Twelve mothers of children in permanent care took part in body mapping to explore their feelings about contact and the support they need to nurture a relationship with their children. Immersion in the artistic process of bringing a representational body to life granted these mothers access to hidden memories about their experience of child removal. They used evocative images to depict system violence and their fight against the erasure of their mother identity as well to envision a positive future relationship with their children. Body mapping potently revealed that traumatic loss resides in the body and resurfaces in encounters with child welfare systems. This has important policy and practice implications, highlighting a need for post-removal therapeutic services to process trauma and sensitive casework to rebuild parent trust and to help carers respond with empathy to their child’s mother at contact. This lends support to the usefulness of body mapping not only for research with vulnerable parents, but to its enormous potential as a creative engagement tool for child welfare practitioners.

Variable crab camouflage patterns defeat search image formation

Understanding what maintains the broad spectrum of variation in animal phenotypes and how this influences survival is a key question in biology. Frequency dependent selection – where predators temporarily focus on one morph at the expense of others by forming a “search image” – can help explain this phenomenon. However, past work has never tested real prey colour patterns, and rarely considered the role of different types of camouflage. Using a novel citizen science computer experiment that presented crab “prey” to humans against natural backgrounds in specific sequences, we were able to test a range of key hypotheses concerning the interactions between predator learning, camouflage and morph. As predicted, switching between morphs did hinder detection, and this effect was most pronounced when crabs had “disruptive” markings that were more effective at destroying the body outline. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence for variability in natural colour patterns hindering search image formation in predators, and as such presents a mechanism that facilitates phenotypic diversity in nature.

Size-dependent predation risk in cryptic prey

Visual crypsis of prey is determined by the interaction between an individual’s physical appearance to their predators and visual aspects of their environment. Physical size will impact visual appearance and thus potentially influence crypsis. However, research on this topic is limited, leaving the effect of size in cryptic prey largely unexplored. To identify if the success of cryptic phenotypes is size-dependent, we conducted a series of field experiments in which we exposed two types of cryptic artificial prey (uniform colored and disruptively patterned) of different sizes to free-living avian predators and recorded attack rate. Despite similar statistical power and methodology, we found increasing predation risk with increasing size only for disruptive phenotypes. Our results suggest that large sizes may break down ability for disruptive patterns to effectively break up the body outline. However, further research in more controlled conditions would be needed to distinguish the effects of initial detection and post-detection preferences on attack rates.

Autonomous wheeled mobile robot maneuvering in constraint environment. Trajectory tracking quality criteria

In this article the problem of control system synthesis for differential drive wheeled mobile robots operating within constraint environment is considered. The proposed approaches of solving trajectory tracking problem take into account the geometric features of both the robot and the transported cargo. The collision avoidance problem is solved at the controller level, without any changes to the planned trajectory. Three approaches are proposed: minimizing the distance to the trajectory, minimizing the distance to the reference position, and maximizing the distance to obstacles. In these approaches the constant analysis of position of each point of robot’s body outline contour is used. Negative influence of the position of these points on qualitative trajectory pass is represented in vector form. For each of the approaches formalized tracking quality criteria are determined, methods of implementation of control systems and controllers taking into account these criteria are proposed. The part of the control signal responsible for taking into account geometry of the robot and avoiding collisions is defined via the force-moment vector representation. Results of simulation modeling prove the efficiency of the proposed approaches. A comparison of the proposed approaches is presented. Potential ways of more efficient use of these approaches are given.

Anthropometric Landmarks Extraction and Dimensions Measurement Based on ResNet

Anthropometric dimensions can be acquired in 2D images by landmarks. Body shape variance causes low accuracy and bad robustness of landmarks extracted, and it is difficult to determine the position of axis division point when dimensions are calculated by the ellipse model. In this paper, landmarks are extracted from images by convolutional neural network instead of the gradient of body outline. A general multi-ellipse model is proposed, the anthropometric dimensions are obtained from the length of different elliptical segments and the position of axis division point is determined by thickness–width ratio of body parts. Finally, an evaluation is completed based on 87 subjects, in which it turns out that the average accuracy of our method for identifying landmarks is 96.6%, when the number of rotation angles is 2, the three main dimensional errors calculated by our model are smaller than existing method, and the errors of other dimensions are also within the margin of error for garment measuring.

Abstract PO-269: Documentation methods for vulvar pain: Implications for detection of vulvar cancer, a cancer with known disparities

Abstract Introduction. Vulvar pain can be a symptom of vulvar cancer, which is frequently detected at late stage for elderly women, and has racial disparities. Better documentation, detection, and monitoring of vulvar pain, may eventually lead to early detection of vulvar cancer to reduce age and racial disparities in this cancer. Unfortunately, typical body outline drawings for measuring pain location do not allow documentation of the specific details of vulvar pain. Our study purpose was to compare two measures of pain location for patients with another vulvar pain condition, vulvodynia. Methodology. Using baseline data from an ongoing randomized clinical trial conducted in Chicago, 62 women with vulvodynia marked their pain on a genital specific outline and 59 of those also marked their pain on a full body outline. The women’s ages ranged from 20-62 years (31.8±9.4 years). Their education levels were high school (10%), some college (9%), bachelors degree (43%), and advanced leveled education (38%). 11% were Asian, 7% were Black, 74% were White, and 9% were other race. They completed PAINReportIt, an electronic version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, which allowed women to mark the region of their pain and describe their pain intensity. ImageJ software was used to isolate and analyze the surface area included within the markings on a full body outline with a total of 48 segments and on a genital area outline with a total of 22 segments. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze the number of segments marked and the number of pixels marked on each segment of both outlines. Results. As a context for women’s pain experience, the average pain intensity was 3.9±2.6. On the full body outline, 41 women marked the genital area only contrary to 18 women who marked both the genital area and elsewhere. On the full body outline, 24/48 segments were marked and the most frequent were segments near the vulvar region: left anterior thigh (n=59), right anterior thigh (n=54), left lumbar/iliac region (n=49), and right lumbar/iliac region (n=47). Some women also marked regions in the gluteal and posterior thigh region: left gluteal region (n=13), right gluteal region (n=9), and left hamstrings (n=10). On the genital specific outline, 22/22 body areas were marked. The most frequent vulvar specific areas marked were: vestibular fossa (n=51), left labia minora (n= 52)and vagina (n=55). There was a moderate correlation (r=.43, p=.001) between the body surface area marked on the full-body outline and the body surface area marked on the genital area outline. Conclusion. Study findings support the validity of the body surface area as a measure of pain location using either outline. The genital area outline provides more specific information about pain in the vulvar region, and implications for its use have the potential to eliminate disparities of vulvar cancer through the improved detection and monitoring of vulvar pain. Citation Format: Guettchina Telisnor, Rishabh Garg, Yingwei Yao, Judith Schlaeger, Diana J. Wilkie. Documentation methods for vulvar pain: Implications for detection of vulvar cancer, a cancer with known disparities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-269.

Abstract PO-111: Postoperative lung cancer pain over 4 days: Changes in painful body surface area

Abstract Introduction: It is unknown if the body surface area measure is sensitive to the change in pain over the first four days after lung cancer surgery. Known for cancer health disparities, improving pain outcomes for patients with lung cancer could have implications for reducing disparities. The purpose of this study was to compare body surface area over the first four days post thoracotomy for lung cancer. Methodology: In a repeated measures observational study, 41 lung cancer patients (mean age 60±12 years, 80% male, 100% Turkish) who had thoracotomy surgery reported pain postoperatively for four days. Patients were asked to mark on a body outline the location of the area where they had pain each day using PAINReportIt, a valid and reliable electronic version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, on an Internet-enabled Surface Pro tablet. The number of sites that the patient marked was counted automatically by PAINReportIt. Then the body surface area percentage (BSA%) was calculated using ImageJ software. Each day patients were asked to rate on a 0-10 scale the pain intensity they were currently having and the least and worst that the pain was in the past 24 hours. These 3 values were used to create the average of pain intensity (API) the patient experienced for each of the four days. Analyses included scatter plots, descriptive statistics, longitudinal analysis of BSA% using linear mixed effects model, and Pearson correlations of BSA% and API. Results: The mean number of pain sites recorded by PAINReportIt for each postop day 1 to 4 was 2.1±0.7, 2.2±0.7, 2.1±0.9, and 1.9±0.7, respectively (p=.152). The mean BSA% on postop days 1 to 4 was 2.1%±1.9%, 2.4%±2.2%, 2.5%±2.7%, and 2.2%±2.4%, respectively. The correlations between postop day 1-4 values were high (r=.68 to r=.86). Longitudinal analysis shows that the time trend was not statistically significant: b=0.023, Std Err=0.094, 5=0.242, p=.81. The API significantly decreased over the 4 postop days: 7.3±1.8, 5.6±1.8, 4.2±1.9, and 3±2.1, respectively (p=.000). The correlations between BSA% and API on each of the 4 postop days were: r=-.56, p<.001, r=-.15, p=.36, r=-.03, p=.85, and r=-.05, p=.78. The negative relationship between BSA% and API was unexpected and scatter plots show that at very high pain and very low pain, BSA%s were low. High BSA% values were mostly observed at moderate pain. This inverse U shape relationship explains the correlations between BSA% and API at different time points. Conclusions: In a sample of patients who had thoracotomy for lung cancer, the BSA% was not sensitive to recovery over the first 4 days after surgery, but the API was. This finding is likely due to the few pain sites and small areas marked on the body outline to represent the pain of the surgical incision and chest tubes. In the post thoracotomy lung cancer population, BSA% is not likely to be a measure that will help reduce cancer health disparities. Citation Format: Mecca M. James, Sevgi D. Dogan, Seda K. Yedir, Rishabh Garg, Yingwei Yao, Sevily Erden, Diana J. Wilkie. Postoperative lung cancer pain over 4 days: Changes in painful body surface area [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-111.

A picture is worth a thousand words: linking fibromyalgia pain widespreadness from digital pain drawings with pain catastrophizing and brain cross-network connectivity.

Pain catastrophizing is prominent in chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and has been proposed to contribute to the development of pain widespreadness. However, the brain mechanisms responsible for this association are unknown. We hypothesized that increased resting salience network (SLN) connectivity to nodes of the default mode network (DMN), representing previously reported pain-linked cross-network enmeshment, would be associated with increased pain catastrophizing and widespreadness across body sites. We applied functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and digital pain drawings (free-hand drawing over a body outline, analyzed using conventional software for multivoxel fMRI analysis) to investigate precisely quantified measures of pain widespreadness and the associations between pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), resting brain network connectivity (Dual-regression Independent Component Analysis, 6-minute multiband accelerated fMRI), and pain widespreadness in fibromyalgia patients (N = 79). Fibromyalgia patients reported pain in multiple body areas (most frequently the spinal region, from the lower back to the neck), with moderately high pain widespreadness (mean ± SD: 26.1 ± 24.1% of total body area), and high pain catastrophizing scale scores (27.0 ± 21.9, scale range: 0-52), which were positively correlated (r = 0.26, P = 0.02). A whole-brain regression analysis focused on SLN connectivity indicated that pain widespreadness was also positively associated with SLN connectivity to the posterior cingulate cortex, a key node of the DMN. Moreover, we found that SLN-posterior cingulate cortex connectivity statistically mediated the association between pain catastrophizing and pain widespreadness (P = 0.01). In conclusion, we identified a putative brain mechanism underpinning the association between greater pain catastrophizing and a larger spatial extent of body pain in fibromyalgia, implicating a role for brain SLN-DMN cross-network enmeshment in mediating this association.

Analysis of Ultrasonographic Misdiagnosis of Cephalothoracopagus Janiceps Conjoined Twins: A Case Report

Background and Objective: Conjoined twins (CTs) are rare complications of monozygotic twinning. Cephalothoracopagus is the rarest subtype of CTs and occurs once in every 58 sets of conjoined twins or once in every three million births. Here we present such a case and analyze the possible reasons for ultrasonographic misdiagnosis and recommend solutions to avoid it.Case Report: In this article, we have reported a case of Cephalothoracopagus Janiceps twining. The ultrasonographic diagnosis was missed at 7 and 12 weeks scans. Increased thickness of nuchal translucency and absent nasal bone was observed alongside with suspected gastroschisis. The patient was referred for further evaluation at 13-14 weeks of pregnancy. Unexpectedly, two alive fetuses were reported fused in the head, thorax, and abdomen. Because of the poor prognosis, counseling was provided for parents and elective medical pregnancy termination was carried out. We have analyzed the possible reasons for ultrasonographic misdiagnosis.Conclusion: Without applying a standardized scanning of the entire uterus both in a longitudinal and transverse approach in early pregnancy, cephalothoracopagus twining may be misdiagnosed with a singleton pregnancy. A high level of concerns may raise for conjoined cephalothoracopagus twinning in case of finding a single fetal pole with an irregular body outline and a disproportionally large head in the presence of two separate fetal hearts in early pregnancy. Two fused heads with two brains and two sets of lower and upper extremities do confirm the diagnosis.

A Biometric Logic of Revelation: Zach Blas’s <em>SANCTUM</em> (2018)

A Biometric Logic of Revelation: Zach Blas’s <em>SANCTUM</em> (2018)

Characterizing the source of a prominent magnetic anomaly in the southwestern part of the Cuddapah basin

The total magnetic intensity anomaly (TMI) map of the Proterozoic intracratonic Cuddapah basin shows the presence of a prominent high–low–high anomaly of about 600 nT amplitude at its southern end. The source of this anomaly is inferred to be a mafic intrusive body due to a thermal plume that might have initiated the basin evolution. Though some quantitative studies have been carried out over this anomaly, the magnetic body remains ambiguous as only a part of this anomaly was modelled along the E–W direction. In present study, we model this anomaly by a 2.5D algorithm and analytical signal of the vertical integral (ASVI) of the TMI approach. A near circular outline of the causative body has been delineated by the analysis of ASVI, which also revealed three characteristic zones of the near surface irregularities. The 2.5D modelling along a SW–NE profile across the anomaly yielded the main body of about 10 km wide top at 3.5 km depth and 40 km wide at 25 km depth. The Curie temperature depth in this region is 30–40 km and this allows the source to be magnetic at this depth. It is inferred from both ASVI and modelling that the main body is bifurcated into two in its south-western part between Parnapalle and Muddanuru while it attains a lopolithic shape over the remaining part. Existing regional aeromagnetic data elucidates shape of the mafic intrusive both laterally and vertically.

A Morphological Analysis of the Flat-Shaped Spumellarian Radiolarian Dictyocoryne: Morpho-Functional Insights into Planktonic Mode of Life

Abstract. The three-dimensional morphology of the flat-shaped spumellarian radiolarian Dictyocoryne was analysed using a microfocus X-ray CT with a special focus on whether it was capable of a planktonic lifestyle. Two types of 3D models, the shell model, which represents a realistic 3D shell, and the wrapped model, which mimics the whole body outline without pseudopodia, were reconstructed in order to estimate volume, surface area, and centres of gravity for the shell model and buoyancy for the wrapped model. The calculated values showed that the volume of shell with respect to the total volume was negatively allometric, regardless of the differences between threshold settings. Stepwise secretions of the patagium layer may result in a comparatively lightweight shell, thereby decreasing the total density during growth but not below the density of seawater. Estimated positions for the centres of gravity and buoyancy were too close to maintain an autonomous posture while floating. Instead, the ratio between surface area and volume was greater than that in an ideal sphere. Such a broad surface area could obtain the viscous resistance necessary for sinking retardation. Spumellarian radiolarians, including Dictyocoryne, have photosynthetic symbionts located primarily in the ectoplasmic layer, which is a habitable space that can be maximised within the larger surface area. Given that radiolarians float when extending their pseudopodia, it can be hypothesised that pseudopodia may play a role in the adjustment of life posture in a hydraulically unstable shell, which can be integrated into sinking retardation, enhancement of photosynthetic activity and manoeuvrability of life posture within a unique flat-shaped morphogenesis.

Large foreign body – pencil in the pelvic cavity of a girl two years

Purpose . To inform doctors providing aid to children of the peculiar course of abnormal processes and clinical picture of cases when a big foreign body – a pencil – enters the small pelvis. Clinical observation : A 2-yearold girl was admitted to the emergency room of Kursk Regional Children’s Hospital No. 2. According to her mother, the girl was anxious, had abnormal rectal discharge and a subfebrile rise in temperature. Three days prior to the admission, the mother went to the bathroom, whereas the girl was drawing with pencils. Then the woman found a graze wound in the perineum, scanty hemorrhagic discharge and sought medical attention. The girl was examined by the duty gynecologist and an acute gynecological pathology was excluded. During the follow-up, the child remained anxious, abnormal defecation and rise in temperature were observed. An oblong, rod-shaped opaque foreign body 8 cm long and 0.3–0.4 cm in diameter was visible paravertebral and left to L v and in the small pelvis projection on plain abdominal radiography. An upper outline of an anechoic foreign body which is 60 mm long and 8.5 mm wide is visualized posteriorly to the urinary bladder and along the rectum and sigmoid colon during an abdominopelvic ultrasound. Conclusion . The article shows an examination plan and stages to be used in a child with a big foreign body in the free abdomen. It must be noted that an important criterion of successful treatment and management in this localization consists of well-coordinated work of pediatric surgical and gynecological services. Authors also state that detailed interrogation of parents is necessary (nutrition, defecation, behavior, etc.).

Three-dimensional tomographic study of dermal armour from the tail of the Triassic aetosaur Stagonolepis robertsoni

The aetosaur Stagonolepis robertsoni was the first reptile to be named from the Late Triassic Lossiemouth Sandstone Formation of Morayshire. Its characteristic rectangular armour plates have been reported in isolation and in association with skeletal remains. Here we present for the first time a three-dimensional reconstruction of the armour plates around the tail in association with caudal vertebrae and a chevron, to give direct evidence of the body outline. The caudal vertebral column was surrounded by eight bony osteoderms, paired paramedian dorsal and ventral plates, and a pair of lateral osteoderms on right and left. The tail shape was subcircular, broader than high. The osteoderms overlap like roofing tiles, the posterior margin of each overlapping the osteoderm following behind. The success of these scans suggests that computed tomography scanning could reveal excellent detail of all the Elgin reptiles in the future. Supplementary material : Three-dimensional models of the two fossil specimens are available at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4824183

Prediction of pelvic tumour coverage by magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) from referral imaging

Background Patient suitability for magnetic resonance-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) ablation of pelvic tumors is initially evaluated clinically for treatment feasibility using referral images, acquired using standard supine diagnostic imaging, followed by MR screening of potential patients lying on the MRgHIFU couch in a ‘best-guess’ treatment position. Existing evaluation methods result in ≥40% of referred patients being screened out because of tumor non-targetability. We hypothesize that this process could be improved by development of a novel algorithm for predicting tumor coverage from referral imaging. Methods The algorithm was developed from volunteer images and tested with patient data. MR images were acquired for five healthy volunteers and five patients with recurrent gynaecological cancer. Subjects were MR imaged supine and in oblique-supine-decubitus MRgHIFU treatment positions. Body outline and bones were segmented for all subjects, with organs-at-risk and tumors also segmented for patients. Supine images were aligned with treatment images to simulate a treatment dataset. Target coverage (of patient tumors and volunteer intra-pelvic soft tissue), i.e. the volume reachable by the MRgHIFU focus, was quantified. Target coverage predicted from supine imaging was compared to that from treatment imaging. Results Mean (±standard deviation) absolute difference between supine-predicted and treatment-predicted coverage for 5 volunteers was 9 ± 6% (range: 2–22%) and for 4 patients, was 12 ± 7% (range: 4–21%), excluding a patient with poor acoustic coupling (coverage difference was 53%). Conclusion Prediction of MRgHIFU target coverage from referral imaging appears feasible, facilitating further development of automated evaluation of patient suitability for MRgHIFU.

Psicomotricidad: construyendo aprendizajes a través del movimiento

El presente trabajo investigativo tiene la finalidad de hacer un análisis sobre la importancia de la psicomotricidad en el desarrollo del niño y cómo la educación a través del movimiento, genera la construcción de nuevos y mejores aprendizajes. Desde un enfoque cualitativo, de tipo bibliográfico y descriptivo en donde se utilizaron como instrumentos la entrevista y la observación directa en algunos jardines de infantes de la ciudad de Guayaquil, se pudo comprobar que el desarrollo psicomotor desde temprana edad constituye un aspecto fundamental de la estimulación temprana, generando en el orden de lo fisiológico, mayores conexiones neuronales a nivel cerebral que favorecen el desarrollo cognitivo, social, emocional, concentración, esquema corporal, dominio corporal dinámico, estático, nociones témporo-espaciales, ritmo, entre otras áreas, que coadyuvan a la formación integral del niño. Se propone hacer uso de los circuitos neuromotores como una oportunidad para fortalecer la psicomotricidad de los niños en miras a mejorar los aprendizajes

Automatic Body Fall Detection System for Elderly People using Accelerometer and Vision Based Technique

Body Falls in older adults are the significant cause of injury. Falls incorporate dropping from a standing position or from uncovered positions, for example, those on stepping stools or stepladders. The seriousness of damage is commonly identified with the height of fall often leading to disability or death. In this research generally we uses wearable sensor and vision based technique that is automatically detect body fall as early as possible. Accelerometer is used for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity. In vision based procedure first we procure casings or video arrangements from the camera. The division module separates the body outline from the foundation. For Feature Extraction we used GLCM method. SVM method is used for classification. By using those methods we can surely detect the human body fall and can take the preventive measures.

A new genus and species of fish parasitic cymothoid (Crustacea, Isopoda) from the Indian Ocean coast of South Africa, with a key to the externally attaching genera of Cymothoidae

Bambalocra intwalagen. et sp. nov. is described from Sodwana Bay, north-eastern South Africa. The monotypic genus is characterised by the broadly truncate anterior margin of the head with a ventral rostrum, coxae 2–5 being ventral in position not forming part of the body outline and not or barely visible in dorsal view, and the posterolateral margins of pereonites 6 and 7 are posteriorly produced and broadly rounded. The antennulae bases are widely separated, with both antennula and antenna slender. The species is known only from the type locality and the known hosts are species of Pomacanthidae (Angelfish). A revised key to the externally attaching genera of Cymothoidae is provided.

Medial part thickness of wearable device affecting running motion

This paper reports negative effects on runner’s motions which are supported by an exoskeleton attached to his/her lower limbs. A wearable assistive device has generally been developed to support motions of a wearer, while the device may disturb wearer’s motions due to physical features, including expanded his/her body outline and device’s weight. The expanded outline can exert adverse influence that limits range of motion of a wearer. In this paper, we focus on lower limb motions of a runner who puts an exoskeleton on his/her lower limbs to receive physical assistance. We simulated influence of medial parts of the exoskeleton on running through experiments with seven runners wearing one of three couples of rectangular-shaped light blocks (10 mm, 20 mm or 30 mm in thickness) on the medial sides of both thighs. These blocks increased step width but the 30 mm-thick blocks only increased net running heat rates by 6.05 bpm compared with that of running without blocks. This result shows that a wearable device which is equipped with components less than 20 mm-thick on each medial part of a runner’s thigh has little detrimental effects on running motions.

Urban blue-green space planning based on thermal environment simulation: A case study of Shanghai, China

Abstract Improving the thermal environment of highly urbanized mega cities by optimized blue and green space brings great ecological and social benefits. In this study, applying remote sensing and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation, the Urban Cool Island (UCI) of blue and green space is explored. It indicates that complex outline of faceted water bodies leads to high UCI. Faceted water bodies have stronger UCI than linear ones. The UCI strength ranking of different types of green lands is wedge > radial > punctate > banding. The UCI distribution of green lands are different, which makes them appropriate in specific urban applications. Then, optimized design method of green lands and water bodies to maximize UCI is proposed, including integrating eco-system of green lands and water bodies, limiting riparian development, introducing artificial water within parks, inserting punctate green lands in old districts, setting green bands along roads in direction of prevailing wind and planning wedge green lands on the edge of cities. Finally, according to the optimized design method and the thermal environment simulation of Shanghai, strategy of distribution of blue and green space in urban planning to improve urban thermal environment is formulated, including polishing cool bands beside major and ring roads to increase permeability, inserting cool points into continuous UHI districts, protecting and improving cool surfaces on the edge of cities. The strategy is proved by simulation and provides hints for future planning of urban blue and green spaces.