Shadow Projection Research Articles

Interdisciplinary Fusion in Media: Innovative Applications of Dance, Music, and Film in Experimental Content Creation

In media-related experimental content, non-narrative methods utilizing non-verbal elements such as dance, music, and visual effects significantly enhance both narrative and emotional resonance. This paper explores how symbolic dance choreography, thematic music, and visual effects (e.g., color usage and shadow projections) convey narrative and emotional intent, heightening viewers' immersion and emotional engagement. Beginning with an analysis of symbolic dance, the paper demonstrates how abstract movements convey themes like freedom and oppression or states of joy and despair, revealing mechanisms of audience interaction on a fundamental level. Additionally, the paper discusses how live or pre-recorded music intensifies narrative structure and emotional involvement, using thematic motifs or silence to influence narrative pacing. In terms of visual effects, color theory and projections contribute an additional psychological depth to the narrative space. In experimental media, these non-verbal tools not only expand the boundaries of narrative expression but also blend emotion and storytelling into a unified, immersive experience.

The acoustic importance of velaria in Roman amphitheaters: Investigations on the effects of different coverage percentages in Durres and Capua

Roman amphitheaters were studied from an architectural perspective, as the geometry of elliptical or oval construction was always under discussion. The Roman amphitheaters of Durres and Capua were analysed with particular attention to the effects of the velarium on the acoustic response of the spaces. The investigations were conducted for the original shapes of the amphitheaters with different coverage percentages of the awning: no shading; half shading along the major axis; half shading along the minor axis; fully open to shade the entire seating area. The four scenarios were selected based on the shadow projection that the Romans might have used in ancient times; therefore, an additional solar analysis was performed for a summer-seasoned day based on a solar path found for the cities of Durres and Capua. The simulated results show that the acoustic effect of velarium was more efficient with half awning cut along the minor axis, as seen from the spatial distribution maps. However, the radiation analysis supports the thesis that 100% displayed surface area of the awning was in place when the cavea was fully occupied. Further discussions have been addressed based on a solar-radiation analysis of the two sites. This research study represents a scientific support for the movie industry that would like to reproduce the environment as existing in ancient times.

Innovative utilization of ultra-wide field fundus images and deep learning algorithms for screening high-risk posterior polar cataract.

To test a cataract shadow projection theory and validate it by developing a deep learning algorithm that enables automatic and stable posterior polar cataract (PPC) screening using fundus images. Department of Ophthalmology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan. Retrospective chart review. A deep learning algorithm to automatically detect PPC was developed based on the cataract shadow projection theory. Retrospective data (n = 546) with ultra-wide field fundus images were collected, and various model architectures and fields of view were tested for optimization. The final model achieved 80% overall accuracy, with 88.2% sensitivity and 93.4% specificity in PPC screening on a clinical validation dataset (n = 103). This study established a significant relationship between PPC and the projected shadow, which may help surgeons to identify potential PPC risks preoperatively and reduce the incidence of posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery.

A novel shadow calculation approach based on multithreaded parallel computing

Solar radiation significantly affects the thermal processes of buildings; thus, various building energy modeling programs have established corresponding shadow calculation modules. However, the large number of projection surfaces in a building requires extensive calculations, making it difficult to rapidly analyze the building shadow while ensuring hourly calculations. This study proposes an accelerated calculation framework for building shadows based on multithreaded parallel computing for an accurate building energy consumption analysis. Based on the basic principle of shadow projection calculation, the embedded, integrated development of a shadow calculation module is proposed, and a full-performance simulation platform kernel based on a multithreaded structure is constructed. Results show that the multithreaded shadow calculation framework can significantly shorten the calculation time. Based on case studies, a typical complex single building’s shadow calculation speed can be increased by nearly 2.4 times, whereas for city-scale building shadow simulations, it is only 5.4% of the original duration.

Leaving Home and Home Coming: A Young Woman's Journey to Adulthood

This article describes the sandplay process and dream analysis of a young woman, age 16 through age 18. Due to lack of emotional attunement from parents, the client was constantly overwhelmed by her self-doubt and anxiety. Her parents' remark regarding showing emotions as "being crazy" added to the burden. She had introjected the criticism and projected it outside, seeing the world as persecutory. To avoid anxiety, she was stuck in her comfort zone, which also became her confinement. Unable to make sense of her feelings, part of her psyche was split off and stayed unconscious, until being triggered. She began the therapeutic process presenting with unexpected aggression towards her brother, who had become a target for her shadow projection. The client started the sandplay process within her comfort zone, then slowly ventured into deeper layers of her psyche as well as the outside world. Sandplay therapy provided a safe space for the client to explore her psyche, build ego-strength, differentiate complexes and finally find her own container.

Study of the structure of fibrous composite material using computational x-ray tomography

the article discusses the determination of the actual porosity and the actual volumetric content of the reinforcing material and binder in a sample of fibrous polymer composite material (FPCM) using the non-destructive method of computational x-ray tomography. It is shown that the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of X-ray radiation in the volume of the sample under study based on the set of integral shadow projections obtained by X-ray transmission in various directions and its root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) provide sufficient information about the parameters of the microstructure of the sample under study. To obtain quantitative characteristics of porosity and volumetric content of components, it is necessary to examine test samples made from similar components with previously known various parameters of the material structure in the required range of scatter of these characteristics. The proposed method can be used as a non-destructive control of the structure parameters of critically important products made of VPCM, both in general and in selected local areas of the product. Also, this method is recommended for determining the actual porosity and the actual volumetric content of the binder when carrying out research work on the influence of VPCM structure parameters on the durability and residual strength of samples when exposed to external factors during operation, in particular when carrying out certification work on elementary samples.

Optimization of double-wire X-pinch using prepulse current

The radiation properties including size, intensity, and pulse width of the double-wire X-pinch were optimized using prepulse current. The optimization mechanism was investigated using optical diagnostics. The X-pinch driven by a current with a peak intensity of ∼250 kA and a rise rate of 0.95 kA/ns was difficult to produce strong radiation. The application of prepulse effectively enhances the current rise rate and intensity of the radiation source. The radiation source also exhibited reduced spatial dimensions and radiation duration, thereby improving spatial and temporal resolution while used in x-ray projection shadow radiography. The magnetic field and current distribution were measured using Faraday rotation. During the early stage, the current predominantly flows in the corona plasma at a larger radius generated by the prepulse current, consequently reducing the load inductance. As the time delay between the main and prepulse current increased, the intensity of the radiation source further increased. This study provides an approach for controlling radiation sources and enables different applications of X-pinches with adjustable prepulse current.

Quantifying surfcam imagery to measure the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai tsunami along the California coast

On January 15, 2022, the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano created a tsunami that reached a height of 20.5 m in the near field. The tsunami impacted the entire Pacific Ocean basin and was the largest tsunami to impact California since the 2011 Tōhoku tsunami. Videos recorded on surfcams during the event were downloaded from three sites along the California coast (Santa Cruz, Pismo Beach, and Santa Barbara Harbor). Airborne Lidar data, shadow projections, and vessel traffic information was used to rectify imagery instead of traditional field methods. Water level was extracted at 2 Hz based on the change in brightness relative to a fixed background object and filtered to remove swell and tidal influences. Tsunami inundation was captured at all three sites, with image extracted maximum tsunami heights measuring 1.42 m at Santa Cruz, 1.07 m at Pismo Beach, and 0.49 m at Santa Barbara Harbor. Comparisons to nearby in-situ water level measurements were made to calculate the accuracy, with a RMSE of 0.41 m, 0.52 m, and 0.17 m at each site, respectively. Analysis of surfcam extracted water levels measurements show promising results, and in combination with providing holistic monitoring of the scene, suggests an alternative platform for future tsunami events.

Method for selecting ornamental species for different shading intensity in urban green spaces.

In urban areas, ornamental plants face different constraints, such as the shading of buildings and trees. Therefore, the selection of suitable species and their integration or combination with pre-existing plants is very important. Trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plant species must be distributed according to plant light requirements and shading intensity. Ornamental plants are classified into two groups based on their light intensity or shade tolerance: sun and shade species. To properly position the plants, especially in the immediate vicinity of buildings, it is necessary to study the projection of shadows during the year and the most critical periods, such as July and August. The position of ornamental species with different shading tolerances can be obtained by characterizing the leaf gas exchange for each species. Among the physiological parameters, the most important is the light compensation point, which is the light intensity corresponding to a net photosynthesis equal to zero. This means that the assimilation of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis is equal to the carbon dioxide emitted by respiration. This steady state represents the most critical condition for plants to endure the summer. The distribution of species inside a green area should be determined by considering the minimum light intensity that allows sufficient photosynthesis to compensate for the respiration rate. In this context, non-destructive leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and chlorophyll content can be useful tools for selecting suitable ornamental plants under diverse shading conditions.

Reassessing the cost of hydropower for multi-function hydropower bases: A case study from Sichuan

Hydropower is an essential resource for the future clean energy transition, in which an accurate assessment of the hydropower cost is vital for promoting its share in the energy market. The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively reassess the cost of hydropower from a new perspective, in which the total static investment cost of a hydropower base is allocated among multiple functions. An allocation coefficient is proposed based on indicators of economic value and physical volume of multi-function hydropower bases. The economic value of each function is evaluated using approaches including the shadow project, market valuation, and emergy evaluation methods. Meanwhile, the physical volume is obtained through a multi-objective optimization of cascade reservoir operation considering an ecological constraint. Four main functions consisting of hydropower generation, flood control, agricultural irrigation, and residential water supply of hydropower bases in Sichuan are investigated. The results show that the allocation coefficients under both economic and physical indicators vary significantly among hydropower bases, and change slightly over the years. The average comprehensive allocation coefficient of hydropower is 57.26% (range from 29.83% to 77.41%), and the hydropower cost can be reduced by 59% from the current level. The reassessed hydropower cost can lay a solid foundation for market pricing. Attention should be paid to the multi-functionality characteristics of hydropower bases to achieve fair sharing of cost and benefit.

Balanced Mix Design Production Analysis of Asphalt Mixtures in Vermont

Performance testing has been recognized by state highway agencies and the asphalt paving industry as an important tool to complement volumetric properties for improving asphalt pavement performance. Thus, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) began evaluating the Hamburg wheel-tracking test in 2015, Illinois flexibility index test in 2018, and indirect tensile cracking test in 2020 as steps toward balanced mix design (BMD) implementation. These tests were conducted on reheated common plant-produced asphalt mixtures for multiple shadow projects, and the results were analyzed to determine the typical production variability observed in the performance testing results. Production variability is important to assess potential specifications in field production, especially for statistical quality acceptance procedures, such as percent within limits. Based on the percent within limit analysis, most of the modified Type IVS (i.e., 9.5 mm) mixtures would be acceptable based on the proposed performance requirements, while those found not acceptable were close to meeting the performance requirements and would need minimal adjustments. The lot data was further examined to generate typical lot production variability values for potential use in specification development. The information from this research effort will help VTrans achieve its goal to move beyond solely volumetric properties for asphalt mixture design and acceptance and serve as an example for other agencies exploring the implementation of BMD for improving asphalt pavement performance.

Deep learning for intra-hour solar forecasting with fusion of features extracted from infrared sky images

The increasing penetration of solar energy leaves power grids vulnerable to fluctuations in the solar radiation that reaches the surface of the Earth due to the projection of cloud shadows. Therefore, an intra-hour solar forecasting algorithm is necessary to reduce power instabilities caused by the impact of moving clouds on energy generation. The most accurate intra-hour solar forecasting methods apply convolutional neural networks to a series of visible light sky images. Instead, this investigation uses data acquired by a novel infrared sky imager on a solar tracker, which is capable of maintaining the Sun in the center of the images throughout the day and, at the same time, reducing the scattering effect produced by the Sun’s direct radiation. In addition, infrared sky images allow the derivation and extraction of physical cloud features. The cloud dynamics are analyzed in sequences of images to compute the probability of the Sun intercepting air parcels in the sky images (i.e., voxels). The method introduced in this investigation fuses sky condition information from multiple sensors (i.e., pyranometer, sky imager, solar tracker, weather station) and feature sources using a multi-task deep learning architecture based on recurrent neural networks. The proposed deterministic and Bayesian architectures reduce computation time by avoiding convolutional filters. The proposed intra-hour solar forecasting algorithm reached a forecast skill of 18.6% with a forecasting horizon of 8 min. Consequently, the proposed intra-hour solar forecasting method can potentially reduce the operational costs of power grids with high participation of solar energy.

Decomposition of Net Final Values: Systemic Value Added and Residual Income

This paper proposes a model aiming at decomposing the Net Final Value of a project under certainty. It makes use of a systemic outlook: the investor's net worth is regarded as a dynamic system whose structure changes over time. On this basis, a profitability index is presented, here named Systemic Value Added (SVA), which lends itself to a periodic decomposition: the periodic shares formally translate the economic concept of residual income (or excess profit). While as an overall index the Systemic Value Added coincides with the Net Final Value (NFV) of an investment, the systemic partition of a SVA is shown to differ from the NFV decomposition model proposed by Peccati (1987, 1991, 1992), which in turn bears a strong resemblance to Stewart's (1991) EVA model. The SVA model and the NFV-based model bear interesting relations: by introducing the concept of a shadow project the SVA model can be re-shaped so that the decomposition of the SVA can be accomplished by applying Peccati's argument to the shadow project, or, which is the same, by computing the shadow project's Economic Value Added. The paper then generalizes the approach allowing for a portfolio of projects, multiple debts and multiple synchronic opportunity costs of capital, for which a tetra-dimensional decomposition is easily obtained.

Design of helichostat field based on shadow projection method and discretization principle

Design of helichostat field based on shadow projection method and discretization principle

Estimation of the Value of Forest Ecosystem Services in Pudacuo National Park, China

Forest ecosystems play an important role in maintaining the stability of the biosphere and improving the ecological environment. The valuation of forest ecosystem services provides data to support the implementation of forest ecosystem conservation and the development of ecological-compensation standards. We used multiple sources of data, such as remote-sensing and ground data, and we employed the methods of substitute market, shadow project, and contingent valuation. We valued the forest ecosystem services of Pudacuo National Park in Shangri-La, China, which consisted of six functions: soil conservation, forest nutrient retention, water conservation, carbon fixation and oxygen released, forest health care, and atmospheric environmental purification. The results showed that: the value of forest ecological services in Pudacuo National Park was 4.49 × 109 yuan·a−1, with higher values of carbon fixation and oxygen released, water conservation, and forest health care, in the following order: carbon fixation and oxygen released (3.85 × 109 yuan·a−1), water conservation (3.40 × 108 yuan·a−1), forest health care (1.44 × 108 yuan·a−1), soil conservation (1.15 × 108 yuan·a−1), forest nutrient retention (3.29 × 107 yuan·a−1), and atmosphere environmental purification (1.17 × 107 yuan·a−1). In addition, the value of services per stand and unit area is discussed, and the results of the study will inform the government’s ecological-compensation criteria in high-quality environmental areas.

Как написана «Госпожа Бовари» (Флобер и его рассказчик). Часть 2

In a paper, written in polemics with mythology of the Flauberian studies of XX, particularly of the Soviet origin (the so-called realism or new realism, objectivism, impersonality, rationality of Flaubertian manner in “Madame Bovary”, identification of the author and his skills with the narrator, etc.), a figure of the narrator in this novel is discussed in full detail for the first time. This figure, a concrete person and a creator of narrative, is corresponded with Flaubert on various levels (biographical, gender, psychological, rationally creative, intertextual, subconscious) as well as with the characters (including the narrator on his own, his self-reflexion, psychological and psychic complexes, aims, methods and stylistics of narration). Antifeminine dimension of the narrative. «We» of the narrative is interpreted as a controversial sum of “I”, “non-I”, “other I-ies”, shadow projections of “I”, theatrical metamorphoses of “I”. In context of a special position of the narrator bourgeoisness, literatureness of the social consciousness, romanticism, palimpsest of the narrative, the double ending, and also the motives of story-telling and justification of creative efforts are analyzed. Symbolically the main events of the narrator’s world are death and positioning of himself as an inventor of fictions (“the lies”), a highly personal narrative the roots of which are in his school childhood, his mania of additional details and of endless improvement of his text. The narrator as a madman and an author of the madman’s diaries. The characters of the novel as artists. A study of the poetics of repetitions, mirror scenes, colours (blue, red, green), erotics, nature, historical details permits V. M. Tolmatchoff to introduce a rather new interpretation of Flaubert’s work as belonging to romanticism (partially baroqian, partially classical). The paper reconstructs chronology of events, age of the characters and poses a problem of Flaubert as inventor, of a meaning of non-correspondence in his novel between purely fictional time-space and strict historical details.

Как написана «Госпожа Бовари» (Флобер и его рассказчик) Часть 1

In a paper, written in polemics with mythology of the Flauberian studies of XX, particularly of the Soviet origin (the so-called realism or new realism, objectivism, impersonality, rationality of Flaubertian manner in “Madame Bovary”, identification of the author and his skills with the narrator, etc.), a figure of the narrator in this novel is discussed in full detail for the first time. This figure, a concrete person and a creator of narrative, is corresponded with Flaubert on various levels (biographical, gender, psychological, rationally creative, intertextual, subconscious) as well as with the characters (including the narrator on his own, his self-reflexion, psychological and psychic complexes, aims, methods and stylistics of narration). Antifeminine dimension of the narrative. «We» of the narrative is interpreted as a controversial sum of “I”, “non-I”, “other I-ies”, shadow projections of “I”, theatrical metamorphoses of “I”. In context of a special position of the narrator bourgeoisness, literatureness of the social consciousness, romanticism, palimpsest of the narrative, the double ending, and also the motives of story-telling and justification of creative efforts are analyzed. Symbolically the main events of the narrator’s world are death and positioning of himself as an inventor of fictions (“the lies”), a highly personal narrative the roots of which are in his school childhood, his mania of additional details and of endless improvement of his text. The narrator as a madman and an author of the madman’s diaries. The characters of the novel as artists. A study of the poetics of repetitions, mirror scenes, colours (blue, red, green), erotics, nature, historical details permits V. M. Tolmatchoff to introduce a rather new interpretation of Flaubert’s work as belonging to romanticism (partially baroqian, partially classical). The paper reconstructs chronology of events, age of the characters and poses a problem of Flaubert as inventor, of a meaning of non-correspondence in his novel between purely fictional time-space and strict historical details.

Imperfect Solidarities: Tagore, Gandhi, Du Bois, and the Global Anglophone

Imperfect Solidarities: Tagore, Gandhi, Du Bois, and the Global Anglophone

New Methodology to Calculate DC Voltage Signature in N-Phases TRUs Under Supply Voltage Sags

A new methodology based on the shadow projection has been developed to study any multipulse rectifier’s dynamic behavior under balanced and unbalanced conditions. The proposed methodology calculates the DC average voltage and instantaneous values under balanced and unbalanced supply voltage conditions for multiphase Transformer Rectifier Units (TRUs). The calculation of the developed algorithms is more practical than the classical methods and other approaches based on Fourier series or symmetrical components that are difficult to apply under unbalanced conditions. Furthermore, classical methods are not simple to determine the limits of the integrals and calculate them to obtain the average value, so a more friendly and practical methodology has been developed to analyze rectifiers operating under supply voltage sags. This new methodology has been validated by simulation for a 12-pulse TRU in series and parallel connections, and it has also been validated for a 36-pulse TRU in parallel connection using interphase inductors. The accuracy of the calculations is validated by the experimental results for 12-pulse TRUs, series, and parallel connection, and 18-pulse TRU in series connection.

Estimation of Leaf Area Index in vineyards by analysing projected shadows using UAV imagery

A few decades ago, farmers could precisely monitor their croplands just by walking over the fields, but this task becomes more difficult as farm size increases. Precision viticulture can help better understand the vineyard and measure some key structural parameters, such as the Leaf Area Index (LAI). Remote Sensing is a typical approach to monitoring vegetation which measures the spectral information directly emitted and reflected from vegetation. This study explores a new method for estimating LAI which measures the projected shadows of plants using UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) imagery. A flight mission over a vineyard was scheduled in the afternoon (15:30 to 16:00 solar time), which is the optimal time for the projection of vine shadows on the ground. Real LAI was measured destructively by removing all the vegetation from the area. Then, the projected shadows in the image were detected using machine learning methods (k-means and random forest) and analysed at pixel level using a customised R code. A strong linear relationship (R² = 0.76, RMSE = 0.160 m² m-2 and MAE = 0.139 m² m-2) was found between the shaded area and the LAI per vine. This is a quick and simple method, which is non-destructive and gives accurate results; moreover, flights can be scheduled during other periods of the day than solar noon, such as in the morning or afternoon, thus enabling pilots to extend their working day. Therefore, it may be a viable option for determining LAI in vineyards trained on Vertical Shoot Positioned (VSP) systems.